By Dr Catherine W Dunne MSc. D., RGN, Reiki Master (RGMT), M.H.I.T: Master Acupressure, Practitioner of Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Deep Tissue/Myo-fascia Massages, Infrared Treatments, Vibrational Sound and Colour Therapist, Tissue Salt Advisor, Pendulum Healing Dowser, Chakra Practitioner , Tao Cosmic Healing Practitioner, Practitioner of Plant and Herb Medicine and Nurse.
We all have heard of the saying: “You are what you eat!” But what about what we wear?
An organ is defined loosely as any part of an animal (human included) or plant that is adapted for a particular function for example respiration, digestion or excretion. Skin is the largest organ in a human body. It comprises two distinct layers, the epidermis and the dermis. The skin of a 180 cm (5 ft 11 in) adult male weighing around 70kg (154 lb) covers an area of 1.5–2 sq m (16.1–21.5 sq ft) and weighs about 3.8 kg (8 lb 5 oz). By comparison, this hypothetical man’s liver – his largest internal organ – would weigh only about 1.5 kg (3 lb 4.8 oz).
Skin’s function: Protects against pathogens; provides insulation; synthesizes vitamin D; regulates temperature; provides sensation. Here are some fun and surprising facts about skin to help you better appreciate this large organ in your body:
Your skin makes up about 15% of your total body weight.
The average adult has nearly 21 square feet (2 sq m) of skin that contains over 11 miles (17.7km or 17702,8m) of blood vessels.
A single square inch (ca. 6,4516 sq cm) of skin has about 300 sweat glands.
The thickest skin is found on your feet and the thinnest area of skin is your eyelids.
Your skin renews itself every 28 days and sheds about 9 pounds (9lbs = approx. 454mg or 0,454kg) of dead skin cells every year.
Some of the dust in your home may actually be dead skin.
Your skin has some nerves that are connected to your muscles to help you react more quickly to extreme temperatures or pain.
Changes in your skin can often be a warning sign of a medical condition or changes in your body’s health.
There are at least five types of receptors in the skin that respond to pain and touch.
Sleep is vital for healthy, vibrant, and youthful skin.
Now, that’s the scientific part of biology covered.
The Vibrational Frequencies of the Human Body.
Did you know that our body is a form of energy, which is made up of vibration and frequency. And sometimes, one “resonates” with another human.
Bruce Tainio, famous researcher and developer of Tainio Technology found that a healthy body resonates at a frequency of 62-72 MHz, (MHz takes 1 ‘hz’ and multiplies it by a million) and when your frequency drops to 58 MHz, that is when disease starts.
In 1992, Bruce Tainio built the first frequency monitor in the world – Calibrated Frequency Monitor (CFM).
Below are some frequencies listed, that may be of interest:
Human Body
Genius Brain Frequency at: 80-97 MHz
Brain Frequency Range at: 72-95 MHz
Normal Brain Frequency at: 72 MHz
Human Body at: 62-100 MHz
Human Body: from Neck up at: 72-78 MHz
Human Body: from Neck down at: 60-68 MHz
Thyroid and Parathyroid glands at: 62-68 MHz
Thymus Gland at: 65-68 MHz
Heart at: 67-70 MHz
Lungs at: 58-65 MHz
Liver at: 55-60 MHz
Pancreas at: 60-80 MHz
Disease
Colds and Flu start at: 50-55 MHz
Disease starts at: 55 MHz
Candida overgrowth starts at: 55 MHz
Receptive to Epstein Barr at: 52 MHz
Receptive to Cancer at: 42 MHz
Death begins at: 25 MHz
Food
(Fresh foods and herbs ca be higher if grown organically and eaten freshly picked
Fresh Foods / Herbs at: 20-27 Hz
Dried Foods /Herbs at: 15-22 Hz
Processed / Canned Food at: 0 Hz
Frequency is defined as a measurable rate of electrical energy that is constant between any two points. When there is frequency, there is electromagnetic potential. We are being influenced by the magnetic action (or attraction) of the frequencies that surround our lives each day and frequencies influence our state of well-being. Everything has an electrical frequency measured in hertz.
Studies show that negative thoughts lower our frequency on average 12 Hz. Positive thoughts raises our Hz on average 10 Hz. Prayer and meditation raises our frequency on average 15 Hz.
Royal Raymond Rife, M.D., developed a “frequency generator” in the early 1920s. With this he found that with certain frequencies he could destroy a cancer cell or a virus. He found that certain frequencies could prevent the development of disease, and others would destroy disease. Substances with higher frequency will destroy diseases of a lower frequency. The study of frequencies raises an important question, concerning the frequencies of substances we eat, breathe and absorb. Many pollutants lower healthy frequency. Processed/canned food has a frequency of zero. Fresh produce has up to 15 Hz, dried herbs from 12 to 22 Hz and fresh herbs from 20 to 27 Hz.
What Rife proved is that every health disorder has a frequency, which in turn responds (resonates) to a specific (optimal) frequency for its dissolving/healing in the body.
Does Colour have frequencies?
First of all, Colour is determined first by frequency and then by how those frequencies are combined when they reach the eye. Colour is the frequency of visible light, and it ranges from 430 trillion Hertz (which is red) to 750 trillion Hertz (which is violet). Waves can also go beyond and below those frequencies, but they’re not visible to the human eye.
Does Fabric have frequencies?
Fabrics have frequencies and they affect the way we feel. But there’s science behind this too: natural fibres have higher frequencies than synthetic ones and therefore are better for us. Natural Fibers like linen, organic cotton, and silk offer high vibrational frequencies that enhance energy, clarity, and health. In contrast, synthetic Fibers like polyester and nylon have low frequencies that can disrupt your natural energy flow. In 2003 a Jewish doctor, Heidi Yellen, did a study on the frequencies of fabrics, in which she showed that a healthy human body has a signature frequency of 100, and wearing a material that measures less than 100 units of energy would compromise our wellbeing. Each fabric gives of a frequency that can be measured in mHz (megaHertZ). Organic cotton has a tested value of 110 mHz, polyester around 10 mHz. A diseased person generally measures 15 mHz. Wool and Linen both have a signature of 5000 mHz! That amazing naturally created feature of the fabrics will also give energy to your body as you wear it. It is important however to not wear linen and wool together, however, as the frequencies in both of the linen and wool fibres run in opposite current directions. If you wear them together, the two frequencies will cancel each other out and bring you to a 0 (Zero).
Here’s a chart with some common clothing fabrics and their corresponding frequencies:
Fabric | Frequency (Hz)
Flax-Linen | 5000 Hz
Animal Wool | 500 Hz
Cotton | 80-100 Hz
Silk | 100-230 Hz
Flax-Hemp | 230 Hz
Rayon | 40-50 Hz
Polyester | 30-40 Hz
Nylon | 25-35 Hz
The concept of clothing fabric frequency is based on the idea that different materials have unique vibrational energies that can affect our physical and emotional wellbeing. Here’s a more detailed explanation:
Frequency ranges: The frequencies listed in the chart are generally categorized into three ranges:
Low frequency (30-60 Hz): Synthetic fabrics are believed to have a low frequency, which can lead to feelings of fatigue, lethargy, and stagnation.
Medium frequency (70-500 Hz): Natural fabrics can promote balance, stability, and comfort.
High frequency (550-5000+ Hz): Fabrics are believed to have a high frequency, which can enhance energy, vitality, and spiritual connection.
Impact on human energy: Wearing clothing made from low-frequency fabrics can allegedly drain our energy, while high-frequency fabrics can boost our vitality and promote a sense of well-being.
Scientific basis: While there is some anecdotal evidence to support the concept of clothing fabric frequency, there is limited scientific research to confirm its validity. Some studies suggest that the human body responds to the electromagnetic properties of fabrics, which may influence our energy levels and emotional state.
Keep in mind that the scientific evidence supporting clothing fabric frequency is limited, and more research is needed to fully understand its effects on human health and wellbeing. Please note that these frequencies are approximate and based on various sources, including Dr. Heidi Yellen’s study. The actual frequencies may vary depending on the specific fabric type, weave, fabric colour and synthetic or organic manufactured colour and manufacturing process.
Summary: Impact on Health
Synthetic garments are often less breathable and can retain heat and moisture, which can lead to skin irritations and other skin problems. What’s more, the low frequency of synthetic fibers can contribute to feelings of fatigue, stress and even general malaise. Some wellness experts recommend avoiding synthetic clothing whenever possible, especially when worn directly against the skin.
Making Conscious Choices for Well-Being
It’s clear that the clothes we wear are not just choices of style or comfort, but can also have a significant impact on our health and well-being due to their vibrational frequencies. Natural fibers such as cotton, linen, hemp and wool offer vibrational frequencies that are harmonious with our bodies, promoting a state of well-being, vitality and comfort. Conversely, synthetic garments, with their low frequencies, can have disruptive effects on our energy and health.
Making conscious choices when it comes to clothing, with a preference for natural fibers, can be a simple yet powerful way of supporting our health and well-being on a daily basis. By understanding the vibrational frequencies of different materials, we can choose clothes that not only fit well, but also resonate positively with our inner energy.
Conclusion:
At the start I mentioned that our Skin is our largest organ and its function is to: Protects against pathogens; provides insulation; synthesizes vitamin D; regulates temperature; provides sensation. Now that we have a greater understanding of our SKIN, the human’s healthy vibrational frequency, we need to exercise greater awareness on what we allow to be next to our skin and for how long.
Stay well in 2025.
I hope you feel inspired. Look after your body, and it will keep you healthy.
By Dr Catherine W Dunne MSc. D., RGN, Reiki Master (RGMT), M.H.I.T: Master Acupressure, Practitioner of Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Deep Tissue/Myo-fascia Massages, Infrared Treatments, Vibrational Sound and Colour Therapist, Tissue Salt Advisor, Pendulum Healing Dowser, Chakra Practitioner , Tao Cosmic Healing Practitioner, Practitioner of Plant and Herb Medicine and Nurse.
Vitamin D – the right intake
Taking vitamin D is an excellent preventive but also therapeutic measure. Regardless of whether it is an increased susceptibility to infections, autoimmune diseases, degenerative complaints or problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, depression and dementia, a vitamin D deficiency is usually the cause of the action. We explain how you can determine a vitamin D deficiency in the home test, how much vitamin D you need and how you can properly combine vitamin D with calcium, magnesium and vitamin K.
Vitamin D – How to take it correctly?
Vitamin D is particularly known for its bone-strengthening effect. It promotes calcium absorption from the intestine, is involved in calcium incorporation into the bones, inhibits bone loss and also strengthens the immune system.
At the same time, there is hardly a disease that does not develop Vitamin D deficiency would be involved. For example, the vitamin is considered a substance with an anti-inflammatory effect, which alone is reason enough for its positive influence in most chronic complaints – because they all go hand in hand with chronically inflammatory processes.
It is therefore important to pay attention to a healthy vitamin D level. How do you do that? Does the vitamin have to be taken as a dietary supplement? And if so, what is the right income? How to calculate the personally required dose and how to combine the vitamin with calcium, magnesium and Vitamin K?
A deficiency is common
Vitamin D is not a real vitamin. Because real vitamins must be ingested with food. With vitamin D, on the other hand, the body can also supply itself solely through the sun’s rays, since the vitamin is formed in the skin under the influence of UVB radiation.
However, in Central Europe this only works in summer (from around April to September) – and only if you are lightly dressed and do not constantly apply sunscreens with a high sun protection factor. The latter can reduce vitamin D formation in the skin. In Northern Europe you will need to supplement all year round,
The rest of the year, the sun is too low to send enough UVB radiation to Earth. In Central Europe you can only get along well with the help of the sun Vitamin D if you are really in the open air in the warm season to fill up your memories so comprehensively that you can get over the winter well.
However, many people do not succeed in what the modern lifestyle with an hourly stay in closed rooms is not entirely innocent. Therefore, large sections of the population suffer from vitamin D deficiency and should take the vitamin especially in winter.
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin
The bone vitamin belongs together with vitamin A, Vitamin E. and Vitamin K to the fat-soluble vitamins. That means two things:
There is always something for the absorption of vitamin D from the intestine fat required (see below under “Correct intake: Always with a little fat”).
The vitamin can be stored in the body (in adipose tissue and in the liver), which is almost never the case with water-soluble vitamins (B, C).
The advantage is that you don’t have to take vitamin D – once the stores are filled – every day. The organism can draw from a filled store for weeks or even months.
The disadvantage is that fat-soluble vitamins can also be overdosed, which you have to pay attention to when taking them. Because while excess water-soluble vitamins are usually simply discharged through the urine, this is not the case with fat-soluble vitamins. Cases of vitamin A overdoses are therefore known from time to time, for example from regions where fish liver is often eaten. This contains a lot of Vitamin A.
What dose leads to overdose?
As far as vitamin D is concerned, there is usually only the risk of an overdose if very high doses in the form of nutritional supplements are taken over a longer period of time.
50 µg or 2,000 IU per day are the recommended maximum dose in Europe and North America. However, clinical studies show that long-term intake of 10,000 IU daily does not pose any risks. An overdose could occur at 50,000 IU per day and at serum values of more than 150 ng / ml. Wa can then form hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood) – such an evaluation by Indian researchers from May 2011 in Oman Medical Journal.
Ideally, the blood values of vitamin D should be below 100 ng / ml, since primitive people rarely reach higher values, even though they are not dressed in the sun every day. The toxic range clearly begins at 300 ng / ml.
Overdose: from 50,000 IU per day for several months
Various case reports have also become known from 2011, in which an overdose of vitamin D led to complaints.
In a 70-year-old woman who took 50,000 IU daily, the typical symptoms of hypercalcemia occurred after 3 months of taking it: tiredness, walking difficulties and confusion. After stopping vitamin D, however, it recovered completely over the course of five months. It should be noted here that she also consumed over 3 g of calcium daily.
Another case describes a man in whom accidentally taking 2,000,000 IU of vitamin D a day after 2 months led to confusion, exhaustion, excessive thirst and frequent urination.
And in a third case, after taking 50,000 IU of vitamin D daily for six months, a man also observed the typical symptoms of hypercalcemia:
Excessive thirst and frequent urination
Stomach discomfort, Nausea, vomiting and constipation
Bone pain, muscle weakness
Confusion, lethargy and exhaustion
Overdose from food or sun?
Since vitamin D hardly occurs in food, you can hardly eat an overdose (unless you eat a lot of fish liver).
It is also hardly possible to get an overdose from the sun’s rays. Apparently, the body has protective measures that stop vitamin D formation via the skin as soon as a sufficiently high serum value is reached.
On a sunny summer day, the body rarely absorbs more than 10,000 IU of vitamin D in –, and only if you spent the whole day almost undressed (bath pants / bikini) in the sun.
Only in extreme sunlight (for years in hot regions all day on the beach) could there be unfavorable consequences of an overdose of vitamin D, but only here if there is a vitamin K2 deficiency and possibly too well-intentioned calcium supply at the same time.
So it is rather the over-dosed intake of the vitamin in the form of a dietary supplement that could lead to problems.
Make vitamin D preparation from mushrooms and sun yourself
We have described here how you can produce a natural source of vitamins from mushrooms: Pure vegetable vitamin source: mushrooms
Of course, this method cannot be used specifically to achieve a certain value in the blood or to remedy a deficiency, since one does not know the actual vitamin D content of the fungi, but one can prepare them accordingly Edible mushrooms Install regularly in the diet, so that in the long term you only have to take low-dose supplements or at some point no more.
The right intake
Below we describe all the factors you need to know for a correct intake of vitamin D. First, it is about which four vital substances the vitamin needs to work properly, then how you measure your vitamin D level and finally we present two methods with which you can find out or calculate the dose that suits you can.
1. Take vitamin K2
When taking vitamin D, it is always recommended to pay attention to a healthy vitamin K2 supply at the same time. Vitamin K2 is the vitamin that fulfills two major tasks in the body:
Vitamin K is involved in regulating blood clotting so that no one has to bleed to the smallest wound.
Vitamin K conducts excess calcium in the blood into the bones, thus ensuring that the calcium is not deposited on the blood vessel walls or in the form of kidney stones.
Since vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium, the amount of calcium absorbed also increases when the vitamin is taken. If vitamin K2 is now missing, the problems mentioned above can arise, i.e. a misdistribution of calcium in the body.
A 2015 study showed in kidney patients that the combined administration of vitamin D and vitamin K reduced the progression of arteriosclerosis (compared to the group that only received sun vitamin).
It is not entirely clear how much vitamin K2 you should take. The recommended doses for vitamin D supplementation vary considerably among experts. Information can be found there, such as B.
Taking 100 µg vitamin K2 per 5,000 IU vitamin D
Ingestion of 100 µg vitamin K2 per 10,000 IU
Ingestion of 100 µg vitamin K2 per 1,000 IU
There is also a recommendation depending on body weight: 2 – 3 µg vitamin K2 per kilogram of body weight.
We recommend taking vitamin K2 the following
Ingestion of 100 µg vitamin K2 at up to 2,500 IU vitamin D per day
Ingestion of 200 µg vitamin K2 in vitamin D doses above 2,500 IU per day
However, also note the vitamin K2 content of your food. If you adapt your diet accordingly and now take in enough vitamin K2 from your diet, you may only have to take vitamin K2 in the first weeks of your vitamin D intake until the stores are replenished and your diet then provides the required vitamin.
Vitamin K2 is available in various forms, we recommend taking Menachinon-7, which is also abbreviated as MK-7. It is vegan and is considered the best resorbable and usable vitamin K2 form.
If you are on a blood thinner or taking other medications that are not so well compatible with vitamin K, the correct intake of vitamin K must be discussed with the doctor as a precaution.
2nd Vitamin A increases the effect
In the presence of vitamin A, vitamin D works better, and the vitamin D level rises higher if vitamin A is taken at the same time – at least one study from August 2020. Read information about this in our article Vitamin D needs vitamin A.. The correct intake of vitamin D therefore also includes vitamin A (about 1 mg per day).
Vitamin A can be ingested via beta-carotene, which is contained in many types of vegetables, because the organism can produce vitamin A from beta-carotene. To do this, however, you should eat vegetables rich in beta-carotene every day, because to produce 1 mg of vitamin A, the organism needs at least 6 times the amount of beta-carotene, i.e. 6 mg. The following vegetables are among the best sources of beta carotene (quantities always per 100 g):
Carrots raw 9.8 mg beta-carotene (1.6 mg vitamin A)
Spinach raw 4.7 mg beta-carotene (0.8 mg vitamin A)
Kale raw 5.1 mg beta-carotene (0.8 mg vitamin A)
Corn salad raw 3.9 mg beta-carotene (0.65 mg vitamin A)
red peppers raw 2.1 mg beta-carotene (0.35 mg vitamin A)
When cooking, the content does not change noticeably because beta-carotene is not sensitive to heat; bioavailability could even increase due to cooking – see details here: Loss of nutrients when cooking where we explain what you need to look out for when preparing in order to benefit as much as possible from the beta-carotene it contains.
In the study mentioned, the vitamin A level of the participants was originally even normal. Nevertheless, taking vitamin A (together with taking vitamin D) resulted in a higher vitamin D level and also an improved effect of the vitamin.
In particular in the case of acute diseases and at the same time there is a D deficiency or even if the value should not increase satisfactorily despite all efforts, the additional intake of vitamin A or Beta Carotin can be a good help.
3rd Magnesium activates vitamin D.
Since magnesium is required in the body to activate vitamin D and is also consumed in this process, the correct intake of vitamin D also requires an optimized magnesium supply.
The daily requirement for magnesium is about 400 mg for an adult. If you take up this amount of magnesium daily through your diet, you should be well looked after with a vitamin D supplementation of up to 5,000 IU.
However, if you take more vitamin D, you should also take magnesium with this higher dose, between 200 – 300 mg – depending on the magnesium content of the diet. Read details here: Low magnesium levels make Vitamin D ineffective.
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body after calcium, potassium, and sodium. Foods high in magnesium include almonds, bananas, beans, broccoli, brown rice, cashews, egg yolk, fish oil, flaxseed, green vegetables, milk, mushrooms, other nuts, oatmeal, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, soybeans, sunflower seeds, sweet corn, tofu, and whole grains.
4th Vitamin D and calcium are only advisable in certain situations
Vitamin D is considered to be THE bone vitamin par excellence, and it is often believed that the correct intake includes calcium in any case. But this only seems to make sense in certain cases:
if e.g. B. the risk of osteoporosis should be reduced in the menopause
if osteoporosis is already present and the risk of bone fracture is to be reduced
when a low-calcium diet is practiced that delivers significantly less than the 1,000 mg calcium recommended daily
However, if you consume sufficient calcium, you should not take any additional calcium when taking vitamin D (especially at very high doses). This could increase the risk of hypercalcemia.
Correct intake: Measure vitamin D levels in advance!
Proper intake of vitamin D can only take place if you know your actual value and can then calculate the dose that suits you individually or get it said by your doctor.
So get your vitamin D level established first. Otherwise, you may take too little and therefore have no effect. Or you take much more than necessary, which in turn would put unnecessary strain on your body.
Your family doctor (GP), or alternative practitioner can take care of the measurement. You can also do a vitamin D home test yourself at home. For safety’s sake, you should also discuss the result with a doctor or Integrated Medical Practitioner/CAM Practitioner.
Your qualified Integrated Medical Practitioner/CAM Practitioner can also perform a simple test. But do ask your GP/Family Doctor if he/she can request the laboratory test.
However, the blood drawn itself can have influences on the blood that falsify the result. It is therefore safer to have the test done by the doctor or alternative practitioner.
Correct intake: what dose?
The goal should be a blood value of at least 30 ng / ml, better about 40 to 50 ng / ml vitamin D3 (25 (OH) vitamin D3). The dose that suits you is now calculated from your current value and your desired value –, taking into account the body weight.
In the event of a massive deficiency, the procedure described in the article linked above could not lead to a healthy vitamin D level quickly enough. Therefore we provide you with the method according to Dr. med. Raimund von Helden, author of the recommended booklet Healthy in seven days – Success with vitamin D therapy.
Dr. von Helden divides the intake of vitamin D into two therapeutic parts: into the initial therapy and the permanent or Maintenance therapy.
After a deficiency, the initial therapy serves to fill up the vitamin D stores, which should happen as quickly as possible so that the mostly existing deficiency symptoms can be remedied as quickly as possible. It is a single dose. The dose of continuous therapy is then switched over.
The continuous therapy provides the amount of vitamin D that is required to compensate for the daily losses and to maintain a healthy vitamin D level in the long term.
Calculation of the dose for the initial therapy
In order to raise the vitamin D level by 1 ng / ml, 10,000 IU are required with a body weight of 70 kilograms. If the body weight is different, recalculate the value proportionally. 7,000 IU per kilogram of body weight should not be exceeded.
For example, if you weigh 70 kg, have an instantaneous value of 15 ng / ml and want to reach a value of 35 ng / ml, then choose a single dose of 200,000 IU as the initial therapy. Weigh only 60 kg, then take about 170,000 IU.
The starting dose is very high. We recommend that you discuss this type of intake with the doctor or alternative practitioner in advance.
Calculation of the dose for continuous therapy
With an assumed body weight of 70 kilograms in turn, 3,333 IU of vitamin D per day or 23,000 IU required per week. Here, too, the dose is calculated proportionally with a different body weight. For the average person in Ireland we can say 5000IU vitamin D per day
If you are in the sun a lot in summer, you can pause with vitamin D during this time. But probably no alarmingly high value would develop if you continued to take it despite sunbathing.
Correct intake: Always with a little fat
If you have vitamin D preparations that are available as powder in capsules if taken with black coffee, water or juice, this leads to absorption of the vitamin, but to a rather low absorption. As a fat-soluble vitamin, vitamin D should always be taken with a little fat. Like a glass of milk or Cholesterol lowering milk drinks or joghurt.
Too much fat is not a good idea either. So if you take the vitamin preparation with a thick lard bread or fatty cheese, you cannot take the ideal dose of it either. Because excessive amounts of fat seem to inhibit absorption.
A 2013 study found that taking vitamin D with 11 grams of fat resulted in absorption 16 percent higher than taking with 35 grams of fat and 20 percent higher absorption than taking with 0 grams of fat.
It doesn’t matter whether you get fat out polyunsaturated fatty acids (Hemp oil, Linseed oil, Sunflower oil), one made from monounsaturated fatty acids (olive oil, Avocados, Almonds) or one made of saturated (coconut oil).
Correct intake: Topical via the skin
If you cannot tolerate vitamin D preparations or whose vitamin D level simply does not want to rise despite the correct intake of vitamin D preparations, the vitamin can also be applied to the skin, since it can also be absorbed through the skin.
To do this, choose a liquid preparation without unfavourable additives, e.g. Vitamin D3 drops, which only come from vitamin D3 and MCT fats (medium-chain fats from e.g. Coconut oil) exist. Apply to the forearm, where the skin is particularly receptive
Important note
Disclaimer: This article was based on (at the time of publication) current studies written and checked by doctors, but may not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment, replaced so not to visit your doctor. So, discuss each one Measure (whether from this or another of our articles) always first with your doctor.
Vitamin D – the right intake
Taking vitamin D is an excellent preventive but also therapeutic measure. Regardless of whether it is an increased susceptibility to infections, autoimmune diseases, degenerative complaints or problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, depression and dementia, a vitamin D deficiency is usually the cause of the action. We explain how you can determine a vitamin D deficiency in the home test, how much vitamin D you need and how you can properly combine vitamin D with calcium, magnesium and vitamin K.
Vitamin D – How to take it correctly?
Vitamin D is particularly known for its bone-strengthening effect. It promotes calcium absorption from the intestine, is involved in calcium incorporation into the bones, inhibits bone loss and also strengthens the immune system.
At the same time, there is hardly a disease that does not develop Vitamin D deficiency would be involved. For example, the vitamin is considered a substance with an anti-inflammatory effect, which alone is reason enough for its positive influence in most chronic complaints – because they all go hand in hand with chronically inflammatory processes.
It is therefore important to pay attention to a healthy vitamin D level. How do you do that? Does the vitamin have to be taken as a dietary supplement? And if so, what is the right income? How to calculate the personally required dose and how to combine the vitamin with calcium, magnesium and Vitamin K?
(If you are for the Vitamin D blood values If you are interested in what value indicates a deficiency and which is just correct, read the link above (under Vitamin D).)
A deficiency is common
Vitamin D is not a real vitamin. Because real vitamins must be ingested with food. With vitamin D, on the other hand, the body can also supply itself solely through the sun’s rays, since the vitamin is formed in the skin under the influence of UVB radiation.
However, in Central Europe this only works in summer (from around April to September) – and only if you are lightly dressed and do not constantly apply sunscreens with a high sun protection factor. The latter can reduce vitamin D formation in the skin.
The rest of the year, the sun is too low to send enough UVB radiation to Earth. In Central Europe you can only get along well with the help of the sun Vitamin D if you are really in the open air in the warm season to fill up your memories so comprehensively that you can get over the winter well.
However, many people do not succeed in what the modern lifestyle with an hourly stay in closed rooms is not entirely innocent. Therefore, large sections of the population suffer from vitamin D deficiency and should take the vitamin especially in winter.
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin
The bone vitamin belongs together with vitamin A, Vitamin E. and Vitamin K to the fat-soluble vitamins. That means two things:
There is always something for the absorption of vitamin D from the intestine fat required (see below under “Correct intake: Always with a little fat”).
The vitamin can be stored in the body (in adipose tissue and in the liver), which is almost never the case with water-soluble vitamins (B, C).
The advantage is that you don’t have to take vitamin D – once the stores are filled – every day. The organism can draw from a filled store for weeks or even months.
The disadvantage is that fat-soluble vitamins can also be overdosed, which you have to pay attention to when taking them. Because while excess water-soluble vitamins are usually simply discharged through the urine, this is not the case with fat-soluble vitamins. Cases of vitamin A overdoses are therefore known from time to time, for example from regions where fish liver is often eaten. This contains a lot Vitamin A.
What dose leads to overdose?
As far as vitamin D is concerned, there is usually only the risk of an overdose if very high doses in the form of nutritional supplements are taken over a longer period of time.
50 µg or 2,000 IU per day are the recommended maximum dose in Europe and North America. However, clinical studies show that long-term intake of 10,000 IU daily does not pose any risks. An overdose could occur at 50,000 IU per day and at serum values of more than 150 ng / ml. Wa can then form hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood) – such an evaluation by Indian researchers from May 2011 in Oman Medical Journal.
Ideally, the blood values of vitamin D should be below 100 ng / ml, since primitive people rarely reach higher values, even though they are not dressed in the sun every day. The toxic range clearly begins at 300 ng / ml.
Overdose: from 50,000 IU per day for several months
Various case reports have also become known from 2011, in which an overdose of vitamin D led to complaints.
In a 70-year-old woman who took 50,000 IU daily, the typical symptoms of hypercalcemia occurred after 3 months of taking it: tiredness, walking difficulties and confusion. After stopping vitamin D, however, it recovered completely over the course of five months. It should be noted here that she also consumed over 3 g of calcium daily.
Another case describes a man in whom accidentally taking 2,000,000 IU of vitamin D a day after 2 months led to confusion, exhaustion, excessive thirst and frequent urination.
And in a third case, after taking 50,000 IU of vitamin D daily for six months, a man also observed the typical symptoms of hypercalcemia:
Excessive thirst and frequent urination
Stomach discomfort, Nausea, vomiting and constipation
Bone pain, muscle weakness
Confusion, lethargy and exhaustion
Overdose from food or sun?
Since vitamin D hardly occurs in food, you can hardly eat an overdose (unless you eat a lot of fish liver).
It is also hardly possible to get an overdose from the sun’s rays. Apparently, the body has protective measures that stop vitamin D formation via the skin as soon as a sufficiently high serum value is reached.
On a sunny summer day, the body rarely absorbs more than 10,000 IU of vitamin D in –, and only if you spent the whole day almost undressed (bath pants / bikini) in the sun.
Only in extreme sunlight (for years in hot regions all day on the beach) could there be unfavorable consequences of an overdose of vitamin D, but only here if there is a vitamin K2 deficiency and possibly too well-intentioned calcium supply at the same time.
So it is rather the over-dosed intake of the vitamin in the form of a dietary supplement that could lead to problems.
Make vitamin D preparation from mushrooms and sun yourself
We have described here how you can produce a natural source of vitamins from mushrooms: Pure vegetable vitamin source: mushrooms
Of course, this method cannot be used specifically to achieve a certain value in the blood or to remedy a deficiency, since one does not know the actual vitamin D content of the fungi, but one can prepare them accordingly Edible mushrooms Install regularly in the diet, so that in the long term you only have to take low-dose supplements or at some point no more.
The right intake
Below we describe all the factors you need to know for a correct intake of vitamin D. First, it is about which four vital substances the vitamin needs to work properly, then how you measure your vitamin D level and finally we present two methods with which you can find out or calculate the dose that suits you can.
1. Take vitamin K2
When taking vitamin D, it is always recommended to pay attention to a healthy vitamin K2 supply at the same time. Vitamin K2 is the vitamin that fulfills two major tasks in the body:
Vitamin K is involved in regulating blood clotting so that no one has to bleed to the smallest wound.
Vitamin K conducts excess calcium in the blood into the bones, thus ensuring that the calcium is not deposited on the blood vessel walls or in the form of kidney stones.
Since vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium, the amount of calcium absorbed also increases when the vitamin is taken. If vitamin K2 is now missing, the problems mentioned above can arise, i.e. a misdistribution of calcium in the body.
A 2015 study showed in kidney patients that the combined administration of vitamin D and vitamin K reduced the progression of arteriosclerosis (compared to the group that only received sun vitamin).
It is not entirely clear how much vitamin K2 you should take. The recommended doses for vitamin D supplementation vary considerably among experts. Information can be found there, such as B.
Taking 100 µg vitamin K2 per 5,000 IU vitamin D
Ingestion of 100 µg vitamin K2 per 10,000 IU
Ingestion of 100 µg vitamin K2 per 1,000 IU
There is also a recommendation depending on body weight: 2 – 3 µg vitamin K2 per kilogram of body weight.
We recommend taking vitamin K2 the following
Ingestion of 100 µg vitamin K2 at up to 2,500 IU vitamin D per day
Ingestion of 200 µg vitamin K2 in vitamin D doses above 2,500 IU per day
However, also note the vitamin K2 content of your food. If you adapt your diet accordingly and now take in enough vitamin K2 from your diet, you may only have to take vitamin K2 in the first weeks of your vitamin D intake until the stores are replenished and your diet then provides the required vitamin.
Vitamin K2 is available in various forms, we recommend taking Menachinon-7, which is also abbreviated as MK-7. It is vegan and is considered the best resorbable and usable vitamin K2 form.
If you are on a blood thinner or taking other medications that are not so well compatible with vitamin K, the correct intake of vitamin K must be discussed with the doctor as a precaution.
2nd Vitamin A increases the effect
In the presence of vitamin A, vitamin D works better, and the vitamin D level rises higher if vitamin A is taken at the same time – at least one study from August 2020. Read information about this in our article Vitamin D needs vitamin A.. The correct intake of vitamin D therefore also includes vitamin A (about 1 mg per day).
Vitamin A can be ingested via beta-carotene, which is contained in many types of vegetables, because the organism can produce vitamin A from beta-carotene. To do this, however, you should eat vegetables rich in beta-carotene every day, because to produce 1 mg of vitamin A, the organism needs at least 6 times the amount of beta-carotene, i.e. 6 mg. The following vegetables are among the best sources of beta carotene (quantities always per 100 g):
Carrots raw 9.8 mg beta-carotene (1.6 mg vitamin A)
Spinach raw 4.7 mg beta-carotene (0.8 mg vitamin A)
Kale raw 5.1 mg beta-carotene (0.8 mg vitamin A)
Corn salad raw 3.9 mg beta-carotene (0.65 mg vitamin A)
red peppers raw 2.1 mg beta-carotene (0.35 mg vitamin A)
When cooking, the content does not change noticeably because beta-carotene is not sensitive to heat; bioavailability could even increase due to cooking – see details here: Loss of nutrients when cooking where we explain what you need to look out for when preparing in order to benefit as much as possible from the beta-carotene it contains.
In the study mentioned, the vitamin A level of the participants was originally even normal. Nevertheless, taking vitamin A (together with taking vitamin D) resulted in a higher vitamin D level and also an improved effect of the vitamin.
In particular in the case of acute diseases and at the same time there is a D deficiency or even if the value should not increase satisfactorily despite all efforts, the additional intake of vitamin A or Beta Carotin can be a good help.
3rd Magnesium activates vitamin D.
Since magnesium is required in the body to activate vitamin D and is also consumed in this process, the correct intake of vitamin D also requires an optimized magnesium supply.
The daily requirement for magnesium is about 400 mg for an adult. If you take up this amount of magnesium daily through your diet, you should be well looked after with a vitamin D supplementation of up to 5,000 IU.
However, if you take more vitamin D, you should also take magnesium with this higher dose, between 200 – 300 mg – depending on the magnesium content of the diet. Read details here: Low magnesium levels make Vitamin D ineffective.
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body after calcium, potassium, and sodium. Foods high in magnesium include almonds, bananas, beans, broccoli, brown rice, cashews, egg yolk, fish oil, flaxseed, green vegetables, milk, mushrooms, other nuts, oatmeal, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, soybeans, sunflower seeds, sweet corn, tofu, and whole grains.
4th Vitamin D and calcium are only advisable in certain situations
Vitamin D is considered to be THE bone vitamin par excellence, and it is often believed that the correct intake includes calcium in any case. But this only seems to make sense in certain cases:
if e.g. B. the risk of osteoporosis should be reduced in the menopause
if osteoporosis is already present and the risk of bone fracture is to be reduced
when a low-calcium diet is practiced that delivers significantly less than the 1,000 mg calcium recommended daily
However, if you consume sufficient calcium, you should not take any additional calcium when taking vitamin D (especially at very high doses). This could increase the risk of hypercalcemia.
Correct intake: Measure vitamin D levels in advance!
Proper intake of vitamin D can only take place if you know your actual value and can then calculate the dose that suits you individually or get it said by your doctor.
So get your vitamin D level established first. Otherwise, you may take too little and therefore have no effect. Or you take much more than necessary, which in turn would put unnecessary strain on your body.
Your family doctor (GP), or alternative practitioner can take care of the measurement. You can also do a vitamin D home test yourself at home. For safety’s sake, you should also discuss the result with a doctor or Integrated Medical Practitioner/CAM Practitioner.
Your qualified Integrated Medical Practitioner/CAM Practitioner can also perform a simple test. But do ask your GP/Family Doctor if he/she can request the laboratory test.
However, the blood drawn itself can have influences on the blood that falsify the result. It is therefore safer to have the test done by the doctor or alternative practitioner.
Correct intake: what dose?
The goal should be a blood value of at least 30 ng / ml, better about 40 to 50 ng / ml vitamin D3 (25 (OH) vitamin D3). The dose that suits you is now calculated from your current value and your desired value –, taking into account the body weight.
In the event of a massive deficiency, the procedure described in the article linked above could not lead to a healthy vitamin D level quickly enough. Therefore we provide you with the method according to Dr. med. Raimund von Helden, author of the recommended booklet Healthy in seven days – Success with vitamin D therapy.
Dr. von Helden divides the intake of vitamin D into two therapeutic parts: into the initial therapy and the permanent or Maintenance therapy.
After a deficiency, the initial therapy serves to fill up the vitamin D stores, which should happen as quickly as possible so that the mostly existing deficiency symptoms can be remedied as quickly as possible. It is a single dose. The dose of continuous therapy is then switched over.
The continuous therapy provides the amount of vitamin D that is required to compensate for the daily losses and to maintain a healthy vitamin D level in the long term.
Calculation of the dose for the initial therapy
In order to raise the vitamin D level by 1 ng / ml, 10,000 IU are required with a body weight of 70 kilograms. If the body weight is different, recalculate the value proportionally. 7,000 IU per kilogram of body weight should not be exceeded.
For example, if you weigh 70 kg, have an instantaneous value of 15 ng / ml and want to reach a value of 35 ng / ml, then choose a single dose of 200,000 IU as the initial therapy. Weigh only 60 kg, then take about 170,000 IU.
The starting dose is very high. We recommend that you discuss this type of intake with the doctor or alternative practitioner in advance.
Calculation of the dose for continuous therapy
With an assumed body weight of 70 kilograms in turn, 3,333 IU of vitamin D per day or 23,000 IU required per week. Here, too, the dose is calculated proportionally with a different body weight. For the average person in Ireland we can say 5000IU vitamin D per day
If you are in the sun a lot in summer, you can pause with vitamin D during this time. But probably no alarmingly high value would develop if you continued to take it despite sunbathing.
Correct intake: Always with a little fat
If you have vitamin D preparations that are available as powder in capsules if taken with black coffee, water or juice, this leads to absorption of the vitamin, but to a rather low absorption. As a fat-soluble vitamin, vitamin D should always be taken with a little fat. Like a glass of milk or Cholesterol lowering milk drinks or joghurt.
Too much fat is not a good idea either. So if you take the vitamin preparation with a thick lard bread or fatty cheese, you cannot take the ideal dose of it either. Because excessive amounts of fat seem to inhibit absorption.
A 2013 study found that taking vitamin D with 11 grams of fat resulted in absorption 16 percent higher than taking with 35 grams of fat and 20 percent higher absorption than taking with 0 grams of fat.
It doesn’t matter whether you get fat out polyunsaturated fatty acids (Hemp oil, Linseed oil, Sunflower oil), one made from monounsaturated fatty acids (olive oil, Avocados, Almonds) or one made of saturated (coconut oil).
Correct intake: Topical via the skin
If you cannot tolerate vitamin D preparations or whose vitamin D level simply does not want to rise despite the correct intake of vitamin D preparations, the vitamin can also be applied to the skin, since it can also be absorbed through the skin.
To do this, choose a liquid preparation without unfavourable additives, e.g. Vitamin D3 drops, which only come from vitamin D3 and MCT fats (medium-chain fats from e.g. Coconut oil) exist. Apply to the forearm, where the skin is particularly receptive
Important note
Disclaimer: This article was based on (at the time of publication) current studies written and checked by doctors, but may not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment, replaced so not to visit your doctor. So, discuss each one Measure (whether from this or another of our articles) always first with your doctor.
I hope you feel inspired. Look after your body, and it will keep you healthy.
By Dr Catherine W Dunne MSc. D., RGN, Reiki Master (RGMT), M.H.I.T: Master Acupressure, Practitioner of Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Deep Tissue/Myo-fascia Massages, Infrared Treatments, Vibrational Sound and Colour Therapist, Tissue Salt Advisor, Pendulum Healing Dowser, Chakra Practitioner , Tao Cosmic Healing Practitioner, Practitioner of Plant and Herb Medicine and Nurse.
Disclaimer: this article I have translated from German to English. In Germany and in USA, they are conducting research regarding best cholesterol lowering treatment, by focusing on Lipoprotein-a. Lipoprotein-a is the cause of fatty livers and the clogging up your coronary arteries. This research is still ongoing with very good outlook. The result is that we may only need a once per annum treatment. Sounds good to me, we’ll see.
Meanwhile, I stumbled across this German article and find it interesting enough to translate for you and share with you.
I hope you will enjoy the read.
Catherine.
Naturally lower Lipoprotein-a
Lipoprotein-a, a relative of cholesterol, is increasingly measured during medical examinations. The lipoprotein-a value is even more important than cholesterol levels when it comes to avoiding cardiovascular disease, they say. We explain how you can lower your lipoprotein-a naturally.
Lipoprotein-A – often abbreviated to Lp(a) – is mainly formed in the liver and consists of 2 proteins, apoliprotein A and apolipoprotein B. It belongs to the blood lipids and is related to LDL cholesterol.
Lp(a) is intended to contribute to the development of Arteriosclerosis and have a prothrombotic effect, which means that it promotes thrombosis (blood clots). Therefore, an Lp(a) value that is as healthy as possible would be ideal. There are hardly any drugs that lower the Lp(a) value. We explain how you can naturally lower your Lp(a) level and thus also reduce your cardiovascular risk.
How lipoprotein-a damages the vessels
Lp(a) damages the vessels and promotes arteriosclerosis as follows ( 1 ):
Promotes inflammation
Penetrates the arterial wall, thus enlarging the lesions (injuries) of the vessel walls, which aggravates atherosclerosis
Attaches more strongly to the blood vessel walls than LDL cholesterol
Interferes with the formation of plasmin, an enzyme that would dissolve blood clots
Lipoprotein levels: Which ones are good, which ones are bad?
Lipoprotein-A levels should not exceed 25 – 30 mg/dl (for us in Ireland and UK this translates to 0.06-0.08mmol/L. Another example: if your total cholesterol is 6.4 mmol/L this converts to: 247.5mg/dl). If you have higher values (they can rise to 400 mg/dl (10.3 mmol/L) and more), then you assume a massively increased risk of cardiovascular disease, namely for :
Aneurysm of the main aorta – An aneurysm is an abnormal bulge or ballooning in the wall of a blood vessel
Aortic valve calcification
Venous thromboembolism – Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein. VTE includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the lower leg, thigh, or pelvis.
With values above 120 mg/dl (3.1mmol/L), the risk is said to increase 3.6-fold.
Are high Lp(a) values genetically determined?
The personal Lp(a) value is considered to be genetically determined and can neither ne influenced on in any direction – neither upwards nor downwards. So even if the Lp(a) level is too high, it is said that this is “predisposition”. It can therefore hardly be reduced by a change in diet or other lifestyle changes (sports, stress management, weight loss).
Nevertheless, it is precisely these measures that are important even in the case of an elevated Lp(a) value. This is because the cardiovascular risk is particularly increased if there is at least one other risk factor.
So even if your Lp(a) value cannot be influenced, you should do everything you can to avoid any other risk factors (no smoking, no obesity, no diabetes, no high blood pressure, relatively good cholesterol levels, plenty of exercise, healthy eating, etc.). (1).
What factors can increase the Lp(a) value?
Even though Lp(a) levels are considered to be genetically determined, there are some factors that can increase Lp(a) levels – namely some conditions, such as Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), kidney disease and a Diabetes mellitus (Type 2 Diabetes(1).
If the Lp(a) level is now elevated due to such a disease, it can of course also be lowered if the causative disease can be alleviated. In the links above you will find measures that help with hypothyroidism and measures that help with diabetes (you may want to set your search engine to translate those pages for you).
Medications that lower Lp(a) levels
There are hardly any drugs that can lower the Lp(a) level and even if they do, they often do not lower the level low enough to reduce the cardiovascular risk. PCSK9 inhibitors (PCSK9 inhibitors are a type of cholesterol-lowering drug. They reduce your levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, or “bad” cholesterol.), for example, are used to lower cholesterol, but can also lower lipoprotein-a somewhat, but only by 30 to 40 percent.
PCSK9 inhibitors include the active ingredients alirocumab (Praluent), evolocumab (Repatha) and inclisiran (Leqvio), which are injected subcutaneously for 14 days or monthly. The drugs are very new (maximum approval in 2015), so that side effects are not yet fully known.
Pain and redness often occur at the injection site. However, it can also cause upper respiratory tract infections, itching (pruritus), headaches, joint pain, nausea, aching arms or legs, and fatigue.
The drug AKCEA-APO(a)-L Rx (pelacarsen), which also has to be injected – and in a placebo-controlled study achieved an 80 percent reduction in lipoprotein when administered 20 mg weekly ( 2 ).
Cardiovascular patients or high-risk patients are often given statins to reduce cholesterol levels. However, there are conflicting results on the effect of statins on lipoprotein levels. In two studies from 2016 and 2017, lipoprotein levels even increased at the beginning of statin therapy (1).
In any case, it is important that you know that lowering Lp(a) levels does not necessarily reduce cardiovascular risk (as there are simply too many risk factors for this).
So, you can’t say that we are now lowering the lipoprotein-a value by all means and are then protected from cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, we always point out a holistic approach and advise against always concentrating only on certain values that you now absolutely want to influence.
Lowering lipoprotein – natural remedies
A 2019 study looked at whether natural remedies or supplements known to lower LDL cholesterol levels could also affect lipoprotein levels (1):
L-Carnitine
Coenzyme Q10
Red Rice Yeast
Pectin
Ginkgo Biloba
Linseed
Curcumin
Coffee
Vitamin D
A number of remedies actually had a correspondingly positive effect. Nevertheless, the reduction was not so great for any of the preparations that – if a really high level was present – harmless values could be achieved. It is possible that a more significant reduction in the values could be achieved by combining several natural remedies, but this has not (yet) been investigated to our knowledge.
In the following studies, it is repeatedly recommended to combine the aforementioned remedies with blood lipid-lowering drugs, which should of course be discussed with the doctor.
L-carnitine is produced in the organism from the amino acids lysine and methionine. The substance is particularly involved in the production of energy from fatty acids (which is important for the adult heart, for example) and is therefore also referred to as a fat burner in some places. It is possible that L-carnitine can inhibit the formation of lipoprotein-a in the liver.
Coenzyme Q10
According to a meta-analysis from 2016, coenzyme Q10 can also reduce lipoprotein somewhat – by 12.5 to over 30 percent (by up to 11 mg/dl (0.3mmol/L)) when taking 120 to 300 mg daily over a period of 4 to 12 weeks. For the analysis, 6 studies with a total of 409 patients were examined. All patients suffered from lipid metabolism disorders.
Q10 doses of less than 150 mg were able to reduce Lp(a) levels more significantly than doses above 150 mg. The higher the original values, the better the patients responded to Q10. Other blood lipid levels, such as LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol or triglycerides, were not affected by Q10 intake.
Since Q10 is also used in naturopathic medicine against Side effects of statins if you have to take statins, you can also combine it very well with them and achieve a double goal (fewer side effects and a decreasing Lp(a) level).
In a randomized placebo-controlled trial from 2003, patients (with coronary artery disease) were given 1.2 g of red yeast rice per day for 6 weeks and experienced a 23 percent reduction in lipoprotein.
However, red yeast rice extract is not a blank slate, but basically contains nothing more than a natural statin (lovastatin) – and can therefore also have statin-like side effects. It is only less concentrated, therefore better tolerated, so it has a lower risk of side effects.
Statin-related side effects can be reduced by taking coenzyme Q10 – see the section on coenzyme Q10 – so if you want to try red yeast rice, it is best to take coenzyme Q10 as well.
Blood lipids are reduced by red yeast rice because it suppresses cholesterol formation – by inhibiting the so-called HMG‐CoA reductase. It is precisely through this mechanism of action that statins also act.
Pectin
Pectin is a soluble fiber that is abundant in apples or citrus peels. Because pectin has such good gelling abilities, it is also used to boil down jam.
As a dietary supplement, it has long been known to lower cholesterol – presumably because it promotes the breakdown of cholesterol in the liver, but also because it could inhibit the absorption of cholesterol and bile acids in the intestine. (If bile acid is not absorbed in the intestine, but is drained out with the stool, then the liver produces new bile acid from cholesterol, which then naturally leads to a decrease in cholesterol).
A study from 1999 examined whether pectin could also lower lipoprotein-a. In the placebo-controlled, double-blind study, patients (who suffered from high blood lipid levels) received 15 g of pectin daily (for 4 weeks), after which the level of lipoprotein decreased by up to 27 percent.
Ginkgo Biloba
Extracts from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba are usually used for dizziness, tinnitus or for Alzheimer’s prevention. The main effect of the plant is to promote blood circulation. However, it also has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiatherosclerotic properties. Antiatherosclerotic means counteracting vascular calcification.
In a first clinical study in 2006, for example, the administration of 120 mg of extract twice a day after 2 months was able to reduce lipoprotein by 23.4 percent or an average of 10.4 mg/dl (0.3mmol/L) – presumably due to the inhibitory effect on numerous pro-inflammatory messenger substances (cytokines).
In a 2007 study, ginkgo was even able to reduce atherosclerotic deposits in the blood vessels after 2 months in patients who were to receive a bypass. The same dose was used here as in the 2006 study – in the form of the special ginkgo extract EGb 761®, which is contained in numerous ready-to-use ginkgo preparations ( 4 ).
Linseed
Since fiber is generally considered to lower blood lipids and cholesterol, it should generally be part of a healthy diet for lipid metabolism disorders or an increased cardiovascular risk. Linseed consists of almost a quarter (23 percent) of fiber and is therefore particularly suitable here.
In addition, flaxseed contains certain plant substances with high health potential for the cardiovascular system, such as omega-3 fatty acids (cholesterol-lowering) and Lignans (blood lipid-lowering, antioxidant, anti-cancer in breast cancer and prostate cancer).
In a double-blind crossover study with postmenopausal women from 1998, however, flaxseed showed only a small reduction in lipoprotein levels. After six weeks of taking 38 g of flaxseed daily, the value had fallen by 7.4 percent and by an average of just under 2 mg/dl (0.1mmol/L) (1).
From 2008 comes another study (randomized, controlled, double-blind) in which the subjects were asked to eat 40 g of flaxseed per day for 10 weeks. The lipoprotein value decreased by an average of 14 percent compared to a group of patients who took wheat bran (1).
The reduction in the Lp(a) value is therefore rather small, but combined with the other positive effects of flaxseed on cardiovascular risk, it is quite relevant. For example, the small seeds have been able to slow down the progression of arteriosclerosis in various studies (1).
Curcumin
As curcumin, the active ingredient complex is used in Turmeric denoted. It has a positive effect on triglycerides and cholesterol levels, but also on lipoprotein levels. A 2014 randomized controlled trial found that taking 1g per day (for 8 weeks) increased lipoprotein levels in people with Metabolic Syndrome (Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that together raise your risk of coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and other serious health problems.) by almost 10 percent (8 mg/dl (0.2 mmol/L)).
Curcumin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, among other things, and can also reduce cardiovascular risk and support health through these mechanisms of action.
Coffee
Coffee consumption also influences blood lipid levels – due to at least two active ingredients: kahweol and cafestol. However, the content of these two substances in coffee depends on the method of preparation.
If the coffee is made with a paper filter, the active ingredients are apparently largely removed from the drink, so that it has no influence on cholesterol levels. Coffee prepared without filters, on the other hand, could increase LDL cholesterol levels.
In connection with lipoprotein-a, it seems that short-term coffee consumption reduced plasma lipoprotein levels, while regular coffee consumption is associated with higher levels.
Ginger
In a 2020 study, patients with atherosclerosis took capsules containing 1.6 g of ginger powder daily or capsules containing a placebo. After 8 weeks, two values that are elevated in atherosclerosis had dropped significantly – the value of lipoprotein-a and the hs-CRP value (an inflammatory marker that indicates the condition of the blood vessels and helps to assess the risk of heart attack) ( 5 ). In the 2019 paper (1), it was still said that ginger could not lower lipoprotein-a, which does not seem to be true in every case, so ginger can be very well integrated into an Lp(a)-lowering diet plan.
With Lp(a) ≧ 30mg/dl and vitamin D < 10 ng/ml, the risk of coronary heart disease increased more than 4-fold
The risk was 1.79 times higher for Lp(a) < 30mg/dl and vitamin D < 10 ng/ml
The risk was 1.7 timeshigher with Lp(a) ≧ 30mg/dl and vitamin D ≧ 10 ng/ml
In each case compared with patients who had an Lp(a) of less than 30mg/dl and a vitamin D level of more than 10 ng/ml.
The study thus shows that a higher vitamin D level can significantly reduce the cardiovascular risk with a high Lp(a) value! Read all about the correct dosage and Taking vitamin D.
This is also an example of the fact that naturopathic measures may not always be able to lower the lipoprotein level (or not strongly enough), but the cardiovascular risk associated with an increased lipoprotein level can be reduced.
These substances cannot lower lipoprotein
Some natural substances lower LDL cholesterol levels, but not – according to various studies – lipoprotein (1), e.g.
Berberine
Brazil nut flour
Garlic
Olive oil
Onions
Vitamin C
Soy protein and soy isoflavones
Of course, you can still incorporate these foods into your diet or – in the case of vitamin C – take them as a dietary supplement. After all, these are generally very healthy foods that have many beneficial properties and – even if they cannot specifically lower lipoprotein-a – still reduce the cardiovascular risk, and that’s what matters in the end.
Important note
This article was written on the basis of (at the time of publication) of current studies and reviewed by medical professionals, but may not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment, so it does not replace a visit to your doctor. Therefore, always discuss any measure (whether from this or another of our articles) with your doctor first.
Case Samples and General Dosage and Therapy Recommendations
By Dr Catherine W Dunne MSc. D., RGN, Reiki Master (RGMT), M.H.I.T: Master Acupressure, Practitioner of Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Deep Tissue/Myo-fascia Massages, Infrared Treatments, Vibrational Sound and Colour Therapist, Tissue Salt Advisor, Pendulum Healing Dowser, Chakra Practitioner , Tao Cosmic Healing Practitioner, Practitioner of Plant and Herb Medicine.
For a brief overview of the type and duration of colloidal silver application, see the next explanations. Please note that these are exclusively valued experiences from my and other CAM practitioners and from clients.
A commonly asked question is about the correct strength of colloidal silver is to be used. Well, the answer can only be that there is no general valid answer. As with all remedies, the helpful dosage and duration of treatment depends decisively on the individual type and the severity of the disease. Below I am going to share some case studies of conditions, severity, dosage, and duration of treatment. I am sure you will find them to be useful guides.
It is also important to point out, when working with natural remedies of any kind, these are not meant as “quick fixes.” A certain level of patience is required both by the therapist and the client.
*** DISCLAIMER: ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL FIRST IF CONCERNS ARISE. THE CASESTUDIES STATED BELOW IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY AND ARE NOT MEANT TO SUBSTITUTE YOUR MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS SCHOOL MEDICINE TREATMENT/RECOMMENDATIONS. ***
Colloidal Silver in the many instances, really can cure a disease or at least slow down the deterioration, and in doing so, speed up its healing. Most impressive is, how antibiotic-resistant conditions still show successful treatment results, using colloidal silver.
The following values apply to an adult with a body weight of 60-80kg. In the case of children, the amount is adjusted as a percentage of their body weight. For the dosage in children, but also in adults, you can use the rule of thumb 2ml per kg body weight.
Please always taken colloidal silver on an empty stomach and in sips. Avoid food or drinks for 20-30 minutes afterwards. Taking it on an empty stomach is of great importance, and by doing so, you will avoid unwanted side-effects. Plus, this will ensure colloidal silver is fully absorb in the upper parts of your small intestine and not arrive in your large intestine and killing off your healthy gut bacteria. Please note: avoid drinking sparkling water 10 minutes before and after colloidal silver. Sparkling water has added mineral salts, which combined with colloidal silver can have severe consequences!
Examples of Dosage and Duration
Basic Therapy:
The recommendations for bacterial or viral infections: Colloidal Silver 25ppm, 100-150ml, three times daily, for three days. Then, continue mornings and evenings until the symptoms have eased.
Topical Therapy:
The recommendations for slow healing, or infected wounds with puss: soak a sterile gauze into colloidal silver 50ppm, apply to wound and bandage up. Depending on the wound, repeat this up to three times daily, using fresh gauze. Safe to keep on overnight. Also effective for wart treatments.
Eye/Ear Drops Therapy:
The recommendations are to use colloidal silver 25ppm in a bottle with dropper, and two to three times daily apply a few drops.
Preventative (i.e. flu seasons) Therapy:
The recommendations are to drink either every morning or every evening 100ml of colloidal silver 25ppm. Sip it, and on an empty stomach. For quicker absorption, hold in mouth for a few minutes, swishing it around your tongue, this allows the mucous membranes to absorb the silver water. Then swallow.
After a week or two, you should notice improvements, even with stubborn infections. If this is not the case, please consult your medical professional.
Always seek your Family Doctor when notifiable illnesses (i.e. measles, chickenpox are suspected. You are a responsible adult; the decision to treat with antibiotics or colloidal silver lies in your hands.
So, let us look at some cases. I will list some common human conditions and some animal conditions.
Human
Conjunctivitis: Conjunctivitis is one of the most common infections of the eye, caused by bacteria or virus. But also, chemicals or foreign bodies can irritate and inflame the eye. Working in front of a monitor for 8+ hours a day, central heating and Air Cons will tire the eye and dry the eye. Allergies are another common factor. Symptoms of acute conjunctivitis are: red eye white, itchy, and gritty eyes, sometimes very sticky in the mornings. Photophobia (shy of light), swelling and twitching of the eyelids.
at 2-hourly intervals one drop of colloidal silver and one drop of homeopathic eye drops Eyebright Euphrasia drops. Plus, in the mornings drink 100ml colloidal silver 25ppm.
because I must spend many hours in front of the computer, I frequently suffer with dry, itchy eyes. I instill two drops of colloidal silver at the first sign of symptoms: usually dryness. That’s it. Gone.
Bronchial Asthma: Bronchial Asthma plays a huge roll in Industrial states, with 10% children and 5% adults being affected. We distinguish between Typical (allergic) Asthma and A-Typical (unknown source) Asthma. Most common allergens that trigger an asthma attack include: pollen, house dust, house mites, animal hairs, birds, smoke (chimney and/or cigarette), deodorant and hairsprays, chemicals including bleach, food… but also hormonal and weather changes, bacterial and viral infections.
Adults: asthma triggered by allergens, i.e. pollen – hay fever, for a brief period of time, take 100ml colloidal silver 25ppm, twice daily.
Influenza: Influenza, not the common cold you call flu. Propper influenza will have you “nailed” to the bed, unable to lift your head off the pillow and fever. Influenza is usually seasonal. Can be epidemic and affect the whole populus. Very contagious viral infection. Influenza will last for up to three weeks and if remains unresolved can lead to pneumonia. Most common influenza symptoms are: general muscular and joint aches and pains, sinus congestion, runny nose, headaches, aching eyes, chest pain, lacking energy, feeling deflated, excess tiredness, cough (dry or productive) and lack of appetite. Depending on your immune system status and on whether you have underlying other diseases, influenza can affect you harder than others.
for three days, three times a day, 100-150ml colloidal silver 25ppm, thereafter, twice daily till symptoms are improved. Colloidal silver in this case will prevent secondary infections like pneumonia.
Eczema: Eczema is a well-known and common skin condition: Acute phase: dry patches of skin, very itchy, can be red and inflamed. The skin can tear, swell, have erosions and be wet. In the more chronic phase, it can have similar appearance to psoriasis, skin will have cuts and tears and often get crusty, given the skin a very rough appearance. Eczema and Asthma are close cousins and so have similar triggers.
Colloidal silver 50ppm, soak gauze and topically apply to affected areas several times a day till symptoms is easing. Plus
Colloidal silver 25ppm, drink 100ml, twice daily … plus …
Cleanse your gut system of parasites.
Fibromyalgia: Still today, there is very little research on fibromyalgia, what is the trigger and how to treat it, but those of us affected by it will tell you all about their pain. Pain that predominantly is found around certain pressure points on muscles, connective tissue, and bones. And if this wasn’t enough, there are other chronic symptoms to “put up” with, such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Insomnia, Depression, stiff joints in the mornings, Brain fog and concentration lapses, numbness in the extremities, dizziness, disorientation, and the list goes on. With all of these symptoms going on simultaneously, the diagnosis is a difficult one to call.
Most affected by this disease are the age groups 20-55 years old, and 90% of these are women, usually starts in their early 30s – so pre-peri-menopausal.
Colloidal silver 25ppm, drink 100ml morning and evening for three days, then twice daily 100ml until symptoms improve.
Also recommended is SAM-e (S-Adenosylmethionine).
Supplementing with Pineapple and Papaya enzymes is also recommended; take on an empty stomach and drink plenty water with it.
In Ireland we have a support group Fibro Ireland with a huge library of information. https://fibroireland.com/
There are many more examples I could list, but I may mention in a future blog.
Animal
We cannot expect an animal to tell us what is wrong with them, nor can we expect them to gargle or willingly take colloidal silver from us, however, creative we must get.
Colloidal silver, as part of generalised preventative therapy, may be added to their food or water. Still, undiluted is still the best way to administer colloidal silver.
Animals too, may have skin conditions, and colloidal silver can be administered topically.
To give orally, best use a syringe (without the needle attached) and topically, soak a gauze in colloidal silver and dab, swab, wrap the area with it.
The rule of thumb: 2 ml colloidal silver 25ppm/kg body weight.
*** Disclaimer: Please consult with Vet if unsure or symptoms worsen. ***
Let me share some common problems.
Ear infection: Infection of the ear can have many origins. Please first consult with your Vet, to establish the cause of infection. Please never use cotton buds to clean the animal’s ear(s); this can cause more harm than good! Always use a clean cloth to wipe the ear.
Apply a few drops of colloidal silver 25ppm into affected ear for three times daily. In addition, give 2ml/kg colloidal silver orally until symptoms improve.
Tick bites: Like humans, animals too, can fall prey of Lyme (Borreliosis) disease. Birds too, not just your pet cat and/dog, if they spend a lot of time outdoors.
Bite wound: disinfect the site with colloidal silver 25ppm and as a preventative measure administer orally with syringe (without needle) 2ml/kg body weight, colloidal silver 25ppm once daily for three days.
Summer Eczema: Caused byBlack fly bites, found all around Europe also.
Black flies (buffalo gnats) are small dark flies that come out during early summer and late spring. These flies belong to the Simuliidae family and are called buffalo gnats because they have a humpback appearance.
They suck blood as a necessary part of their reproduction process. The female black fly has to suck blood from an animal and human prey to complete the reproduction cycle.
Typically, black flies bite domestic animals and mammals, including humans. Buffalo gnat bites can cause itchiness and pain for many days.
What Harm Can Buffalo Gnats Cause?
Black flies bite humans and animals, causing nuisance, pain, discomfort, or even livestock death. They often bite people around their necks and heads.
If a massive swarm of black flies attack birds, they can kill them too. They can also enter the livestock’s ears and noses, clogging their respiratory tracts. Incidents of this happening in chickens have been reported, and the animals died of suffocation.
When black flies bite, they also release saliva, which causes toxic shock syndrome, killing the animal. Some black fly species also carry serious diseases, such as leucocytozoonosis, a condition found in chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys.
There are six species of black flies in North America that feed on humans. Some other species may be attracted to humans, too. Although they do not bite, they can enter the eyes, nose, mouth, and ears, causing a nuisance to people playing or working outside.
A number of species of black flies are found around all of Europe, including Germany, Austria, France, UK and maybe Ireland.
The summer eczema predominantly is a genetic disposition but triggered by the bite of the black fly. Affected animals will tend to constantly rub against a surface to ease the itch.
Irrigate the affected skin area with colloidal silver 25ppm several times daily.
In addition, for three days, morning and evening 2ml/kg body weight of colloidal silver 25ppm, then 1ml once daily until symptoms have improved.
Wounds: Animals may receive many various types of wounds, ranging from scratch wounds, bite wounds, abrasions, horned animals hurting each other, like cows during a ranking fight, however a wound was caused, colloidal silver of most beneficial.
Cleanse wound with colloidal silver 25ppm several times daily or twice daily if using gauzes soaked in colloidal silver -as part of a dressing.
With large wounds, give orally 25ppm/kg, 2ml morning and evening for a total of three days.
Case story: a red setter had been mauled by a rottweiler and required 80 stiches. Despite oral antibiotics, the red setter developed gangrene, and the vet lost all hope. The dog’s owner at this point started treating his dog with colloidal silver, both the wound as well as orally. The red setter recovered well after a few days of treatment.
There are many more examples I could list, but I may mention in a future blog.
Plants
Growing plants, on has many factors to consider like soil, light, fertilising, frequency of re-potting and environment. But for some reasons, some plants unexpectedly die or become diseased. Like mammals, the plant world is also subjected to bacterial and viral and fungal infections.
Colloidal silver can be used to spray onto leaves and stems but not the flower/blossom itself and be added to the watering can.
The rule of thumb: Standard for spraying is colloidal silver 50ppm undiluted. You may also add same concentration, 200ml into 10L water for watering.
Spraying of foliage should occur at dawn before full exposure to sunlight. Best at Dawn and or Dusk.
Another benefit of using colloidal silver is that the fruit/vegetable can be consumed immediately after having been sprayed with colloidal silver. Again, this is based on possible viral/fungal/bacterial infections. You will still need to wash them if shop bought, as they are always sprayed with pesticides and other chemicals.
House and potted summer outdoor plants: Subjected to various bacterial infections, it is recommended to treat your plants with colloidal silver, to help booster their immune system (help fight/ward off bacterial/viral and fungal infections).
Plant parts diseased should be removed carefully so not to infect the whole plant.
Spray the whole plant with colloidal silver 50ppm once weekly and in addition, add colloidal silver 50ppm 200ml/10L water to their watering water.
Mildew – Real and False Mildew: Real Mildew can affect indoor and outdoor potted plants, fruit trees and vegetables. This type of fungi attacks plants no matter the weather condition – too dry or too damp/wet. Real Mildew (Oidium) is a real threat for Vineyards. Once affected, the whole crop can be lost.
Both Real Mildew and False Mildew leave a white flour-like coating on the underside of the leaves. The difference between both: Real Mildew can be wiped off the affected plant. False Mildew is greyer and cannot be wiped off.
Example: Hydrangea affected by Real Mildew will present with white coloured under leaf sides, whilst their surface side yellow spots will be visible, that later turn red.
Example: False Mildew: indoor plants, wine stock, vegetables, salads, cucumbers, onions, cereal (wheat/barley/corn) and roses are most common plants to be attacked. Symptoms present as a none removable white/grey coasting on the underside of leaf, surface side present with white-yellow spots and new leaves curl up.
Remove all affected plant material, Spray with colloidal silver 50ppm once weekly. And to boost their resilience, water with colloidal silver 50ppm: add 200ml to 10L water. Water close to the soil without pouring over plant material. Do this monthly. Avoid fertilising.
Rose Rust: Cold damp weather conditions aid towards the spreading of Rose Rust. This fungus causes bright yellow spots on the leaf upper surface side and a little later on the leaf underside and stem, little orange pustules are noticeable. In addition, from about mid-July dark spores can be seen. The leaves turn brown and fall off.
In the autumn remove all fallen leaves (do not add to your compost). Protect your roses from being too wet.
Water the pant close to the soil, do not water over the rose.
Plant parts diseased should be removed carefully so not to infect the whole plant. èSpray the whole plant with colloidal silver 50ppm once weekly and in addition, add colloidal silver 50ppm 200ml/10L water to their watering water.
While examples I could give are too many for this blog, I hope this was informative for you. Colloidal Silver, we must not forget, has been around long before penicillin was invented. Colloidal Silver was used as a surface disinfectant, skin disinfectant, wound healer, treatment for bad breath and body odour. It then drifted away from our conscious minds until maybe just around the turn of the Millennium. It was rediscovered and added in form of dressings. Hydro-colloid dressings with Ag. In recent years, even before covid, Colloidal Silver was re-living a come-back, and not for dressings. On mainland Europe, it has been used for a variety of this. During the Covid Lockdowns, when disinfectants became hard to get your hands on, those of us, who were manufacturing their colloidal silver, started to disinfect their workstations, and started to take it orally as a preventative and to cure oneself. Continental Europe is miles ahead of Ireland for Natural Medicines.
Antibiotic Resistance is rising. Mainly because of over prescribing when not required like for a viral infection. In the late 1990s, the pharmaceutical industry aggressively encouraged doctors to prescribe their promotion antibiotic. This trend continued until perhaps 2010. Antibiotics are meant for bacterial infections and not effective towards viral or fungal infections, but still, antibiotics were being prescribed. Now we have a generation of antibiotic resistance emerging. Not good. The industry is constantly working towards finding the next new antibiotic combo to best the resistance. Meanwhile, Nature is patiently waiting on you to discover her.
Thank you for having taken the time reading this Blog. I am really grateful that you are patient with me, as I try to find topics to write about. Thank you.
Another more science based blog on colloidal silver is found here:
By Dr Catherine W Dunne MSc. D., RGN, Reiki Master (RGMT), M.H.I.T: Master Acupressure, Practitioner of Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Deep Tissue/Myo-fascia Massages, Infrared Treatments, Vibrational Sound and Colour Therapist, Tissue Salt Advisor, Pendulum Healing Dowser, Chakra Practitioner , Tao Cosmic Healing Practitioner, Practitioner of Plant and Herb Medicine.
Anyone who wants to try out the effect of a remedy unknown to them first seeks to understand its underlying substance. They want to understand its properties and how it works. So, let’s start with the question: What is colloidal silver? The term colloid is little known. However, we deal with colloids on a daily basis. Yes, our lives are even based on colloidal systems. For a better understanding, let us first approach the explanation from the scientific side before turning to the practical meaning. Still, since colloid chemistry is an extremely extensive field, only the most important basics necessary for the understanding of colloidal silver shall be discussed here:
A colloid is a system in which the smallest particles are extremely finely distributed. These particles consist of few atoms to a few thousand atoms and usually have a size of a few to 200 nanometers. One nanometer corresponds to one billionth of a meter. The proportions are illustrated in the following table. A human red blood cell, for example, has a diameter of 7.5 micrometers (= 7500 nanometers), i.e. it is almost forty times larger than such a giant colloid particle with a diameter of 200 nanometers. For a better understanding, some measurements are set in relation to each other below:
1 m
1 meter
= 1000 mm
= one thousand millimeters
= 1000000 μm
= one million microns
= 1000000000 nm
= one Billion Nanometers
= 10000000000 Å
= ten billion Ångström
Object
Size
Silver ion (Ag+ )
0.115 nm (= 1.15 Ångström)
Silver atom
0.175 nm (= 1.75 Angstrom)
Glucose molecule
0.7 nm (= 7 Angstrom)
Colloidal Silver (ca. 15 Atome)
1–5 nm (= 10–50 Ångström)
Virus
20–300 nm (= 0,02–0,3 micrometers)
Bacteria
200–80 000 nm (= 0,2–80 micrometers)
Red blood cell
7 500 nm (= 7,5 micrometers)
Human Hair Diameter
40 000–100 000 nm (= 40–100 micrometers)
Human Egg
150 000 nm (= 150 micrometers)
Yet, colloidal silver produced with a generator is much smaller. It consists of only a few atoms and has a diameter of only about one to five nanometers. This colloidal silver is thus many times smaller than a red blood cell or a giant bacterium. Such a ratio is roughly equivalent to the difference in size between a cat and Mount Everest. Compared to the smallest bacteria, a particle of a silver colloid is still almost 2000 times smaller. This relationship is about as if an adult person were standing in front of the Grossglockner Mountain.
What are the benefits of Colloidal Silver?
Case notes of some experience with many diseases:
Therapeutic colloidal silver is a universal, almost side-effect-free remedy for the treatment of a wide range of diseases. Many publications have shown that it is effective against bacteria (e.g. staphylococci and streptococci), viruses and fungi (e.g. the yeast fungus Candida albicans). These pathogens are all killed within a few minutes by colloidal silver. Interestingly, the “useful” bacteria in the large intestine, which are important for the human organism, are usually spared, as colloidal silver is absorbed in the small intestine and at the latest, absorbed into the bloodstream or lymph. In some cases, however, it is also desirable for colloidal silver to act in the large intestine. Colloidal silver can also be used for diseases whose causes are not or not fully known.
In the meantime, the successful effect of colloidal silver has been described for a huge spectrum of diseases. It is effective for several hundred different clinical pictures. Especially at the beginning of the 20th century, its effectiveness was intensively studied by numerous well-known scientists, who published the results in renowned medical journals such as Lancet, Journal of the American Medical Association and British Medical Journal (i.e. Courtenay 1997). After a long break, interest in silver and colloidal silver had sharply declined. However, research has been very active again for several years.
In a wide variety of fields, the healing power of silver is once again being scientifically dealt with and the old findings and experiences are also being proven with new methods. Diseases for which experience with colloidal silver has been made include numerous complaints of the eyes, respiratory tract, skin, motor apparatus and nervous system. Considering that a broad-spectrum antibiotic (against bacterial infections) or a broad-spectrum antifungal (against fungal infections) can only kill some of the pathogens and resistance can easily form, this is an enormous advantage. An antibiotic is only effective against a small number of different pathogens and never against viruses. In addition, the intake of colloidal silver is almost free of side effects, while chemical substances can usually have many and strong side effects.
A frequently asked question is whether colloidal silver is also effective against emerging pathogens, such as HIV (AIDS pathogen), H5N1 (bird flu virus) or SARS-CoV (coronavirus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome). Unfortunately, there are no studies on this yet, so one can only assume that colloidal silver also helps against these viruses. An overview of the wide range of applications of colloidal silver in humans, animals and plants can be found in a separate book (Pies and Reinelt 2010). In addition to descriptions of the clinical pictures, it also contains concrete information on the use of colloidal silver. Of the numerous diseases listed in the literature that are or have been treated with colloidal silver, some are listed below as examples. Many users swear by the preventive effect of colloidal silver against colds and flu. For example, about a quarter of users take colloidal silver for respiratory diseases (Pies and Reinelt 2010). This was already known a century ago. Searle (1920) writes: “Colloidal silver has been shown to be useful in influenza, both for prevention and cure, by being used as a nasal spray, eye bath, or gargle.” The principle of wound treatment with silver coatings or silver plasters, which has been rediscovered today, is based on the same idea as wound treatment with colloidal silver: In addition to silver sulfadiazine, which was introduced in 1968, silver ion-releasing wound dressings and dressings are mainly used today (Thomas and McCubbin 2003). In addition to anti-inflammatory, silver ions also promote the formation of new epithelial tissue and accelerate wound healing. In the early healing phase, more silver is absorbed by the wound tissue than later. This is obviously related to the fact that the healthy tissue (epithelium) is a partial barrier for the silver. So it has a double effect here, because protection against infections is of the utmost importance after a burn, for example. It is possible that colloidal silver supports the production of undifferentiated cells, which are necessary for the replacement of aged or damaged cells (see: Since when has colloidal silver been known?). This may happen by positively influencing controlled cell death (apoptosis) by silver ions. Experimental studies have found that silver also stimulates the formation of special proteins, so-called metallothionein, in the epithelial cells (Landsdown 2002b). These proteins serve to detoxify the body from heavy metals such as cadmium and mercury and promote wound healing. Silver foil made of thinly rolled, sterile silver has been widely used for wound treatment since about 1900 (silver is the most elastic metal after gold and can be processed into 0.0027 millimeter thin sheets). This prevents excessive fluid loss and promotes new tissue formation. In the case of burns and scalds, however, it is also important to prevent infections with pathogens. Silver also makes an important contribution to this as a foil and in colloidal form. It was Dr. William Halstead (1852–1922), one of the fathers of modern surgery, who popularized silver foil for wound covering. This principle was used intensively until the Second World War, but then became a victim of the triumphal march of antibiotics. For some years now, the principle has been experiencing a renaissance in the form of silver-coated wound dressings and plasters (cf. silver dust and silver threads). Hydrocolloid dressings are available as medical devices for antimicrobial wet wound treatment.
The effect is based, among other things, on the release of silver ions into the wound. Lyme disease (erythema migrans disease) was first described in 1976 in the US town of Lyme. It is usually transmitted by ticks and caused by a bacterium, the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. In the course of the disease, cardiac and neurological symptoms as well as arthritis of the large joints can occur. Courtenay (1997) points out that patients who were treated in vain with various antibiotics for three years or more became symptom-free with three to four weeks of therapy with colloidal silver. The average time it takes to rid the body of the pathogen is three to nine months. However, a yeast infection (caused by Candida albicans) often complicates the therapy, which requires an extension of the duration of treatment, according to Courtenay. The Dresden physician Dr. Wilfried Krickau has also made very good healing successes with colloidal silver in the concomitant therapy of Lyme disease (Krickau 2005). As with antibiotic therapy, however, it must be borne in mind that a negative serological result does not necessarily mean the complete healing of Lyme disease.
*** Please never try to treat serious illnesses on your own but entrust yourself to an experienced doctor or alternative practitioner. ***
They can be triggered by different fungi and can be very disturbing. They are often associated with itching, redness or even painful skin cracks (rhagades). Fungal skin diseases often pose a major health and cosmetic problem for affected people at the same time. Conventional treatment often takes a long time, and relapses often occur.
Courtenay (1997) reports that the symptoms can be controlled within two to three days with local application with colloidal silver. But there are also stubborn cases that require more patience.
Psoriasis is a disease whose predisposition is inherited, and which is considered incurable. It is an extremely annoying illness that can also be psychologically stressful. Their outbreak can be triggered by various factors (including bacteria and viruses). The disease manifests itself through increased dandruff formation and occurs preferably on the elbows, knees, hairy head, palms and soles of the feet, as well as in body folds. However, the whole body can also be affected. Courtenay (1997) describes that normal skin grows back after just three weeks through the application of colloidal silver, but the therapy can also take three to eighteen months, depending on the previous treatment. Patients regularly report good experiences with colloidal silver in psoriasis (Pies and Reinelt 2010).
However, the disease can break out again and again. Inflammation of the mouth is very common. They can affect the gums, tongue or cheeks and can have various causes. Sometimes they are very painful and disturbing and can even make it difficult to speak or eat. It is reported that those affected have recovered very quickly due to colloidal silver. After a short, low-dose application, most were able to eat again, and a complete regression of the infection was achieved after two to four days by taking colloidal silver four times a day.
Herpes simplex is caused by a virus and manifests itself through recurrent localized, grouped blisters. Depending on the diseased area of the body, we speak of herpes facialis (face), herpes labialis (lips), herpes nasalis (nose), herpes buccalis (cheeks) or genital herpes (genital organs). The symptoms are often triggered by stressful life situations of the infected person. The first signs of a new flare-up are itching and sensitivity to pain in the affected area. The annoying bubbles then form. According to Courtenay (1997), topical application (topical application) of colloidal silver can prevent blistering in half of the cases at the first symptoms. If they do occur, it is usually milder than without immediate treatment. Their regression is also positively influenced by colloidal silver. They disappear again in half the usual time.
Herpes zoster (shingles), another viral disease that can be very painful, is also described as a successful treatment with colloidal silver. Many people will wonder if colloidal silver can cure AIDS. The more severely a person is affected by a disease and the more hopeless its treatment is, the greater the hopes for every new drug and for every new treatment method. Especially in the case of HIV infections, new drugs and drug combinations have been able to achieve better and better success in recent years. In this way, the onset of AIDS can be significantly delayed and the treatment of concomitant diseases has also been improved enormously. Although AIDS has not yet become curable, the quality of life of those affected has been improved and their life expectancy has been greatly extended. Although it is described that the AIDS pathogen, the HI virus, just like other viruses, is killed with colloidal silver in vitro (in the test tube), a cure for AIDS has unfortunately not yet been achieved. In HIV-infected people, otherwise harmless germs cause so-called opportunistic diseases because of the weakened immune system. Therefore, colloidal silver should also be suitable as a natural agent for these people to support the immune system, especially since it is well tolerated. Many of these opportunistic diseases are caused by single-celled organisms (bacteria, fungi or viruses). These include, for example, cytomegaloviruses, herpes simplex viruses, candida, salmonella, mycobacterium, tubercle bacillus and toxoplasma. If you are interested in experiencing colloidal silver in AIDS, it is best to contact a regional support group. But the homepage of the AIDS Project Los Angeles (www.apla.org) also provides information on this. As part of the FDA’s call for statements regarding colloidal silver (book: Why all the fuss?) an interesting article by a doctor on the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (benign enlargement of the prostate) was also submitted.
He reports on a double-blind clinical study on 22 men aged 50 to 82 in whom he had treated nocturia (i.e. an increased urge to urinate at night). Patients reported getting up one to five times during the night. 15 patients (verum group) were treated with colloidal silver and seven with placebo (colored water). The dose was one teaspoon each of a finished product in the morning and in the evening over 19 to 23 days. Four patients from the verum group subsequently reported a decrease in going to the toilet at night from two to four times to only once. Five (as well as one from the placebo group) reported a general improvement in nocturia. Subsequently, all study participants took one teaspoon of colloidal silver per day for eight weeks.
After another four weeks, 16 participants (one had dropped out of the study) reported improvement, while five reported no progress. In this context, the successful treatment of night tripper (inflammation of the prostate as a result of gonorrhea) is also interesting. To do this, the physician James Mac Munn injected colloidal silver into the prostate through an endoscope (Mac Munn 1917). After the “anthrax letters” following the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, the question immediately arose as to whether one could protect oneself against the anthrax pathogen with colloidal silver. In fact, it has been known since 1887 that silver is very effective against the anthrax pathogen (Bechhold 1919 and Dean 2001). This pathogen had been discovered eleven years earlier by the famous Robert Koch (1843–1910). Even though he is better known today for his work on tuberculosis, Koch owed his professional advancement to the discovery of the anthrax pathogen Bacillus antracis in 1876, because this was actually his first object of study. We owe his work not only the reduction of cholera and tuberculosis, but also that of the highly contagious anthrax. Even today, anthrax is widespread worldwide, especially in countries with little intensive animal disease control. Especially people who often come into contact with animals or animal carcasses (farmers, veterinarians, etc.) are potentially at risk of contracting anthrax. However, the “anthrax letters” at the end of 2001 clearly showed that danger also threatens from other sides, because the laboratories of the “civilized war industry” are not as safe as generally assumed, since the pathogens used at that time obviously came from such laboratories.
As a preventive measure, in connection with the “anthrax letters”, official bodies recommended the early administration of antibiotics to people at risk. However, it is warned not to do this on your own. If necessary, the medicines (penicillin for pulmonary and intestinal anthrax or ciprofloxacin or doxycycline for cutaneous anthrax) are available in sufficient quantities. Although there are no studies on whether colloidal silver can prevent infection with anthrax in humans or animals, since it kills the pathogen, it can be assumed that taking colloidal silver can at least support the body’s own defenses. If there is a concrete suspicion of infection with the anthrax pathogen, professional help must be sought in any case. At this point, it should be emphasized once again that colloidal silver does really amazing things in many cases, but it is not a miracle cure (Pies 2010). They can use it to fight many pathogens – also preventively – or support the cure of diseases.
***DISCLAIMER: The purpose of this article is to give more insight and education into the benefits of colloidal silver. By no means is this suggesting being “The Treatment” and, in the case of serious illnesses, professional medical advice must always be sought.***
Did you find this article of benefit? I hope you found this interesting. I am “diving” further into the ancient history of colloidal silver and gold and want to share my findings with you. So stay tuned.
By Dr Catherine W Dunne MSc. D. (Hon), RGN, Reiki Master (RGMT), M.H.I.T: Master Acupressure, Practitioner of Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Deep Tissue/Myo-fascia Massages, Infrared Treatments, Vibrational Sound and Colour Therapist, Tissue Salt Advisor, Pendulum Healing Dowser, Chakra Practitioner , Tao Cosmic Healing Practitioner, Practitioner of Plant and Herb Medicine and Nurse.
Cleansing and detoxing the liver and colon helps clear pesticides, medications, heavy metals, and the remnants of cancer therapy out of your system, resulting in a healthy liver.
“No Rest For The Wicked”
Did you know, the liver is one of the hardest-working organs in the body. It works tirelessly to detoxify our blood, produce the bile needed to digest fat, break down hormones, and store essential vitamins, minerals, and iron.
What are the main types of minerals? The human body requires 13 different types of minerals to maintain overall health, including:
Potassium
calcium
zinc
iron
magnesium
and others
We need these nutrients for purposes including muscular movement, nerve signalling, cardiovascular functions, growth, development and more.
What Are Minerals?
A mineral is defined as “a solid inorganic substance of natural occurrence.” In other words, a mineral has the following characteristics:
Found in nature but not made by humans
Has never been alive
Solid and not liquid like water or gaseous like air
Has a definite chemical composition, as each type is made of a particular mix of chemical elements
Has an ordered atomic arrangement, which is why minerals can appear as crystals
Although we need both, minerals in our diets are a bit different than vitamins because vitamins are made by plants or animals, while minerals come from soil and water. Minerals make their way into the foods we eat by being absorbed by plants and animals, which we then eat.
With exposure to environmental toxins, toxic body care products and processed foods, most people are in desperate need of a serious detox. When liver function is not optimal, we cannot digest our food properly, especially fats. That’s why it’s so important to avoid fatty liver and follow a liver cleanse diet to remove toxins from the body.
What Is the Liver?
What is the liver, and why is it considered one of the hardest working organs in the body?
The liver, the largest internal organ in the human body, is a digestive organ that sits on the upper right side of the belly. What does the liver look like? It’s described as being “meaty” due to its reddish-brown colour. If you were to touch your liver, it would feel rubbery and semi-firm.
The liver is always communicating with other digestive organs, receiving information about the level of available nutrients or the presence of threats like prescription medications, heavy metals, or toxic substances. As the main organ involved in detoxification, it’s the liver that recognizes toxic substances and converts them into harmless material that can be released. As described in the World Journal of Hepatology in a 2017 article, “Beyond the metabolic functions, the liver recently has been defined as an organ of immune system (IS) … The liver keeps a delicate balance between hepatic screening of pathogenic antigens and immune tolerance to self-antigens.”
The liver is said to be of the “wood element” and is crucial for the transformation of food into energy, or qi, according to Chinese medicine. Since it’s associated with wood qi, the liver is characterized by “upward momentum and the innate desire to be straight.” A healthy liver results in better blood flow upward and outward, throughout our vessels, veins, and capillaries, which transport oxygen and nutrients to our cells.
What can improve liver function do for your health? A well taken care of liver can help bring you:
Increased energy levels
Clearer skin
More regular menstrual cycle with reduced PMS
Freedom from sinus pain
Fewer infections and stronger immunity
Less digestive complaints and more regularity
Fresher breath and oral health
A positive mood and sharper mind
The main functions of the liver include:
Filtering blood coming from the digestive tract … It’s involved in storing blood, making blood clotting possible and breaking down damaged blood cells so they can be eliminated.
Producing bile
Dissecting and converting nutrients available in foods once they reach the digestive system … For example, the liver helps metabolise proteins by changing amino acids so they can be used for energy or used to make carbohydrates or fats.
Helping to spread nutrients throughout the body via the bloodstream and keeping the amount of nutrients in the blood supply at optimal levels
Eliminating toxic waste that’s left behind once foods/substances are broken down
Breaking down and removing excess hormones
Storing certain vitamins and minerals for when they’re needed
Managing the conversion of fats from your diet and manufacturing triglycerides and cholesterol
Taking the carbohydrates you consume and turning them into glucose, a form of energy, to be stored for later use
The liver also interacts with other organs like the gallbladder, stomach, and spleen, since it receives digested particles or toxins and decides what to do with them: circulate them around through the blood or eliminate them before they can cause damage.
Something that makes the liver unique and amazing is that it has the ability to regenerate after it’s become damaged; in fact, it’s capable of doing this more than any other organ in the body.
What Is the Liver’s Job?
Some of the essential functions are: Follow this natural liver cleanse diet to help boost your health and vitality. You’re sure to feel better after this liver detox.
Processing nutrients absorbed by the intestines, so they are more efficiently absorbed
Regulating blood composition to balance protein, fat, and sugar
Destroying old red blood cells
Producing essential chemicals to help blood clot properly
Breaking down and metabolizing alcohol and medications
Producing essential proteins and cholesterol
Removing toxins from the bloodstream, including bilirubin, ammonia, and others
Storing of minerals like iron and vitamin A
Follow this natural liver cleanse diet to …
… help boost your health and vitality. You’re sure to feel better after this liver detox.
1. Remove Toxic Foods from Your Diet
If you are eating a diet high in processed foods, you are putting the health of your liver at risk because these foods basically work against liver health. Hydrogenated oils, refined sugar, convenience foods and lunch meats are notoriously toxic to your system.
Hydrogenated oils, also known as “trans fats,” have higher levels of saturated fat. The chemical structure of the oil itself has been altered to increase shelf life.
Consumption of trans fats dramatically increases the risk for heart disease. In addition, it is believed that trans fats cause problems with the immune system and can lead to inflammation throughout the body.
Added nitrates and nitrites, commonly found in convenience foods, fast foods, and lunch meats, have been linked to serious health conditions. These chemicals are used to preserve foods to make them last longer, inhibit bacteria growth and preserve colour.
Replace these foods immediately with liver-friendly healthy choices. Healthy foods taste great, and with a bit of creativity, you can create healthful meals for your family that will support liver health.
Roast your own organic chicken breast and turkey breast to replace deli meats for quick lunches and after-school snacks. Replace chips and other processed snacks with fresh fruit, carrot sticks, nuts, and homemade granola bars.
2. Drink Raw Vegetable Juice
It can be nearly impossible to eat all of the raw vegetables you need to make your liver cleanse effective. However, by juicing a variety of raw vegetables, you can easily get the four to five servings of fresh, organic vegetables you need. Even vegetables that aren’t your favourites can be disguised and enjoyed in a fresh vegetable juice!
With impaired liver function, a juice cleanse has the added benefit of making the vegetables easier to digest and more readily available for absorption.
Vegetables ideal for liver cleanses include cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts. While that combination may not sound very enjoyable, you can add other vegetables that you enjoy to the mix, including carrots, cucumber, beets, and greens.
All of these vegetables help reduce acid levels in the body, helping create a more friendly pH balance. Experiment with your favourite flavour combinations. You can add fresh herbs, including parsley, mint, and others, to make the juices more enjoyable.
To improve liver health, try this Orange Carrot Ginger Juice (see at end of article). Research suggests that fresh, organic carrots are essential to any liver cleanse. In the liver, beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A to help flush out the toxins in the body while reducing fat in the liver.
The high fibre content helps support a healthy digestive tract, hastening the elimination of toxins in your body. The ginger root helps soothe the digestive tract, reduce intestinal gas, and has strong anti-inflammatory compounds. The fresh oranges in this recipe not only add tangy sweetness, but also add significant vitamin C, additional vitamin A and vitamin B6.
3. Load Up on Potassium-Rich Foods
Are you getting the recommended 4,700 milligrams per day of potassium? Chances are, you aren’t.
Potassium-rich foods help lower systolic blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, and support a healthy cardiovascular system, in addition to helping cleanse your liver. If you have been tempted to take potassium supplements, instead add these healthful foods to your diet:
Sweet Potatoes
Surprisingly, it is not the banana that is the richest in potassium. It is the sweet potato. A single medium sweet potato contains more than 500 milligrams of potassium, not to mention the high fibre and beta-carotene content.
A sweet potato is rich with vitamins B6, C and D, along with magnesium and iron. While naturally sweet, the sugars actually are slowly released into the bloodstream through the liver, without causing a spike in blood sugar.
Tomato Sauces
Potassium — and the other beneficial nutrients in tomatoes — is significantly concentrated as a sauce, puree or as a paste. When selecting tomato sauce, paste or puree, be sure to choose those made only from organic tomatoes.
To make your own concentrated tomato sauce, slice organic tomatoes in half, and roast face down in the oven for 30 minutes at 425 degrees F, until the skin has shrivelled. Remove from the oven and let cool.
Slide the skins off, and gently crush in your food processor or blender. Strain to remove seeds if you desire. Pour into a Dutch oven, and let simmer until thick, one to two hours.
Beet Greens and Spinach
Rich in antioxidants, beet greens are loaded with potassium. Add beets and beet greens to your fresh vegetable juice recipe; finely chop and add raw to salads; or sauté lightly, like other greens.
Beets also naturally cleanse the gallbladder and improve bile flow.
Fresh organic spinach is easily added to your diet, and it’s a good source of potassium.
Beans
White beans, kidney beans and lima beans are all rich in potassium, protein, and fibre. Swap out garbanzo beans for one of these potassium-rich beans in your favourite hummus recipe. Enjoy it with carrot sticks and celery sticks.
Blackstrap Molasses
In addition to potassium, blackstrap molasses is rich with iron, calcium, manganese, and copper.
Incorporate blackstrap molasses into your diet by replacing other natural sweeteners with it. You can use it to create barbecue sauces and to top oatmeal or quinoa porridge in the mornings. Two teaspoons added to coffee intensifies the richness of the coffee, while lowering the acidic taste.
Bananas
And finally, add a banana to your favourite smoothie. Bananas assist in digestion and help release toxins and heavy metals from the body — all of which are essential during a liver cleanse.
Please note: If you have high levels of potassium in your kidneys, foods rich in potassium should be consumed moderately.
4. Coffee Enemas
Coffee enemas help with constipation, reduce fatigue and aid in liver detoxification.
An enema targets the lower portion of your large intestine and can be done at home, unlike colonics, which include the entire bowel and are performed outside the home by a professional.
During the enema, organic coffee is retained in your bowel, allowing the fluid to enter the liver through the intestinal wall.
This has a stimulating effect that increases bile flow, helping jump-start both your gallbladder and your liver. This sparks the production of the chemical glutathione, a strong cleansing compound that helps release the buildup of toxins in your system.
Flushing the toxins out during liver cleanses is critical so they don’t build up and are moved quickly out of your system.
Combine two tablespoons of organic ground coffee with three cups of filtered or distilled water in a pot and bring to a boil. Simmer gently for 15 minutes and allow to cool. Strain the mixture through cheesecloth and use in your enema kit.
Try to retain the mixture for 10–15 minutes, and then release.
If you’ve experienced complications from using enemas in the past, it’s best to talk to a doctor before trying to perform a coffee enema on your own. The first time you try a coffee enema, it’s a good idea to do so under supervision or with guidance of a medical professional, although some people feel comfortable jumping right into the process. Coffee enemas aren’t usually recommended for pregnant women or children since they can be sensitive to the effects of caffeine.
5. Take Liver Support Supplements
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle is considered the “king” of detoxifying herbs, making it ideal for a liver cleanse. Milk thistle helps eliminate the buildup of heavy metals, prescription medications, environmental pollutants, and alcohol in the liver.
In addition, it helps reduce the negative effects on the liver after chemotherapy and radiation. Research indicates that the active ingredient silymarin helps strengthen the cell walls in the liver, while supporting healthy regeneration.
Milk thistle can be taken as a supplement or as a liver-cleansing detox tea.
Dandelion Root
Most homeowners hate the dandelion, as it populates yards every spring, but this flower and its roots are actually packed with vitamins and minerals.
Dandelion root has a natural diuretic effect, allowing your liver to eliminate toxins more quickly. It also helps strengthen the immune system, balance blood sugar levels, relieve heartburn and soothe digestive upset.
Burdock root is another option in the same plant family as dandelions that can help detox your system by cleansing the blood, therefore helping support liver function. Like milk thistle, both dandelion root and burdock root can be taken in both supplement form and/or as a detox tea.
Turmeric
Turmeric supports healthy liver tissue and liver metabolism.
Currently, researchers are studying turmeric for a variety of health benefits for diseases and conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, depression, osteoarthritis, breast health, prostate health, and chronic pain.
Combination Liver SupportSupplement
You can also purchase a liver support supplement that combines many of these key botanicals, such as milk thistle seed, dandelion root, beet root and bupleurum root to help detoxify the liver, assist in healthy liver function, and also work as an anti-inflammatory.
6. Eat Real Liver or Take Liver Tablets
Liver from young, healthy, grass-fed cattle or chicken liver is rich with vitamins A and B, folic acid, choline, iron, copper, zinc, chromium, and CoQ10. Liver is one of the most nutrient-dense foods we can eat and unsurprisingly an organ-nourishing food.
If you can’t stomach eating liver, you can take beef liver pills. Seek a supplement that guarantees no hormones, pesticides or antibiotics are used in the feeding and care of the cattle.
Orange Carrot Ginger Juice Recipe
One of the best things you can do for your health is to juice! Juicing is an easy way to get a heap of fresh veggies (and fruits) into your diet in one easy shot.
Takes 5 minutes, Serves 2
INGREDIENTS:
6 carrots
1 orange
1 knob ginger
1 cucumber
DIRECTIONS:
Add all ingredients to vegetable/fruit juicer, gently stir juice and consume immediately.
I hope you feel inspired. Look after your liver, and it will keep you healthy.
By Dr Catherine W Dunne MSc. D. (Hon), RGN, Reiki Master (RGMT), M.H.I.T: Master Acupressure, Practitioner of Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Deep Tissue/Myo-fascia Massages, Infrared Treatments, Vibrational Sound and Colour Therapist, Tissue Salt Advisor, Pendulum Healing Dowser, Chakra Practitioner , Tao Cosmic Healing Practitioner, Practitioner of Plant and Herb Medicine and Nurse.
Seasonal viruses
Before 2020 we were all aware of the Winter Flu and it would come three days, stay three days and go three days. We never took a week off work because of this. We maybe took 2 to 3 days max off. We treated the symptoms with paracetamol or Lemsips or Ibuprofen, cough syrups, hot water bottles, and bed.
Then something strange happened. Something, so it seems, has been in the making since 2005 or earlier. The Holistic side of medicines was getting too strong and instead of the pharmaceutical industry to become part of it, they declared war on us. Why? No €€€ to be made of what is naturally present.
In Ireland 2016 we were told from now on we are not allowed to claim we can heal you from cancer. Not long before that Homeopathy was made illegal as not licensed and so on. And now it difficult to practice homeopathy. Nature’s Apothecary. Herbalism is next. Ginko Baloba is illegal. Wintergreen is illegal. In Ireland that is.
Viruses
Today we still have winter flus. Except they are now called covid, rsv, Influenza A, …..
Influenza A is not new. It has always been around and GPs and Paediatricians alike have always treated children with it. Parents were never put into a panic zone because your child could die. This is what the industry is throwing out into the media today.
Herbal treatments for sinusitis
Sinusitis. Blocked sinuses. What did we used to do? Steam inhalation with salt and water. I’m surprised at how many either don’t know about this or simply have forgotten. Quick fix is required today. Patience left in 2020.
Thick mucous and raised and high temperatures: avoid dairy. Why? Dairy thickens the mucous further.
Why did our mammies cook stews in the winter? Because oregano and thyme could be added. Sage also. Sage is anti microbial. Thyme is a great antiviral healer. Oregano great antibiotic.
If you have stuffy nose, increased mucous flow and a sinus headache ache, don’t use Vicks Vapour Rub for steam inhalations. Why? The menthol within this salve, will offer temporary sinus relief but the rebound effect is twice as bad. So what to use instead? Eucalyptus Salt
But rub Vicks onto the soles of your feet every night and wear socks to bed. Safe for children from 12 months and adults. In case you didn’t know, our body and organs are mirrored in the soles of our feet. Reflexology and aromatherapy.
Drink plenty tea made with fresh lemons, ginger or dehydrated ginger roots. Local honey. Local honey is sooooo important. Not only because you are supporting local bee keepers but you are taking local pollen in. Great healer. Do this 3x daily.
Or if you own one, Infrared lamp treatment for sinuses. Every household in Germany owns one. No more than 10 min sessions. Keep eyes closed! Do this 3-4 x daily.
Cough
But, I’m coughing! I hear you say. Next question is: dry cough or productive cough?
Dry cough caused by tickle in back of throat? Blame yourself for having stoves and central heating on without a source of water beside it. Start now. Add moisture back into the air. This also helps heat up rooms faster than dry air. Take an antihistamine. This will stop the tickle, which stops the coughing.
Productive cough. What colour is phlegm? Green-grey? Antibiotics plus steam inhalations with salt or eucalyptus or thyme essential oil.
***Thyme is aggressive as an essential oil. So use no more than 2 drops when doing steam inhalations.
Clear to yellow phlegm: if liquid like, as in runny, bubbles, make your own cough syrup with thyme, onion, cloves and honey or unrefined brown sugar. – boil one onion in skin in about 1-1.5 inch of water. Best cut onion horizontally in half and face down into pot. Put lid on and bring to a boil. Boil for about 3 minutes, reduce heat, continue to simmer. Add 3 cloves and 2x tbsp dried thyme or one twig of fresh thyme. Simmer for further 10 min. Remove heat. As it is cooling add the honey or brown sugar to taste. Stir till dissolved. Poor through a sieve and drink as warm as you can. Keep your chest warm. Don’t do this before bed time. You won’t thank me for it 🤪
Phlegm is clear to yellow and thicker: drink plenty ginger tea with local honey. Ginger is warming and helps break up mucous. One additional note: make sure the country of origin of ginger is NOT China. You do not want to know how or in what or with what the grow garlic, ginger …..
Raised, high temperature, fever
I have the shivers, feeling cold but also have a fever.
***Fever is defined as body temperature of 38.5C and higher.
Hot water bottles come in handy. If you have Schüssler Tissue Salt number 4 (in UK and Ireland number 4 is 3 in Europe) this can help. Sage for children too. Ginger and Clove tea and local honey. Or fresh lemon and local honey tea 3x daily. Plus if you have collected Meadow Sweet and Self Heal during the summer, add to tea.
Remembering old sayings
Remember the old saying: colds (most called them flu but it wasn’t influenza) come 3 days, stay 3 days, and go 3 days. Influenza on the other hand, has you “ nailed” to the bed and not even a sack with loads of money would make you get up!
Hoping this was of some use to you. Get well Stay well Keep family well.
Holistic Healthcare Wexford & Workshops 