Migraine Relief at Last!!

I am one of the many people who suffer migraine headaches. Mine are quite severe when they attack, once a month like clockwork, the dreaded menstrual migraine. Generally, the intense pain, nausea, weakness, light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, and distorted vision will last for four or five days if I don't start swallowing aspirin by the fistful at the first indication of the onset of these hellish attacks. Even when I medicate in anticipation of the horrible event, aspirin and other pain medications merely take enough of the edge off of the headache to allow some semblance of normal daily function, but do little to alleviate the accompanying symptoms. Prescription medications are not an option I pursue, as the side effects of most I have investigated are many, and the effectiveness of them is quite questionable.

Thanks to an informative book given to us by a man we met here in the desert, DB Smith, titled Medicinal Herbs & Wild Foods Of The Desert Southwest, I have found a natural remedy that has provided me complete relief from migraine symptoms three months in a row. While the book does not specify migraine as one of the conditions for which Ocotillo is useful, some of the ailments listed as ones treatable with the plant, such as edema and inflammation, are among the symptoms that plague migraine sufferers during an attack. So, I gave it a shot, and the results amazed me. With a simple tea made with Ocotillo branches, a common plant on our desert property, I have managed to avoid my usual migraine hell week, with most symptoms disappearing after the first cup of tea, and the rest gone after the second dose taken a few hours later. Then, I take a cup before my morning coffee the following day or two to ensure a symptom free day.

Of course, as migraine sufferers know, nothing works for everyone, but this has been the ONLY remedy that has been able to eradicate all of my migraine symptoms, leaving me feeling completely back to normal. What a blessing, as I typically lose nearly a week of every month to these incapacitating attacks. Personally, I have suffered no side effects from my Ocotillo brew, but among the warnings in the book is one against using Ocotillo if you are pregnant or nursing.

Ugly News From Canada... And, If The Law Passes, It Can Be Expected To Eventually Creep Our Way

Big Pharm would like to rule the world, it seems. Pharmaceutical monopoly just isn't enough. No, they'd like to be able to control access (read profit from) every aspect of healing, including the healing potentials of your kitchen herbs. Check out this story to see what they're up to now... trying to pass a law that uses a devious blend of criminalizing supplements and herbal remedies as they redefine the term sales and the application of forfeiture laws to wrest still more control of health and healing from the people to place in the hands of those hungry for still more profit.

Disgusting! Better buy seeds for secret gardens now... while you still can. Heritage seeds, those not contaminated by genetic alteration or neutered by those who prefer seeds to be bought every season, rather than saved from a portion of what was grown.

We Took It To Heart...

Relaxing in the sunshine... it sounded so good to us after shivering in NY for so long that we loaded up the crew -- children, dogs, cats, birds, and a turtle -- and headed for the sun. We've left chilly NY behind forever and have set up in the high desert plateaus along the frontera. And, here in this lovely rural spot (you can click the picture taken by my brother for a larger view of our gorgeous sunset), we've been investigating the local flora and fauna and have a wealth of information to share about natural remedies. Now that we've -- finally -- gotten home Internet again, we can return to blogging. Ah, what a joy!

"Natural" Colic Remedy Recall Due To Potential Parasite Contamination

From an Associated Press report published in the Mercury News:

"California health officials on Wednesday warned parents not to give their children a liquid herbal supplement that is marketed as a remedy for colic and teething pain because several bottles tested positive for a parasite that may have a sickened a 6-week-old infant in Minnesota.

Lab tests conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration confirmed the presence of Cryptosporidium, a parasite that can cause diarrhea and intestinal infections, in unopened bottles of apple-flavored Baby's Bliss Gripe Water, according to the state health department. The supplement's s distributor, MOM Enterprises of San Rafael, has recalled about 17,600 bottles of the product that were being sold through the Internet and at retail stores nationwide, the health department said."

I'm not a big fan of herbal supplements for babies, especially when they are just 6 weeks old. They're too little and they're too new. Herbs are plants, and their medicinal content can vary according to soil conditions, growing area, etc. Babies are just so tiny that a little too much of something can have a real effect. So, natural or not, I lean towards being very cautious about what I give an infant.

For colic, there is a much more natural solution -- breastfeeding. That is the best thing you can do to prevent colic and you certainly don't have to worry about any recall related issues... unless you've got chemical filled implants.