I've started this blog because I'm passionate about herbs.
As my first blog posting, I decided to adress the issue of Candida. Many people suffer for year from symptoms ranging from headaches, irritability, bladder and kidney disorders, IBS, (irritable bowel syndrome), fatigue, "foggy brain" and cravings for sweets or starches, and any variation of the above, without ever realising that the root cause of their trouble is a yeast called Candida. The aforementioned are only a small selection of the long list of symptoms which include:
abdominal gas and bloating
headaches
migraines
excessive fatigue
cravings for alcohol
anxiety
vaginitis
rectal itching
cravings for sweets
inability to think clearly or concentrate
hyperactivity
mood swings
diarrhea
constipation
hyperactivity
itching
acne
eczema
depression
sinus inflammation
pre-menstrual syndrome
dizziness
poor memory
persistent cough
earaches
low sex drive
muscle weakness
irritability
learning difficulties
sensitivity to fragrances and/or other chemicals
cognitive impairment
thrush
athlete's foot
sore throat
indigestion
acid reflux
chronic pain
(credit: http://www.holistichelp.net/candida.html )
There are a number of websites where you can do a test to see if you suffer from candida too. Personally, I suffered from excruciating migraines, irritability, mood swings, constipation, hormonal disturbances, bladder issues, kidney issues, acid reflux, chronic joint pain, sensitivity to fragrances and chemical smells, poor memory, PMS, earache, anxiety, fatigue, "foggy brain", depression and gas. I felt it was my job to maintain a sunny disposition yet it was near impossible at times, and the drs and my loved ones were beginning to tell me it was all in my head. "think positive", "stop focussing on negativity and you won't feel so much joint pain, it must be in your head." I would get jabs of pain here and there without even knowing where they were coming from. I addressed every symptom separately (which in a way was positive, as I developed quite some knowledge to add to my herb awareness!) but I never felt "okay".
I retreated when I got PMS, avoiding people so as not to snap suddenly. (because believe me, PMS with a candida overload can be disasterous!) My libido took a dive, which was the last straw for me. I mean for goodness sake - I thought - NOW what?! For some people, symptoms slowly creap in. For others, you notice the changes. I searched and searched but did not find a solution until I looked into candidiasis.
I had thought Candida=thrush. Well, not so, it seems. Watch this space!!
In a nutshell, Candida is a yeast that grows in every human body. It thrives on sugar and sugary products including carbohydrates and releases toxins which play havoc with the body. Typically, an individual will get one of the above symptoms or more and head to the dr who prescribes antibiotics. Antibiotics kill off some of the yeast, which in the process of dying release an increased amount of toxins, which ends up making one more ill and increases the craving for foodstuffs in which they thrive, and the cycle goes on and on, depleting the imune system so that it can no longer (eventually) kill of Candida.
So how do we put a stop to it? I will share with you my journey in the fight with candidiasis. Perhaps it may help some readers. The starting point is to begin taking coconut oil. Coconut oil is a natural fat which contrary to what you may think, does not encourage cholesterol but in fact lowers it. It has dozens of other health benefits too. I started with a teaspoon (I eat it by the teaspoonsful, letting it melt on my tongue, as its usually like a hardened butter at room temperature.) What you want to do is get to the point where you are taking 3 tablespoons a day. Not too difficult when you consider that it can be used for baking, cooking, salads, as a spread, etc.
I started taking coconut oil about 3 weeks before I began on my vitamin programme - more about that in another posting.
Since I do not suffer from low or high blood pressure, I simultaneously began taking my stinging nettle tonic. For those who suffer from the former, stick to tissanes (herb infusions) of mint, rooibos, green tea and cloves.
I also made up a brew of the following:
1 large garlic clove
7 cloves (whole)
1 x3cm length of ginger (whole)
I popped that into a saucepan in 1 litre of water and let it begin to boil. After a minute or two, I turned off the heat and let is sit until it was cool enough to sip. Granted it doesn't take fabulous, but you may add a few more cloves to make it more palatable. Its not supposed to taste fantastic- its supposed to help you! The road to good health is not always paved with happy tastebuds!
This is my own concoction which I make for sore throats, fevers, colds, sinus, and at the onset of winter, now.
Do NOT add honey or sugar. You may add stevia either in its drop form or powder form as a sweetner; remember a little goes a VERY long way.
Honey and sugar both feed candida. Although I'm usually a firm believer in the power of honey and an avid lover of it for all its health benefits, unfortunately candida loves it too, and quickly multiplies.
I started the above 2 weeks after I began with the coconut oil. In summary, my first month looked like this:
*coconut oil replaced vegetable oil and bread spread.
*I took coconut oil by the teaspoon full
*I began my "special brew"
*I increased my water intake to 2 liters a day
Result: My digestion was better after 3 days
As my first blog posting, I decided to adress the issue of Candida. Many people suffer for year from symptoms ranging from headaches, irritability, bladder and kidney disorders, IBS, (irritable bowel syndrome), fatigue, "foggy brain" and cravings for sweets or starches, and any variation of the above, without ever realising that the root cause of their trouble is a yeast called Candida. The aforementioned are only a small selection of the long list of symptoms which include:
(credit: http://www.holistichelp.net/candida.html )
There are a number of websites where you can do a test to see if you suffer from candida too. Personally, I suffered from excruciating migraines, irritability, mood swings, constipation, hormonal disturbances, bladder issues, kidney issues, acid reflux, chronic joint pain, sensitivity to fragrances and chemical smells, poor memory, PMS, earache, anxiety, fatigue, "foggy brain", depression and gas. I felt it was my job to maintain a sunny disposition yet it was near impossible at times, and the drs and my loved ones were beginning to tell me it was all in my head. "think positive", "stop focussing on negativity and you won't feel so much joint pain, it must be in your head." I would get jabs of pain here and there without even knowing where they were coming from. I addressed every symptom separately (which in a way was positive, as I developed quite some knowledge to add to my herb awareness!) but I never felt "okay".
I retreated when I got PMS, avoiding people so as not to snap suddenly. (because believe me, PMS with a candida overload can be disasterous!) My libido took a dive, which was the last straw for me. I mean for goodness sake - I thought - NOW what?! For some people, symptoms slowly creap in. For others, you notice the changes. I searched and searched but did not find a solution until I looked into candidiasis.
I had thought Candida=thrush. Well, not so, it seems. Watch this space!!
Candida cell
In a nutshell, Candida is a yeast that grows in every human body. It thrives on sugar and sugary products including carbohydrates and releases toxins which play havoc with the body. Typically, an individual will get one of the above symptoms or more and head to the dr who prescribes antibiotics. Antibiotics kill off some of the yeast, which in the process of dying release an increased amount of toxins, which ends up making one more ill and increases the craving for foodstuffs in which they thrive, and the cycle goes on and on, depleting the imune system so that it can no longer (eventually) kill of Candida.
So how do we put a stop to it? I will share with you my journey in the fight with candidiasis. Perhaps it may help some readers. The starting point is to begin taking coconut oil. Coconut oil is a natural fat which contrary to what you may think, does not encourage cholesterol but in fact lowers it. It has dozens of other health benefits too. I started with a teaspoon (I eat it by the teaspoonsful, letting it melt on my tongue, as its usually like a hardened butter at room temperature.) What you want to do is get to the point where you are taking 3 tablespoons a day. Not too difficult when you consider that it can be used for baking, cooking, salads, as a spread, etc.
I started taking coconut oil about 3 weeks before I began on my vitamin programme - more about that in another posting.
Since I do not suffer from low or high blood pressure, I simultaneously began taking my stinging nettle tonic. For those who suffer from the former, stick to tissanes (herb infusions) of mint, rooibos, green tea and cloves.
I also made up a brew of the following:
1 large garlic clove
7 cloves (whole)
1 x3cm length of ginger (whole)
I popped that into a saucepan in 1 litre of water and let it begin to boil. After a minute or two, I turned off the heat and let is sit until it was cool enough to sip. Granted it doesn't take fabulous, but you may add a few more cloves to make it more palatable. Its not supposed to taste fantastic- its supposed to help you! The road to good health is not always paved with happy tastebuds!
This is my own concoction which I make for sore throats, fevers, colds, sinus, and at the onset of winter, now.
Do NOT add honey or sugar. You may add stevia either in its drop form or powder form as a sweetner; remember a little goes a VERY long way.
Honey and sugar both feed candida. Although I'm usually a firm believer in the power of honey and an avid lover of it for all its health benefits, unfortunately candida loves it too, and quickly multiplies.
I started the above 2 weeks after I began with the coconut oil. In summary, my first month looked like this:
*coconut oil replaced vegetable oil and bread spread.
*I took coconut oil by the teaspoon full
*I began my "special brew"
*I increased my water intake to 2 liters a day
Result: My digestion was better after 3 days
