I heard in the news last week that people in the water that doesn’t appear to have oil in it report that it felt oily. Ewwww! I am of course refering to the large spill created by BP that continues to cause damage to our ecosystem.

As an avid reader of the Dr Mercola emails I felt I had to share this with you.

Excerpt taken from Mercola.com

The Health Effects of Oil Dispersing Chemicals

Despite the EPA’s claims that Corexit is safe[vi], there is an abundance of data suggesting otherwise.

According to Carys Mitchelmore, a researcher at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, the detergent-like brew of solvents, surfactants and other compounds are known to cause a variety of health problems in animals, including:[vii]

* Death
* Reduced growth
* Reproductive problems
* Cardiac dysfunction
* Immune suppression
* Altered behavior
* Carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic effects

But it isn’t just marine animals that are impacted by dispersants.

The toxic effects to humans are also well known. The MSDS for Corexit 9527A lists the human health hazard as “acute,” stating[viii]:

“Excessive exposure may cause central nervous system effects, nausea, vomiting, anesthetic or narcotic effects. Excessive exposure to 2-butoxyethanol (an active ingredient) may cause injury to red blood cells (hemolysis), kidney or the liver. Prolonged and/or repeated exposure through inhalation or extensive skin contact with EGBE (2-butoxyethanol) may result in damage to the blood and kidneys.”

Corexit 9527A contains between 30 and 60 percent 2-butoxyethanol by weight, according to the “maddeningly inexact” information obtained by Grist’s Tom Philpott[ix]. Haz-Map reports the following health effects associated with this chemical:

“Severe hemoglobinuria and changes in the lungs, kidneys, and liver are seen in mice after 7-hour lethal concentration studies. Volunteers showed no evidence of adverse effects other than mucous membrane irritation after 8-hour exposures to 200 ppm… For ethylene glycol ethers, there is limited positive evidence of spontaneous abortions and decreased sperm counts in humans and strong positive evidence of birth defects and testicular damage in animals.”

Richard Denison, senior scientist at the Environmental Defense Fund, makes the point2:

“The biggest problem is that the vast majority of testing done on these chemicals is that when it is done, it is at best limited to very short-term, acute toxicity tests. The concern here is not [short-term exposure] nearly as much as longer-term chronic toxicity. The dispersants are going to get diluted, spread out over a large area, and effects they’re likely to exert would be due to relatively long exposures over a long period of time.”

And if you think the dispersant chemicals stay out at sea, consider this.

According to a recent ABC report[x], a “brown slime” has appeared on the shore of a barrier island off the coast of Louisiana. The slime, which was thinner than oil, was determined to be a collection of the dispersant BP has been pumping down into the area around the hemorrhaging oil well.

Related Blogs

• GULF OIL DISPERSANT COREXIT IS 11 TIMES MORE LETHAL THAN OIL | War On You: Breaking Alternative News
• Avoiding Environmental Disaster through Sustainable Accessibility | TheCityFix.com
• Mesothelioma Risk: The Hazard of Asbestos Exposure :MESOTHELIOMA
• RECLAIMING MEDUSA » Blog Archive » Is The Gulf Oil Disaster Compromising Our Reproductive Health?
• Obamacare bombs health care « Don Surber
• Corexit Linked to the Blackstone Group & Lord Jacob Rothschild « Atomic News Review
• Inspiring Examples of Long Exposure Photos
• Will The BP Oil Spill Lead To More Ethanol Subsidies? | The Truth About Cars
• BP Oil Spill Re-Enacted By Cats in 1 Minute | The Big Picture
• Health Care Business Analyst Jobs
• Health & Human Services Blood Safety Committee: Don't Repeal Gay Blood Ban / Queerty
• Secret Ingredients in Corexit Oil Dispersant Are Carcinogenic and Absorbed Through Skin(Great-EPA approved-all you Obama) | Pitts Report
• Environmental Resolutions merges with Cardno – North San Francisco Bay Area, Sonoma, Marin, Napa counties – North Bay Business Journal – Archive
• Oil Spill: Dangers to Human Health : NO QUARTER
• Clean Harbors Environmental Services, Inc., to Pay $150,000 Penalty for Hazardous Waste Issues at Kimball, Neb., Facility
• Research: Major breakthrough will revolutionize the screening and treatment of genetic diseases | BreakThrough Digest Medical News
• Museum Links Evolutionary Biology and Human Health | American Museum of Natural History News
• BP Collateral Damage, Take 2 – Claudia Deutsch – The Bottom Line – True/Slant
• Secondhand Smoke Exposure Ups Risk of Future Psychological Distress | Psych Central News
• “The BP oil spill legal primer”

Our culture is changing forever now that the use of NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) is becoming increasingly wide spread.  I ask the question:  Could NLP eventually become so common that it is used by mental patients not just to treat, but to cure themselves?

I think this is possible.  In fact it may already be taking place albeit in a very small way.

Positron emission tomography image of a human brain

Unlike traditional forms of therapy where childhood events are endlessly discussed as causation for present circumstances NLP is solution focused.  It does not require disclosure of events only discussion of how they are thought about.  Sometimes even less than that.

When properly executed NLP doesn’t foster dependence on the therapist but instead empowers the client by drawing out existing resources they probably didn’t realise they had in themselves.

Because of the ease and speed of training people with no therapeutic backgrounds can deal with serious issues themselves, either helping someone else or helping themselves literally CHANGE THEIR MIND.

I’m not saying I agree they should treat mental health issues – my opinion is that NLP should be integrated into our mainstream treatment systems for the safety of the public which so far it has only occurred to a limited degree.

We have people trained in NLP and nothing else gleefully taking clients for all kinds of issues.

Let’s compare… your average psychologist or psychiatrist has many years of extensive training, clinical supervision, codes of ethics that mean you are fairly safe in terms of exploitation and confidentiality.

*The treatment involves diagnosis using a DSM IV, a manual which will help categorize your symptoms, and also looks at your families mental health issues as well as your childhood.

*The information collected may be gathered elsewhere and by an insurance company somewhere to decline cover, or bump up your premiums (as an example).

*The treatment could take years and if you take psychiatric medication there are some serious side effects to consider.

Alternative Healing with NLP

It is really simple.  With no other training the person using NLP with their clients can’t compete with all the above…….except in ONE key area…..

RESULTS!

Yes, the results accomplished with the use of NLP are fast.  They are permanent (ok, if you really really try hard you can change back, it is your brain).  And seeing someone for treatment with NLP doesn’t go on your insurance record…so they will never know and to be honest if you are properly treated they don’t need to.

Coming up:  More on the use of NLP including training pitfalls, association blunders (I won’t name names…..yet) and devious tactics you should be aware of BEFORE you see someone for NLP.

Blessings,

Keri Eagan

AlternativeHealing*Insight
Photo Credit

What did I pick up from a gay guy? The most fabulous wheatgrass drink ever, ever made!

Actually I saw the recipe on Queer Eye For The Straight Guy a couple of years ago and I still use it. Such a delicious and energy boosting natural alternative. And healing to boot! Now wheatgrass isn’t normally considered appealing unless you happen to be used to the taste. Just like the name says it is a grass so you get the taste of lawn without the daisy.

As in the pic above you can grow you own (or pay $6 a shot from a juice bar – your choice). If you grow your own a mix of 1/3 potting mix, 1/3 peat, and 1/3 soil is ideal. It doesn’t have to be deep. I used to sprinkle a little kelp over the top in the hope this would add more nutrients to the wheatgrass. Not sure it did. Then you water and cover with newspaper until it sprouts about a centimeter (will push up paper). Then remove the paper and place in sunlight (you want the chorophyll that will be produced from having the sunlight shine on it).

Then just take some scissors and snip. Leave a little at the bottom and you should get at least one (possibly two) more cuttings.

Coming soon on Kid's Fear Factor

Wheatgrass on it’s own isn’t what I would call “fun”.  If you are on the lookout for juice you can stomach as an alternative for healing this is great stuff.  Like the Queer Eye Guy’s if you add little raz a mah taz to wheatgrass you’ll love it!

You can always use wheatgrass powder for the same effect.

Juice:

2 Pears (Suggest you remove any waxy coating by peeling – you can eat it but why would you?  Unless you just love wax covered fruit)

1/4 of a Pineapple (fresh really taste better but messy)

A sprig of mint

And last of all add the wheatgrass…..I don’t measure but I think about a decent handful.   This  site is about alternative healing not recipes so those are kind of ball park.  Still you can’t go wrong because if it’s too sweet add more wheatgrass (very strong, so only a little at a time), and if too….grassy….add more pineapple.  You will find the resulting mixture very satisfing to drink and is a great pick me up much better for you than those ridiculous (and IMHO dangerous) energy drinks.

It’s funny to see kids faces when they see the green froth being offered to them, but they pleasantly surprised it if they pluck up the courage to try.  Green is a powerful anchor.

Blessings,

Keri Eagan
Alternative*Insight

Top Photo Credit

Lower Photo Credit

If you aren’t familiar with clove oil yet just imagine the grinding of a dentists drill.  Ahh, the memories!  Surprisingly I quite like the smell in moderation.

Clove oil has been used historically for tooth aches but there are many other uses as a natural alternative for healing.

For example it is HIGHLY effective for mould.  I moved into a house with the constant smell of mould lingering in the pantry.  I wiped it out with salty water, vinegar, and whatever.  Nothing worked….until I remembered about clove oil and brought a bottle.  About a 1/4 teaspoon in a one litre spray pack well mixed, sprayed on the surfaces of the pantry, and volia!  My house smelled festive for days.

Of course if you suffer from mould related health issues this can be is a Godsend.

Not only used for pain killing this handy little alternative healing oil is also has antiseptic and antiparasitic qualities.  It can be used for cleaning and numbing cuts.

As always care needs to be taken with use.  Clove oil can cause an allergic reaction when applied topically so is diluted with vegetable oil (one drop to four ounces of oil) and can be poisonous if consumed in a large dose.

There are a variety of people who should avoid using clove oil including, but not limited to pregnant women, people with liver or kidney disease, so make sure you check out the risk before buying any.

Blessings,

Keri Eagan
Alternative*Insight
Photo Credit

Don’t get scared…

Get prepared!

With the coming onset of winter be prepared for the cold and ‘flu season.

Pharmacy treatments can be expensive ESPECIALLY if you happen to have a family look after.  And let’s not forget the hassle of getting there in the first place.

Then there’s the cost of time off work.  Can anybody afford that in this economy?

The natural remedies for cold and ‘flu don’t have the dangerous side effects of strong drugs and hastily manufactured vaccines.

37 different remedies collected over many years and passed from one generation to the next including a super clever New Zealand idea for utilizing the antiviral, antibacterial, and healing properties that only fresh garlic(or it’s expensive to manufacture equivalent) has, a method most people have never heard of before.

By having this information on had you have an entire arsenal to combat those winter ills.

Blessings,

Keri Eagan

Alternative*Insight
Photo Credit

This year Kevin Hogan and friends offer a Christmas bonus ahead of time. Yes, I do know it isn’t Christmas on November 2nd, but if you purchase Kevin’s new book 168 Hour Week on that day you could be forgiven for thinking the season has arrived.  In an exclusive offer Kevin presents to you the opportunity to access bonus material worth $2500+

Most people specialise in the non-production of time. That is they are frequently too busy to make time for anything of real value to them.

You may have noticed that there are some problems with the time management and goal setting books out there. If you spent money, primed yourself for change, WROTE the goal down and had only partial success then this is the book you’ve been waiting for…..

This book is the formula to having life with meaning. Living other people’s lives isn’t fun.  At it’s worst it’s soul sucking date with satan.  Not your favourite guy in red.

Not only does 168Hour Week provide extreme value for money but if you make your purchase on the day of the promotion you can access additional bonus material.  If you purchase one book on November 2nd, this has to be it then this is for you.

After purchase you can take your receipt to www.kevinhogan.com and pick up a couple of thousand dollars worth of bonus material. Just be aware that to be eligible for all those goodies you MUST make you purchase on November 2nd, not before, not after.

I’m certain you will be glad you did.

Blessings,
Keri Eagan

I notice a book sitting on the table with some goofy looking guy holding a half full martini glass with a ridiculous grin on his face.  At a healing retreat you find all kinds of unique info.  As it happens the book was all about urine which is what is (presumably) swirling in place of actual gin.  I don’t recall any olive.
Urine for a surprise at that party ….  Ok.  Ahem.  Back to the alternative natural healing retreat.

Many years ago there was only one main brand of bottle water, and since we were detoxing everyone carried a bottle around.  And some of those had a suspicious yellow tinge.  Best not to look too close I thought.  Made sure my generic looking bottle was WELL marked lest there be a mix up.

Apparently the couple running the show had been using urine for years as part of their alternative medicine healing.  Every day in fact.  As it happens one of them ended up very ill and took up the practice in desperation.  He explained that the body self corrects and just “knows”.  A little too vague for me to give it a go however.  And now…. the moment has passed for me to try this altnernative medicine.  Healing for me isn’t life or death at the moment.

I did ask him about breath smell (I gotta know about things like that) and he said you couldn’t tell and went on to mention how they use it on skin.  I kept my distance from everyone just in case.  I’m curious, just not THAT curious.  No need to tempt fate is there?

Thus ended my adventure into this form of alternative medicine. Healing for me isn’t that extreme just yet.

It isn’t recommended that urine drinking be combined with alcohol or drug consumption including.

Make sure you research properly before trying it especially if you are pregnant or currently have a junk food diet.

The thing is that there are many stories around about how drinking your own urine (yes, has to be your own) can heal you when all else fails.  And there are even more stories that circulate many of which include urine faithfully applied to skin conditions.  Interesting.

Not only is urine sterile, but it is overflowing with nutrients.  This is because unused nutrients pass through urine, while waste products are defecated and exhaled.

Remember the episode of Black Adder titled “Potato”?  They are meant to travel to the Cape of Good Hope and end up utterly lost.  To survive they drink there own urine.  This left a lasting impression in my mind about survival.

If nothing else it is interesting to consider intellectually what this form of alternative natural healing can do for you.

In Basic and Clinical Immunology (1982) Dr William Linscott showed that when antigen receptors (white blood cells that are now attacking what they shouldn’t) are reintroduced into your body the body will create antibodies to them.  Good to know because if nothing else worked I’d get over my initial reaction and give this a try.  I think I’d have to be fairly sick first.

If you are interested in looking further into this form of alternative healing urine luck because there are a selection of titles available  (oh the fun they would have had thinking these up)…

* The Water of Life

* The Golden fountain

* Your Own Perfect Medicine

* Shivambu Gita Holy Water Therapy

Blessings,

Keri Eagan
Alternative*Insight

Rob asked who do Maori pray to when collecting herbs for healing.  The answer is generally the prayers are to give thanks and acknowledgement that we are the guardians of the land, and they generally go to God, and/or Papatuanuku and Ranginui.

Tane Mahuta, "Lord of the Forest" stands over 50M. Often people comment about the spiritual vibe around the tree

We still see the influence of missionaries that came to early New Zealand.  The spiritual side has it’s own type of alternative medicine.  Healing anything always incorporates a spiritual aspect with Maori.  Always.

Legend has it that Papatuanuku, mother earth came together with Ranginui, the sky father and embraced in the darkness before creation or Te Kore (the nothingness).  After being locked in eternal darkness between them, their children finally pushed them apart.

Maori see themselves as guardians not owners of nature and land.  This cultural difference has caused many unnecessary disputes about land rights that still continue to this day.  The alternative natural healing they use has a strong connection with the land and nature.

Darryl asked can you eat Manuka Honey.  Yes you can use it like any other honey.   You may find the cost a deterrent to trying it, of course in NZ it is much closer to price to regular honey worth only about a dollar more for the same size jar.  In Cornwall it is sold for £55 a jar.  Yikes!  Pricey toast.

It does have those proven medicinal qualities that occur when bees gather pollen from the Manuka bush.  Not all Manuka honey is “active” meaning that it has enzymes that create chemical reactions in the honey.  To find some look for the UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) which is found on medical grade (!) honey.

UMF branded honey provides one more alternative in natural healing.

Blessings,

Keri Eagan
Alternative*Insight
Photo Credit

I willfully forked out over $80 bucks for a chunk of salt.  At the time I reasoned that it would be good for the atmosphere in my home and enhance the atmosphere in my alternative medicine healing room.  Also we had a room which never saw much sun and was a little damp so it was intended that the lamp would help by drying out the air.

Salt lamps in a market. Impressive in a group aren't they?

As part of the marketing pitch they tell you that the salt lamp emits negative ions – touted as the vitamins of the air.

When I got the thing home I plugged it in right away.  In my bedroom – mistake #1.  Sleeping in the same room, even a large one like mine will cause you to wake up dehydrated.  Duh!  Salt is hydroscopic so draws moisture away.
After only three weeks I had to replace the bulb.  Which I did.  Then a couple of weeks after that.  Then again.  And again….. finally I figured out the best bulb to use is an OVEN BULB because they are rated for thousands of hours and designed to be replaced after a longer time period.

The other issue was during the hassle of finding a replacement bulb, if I forgot the lamp would melt.  This occurred even when I wrapped it up in cling wrap (although the melt was much slower).  I’ve had the thing for over five years now.  Although it did say to wrap it in the instructions I would occasionally forget.  In the dampest room of my home if the bulb blew during the night it would have begun to melt by morning.

Argh!  My beautiful lamp!  So now they are becoming more available, do keep those points in mind.  Especially if you are moving a long distance because this is always problematic.  Silica packets aren’t enough (you can find these in new shoes or inside vitamins as they are there to absorb moisture) so you will need an alternative.  Natural healing of your environment using salt lamps is still cool,  it’s just you either have to devise a way of keeping them warm or vacuum sealed which may or may not solve the melting issue.

Pretty though aren’t they?

Blessings,

Keri Eagan
Alternative*Insight
Photo Credit

Just a quick note highlighting the valuable work of Anne Godfrey.  Music is a little loud, but info still carries.  If you check out the middle piece you can see the alternative natural healing of agnihotra taking place.  (See, I’m not alone!)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4q-_LJ3Nfg[/youtube]

Executive summary: Anne Godfrey is an Australian based in India. She witnessed the suffering of Indian women. Another Indian woman from a nearby village was holding mass meditation meetings. Anne’s website rosecircles.com sells rose related products made by the women to empower them when they have little other alternative.  Natural healing occurs when women from all over the globe to support this project by purchasing the products and forming their own healing circle of women.

The suggested day for the women to meet is Thursday – what is it about Thursdays?  Must be a good day for alternative healing – therapy all over the world.

Blessings,

Keri Eagan
Alternative*Insight