Comments for Traditional Naturopath

Comment on Can Diabetes Be Caused by Pharmaceutical Drugs? by beth

beth — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 20:34:23 +0000

I think alot of pharmecutical drugs can lead to diabetes. Technically alot of foods can lead to diabetes, or the lack of them. But more importantly, IMHO modern medicine fails to look at the bigger picture. It’s not the side-effects of drugs, it’s the effects drugs have on other organs which they’re not tested for, and then they end up producing or reducing hormones, etc. Often in many cases effecting metabolism, insulin, and ultimately diabetes.

Comment on Deaths of Young Girls Due to Gardasil Are on the Rise! by Dr. Bill

Dr. Bill — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 12:05:26 +0000

There are, indeed, some drugs that have been helpful in extreme situations (”heroic medicine”)… true. What I am, in fact, incensed about is the fact that some governmental agencies are FORCING (or, attempting to force) treatment on people. However, a TRADITIONAL Naturopathic approach is drug-free if at all possible. Unfortunately, some “Naturopathic” schools today want to turn “naturopaths” into “mini-MDs” that prescribe drugs and perform minor surgeries… like, say, Bastyr University. These are not Naturopathic schools in the traditional sense, they are “poor man’s” allopathic medical schools trying to disguise themselves as Naturopathic institutions. Check out what Dr. Benedict Lust, one of the founders of Traditional Naturopathy said, “Remember: Naturopaths are Doctors - minus Materia Medica and Surgery”. The “materia medica” Dr. Lust was referring to was prescription drugs.

Comment on Deaths of Young Girls Due to Gardasil Are on the Rise! by Emily

Emily — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 08:42:22 +0000

Hi there, I am a naturopathic student. I have to say that I don’t believe anyone should be writing statements like “artifically created drugs are dangerous”. This is a narrow minded, backward approach to viewing allopathic medicine. There is a huge number of allopathic drugs (and vaccines) without which there would have been millions of deaths and widespread diseases. It is simply not true that all artifically created drugs are dangerous. Of course some will have side effects, but that is the same situation one will encouter with herbs - alot of herbs will be contra-indicated in certain conditions.
It is hard enough trying to get the medical society and the wider public to not view naturopaths as ‘quacks’ - lets not make it even harder by publishing comments such as the one written here for all to read. Thank you.

Comment on Flaxseed May Relieve “Hot Flashes” by Patricia

Patricia — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 05:50:50 +0000

I am glad to read that flaxseed is getting attention again. However, a google search on ‘flaxseed cannot be digested whole’ will bring up the key to how to ingest them. They must be ground for the body to absorb any nutrients/benefits from them.

Whole flaxseed is excellent for those suffering from constipation - but must be taken with plenty of water. If one has diarhhea, then one takes them with less water as they are then binding. These latter two could be the ’side effects’ mentioned. It also should not be ground more than a day or so in advance as it is well known that flaxseed ground OR oil starts to get rancid almost immediately. In fact, any flaxseed oil sold on the shelves is already useless unless refrigerated throughout the transport and storage.

I rather question if the positive effects for women mentioned in this study were the placebo effect??? For me I think this ‘knowledge’ about grinding the seeds is something long known in folk/herbal medicine but one of the obvious things overlooked by the medical field. The researchers needed to get their heads out of the books on this one. They should have ‘done their research first’.

I take my (tablespoon or so) of flaxseed freshly ground each morning with yoghurt and lately have added pumpkin (ground with them) for the additional benefits of it. I certainly did then notice a reduction in hot flashes - however moreso since I have added a teaspoon of maca powder. Now I hardly have them and there are other improvements as well. I think synergestically they work well together.

Comment on The Benefits of Hawthorne to the Heart by Ani Suitauloa

Ani Suitauloa — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 11:41:52 +0000

Will hawthorne help my dad out. Can it help my dad? We are looking for an alternative medicine to what the doctors have given my dad.

Comment on The Benefits of Hawthorne to the Heart by Ani Suitauloa

Ani Suitauloa — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 11:37:36 +0000

My dad has been given 6 to 8 weks to live. He has low blood pressure and his heart is racing, around the 140 beats per minute. We are looking for alternative medicines. Can you help us out please.

Comment on The House Sells Out Natural Health Interests by Kim

Kim — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 16:29:28 +0000

Thank you for your blog and podcast. I just received an iPod as a gift, and it took a while to find the “alternative health” podcasts that I was interested in, but I did find yours and just listened to your podcast from June 30. Very interesting, especially the news on cinnamon and its benefits (painful joints, etc.), and my father in law has Type 2 diabetes. I also found the differences between naturopathy and allopathy very interesting, and I hope to research some of the issues and sites you were discussing.

I look forward to more podcasts - I’m subscribed :) I’m a Reiki practitioner with an interest in vegan diets and energy medicine, and I prefer a naturopathic approach myself (from what I’ve learned about the field of naturopathy).

Comment on The Benefits of Cinnamon! by Patricia

Patricia — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 07:50:53 +0000

Good article and a good reminder. But I thought I would add that unless you know what to look for and can buy from a trusted source, if you are in the US, then most likely you are buying cassia (Cinnamomum cassia) and not true cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum aka. Cinnamomum zeylanicum). The cheaper cassia is somewhat harsher and has a sharper ‘cinnamon’ taste, while true cinnamon has a slightly sweeter cinnamon and not as sharp flavour with notes of clove that lingers. There is a great difference, especially for medicinal purposes.

Most Americans know no other, and when live here in Europe for much time, complain about the ‘not as good as what we buy back home’ true cinnamon sold here (and they don’t believe there is a difference). I know…I’ve heard it often enough.

Cassia bark sticks are tough and looked at from the end, appears to form a ‘3′. Cinnamon sticks are thin and papery, that crumble easily and look like thin rolls of layers of ‘paper’. Here in Europe, it is also known as canel in several countries (Zimt in Germany).

I felt a need to mention this because those who (for medicinal purposes) want to use high doses of ‘cinnamon’ (but are really using cassia) will be injesting toxic amounts of coumarin. The European health agencies have issued warnings about using cassia in high amounts, especially around the Christmas time (baking, teas etc).

Here is a good link to wikipedia for those who wish to know more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinnamon

Thanks for the opportunity to pass on this important cassia/coumarin issue!

Comment on BBC Headline: Echinacea Can Prevent a Cold! by Eric Grey

Eric Grey — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 16:30:14 +0000

I just ran across your site and I have to say I’m thrilled to find your site! There’s so little blogging going on about these topics. I’ve just started a blog about Classical Chinese medicine that you might want to check out. Anyway - regarding the echinacea issue - I have a very simple question. What can we do, as natural health practitioners and future natural health practitioners, to counter the negative impacts of these studies? Blogging is certainly one answer - but what else would you recommend?

Comment on Why Would the FDA Ban, or Regulate, Supplements? by Dr. Bill

Dr. Bill — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 17:55:06 +0000

I believe you are right that we will not change their minds. They are against real natural health, that is, indeed, true! However, I urge people to contact them so that we will not appear to be simply laying down like sheep and “taking it.” We will resist them in their efforts to destroy our personal health choices. We will stand up and be counted… we may not change their minds, but we will let them know we are out here, and we are not easily cowed!