For comments please feel free to leave a comment on the comments page or email Easter Stepper, MH at steppercrew@yahoo.com
(The information contained in this article is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of a health care professional)
The Miracle of Vinegar
Written by Easter Stepper, MH
Every family has natural remedies that they use, passing these tidbits of information down to anyone who will listen. My dad used to tell me that if I wanted my food to digest better, I should stir a spoonful of vinegar and a spoonful of honey into a glass of warm water and drink it about fifteen minutes before each meal. “Yeah, yeah,” I would think to myself, smiling at him indulgently. Well, you know what? He was right! But it just gets better and better. In fact, as far as I’m concerned, vinegar is one of the most miraculous liquids on the planet! (And that water/vinegar/honey concoction? It has become one of my favorite drinks!)
The Right Stuff
But let me clarify something first. The vinegar that I’m talking about is not the distilled vinegar that you find on the grocer’s shelf. That vinegar has been processed, and the type of acid it contains can actually be harmful to your health. When I say vinegar, I mean raw, unprocessed apple cider vinegar. This variety may cost a little more, and you might have to venture to a health food store to find it, but it is well worth the time and money. Fermented from fresh, organic apples, raw apple cider vinegar (ACV) retains an abundance of enzymes, vitamins, and minerals, making it one of the healthiest substances you can use!
Benefits for Your Bod
To start with, ACV is an excellent organic source of potassium, which our bodies crave for proper cell, tissue, and organism growth. According to the late Dr. Norman Walker, vinegar’s extraordinary potassium content is also invaluable in “building and storing body reserves and to help the system to achieve harmony and calm.” My ears definitely perked up at hearing that (especially since Dr. Walker ended up living to the estimated age of 117).
Another benefit of this marvelous brew is that it provides the body with the nutrients it needs in order to more efficiently digest fatty foods and properly metabolize proteins, fats, and minerals. In this way the nutrients we take in will be available to our bodies in the form of energy rather than being stored as fat. Who couldn’t use more energy and less fat? Other conditions that are improved by using vinegar internally include sore throats, coughs, stiff joints, arthritis, high blood pressure, and allergies.
Too Much Acid?
Not so! Oddly enough, even though vinegar is acidic, the malic and tartaric acids it contains will actually bring the body’s acid levels into balance, no matter which way they are off-kilter. These acids also help to keep unfriendly digestive bacteria under control, which can be a major cause of indigestion and even ulcers. Speaking of acid, some people claim that vinegar is damaging to the enamel of the teeth. When I questioned the director of the School of Natural Healing, David Christopher, about this, he replied, “Well, I suppose it could cause problems—if you soaked cotton balls in vinegar and applied them to your teeth!” In other words, use common sense. If this is a concern for you, just make sure that you don’t take all day to finish your vinegar/honey/water cocktail. Instead, try to get it down in about fifteen minutes; then rinse your mouth.
Vinegar’s healthy acids save the day on the outside of the body as well. You see, washing with soap removes our body’s natural acid mantle, which is responsible for protecting our skin from the environment. It can take up to an hour for this acid covering to be replenished. Why not give your body a helping hand? After washing your face, fill the sink with hot-as-you-can-stand-it water to which a couple tablespoonfuls of vinegar have been added. Splash this vinegar-infused water on your face for about a minute to enjoy smoother, clearer skin. For “squeaky-clean” longer hair, try filling a large cup with water plus a tablespoon of vinegar to use as a final rinse after shampooing. Rinse with clear water once more and you’re done! Or, if you’re in the shower, simply dump the vinegar water over your head before stepping under the spray for a final rinse-off. Your hair and skin will thank you for it.
Personal Testimony
Speaking of skin, one of my boys had a problem a few years ago with what appeared to be a fungus on the bottoms of his feet. Not only was it thick-ish and unsightly, but the odor was unsociable, to say the least. We tried a couple of remedies, including garlic oil, to no avail. Finally we thought to give apple cider vinegar a try. After applying it morning and night for a little over a week, voila! No more fungus! Yeast infections, toenail fungus, sunburn, athlete’s foot, and acne also respond well to applications of ACV.
You’ve probably realized by now that vinegar is worth looking into. In fact, these ideas are just the tip of the iceberg. After you do a little investigating, I’m pretty sure that you’ll be adding apple cider vinegar to your own list of family remedies. When you do, be sure to zip us an email with your success stories. We’d love to pass them on!
Time to Come Clean!
Written by Easter Stepper, MH
Some people like simplicity. For instance, upon finding out I’m a student of natural healing a person might be tempted to ask me, “If you could tell me just one thing that would make me healthier, what would it be?” More often than not they would expect me to tell them to eat more veggies or drink more water (both good habits to cultivate). But if I had to pick just one answer, I would have to tell them, “Get your colon cleaned out!” It might not be what people want to hear, but it’s just good old-fashioned common sense.
Clean Out My What?
The fact is there are two simple functions that every living creature has to be able to perform in order to survive on this planet: take in nutrition and get rid of waste.
Needing nutrition is a no-brainer, but many people don’t realize how important it is for our bodies to be able to rid themselves of garbage. Of the four main ways we do that—through our skin, lungs, kidneys, and colon—the colon is the nastiest, hence the most easily ignored. But to do so is a big mistake.
You see, our colon (or large intestine) is our body’s last chance to absorb nutrients from the foods we eat. However, after years of eating meals fashioned from white flour, dairy products, and red meat, most people are walking around with literally pounds of sticky, partially-digested food glued to the walls of their colon, clogging and misshaping it. How are we supposed to absorb nutrients when that happens?
Heidi Pobran, a third-generation certified colon hydrotherapist at Coeur d’Alene’s Colon Cleanse and Detox Center, agrees. She states, “You can eat all the vegetables and fruits and all the herbs you can get—and all of it organic—but if you’re all clogged up, your body isn’t going to be able to absorb the nutrients.”
And, as if that isn’t bad enough, according to the information at www.tuberose.com, this pasty waste in your colon “begins to decay, releasing toxins and poisonous gases that seep out into the blood and poison all the organs and tissues.” These toxins can contribute to body odor, skin disorders, headaches, and fatigue, to name only a few.
There’s Hope
But there is hope, even for the most clogged-up among us. One option is to visit your favorite health food store to peruse the array of colon cleansers and kits, and there are quite a few reputable ones to choose from. With a little help from a knowledgeable employee you should be able to find one that suits your particular needs.
A few words of caution: Stay away from over-the-counter laxatives. They contain undesirable chemicals and can be habit-forming. Instead, choose an herbal formula that will nourish the muscles of your colon so that they will work more efficiently on their own. Then start out slowly, and be sure to drink plenty of water during your cleanse. Also, be aware that as the old, dry waste begins to loosen you may experience a temporary increase in constipation as your colon works to eliminate it. Don’t give up. Listen to your body. Drink more water, work some moderate exercise into your schedule, and be patient.
If you’re not a particularly patient person, or you would like a little more help with the process, another suggestion would be to visit a colon hydrotherapy clinic such as the aforementioned Colon Cleanse and Detox Center. I gave it a try and found it to be not nearly as unpleasant as I had imagined. In fact, it felt very empowering to know that I was taking a proactive step toward a healthier me.
Again, no matter how you go about it, patience is the key. It takes years to build up a clogged colon; unclogging it may take a little time. But once that colon is in tiptop shape your body will thank you with a flatter stomach, a more radiant complexion, and a lighter step!
Winter’s Best Remedy
Written by Easter Stepper, MH
An Old English proverb states, “Onion skins very thin; mild the winter coming in. Onion skins thick and tuff, coming winter cold and ruff.” Interesting. I haven’t had a chance to test the accuracy of that statement, but there is one thing I know for sure: Onions are an excellent way to keep yourself and your loved ones much healthier, no matter what season it happens to be!
Onion Facts
What’s so hot about onions? Well, aside from the obvious, it happens to be a family thing. Onions belong to the allium family (a sister to garlic and leeks) and have been a part of healthy diets since ancient times. In fact, a wonderful book I found—called Stinky and Stringy, Stem and Bulb Vegetables, written by Meredith Sayles Hughes—states that as far back as 2600 B.C. sailors from Egypt, Greece, and Phoenicia made sure to supply their ships with plenty of onions in order to prevent scurvy.
Besides the generous amount of Vitamin C tucked into those layers, www.associatedcontent.com claims that a naturally occurring chemical in onions called quercetin helps to prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease. Quercetin, along with sulphides, also makes this zesty veggie a top notch choice for battling infections.
Recipes and Tips
Bright Spirit, president of Fresh Abundance—a Spokane grocery outlet which specializes in local and organic foods—couldn’t agree more. She also offered, “The biggest thing I use onions for is drawing infection out of sores and drawing out slivers.” Bright Spirit explained that she minces the onion and applies it as a poultice, holding it in place with a bandage.
Speaking of infection, one mom gave another very practical use for our globular friend: Cut an onion in half, placing one of the halves in a small saucepan. After adding about an inch of water, cover the pot and low-heat the onion just until it is nice and warm throughout. (You don’t want to actually cook it.) Then wrap the onion half in a layer or two of paper towels and hold the cut side to the infected ear. She claims that it is very effective in drawing out infection and relieving pain. What could be easier than that?
I’m glad you asked! The following super simple recipe is sure to make you a diehard onion fan: Chop up a yellow onion and place it in a medium saucepan. Pour on honey, just to cover. This time you want to cook the onion until it is transparent, but be sure to use a low heat. When it is done, strain the liquid and keep it in the fridge in a covered jar. (Oh, and be sure to label the jar; you don’t want someone to accidentally use it for pancake syrup!) Taking this sticky, golden liquid by the spoonful will effectively break up phlegm and cut a nasty, tickly cough.
Another congestion-buster, that can even be used on infants, is to soften a chopped onion in the oven until warmed through. Fold the pieces into a dry, clean cloth and lay it across the chest, holding it in place with an Ace bandage. Be sure that it is only warm, not hot. If possible, also place a thick towel over the top of the bandage in order to hold in the warmth and increase the effectiveness of the poultice. This has been used for years to break up thick phlegm.
Many of us enjoy the rich, pungent flavor of onions on almost a daily basis. Isn’t it nice to know that we’re doing ourselves a favor with each succulent mouthful we munch? Maybe even you not-so-crazy-about-onions people will think about giving them a try after reading how good they are for you. And even if you decide to pass, you now have other uses that don’t involve actually tasting. There’s more than one way to skin an onion!
Portions of this article first appeared in the December ‘08/January ‘09 issue of Eve, A Magazine for Women.
Epsoms Salt, an Old Fashioned Wonder
Written by Easter Stepper, MH
What did our grandmothers do when their backs ached from putting their gardens to bed for the winter? How did they handle Grandpa’s ingrown toenails or their kids’ constipation? What if someone got an insect bite or a splinter? Oddly enough, Grandma had one simple remedy for all these dilemmas: magnesium sulphate, better known as Epsom salt.
Named for the town of Epsom, England, one of the first places it was discovered (back in Shakespeare’s time), Epsom salt continues to enjoy great popularity in and out of natural healing circles. Back in the day no one needed to know why it worked: they were just happy that it did. Nowadays, medical science can shine some light on the whys and wherefores of these pretty white crystals that no home should be without.
For starters, according to the Epsom Salt Industry Council, “Magnesium is the second-most abundant element in human cells . . . and performs more functions in more systems of the human body than virtually any other mineral.” We need the proper amount of magnesium in order to effectively absorb calcium; to handle stress; for proper muscle, nerve, and enzyme function; and to maintain circulatory health. Research also indicates that magnesium may reduce pain and inflammation.
While magnesium supplements are an option, it has been found that many factors—including foods, drugs, and medical conditions—can inhibit its absorption. However, all the subjects involved in the study experienced increased levels of magnesium from simply soaking in an Epsom salt-enriched bath.
Joel M. Green, a licensed massage practitioner associated with West Plains Chiropractic, also utilizes soaking for his patients who are experiencing pain and inflammation. He suggests that they soak for 10 to 15 minutes in a hot bath to which about 2 cups of Epsom salt has been added. Once out of the bath they drink a tall glass of water and go directly to bed. As they rest, their body will continue to circulate fresh blood to the area and flush toxins out, decreasing the pain and inflammation while accelerating healing. (Joel stressed that going to bed immediately is crucial to the healing process.) Three to four consecutive nights’ baths have been found to bring marked improvement.
Even if back pain was the only thing it was good for, Epsom salt would rate a gold star in my book; but backs are just the beginning! Epsom salt has been used to improve nerve function, to flush toxins and heavy metals from the body, and as a therapy for respiratory ailments. Tired, sore feet will say “Ahh!” after being soaked in a tub of hot water containing a cup of the crystals. Used according to package directions, Epsom salt can even be used for constipation relief. Personally, our family has used it in tubs of hot-as-you-can-stand-it water to heal infected ingrown toenails. Historically, Epsom salt has also been used for hundreds of years as a skin softener. Mixing a bit with your favorite shampoo will insure that all traces of oil and dirt will be washed away, leaving your hair “squeaky clean.” To exfoliate wasted skin cells, use handfuls of Epsom salt in the shower. Rub it into your skin with a circular motion, starting from the legs and moving upwards. Rinse and enjoy your softer, smoother skin. Any way you look at it, Epsom salt is worth a try: the therapies couldn’t be easier, and to top it off, Epsom salt is CHEAP.
Please be sure to check with your health care provider before beginning any new therapies; then check out the Epsom Salt Industry Council’s website. Another good website can be found by googling care2greenliving. Once on this site, search for Epsom salt. Both sites provide in-depth information and helpful recipes. After that, you may want to take another look in your grandma’s medicine chest. Who knows what other goodies you might find!
This article first appeared in the October/November 2007 issue of Eve, A Magazine for Women.
