Migraines

I can honestly say that I do not know if I have had a migraine. I have had some bad headaches, but I do not have any experience with the sort of headache that my poor migraine suffering friends talk about! Either way, as I do have many friends who suffer from migraines, I research them a lot! The main thing that my friend Sunshine, a frequent migraine sufferer, has stated worked for her were the green drinks. Now many of my friends have many different ailments and are of all different age groups, but most who have tried the green smoothies for migraines and managed to restrict triggers from their diets (gluten, for example) say that this is a good way to go!

Since I do not suffer from this specific ailment other then regular headaches, usually sinus induced due to my allergies, here is a link with a testimonial:

http://www.incrediblesmoothies.com/green-smoothie-inspirations/weight-loss-and-fewer-migraines-with-green-smoothies-green-smoothie-inspirations/

This link includes a recipe and a testimonial from a migraine sufferer:

http://smartfoodandfit.com/green-smoothie-for-migraines/

This link says it could be linked to body acidity - guess what it alkaline? APPLE CIDER VINEGAR!
http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/04/how-to-get-rid-of-migraine-headaches/

This recipe looks amazing:

http://madeformorehfs.blogspot.com/2012/08/move-over-migraine-green-smoothie.html

Now, in addition to the possible miracle of more magnesium into your diet, you can add magnesium oil to your routine to help improve mood. Magnesium oil is not cheap from what I have found online, but I did also find some threads that indicate that if you purchase toxin free nigiri and dissolve it in water it becomes magnesium oil, so may as well save some bucks if you can! Once the oil is made, pop it into a spray bottle and spray your arms and legs and middle and see if that doesn't help any!

Now, I can imagine that migraines make you dizzy and perhaps the smoothies will not take the pain away... my sinus headaches are not very fun and can combine similar elements. Of course, there are a myriad of over the counter remedies that may work like Excedrin Migraine or some such, but if you are looking for a healthier alternative for the pain part other than juices, see the following links:

http://www.herbsandoilsworld.com/herbs-essential-oils-for-migraines/
http://frugallysustainable.com/2012/05/how-to-treat-migraines-with-an-herbal-tincture-at-home-a-recipe/ (kind of gave up on making tinctures after the last one was so alcohol, but I may try again some day with glycerin of some sort)
http://www.learningherbs.com/news_issue_92.html I do make a medical salve that would probably also work for migraines, but it does contain maryjane, so if you have a medical card and need assistance making your own, feel free to message me :)

Other then a super awesome pillow, darkness, some soothing music and aromatherapy, this is all I have so far on migraines. If I find anymore, I will let you all know!

Love and light <3 Psynn

Hemp Seeds: The perfect food

Let's talk about hemp in celebration of Colorado planting their first fields of industrial hemp! I could go on and on about states rights, but really, it is about this amazing plant!

Hemp was prohibited for cultivation in 1970 in the United States, but recently many states have been making their own laws: thank you 10th amendment! Hemp was prohibited for a few reasons, but if you look into it, the reason was only due to its close relation to the marijuana plant, and though they are close cousins, they are not the same plant at all. Marijuana has high quantities of THC and CBD's that aid in pain relief and healing, but hemp has less than 1% of those same psychoactive properties. Hemp was also being edged out by other industries who had more lobbying power at the time, but now it is time to take the power back! Currently, we are the largest importer of hemp, but as a country we sadly have little industry left and hemp can revitalize us if it is properly legalized and under no threat from the federal government, which has yet to be seen.

Onto the seed! Hemp seeds are complete proteins, they are whole and complete! If a person were forced to live on hemp seeds, they would survive, though they may be grumpy from lack of variety. Hemp seed is considered a superfood - there are several of these magical foods, but I figure we can go over those as time goes on. Hemp seeds can be eaten raw and they turn to a gel in your mouth and body, so no need to worry about them affecting my pesky diverticula! You can make shakes, add them to cereal, juices, eat them on yogurt, in energy or granola bars as they are a natural source of energy and many necessary fats!

You can purchase hemp seeds online or at a health store and hopefully, soon at a local farmers market! For any marijuana growers in Colorado, make sure to move your babies indoors, as the close genetic tie between these two plants will screw up any outdoor grow. Seedy weed, kids!

Love and light <3 Psynn

For more about hemp seeds:
http://www.purehealingfoods.com/hempHeartsInfo.php
http://www.ratical.org/renewables/hempseed1.html

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Today, I think we should begin talking about my chronic condition, so that any who suffer from it can learn some tips for pain management, anxiety management, and just to know you are not alone. I was a healthy child until I was immunized, then began a weird cycle of sickness that worsened as I got older. The last shot I received was the measles II monster one must take before attending college and that along with who knows what other environmental causes including becoming an adult and doing things on my own (anxiety!) have over the course of many years worsened to the point where I am now. I am in chronic pain from my IBS (C/D - I get it all), suffering from undernourishment due to my inflamed insides, and losing weight on a regular basis. Unlike Crohn's there is no roving infection to treat or find, just chronic pain and discomfort with a possibility of embarrassing effects at any time, which is not the best for an anxiety fueled illness!

In order to continue, I must explain that the last 2 years were harder then most, with multiple family and personal crisis that most people take one at a time. I pretty much had a mental breakdown, so my boyfriend scooped me up and sped me away to the country, where I am seeking all natural ways to manage or beat this affliction. Since my breakdown I now have more panic attacks then ever before, sometimes for no reason at all. So far, I have yet to find the answer to my advanced case, but I have tips for those who may not be as far along!

The first thing that every person with any gastrointestinal related illness needs to know is the power of PEPPERMINT! A few years back I was admitted to the ER with the worst IBS attack I have ever experienced. It began right before bed and then I was unable to sleep all night, running to the bathroom sick or sitting up and dozing. When I awoke, my now ex-husband made me go to the hospital since I was crying my eyes out and my intestines were running empty, just running and painful. Needless to say, doctors have no idea what to do in a hospital when something like this happens and they will steal your appendix if you let them. I left the hospital with no appendix, thinking it must have really been inflamed until my gastro actually told me they took it because they had no idea what was wrong with me. I had informed them that I was awaiting diagnosis for IBD or IBS - made no difference. After the surgery, the gas and air pockets were terrible in my intestines, but the pain medication made me unaware of it until they were gone. The doctors promised me more pain meds if I needed them and then denied them to me when I explained I was still in pain. I tried to go to work and was literally green and throwing up from the pain. That is when I found peppermint tea thanks to google. Peppermint is the only natural thing in this world that has been proven to reduce the spasms and pain associated with IBS. Over time, the amount of tea I would need in a day increased and started to hurt my stomach, so I switched to peppermint oil. Heather's Tummy Tamer's are now my preferred brand, as they are gentle in case I require multiple a day and they have ginger and fennel oil added for even more relief!

Next up, supplements! When I was on my full regimen of pills I would take the following every morning:

• Heather's Tummy Tamers Peppermint Oil Pills - for obvious cramping, though I take this on a as needed basis throughout the day, if you wake up in pain and need it, you can start the day with these pills or their special tea or any peppermint tea!
• 5-HTP - a precursor to serotonin, this is a very important part of lifting your mood. No matter how physical IBS feels, a lot of it comes from the inside and it is important to try and keep your internal chemicals as balanced as possible. Pain sucks the life from me, making me exhausted in every way, so this can help keep your head above water. I prefer Swanson's brand as linked, due to both cheap prices and quality!
• Passion Flower - I don't take this as regularly anymore, but when I had a full time job, it was a necessity to have with me at all times. IBS is an anxiety based disease, worsened by stress and triggers. Think of it this way - someone without IBS can get upset and mad and then calm down. With IBS, we get upset and calm down, but that anxiety is still invisibly working itself through our insides. Of course, controlling stress and triggers is a key to controlling and living with IBS, but let's be honest - if you have a job, a life, responsibilities, this is really hard to do. Passion Flower will chill you out, just take care to try a low dose to start, because enough will make you sleep.
• Vitamin B-12 - Every day I took a B-12 to help support my mood and give me energy.
• Melatonin - I do not take melatonin now, because my chronic pain qualifies me as a medical marijuana patient in my state. Too much melatonin will make you feel wrong, and due to my consumption of mmj, my natural melatonin is usually at 400%. However, if you need help sleeping or relaxing, melatonin can help if you do NOT have 400% in your body naturally :)
• Herbal Teas - depending on your associations, choose which you prefer. Remember that chamomile also helps with spasms and will calm anyone down, but any herbal tea without harsh stomach affecting herbs will work to help calm an attack, mostly because you will find it soothing!
• Soluble Fiber - I no longer take supplemental fiber, as my insides are too sensitive, but once upon a time I took it 3 times a day. I would suggest working up to 3 times a day, because it can be harsh on the system. I would not suggest metamucil due to the harshness of psyllium on the intestines, but I did have some success with benefiber for many years, until my doctor told me to relax with it. It really hurt at the end, so just do whatever feels right!
• Apple Cider Vinegar - taken internally daily, this helps keep your body in balance, and increases your immune function. It is a somewhat magical elixir - for the recipe see the first blog in this series!
• Aloe Vera gel or juice - taken internally daily, it can help soothe and some say heal the lining of the digestive tract. I have not taken any for awhile, but I felt good when I did!
• Exercise - this one I am terrible at. For years, I was a gym rat, just trying to beat down the pain, but I can no longer afford to join a gym as I am disabled, but not on disability. Now I do as much farm work as I can before collapsing, but with the undernourishment, I get tired easy and must take multiple naps a day just to function. Do yourself a favor and do some exercise before you get to the point I am at! Exercise is a great mood regulator and it will help work off stress. If I do have time for exercise I will usually opt for yoga, dancing, or hiking! Yoga especially, can help clear the mind and incorporates meditation. Yoga literally saved me when I was at a very dark point in my life, so if you need some light, just pull up a free video online and give it a shot! 

Other then these supplements, most people with IBS suffer from food intolerance or allergies. I am an intolerance type, having spent years researching and restricting my diet. In the past few years, I have regained many of the foods I stopped eating for 10 years, but only in small doses. It is hard to trick the system into digesting something it barely remembers, but I find it worth it after years of reading every label and not being able to eat out without modifying dishes at restaurants... If you are unsure of what is triggering you, I would suggest restricting a specific food a week until you figure it out. Currently, I still cannot ingest peppers or anything cooked in the oil of peppers, whole corn and some corn products, and anything that is greasy like sausage or pepperoni. Any of those foods still trigger me immediately, sadly! If you think you may be allergic to a food, you can get tested. When I got tested they gave me a scratch test and a patch test - worst week and a half of my life. These days a simple blood test can tell what may trigger you in some cases. I have found that if I consume too much of any food, it can become an intolerance, so be careful! All things in moderation.

For years I avoided refined sugars and it was wonderful - if you can do it, I highly recommend it to anyone!

Love and light from the litebrite - Psynn <3

Cold sores are the absolute worst!

Let's talk about cold sores. I don't know how they happen to other people other then what I have found through research, but I have had them since i was a child. When I was young they seemed to only occur while I was sick or before I got sick. As I have gotten older, the arginine triggers have become more sensitive and my newest and most devastating trigger - the sun. I love the sun, but sometimes I forget my sunblock lip balm and if I get burned badly enough, at least one cold sore is almost mandatory. I think it really has more to do with immune function overall, and due to my chronic illness, I have a hard time keeping mine as strong as I would like...

So, last weekend my boyfriend and I attended a regional burn (for non-burners, these are held in many states as a ramp up to Burning Man or for some of us, the only burn we can attend), and that means extreme camping for days on end. I promptly forgot my sunblock lip balm as we had planned to leave a day later then we did, but the excitement of the upcoming burn was too much - had to go early. Realizing my folly too late, I busted out the coconut oil I had packed for seasoning my pans and slathered it on as much as I could while still having tons of fun with my friends. Needless to say, I failed to save my lips from the worst burning ever. Three days in the high desert will do that to a person. Upon my return home, my lips were nothing more then giant scabs and within a few hours, that evil tingling and itching began. I ran to the medicine cabinet and squeezed what little Abreva I had left on my face and waited.

Due to the extreme damage to my lips, there was no escaping the outbreak, and unlike my normal ones it was not one large sore, but a million tiny ones. The Abreva was actually not helping much, though usually it does work pretty well. In desperation I began extensive research on the subject of naturally ridding myself of this beast on my face. As I said, Abreva can work, but it is not the cheapest thing to acquire and being broke, my kitchen yielded some gems! Also, I prefer to remove as many big pharma concoctions from my life as possible!

After reading many articles, threads, blogs, wiki's, and more I finally found a good way to rid myself of cold sores naturally! These may not work for everyone, but they worked for me!

• Fresh Garlic - to begin with I read many articles stating that fresh garlic crushed worked great on cold sores. I take out one piece and slice it off, then proceeded to score and smush it as much as I could before applying it to my lip. Let it sting, because that is the healing at work, but don't hold it on too long or you may burn your skin around the sore. I did about 10 seconds per slice.
• Apple Cider Vinegar - there are two ways to go about it, drink it and apply it. Most vinegar is to be avoided during an outbreak, but acv is especially alkalizing, so apply a cotton ball soaked for about 10 seconds and let the sting fade! Drinking it will help your immune system!
• Honey - apply honey after your acv sting has faded to protect and cleanse the area. honey is an all natural antibiotic and when the sores scab up, the honey will help contain the infection and heal your lip faster.

Here I am on day 7 with only a little scab on my lip! Apply these three things as many times a day as you can and you can naturally cure a cold sore! The rumor is that some of these methods will also drive away the infection for longer and if you drink your acv every day, your immune system cannot be beat. Also, remember that you can also add some L-Lysine or Lysine rich foods into your diet in order to beat off the arginine attacks, but avoid nuts - they are all arginine, all the time!

Stay healthy, my friends <3 Psynn!

The Mighty Apple Cider Vinegar

First and foremost, I feel that all people should be aware of this amazing stuff! I heard about it as a child for specific ailments, but never for the entire vastness of its amazing effects! Any vinegar is pretty awesome for its properties in cleaning, but apple cider vinegar is a special sort. Braggs Organic is the best and contains the Mother, which is sort of like acv kombucha, but if you are in a pinch and can't get Braggs, any kind will do.

If you are suffering from a cold, low energy, need a cleanse, feeling blocked, having acid reflux, suffering from any acid reflux related disease, have gastrointestinal issues of any kind, have immune system problems of any kind and basically exist as a human person on this planet, you can benefit from drinking apple cider vinegar EVERY DAY! I will admit that I forget to take it fairly often, but if I feel the need it works every time.

There are several ways to ingest apple cider vinegar, but I prefer the following recipe:

• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• honey to taste up to 2 tbsp
• 6-8 oz of water

Add 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar to a glass, then add the baking soda. If you enjoy carbonation in your drink, add the next two ingredients quickly to retain some bubbles. If you are like me and have some issues with carbonation, just let the vinegar and the baking soda dance until settled, then add the honey and water. I usually add 1 tbsp honey, then a shot of hot water to dissolve it and finish with super cold water. You can even add ice if it helps, but the drink is not unpleasant. My friends that have kids that have tried it usually call it apple cider vinegar soda :)

This mixture will benefit anyone, even pets! I have one friend who prefers to leave the water out of it and just shoots it like liquor, so find your own way, just get that vinegar in you, because it works! <3 love and light! - Psynn