Guest guest Posted January 7, 2008 Report Share Posted January 7, 2008 Well, howdy folks! I'm 'a commin' out of lurk mode to introduce myself. I'm Rivkah, a 28 year old mother of two kids, one daughter who is just.like.me. (in mom's voice, to boot!) who will be 3 in just a few weeks and a little boy who just turned 1. I grew up in Ohio (4 dead in O-hi-o...there's your trivia for the day) and lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for about 6 years before, ultimately, moving to Israel with my husband, who is, incidentially, Israeli. I am what you might call an Orthodox Jew...which puts me on a rather broad spectrum, I'm sure, but essentially it's a little bit of this...conservative on one issue, liberal on the other. A good mismatch of hard to defineness...that sort of thing. For a while there I was a practicing Wiccan. A monotheist Wiccan, to be sure, so it wasn't a big leap from my Jewish/Christian upbringing. This is where I began to learn a bit about oils and herbs, the latter for which I had no interest, until I was diagnosed with Endometriosis some 10 years ago. Then I began to study food as medicine and " alternative " ways of healing. Which brings me to the present day. I guess you could say I'm a pretty cruncy mom and wife. We don't vax the kids, use cloth diapers, I'm home with them, we don't really have a crib or stroller. No bottles or pacifiers. And we are vegetarian (though half the family eats kosher fish). I'm active on a couple of boards for like minded folk, but had yet to find a group of people from which I could learn the arts of oils and herbs...until now. Basically, I had been teachign myself alternative/complimentary medicine after the kids went to bed. I decided I wanted to step up my study of the aformentioned arts and stumbled upon this group, and I'm so glad I did. I have been learning worlds of information from Butch and the rest of the gang and have just been LOVING the discussion. I can't write much, because the kids usually wake for nursing or whatever little kids wake from and that keeps me away from the computer more than I am on it, but I DO follow what is going on and even talk out loud to some of you as I read your responses. Yes, I know that you can't hear me... Until now. At any rate, there is my long introduction. Do'nt know when you'll be hearing so much from me again but if you have any questions I'd be happy to answer. Now, for my questions to you... My mother is coming to visit and meet her grandson for the first time (lord it's been too long since I've seen my mother. I miss her!) and I would like her to bring some oils for me. Chamomile is on the top of my list...as a third of an ounce (10ml) here in Israel runs me around $30 and I have no idea of the quality or shelf life so am reluctant to buy, espically since I use so infrequently. Mainly, I use it for healing. I have an oil I made, intuitively, before I knew the first thing about oils, as a belly rub for me and then a diaper rash/all purpose healing oil for the children from chamomile and lavendar in a sweet almond oil carrier. That lasts an awful long time and is extremly effective in healing all forms of excema/dry skin/ rash/ cut/ bruise/ you name it that the kids could have. In the USA, I just ran out to Whole Foods and picked up Wyndmere's Chamomile Roman (in Jojoba)(antheis nobilis) from England and their Lavender (lavandula angustifolium) from France. They have lasted, literally, YEARS (though the chamomile, I think, is turing rancid, though there is really only a drop or two left, so its hard to tell). Anyways, at this point I would like to know a bit more about which of these oils is the " best bang for my buck " espically considering that money is quite tight and we are working off the local currency and not US Dollars, which makes this even more of a challenge. Also, as far as carrier oils, should I be trying something new? Are there any contraindications of certain carrier oils to children or pregnant women (for example, how about sesame seed oil or apricot or grape...) and which " keep " the longest or preserve the best. ALso, why is it impossible to find a chamomile not in jojoba oil? I understand that jojoba is a preservative? Vit E? Could someone clarify? Also, does anyone know anything about the company " Pure Oil " that is commonly sold in Israel? As far as an herbal " bitters " , any suggestions? My dh (dear husband) has got such a sensitive stomach and I think this might help him. He's also got a motion sickness issue that has intensified with age (he's only 30!!!) but now it's pretty serious. As in, if he's in the passengers seat he gets car sick and a plane ride sets him back for WEEKS!!! Any thoughts on this other than ginger or an acupressure bracelet (which we haven't tried, but are aware of)? Also, I have been looking for an herbal birth control for a group of ladies, and have not been able to find one. Only references to Neem Oil (which is not sold to the general public here in Israel) and carrot seed, though I have no idea of dosage or contraindications. I am not looking for an abortifacient, just something that alters the ph a bit and prevents conception. Herbs for either a man or woman are fine. Also, looking for anyone who has treated so called " vaccine preventable diseases " with herbs/oils and would care to comment on their treatment, for those of us who would like to be " in the know " . And finally, I am wondering which books on the " wise woman " or " kitchen witch " or " native traditions " (read: NOT TC(or I)M (Traditional Chinese or Indian Medicine) any of you might recommend. It's not that I don't have a deep and profound respect for TC/IM but It just doesn't speak to me in the way that your run of the mill native/wise woman traditions do. Mom leaves in about a month, so the faster I can get everything to her house the better the chance I'll actually have it when she comes. Thank you to EVERYONE for sharing their knowledge...and themselves with the rest of us. Rivkah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 4, 2008 Report Share Posted February 4, 2008 Hey Rivkah! I should introduce myself as well. I'm Christine. I'm 32 years old. I've grown up in and around the Cleveland area and currently stay in Akron, where I've lived in and out of since 1997. I started on the pagan path around 1998, when I became interested in essential oils and massage after learning that they could help with weight loss. The first book I ever bought on the topic is " Neal's Yard Remedies: Essential Oils " by Susan Curtis. I started learning self massage techniques to reduce cellulite when I finally stabilized at a size 8, down from a 16, and overweight most of my life. In 1998, I met a massage therapist and healer from Akron who inspired me to learn a little more. At the time I was living with a young man that worked for the Mustard Seed, so I began learning about natural foods as well. I picked up the book called " Healing Teas " by I studied Reiki and Massage under my new friend. She also took me to some neo-pagan festivals where I got the opportunity to learn about traditional world religions, beliefs, spirituality, and practices. In 2003 I enrolled in Ohio College of Massotherapy, to get an associate degree in massage therapy. I graduated in 2005, and got my state license that summer. Since 1998, I have done various workshops and personal study (and testing) on Reiki, Neuromuscular Therapy, Myofascial Release, Massage techniques for Pathologies and disease, Qi Kung, Yoga, Reflexology, Shiatsu, Food Medicine, Herbal Medicine, Detox Diets, Supplements, Anatomy & Physiology, Essential Oils, Healing Stones, Sound Vibrational Healing, Trance and Ecstatic Dancing, I spent last winter studying agriculture, botany, composting, herb and vegetable gardening, biodynamic methods, and companion planting so I could start a successful organic herb, perenial, and vegetable garden for myself in my backyard. I didn't buy any salad greens all last summer, and ate about 2 a day out of my little patch. This years garden is underway with seedlings that are germinating in the next room. I'm currently starting to learn about sprouting, as I had about 10 people at the store ask me about it over the weekend, and I forgot how much I love Mung Beans! To help pay for the student loans, I began doing part time catering jobs for the Mustard Seed right at the time I was finishing massage school. Nowadays, I'm in charge of the concert catering department for the store, which is a seasonal job that allows me the time to have a small private massage practice. Soooo, here I am. My neighbor Nika, formerly from Moscow, got me interested in the group, and it has been interesting reads! I've added a few notes to your post Rivkah, where I thought they would make the most sense. Cheers! Christine in Akorn. , " rivkah511 " <wokeupwise wrote: > > Well, howdy folks! I'm 'a commin' out of lurk mode to introduce > myself. > > I'm Rivkah, a 28 year old mother of two kids, one daughter who is > just.like.me. (in mom's voice, to boot!) who will be 3 in just a few > weeks and a little boy who just turned 1. > She is from Kent! > I grew up in Ohio (4 dead in O-hi-o...there's your trivia for the > day) and lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for about 6 years > before, ultimately, moving to Israel with my husband, who is, > incidentially, Israeli. > > I am what you might call an Orthodox Jew...which puts me on a rather > broad spectrum, I'm sure, but essentially it's a little bit of > this...conservative on one issue, liberal on the other. A good > mismatch of hard to defineness...that sort of thing. > > For a while there I was a practicing Wiccan. A monotheist Wiccan, to > be sure, so it wasn't a big leap from my Jewish/Christian upbringing. After learning Reiki, I'm tempted to believe that there is nothing larger to pray to than the Universe. However, I could not say that I do not consider the Moon, Sun, Earth, and constellations deities themselves. And not too mention the energy patterns that have been laid down by my ancestors. > This is where I began to learn a bit about oils and herbs, the latter > for which I had no interest, until I was diagnosed with Endometriosis > some 10 years ago. > > Then I began to study food as medicine and " alternative " ways of > healing. > > Which brings me to the present day. > > I guess you could say I'm a pretty cruncy mom and wife. We don't vax > the kids, use cloth diapers, I'm home with them, we don't really have > a crib or stroller. No bottles or pacifiers. And we are vegetarian > (though half the family eats kosher fish). > > I'm active on a couple of boards for like minded folk, but had yet to > find a group of people from which I could learn the arts of oils and > herbs...until now. > > Basically, I had been teachign myself alternative/complimentary > medicine after the kids went to bed. I decided I wanted to step up my > study of the aformentioned arts and stumbled upon this group, and I'm > so glad I did. I have been learning worlds of information from Butch > and the rest of the gang and have just been LOVING the discussion. I > can't write much, because the kids usually wake for nursing or > whatever little kids wake from and that keeps me away from the > computer more than I am on it, but I DO follow what is going on and > even talk out loud to some of you as I read your responses. > > Yes, I know that you can't hear me... > > Until now. > > At any rate, there is my long introduction. Do'nt know when you'll be > hearing so much from me again but if you have any questions I'd be > happy to answer. > > Now, for my questions to you... > > My mother is coming to visit and meet her grandson for the first time > (lord it's been too long since I've seen my mother. I miss her!) and > I would like her to bring some oils for me. Chamomile is on the top > of my list...as a third of an ounce (10ml) here in Israel runs me > around $30 and I have no idea of the quality or shelf life so am > reluctant to buy, espically since I use so infrequently. > > Mainly, I use it for healing. I have an oil I made, intuitively, > before I knew the first thing about oils, as a belly rub for me and > then a diaper rash/all purpose healing oil for the children from > chamomile and lavendar in a sweet almond oil carrier. That lasts an > awful long time and is extremly effective in healing all forms of > excema/dry skin/ rash/ cut/ bruise/ you name it that the kids could > have. In the USA, I just ran out to Whole Foods and picked up > Wyndmere's Chamomile Roman (in Jojoba)(antheis nobilis) from England > and their Lavender (lavandula angustifolium) from France. They have > lasted, literally, YEARS (though the chamomile, I think, is turing > rancid, though there is really only a drop or two left, so its hard > to tell). > > Anyways, at this point I would like to know a bit more about which of > these oils is the " best bang for my buck " espically considering that > money is quite tight and we are working off the local currency and > not US Dollars, which makes this even more of a challenge. Also, as > far as carrier oils, should I be trying something new? Are there any > contraindications of certain carrier oils to children or pregnant > women (for example, how about sesame seed oil or apricot or grape...) > and which " keep " the longest or preserve the best. ALso, why is it > impossible to find a chamomile not in jojoba oil? I understand that > jojoba is a preservative? Vit E? Could someone clarify? > > Also, does anyone know anything about the company " Pure Oil " that is > commonly sold in Israel? > > As far as an herbal " bitters " , any suggestions? My dh (dear husband) > has got such a sensitive stomach and I think this might help him. > He's also got a motion sickness issue that has intensified with age > (he's only 30!!!) but now it's pretty serious. As in, if he's in the > passengers seat he gets car sick and a plane ride sets him back for > WEEKS!!! Any thoughts on this other than ginger or an acupressure > bracelet (which we haven't tried, but are aware of)? I have read that breathing rosewood oil dropped on a hankerchief is good for motion sickness. > > Also, I have been looking for an herbal birth control for a group of > ladies, and have not been able to find one. Only references to Neem > Oil (which is not sold to the general public here in Israel) and > carrot seed, though I have no idea of dosage or contraindications. I > am not looking for an abortifacient, just something that alters the > ph a bit and prevents conception. Herbs for either a man or woman are > fine. My method of birth control is to massage a drop of juniper oil with jojoba, which is more abortifactant that control, but it also lets me keep my cycle regular. > > Also, looking for anyone who has treated so called " vaccine > preventable diseases " with herbs/oils and would care to comment on > their treatment, for those of us who would like to be " in the know " . > > And finally, I am wondering which books on the " wise woman " > or " kitchen witch " or " native traditions " (read: NOT TC(or I)M > (Traditional Chinese or Indian Medicine) any of you might recommend. > It's not that I don't have a deep and profound respect for TC/IM but > It just doesn't speak to me in the way that your run of the mill > native/wise woman traditions do. I heard Trish Telesco at a speaking engagement in Florida some years ago. She was very knowledgeable on kitchen witchery. I'm sure you could find her books on amazon. In my kitchen, the books I feel that have been of most help are " The Spirit of the Herbs: A guide to the Herbal Tarot " by Michael Tierra and Candis Cantin, " The Detox Diet " by Dr. Elson M. Haas M.D., and " Healing Teas " by Maine Nadine Antol. All three are a wealth of information. I think they are great because they empower you to use your own personal judgement in guiding your own health and healing. Oh yeah, I've had a tarot deck that I have been working with since around 2002. I started learning tarot about 10 years before using myy current deck and really enjoyed it. It didn't resonate very strongly until I picked up the herb deck. Although I must admit, the first deck I used was " the Witches Tarot " and had strong ties to Kaballah, to which I was completely foreign to until recently. I got a little confused when I started learning how it pertained to the Kaballah. > > Mom leaves in about a month, so the faster I can get everything to > her house the better the chance I'll actually have it when she comes. We have Aura Cacia and Wyndmere oils at the store as a last resort. I don't know what anyone here thinks of either of those brands, but I'd like to post that question. That's what I have been using as they are readily available to me. I have ordered from a few of the members on this list as well. > > Thank you to EVERYONE for sharing their knowledge...and themselves > with the rest of us. > > Rivkah > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 4, 2008 Report Share Posted February 4, 2008 I recomend The " Clean Eating diet " by Tosca Reno. You'll be feeling great soon! **************Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on AOL Music. (http://music.aol.com/grammys/pictures/never-won-a-grammy?NCID=aolcmp00300000002\ 5 48) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 4, 2008 Report Share Posted February 4, 2008 Could anyone share any info about detox diets, to loose weight and to get a better feel for myself after going on a junk food binge. Thanks Shelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 4, 2008 Report Share Posted February 4, 2008 Hi Shelly This probably isn't the answer you were looking for, and I would defer to any dieticians or other experts on this list. But based on my own experience, the best " detox " diet is just going back to eating the good healthy foods you know you should be eating - lots of fruits and veggies, whole grains etc. Allow yourself the occasional indulgence (in moderation of course) so you don't feel deprived. Very soon, you'll be feeling better. A strict diet will just put you on a yo-yo course where you will feel deprived and resentful, and then slip back into a junk food binge again. Well, that's my advice for what it's worth. I wish you the best! Patty --- W M PHILLIPS <mpwp1 wrote: > Could anyone share any info about detox diets, to > loose weight and to get a better feel for myself > after going on a junk food binge. > > Thanks > Shelly > ______________________________\ ____ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. http://tools.search./newsearch/category.php?category=shopping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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