Natural News Update: Japan and Iodine

Here is an update from the "Natural News" folks regarding the Iodine situation going on in the U.S.   There is some debate on the type of Iodine to be taken in the event of a nuclear emergency...Iodate vs. Iodide.  Regardless of which you choose (if you do) both are going to be hard to come by because of the current situation in Japan.  So, if you haven't already thought ahead, here is some info that may be useful to know.  I really can't say that the events taking place in Japan are events that will dramatically effect those of us in the Midwest or Eastern states but all things considered, it is best to be armed with information so you can make plans that are right for you and your home.

for great ideas about adding iodine naturally to your diet see the "Iodine sea vegetables" article below!!

  Dear NaturalNews readers,

Things are getting far worse in Japan. As of this writing, a partial or total nuclear meltdown event seems increasingly likely. Nuclear engineers have essentially surrendered to the laws of physics now at the Fukushima power plant and pulled all the workers off the site. Now it's just a matter of watching and praying.

This is Japan's worst nuclear nightmare coming to life. The future of civilization on our planet will be forever altered after this event. Expect massive changes to be set into motion on issues like energy use, fossil fuels, the false promise of "scientific progress," the destruction of our planet's environment and other life-and-death issues.

Today we received word from an inside source in Tokyo who told me that the Fukushima nuclear plant is now basically a "dirty bomb" just waiting to go off. Read the full report here:http://www.naturalnews.com/031718_nuclear_power_dirty_bomb.html

Meanwhile, online sellers of potassium iodide supplements are now engaged in widespread price gouging and profiteering. Our report by Ethan Huff exposes these highly unethical pricing practices that seek to exploit fear for obscene profits:http://www.naturalnews.com/031716_potassium_iodide_price_gouging.html

As a service to those who are desperate to get sources of iodine before the possibility of a nuclear fallout event (which could strike the U.S. West Coast), I've put together an article that highlights natural sources of iodine in foods and superfoods, many of which you should still be able to get at local health food stores if you hurry:http://www.naturalnews.com/031717_iodine_sea_vegetables.html

And Dr. Marc Sircus brings us an informative story today on using iodine to prevent damage from radiation exposure: Get the facts you need to know:http://www.naturalnews.com/031715_iodine_radiation.html

Chlorella helps rid the body of radiation *after* exposure. Spirulina has also been used therapeutically in this way following nuclear disasters.

I hope this is news you can use:)

Blessings, Traci

Be Your own "Doctor"

,

Quick Reference Emergency Chart

**Copy and laminate this info. and post in a prominent place to use in emergencies. 

This info is found on pages 328/329 of:  Be Your Own "Doctor"

Appendicitis – see colon health chapter (***My note: it is a good idea to learn the symptoms of appendicitis)
Asthma attack - try 1 – 2 drops of unscented kerosene on a lump of brown sugar to dilate bronchial tubes and relieve spasms.    Change diet – no dairy products or sugar till child is better. (See respiratory chap.)
Bee Sting – Rub with lavender (***or plantain is great, just me:)
Bladder Infection - Drink 1 tsp baking soda in 8 oz. Water. Read Kidney Bladder Health.
Bleeding -Apply pressure at site – pack with bayberry or cayenne powder. Internal Bleeding – drink cayenne water 1 or more teaspoons to 8 ounce cup of warm water. Repeat in 5 minutes.    Call 911 or transport to hospital yourself.    You may have about 15 minutes before bleeding begins again. Repeat cayenne water during transport if needed.
Blood sugar drop – can result in migraine, serious headache, faintness and nausea. Occurs especially if meal is skipped or late. Give 1⁄2 cup orange juice followed by 1” square of cheese or some nuts.
Bruises – tape a bruised onion slice over area or rub with arnica oil
Burns – COOL in water with or aloe vera juice until pain subsides. Rub with lavender oil. For quick relief soak with vinegar water if the area is not open. (vinegar chap) Detailed directions in burn chapter.
Concussions – See emergency chapter for danger signs. Use brain formula for healing. Coughs - wild cherry cough syrup for annoying sinus drainage cough. Congestion - Rub Garlic salve on chest and back for congestion and cough especially in babies and children.
Cramps - leg cramps – rub with deep tissue oil or soak feet in hot water with 1- 2 TBL of ginger powder.    

Tummy cramps – clove tea and heating pad or rice sock on stomach.   

 Arm cramps – rub with deep tissue oil.
Croup – 1 – 2 drops of unscented kerosene on a lump of brown sugar to dilate bronchial tubes and relieve spasms. Change diet – no milk till child is better.
Diarrhea – take 8 oz. charcoal water after every run to the bathroom. (adult dose) Give slippery elm gruel to babies and children. (slippery elm chap.) 328
Eye – to remove irritations use flax seed in tear duct area (flax chap.)

Fainting – Lay person down, loosen collar,   open window or fan person.    Apply cold to back of neck and forehead. Give sips of cayenne water till well revived.
Gas - Intestinal gas pain – Use 2-3 droppers digestive tonic in water or drink strong hot chamomile tea.
Heart Pain/Attack – drink 1 glass of warm water with 1 teaspoon of cayenne powder stirred into it. Repeat the dose in 5 minutes and again if needed.
Hiccoughs – Take 2 droppers of Digestive Tonic in a half glass of water. Startle the person!

 High Blood Pressure – take 1 teaspoon of turmeric in glass of water to lower quickly.

This is only an emergency measure. Treat with diet and exercise for further help.
Pain – cuts, wounds & breaks while healing – take Complete Tissue capsules 5-7 as often as needed. Drink clove tea to relax the area.

 Abdominal or back pain – use warm charcoal/flax poultice on area (flax chap.) Rub area with lobelia to relax muscles. Flax alone, will work too.

Poison – Drink charcoal water – 1 tablespoon in 1 8 oz. Glass of water. Repeat if needed. (charcoal chapter)
Seizures – drip lobelia in mouth, rub at base of skull and down spine.    Or rub cayenne powder on gums to wake them up and bring them out of seizure.
Sinus congestion and pain - rub area frequently with deep tissue oil or sensei salve (not in eyes) Sniff salt water up nostrils and then blow – repeat every twenty minutes, as needed.
Stings – rub with lavender oil as needed.  Does not work well for wasp stings.    Use charcoal compress.
Stomach Ulcers – Stop solid food. Drink 8 oz. water hourly and 1 teaspoon cayenne in 8 oz. water hourly. (may burn but will soon soothe) read colon health chapter.
Sunburn – rub well with olive oil every half hour. For more cooling add a drop or two of peppermint oil to olive oil.
Tooth Abscess - Rinse mouth with salt water, take a clove of garlic and 2000 mg Vitamin C, hourly till resolved. Can tuck a garlic clove by sore spot in mouth.
Toothache – use clove tea to numb and sooth.  Swish and swallow 2 droppers of Black Walnut hourly if needed for a day and then 4x daily till tooth heals.
Stroke - drink 1 glass of warm water with 1 teaspoon of cayenne powder stirred into it. Repeat the dose in 5 minutes and again if needed.

-- 

***Note the link for this book: 

http://www.amazon.com/Your-Doctor-Rachel-Weaver-M-H/dp/0971266905/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1296774490&sr=1-2

****My disclaimer:  Just in case a stranger stumbles in here who doesn't know me and reads this (and maybe just doesn't have any good common sense)...This blog does not intend to give any medical advice. This is just common sense information that any Tom, Dick or Harry can apply to every day living situations. These things have been practiced for years in the homes of families who cared for their own wellbeing. You are responsible for whatever info. you find here and choose to use and for how you use it. The writer of this blog is not liable for any problems arising from the use of this info.  I guess I have to say that, silly.

Gooood day!

Shelf Life of Herbs

When Do Herbs & Spices Give Up the Ghost? 

How and how long to store them.

If you happen to be keeping herbs on hand for either seasoning or medicinal purposes such as for making tinctures, salves, teas or poultices here is a guide to follow for storage.   Of coarse, the best thing to do is make your tinctures and salves as soon as possible but because you sometimes will want the herb in its dried form you will need to store it. 

See:  www.bulkherbstore.com

For more info. 

Shelf life varies from one herb to another. A powdered herb will lose its properties much faster than a whole or cut herb. Those with volatile oils like peppermint will lose their freshness much sooner than those without the oils.  Roots have the longest shelf life as they are much denser than flowers and leaves.

In general, keep the herbs in air-tight containers, as cool as possible, and don't expose them to light unless in use.

The good news is, spices do not spoil. The bad news is, they lose their strength. What is interesting is that a lot of cookbook writers tell you to purge your pantry once an herb or spice is about 6 months old. But the spice companies — among them behemoth McCormick and specialty splicer Penzeys — are not so reckless. They tell you to keep and use the spices as long as they appear to have flavor — and they trust you to be able to tell!

Stored in an airtight container, in a cool, dry place, spices retain their potency longer than you'd think — as long as 4 years for whole spices, 2 to 3 years for ground spices, and 1 to 3 years for leafy herbs, depending on the herb. Whole peppercorns, nutmegs and cinnamon sticks hold on to their flavor for ages. Particularly potent whole spices, such as cloves, cumin, and cardamom will also last for a long, long time.

Herbs lose their flavor faster than spices. Dried herbs that have no color and no or very little smell when crumbled in the palm of your hand are probably too old for practical use. Yet even if they don't look all that green anymore, but still have some oomph when crumbled in your hand, use them freely.

For ground spices, shake the jar, let it settle, and give a sniff. If there's essentially no smell, it should be tossed out. If the spices have a bit of fragrance left but are not as potent as you remember or think they should be, just use more in the recipe. Then you'll run out sooner and have a reason to start fresh with a new batch.

Of paramount importance in getting the most flavor and value out of your herbs and spices is to store them well — nowhere near the heat of the stove, nowhere near the humidity of the stove or dishwasher, nowhere bright and sunny. But don't get the idea that putting them in the freezer is ideal, either. Condensation will be a problem each time the bottle comes out of the freezer and is likely to introduce moisture in the spices. Similarly, don't ever shake herbs or spices out of the bottle directly into something you're cooking — that's the quickest way possible to steam and despoil your spices.

The Bulk Herb Store is a good resource for bulk herbs and lots of info. On how to use them.  I purchase many herbs from them.