Home Remedies: The Good, the Bad and the Smelly

Relief from Chronic, Joint and Back Pain

2009-12-19T06:04:00.000-08:00

TDP Lamp provides focused deep heating to reduce inflammation, chronic pain, relieves sore and stiff muscle. This mineral lamp also increases the blood circulation and metabolism.

The TDP lamp has gained world-wide renown relief for stiff and sore muscles, and helping stimulate blood flow in the area exposed.

The TDP Mineral Lamps help relieve muscle and joint stiffness, inflammation, muscle spasms, sprains and strains.

The TDP lamp has great muscle-relaxation effects, and increase local blood circulation at the areas where the heat is applied.

Benefits of the Mineral Lamp:

1. Relieves Muscle Pain, Joint Pain, Inflammation and Soft Tissue Injuries - The TDP lamp increases blood circulation, which aids in muscle relief by emitting 33 essential minerals into your body. The absorbed energy promotes micro circulation and metabolism, helps improve the immune system. Good for people with sore muscles, arthritis, bursitis, back ache, tennis elbow and joint pains.

2. Relaxes Muscle and Improves Range Of Motion - The TDP lamp causes the muscles to relax, which will improve range of motion and help insomnia.

3. Comfortable and Relaxed Feeling - Great for harsh winter & elderly. The heat of the TDP Mineral Lamp penetrates into the region of the body which creates a very comfortable and relaxed feeling.

Herbtime Opinion: This lamp is good for people who don't like the direct heat of a heating pad or have trouble with cords and positioning. The lamp works great while sitting in a recliner or in the bed. This is a very unique product and is only sold online. You can read more information on the mineral lamp at http://www.herbtime.com/278.html.

Dill Tea

2009-11-23T15:23:00.000-08:00

Dill water is suggested for being helpful for stomach upsets, gas and bloating.

Soak the dill seeds beforehand - soak 1 teaspoon of dill seeds in a pinch of salt,with enough water to cover for 7 hours, and then strain out the water.

Makes 2 cups (recipe can be doubled).

Ingredients:
1 teaspoon dill seeds, soaked 1 pint boiled water (certified organic).

Preparation: Soak dill seeds in a pinch of salt, with enough water to cover for 7 hours. The next day boil 1 pint of water and add soaked dill seeds. Lower heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain out the seeds and drink it hot or cold. It may be stored in the refrigerator for 2 days.

Parsley Tea

2009-11-22T13:21:00.000-08:00

Parsley tea is an excellent for urinary tract infection (UTI) or bladder infection, especially for candida sufferers who cannot yet tolerate high amounts of garlic.

Using the whole plant is best, including the root, and when it is fresh gathered. A strong infusion cleanses the kidneys and the urinary passages in a short time. It is likewise good in jaundice, and other complaints arising from obstructions of the liver.

It is also helpful for gas, in both the stomach and the bowels.

It is best to use fresh parsley, including the stems, to make a tea. But if you can get the roots as well it will make the treatment even more potent and helpful.

Drink 4 cups per day for 7 days for urinary tract infection.

Your symptoms will greatly decrease after 3 days, but continue for 4 more days.

If you are pregnant, parsley oil, juice, and seeds should be avoided because they are uterine stimulants, but the tea recommended below is quite safe to drink.

How to make Parsley Tea

Ingredients:

4 cups water, boiled
4 heaping teaspoons fresh parsley,including stems, and roots, if you can get them

Preparation:

Boil 4 cups of non-chlorinated water.
Remove the water from the heat.
Mince (cut up finely) 4 heaping teaspoons of fresh parsley. Put it into the boiled water and stir.
Let it steep 20 minutes.
Strain it, and drink it hot or cold. It may be reheated without harming it, but do not boil it.

Drink all 4 cups throughout the course of one day, for 7 days

Herbtime Opinion: I also did this tea for the bladder infection and it worked wonders. I did see the pain and inflammation decrease by day 3. I do suggest keeping up with the protocol and following it through for the entire 7 days. It is a pleasant drink and reminds you of drinking a sort of vegetable soup. Not bad at all! It doesn't smell bad or taste bad and is good whether it is consumed hot or cold.

Herbtime Rating: 5 out of 5 ribbons: -----

http://www.herbtime.com/

Garlic's Nutrients & Antifungal Activity

2009-11-22T13:11:00.000-08:00

Garlic is in the same species including well-known edible plants such as onion, chives, leek, and shallot.

The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Chinese, Indians and Romans all advocated the therapeutic value of garlic in the treatment of ailments ranging from eye disorders, sore throats and headaches to old age. It was even know as an aphrodisiac.

More recently, garlic was used in the First and Second World War both as an oral medicine to treat battleground infections and as a wound dressing. It was a great success in both applications.

Modern medicine is now investigating garlic's traditional properties and, surprisingly, several of them are standing up to scientific scrutiny. Clinical ecologists are particularly interested in it as an antifungal, detoxifier and immune-system regulator.

Garlic is also very effective in treating lung disorders, i.e. coughs, bronchitis, pneumonia, etc., by drinking 4 to 5 cups of garlic tea per day. See our post on Garlic Tea.

Antibiotic Activity Louis Pasteur commented on the bactericidal (bacteria – killing) effect of fresh garlic juice when dropped onto growing bacterial colonies. Over the years studies have shown that fresh garlic juice inhibits the growth of Staphylococcus (wound infection), Brucella (brucellosis), Salmonella (Typhoid) and several other bacteria. The action was comparable in vitro (in the laboratory) with that of several antibiotics including penicillin, streptomycin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline and erythromycin.

To treat babies or small children with garlic, rub raw crushed garlic into their feet.

Garlic Tea

2009-11-22T12:53:00.001-08:00

Garlic is not only the best antifungal, but it is also antibacterial, antiviral, nutritious, etc.

This tea is great for any respiratory problems, i.e. pneumonia, flu, cold, cough, bronchitis, etc.

Drink it hot or cold. It can be kept on very low heat to keep it hot. It keeps well in the refrigerator for 24 hours.

This tea is not as bad as it sounds.

Ingredients:

4 cups of boiled water
5 medium-sized cloves of garlic
Crushed juice of 1 lemon, freshly squeezed
1 teaspoon raw ginger, grated

Preparation:

Boil 4 cups of water.
Remove the water from the heat.
Add crushed cloves of garlic (preferably certified organic), lemon juice, and grated raw ginger.
Let it steep for 20 minutes.
Strain and drink 4 cups throughout the day for at least 7 days to treat a respiratory ailments.

Herbtime Opinion: I've tried this for a bladder infection. I was on day one when I started feeling a reaction in my sinuses and head. I have always had sinus problems and it seems like the garlic was working it's magic on this area first. I was on day three when the headaches subsided which was most likely a result of detoxing and healing. I woke up on day three actually breathing through both nostrils! I did not have fresh ginger at the time, but will try it next time. The lemon takes the edge off the garlic taste and it is much better drinking it warm versus cold.

Herbtime Rating: 5 out of 5 ribbon rating: -----

Alkalizing Ice Cream

2009-04-06T13:23:00.000-07:00

Use a 5 Qt Ice Cream Freezer

2 cans Coconut Milk (stir in rest of the ingredients as they are added to avoid clumping)

1 ½ Tbsp. Coconut Oil

2+ big squirts Stevia

1 cup Almonds (grind to small but still crunchy)

¼ cup Flax Seeds

1 ½ Tbsp. Almond Butter

Real Salt – many shakes - to taste

3 tsp. Soy Sprouts

½ cup Coconut (flakes)

1-2 cartons Almond Milk – add to fill line on ice cream container

2 ½ Tbsp Vanilla Natural Flavor

6 good shakes of Cinnamon (with holes in top of cinnamon container)

Toppings - carob chips (you can add to ice cream or have as a topping) & a mixture of seeds and nuts

http://www.herbtime.com

Alkalizing Lemon Coconut Shake

2009-04-06T12:03:00.000-07:00

Lemon Coconut Shake This is one of my favorite shakes for breakfast or when I’m hungry.

2 C - Water or coconut or rice milk makes it creamier.
1 - Avocado
1- 2 whole lemon
1 C - Spinach or
1 C - broccoli (I also use frozen broccoli)
1 tsp. - Stevia (if desired as sweetner)
5 tsp. - shredded organic coconut
2-4 tbs. - cold processed virgin coconut oil
1 scoop – Greens powder
1 handful soaked almonds
Blend to smooth consistency.

Enjoy! http://www.herbtime.com

Does Your Guacamole Dip Contain Avocados?

2009-04-06T06:14:00.000-07:00

Did you know that many prepared guacamole dips that you purchase contain very little avocado? This is a shame since guacamole made with real avocados is one of the healthiest dips that we can eat.

Avocados are abundant in vitamin E, lutein (extremely important for preserving eyesight), potassium, and dietary fiber. Avocados are also rich in healthy fats, which are essential to allowing our bodies to absorb fat-soluble nutrients such as beta-carotene and vitamin A.

Instead of eating a highly processed guacamole dip make your own. It’s easy; just follow this simple recipe for a healthy alternative.

1 ripe avocado

1/5 of a whole red onion, chopped

Juice of 1/2 of a lemon or lime

1/4 cup of fresh cilantro, chopped

Sea salt, to taste

Scoop flesh of ripe avocado into a large bowl. Add all other ingredients and mash with a fork. If you want good texture, don’t mash too much - just enough to evenly distribute the ingredients and break down the avocado into chunky portions. No time and would like to buy a commercial brand of guacamole, choose one that lists avocados as the first ingredient.

http://www.herbtime.com

Is Your Body Getting Enough Minerals?

2009-04-06T05:20:00.000-07:00

It's impossible to underestimate the importance of minerals and trace minerals for the human body. Minerals are the catalysts for all the vitamins and other nutrients your body uses for developing and maintaining good health. You body can make some vitamins like Vitamin D from the Sun and Vitamin A from Beta Carotene, but the only way to get minerals is from the foods we eat or from supplements. Now I found there is another way to make sure your body is getting all the minerals it needs along with relieving sore aching muscles. The TDP Lamp at is a unique heating lamp that increases blood circulation, which aids in muscle relief by emitting 33 essential minerals into your body. For full details on the product visit http://www.herbtime.com/278.html

Foot Soak

2009-04-03T11:45:00.000-07:00

Want to take advantage of our Body Soaks, but soaking in a bathtub is not an option?

Try our Foot Soak

Now you can do a foot soak to add Balance and Vitality while relieving Pain and Stress. Sound too good to be true? Our Foot Soak combines the balancing benefits of the Body Soak Clear, Blue and Gold for a powerful combination that works while you soak your feet.
Just draw a pan of warm water, put in the suggested amount of Foot Soak then submerge both feet. You will feel a sense of calm and peace in the matter of moments.
For those of you that stand on your feet all day the Foot Soak can also help to relieve the Heel & Foot aches while helping to reduce your stress.

Anti-Aging

2009-04-03T11:43:00.000-07:00

Aging Skin?

I first noticed that my skin was beginning to sag at the age of 35. One day I looked in the mirror as I was combing my hair and notice the beginnings of old lady arms… oh my gosh! I’m turning into my mother! Isn’t it funny how at the age of 35 we think our mothers are so much older than we are? Than at the age of 40, I noticed my face was beginning to sag… where did my baby face go? No more sunbathing for me and I started using all kinds of skin lotions and sun screens. Now at the age of 62, I am my mother and I am proud to be her daughter and carry on the genes and traits she pasted on to me. I am comfortable with aging, but I would like to take a natural approach to helping my skin look firmer and younger.
I try to exercise as much as possible and eat more protein. As for the exercise… I still work full time, so at the end of the day I’m usually too tired. For protein I carry the high protein bars with me and take spirulina capsules. This was good, but I needed more help with my loose skin.
When I was first introduced to Dynique Body Soak by a friend I was skeptical. She said without taking off my first pound, I would reduce excess inches caused by stretched, loose and aging skin. She said all I had to do was soak in my bathtub for 30 minutes. I could handle that! Even at the end of a busy work day… soaking was a pleasure. Well, she was right. With my first soak I noticed a difference and as I followed the use protocol my skin really showed a difference.
I was so pleased with the results that I concentrated on my face, especially around and under my chin. I used an Ace Bandage for my first few applications and it worked okay, but I suggest that you purchase and use the chin strap because it holds the wet cloth in place better. I was truly amazed when I looked at my face after the first application… my loose skin had tighten noticeably.

This is an amazing product! Thanks Herbtime.

Posted from a user's testimonial

Benefits of Steaming

2009-03-30T16:53:00.000-07:00

Considering Steam Bathing?

A steam bath opens pores, soothes sore muscles, increases circulation, and provides a generally relaxing and healthy experience. It is an excellent way to purge toxins as the excessive sweating clears your pores.

A steam bath treatment will relax your stiff muscles from an exercise workout and ease the swelling and tension in joints associated with arthritis.

For a safe and enjoyable experience there is a narrow range of optimum temperature for humans - around 112° F (44° C), that raises our body temperature without causing overheating. It is important to replenish the humidity so it remains near saturation for maximum benefits.

Other things to consider: Do not stay in the steam bath more than 15-20 minutes at a time to avoid overheating. You can do several sessions, but you must cool-down after each session period. Be sure to drink lots of water before and after steam bathing to help your body recover from the exertion. Do not eat a large meal before steam bathing. Last but not least wear loose clothing or a towel wrap, tight clothing will interfere with temperature regulation and sweating.

You can find a steam bath at your local spa, health club or yoga studio. If you find the benefits to be rewarding and would like to steam in the privacy and comfort of your own home there are home versions available. We recommend the Aromasteam for it's compact size, ease of installation and it is one that also offers the benefits of aromatherapy. So go ahead and step into the steam!

For those interested, full details on Aromasteam (http://www.herbtime.com/339.html)

Joint Repair

2009-03-30T16:40:00.000-07:00

Dr. William Kauffman has done some research in the 1930’s and 40’s which I’d like to share with you. Dr. Kauffman discovered a simple way to combat JOINT PAIN and mobility problems. It seems that several of our pharmaceutical companies are also aware of this research but prefer that you are kept in the dark about it. That’s because there is a multi-billion dollar market for prescriptions and over-the-counter medications for arthritis and other joint and muscle pains. Dr. Kauffman’s discovery would change a lot of that if it got out. You see, Dr. Kauffman learned and carefully documented that niacinamide, a common B-vitamin, corrects and prevents this problem.

Dr. Kauffman found that niacinamide was extremely effective when used for muscle fatigue & strength, loss of balance, joint pain & mobility, osteoarthritis, and depression (it works much like Valium & Xanax without the side-effects).

Because niacinamide is one of the B-vitamins it should be taken along with a B- complex to be most effective. Also, since B-vitamins are water soluble, it should be taken every few hours to maintain blood and tissue levels. Dr. Kauffman recommends one take 250 mg. of niacinamide every 1 to 3 hours (while awake) each day, (Every hour for severe problems and every 3 hours for less severe problems and prevention). It’s also important to take plenty of protein for healing muscles and joints while on this program, as well as Vitamin D in the amount of 400 to 1600 IU per day.

Foot Remedies - Soothe your soles

2009-03-16T09:37:00.000-07:00

Feet are the most used and abused part of our body. More than 300 ailments can afflict the foot. Studies show that 63% of Americans think it’s normal for their feet to hurt, and 80% have foot pain regularly. Yet fewer than 3% visit a podiatrist. Bad feet, bad spine, bad health. This is an easy way to remember the importance of the feet as the foundation of your physical structure. Your estimation of their value will increase when you see your feet from the viewpoint of a foot specialist, or even an engineer. Although simple in structure, they are mighty in strength. A little attention pays big dividends in better health and happiness; for as it has often been said, “When your feet hurt, you hurt all over.” Give feet and hands attention, and you’ll ease your troubled soles.

Aching Feet?
Use Tei Fu Lotion and rub on directly to the bottom of your feet.

Athlete’s Foot?
Wash your feet twice a day with Tea Tree Soap, making sure to dry well between the toes. Essential oils that help athlete’s foot are lavender, tea tree and myrrh. Blend 10 drops of thyme and 10 drops of tea tree oil, mix with your favorite carrier oil lotion and rub on feet. For fungal infections try soaking your feet for 30 minutes in black tea.

Broken Capillaries?
White Oak Bark is highly recommended for broken capillaries. Essential oils that are helpful are chamomile, geranium and hyssop. A good blend is one drop lavender and one drop chamomile then apply to the area.

Poor Circulation?
To improve circulation to the feet take capsicum (cayenne) and butcher’s broom capsules for a dynamic energizer. When the circulation is improved, nutrients and healing energies are generated that help almost any condition. Try a good foot soak followed up with Tei Fu Lotion

Cold & Uncomfortable Feet?
These are signs that the body is freeing itself of disturbed energy. Try peppermint oil externally. Rub directly on the bottom of the feet.

Gout?
This ailment occurs when there is too much uric acid in the blood, tissues and urine. Drink plenty of alkalizing water. Essential oils that are helpful include basil, birch, fennel, hyssop, lemon, nutmeg and thyme. Black cherry juice included in the diet is also recommended. Avoid red meat, mushrooms, alcohol and beans (except green beans), peas, spinach, sugar or flour products. Eat lots of cherries and strawberries, which help reduce acids.

For more information or to see our line of essential oils, please visit www.herbtime.com

Stress - Don't let it become chronic

2009-03-12T11:00:00.000-07:00

The human body contains 45 miles of nerves…are yours relaxed?

Chronic stress over time can cause health issues and therefore we need to be aware of our daily stress levels. If you find yourself constantly on edge, shoulders hiked up to your neck and your teeth grinding it's time to find some stress relief.

Make sure you have enough B vitamins, since these become depleted under high stress. Also, find any activity that soothes your soul and brings down your stress levels. For those that need an extra boost, check out our Exstress Body soaks under Liquid Needle Body Soak in our Body and Skin Care category.
http://www.herbtime.com

Herbtime: Dynique Youtube Video

2009-03-12T10:59:00.000-07:00

Well we took the plunge and created our first Youtube video on one of our unique products. We made our first promotional video on Dynique, a mineral based solution carefully crafted after the mineral springs used by so many at the famous Spa. This product has been used successfully for over 28 years and is a more cost effective solution to the higher priced surgical options available today. To see the full video go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBEMsYZcTWc

Dealing with Unwanted Pests

2009-03-12T10:58:00.000-07:00

Tip for dealing with mosquitoes. Put some water in a white dinner plate and add a couple of drops of Lemon Fresh Joy dish detergent. Set the dish on your porch, patio, or other outdoors area. The mosquitoes will flock to it and shortly afterward will drop dead after drinking the Lemon Fresh Joy/water mixture (generally within 10 feet of the plate).

Tip for dealing with undesired ants. (I don’t think it works on undesired uncles!) An article in a recent newspaper mentioned that the artificial sweetener, Aspartame, was originally used for ant control. The article said that pouring the powder over an ant hill or other ant infested area that you want to control and sprinkling just a tiny amount of water over the powder to moisten it will eradicate ants. I had to try this one out for myself and see if there really is a legitimate use for aspartame. Based on my limited experience it really does work when used this way. Give it a try and let me know how it works on your ants.

Our Best,
Herbtime http://www.herbtime.com

Personal Safety Tip

2009-03-12T10:56:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while someone shares a really good tip with me. Here is one that I recently jotted down.

Safety Tip: Put your car keys on the nightstand by your bed. If you have an intruder simply activate the “panic” button on the keys and your car horn sounds and lights flash. This will scare off most intruders and certainly alert neighbors.

Stay Healthy and Stay Safe!

Our best,
Herbtime http://www.herbtime.com

Ankylosing Spondylitis - Fight and Win

2009-03-11T17:35:00.000-07:00

I was diagnosed with an auto-immune disorder, Ankylosing Spondylitis, in 1998. The news hit me hard to say the least. I was 29-years old and had experienced back problems since I was 18-years old. What is wrong with me? Initially, the doctors didn’t have any idea what was wrong with such an outwardly normal, active-looking young woman.

I pleaded for x-rays, and what they found was a spine in terrible shape, a back of a 75-year-old woman. Within one year my back had fused in several places. I found a great doctor who continued to search for the cause and after several months of blood tests I tested positive for the HLA-B27 gene. Ninety percent of people with this rare gene develop Ankylosing Spondylitis, an autoimmune disorder where the body attacks itself along the spine, an arthritic condition which causes fusion of the vertebras.

My doctor called me into her office and told me “you have a rare disease, which can lead to fusion of the spine”. I was told my posture would have to be impeccable because if not the back could shift forward and I could fuse bent over. I stumbled out of the office with tears welling up even though I fought fiercely to hold them back. I was at a loss of options and immediately found a Rheumatologist to start dealing with what I now had a name for.

The physical and mental pain at that time was excruciating, as I was drug deeper and deeper into the world of long term illness and a disease without a cure. I spent many days at the doctor’s asking questions and searching for some kind of knowledge that would unlock the mysteries of this suffering. I was prescribed sulfa drugs, which in a week’s time caused internal bleeding. Then only anti-inflammatory and pain pills remained. I didn’t want the anti-inflammatory to cause other gastrointestinal problems later in life, and I resisted the pain pills because I did not want to live life dulled and dazed.

Each passing morning was tougher and tougher to get out of bed and straighten up but even tougher was not having a viable option to fight this horrible illness. Not following conventional medicine was a hard road to take and kind-of scary. This path was especially hard on my friends and people who cared about me. My job as a Logistics Specialist was becoming harder and harder to handle due to the excessive stress characteristic of the position and the fact I could only sit for 20-minutes at a time.

At that time, I was going to the doctor for many other symptoms that developed: heart effects, lung tests, inflamed gall bladder, and irregular blood results to name a few. Each time I waited for the results without my family because I could not handle the pain of putting continual stresses and hurt on them. I already saw the pain in their eyes, and I couldn’t stand to be the reason pain was there even though I had no control. I had a good friend and co-worker to whom I poured my worries out. She stood by me and waited-out each result with me. I’m very sorry that I did not share what was happening with my Mom, Grandparents, Aunts, and two brothers who cared about me and who love me very much.

My Mom never stopped searching for a way to stop the devastating progression of this illness. My mother had been in the natural health field for 7-years and owned an herb shop in Georgia, Herbtime. My Mom, through many contacts, found a man in my area that dealt with several so-called “incurable” illnesses.

Lose the Label!
By the time I had my first session, my left arm was at my side unable to move due to stiffness that had developed in my back. I entered his office with several charts, reports, x-rays, the name of my disease, and the facts that I had learned. The very first thing he said to me was, “Lose the Label, you will not have this”. His statement stopped me in my tracks since I had all of this documentation and these lengthy reports stating otherwise. "Losing the label" took me some time but was very well worth the mind-effort to overcome. A positive-mind is one of the strongest drugs on earth, and the side effects are out of this world! I became aware of the effects of the mind by looking back at the time I adopted the label. At that time I was immediately immersed into the depression and despair of so many others living with the label, and my physical symptoms seemed to increase due to the mental state I was in.

I spent 5-hours that day being physically manipulated out of the spasms and knots that had become of the muscles in my back. On the table, I was acutely aware of the pain-digging deep into each shoulder blade. I could not move my left arm because the shoulder blade did not have a gap. The muscle was full of inflammation and tension from the constant attack that my body was assaulting against itself. After an hour of constant work on the left shoulder blade, I endured the pain of the second. The remaining 3-hours were spent on the other areas of the spine. The first thing I realized from this session was that the process is going to be long and intense. I needed the lengthy constant work to straighten and lengthen the muscles, and I was quick to appreciate the time that was spent on me.

I went home that night feeling a bit beat up but in no way was I expecting what happened next. That night I went to a neighbor’s house, and I ended up leaving 5-days later. Several hours after the session, I developed a painful headache, chills and convulsions. I was undergoing a major cleansing of all of the toxins and inflammation that had build up over the years and was now on their way out. After several rough nights and exhausted days, I began to come out of this healing crisis. I don't recommend anyone go that quickly in moving toxins and lactic acid out of the body. I recommend a slower progression through bath body soaks.

Mine was too much too quick which can be detrimental to the body. I was put on a very strict diet consisting of mainly vegetables so my body would be under little stress and could do the hefty job of eliminating all of the toxins. After several months of strict dieting, my pain subsided, and I became pain-free for periods of time for the first time in over ten-years. I also stayed on a program of herbal supplements to build up my cartilage and reduce inflammation. I have been on a routine schedule for physical therapy to maintain and gain-back some mobility that was lost during the siege. Please feel free to download a free copy of the plan I followed to put AS in remission at http://www.herbtime.com/.

Theories of what went wrong
I am very proud to say that I am not on any medication, and I continue to strive to gain mobility. One of my very first questions to the Rheumatologists was why does autoimmune target certain areas of the body? Ankylosing Spondylitis in the spine Lupus systematically Multiple Sclerosis in the nervous system Rheumatoid in the joints My own thoughts on the subject were that the body’s immune system was trying to attack and rid itself of something hidden or dormant. A virus is one thing that many of us have experienced at a young age.

Interestingly, I was struck by Scarlet Fever at the age of 1 1/2yrs. I was rushed to the hospital and was given a rather large dose of penicillin at the base of my spine to save my life. My mother recalls a large lump at the base of my spine a week after the medicine was injected. At the age of 18, I was experiencing back problems and went to see a Chiropractor.

Initial x-rays showed I had spondylolisthesis, part of my vertebrae on the side where the medication was injected did not develop. My theory has always been that the Scarlet Fever virus hid from the massive dose of penicillin in the spinal area. Modern day drugs are unsuccessful at combating viruses due to the size and ever changing form they take to survive. Viruses can lay dormant until an upset causes their re-entry/activity into the system.

I found that as long as I live a clean a life as possible my symptoms subside, and I’m in a form of remission.Personal journey to changeI’ve changed a lot as a result of my journey. In a sense, the disease made me discover who I am and what life means to me. A full night’s sleep, waking up and being able to get out of bed, walking, and sitting in the car to go to work are major accomplishments and were some things that I couldn't always do.

I also realized that the stress of my job is too much for my body to handle, and I found that my real passion and zest for life comes from being creative and helping others. I spent 5-years working my way through college to obtain a Chemical Engineering degree from Georgia Tech, and I worked my way up the company ladder to a very good position. My accomplishments should be very gratifying; however my current state of health and passion lies elsewhere. I have always enjoyed helping others, and I joined Herbtime.com an on-line business with my Mother to share what I have learned with others.

I want people to know that other things can be done to change the course of their destiny. I want to give my story and ideas to possibly help another out of despair and what may seem like a hopeless situation. Integration between natural & medical fieldsAnkylosing Spondylitis (autoimmune in general) is a very rare disease and not much exposure has been given to its devastating effects.

I think I can help others to see another side-- one that they can have some control in directing with their thoughts (mind power) and their bodies (nutrition and cleansing). Times are changing, and the natural-health field and medical field are slowly beginning to merge.

Physicians are now hearing about herbal medicine from their patients, and therefore, need to know what herbs do and what effects they may have with certain drugs they are prescribing. The best world would be for herbal practitioners to work with the medical field to find the best solution for the patient. I hope to be a link in making this come about.

The mind is a powerful tool, and our bodies are perfectly engineered by God to overcome all that ails us. The question is...what is that path and how do we aid our body in finding the solution? Feel free to contact me at http://www.herbtime.com/ - ask for your free download of the plan I followed to get my body back in balance.