Last night I was flipping through a magazine and came across one of those run-of-the-mill pharmaceutical ads.
You know the ones– they are usually about four-pages long and a serious annoyance when you are right in the middle of a good article.
Usually I can’t flip past them fast enough to get to the good stuff, but for some reason, I was compelled to read through this one in particular.
It was for a prescription inhaler, and while the first page had uplifting-looking photos and touted the benefits of the drug, the next three pages included massive lists of side effects and warnings for everything from severe allergic reactions and pneumonia, to respiratory tract infections and bronchitis. (Uh, I thought an inhaler was supposed to help your lungs?)
I initially shook my head in disgust, and then proceeded with the rest of the magazine.
But it popped into my mind again today, and the more I thought about it, the more mad I became. Yes, mad.
I’ve been pondering this whole idea a lot lately, especially after reading this recent article about essential oils. The article itself was fairly innocuous, but it left the reader with the impression that essential oils are fairly dangerous with a variety of risks. The comment section was even worse, with many folks mocking those who dare to choose essential oils for health and wellness.
Now, let me clarify— essential oils should be used with common sense. For example, I certainly wouldn’t recommend slathering yourself in undiluted oregano or cinnamon oil…
But I guarantee they aren’t near as “dangerous” or “toxic” as many of the conventional pharmaceuticals that doctors are prescribing left and right. (Like the diabetes medication I saw advertised the other day… There is a big bold warning at the top of the ad that says it may cause thyroid cancer in humans like it has in rats… Um hello?)
Since when did it become “normal” and acceptable in our society to happily and willingly accept all these drugs without ever questioning the consequences?
How come the same people who would never, ever question the long-term side effects of their prescriptions meds, are the same ones who question and criticize our choice of a natural lifestyle and insinuate that we are “living on the edge.”
Sure, I’ll fully admit that there is a time and place for conventional medicine. If I’m in a car accident, you can bet I’ll be thrilled to be in the hospital. However, if I have natural options available to me to treat other issues, why not at least explore those?
As many of you know, my husband received a substantial dog bite on his hand about a month ago. We were very proactive and decided to handle the wound ourselves using natural remedies. The results were spectacular, and it healed more quickly that I could have ever imagined.
But I’ll be honest– I was scared to death to tell anyone what we were doing until AFTER the fact. Although I was confident that we were taking the necessary precautions and that it would be just fine, I didn’t feel like dealing with the raised eyebrows or people shaking their finger at us for being too “risky.”
It’s a common perception in our society that a doctor and multiple prescriptions are an absolute requirement for any and all medical “issues,” whether it be a common cold or a small wound.
But unfortunately, the backwards nature of our culture doesn’t end there…
- Why do we think it’s normal to chow down on every manner of false, processed, pseudo-food we can get our hands on, yet consider it so unsafe and “risky” to drink raw milk like people have been doing for thousands of years?
- Why do we think it’s normal to happily take any prescription that the doctor gives us without question, yet raise our eyebrows and scoff at using herbs or other natural, time-honored treatments?
- Why do we think it’s normal to eat pale-colored eggs from chickens living in horrible conditions, yet get squeamish when the “farm fresh” eggs we get have a speck of sawdust on the shell, or a meat spot inside.
- Why do we think it’s normal to spend countless hours and dollars mowing, watering, and fertilizing our strangely un-natural patches of perfectly manicured green grass, yet think putting the time into growing things you can actually eat is too much work and inconvenience?
- Why do we think it’s normal to get upset over a child putting a piece of grass in his mouth, yet obediently inject that same child with multiple vaccines at the same time without ever questioning the repercussions?
- Why do we think it’s normal for that one pound of hamburger you buy at the grocery store to be the product of hundreds of different cows and “puffed” with ammonia hydroxide (their words, not mine…), but so many people get nauseous at the thought of cutting up their own meat?
- Why do we think it’s normal for foods that have been genetically modified and sprayed with chemicals to require no labeling, yet if a farmer wants to go the organic route, he or she must jump through all manner of hoops and paperwork to have the “privilege” of placing that little “organic” sticker on their products?
- Why do we think it’s normal for people to go from their garage, to a parking garage, to their place of work without ever feeling the wind on their face or having their shoes touch anything but asphalt for weeks and weeks at a time?
To answer the question posed in the title of this post– No— I do not think that natural choices are inherently more dangerous.
Most aspects of life involve some element of risk, and I encourage you to take the time and research the choices in front of you and your family.
I don’t have all the answers, but I firmly believe that I am placing my family at far less risk choosing to live a naturally-minded lifestyle, than I would be making conventional choices like the rest of society.
And if you are facing the same sort of raised-eyebrows that I do sometimes– take heart and remember this: I guarantee you aren’t alone in your natural choices, even though it might feel like it at the time. People have been doing things like using herbs and drinking raw milk for thousands of years– Long before Big Pharma ever told us not to…
Have you ever been questioned for choosing the natural/homesteading lifestyle? What was your response?
Thanks for this. I haven’t been struggling with this issue lately (although I did just finish reading another Joel Salatin book and they all address stuff like this!) but for some reason this was a nice way to start the morning. Definitely perked me up a bit. 🙂
I have to ask about the dog. Did you know who it belonged to and was it current on it’s shots? I ask this because . . . when I was young, less than 5 years old, my siblings and I were around a dog that had rabies and had to have the shots for it. Back then, they gave them in your stomach and they were painful. The places where they gave the shots were red, round places, (about the size of a silver dollar and beet red and hot). There was a series that you had to take. Either 21 or 28 days of these shots. If you don’t know the dog and haven’t yet, please have the dog checked out. They quarantine it for a period of time. If it shows signs of rabies, then it is put down. I am begging you to have the dog checked.
The dog is one of ours (my husband was breaking up a dog fight- the bite was accidental.) She is current on her rabies. You can check out the dog bite post for the full story.
Thank goodness you know the dog.
My father was a health inspector for several years after he worked for USDA for twenty. Though he was raised on raw milk, farm fresh eggs, free-range meats, grass-fed cattle, and tropical fruits and veggies, he is definitely biased towards the SAD (Sad American Diet) and all the processing and sanitation practices of commercial kitchens and supports government policy over the whole food industry. Still, he is a wealth of information in nutrition and food preparations.
Anyway . . . as a health inspector, his least favorite responsibility was for calls for rabies concerns. Because of the nature of rabies (being highly contagious), there was never any quarantine period when ever rabies was suspected. The only valid testing was after the decapitation of the suspected animal. We had a Great Pyrenees we kept in our backyard that my father warned me about being a bit too close to some over growing bushes and trees. He saw a higher possibility that a rabid animal might seek shelter there and come too close to our dog and our house. I told my dad that Samson was current on his rabies shots. I was floored by what my father said. He said rabies shots do nothing to prevent the spread of the disease because it is so contagious. If our dog encountered a rabid animal, there would be nothing to stop him from getting it, and most certainly there would be nothing to stop it from spreading to our children or ourselves. The risk was too high to try to save our dog at the expense of our family.
I would have done what you did, Jill, to take care of your husband, because I would have understood how the bite was an accident. So I do not share this info to correct you or anyone else. I believed my dad and determined at that point that if we ever encountered anything with rabies, our beautiful Pyr would have to be the scapegoat for our children’s safety. But also, I should qualify that I am one who puts very little stock in any immunizations, so it was not hard for me to take a different stand on relying on the protection of a vaccination for my pet. This is just food for thought for anyone who is interested.
Fortunately, the rabies vaccine is one that has actually been proven to work. There is an oral vaccine that was used to very dramatically stop the spread of rabies within the coyote population in Texas some years ago. Here’s some good information http://www.rogerknapp.com/medical/rabies/Rabies.htm
In domestic animals, if you are bitten, the 10 day quarantine of the animal is time to prove if the animal had rabies virus in its saliva at the time of the bite. (Whether or not to begin the post exposure injections is a decision made based on the individual case.) If the animal shows no clinical signs during that time, it could not have transmitted the virus. Unfortunately, there is no such definite time frame for if a pet is exposed to a potentially rabid animal. Due to the variable nature of the virus, and depending on where on the body the animal was bitten, time to clinical symptoms is very variable and the case must be looked at individually.
I am not a big vaccine proponent. My 3 year old has had zero vaccines. As a veterinarian, in the last 16 years since I got out of school, my approach to vaccines has changed dramatically. Fortunately, but sadly at the same time, the veterinary community takes a much different approach than the human medical community. When a vaccine shows signs of being problematic (either not working or causing problems) the veterinary immunologists acknowledge it and change the official recommendations. The degree to which the veterinary community at large implements these recommendations varies, unfortunately. But the attitude at the “upper levels” is definitely good. The FIP vaccine is a good example.
I am no longer practicing (due to aforementioned 3 year old : ) but when I was my recommended vaccine schedule was drastically different from many other local practices.
Another difference is that we can and do perform both safety and effectiveness testing on our vaccines. So we know if they work or not. It’s not morally sound to perform challenge tests with children.
Anyway, my point is the rabies vaccine does work, and has been scientifically and practically proven to work.
Ramy Jisha DVM
Texas
Thanks. This is a good update concerning the vaccine. I think my father’s point was that ten day quarantine. It would not be 100% safe against the possible exposure to other animals and people who must tend the quarantined. I do agree with you in how the animal science field is more sensitive to possible health concerns for our pets.
Yes, I was a Vet Tech for 2 years, and took care of numerous animals under quarantine. (None of them ended up ever having Rabies) I don’t like vaccines much at all, but I will continue to get this dog vaccinated. She is our “guard dog” and a very large Mastiff. I’m not sure if it’s this way nationwide, but if a dog bites someone and you have no proof of vaccination, the injured party can insist on a Rabies test– which forces the dog to be put down. I want to avoid that scenario, so we’ll continue to get her vaccinated.
In some places, rabies vaccines only need to be given every three years. In Texas for many years we were required to use a vaccine labeled for 3 years, but by law had to give it every year. Just in the last few years, the state of Texas relaxed their requirements. They now allow every three years, but local jurisdictions can still require more frequent vaccination, so it’s good to know what the local regs are for your state, city, or county. Here, the vaccine must be given by a licensed vet for dogs and cats. However, we can dispense it to be given to livestock because the law does not require they be vaccinated (therefore you don’t need to proof of a vet’s records.) In some states I know you can give your own dogs and cats rabies vaccine. I know that used to be the case in Oklahoma, and as far as I know it still is.
There are different brands available, some labeled for every three years, some for one year.
I agree completely! But to me the saddest part is that big pharmacies spent millions of dollars researching their products every year. They know they’re not safe. Surely they understand that EO’s, coconut oil, garlic and other common household items do amazing things but the bottom line is always the same. Money.
Big pharmacuetical companies do not care about the side effects of their drugs. Their only motive is profit, big bucks!!! Sure, they know about the healing properties of EO, so do physicians, but the bottom line is you can not get a patent for an herb so there are no big profits to be made.
I use EO all the time. My favorites are melaleuca (for any cuts, insect bites, poison ivy), Breathe (a combination of 5 eo which will open your sinuses in minutes) and Deep Blue (a combination for aching muscles). I get all my oils. They have the purest I have ever seen and I have had excellent results with them.
I laugh at people who are too scared to try EO. One lady had poison ivy on her arm, said it was itching so bad and nothing she tried would help. I offered her some melaleuca and she said she would not use anything not prescribed by her dr. So she suffered with it for another 3 weeks whereas she could have had immediate relief.
Yes, I’m a oil gal too! (and a consultant) 🙂
It makes me soooo sad when people are too scared to try anything other than what their doctor prescribes….
Yes, it always, always comes down to the money… 🙁
Hi Sitting in Front of me is a Z pack antibiotic. my family have all had the colds and have all been taking different herbs to help carry us through. Even heavy doses of food and herbs essential oils that are high in antibiotic properties. I ended up taking my boys and I to the doctor just to make sure we didn’t have pneumonia or any thing like that. turns out I have a sinus infection. So my question is take the z pack or continue with what I have been doing. I am a natural foodie and have been making drastic changes this year. we eat noting ( very little) Processed food all homemade homegrown food so I hate to even take the z pack and mess my body all up again. any ideas???
Sally
In my opinion, I would take the z-pack. You’ve been eating right all along. It’s obviously not enough. Sometimes we have to have help.
Hi Sally,
Since I’m not a doctor, I really can’t give out medical advice. 🙂 If your natural options aren’t working, and the condition is getting worse, it might be time for the antibiotic. However, you know your body, so it’s ultimately up to you. 😉
When you do have a bacterial infection, antibiotics can be necessary to help the immune system. It would just be a good idea to cover yourself with good probiotics. You can start while you are taking the antibiotics, but be sure you continue for at least several weeks after (they are a good idea all the time.) Fermented foods too. Give your natural flora all the support you can.
Definitely good idea to consider probiotics! 🙂 We read in a spina bifida magazine (sorry, long time ago, don’t remember which magazine) that daily probiotics seemed to reduce UTIs in spina bifida patients who have to be catheterized. Probiotics can also help heartburn and other stuff. (I get all my probiotics through food, because my body cannot handle much of the xenobiotics found in most pills.)
Refrigerators, preservatives, etc. cut down drastically on the amount of fermented foods people eat, and many people think it is causing many health problems in our society.
Okay, off my probiotic soapbox! 🙂
I third the probiotics! 🙂
I am not a totally natural girl, nor am I a totally “give me the meds!” type, either. I think you should make informed choices and do what you believe is best for you and yours. I know that when I eat as natural as I can, I feel better and there are less trips to the doctor’s which is a GOOD thing. I also know that I’m not against vaccinating, but I am against how many we do at once and some of the vaccines I think are totally unnecessary, so my kids don’t get them and the ones they do get they get spaced out. I also am a big recommender of natural meds over perscription meds under a doctor’s supervision, but I’m not opposed to perscription meds when they are needed. All in all, if someone disagrees with me, I am ok with it. I tell them they need to do what is best for themselves and their own, and I need to do what is best for myself and my own.
When you see natural food and natural remedies WORK and HEAL and CURE for yourself, THEN you get it. Sometimes they don’t work – but sometimes prescription meds don’t work either. Sometimes things just don’t go according to plan. Is that anyone’s fault? No. That’s just life. I think, get your info, do your research, pray about it, and do what you feel is right. Don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise, but ALWAYS listen with an open heart and mind. You may learn something, on both sides. Sometimes you have to agree to disagree, and that’s ok.
And, just so we’re clear, I hate that they make it so hard for organic farmers and such. It’s so backwards! If they had every ingredient, full disclosure, I believe that it would start to equal out the organic and the non-organic – just as much paperwork for both. People DO need to be more aware of what they put into their bodies, but you can’t force anyone to listen, no matter how much sense you make. At any rate, I’m rambling. 🙂 I’m all for this post, think you make some great points and I do sincerely wish that they would stop trying to make natural sound like such a risk and processing and chemicals sound so safe when clearly there are risks. *sighs* What a messed up world, huh?
Yes– Like I mentioned in the post, there a definitely a time and place for doctors and medicine. The choice is definitely one that each of us has to make. 🙂
Amen, girl, amen! 🙂
This is such a good reminder. We take much more risk with ‘conventional’ ways of living, eating, doctoring.
My son got a bad cold this week and between Honey, Lemon tea and Eucalyptus oil rubbed on his feet when he slept he was better in just two days. I put a bit of Eucalyptus oil in his vaporizer at night and he could breathe in the morning.
For me, everything in moderation– but I don’t think our system of eating is doing us any favors. Thank you so much for this post today!
Yes- totally agree– I think so many of society’s issue starts with our poor diet…
I am bothered also by the long lists of side effects on medications, but my daughter has Epilepsy and takes 2 medicines just to keep her seizures under control so she can live life, and not have to worry so much about her Tonic-Clonic seizures. For this reason I will not stop the neurologist prescribed medicines. I had a hard time making the decision about giving them to her, yes, and when the neurologist handed me the prescription, I cried all the way to the pharmacy. .. but she is 12, and she wants to “be normal” like the other kids.. I would rather her be able to go to school and see her friends rather than be stuck at home with mom 24/7. It was very, very difficult and I was very afraid.. Sometimes we have to make those decisions as parents and while it wasn’t easy, it’s certainly better watching her go into status epilepticus, and have to rush her to the ER, where they are going to give her Ativan, anyway.
I agree Lori– there is definitely a time and place for modern medicine– and I am thankful to live in a time where we have those options available if they are needed.
I heard some things about Frankinsense oil stopping seizures, but what we are aiming for is not having them in the first place. I wish there were something else I could do for her besides these medications. Especially scary when one of the rare side effects includes death! I was beside myself!
The wise thing is to look at all options and take the one that is best for each situation. So many people just want to grab a quick drug fix for everything. And so many MD’s are willing to give them, justified or not. Being tunnel-visioned and refusing to consider any options except one is not smart. There is definitely a time and place for pharmaceuticals (and epilepsy is definitely one of those!) There is nothing that says you can’t pursue other options, but for right now you need to do what it takes to keep your baby safe. Seizures are nothing to mess around with. They can cause damage if not controlled. Good luck to you all. That’s a very scary thing to live with.
Thank you so much. I still wanted to use herbals for colds, etc. but our pharmacist told me they cannot guarantee there would not be interactions with the medication, and that there had not been enough studies for her to tell me it was “okay” to use them. I am hoping one day there will be more studies, so even if she does have to take prescription medications, she can use herbals for colds, coughs, etc.
Our daughter has to be on a medication for seizures, too. (Plus we have some emergency medication if needed.) And I, too, don’t use any other herbs etc. with her because of the risk of interaction with the seizure medication. We do magnesium and a lot of probiotics and garlic (etc.) in food, though. Yes, status epilepticus is SCARY. With our daughter’s very first seizure, she basically went into status, and I thought for sure we were going to lose her. She was so little that the local ER was unsure of how to proceed because too much Ativan can stop breathing particularly in a baby…. But, they airlifted her to the children’s hospital 2 hours away, and they got it under control. We’ve been through a lot with our little one, but God has seen fit to give her back to us after every surgery, etc. I used to be terrified of health decisions for her, but God has shown me that HE is her doctor and will be gracious to give us wisdom. (James 1)
What a wonderful article! It makes me mad too. I don’t understand how the side effects of drugs always seem to be worse that what you’re suffering from in the first place. Unless I think I’m dying, I don’t go to the doctor anymore. I get the feeling that they don’t care about your health, they just care about staying in business. It’s sad that they present so much disinformation about processed foods that are “healthy” for you. I don’t believe that any processed food could be healthy. Thanks for posting, and keep sharing information like this. Hopefully others will see through the lies soon. namaste
We live against the grain in many instances in our day to day living. First off, we homeschool…obviously controversial, but for us a simple choice we have made for our children’s education. Secondly, I also choose to have my babies at home. This one always tends to stir up emotions…not necessarily when I voice that I have them, but when I begin to share my why. The typical response to me simply saying that I have home births will bring statements like, “wow, you’re brave,” and “I definitely could not get by without an epidural.” But, when I share why we have home births, we typically receive a bit more defensive comments. I certainly don’t feel that everyone should be pushed to natural birth, but I do find it crazy how little question is given to the dangers of regular use of such high dose pharmaceuticals during labor and birth, especially when involving a little baby. The other areas we stray from the herd is in natural health and wellness, homeopathy, herbs, vaccination, etc. Yep, we have been questioned and rebuked on it all but “expert” parents on all children, but we have continued to grow more and more secure in our choices as we experience victory over victory because of our decisions. The latest is deciding to forego conventional therapy for our 2 year old son who has a rare immune system disorder called Osoclonus Myoclonus Syndrome. The conventional treatment is high dose steroids for 1-2 years, immunoglobulin therapy, IVIG, and potentially Chemotherapy. With all this his immune system would be severely compromised, so his life would be in a bubble. Since we have 4 other children in the home this was unacceptable; not to mention, those treatments are life-threatening while the disorder itself is not. We have decided to decline conventional medicine to opt for vitamins, oils, homeopathy, and a few other things. He is doing so wel that I must praise The Lord for His effort to convict us of the benefits of natural health alternatives for years before this event so that we were fortified in our decision when push came to shove. I still struggle every now and then, but when I remember the dangers of the drugs, I am so thankful for where our son is now! Thanks for posting this! I definitely understand your frustrations.
Typo: Opsoclonus Myoclonus Syndrome. Sorry!
Hi Julie,
My son may have OMS. I would love to talk to you about what you’ve done with the vitamins, oils, homeopathy, and others you mentioned in your post. I’m very new to this as we saw the new doctor on Monday (Oct. 16th). Please reach out to me or provide me with your e-mail. I am desperately in need to talk to someone about this.
My e-mail is jsobotta07@gmail.com
Thank you for this post! It’s great! Very well said and I hope it makes someone want to learn more about natural living. I just found your page a few days ago, you are living my dream also. One day we will have our little farm, but until then I will do what I can here in town and read your posts. Keep up the good work and God Bless!!
Ahhh, a breath of fresh air, this article was. Thank you for posting, I am always asked to not post so much about GMO’s, vaccines and prepping and most of those requests come from my family. They don’t want their children to rebel I guess. I have avoided Dr.s for over 5 years after being on so many drugs for Crohns. I now am doing Kefir daily and essential herbs and oils and feel far better then on the drugs.
Hee-hee! I JUST had this debate with my own husband just a few nights ago. We’re gearing up to have Baby #1 in June and I was telling him about some of the unconventional things I want (no IV, no fetal monitor, no drugs unless medically necessary) and the more I talked the more nervous he got about why I was poo-pooing conventional medical practices. We had a looooonngg discussion – I wish I would have had your list of rhetorical questions from this post – they would have really helped make my point! Great post!!
Hello Another Jill 🙂
Hehe, sounds like some discussions I’ve had with my hubby… Mine used to be more nervous, but he’s getting better. 🙂
We haven’t been openly rebuked (that I can recall) for our “unconventional” way of living. There have been the usual body signals that indicate our choices aren’t understood. After several years, most of our friends, family, and acquaintances realize that we are probably not going to follow the crowd on much of anything and are resigned to that reality. Because of this, we are also the ones they call for advice, tips, and suggestions when they realize for themselves that one of our “out there” choices are not only valid but more effective. Funny how necessity will so often bring the truth to light. Anyway, thank you for voicing these concerns. There are a lot of whys to be asked in this out of balance world. When certain absolutes are removed, we lose our anchor, and chaos begins to reign. Unfortunately, this chaos seeps into every area of living, even food and medicine.
I was so enjoying Jill’s blog post and was reading through the comments. I particularly enjoyed your post and thought it just hit the nail on the head for the bigger picture in our society. Thanks for adding your additional wisdom to the conversation!
Ah yes… the body signals. 😉 You should have seen them when people found out we didn’t circumcise our son. (another topic for another day…) I think we were officially branded as CRAZY after that. 🙂
Yes. All the time. Lately, I’ve been wondering when the ‘norm’ shifted. And when I talk about our choice to eat healthy, wholesome, gluten free, Paleo foods you would’ve thought I sprouted two more heads. It gets old and tiring trying to explain myself.
This post is excellent! So many good points and well said. Also, thank you for reminding me that I’m not alone in this. I just wish more people around me would get on board so that we can support and encourage each other.
We grow as much of our food as we can. One day (years ago) my mother asked me why I grew things like eggplant and tomatoes when they were so cheap at the store! I told her they tasted better, she raised her eyebrows and rolled her eyes. This is a woman who lived thru the depression in a tent with her family and had next to no food. She is gone now and I am older but I still grow my tomatoes and eggplant ….LOL!
I get called a hippie a lot, but I just ignore them cuz this works for me. I’ve gotten pretty good at ignoring the critical people over the years, but I wasn’t always this way and I know that a lot of other people still aren’t. It’s just what I’ve learned and I’m happy with. I don’t bother trying to “recruit” others though. I rarely even admit the natural things I do unless it comes up for a reason. I’m a very private person. Of course I also don’t have kids so that right there avoids a whole lot of people getting all up in my business.
Yes, ignoring is good. 🙂 And also yes, people seem to definitely get in your business more once you have kiddoes. 🙂
Excellent post! Thank you for sharing. I am falling more in love with the natural way of life. Its so refreshing and fulfilling! I can’t wait to get my herbs growing again. 🙂 And I’m learning to become a little more expressive of my views because they are time proven from long ago!! The ‘Norm’ today is kinda scary and I’m glad to pull away from it!
Thank you for this article. I am one of the ‘weird out there’ ones. It is nice to know I am not alone. Reading a blog like this one helps me to keep doing what I am doing. I find that people do sometimes ask me for advice because they know I am doing ‘different’ things. They often try it and find it is wonderful. So I will keep doing what I am doing, learning from great folks like you and keep being a reference for others near by. Thanks again for your very insightful article.
Great thoughts. I don’t do enough, I think, for my family yet we stay well and don’t take meds (most of which are made in China) but for last resort. Relatives think I’m “wonderful” which is code for crazy. After the compliment they wonder how much time I have to do the things I do: plant a garden (it grows by itself), make soap (easy), mix honey/cinnamon for colds (easy). Natural should be fun, simple and done with love. Your manicured yards comment made me laugh. My street is known for it’s yards of the month. Not mine, unless yard of the month means “grows by itself”.
Lol– so I’m not the only one who gets told I’m “wonderful” (aka crazy)?
I always have to laugh when certain people say “oh, what you are doing is so nice dear…” But then they hear we are drinking raw milk or not getting the flu shot, they are less than impressed… ha!
Such a wonderful post. I couldn’t agree more! I was just talking to my dad yesterday regarding the state of food today. People cannot even recognize/name fruits & vegetables when they are presented to them (saw video of this via Jamie Oliver). It’s shocking and very sad. My husband and I have had a vegetable & herb garden going on 3 years now; in fact this year we are expanding it. It’s incredibly rewarding but it’s more than that, I believe it’s important in this day & age to take responsibility for what we are putting in our mouths and the mouths of our family members. I’m by no means perfect (trust me when we have those nights where we eat out) & I don’t want to sound snotty, but convenience has become way too much of an excuse for eating the processed crap being passed off as food. It’s about priorities, it takes time and some planning sometimes, but it’s well worth it. And it doesn’t just apply to food, but our homes and the products we use. A lot of people, even within my own family do not understand, but that’s okay. I feel good about making the choices that we do…that we continue to learn to take care of ourselves naturally.
WELL SAID Ali!
I’m not perfect either, but convenience is an easy excuse all-to-often. And yes, it’s totally worth it. 🙂
Ooo Jill you hit the nail on the head with this post!! We have EO’s at my house (much to my husbands disbelief/arguing) because last year my son was hospitalized with HMV (which is similiar to RSV) and almost ended up in ICU because of his Asthma. I have always had them in the house but hadn’t really pushed using them, per se, until i put my foot down and said enough after his hospitalization!! I hate having to personally take any medications, but I would never take my son off his asthma meds with out his Dr. authorizing it. When I called this fall to get their stance on using oils as a SUPPLEMENT (not replacement) to his regular meds, I thought his doc was going to implode!! We got lectured on how much we were endangering our son by not sticking to whatever pharmaceutical they pushed on us.
Needless to say, I ignored her- my son still gets his daily maintenance meds plus a drop or two at night of Breathe in his diffuser. We made that decision together because we wanted to keep our son out of the hospital with any respitory problems this winter. I’m thankful we did. We have only had to use his resuce meds twice since the summer. He’s barely had a cold severe enough to make him stay home from school.
I believe and agree with what you said that there is a time and place for everything. if my son is having an asthma attack, he would get his regular meds and his rescue meds if necessary. It is a personal decision and like you, i was pretty upset that I was considered as someone who would endanger her child by looking for a more natural alternative. I laugh about it too though, because if this were about 500 years ago, these modern meds wouldn’t be here. What would they be using then? The same thing we are using now as alternative therapies for life’s illnesses and injuries. Go figure.
Yes, my hubby has bad asthma as well. He still uses his rescue inhaler sometimes– although we have had success treating it with oils (especially Breathe!)
Hoping to get him off of it completely someday, but for now, I’m glad we have it. 🙂
Great, great post! Thank you for asking the hard, probing, thoughtful questions in the midst of your busy life. May God give you ample time today as you press on to take care of all that you have to do and once again……thanks for your voice!!
Aw, thank you so much for your kind comment Cindy! 🙂
Thank you for a well written, common sense article. I am new at this and often get confused because I read so many conflicting reports on essential oils. I will continue to use and will be cautious but I will not be afraid to try them either. Thanks again
I think it is all in how you are raised. My parents were a bit suspicious of ‘the authorities’ in many ways. I think that they encouraged me to think outside the norm and I am very thankful for that.
So many people have never known a natural lifestyle that they just can’t fathom the intrinsic value of relying on natural remedies. Like you said, they live their lives surrounded by concrete or unnaturally maintained lawns…it’s all they’ve ever known. It is what seems natural to them.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this subject…it is always good to hear from the voice of reason. 🙂
Yes, I think you are right. To those people who have been raised in that environment their whole life, what they are doing DOES feel very safe and natural. It’s a shame, though…
I wanted to share out little story of natural remedies (that actually weren’t all that natural). I want to be clear that I’m not sharing to scare anyone away from natural remedies just as a caution. I do believe they are wonderful and plan to use them more but only on my husband and myself…here’s why.
In Oct of this past yr my 6 yr old got into a bed of fireants. I dont kow if you guys have fireants up there but our friends from oregon had never heard of them before. Imagine regular ant bitesX100 crossed with bees ability to swarm! Anyway my 6 yr old has Down syndrome so he doesnt really get to stay away from that pretty dirt they make, nor does he respond quickly to pain. SO by the time he responded and I got them all off of him he easily had 100 bites mainly on his hands and feet as he’d been barefoot. We gave him benadryl(not natural) and put a natural-ish afterbite ointment on all those bites. He spent a long wknd at his grandparents due to a holiday so it was 5 days later that he had to put shoes on and return to school. We were giving him benadryl and putting betadine and coconut oil of his bites every 4 hours along with anti tich cream and trying to keep him in long sleeves and pants. When he returned to school they told me they couldnt give him the bendryl or use betadine without a drs note. But his teachers put on the cocnut oil. The next day (wed) I noticed that morning that some of the bites were starting to look red and puffy infected, not surprising since he hadnt had the treatment all day at school the day before. I dropped him off at his school then drove to my office(other school) and was waiting for the drs office to open so I could make him an appointment now that his bites were showing signs of infection. I received a call from his school telling me I HAD to come get him NOW and he couldn’t return to school without proof that he had been to the dr about his bites. I went and got him…all of this happened before the drs office opens at 8am. I made an appoitnment took him. the dr wrote a script for antibiotics and a cream, also for benadryl so the school could give it, and that was it he returned to school the next day, thursday. On thursday I received a call as I was leaving my office to go get my boys. SOmeone at the school had called CPS…claiming medical neglect! ANd you better believe they had to launch a full investigation b/c our son has special needs. Of course the case was declared unfounded, and my children were never in danger, we were declared “fit parents”, but it still jarred my world!
I now feel like I’m not allowed to choose natural remedies for my children. Imagine how much worse it could have been if I had not used benadryl? What would they have said about my mothering skills then? I think its crazy that the school wouldnt think twice about me giving my son actual medication for anything but when I share that we chose more natural alternatives and try to let his body heal on its own we are called bad parents and the authorities are called in!
Hi Jaci,
Thanks for sharing your story. I felt very sad that you think you can’t make natural choices for your children. This article today is a wonderful reminder that we cannot accept everything that is thrown at us regarding health care and food choices. I’m not sure why they were critizing you so much because you were using Benadryl which is what a doctor would have told you to do. Anyway, for the last 35 years I have been using herbs, vitamins, oils, etc to help my family. If there was an emergency I would certainly take my children to the hospital or doctor’s. I chose not to immunize my children, I chose to feed them healthy food and fresh squeezed juices, I chose to research and read as many books on natural health and I am glad I did. I grew up in a family that didn’t run to the doctor for little things and I was taught not to believe everything I heard. I grow a huge garden every year and am currently researching ways to grow year round if possible. My children are all grown and have families of their own. They are not as natural as I would like them to be but they have to make their own decisions. They do LOVE fresh vegetables and they lived by example and now that they are getting a little older I see them eating better and asking about natural remedies. I know that it is a very sad feeling when people/school authorities are critizing a parents judgement but hang in there and start with little things like colds/fever/flu and feed your kids healthy foods like green smoothies, juices, etc. You will know when it is necessary to take you children to the doctor. Please don’t let them scare you into thinking that you are a bad parent because that is exactly what they want to happen. I had to question doctor’s many times and most of the time I went with my gut feeling and did my natural healing remedies. Hang in there and have a good day 🙂
thanks for your words of encouragement Mary. I didn’t take to heart any of the negative from this whole thing. I know I’m a great mother and now I have the paper to prove it! lol
I plan to continue trying out natural remedies and already feed my family only oraganic real food, I just feel I have to be much more careful about it and honestly that pisses me off! My pedi was actually on my side and told me there would have been no point in bringing him in any sooner, I know not everyone is blessed to have such an amazing dr but she never bats an eye when I tell her what we are trying or thinking of trying!
I wish I had a pediatrician like that! 😉
What a horrible ordeal you had to go through– I can’t even imagine… 🙁 Glad things turned out OK in the end though. I have heard other stories similiar to this, and we were even cautioned by our midwife when I was preggo that declining certain newborn procedures could “ear-mark” us for an investigation… So sad.
What a great article-and great timing! I just got my mom out of the hospital on Wednesday. It’s a really long and frustrating story, but we found out she’s been over medicating with 3 types of pain killers-oxycodene being the worst. She is now off of all of them-Praise God-but it’s still gonna be a long road to get her back to her old self! And add alcohol use on top of that, she was a mess! The Drs couldn’t figure out why she was behaving the way she was and were gonna just send her home. My husband, sister and I put the picture together when we started finding prescription pain meds ALL over the house. Guess my question is-are there any essential oils that I could give her that would help get her through this rough period. Funny thing is-I just bought my first 5 bottles of EO last weekend and haven’t even had a chance to open them up! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Hi Susie,
Not sure what type of EOs you have, Lavender is also a good one to calm anxiety.
Lavendar is one of the ones I purchased, along with Melaluca, eucalyptus, lemon, and peppermint. What would be the ratio of drops to carrier oil be?/ Thanks for your help!
Hi Susie,
One of my oil books suggests using 1 teaspoon of carrier for 2-5 drops of oil, 2 teaspoons of carrier for 4-10 drops of oil, and so on.
This is a great, well-worded post! I am continually amazed how much and how often we (Americans) depend on modern medical advice and prescriptions.
Growing up, I remember visiting the dr. only 2 times! The same goes for my 5 other siblings. No, we didn’t eat the perfect, organic, homegrown diet. We didn’t even use herbal treatments at home. It’s just that my parents didn’t feel the need to run to the dr. for every sniffle and scratch. Now, as a mom of 3, I am happy to be setting a similar pattern. I am convinced that in many cases, vaccinations, the SAD diet, and modern medical practices are to blame for the “need” to constantly be running to the dr.
My husband is a medical professional, which makes for a lot of good debates between us. 🙂 I think the hardest challenge to respond to is “but the dr. has had ___ years of training specifically in this area, wheras you just Googled some articles by who knows who.” And in many cases, that’s absolutely true. I don’t have a lot of “science” to back up my beliefs. The dr. (supposedly) does. I spent 1 hour researching a certain herb. The dr. spent 10 years at college. But what it comes down to for me is this: I see for a FACT that the medical professionals base many of their recommendations and prescriptions, not on what they know is best for the patient, but on what the insurance will cover, or what their facility is pushing for. Yes, there are certain times that I am thankful for drs. Yet when it comes down to day-to-day “health care” for me and my family, I’m going to chose natural home remedies. I think the proof is in the pudding. I have generally happy, healthy children that have not needed medical attention, and I am thankful for that!
Yes, well said Miriam!
My husband ISN’T a medical professional, yet we still have these same debates. 😉 (Although sometimes I think he’s just playing the devil’s advocate to try and get me riled up, ha!)
I don’t have a PHD either, but us mamas have common sense and that mama-bear instinct, too. 😉
I loved this post and all the comments that followed. I just had a conversation with a lady that works with my husband. She was questioning why we would hunt for our food (venison) or pay more for grass fed beef when food is available at the store. She just couldn’t understand why anyone would go through all that trouble when you could just drive to Walmart. Boy, did we have a looonnnngggggg talk! She either understands what I was getting at or she thinks I am a complete nut and was just too nice to say so! Anyway, I will choose my garden, my husband’s venison, my chickens and my EO’s over “normal” stuff any day of the week!
BTW-I raise egg layers and noticed the “meat spot” comment. Is that really what it is? I have noticed it occasionally and just scoop it out. I would choose eggs from my girls over eggs from ANYWHERE even if there are imperfections in them (and on them:))
I’ve heard it called a “meat spot,” but I don’t think it’s actually meat. 😉 I’ll have to look into it again— I know it’s harmless though.
I have a question. My daughter is going next week for her 12 year physical. Our insurance company sent me a letter saying she needs a flu shot, ( not gonna happen) and an HPV shot…… At HER age? Do I want to do this, anyway? Is it really necessary?
Since when do insurance companies send notices/reminders out for physicals or anything. I have never heard of that. Sometimes doctor offices will do this. This is scary when they are telling people that they have to get shots that are supposedly optional. Hold your grounds and don’t get the shots if you are against them.
Wow– I can’t believe the insurance company is sending out letters like that… yikes! I personally wouldn’t get either of those for my daughter, but it’s ultimately your choice. I would recommend researching the HPV vx for sure, though– there are some scary things associated with that one…
Did you mean wouldn’t get either of those shots?
Ack! Yes, I meant wouldN’T. Thanks for catching that Mary! I’m going to edit my comment.
I really appreciate your article and the time you took to explain a more simple and wonderful life that we can have if we only do a little research. It is very painful and discouraging to watch our loved ones suffer and die of diseases like diabetes . They truely believe they are doing the best they can. I have lived in ignorance most of my life about taking care of my body the way God intended for us to. Thanks to people like you I have seen the light. Bless you.
I am rarely ever compelled to comment on blogs but I just wanted to say that I could not agree more! I am a big proponent of natural alternatives. In fact I was born at home, have never had any immunizations (yay my parents!), have never been to the emergency room or taken any antibiotics – in fact the only medication I have ever taken was a children’t Tylenol many years ago (which made me sick to my stomach), I drink raw milk and avoid processed foods and am incredibly healthy. I rarely get sick (in fact everyone around me at work for the last couple of weeks has had coughs, cold, the flu and I am just fine) and when I do I find that the best remedy is to let my body fight it off. However it is incredibly frustrating that when I express the opinion that maybe people need to look into alternatives for health or tell people what my background is – I am generally told (in an indirect way) that I am stupid and uniformed. Ironic since I and have looked at both the sides of most health topics in more depth than most people I come in contact with (my dad is a Dr and I considered becoming a Dr as well). Anyways, I have learned to keep my views to myself since differing opinions in these are not well received but I really appreciate this post and share your opinion! Thanks for being brave enough to share your views!
Thanks for commenting Kim! I hear ya about learning to be more “private” about your views… I am slowly learning that it’s best just *not* to tell *some* people certain things as well…. 😉
This was a great article! Thank you so much for all the insight. I’ve been considering trying some EO’s since I read your ebook. We try to avoid the doctor if possible and just let our bodies heal on their own, but there are always situations that warrant a trip to the doctor. When my teenage son was 2 1/2 we found out he had Leukemia. That was one situation where conventional medicine was the choice we made. I wasn’t about to keep him from getting all the treatments he needed. I know there are lots of people out there that choose homeopathic cancer treatments, but that wasn’t something that was an option in my opinion. He has been cancer free for 10 years now and you would have never known he ever had something so serious. I commend those who go the natural route and never think they are “crazy.” I agree that it is something to consider, but to each his/her own. I am very careful about what I talk about to friends. Several people I know think we are strange for living in the country, eating deer or home-grown chickens and having so many eggs I’m begging people to take them. I’ve lived in the country all my life and wouldn’t trade it for anything. I grew up having people think I was different and feeling left out of lots of things. Oh well, it’s something I accept more and more as I get older.
As a child I was given antibiotics on a regular basis to due recurrent bronchitis… this resulted in an overload on my system and I eventually became allergic to ALL antibiotics. The allergy started when I was 13 yet my parents and their Doctors continued to prescribe me antibiotics on a regular basis to ‘heal’ the bronchitis… the reality was my condition was asthma due to the medications being given to me. It wasn’t until I left home that I was able to take a more pro-active role in my personal health and what I would allow to go into it.
I have used natural remedies for just about everything and have very rarely become sick whereas I see so many of my friends and family getting sick very frequently. I did go to a doctor once as I was having troubles breathing and running a fever… I just wanted to know exactly what was wrong with me so I could self treat at home… that doctor was very angry at me for “wasting his time” as he couldn’t prescribe me with anything…
As for current medications having adverse effects on people health… I can attest to that one too. My father passed over 15 years ago due to a brain tumour… this tumour was a result of many years of prescriptions drugs that all started with high blood pressure from stress… the roller coaster began when his body started to react to the medication with another ‘illness’… My mother is also on this roller coaster… she has been on medications for many things which she began at the age of 40… 4 years ago Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer, instead of looking in to more safe and healthy ways to combat it she elected to rush right into the current views of cancer treatment. The result of this was her cancer was ‘cured’ but her heart has been irreversibly damaged. Since then she has been diagnosed with diabetes and was told by the doctor that it is a result of the cancer treatment plus the medications she is on! More recently my Mum has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer and yes she is on diabetic medication.
As for me I am nearly 50 have and not put anything into my body that has adverse health side affects. I went to a check up not long ago… to appease my Mum’s ‘concerns’ and was given a clean bill of health with no health issues… “pretty amazing for a woman at your age” – doctors words… I had to laugh as many I know at my age are on that roller coaster of medications and more health issues.
I could go onto how medications are harming our animals too but I will leave it here…
So it is refreshing to see that many people are on the same page as I have been for many many years… thank you for sharing.
Wow– what a story Jevareyn! So frustrating…
Thank you. Thank you. Yes, we are suspicious of many medications. We always laugh at the ads for anti-depression meds when they say, “May cause suicidal thoughts.” Huh?
I do take a prescribed medication for my irregular heart beat, but I don’t run to the doctor for every sniffle as many of our friends do.
In 2011 my mom’s COPD flared up, she was in the hospital 3 times, and was seen by 3 doctors who all recommended steroids. They never found a definitive cause, but she kept getting worse and worse. For one thing, she lost 30 lbs in 6 weeks! I decided to look at the long list of side effects of steroids, and realized she had all but 3! She quit taking them and got better within a few days. Still, all the doctors were skeptical the problem had been the medication they recommended!!
I learned long ago not to take any form of codeine because they all gave me serious nausea and vomiting. Still, there were doctors who refused to believe that could be the reason.
Oh my– the story about your mom’s side-effects is amazing… Glad she quit taking them! 🙂
Jill, your writing here: “Since when did it become “normal” and acceptable in our society to happily and willingly accept all these drugs without ever questioning the consequences?” is SUCH a good point!!! I think people try to “say” they are weighing the benefits versus the risks/consequences, but so many times there is a push for medications anyway. (And some people would like to impose their own judgements on “how bad” a risk is for other people!!) Obviously, sometimes medication IS needed (like with our daughter’s seizure disorder), but I see a lack of logic in the whole area of medication. Like C.S. Lewis wrote in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: “Logic! Why don’t they teach logic at these schools?” 🙂
I tend to follow an integrated approach to health care and strongly believe in knowing as much as you can about your health. The human body is an amazing thing with an innate ability to heal itself. If you take care of you body by fueling it right and not putting toxic things into it, it will last a pretty long while. I prefer my medicine in a more natural state whenever I can get it. Willow bark tea instead of aspirin, etc. I am a good judge of who I can talk to about my health care choices and who to gloss things over with. What do I do for a living? I’m a pharmacy technician. 🙂
We need more people like you Tracy! I love that you are a pharmacy tech who is still open to natural choices. Way to go!
Hi Jill-
I have a question for you about consuming raw milk. First of all, I think it’s a great idea and definitely has health benefits. However, last year 2 teenagers in my area got E. Coli from drinking raw milk from their cows. They were extremely ill, and had to be hospitalized for several months. Thankfully, they have recovered. My goats will kid for the first time this summer, and I’m a little skeptical about drinking the raw milk. Do you every worry about getting something like E. Coli from drinking raw milk? Do you have any advice or information you could share with me?
Thanks! I really enjoy reading your blog!
Erin
Hi Erin,
Good questions. 🙂
Here is how I think of it:
Technically, you are putting yourself at risk anytime you put anything into your mouth. There have been salmonella/E. Coli/listeria/etc found in all sorts of foods, from spinach to eggs to cantelope. And it’s still possible to get sick from the milk at the store.
In my opinion, raw milk from healthy, well-fed cows is no more risky than consuming anything else. However, it is important to handle the milk properly. (Get it cold right away, never milk into plastic, always wash your equipment properly, etc)
Another thing to consider– E. Coli is more prevalent in cows that are fed diets high in grain, since it throws off the pH of their gut and allows the bad stuff (E. Coli) to thrive in there. Grass-fed cows are not going to have that issue as much.
Our cow has been tested for brucellosis and TB– so we can rule those 2 issues out. E. Coli lives in fecal material, so I am very careful to make sure that my milk buckets stays very clean, and I always wipe down my cow’s udder and squirt the first couple squirts on the ground.
And, some fascinating studies have been done that have shown that the good bacteria in raw milk actually fights against any bad bacteria that has been introduced and can slow it’s proliferation.
So, even with all these precautions, could I still possibly get sick? Sure– it’s possible. However, I think it’s just as likely to get food poisoning from an item at the grocery store or a restaurant.
But, that is a choice you must make for yourself. Hope that helps. 🙂
That’s great advice! Thanks!
I LOVE this post! If you were here I would high=five you. The proliferation of fake foods, fake medicine (they only treat rather than cure), fake everything these days is accepted without question. We are finishing our home on 7 acres and my first purchase will be guinea hens (ticks) and chickens. Next is the garden, berry bushes and fruit trees. The following year I plan on purchasing a mini beef steer. Luckily we have deer and wild turkeys along with wild foliage to glean. We won’t be as remote as you but it will be a nice change from the suburbs.
We have a son with autism and we are trying to help him with more natural options.
Thank you for a great post.
Virtual *high-five* Kathryn. 🙂
Several years ago after taking everything the Dr’s gave me for fibromyalgia I decided to finally to go to another Dr. who had fibromyalgia. I had his number for 2 years before I decided to switch Dr’s. My first trip in to see him he put me on MSM. Wow, I couldn’t believe how good I felt…there was something to this vitamin thing. You see, my deceased father was a Dr. so I had grown up watching meds being prescribed…However, my father grew up in the Great Smokey Mountains of Tennessee…I used to come home to a house that smelled like ramps…wild onions…He always ate them in the spring because he said they cleanse the blood. I watched him put vitamin E oil on the scar from open heart surgery…So even though he prescribed meds, he also told his patients about vitamins.
Well, this MSM kicked off my desire to learn all I could about remedies–all remedies!! I was told about Young Living Essential oils and started ordering them and using them. My daughter had an accident and the top of her ear was cut off and left hanging…it was sewn back on but the Dr could not promise she would keep her ear. I went home and got the oils and started putting them on her ear at 11pm. At 4 am when the nurse checked it-the ear was turning purple. (blood was returning) At 6 am the Dr came in with his surgical team..he was that sure he would have to remove the ear…He was shocked that she had blood flow and by then the ear was pink…SHE KEPT HER EAR!!! The oils restored the blood flo!! I used Panaway for anyone wanting to know what I used….
My stepfather got MRSA and we had been giving him oil of oregano for his arthritis…he had had MRSA for 5 months before they did blood work and found it. During this time he had fallen and broke his arm which is how it all started..but over time he kept getting weaker and finally fell and broke his back. He was in and out of the hospitals and nursing home 7 times before I finally got a Dr. to do blood work and find the MRSA. He just kept getting weaker…The nurse at the nursing home even accused him of not wanting to get better and said he was only refusing therapy because he wanted to go home and not because he felt bad. We had been giving him enough oreganol p73 that it kept the MRSA from getting into his heart valves but not enough to cure it. When we learned that MRSA was what we were definitely dealing with, we increased the dosage and cured the MRSA. These oils and remedies work!!! I could tell you many stories of personal experience today. I have gotten rid of asthma and shingles and many more with oils….I hope everyone will study hard and then find the courage to use these oils….THEY DO WORK!! I too have been made fun of and talked down to for using oils and herbs. I finally decided that I do know enough about them to feel comfortable using them. I keep my excitement to myself and do my own thing. Family can make fun and call me granny all day but I am the one they come to when they can’t kick these super germs completely out with their antibiotics….Stay encouraged and learn all you can about them. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Blessings,
Jen
I love stories like these! It makes me so excited! 😉
Love reading all these stories of successful natural treatments! My question is about using oils or other natural remedies for severe menstrual cramps in teens. Both my girls get horrible cramps every month – so bad that they get nauseated and really can’t function for about 2 days. Their pediatrician wanted to put them on birth control pills! I flat out refused and she became a bit cold toward me, saying I was making my girls suffer needlessly every month. I’d so appreciate any advice because I do feel so bad that my girls have so much pain every month. They are otherwise very healthy, active young ladies. Thankfully, we homeschool or they’d certainly miss some days of school every month. Any experience or helpful advice for us? Thanks in advance!
Hi Robyn,
I totally used to be the same way when I was in highschool– it was awful! I found taking calcium/magnesium supplements helped me. I haven’t been able to experiment using the oils on that issue thus far, since I’ve been either pregnant or nursing ever since I started using them. 🙂 However, a woman’s blend called, which is supposed to help with cramps, PMS, and other related issues.
Thank you! I’ll look into both the supplements and the oil! We’re ready to try anything!
As I was reading this I kept on saying, “AMEN” in my head. Thanks for writing this so well! I’m going to be sharing this on my facebook as soon as I’m done typing. 🙂
I am perplexed and vexed…. My 11yo twins will not be allowed to return to school in Iowa next year unless they get the tdap vaccine. They’ve been immunized to this point only because my husband thinks its the only way to go and we’d probably end up divorced if I didn’t get them vaccinated. How can I get past this “requirement”? I can’t believe that this is really beneficial for my children.
Sometimes you can get past the requirements by claiming a religious exemption– not sure how it works in each state though. What a bummer!
Btw… My husband already thinks I’m nuts for believing that natural is the way to go… He’s incredibly overweight and on several meds, I prefer natural and no meds for me thanks!
Wow, you must be doing something right to get this much reaction in just two days. You go girl!! One comment to consider. I am with you on common sense return to natural ways of doing things. We are making that transition with organic gardening and just added chickens. Will be adding rabbits next. However, remember when you are reading (media consuming) anything that there are reasons they publish this stuff. One it is required. Two, and here is the biggie, lawsuits. I worked as a temp for a pharamcutical company and our how unit was to reread published data just to make sure nothing was out of sorts. I mean to miniscuel level. We all need accountablility but what lawsuits do to today’s business is aweful. So three quarters of the stuff you read on side effects is irrelevant to the real world but relevent to the legal world. Which is which is just a guess. So while I am not wholing defending pharma’s, keep in mind the need for tort reform in our country (You know, “coffee is hot” and other need to know warnings).
We have chickens at my house & sometimes I eat the eggs uncooked in things. My family is still cautious about raw eggs & I get insulted! I know my chickens are super healthy and not infested with salmonella.
What has been normal for thousands of generations is apparently abnormal nowadays. And ancient natural medicine is considered alternative medicine. What is going on?!
I’m still VERY thankful for modern medicine though. I’m glad we have a hospital nearby.
But the pharmaceutical industry is out of control.
You aren’t the only one who gets mad about these things. I agree that there are definitely times to use the medical world, and I’m grateful for it, but Americans have become brainwashed about following wholeheartedly whatever the “authorities” say. Thank you for taking time to put these thoughts together.
Thank you for this wonderful article. I really do get discouraged some times and wonder if the natural lifestyle choices I make are really better than the choices that many of my friends and family make (and it can really be hard to look like an oddity). Thank you for the encouragement and for pointing out some of the risks of conventional food systems and lifestyle choices.
I have recently stumbled on to your blog. I agree with you on home remedies. I come from a strong background of farming and doing things for yourself. I am a nurse and I do use home remedies before I try anything medicinal. I don’t believe in the use of antibiotics or steroids unless absolutely necessary, as I grew up having to take both frequently. I praise you for being bold enough to step out do the research and use holistic approaches…after all medicine came from those same plants didn’t it? We have put so many synthetics and poisons in our medications that people believe it’s normal. So from one wife/mom/homesteader/nurse/country girl to another…go for it! I cheer you on! Thank you for your inspiring blog.
Blessings,
Brenda
Thanks so much for your kind words Brenda! 🙂
Thank you! That is exactly how I feel. I just found your blog and love it!
Again, I SO agree. 😀 I am a firm believer in the natura. I believe God gave us everything we need in natural form.
All I can say is AMEN!!! This is spot on!!
Thank you for a thoughtful post!
Personally, I am thankful for the medical system; my son wouldn’t be here without a team of doctors, nurses, therapists and medications that fought for his life when he came into this world 16 weeks early and desparately ill. His compromised immune system has led us down the antibiotic and vaccination road, and we are thankful for the miracle of a life spared!
But we know, too, that we can’t rely blindly in a medical system which blatalntly disregards side effects, allergies, immune disorders, and the power of food. We eat well. We avoid allergens and toxins in our food and personal care products. And we do our research and say no to medications that are unnecessary or that have undesirable side-effects (like “death” – no kidding)
I just thank God that we have so many choices. That we have the freedom and ability to grow our own food, do our research, and make choices that nurture and heal our bodies and our families. And that, in a life or death emergency, the medical system is still there to get us through the crisis so we can continue in the path that we’ve chosen!
I agree Angela– sounds like you have the perfect balance! I, too, am very thankful to have access to the medical system when I need it. And it’s nice to have natural alternatives for the rest of the time! 😉
Wow, Jill! THANK YOU for so eloquently saying a lot of what’s been on my mind recently–and doing so matter-of-factly, without judgment. THANK YOU.
Jill,
Hi just wondering if you have any recipes for lip balm/ lip stick or beauty in general that your willing to share. Love your web-site and visit it often.
Thanks, Lisa
Hi Lisa- my favorite chapstick is 1 T. Beeswax, 1 T. Shea butter, and 1 T. Coconut Oil with 3-4 drops of essential oils. Glad you are enjoying the blog!
I am on my way to a chemical free home using essential oils! #oils4everyone
Love love love this….you summed up my thoughts so perfectly. It’s so frustrating to be ridiculed or thought of as “weird” for trying to do things more naturally. thanks for sharing 🙂
I was right with you until you talked about vaccinations. It’s great that you guys are into natural remedies. On the whole I think that’s a good choice, and it seems like you really know when it’s time to go to the hospital. But not vaccinating is just plain irresponsible, and it doesn’t affect just you. See, there’s this thing called herd immunity. What it basically boils down to is that if, say, ninety percent of kids are able to get vaccinated for whooping cough, and somehow the population gets exposed to the disease, the unvaccinated kids are protected because everyone around them is not catching whooping cough. Picture standing in a crowd of people who all have umbrellas, tightly packed together. You’re too poor to buy an umbrella, or you’re disabled and can’t hold up an umbrella, but you’re still dry. Still with me? By getting vaccinated, you protect vulnerable people from dying of preventable diseases. I’m sorry for the long post, I just had to say something. I do love your blog. I use your recipes all the time! Thanks for listening, and hopefully not getting too offended.
There are many, many differing opinions on vaccinating, and people are usually extremely passionate on both sides. However, I am extremely confident in my decisions and it’s not really a topic I care to debate here on the blog, though. Glad you have been enjoying the recipes– thanks for taking the time to comment!