1. Bragg's Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
This "miracle" tonic has been used for years by alternative folks as a "detoxifier," to treat acne or skin issues, or even for weight loss. I don't have personal experiences in those areas with ACV, but I have used it quite successfully for the treatment of heartburn. Sound counter intuitive? The theory is that we often have heart burn because we don't have enough stomach acid (due to pharmaceuticals, aging, stress, or eating less healthy foods that use a lot of stomach acid to digest). Our stomachs almost "over-react" to lack of stomach acid by pumping out almost too much acid. The interesting thing about it is that when you add acid in the form of 1 tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar mixed in at least 4-8 ounces of water to the system, it closes the feedback loop and calms the system. ACV has also been shown to have alkaline effects on the rest of the system, which is considered more ideal.
Of course, this is not recommended for persons who are still on H2 blockers or proton-pump inhibitors (like Nexium or Prilosec), as it just worsens the problem in this case. But if you are having some digestion issues and acid reflux, try 1 tablespoon of Bragg's apple cider vinegar to cold, warm, or even hot water, add a little honey if you can't stand the taste, and drink. It can be taken with or without food, and many alternative practitioners even recommend doing it at night away from food before you go to bed.
Before you go away thinking that I'm absolutely nuts, three quick stories:
a) A medical doctor came into my office, talking about how he practices medicine by seeking the cause of problem, not by just diagnosing drugs. He said, "For example, most people have heart burn because they don't have enough stomach acid, so I usually recommend betaine HCl {basically hydrochloric acid, which is similar to stomach acid} or raw apple cider vinegar."
b) My oh-so-lovable-but-somewhat-stubborn husband was apparently popping 6-8 Tums per day and even had heartburn from drinking water(!?!?). He finally cave and did ACV every night, and within two or three days had almost complete elimination of heartburn. After two weeks, he didn't notice any at all. In my opinion, this is much easier, more effective, and cheaper than OTC drugs for heartburn!
c) One of my best friends starting using ACV, as recommended by her dad, because she had heartburn from eating onions and other seemingly benign foods. After a week, poof, no heartburn!
I have used ACV for a few years and have complete relief. At one point in my life, a gastroenterologist told me I would have to be on Aciphex (a prescription drug) for the rest of my life.
As you can see in the newly added statement at the bottom of the blog, I am not a medical doctor, and this advice is not used to replace that of your own physician. If you want to try it, however, give it a few days (you might feel some slight heartburn at first as your body readjusts), and see how you feel. You might be pleasantly surprised :)
2. Listerine
I'm sure some of you use Listerine for bad breath, but it may actually help with cold sores! My boss recommended it to me as something she has used for years to prevent them before they get big or at least shorten their course. I woke up a few weeks ago with a big, ugly sucker on my lip...I was apparently sleeping during that "window of opportunity" when it's just tingling and you can still do something about it. For the next few days, I soaked a cotton ball in Listerine and pressed it to my lip. It eased the swelling, helped it run its course faster, and made my breath smell good! I don't really know how it works or if any dermatologist would recommend it, but my boss' parents, who were pharmacists, swore by it.
3. Black Tea Bags
After the cold sore incident calmed down, I managed to get a stye on my left eye. What is a stye, you say? It's a bacterial infection caused by staph aureus that can inflame a parts of the eye or eyelid, and in my case it's always at the lash line. I get them when I'm sick or, in this case, when I'm taking certain supplements that are trying to support my immune system by killing little bugs that live within all of us. Lucky me. I read online that regular black caffeinated tea bags, when wetted and placed over the closed eye, can really minimize pain and inflammation. I did it a few times during work (for about 10 minutes at a time), and then for each of two nights I taped it over my eye, and within two days the stye was completely gone. To do this, get a black tea bag, run it under purified water to wet completely, and place it over the closed eye. Cover with a few layers of tissue paper or gauze. Place tape over the tissue and go to sleep. You might be surprised at what happens by morning!
Remember, only you are in charge of your health. I encourage you to think outside the box, do your research, and see how your own body responds.
In good health,
*M*
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