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Fungus

Health Clues in Your Fingernails #3

Liz James · January 12, 2021 ·


There’s Fungus Amongst Us! Nail fungus is one of the most common “n’ail-ments” among us in terms of overall population…. So check your fingers AND your toes for this bad boy. It is an important feature to note because it is indicative of a systemic fungal infection that needs to be addressed on the nutritional level (ie: root cause).  As you will recall, it takes a solid 6 months to out grow a funky nail situation…… so anything you do to “fix the problem” will need to become a habit.  Some simple suggestions might include increasing healthy fermented food to a diet ( sugared up grocery store yogurt is not what we’re talking here), restricting intake of refined carbs and sugars, and  adding in a great probiotic (Life 9 immediately comes to mind!). Please note that as you are making your inner world “inhospitable to fungus” dieoff occurs, and you may feel that happen in the way of gas, bloating, belching, or even acne and/or other skin breakouts. Stick with it! 


In terms of creating a local “inhospitable environment”, I might suggest FAITHFULLY applying Young Living’s Tea Tree and/or Eucalyptus essential oil twice a day to the nail and cuticle. Falling off the wagon will not hold in your favor if you treat this as a “come and go” action. Fungus is relentless and I find that only the faithful are successful. (PS: even prescription drugs require months to years of use when fighting fungus, and the liver often pays a high price for this type of chemical assault).


Koilonychia is commonly known as “spoon” nails for their scoop-like appearance. Spoon shaped nails  are associated with blood iron disorders on both end of the spectrum (anemia or hemochromatosis… too much iron). Pair this up with another health clue…… consume beets or beet juice and then check your urine and see if it is tinted red. This clue, called “beeturia” is another sign of possible iron deficiency or hemochromatosis.


NOW…. this part is very important. One of the reasons we LOVE  Young Living Super C Chewables is this: it is a “whole food” powder Vitamin C complex, not simply Ascorbic Acid (what is passed off cheaply as Vitamin C). Ascorbic Acid (I’m gonna call it “fake C” because truly, that’s what it is) increases the body’s ability to absorb iron in the intestines and can contribute to iron overload…. Not a good thing!  We tend to believe that iron deficiency is the bigger problem, but the reality is that TOO MUCH iron is an epidemic in our country because of iron fortified processed foods. The body only needs 1mg of iron a day (in most cases) to replace what it loses daily in stools, urine, and sweating. For point of reference, one cup of glyphosate laden Cheerios has 17mg of iron per cup…. But I digress!


Back to Super C! Whole Vitamin C complex (like we get with Super C chewables) DOESN’T do what Ascorbic Acid does. God’s design is perfect and whole Vitamin C complex …… like what you get with Super C chewables …. ASSISTS in hemoglobin’s function of carrying iron in the blood. So, my suggestion as a pharmacist would be this: if someone is concerned that they may be anemic, focus on the vitamin C source first (instead of dumping iron into the body) AND in the meantime, get quality blood work to confirm that you are indeed anemic. 


(PS: the body also needs the trace mineral copper to help the body utilize iron. No surprise, our super hero drink NingXia Red contains this trace mineral as do the YL dried wolfberries that are delicious to snack upon!)


Pitting of nails is interesting to me as I have seen it (as a farmgirl and amateur farrier) on some horse’s hooves. Horse people have a valid saying…. No hoof, no horse…. an astute horse owner looks at hooves just the way you are now learning to look at your nails!


This nail anomaly manifests itself as small dents or pits on the surface of the nail plate (not to be confused with the ridges we talked about in part II). Pitting may be associated with alopecia, psoriasis, and other connective tissue disorders. Essentially all of these are related to inflammation within the body. Key components to decreasing inflammation within the body are to eliminate foods and toxic chemicals which promote inflammation (gluten, processed foods,  processed carbs and refined sugars immediately come to mind), and then to give the body the tools it needs so it can begin the  supportive repair process. Omega 3’s ( OmegaGize3 comes to mind if your diet is not high in these), Vitamin D (Super D) and adequate sulfur (SulfurZyme) for supporting the health of connective tissue are quick and easy starter steps.
I probably have one more week on fingernails and then we’ll move on to another part of the body! 


Hugs and love friends~ liz
 (give me a shout if OmegGize, SulfurZyme, Super C and others are foreign words to you and I can walk you thru how to access them)


#caringissharing
#applicationofknowledgeispower
#keepaneyeonyourfingernails
#goodmedicine
#goodmedicineisknowingthyselfwell
#ThanksYL

Plant Power

Liz James · August 18, 2020 ·

I thought I knew which plant this essential oil comes from looked like. ( I was wrong.) So much for knowing what I thought I knew! 😜 But seriously, curiosity is important in the learning process.
Shall we play a game? 


🌿 This essential oil is available as both “regular” and vitality. (If you are unfamiliar with those terms, it means this particular oil may be diffused, taken internally (or cooked with), or used topically.
🌿 It comes from several different countries (none of which  is the USA)….. and was found to be used by the Egyptians in the mummification process. (Historically, it was highly valued for its varied uses)
🌿 Primary constituents (that which makes it an effective “tool” in our ‘at home’ wellness box) include :
Sabinene – known to support healthy inflammatory response and also create an unfavorable environment for fungus & wayward bacteria. Also a potent antioxidant
Beta-Caryophyllene –  also known for its strong support of a healthy inflammatory response, and a potent antioxidant.
Limonene- known for enhancing skin health, supporting kidney function, and also acts as a potent antioxidant.
🌿 This essential oil has been found to support and stimulate metabolism.
🌿 A study conducted in 2002 found that inhaling the fragrance from this essential oil induced a marked increase in plasma adrenaline concentration (ie = more energy!)


BENEFITS ENERGY AND METABOLISM AND SUPPORTS HEALTHY INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE……… THROWING IN A LITTLE PROTECTIVE “ATTITUDE” AGAINST FUNGUS AND WAYWARD BACTERIA…..
Who am I? 😎


Drop your guess in the comments!
#sharingiscaring
#alittleknowledgegoesalongway
#Godgaveusallweneedinthegarden
#ThanksYL

Carrier Oils…Essential Oils..What’s the Difference?

Liz James · September 13, 2017 ·

I really never gave too much thought about carrier oils until recently. My standby has always been fractionated coconut oil. Coconut oil can be great for certain skin types, and I’ve just never felt the need to venture beyond FCO….. until recently. Oh sure, I’ve dabbled here and there…. stepping out on my old friend, but always coming back home to my tried and true love. I was well aware of carrier oils for skin types (see above), but did you know that…. just like essential oils…. carrier oils have attributes that support and affect body systems beyond the integumentary system/skin?

Y’all know the difference, right? A carrier oil is a fatty oil base. They can go rancid over time and although they may have some health benefits, carrier oils generally don’t hold a candle to those benefits seen with Essential Oils. Essential oils, on the other hand, are not fat based…. nor do they feel oily. With the exception of the cold pressed citrus oils, they have an incredibly long shelf life (provided they are cared for properly). Essential oils can be diluted with carrier oils without affecting their effects on our body. 

Young Living Essential Oils help support virtually every single body system. We typically choose which oils we are going to diffuse, apply, or ingest according to the body system we wish to support. We may or may not use a carrier oil along with our oils depending on personal choice. Regardless of which carrier oil you choose to use, begin with these tenants:

  1. Use organic whenever possible.
  2. Never use mineral oil or petrolatum or petroleum jelly as a carrier. They clog pores and are toxins themselves (made from petroleum). Additionally, they prevent toxins within us from escaping, and will prevent essential oils from being absorbed into the skin.
  3. Be very wary of using a cosmetic or commercial skin care product as a carrier for your essential oils. Rashes and adverse reactions have occurred when combining the two. Remember, nearly all mainstream skin care products contain toxins themselves, and the mixture of both good (essential oils) and bad (that skin care product) may not end well.

However, there are some distinct benefits to using carrier oils with your essential oils:
​

  • Hot oils (ex: Thieves, Lemongrass, Cinnamon Bark) can feel just that…. HOT….. if applied undiluted.
  • Diluting your oils with a carrier oil definitely gives you more bang for your buck. We should ALL be frugal oilers… a little goes a long way, and our oils are a precious commodity.
  • Adding a carrier oil to your essential oil can, in effect, create an ‘extended release’ component to your essential oil. Most of our essential oils are volatile. This means that they are released into the air fairly rapidly. What is not absorbed into the skin becomes airborne. The addition of a carrier oil to your essential oil will increase both the amount of oil that is absorbed into your skin AND the duration that the absorption takes place. This is a good thing!
  • Many carrier oils can act synergistically with essential oils. Whoa. Really?

Yep. Here are a few examples:

  • Coconut Oil – This oil is well known as the ‘go to’ for hair care and skin care when used topically, but did you also know that when ingested, this oil is also very supportive of the cardiovascular system, helps balance blood sugar, strengthens the immune system, and is helpful in dental care? For real!
  • Jojoba Oil-   This is an ‘external use’ only carrier oil that most closely resembles human sebum (the waxy substance produced by glands in our skin) making it one of the best moisturizing carrier oils available.  It comes from the seeds of the Jojoba tree. Jojoba oil is also known for its antifungal properties, making it exceptionally well paired with Tea Tree oil.  It can be used as a natural makeup remover or as a moisturizer for cracked feet and hands.
  • Sweet Almond Oil- Really, any of the tree nut oils (Walnut, Almond, Pecan, etc) make amazing oil and vinegar salad dressing bases (especially when paired with lemon, basil, marjoram, oregano, and thyme oils), but you can use this oil topically too! It has been found to be helpful in repairing damage to collagen within the skin. When ingested, it may help limit inflammation and promote vascular health. Sweet Almond Oil also gets bonus points for being high in vitamins E and K.

If you are curious about a specific carrier oil, do a little research. You may get more than you bargained for (and I mean that in a really good way!).

Young Living has a complete line of carrier oils too, available in 8 oz bottles.  Each one is a synergistic blend of carrier oils and essential oils designed for a specific purpose. (You will want to read the ingredients closely if you happen to have a sensitivity to a particular oil.) 

  • V-6: a general all purpose topical oil blend containing Coconut, Sesame, Grape Seed, Sweet Almond, Sunflower, and Olive oils.
  • Ortho Ease–: a muscle and joint blend of carrier oils that also contain wintergreen, juniper, marjoram, eucalyptus radiata, and peppermint.
  • Ortho Sport:– a slightly more intense muscle and joint blend of carrier oils that also contain wintergreen, peppermint, thyme, eucalyptus globulous and oregano.
  • Cel-Lite:– a great firming and toning carrier oil blend that also incorporates the benefits of grapefruit, cedarwood, and juniper. I love to use this one on my thighs and hips when I get out of the shower!
  • Dragon Time: a carrier oil blend designed for balancing emotions (ie: calming your inner dragon!). This carrier oil is designed for women and also contains lavender, ylang ylang, jasmine, fennel and clary sage.
  • Relaxation–: if you are looking for a relaxing carrier oil blend, this is it. While it does contain lavender, spearmint, coriander, bergamot, and tangerine, feel free to add any additional oils if needed. This is a great blend to massage on little feet right before bedtime :).
  • Sensation: oooo la la! This carrier oil blend is created for romance and love. It can be applied anywhere…. (I will leave that up to your imagination). It does not disappoint. In addition to the base oils, this carrier oil blend also contains ylang ylang, bergamot, jasmine, and geranium.

Do any of these carrier oils tickle your fancy? Give one of them a try and let me know what you think.

If you are an oil carrying aficionado, I would encourage you to also keep a small bottle of carrier oil on hand to dilute in the unfortunate circumstance that you get an oil in your eye. Should that ever happen, don’t flush with water (it will only make it worse). Instead use a little carrier oil in the corner of your eye to immediately dilute the offending essential oil. If you failed to heed my advice and have no carrier oil on hand, simply use any fatty substance (butter, milk, or even a piece of bacon fat!) in place of the carrier oil. I hope you never need this piece of info, but if this has never happened to you, you’ve simply not used oils long enough!

Take care, and have a blessed September day!
Liz

“Feed Me Seymore!” Candida Exposed

Liz James · February 5, 2017 ·

“Feed me Seymore!” if you remember, this is a famous line out of the movie, Little Shop of Horrors. When I teach gut health classes, I use this analogy in reference to another monster within us who has an insatiable appetite….. Candida.

Candida is a sugar fermenting yeast that naturally lives within our digestive tract, and is helpful and necessary in our gut ecosystem when colonized in appropriate amounts. Unfortunately, 70-80% of all Americans have fallen below the wellness line and now suffer with chronic Candida overgrowth. How in the world did this happen to so many of us? The possible list of culprits is long:

  • Immune dysfunction in the form of:
  1. exposure to toxic metals
  2. poor digestion leading to buildup of toxins within us
  3. stress
  • Reduction of good bacteria (who act as the national guard and keep Candida in check). This happens by:
  1. heavy consumption of refined carbs, alcohol, and caffeine
  2. heavy consumption of refined sugar
  3. antibiotics
  4. mercury fillings (double whammy! they also affect our immune system)
  • An adjustment in intestinal pH (allowing Candida to flourish). This commonly occurs when:
  1. acid blocking medications (like Prilosec, Nexium, etc) are used regularly and in excess
  2. we have a decrease in production of digestive enzyme
  3. we age. In the normal aging process, our stomach acid actually becomes less acidic, allowing Candida to grow out of control.

One of the hallmark signs of a Candida overgrowth is an insatiable craving for sugar and carbs. It feels almost like something is living inside you telling you that  you MUST eat sugar and carbs…..ie: Feed me Seymour! If you have those feelings (and can’t stop after just one cookie), chances are, you have a heavy Candida load. Candida is ASKING for this “nourishment” to survive, and you are feeding it each times it asks….. just like the plant with the voracious appetite in Little Shop of Horrors.

Symptoms of Candida overgrowth are varied… they include anxiety, depression, panic attacks, hyperactivity, sinus problems, bad breath, constipation, bloating, diarrhea, hypoglycemia, eczema, psoriasis, skin fungus, yeast infections, chronic fatigue, swollen joints, and gout.  The list is much longer…. but you get the idea…. Candida overgrowth is very problematic in all aspects of wellness.

Young Living has many products that will help keep you above the wellness line (ie: Healthy!) when it comes to Candida. One such product is called Detoxzyme. This powerhouse capsule combines digestion enhancing essential oils with several fast acting enzymes that assist in the complete digestive process. They help detoxify and promote intestinal cleansing (a critical component for maintaining overall body health). The enzymes within the capsules are designed to help us digest starches, sugars, proteins, and fats. Efficient digestion helps the body detoxify. Importantly, Detoxzyme also helps in opening the gallbladder duct and cleansing the liver, preventing Candida and other yeast overgrowth…. also important in the detoxification process. Remember, your liver is the main “garbage processing center”  organ of our bodies…. and if it has a backlog of work, then toxins simply sit in our body and wreak havoc as they wait to be excreted.

So, if you are looking for ways to lose that sluggish feeling and regain your energy, quit feeding that monster no matter how much it asks to be fed, and grab yourself a bottle of this dragonslayer!

Have a great day, and contact me if you have any questions!

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