Healing Wise

Essential Oils- do they cause breast cancer?

What is the beef about essential oils.......? Is it true that they can
cause breast cancer? Do they cause liver damage to cats? Why are they
used in so many bath products these days?

Thanks,

Essential oils can be harmful to the planet and to people.. especially
to small children and those with compromised health. Used on a very
limited basis for specific situations they can be ok, but used
liberally in everything just
 to make stuff “smell good” can be really
harmful to those using these products, to the planet, and to those of
us who happen to be sensitive to strong smells.

In February of 2007, a study linked some essential oils in common
toiletries to a rare medical condition known as gynecomastia, or
swelling of the breasts, in three pre-pubescent boys. But few women are
counseled about the potential dangers of products like toiletries and
cosmetics that also contain estrogen-micking chemicals. What does this
mean for you? If you're a woman who has been diagnosed with breast
cancer or you have been told that you're at increased risk for
estrogen-driven cancers, you must talk to your doctor about the safety
of products containing essential oils like lavender and tea tree. The
findings were being reported in the New England Journal of Medicine.
The federally funded study came out of the University of Colorado and
the environmental health branch of the National Institutes of Health.
The findings were first released in 2006 at a science meeting. Excerpt
from MSNBC http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16906552/

Here is a letter Susun wrote in response to a letter written in a
publication a while back, we have copied it online for others to read,
http://www.ashtreepublishing.com/bookshop/articles/essential-oils.php

Here is an article online that explains further about the dangers of
using essential oils

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/200553/dangers_of_essential_oils.html?cat=5

Further, here is just one of many sites that caution against using
aromatherapy in homes with pets, and caution against using essential
oils on pets as it can cause slow liver damage:
http://www.cybercanine.com/cat.htm

Finally, a well-known and trusted herbal vendor, Mountain Rose Herbs,
offers this caution on their website,

General Guidelines (for using Essential Oils)

Read and follow all label cautions and warnings

Keep out of reach of children and pets

Do not use on babies, children or pets

Keep away from flame, heat and ignition sources (essential oils are
flammable)

Do not apply undiluted (neat) essential oils directly onto skin; dilute
with a carrier oil first

Always conduct a patch test of diluted essential oil on the inner arm
before using; do not use if redness or irritation occurs

Do not ingest essential oils

Keep essential oils out of eyes, ears, nose, mouth and any body opening

Never assume an essential oil possesses the same properties as its
plant

If you have sensitive skin, epilepsy, heart or kidney problems, or any
serious medical condition, do not use essential oils unless advised by
a physician or medical professional that it is safe

In Case of an Accident

If essential oil gets into eyes: Immediately flush with cold milk or
vegetable oil to dilute; if sti
nging persists, seek medical attention

If essential oil gets on hands: Use cream or vegetable oil to dilute;
wash with soap and warm water; repeat if necessary

If ingested: Call National Capital Poison Control Center,
  1-800-222-1222 1-800-222-1222

If ingested by a pet: Follow directions on label or call the Animal
Poison Control Center at    1-888-426-4435 1-888-426-4435; be prepared to pay $50 with a
credit card

Environmental Safety

Did you know that some essential oils are so potent that their spills
must be handled as if they are hazardous? That's right. Take tea tree
oil, for example. If it spills, it cannot be allowed to enter a sewer
or waterway. It should be absorbed with inert material and sealed in a
container. Then the container must be disposed of as if it were a
hazardous waste in accordance with local, state or federal laws. Such
information is included on the Material Safety Data Sheet for every
essential oil.

Based on all of the above, for me, it just makes sense to avoid
essential oils and stick to the very safe homemade herbal oils and
other herbal remedies we can make ourselves that will not cause harm to
ourselves, our children, and our pets.…

Sending love,

Justine

Uva ursi, yarrow, echinacea for bladder infections

My pal,  is having a very difficult battle trying to fight a bladder infection and has become anti-biotic resistant.  He's mentioned Susan Weed as someone that can possibly help him.  I would be happy to pay for her to make a visit to him to see what she can do, or if she can talk to him etc

 

There are two ways to consult with Susun, one is for free by calling her Tuesday evening phone hotline, the other is by spending five hours with her at her house or “yours”. The five  hour session costs $500 and up to five people can attend, the time is used to discuss whatever you want to discuss. http://www.ashtreepublishing.com/bookshop/your-day.php

 

To speak with Susun you are welcome to phone her free Tuesday night phone hotline, 7:30pm to 9:30pm Eastern time, 845-246-8081, call May through October.  She does not have internet to be able to correspond through email. Each person who calls in gets about fifteen minutes of free consultation.

 

Here is an excerpt from one of Susun’s books on bladder infections,

http://www.menopause-metamorphosis.com/An_Excerpt-120_Bladder_Infections.htm

 

Even though the book is on menopause, the information on bladder infections will apply to men and non-menopausal women as well. Below is the most useful parts of the article copied into this email:

 

~ Uva Ursi (Arctostaphylos uva ursi) is an old favorite for strengthening the bladder and ending chronic silent bladder infections. I prefer a hot water infusion of the dried leaves, but know women who have successfully used cold water infusions, tinctures, even vinegars. A dose is 1 cup/125 ml of infusion; 10-30 drops of tincture; 1 tablespoonful/15 ml of vinegar; 3–6 times a day initially, then 1–3 times a day for 7–10 days. In very chronic cases, eliminate all forms of sugar (even fresh fruit, fruit juice, and honey) for a month as well.

~ Yarrow is a urinary disinfectant with a powerful antibacterial action and an astringent effect. A small cup of the infusion, once or twice a day for 7–10 days, tones up weak, lax bladder tissues. Combines well with uva ursi. Results may be felt within hours.

~ In my experience, Echinacea purpurea and E. augustifolia are as effective as antibiotics in clearing bladder infections and do not contribute to vaginal yeast. (See Step 5b.) A dose is 1 drop echinacea tincture per 2 pounds/1 kilo body weight. (For 150 pound/70 kilo person, use 75 drops or three dropperfuls.) In acute cases, I give the dose every 2 hours. As the infection clears, I lengthen the amount of time between doses until I'm down to 1–2 doses a day, which I continue for another 2–10 weeks.

 Excerpt from the Wise Woman Herbal for the Menopausal Years by Susun Weed.

You might also join our free health forum, where other wise woman could help you, go to: http://www.susunweed.com/wisewomanforum.htm

Blessings,

Wise Woman Team

http://www.wisewomanweb.com

 

 

 

 

Hawthorne berries

Hi - I made an infusion of Elderberries 2 ounces to a quart of water for 4 hours.

 

My question:  I made an infusion for Hawthorn berries same as above 2 ounces to a quart of water infusing for 4 hours.  These berries are larger than Elderberry and much harder.  The infusion seems weak to me.  Should I be doing something different with Hawthorn berries?  Thank you for your help. S.

 

S, You could either make a tincture with alcohol (Susun’s preferred method of use for Hawthorne berry) or you could make a decoction from the Hawthorne berries, cooking them in the liquid the stove for longer..until the liquid becomes thick.

 

Here is an article on Hawthorne from Susun http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/November08/healingwise.htm

 

Love, Justine