Kathryn Lafond

Honey -

A Versatile Antibiotic Treatment

If you find yourself in an emergency situation and need to prevent infection in wounds, scrapes, or cuts the best remedy to reach for is pure raw honey.  Raw honey is a powerful antiseptic capable of killing microbes directly, according to Cass Igram, D.O. in her book titled How to Survive Disasters with Natural Medicines.  She goes on to state, “Microbes are 90% water and this is precisely why honey is so antagonistic to them.” Honey literally drains the water out of bacteria and parasites because of its high potassium levels.  Honey works topically as well, speeding the healing of damaged tissue with its vitamins, minerals, sugars, and enzymes.

For centuries, honey has been known and used medicinally.  Today it is being remembered for the amazing gift that it is.  The following list of uses may surprise you:

Used post operatively to pack wounds, eliminating infections

Draws out pus and secretions, healing cysts, boils, and infected wounds

Treats animal bites, open bed sores and ulcers, burns, and abrasions

Creates less scarring

Treats MRSA and VRE staph infected wounds

Dries out acne

Soothes sore throat from infection or dangerous chemical inhalation

Treats diarrhea illness better than any glucose syrup or prescription

Excels as source of potassium, plus iron, copper, Vitamin C, manganese, calcium, magnesium, and silica

Known as a sedative to the nervous system

Soothes the digestive system, healing gastro-intestinal disorders of the worst kind

In the book, Folk Medicine, by D.C. Jarvis, M.D., you can read of bacteriologist, Dr. W.G. Sackett’s exploration of honey at Colorado Agriculture College.  He was a non-believer of honeys ability to destroy bacteria until he put it to the test.  Sackett “placed various disease germs in a pure honey medium…Within a few hours’ time, or at most in a few days, each of the disease microorganisms died.  The typhoid-fever-producing germs died within forty-eight hours.  Germs which caused chronic broncho-pneumonia were dead on the fourth day.  Dysentery-producing germs were destroyed in ten hours.” His tests were duplicated by many other bacteriologists, one working for the Bureau of entomology, in Washington D.C., and confirmed in each case.

It is particularly interesting to read of honey used as a remedy against Candida.  It is powerful enough to inhibit the growth of yeasts as well as staph and strep.  This is fascinating as it is sugars that breed Candida within the body.

“Raw” Honey is what we are looking for as crystal clear, processed honey will offer little assistance toward healing anything.  Another reference name might be “unfiltered.”  It is unclear why it is ever pasteurized because there are no microbes in honey.  Even heating above 130 degrees has been known to kill infection fighting abilities.  The act of filtering is also detrimental as it eliminates the pollen which acts as a digestive aid and as an invaluable source of nutrition.

In researching how best to use Honey medicinally consensus appears to be:

External use:  After cleaning wound with a sterile saline solution, apply liberally with an applicator or by placing honey directly on gauze pad 2 x daily.  Press honey firmly to the wound then secure with tape.

Internal use – For diarrhea it is best to eat nothing but honey and fluids such as broth, juice, and water for first day.  Other sources suggest 2 Tb 6x daily or up to ¼ c, 4x daily.  Dosage of course is dependent on age and seriousness of condition.  Not recommended for babies under one year either.

For sore throat and cough use – 1 to 3 Tb per mug of boiling hot water.  Adding the juice of a lemon is also beneficial as it can aid in shifting the body’s PH levels from acid to alkaline.

The most powerful form of honey is known as Manuka honey out of New Zealand (www.manukahoneyusa.com) and is harvested from the flower of the wild, un-cultivated Tea Tree Bush.  It is available in many health food stores and whole-foods grocery stores.  At their website the price runs $36 for 17.5 oz. or you can buy quantities at a discount.  I tried another brand of raw honey from Tropical Traditions. The honey was sourced out of Canada, and we were pleased with both price and value although it was not Manuka honey.  To find raw honey one might suggest looking at the local farmers market first as it may still have a touch of the sun that shone yesterday, meaning a greater life force to heal what ails you.

Favorite Remedies

For Flu and Colds to Headaches and Back Pain

No we’re not talking Tums, aspirin or ibuprofen.  We’re not looking for remedies to mask the pain or to delete health in areas not experiencing pain.  If we’ve got the flu or a weeping wound we want to support our body’s return to wholeness.  With the cost of health care skyrocketing we are not interested in encouraging long-term disability.  Are you really ready to take responsibility for your health as much as possible?  Then try using preventative medicine that can actively support wellness such as minerals and antioxidants; immune stimulants; homeopathics and flower essences to work on the subtle energy body; acupuncture, energy medicine, and chiropractic adjustments to bring balance to all systems; and colonics for when your rain-barrel of toxin load appears over-flowing.

For the “Home Health Tool Box” we keep on hand numerous supportive remedies.  As a Wise Woman Herbalist and mother who has used holistic medicine the entire time of raising a family, we have built quite a list of favorites.  The following is a sample of our first choice selections:

Emergencies:

Rescue Remedy, Flower Essence drops to calm and bring consciousness

Arnica, Homeopathic remedy to reduce swelling and bruising

Ruta Grav, Homeopathic remedy for strains, sprains, and tendon injuries

Raw Honey (see Post on Honey…)     Ginger Vitamin C

Bee Stings and Bug Bites:

Vitamin C, a natural antihistamine.

Apis Mel, Homeopathic

Plantain leaf, readily available in the Pacific NW, chew leaf to make paste and press on sting.

Rescue Remedy, calms to prevent spreading the poison

SSSStingStop, a soothing gel that really works by Boericke & Tafel

General Infection and inflammation fighters and Immune building:

Beta-1, 3-D Glucan, attacks bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Olive Leaf extract, strong enough to tackle Staph infections

Oil of Oregano, (can tackle most anything from fungus on up)

Echinacea tincture enhances infection fighting ability

Super Lysine+, by Quantum Health

Astragalus, Chinese  herb supports adaptive response to stress

Natural Cellular Defense, zeolite minerals pull toxins from system

Colds and Flu and sore throat:

Vitamin C with bioflavonoids

Vitamin C powder, for times when a Vit. C flush is needed for the bowels

MOXY, Cold & Flu formula (Herbotic Silver – natural anti-viral, anti-bacterial)

Vitamin A, tackles infection, especially good for sore throat

Zinc, soothes while it heals throat problems

Hot water with juice of fresh lemon and honey

Hot baths with Epsom salts, wrap up warmly under covers after and sweat!

Black Elderberry cough syrup

Ferrum Phox. 6X, or Gelsemium, Homeopathic remedies

Sleep Aids:

Magnesium, Natural Calm by Natural Vitality (use ½ rec. dose)

Valerian Tincture, 1 dropper-full in water, (can cause excitability in some)

Hot bath in Epsom Salts

Vitamin B complex, (Thorne B-complex #5 excellent)

Revitalizing Sleep formula, by Enzymatic

GABA, to calm the nerves and release the tension

Heart Burn and Stomach Upset:

Nux Vomica, Homeopathic, (absolute favorite!)

Epsom Salts in warm water

Digestive Aids and Intestinal Assistance:

BIO-GEST, by Thorne Research, builds proper stomach acids.

HLC High Potency Capsules, a combination of Acidophilus/bifidum, re-cultures

Intestines for proper assimilation. By – Pharmax

Ginger or ginger tea,    Papaya Juice, Peppermint tea

Toothache or Infection:

Oregano Oil or Clove Oil

Rinse with warm salt water

Headache:

Lavendar Essential Oil, use on temples

Natrum Mur. 6X, Homeopathic (also for water retention)

Magnesium, Natural Calm …

Pure clean water

Back Pain:

Magnesium, (a mineral shortage) Natural Calm or Cal-Mag Plus, Natural                              Vitality

Hot baths in Epsom salts

Tiger Balm localized rub down, or Arnica Oil by Weleda for full massage

Water   (Check on bladder/kidney infection)

Skin Salves:

EagleSong’s Fabulous Salve (www.ravencroftgarden.com)

Calendula Cream by Boiron, for burns, scrapes, & skin irritation

Lavendar Essential Oil spray for burns

Aloe Vera for burns, with Coconut Oil for sunburn

Nerve injury or nervousness:

Hypericum Perf. 6X by Hyland’s, homeopathic

General Daily Vitamins:

Use a brand that is taken twice daily to fulfill the body’s nutritional needs 24/7. Usana Health Sciences is a good example – “Essentials” multi vitamins and minerals.  Also add Usana BIOmega-3, concentrated fish oils.  For Teens: Usana Body-Rox, multi-vitamins and minerals.

The key to our “Home Health Tool Box” is that we have on hand that which can support returning to a healthy state when needed.  It is empowering to have the support at our fingertips and to use the western medical model when absolutely needed. By not over using such tools as antibiotics our bodies can be more responsive to allowing them to work at critical moments. By eating raw-fresh foods and including lots of mineral rich broths we take the load off our digestive systems and give it time to heal.

If you’ve been diagnosed with high cholesterol did your doctor look for the root cause of this problem or were you handed a pharmaceutical prescription to take care of the issue?  If given a pill did you also understand at the time that this cholesterol-lowering, statin drug was to be used every day for the rest of your life?  Using statin drugs to mask symptoms creates a domino effect.  This tactic leads to additional disease within the body; meaning more pain and suffering down the road.  The most common side effect is muscle pain and weakness; however loss of mental acuity, heart problems, anemia and cataracts are all known effects which all too often are given no consideration.  Too make matters worse; too low cholesterol levels increase your risk of cancer, Parkinsons disease and leads to more violent behaviors.

What drives our bodies to higher and higher cholesterol production?  It is likely the list is more complicated but here is the probable top five:  (1) Inflammation,(2) low thyroid issues, (3) an imbalanced diet with too many grains and sugars causing (4) high Insulin levels, and (5) heavy metals and other toxins locked into the organs.

According to Dr. Sherry Rogers in Detoxify or Die, we can create a high cholesterol situation simply by giving one dose of PCB’s.  Studies show that in the USA 100% of the population has PCB’s stored in their bodies.  And where do these PCB’s come from?  Plastics, paints, pesticides, furnishings, construction glues, flame retardants, and common contaminants in the food chain all contain PCB’s.  Emitted into the air from industrial and auto exhaust; clouds rain down PCB toxins which are taken up by soil, plants, animals, and humans.  PCB’s come from a family of over 200 chemicals.  They are also some of the most potent causes of cancer and other chronic diseases.  And yet, we can’t become afraid of living; these things are all around us.  What we can do is make our voices known for better regulation of industrial chemicals.  We can also take responsibility for detoxifying our bodies on a regular basis.

Secondly we can create high cholesterol conditions from toxic levels of mercury moving about the body’s tissues.  Mercury toxicity comes from bottom dwelling shellfish and fish such as swordfish and tuna.  It also comes from the amalgam fillings in our teeth, (50% mercury).  This data has been well documented.  (see Toxic Metal Syndrome, by Dr. Richard Casdorph and Dr. Morton walker, ISBN 0-89529-649-7).  Many of us were exposed to high doses through a mercury preservative, thimerosal, found in most infant immunizations.  Other sources include occupations where some form of mercury is used: painters, metal refiners, welders, wood preservers, embalmers, engravers, cosmetic workers, dental technicians, chemical workers, and the list goes on…

High cholesterol is a messenger that informs us when we are experiencing an overload of free radicals.  Once free radicals eat holes in our arteries they attract nature’s band-aid: Cholesterol.  However, due to our limited knowledge we react by judging the cholesterol as bad and proceed to take drugs in order to lower cholesterol levels.  These worsen the cycle of destruction by blocking necessary enzymes which are needed to produce Coenzyme Q10.  This can lead to heart failure, high blood pressure, cancer, chronic fatigue, memory loss, depression and more.  We know cholesterol is not only needed but crucial for healthy cell membranes, hormone receptors, brain neuro-transmitters, and for making our sex and adrenal hormones.

One key to manageable cholesterol levels is a diet of whole grains, an abundance of raw fruits and vegetables and limited animal products that come from healthy animals like free-range chicken and their eggs, wild fish and grass fed beef.  Healthy diets also drive down insulin problems; another root cause of high-cholesterol.   By using quality olive oil, coconut oil and flax oils and eliminating bottled dressings full of bad fats we gain control over disease states caused by trans-fatty acids and rancid oils.  Dr. David Williams; who publishes an excellent health newsletter called Alternatives, challenges our beliefs regarding the dire effects of diet upon cholesterol levels.  He believes you could eliminate all cholesterol from your diet and your liver would continue to produce more because your body needs it.  It is likely that this statement is true due to the toxins that cause inflammatory problems.

Various theories abound about whether or not cholesterol really causes heart disease.  Foremost is the discovery that cholesterol lowering drugs have failed to reduce heart attack rates.  Convincing research points to inflammation in the arteries uncovered by blood tests showing dangerous levels of homocysteine.  Homocysteine is an acid-like waste product that forms when we eat certain protein foods such as red meat.  This could be easily broken down with B vitamins except we have found a widespread shortage of B vitamins in our systems.  Investigations currently point to under-active thyroid glands as the cause, inhibiting our absorption of B vitamins.  Research further states that millions of Americans unknowingly have malfunctioning thyroids and that symptoms are so common place they have been overlooked.  It gets more complicated because the current blood tests used to check for thyroid depletion are inadequate and heavy metals such as mercury affect the accuracy of blood test screening.  While transitioning thyroid medication in 2003, I personally experienced this difficulty with cholesterol levels rocketing to over 300.  Once I was stabilized on the new thyroid support my cholesterol levels dropped to a manageable state.

How can we keep the ‘cholesterol band-aid’ from clogging or clotting up our blood streams?  Try the team approach, something for body, mind, and spirit:  Dr. Rogers would suggest taking 1000 mg. of vitamin C (buffered ascorbates)  and 800 IU’s. of vitamin E before any high fat meal.  Other practitioners suggest 2-3000mg Vitamin C daily, plus 800 IU’s. of E.  Using the amino acid Arginine, 1000 mg. twice daily has also shown positive anti-blood clotting properties.  Dr. Williams suggests getting the thyroid support needed by adding more minerals to the diet, especially iodine.  Magnesium is also important and a clean drinking water source is imperative.  When choosing a good quality B-complex, try something which can be absorbed readily such as Thorne brand.  Exercise, even a brisk walk, can then be added into the equation without fear of overdoing it.  Exercise is vitally important to enhance circulation and for emotional-mental wellbeing.  Adding relaxation techniques from meditation or classical music can calm the stress load as well as help us get in touch with our spiritual needs.  And lastly, use detoxifying baths with Epsom salts or baking soda; eliminating amalgam fillings in the mouth; and reducing our PCB load are essential to healing the body.

Remember, Cholesterol is not an evil monster but a band-aid your body calls upon when inflammation is present.  Lowering cholesterol can not be the answer for preventing heart attacks given the fact that heart attacks have increased 27% over the last 20 years. Of those who experienced heart attacks most had low or normal cholesterol levels. During the same time period our doctors have been sold on the marketing plan of statin drugs.

Knowing what you know now, would you be willing to lean into dangerous statin drugs for a high cholesterol issue or would you look for the root cause of the illness?