GHS Natural Health Blog

For centuries, people have enhanced their foods with various flavorings, preservatives, and dyes. But some ingredients on today’s food labels can be downright scary. Few foods reach today’s supermarkets free of additives – substances that do not occur naturally in a food but are added for various reasons. These include preservatives to prevent spoilage; emulsifiers to prevent water and fat from separating; thickeners; vitamins and minerals (either to replace nutrients lost in processing or to increase nutritional value); sweeteners (both natural and artificial), salt, flavorings to improve taste; and dyes to make everything from candies to soft drinks more visually appealing.

In all, North American food processors may use any of about 2,800 additives. Although many people question the safety of these additives, the fact is that their use is governed by stringent regulations. Authorities require extensive studies before an additive is allowed on the market. In spite of this, rare reactions to certain additives are possible. The appropriate use of additives, though, allows us to enjoy history’s safest and most abundant assortment of foods.

Some 10,000 substances make their way into food during growing, processing, and packaging; some of these accidental additives can pose more of a health threat than preservatives and other direct additives. Some foods, for example, contain traces of pesticides sprayed on crops or applied to the soil. Environmental pollutants in foods, such as PCBs, mercury, and lead, are harmful when ingested in large quantities.

Sometimes allergic reactions that are blamed on foods or intentional additives are actually triggered by an unintended one. For example, a person who has never had a food allergy may inexplicably develop a rash after drinking milk. The resulting small amounts of penicillin in the milk would not be harmful for most people, only to those who are allergic to the drug.

Reference: John A. Robert

Preparation

1. Measure 2L of pure or distilled water in a 3L pot (not aluminium). Cover and bring to the boil.
2. Weigh 45g of Essiac powder and add to the boiling water. Stir with a wooden or stainless steel spoon. Replace lid and boil for 10 to 12 minutes.
3. Remove from heat, scrape down sides of pot and stir the mixture thoroughly. Replace lid and let stand at room temperature for 10 to 12 hours.
4. Stir thoroughly, cover and heat Essiac liquid to scalding (85 degrees Celsius). Do not boil.
5. Remove from heat.
6. Strain the liquid through a fine stainless steel strainer using a funnel into sealable, sterilized, amber glass jars. Finger tighten lids, allow jars to cool and then tighten lids again.
7. Store jars in refrigerator. This is a sensitive preparation and contains no preservatives. If mould develops in jars, discard immediately. This preparation should keep for at least 12 months if prepared as above, filtered into sterilized jars and well lidded.

Note: It is important that all instructions are followed carefully! All jars and lids must be cleaned with a 3% solution of food grade hydrogen peroxide in water.
 
Dosage
 
Daily Maintenance:  Take 2 to 4 tablespoons 30 to 60mL) of the prepared Essiac liquid per day, mixed with 2 to 4 tablespoons of boiled water. Take half in the morning and half in the evening on an empty stomach or at least 2 hours after eating.
 
Extra Strength Dosage: Take 4 tablespoons (60mL) up to 3 times daily on an empty stomach, mixed with 4 tablespoons of boiled water.
 
Children: Take 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30mL) prepared Essiac liquid per day, mixed with 1 to 2 tablespoons of boiled water.
 
Important

Consult your health care professional if pregnant, lactating or taking medication.
 
Storage

Store at room temperature in a sealed container away from moisture.

My large dog gets a lot of bacterial ear infections

Dogs have an incredible sense of hearing. To protect their hearing and prevent damage to the ear drum, their ear canals are L-shaped. The problem with this design is that it allows the ears to trap parasites, moisture, debris, and earwax, and any of these can lead to ear infections.

and inflamed feet

Use a bowl for the paws and soak in 50/50 water and vinegar (acetic acid) . There is research that suggests processed foods cause inflamed feet and other conditions. Eliminate toxins with a healthy, all natural diet, homemade or high quality commercial food that does not  contain corn, additives or preservatives.

and a friend suggested feeding him yoghurt

There has been an increase in the use of natural foods and supplements, including yoghurt, to enhance the nutritional balance in dogs. Dogs do need calcium, but overfeeding high-calcium foods can increase bone abnormalities, so if you are considering giving your dog yogurt as an occasional supplement, about 1/4 cup yogurt once or twice a week should be adequate.

As dogs can be extremely sensitive to a variety of sugar substitutes it is important to use only plain, unflavored yogurt, and to check the label to be sure it contains active yogurt cultures (active L. acidophilus). Some people may also use an acidophillus capsule as well. The capsule can be opened and sprinkled on food.

After much googling I’ve discovered that acidophilus and Pau d’arco are very good for keeping things healthy. Would either of these human grade products be harmful for a 65kg dog?

The herb Pau d’arco, is a natural antibiotic that attacks fungi and bacteria and can be used on dogs. At the first sign of infection you can mix equal parts Pau d’arco extract and mineral oil and put several drops in your pet’s ears. Give the drops two or three times a day for several days.
  
I’ve found the Pau d’arco stuff on animal treatment websites but only in powder form, would capsules be better?

Pau d’Arco capsules could be taken internally one to 2 capsules daily with a meal.

Here are some other natural treatments for cleaning the ears and stopping infections.

1. Veterinarians often recommend using vinegar (acetic acid), because it removes dirt and debris and helps restore a healthy chemical balance in the ears. Diluted vinegar (equal parts vinegar and water) , pour a small amount into the ear canal, massage the area, then gently wipe the inside of the ear with a cotton ball. Do this once a day until the ear is better.

2. Wash out the ear carefully with vinegar and alcohol in a 1/1 ratio. After the ear is dry apply mullein and garlic oil to help prevent bacteria reforming. Mullein is found in quite a few ear preparations for dogs.

3. Air out the ears to Increase air circulation inside the ears to control the growth of bacteria, yeast and fungi. Trim or pluck hair inside the ears regularly to allow more air to get inside.

4. If an infection is caused by ear mites, clean wax and other debris from the ears then put a few drops of almond or olive oil in each ear to smother the mites and  allow the infection to heal. Continue the oil treatments for 3-4 weeks, 7 drops of oil into the ear canals each day.

5. Reduce inflammation with Vitamin C. Giving pets vitamin C can help the adrenal glands work more efficiently. Larger dogs can take up 500 milligrams a day. Vitamin C can cause diarrhea, so find an amount that your pet will tolerate. This can reduce the amount of wax that the ears produce, while also helping to boost the immune system.

Ear infections in pets can look and smell awful, but they usually affect only the outer part of the ear. Vigorous scratching can break blood vessels in the earflap, causing the entire ear to swell like a balloon. This condition is called hematoma and must be drained by a veterinarian to prevent permanent damage.

Other symptoms to watch out for include head tilting, clumsiness, walking in circles or drooping eyes. These can be signs of an inner ear infection and need to be treated by a vet.