In high school, I used to down Advil for kicks - I liked the loopy feeling it gave me, especially when paired with alcohol. I can't remember whether I bothered to conjure up a slight headache or just went for it without much thought. I didn't have a death wish for my liver; I simply didn't know that this behavior would cause long term damage. I didn't fathom that something so readily available on the shelves of my Walgreens could harm me.
Truth be told, it wasn't until I got together with my now-husband, who comes from a family of fairly strict natural medicine users, that I began to realize how much poison I'd been putting in my body for years, many times at the orders of my trusted doctors. Before I met my husband, at the first sign of a stuffed nose I would pop some nasal decongestants and maybe even a night time cold medicine pill to ward off any evil which might await me the next day. My husband showed me how to inhale turmeric fumes over a pan on the hot stove, which works much better, much faster, and is totally natural! Not to mention, cheap! Why doesn't everybody do this when they get congested?! (Just put 1 tbsp of turmeric in a pan over medium heat, and when smoke starts coming up, put your face above the smoke and inhale deeply through your mouth and nose. Keep inhaling until the smoke stops. Do this 4-5 times per day when you are sick for best results!)
 | |||
| A whole lotta turmeric, just waiting to unclog your sinuses! |
My husband also encouraged me to ditch the Pepto Bismol and Tums, in exchange for some camomile tea and a short rest. What I love the most from his natural remedies is a boiling pot of fresh ginger, fresh lemon juice, cinnamon, and honey, which cures any cold I get, when coupled with lots of sleep.
I'm also a big believer in the power of positive thinking to heal my body, as the great Louise Hay teaches. I haven't studied psychology, nor natural medicine, nor any alternative therapies like acupuncture, reflexology, or the Alexander Technique. But it makes sense to me that we can heal ourselves without chemicals, especially since so many illnesses are brought about by mental and emotional difficulties. When we heal ourselves mentally and emotionally, then the physical symptoms often disappear just as mysteriously as they appeared.
For the past year, I haven't taken any pills, I've stayed away from processed foods as much as possible (although I'd like to be more strict), and I try to be more aware of my body and its various cycles. I am proud to report that I was sick once in the beginning of the year, but nothing major since then! I feel like I'm on a very positive path, and I want to learn more about natural remedies so I can help myself and others around me.
I hope that we Westerners grow in our collective awareness of the dangers of Western medicine, and the great powers of natural medicine! If you know about any natural remedies, please share :)
No comments:
Post a Comment