kevinnader
06-27-2006, 12:03 AM
ugh,
Well back in October I got on an herb kick and begin to take Echinacea,bee pollen,ginger root,ginseng complex,garlic,flaxseed, and couple others. I took a lot of these every day for months. I cant even remember which ones I took more or which ones I took less. I do remember for a while I was taking 6-9 capsules of Echinacea a day along with bee pollen and couple others. Thats what the bottle for Echinacea said. 2-3 capsules 2-3 times a day. Well with time I began to cut out certain kinds since I was havin no luck or feelin better. For instance, from April to May I took B12 every day along with 4 garlic and 2 bee pollen. I have now cut down on bee pollen and now I usually take 4 garlic a day and B12 and Beta carotene. What scares me is the fact that I saw an article that my new acupuncturist wrote on Echinacea and chinese herbs. She said just because its sold over the counter doesnt mean its safe to take. I guess she was saying that you should talk to an acupuncturist first or whatever. I took 6-9 Echinacea daily for weeks and weeks and I dont know how long. I stopped and then I started again for a few weeks back in April.
Im just worried I have damage now or whatever. Whatever damage that is. Im worrying sick over this.
Well back in October I got on an herb kick and begin to take Echinacea,bee pollen,ginger root,ginseng complex,garlic,flaxseed, and couple others. I took a lot of these every day for months. I cant even remember which ones I took more or which ones I took less. I do remember for a while I was taking 6-9 capsules of Echinacea a day along with bee pollen and couple others. Thats what the bottle for Echinacea said. 2-3 capsules 2-3 times a day. Well with time I began to cut out certain kinds since I was havin no luck or feelin better. For instance, from April to May I took B12 every day along with 4 garlic and 2 bee pollen. I have now cut down on bee pollen and now I usually take 4 garlic a day and B12 and Beta carotene. What scares me is the fact that I saw an article that my new acupuncturist wrote on Echinacea and chinese herbs. She said just because its sold over the counter doesnt mean its safe to take. I guess she was saying that you should talk to an acupuncturist first or whatever. I took 6-9 Echinacea daily for weeks and weeks and I dont know how long. I stopped and then I started again for a few weeks back in April.
Im just worried I have damage now or whatever. Whatever damage that is. Im worrying sick over this.
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kevinnader
06-27-2006, 12:08 AM
Here is what her husband who is also an acupuncturist had to say in the article about it.
Parsons also has a problem with some commercial products like SoBe drinks. “Echinacea isn’t something you’re supposed to take all the time. It’s actually an immune system irritant. It has a toxic component, but there’s no warning on there that says you shouldn’t drink a SoBe tea with echinacea more than three days in a row. People go in and out of stores buying them and drinking three or four per day.”
Is he saying its only bad with drinking SoBe tea or whatever?
Parsons also has a problem with some commercial products like SoBe drinks. “Echinacea isn’t something you’re supposed to take all the time. It’s actually an immune system irritant. It has a toxic component, but there’s no warning on there that says you shouldn’t drink a SoBe tea with echinacea more than three days in a row. People go in and out of stores buying them and drinking three or four per day.”
Is he saying its only bad with drinking SoBe tea or whatever?
rhody
06-27-2006, 01:23 AM
I wouldn't be worried about, but it's good that you are concerned. In general natural foods and herbs are safe, but of course with anything we can overdo it.
I used to make many batches of herbal teas, with 10 or so different herbs for years. I think it's been for nearly 20 years. The only problem I had is when I took too many anti-mercury supplements. The combination made me very sick.
But I'm always reading about, and I think we should be aware of any complications. For example, I heard that one shouldn't take too much of licorice herb for too many months. But how much is too much? I don't know. So, I just take the cautious route, and only use a tiny pinch of this herb, and sometimes don't use it for weeks. It helps sweeten up the herbal teas.
Since I had trouble with supplements, I try to stay away from them if I can find them in natural foods. For example, I won't use garlic extract (that was one of my anti-mercury components), but rather use raw garlic instead at times.
I had an interesting experiment with bee pollen once. When I first started taking them one time, my heart kept racing when I just finished my run. I was scared and drank water until 4 am until my heart beat finally settled down. It's well-known that bee pollen can cause some reactions like this. But I persisted and slowly reintroduced bee pollen to my diet. I added them to my natural cereals. I guess what I'm saying in summary, is that we should be cautious, but I don't think you have to worry.
Worrying or anxiety often makes things worse. It's a vicious circle when we are sick. We get sick, we worry, the worry makes us more sick, we worry more.... Finally we say, you're fine...stop worrying. I know because I've been there.
I hope that helps. :)
I used to make many batches of herbal teas, with 10 or so different herbs for years. I think it's been for nearly 20 years. The only problem I had is when I took too many anti-mercury supplements. The combination made me very sick.
But I'm always reading about, and I think we should be aware of any complications. For example, I heard that one shouldn't take too much of licorice herb for too many months. But how much is too much? I don't know. So, I just take the cautious route, and only use a tiny pinch of this herb, and sometimes don't use it for weeks. It helps sweeten up the herbal teas.
Since I had trouble with supplements, I try to stay away from them if I can find them in natural foods. For example, I won't use garlic extract (that was one of my anti-mercury components), but rather use raw garlic instead at times.
I had an interesting experiment with bee pollen once. When I first started taking them one time, my heart kept racing when I just finished my run. I was scared and drank water until 4 am until my heart beat finally settled down. It's well-known that bee pollen can cause some reactions like this. But I persisted and slowly reintroduced bee pollen to my diet. I added them to my natural cereals. I guess what I'm saying in summary, is that we should be cautious, but I don't think you have to worry.
Worrying or anxiety often makes things worse. It's a vicious circle when we are sick. We get sick, we worry, the worry makes us more sick, we worry more.... Finally we say, you're fine...stop worrying. I know because I've been there.
I hope that helps. :)
rhody
06-27-2006, 01:29 AM
Also what you could be doing is writing this all down...take notes (if you aren't doing it already). When we use natural care to help us, we have to do what makes us feel better. I think taking too many things all at once, could make it confusing. It's a scattered approach.
I know what you are going through, because I did this for years experimenting with one thing or another...determined to not live this way with my fibromyalgia symptoms. By writing it down, and analyzing what worked and what did not work, I was able to figure it out and cure myself of something that is supposedly uncureable.
I know what you are going through, because I did this for years experimenting with one thing or another...determined to not live this way with my fibromyalgia symptoms. By writing it down, and analyzing what worked and what did not work, I was able to figure it out and cure myself of something that is supposedly uncureable.
kevinnader
06-27-2006, 01:47 AM
ya well,
I have struggled with this major disorder of my health for 3 years and I havent really felt any worse since I took the herbs. I did get worse in some areas but thats how its been for 3 years. Good months and bad months,good days and bad days,good weeks and bad weeks. My symptoms sound like FMS and GAD both. ugh. specially these fast moving tingly vibrations in my body. Right now they are so bad, I cant stand to lean my head against a couch to rest because my head is throbbin with a pulse and the feelings and crippling feeling vibrations are rushin through my head.
I want to ask my acupuncturist about this whole herbs thing and the echinacea issue,but I am scared she will say I causedc serious damage or whatever...
I have struggled with this major disorder of my health for 3 years and I havent really felt any worse since I took the herbs. I did get worse in some areas but thats how its been for 3 years. Good months and bad months,good days and bad days,good weeks and bad weeks. My symptoms sound like FMS and GAD both. ugh. specially these fast moving tingly vibrations in my body. Right now they are so bad, I cant stand to lean my head against a couch to rest because my head is throbbin with a pulse and the feelings and crippling feeling vibrations are rushin through my head.
I want to ask my acupuncturist about this whole herbs thing and the echinacea issue,but I am scared she will say I causedc serious damage or whatever...
rhody
06-27-2006, 02:03 AM
What I know about herbs, is that it's essential to improve the diet also. The interesting thing about herbs, is sometimes they help us, but we don't know why.
I tried living the pure life, the perfect life...looking at anything that possibly could be causing me harm. Since doctors couldn't help me, I had to go outside of their knowledge. You probably know that I got rid of my mercury fillings more than 10 years ago too. That's when I started with the anti-mercury components.
We can't guarantee anything, but I think you'll be fine (as far as not creating permanent damage with the herbs). That's the reason I mentioned that I took these batches of herbs for about 20 years. Not only did the herbs not hurt me, but I actually feel better when I take more of them to this day. I really like my herbs...they were so slow in healing, but so gentle.
P.S. I had to read more about your pains. Wow, it sounds so serious. Sorry to hear about your troubles. I hope you can figure it out. Have you tried first with an improved diet? Have you seen another physician? Have you eliminated toxins or exposures to toxins? I stopped drinking sodas too. There's too much junk in them. I tried to eliminate any chemicals that could cause problems.
I tried living the pure life, the perfect life...looking at anything that possibly could be causing me harm. Since doctors couldn't help me, I had to go outside of their knowledge. You probably know that I got rid of my mercury fillings more than 10 years ago too. That's when I started with the anti-mercury components.
We can't guarantee anything, but I think you'll be fine (as far as not creating permanent damage with the herbs). That's the reason I mentioned that I took these batches of herbs for about 20 years. Not only did the herbs not hurt me, but I actually feel better when I take more of them to this day. I really like my herbs...they were so slow in healing, but so gentle.
P.S. I had to read more about your pains. Wow, it sounds so serious. Sorry to hear about your troubles. I hope you can figure it out. Have you tried first with an improved diet? Have you seen another physician? Have you eliminated toxins or exposures to toxins? I stopped drinking sodas too. There's too much junk in them. I tried to eliminate any chemicals that could cause problems.
rhody
06-27-2006, 02:24 AM
My fibromyalgia symptoms were headaches, lower back pain, muscle pain near joints after trying to exercise, urinary problems, and occasional chest pains. I had also loose teeth and gum disease. They are mostly gone now. Sometimes the muscle pains return if I overdo it, or for unknown reasons. Even recently the herbs took away some mild pain near where the hip joins the spine on one side. I also have increased eating raw vegetables like brocolli.
Did you have symptoms like that? The chest pains were wierd. Over 20 years ago, I could control them two ways. I found calcium pills helped. And then I would also expand my chest wall as much as I could taking in so much air in my lungs. I had to stretch it so much. In those days, the pain would hurt so much that I thought someone would call an ambulance, if they knew how bad I felt. I used to hide the pain as much as possible.
Did you have symptoms like that? The chest pains were wierd. Over 20 years ago, I could control them two ways. I found calcium pills helped. And then I would also expand my chest wall as much as I could taking in so much air in my lungs. I had to stretch it so much. In those days, the pain would hurt so much that I thought someone would call an ambulance, if they knew how bad I felt. I used to hide the pain as much as possible.
kevinnader
06-27-2006, 03:14 AM
i dont have much pain. I get pain in my shoulders and back and neck,etc a lot but not real bad. I think some of my back pain is from my IBS. The weird thing I have is these moving tingly vibrations in my nervous system! They are so strong. For the last 3 years they've been driving me nuts. I feel them and have them 24/7 ever since 03. In the mornings its worse when I wake up in bed and at times I cant even lean my head back on a couch while watchin tv because the moving tingling vibrations in my head are so strong. its just too uncomfortable. its like my head is overtaken by these fuzzy tingling vibrations. of course they are in my legs and arms too but this is especially annoyin in head.
AFH
06-27-2006, 11:53 AM
I want to ask my acupuncturist about this whole herbs thing and the echinacea issue,but I am scared she will say I causedc serious damage or whatever...
Find a new acupuncturist or Naturopathic practitioner. Nobody seeking answers to their illness should be 'scared' to tell their healer anything.
You need to search for someone that you are comfortable with to tell the honest truth in order to heal properly (mind as well as physically-wise).
Good Luck!
Find a new acupuncturist or Naturopathic practitioner. Nobody seeking answers to their illness should be 'scared' to tell their healer anything.
You need to search for someone that you are comfortable with to tell the honest truth in order to heal properly (mind as well as physically-wise).
Good Luck!
kevinnader
06-27-2006, 09:38 PM
well,
theres so much to tell her when i see her for first time next moinday. i mean i dont know where to start with all my symptoms.
theres so much to tell her when i see her for first time next moinday. i mean i dont know where to start with all my symptoms.
kevinnader
06-28-2006, 09:11 PM
What kind of permanent damage would the herbs have caused in the last 9 months?
rhody
06-28-2006, 11:33 PM
No-one here can really say, as it would depend on the amount, the individual, and other conditions. Remember that even taking too much water can cause damage (that is, extreme amounts).
But what we can say is this. Herbs have been known to be extremely safe. Occasionally, there might be some problems with some people taking a type of herb, and they can no longer be sold. I believe an example of this is Chaparral herb. But I bought some recently, and so it now must be OK.. If any herb is considered even slightly unsafe, responsible agencies will be all over it. So for most of us, there will not be problems. Maybe you can ask your physician. I'd read more about it, as I only can give you general information about this subject.
From what I have read and experienced, when you first take herbs the sickness can get slightly worse. I was patient and waited for this period to pass. I took copious notes, and found the healing was slow...very slow. It took months for any improvement, but there was improvement. That's why I continued with my own herbal therapy, because it helped me where traditional doctors failed.
But what we can say is this. Herbs have been known to be extremely safe. Occasionally, there might be some problems with some people taking a type of herb, and they can no longer be sold. I believe an example of this is Chaparral herb. But I bought some recently, and so it now must be OK.. If any herb is considered even slightly unsafe, responsible agencies will be all over it. So for most of us, there will not be problems. Maybe you can ask your physician. I'd read more about it, as I only can give you general information about this subject.
From what I have read and experienced, when you first take herbs the sickness can get slightly worse. I was patient and waited for this period to pass. I took copious notes, and found the healing was slow...very slow. It took months for any improvement, but there was improvement. That's why I continued with my own herbal therapy, because it helped me where traditional doctors failed.
kevinnader
07-04-2006, 10:28 PM
well,
Im just worried theres damage since I had more "good days" before I started taking the herbs. Dont get me wrong ive had tons of health problems and disorders for the last 3 years but I do remember last September as being one of the best months in a while. In late october I started taking the herbs. I havent had any good months or days since last september basically. dont know if thats chance or what.
Im just worried theres damage since I had more "good days" before I started taking the herbs. Dont get me wrong ive had tons of health problems and disorders for the last 3 years but I do remember last September as being one of the best months in a while. In late october I started taking the herbs. I havent had any good months or days since last september basically. dont know if thats chance or what.