MIGRAINES / SEVERE HEADACHES. more and more people are being diagnosed with migraines and from what I have read, there is very little understanding as to the why. I never had migraines until after I had two major surgeries in one year, now I have them regularly. I believe the combination of being put under for surgery and the change in my hormones caused a shift in my body chemistry, the result being migraines. Many women going through menopause have stated that they get migraines. Migraines also come from caffeine, tumors, food allergies, environmental allergies / stimulants, anxiety, skipping meals / dieting / fasting, foods containing nitrates (processed meats), tyramine (red wine, aged cheeses, smoked fish, chicken livers, some beans, and figs, and MSG (processed foods / some Chinese foods / some restaurant foods), chocolate, nuts, peanut butter, avocado, banana, citrus, onions, dairy products, and fermented or pickled foods also can be “triggers” for migraines. And that list goes on and on, unfortunately.
Since we have a hard time pinning down exactly what causes migraines – it is hard to provide foods that will help – instead the foods / herbs listed are more to reduce swelling, and to promote healthy brain functions, and healthy blood functions. Peppermint oil rubbed on the temples and base of the skull has been proven to help migraines. For me it only works on a stress migraine (pain localized to the back of my head.) Increase your intake of the Omegas 3/6/9, and ginkgo biloba – I take daily in pill form as I don’t get enough of either in my food intake. The B complex vitamins focus on the brain as well as overall immune health – I highly recommend that if you choose to increase your B vitamin intake you read up (you can overdose) and you take it in the morning on an empty stomach – or you may have problems sleeping. A strong shot of caffeine also can help with a fast onset of a severe migraine as it opens up the blood vessels and allows for better blood flow. The herb feverfew is the most common herb used for migraines. Some people are allergic to feverfew – so ensure you are reading up on that.
Honestly, I have yet to find a 100% effective natural solution for my migraines, and one of the few pharmaceutical drugs I do keep on hand is Excedrin Migraine. It works for me, especially when combined with the other – Claritin. I know that my migraine triggers primarily fall into one of three categories – high stress, allergies (environmental / seasonal), and high energy levels / absorbing negative energy from others. You would be well advised to understand when and why you have your migraines to help avoid and treat them better.
My routine for working through a migraine is to first have caffeine, then something sweet, and then something salty. I’ve explained the reasoning for caffeine above. Sweet things are natural pain killers and a small dose of sweet may be enough to move it to a headache over a persistent migraine. Your body needs salt, and since I drink a lot of water and tea each day, I need to add REAL salt to my diet. If I am low, and I put a bit of salt under my tongue it may alleviate the pain.
Also, cell phones are very dangerous when put next to the ear to talk to someone. Read up on cell phone tumors and the dangers of cell phone usage.
Additional Reading for herbs related to migraine relief – http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/headachemigraine/a/Migraine.htm
ADD / ADHD. When I was a child there was no ADD / ADHD, but then again there was very little fast food, junk food, processed food at that time either. Nor were there so many chemicals / preservatives / artificial colors / artificial flavors either. Additionally, we had playtime at school and rest time. Ensure your kids are getting enough daily exercise. Taking a serious look at your diet may shed light on your / your child’s hyperactivity. Processed Sugar / flour, sodas, artificial sweeteners, junk food, fast food, and processed frozen foods all play a huge part in these diseases. These foods disrupt the natural flow in the brain. Changing the diet and including some herbs helps substantially – Omega 3/6/9, ginkgo biloba, B complex vitamins all are important for a healthy brain.
Here is a good article on how to get started on the right diet for ADD – http://www.oneaddplace.com/add-diet.php
ACNE. Acne in children / tweens / adults can be fairly normal. It is a warning sign that there is an imbalance somewhere, that you touch your face too often (especially with dirty hands), and / or that your skin is naturally oily (which is horrible as a child / but great as an adult as it keeps your skin supple and younger looking longer). In children it is far more likely to be a dietary issue. Too many of our “standard” bad foods in the diet, not enough exercise, and not enough sunshine. In tweens it is more likely to be hormone imbalance as the onset of puberty progresses – and can be again modified and somewhat controlled by diet. A good skin regiment, and proper hygiene is also required. As an adult, diet, certain medications, dehydration, food allergies, stress, anxiety, cheap cosmetics, allergic reaction to skin products, hormone changes (peri- and menopause / male menopause), and birth control pills can be contributing factors.
You should clean your face at least twice a day with both an astringent and a toner and follow with a moisturizer (yes, even those of you that have oily skin). Make sure you choose products that are good quality and that fall low on the ladder of chemicals and high on the ladder of hypoallergenic. Witch Hazel and Vinegar are great for cleaning your skin. Oatmeal soap also a wonderful moisturizing / toning product. Astringents and toners will remove oil and dirt and “tone” the skin, while the proper moisturizer puts the proper moisture back into your skin. If you wear makeup – put it on right before you go out and take it off as soon as you are in for the night. Make sure you purchase good quality products. Try not to touch your face too often and if you have a hard time with this directive, you will need to clean your face more often. A good part of the reason adults have acne is related to touching their face with dirty hands. Wash your hands as frequently as possible.
Water plays a big part in acne as well. Remember that water removes the toxins from your body – if you are not drinking enough, the toxins go to the muscles and also through the skin. Drinking enough water every day is critical to removing the toxins properly. Green tea, dark green leafy vegetables, apples, pears, broccoli, and avocados all help. Vitamins C, B Complex, and Vitamin E all work to promote a healthy skin. Our “standards” again should be avoided.
Additional reading: http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/alternative/alternative-medicines-for-acne.htm
ARTHRITIS. Arthritis, joint pain and a host of other similar diseases have two very important things in common – Water and Omegas. I am beginning to sound like a broken record – but water again removes toxins from the body. Think of a clear glass of water sitting in a window – what happens after several days of sitting in the sun? The water evaporates, right? But what is left behind? Mineral deposits. If your body is chronically dehydrated those minerals must go somewhere – and they tend to gather in joints. Your Omegas (3/6/9) help lubricate your joints. Not having enough in your body causes stiffness, and stress on your joints just like having a wheel improperly lubricated on a bike or a car – does it run properly? No. The same principle applies. Immune system weakness also allows for infection and other possible causes.
Drinking sufficient water (see post on water), get enough of your Omegas (I recommend a gelcap including all three 3/6/9), and eat foods that reduce inflammation and promote a healthy immune system. Those include dark green leafy vegetables, fruits / vegetables high in vitamins C, B, and E. Anti-inflammatory foods include kelp, wild salmon, turmeric, shitake mushrooms, green tea, papaya, blueberries, olive oil, broccoli, and sweet potato. And of course – stay away from our “standard” bad food list.
Recommended reading – best diet for arthritis: https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/healthy-living/nutrition/anti-inflammatory/the-ultimate-arthritis-diet
Anti-inflammatory foods: http://theconsciouslife.com/top-10-anti-inflammatory-foods.htm
As a reminder, everything in my blog is informational. I am not a practitioner and am not able to provide medical advice. Ensure you are tracking your challenges and speak to your doctors if suggestions do not work for you. Additionally, ensure you are not allergic to anything new you are trying. Read up on all the herbs and foods – you are the guide to your own heath.
Blessings – E