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Here are the August-December Tips and Info. Please scroll down to the month's info that is of interest to you.

In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. In other words, all information is offered as educational info ONLY.

Click on the "Tips 1" Tab for March-July.
Click on the "Tips 3" Tab for January-March.
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August--Coral Calcium
September--Beware of Aspartame!
October--Tea Tree Oil
November--Missed due to health issues
December--Native American Tree Resin
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August 2003 - CORAL CALCIUM

In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.

Note: The following information is offered for educational purposes only, and is not an endorsement of Coral Calcium. Statements regarding Coral Calcium's benefits have not been evaulated by the FDA, and those writing about Coral Calcium's benefits clearly state that the product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Robert Barefoot is a chemist who has published several scientific research articles on analytical chemistry and mineral digenesis. His use of biochemistry in many areas of his research led him to research the relationship between disease and nutrition. In his books, Mr. Barefoot presents a detailed technical defense to the concept that many degenerative diseases are caused by mineral and vitamin deficiency. Mr. Barefoot has written extensively on the health benefits of ingesting good quality Coral Calcium.

After reading his books, I was motivated to try Coral Calcium. I purchased a brand endorsed by Robert Barefoot, as the company met his strict scientific criteria. For further information, see Robert Barefoot's website . The company selling high quality coral calcium can be found at www.coralcalcium-supply.com
I also learned that our local health food store carries a Robert Barefoot brand of Coral Calcium, which may be more economical, as you don't have to pay shipping and handling. So check with your local health food store.

I have been absolutely amazed at the benefits I have received from Coral Calcium, after just one month! My degenerated disk disease had progressed to the point where my chiropractor had told me that I needed to accept reality and come to terms with the fact that my working days were over. I was unable to work and earn an income, so was about to become a homeless person. After 4 days of taking the Coral Calcium, I could work again! Not as much as before, but enough to keep a roof over my head! I recognize that my days are numbered, but it has provided me more time to find a solution. So, I want to share some of the information I have found on Coral Calcium.

I recognized that Coral Calcium has become a fad, and that many people have jumped on this bandwagon. There is a wide range of quality in the product. I believe I had such success because I insisted on purchasing top quality Coral Calcium.

There are two types of coral calcium: marine harvested (called marine coral) and land based (called rock coral).

The marine coral has two types, low magnesium (CCP) and high magnesium (SMP).

The land based, or "rock coral", and is very low in magnesium. Additionally, in the land based "coral calcium" the original magnesium and other nutrients have been washed out by weathering. So, obviously the rock coral (land based) is a lower grade source of coral calcium.

Because the rock coral is inexpensively surfaced mined and produced for less than a quarter of the price of the marine coral (which is much higher quality), most American nutrient companies prefer to sell coral calcium in the form of the lower cost rock coral.

Marine coral on the other hand contains a 2:1 calcium:magnesium ratio, which scientific research indicates is the most beneficial ratio to human health.

So, I wanted to purchase the marine coral as my source of coral calcium to maximize my health. But, I was worried about what happens to the coral reefs (they are living communities) when the higher quality marine coral is harvested to make the superior coral calcum.

I learned that coral reefs naturally disintegrate over time and the broken off pieces (called coral sand or coral calcium) are washed out to sea by ocean currents. The coral sand harvested by gentle suction dredges, is usually 2-3 miles downstream from the coral reefs. Further, if the harvesting process created any turbidity in the water, it would be washed out to sea, away from the coral reefs, by the ocean currents. And, the amount of coral sands harvested for human consumption as coral calcium is less than 1% of the total coral sands produced.

So, I can enjoy the benefits of my "Calcium Factor Plus" Coral Calcium (manufactured by Nature's Solution), and also know my health is not at the expense of the health of the coral reefs in Japan.

I encourage you to read some of the articles on Robert Barefoot's website at www.cureamerica.net/. And to visit the website for purchasing high quality Coral Calcium (marine coral) as well as learn of Robert Barefoot's excellent books, at www.coralcalcium-supply.com

SEPTEMBER - BEWARE OF ASPARTAME! (aka NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc.)

In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.

The following is offered for informational purposes only.

Aspartame is a table-top sweetener developed by the G.D. Searle Co., a division of the Montsanto Co. and marketed under the trademark NutraSweet, Equal or Spoonful. It is the most common sweetener in Diet Colas, and is found in over 9,000 food products. So, is it good for you?

Many people drink Diet drinks and eat sugar-free, assuming they are doing something healthy by avoiding sugar and avoiding weight gain. But, think again!

Aspartame is a mixture of two amino acids (aspartate and phenylalanine) and methanol (or wood alcohol).

Methanol is wood alcohol that has killed or blinded thousands of skid row drunks. It converts into formaldehyde and formic acid (ant sting poison) in the gut. Formaldehyde, a deadly neurotoxin, is common in enbalming fluid, a Class A carcinogen (cancer causing agent). Phenylalanine is also neurotoxic when unaccompanied by the other amino acids in proteins. Scientific literature presents evidence that Aspartate causes neuroendocrine disorders in experimental animals.

Scientific literature states that symptoms of aspartame ingestion can include:
Abdominal Pain, Anxiety attacks, Arthritis, Asthma and Asthmatic Reactions, Bloating, Edema (Fluid Retention), Blood Sugar Control Problems (Hypoglycemia or Hyperglycemia), Brain Cancer (in animal studies), Breathing Difficulties, Burning Eyes or Throat, Burning Urination, Can't Think Straight, Chest Pains, Chronic Cough, Chronic Fatigue, Confusion ("like thinking in a fog"), Depression, Diarrhea, Dizziness, Excessive Thirst or Hunger, Fatigue, Feeling Unreal, Flushing of Face, Hair Loss (Baldness) or Thinning of Hair, Headaches/Migraines, Hearing Loss, Heart Palpitations, Hives (Urticaria), Hypertension (High Blood Pressure), Impotency and Sexual Problems, Inability to Concentrate, Infection Susceptibility, Insomnia, Irritability, Itching, Joint Pains, Laryngitis, Marked Personality Changes, Memory Loss, Menstrual Problems or Changes, Migraines and Severe Headaches (Triggered By or Caused From Chronic Intake), Muscle Spasms, Nausea or Vomiting, Numbness or Tingling of Extremities, Other Allergic-Like Reactions, Panic Attacks, Phobias, Poor Memory, Rashes, Seizures and Convulsions, Slurring of Speech, Swallowing Pain, Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat or pulse), Tremors, Tinnitus, Vertigo, Weight Gain.

Literature states that Aspartame Disease mimics symptoms or worsens the following diseases:
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Alzheimer's Disease, Arthritis, Birth Defects, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Diabetes and Diabetic Complications, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Lupus, Lyme Disease, Lymphoma, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's Disease, Panic Disorder, Depression and other Psychological Disorders.

In his book "Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills" (ISBN 0-929173-25-2), Russell Blaylock, MD, a neurosurgeon, states that aspartame may trigger clinical diabetes. He further states that excitotoxins such as NutraSweet literally stimulate neurons to death, causing brain damage of varying degrees. He additionally states: "What really concerns me about aspartame, is its association with brain tumors as well as pancreatic, uterine and ovarian tumors. ... and that so many develop an Alzheimers-like syndrome with prolonged exposure." Dr. Blaylock's book contains an excellent bibliography with numerous scientific references.

The website Aspartame Is Not Safe contains some important reading on the effects of Aspartame on the human body. From the homepage, click on the "92 FDA listed SYMPTOMS ... ".

Additional information is available at the Price-Pottenger Nutritional Foundation at http://www.price-pottenger.org/Articles/Aspartame.html

OCTOBER-TEA TREE OIL

In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.

The following is offered for informational purposes only.

Media sources have recently reported an ever-expanding range of drug-resistant strains of life-threatening bacteria. These numbers of antibiotic resistant bacteria are showing up at a rate never before seen in human history.

Tea Tree Oil is a natural substance that has proven to be an effective anti-bacterial agent. PLEASE NOTE THAT TEA TREE OIL IS ONLY FOR OUTSIDE-OF-THE-BODY USE! In other words, NEVER SWALLOW TEA TREE OIL!!!!!

I will repeat that because it is important--DO NOT SWALLOW TEA TREE OIL!
Also, it is important to ALWAYS DILUTE TEA TREE OIL. NEVER USE IT FULL-STRENGTH!!! Tea Tree Oil is for topical (external) use ONLY: swallowing even a small amount can be harmful or FATAL!!!!! Also, those with sensitive skin, may develop a rash from the application of DILUTED Tea Tree Oil. So, use it responsibly.

Now that those 2 important concepts have sunk in, following is some information offered on some of the uses for DILUTED Tea Tree Oil.

Tea tree oil has proven to be a broad spectrum antibacterial and fungicide agent. In fact, the Linus Pauling Institute NewsLetter from Fall/Winter 1998 states that Tea Tree Oil "is active against all three categories of infectious organisms: bacteria, viruses and fungi". Additional articles state that the versatile properties of Tea Tree Oil include: antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobal, antiseptic, and disinfectant.

Because Tea Tree Oil is a highly concentrated oil, Tea Tree Oil should be mixed with milder carrier oils (such as sweet almond, grapeseed, flaxseed, sesame, peanut) before being applied to the body.

Some possible uses of DILUTED Tea Tree Oil include:

DISINFECTING CUTTING BOARDS AND COUNTER TOPS: in a spray bottle, fill with 4 oz water and add 1/2 ounce Tea Tree Oil. Shake well before each use and spray over cutting board. Then thoroughly wash with soap and hot water. Or, spray on counter-top and then thoroughly wash with soap and hot water. Make sure the spray mixture does not get on food products or into drinking water, etc.

STUFFY-MOLDY BASEMENTS: in a spray bottle, fill with 4 ounces water and add 1/2 ounce Tea Tree Oil. Shake well and spray around basement to freshen the air and kill mold.

Be sure you have consulted your Physician if you are ill. Then, if (s)he approves, you can try the following suggestions, realizing that these all are using DILUTED Tea Tree Oil on the outside of your body (NEVER SWALLOW TEA TREE OIL).

CONGESTION/COLDS: add 10 drops of oil to a steam vaporizer OR rub DILUTED oil (dilute in one of the above recommended oils) into your chest and back (CAUTION: before rubbing DILUTED Tea Tree Oil on your skin, try a small area first, as some people have allergic reactions to the oil and develop a rash)

SORE THROAT: add 5 drops of oil to 8 oz of warm water and gargle 2-3 times daily. DO NOT SWALLOW!!!

COLD SORES: dab DILUTED oil on cold sore 3 times daily (Dilute in one of the above recommended oils.)

ATHLETE'S FOOT: add 10 drops of oil to 1 quart of warm water (about 100° F) and soak your foot. Or add 2-3 drops to 20 drops of oil (dilute in one of the above recommended oils) and use a Q-Tip to apply to clean, dry feet. (You can gradually add an extra drop or two of the Tea Tree Oil to the carrier oil to increase the concentration, but do not use too much or you will irritate the skin at the nail bed.)

NAIL INFECTION: soak fingernail or toenails, in 10 drops of oil added to 1 quart of warm water (about 100°F) and soak. Or, add 2-3 drops to 20 drops of oil (dilute in one of the above recommended oils) and use Q-Tip to apply directly to nail bed twice daily. (You can gradually add an extra drop or two of the Tea Tree Oil to the carrier oil to increase the concentration, but do not use too much or you will irritate the skin at the nail bed.) Interesting note: Andrew Weil, MD, states that Tea Tree Oil is the best treatment he knows for fungal infections of the skin, particularly those of the toenails and fingernails.

Sources of very reliable and useful information on numerous natural therapy alternatives:

Self-Healing Newsletter (Andrew Weil, MD) www.drweil.com and www.drweilselfhealing.com; 1-800-523-3296, 42 Pleasant St., Watertown MD 02472 USA subscription to "Self Healing Newsletter" is $29 per year

Alternatives Newsletter (David Williams, DC) drdavidwilliams.com; Mountain Home Publishing, 7811 Montrose Rd., Potomac, MD 20854 USA subscription to "Alternatives Newsletter" is $49 per year

Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, 571 Weniger Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-6512; 541-737-5075; http://lpi.oregonstate.edu
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Note: Due to health issues (mainly back pain), I am unable to sit long enough to write a "Tips" page for November.

DECEMBER - Benefits of Native American Tree Resin (NATR)

In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.

The following is offered for informational purposes only.

For centuries Native Americans have used the pitch, or resin, from tree bark for healing purposes.

Pitch has a wonderful fresh scent. When properly collected, stored and processed, it is used as an oil-based preparation for application to various skin problems.

A company in Eureka California, called NATR (Native American Tree Resin), makes this wonderful product available to the public. They can be reached at
NATR
2806 Broadway, Suite #2
Eureka, CA 95501, USA
e-mail: natr@humboldt1.com
Website: http://www.natrhealth.com
Phone: 1-800-422-4716 or 1-707-442-4716
Fax: 1-707-443-3979.

NATR makes several excellent products derived from the pitch of Douglas Firs and Yellow Pines which are located on the Pacific Coast. While NATR sells Pure Pitch and Tree Resin, these two forms are very sticky. So, additionally, the folks at NATR have mixed the pitch and resin with Olive oil and petroleum jelly, to create a wonderful ointment called Super PAV. I have used it for years for various ailments, including aching joints, and have been very pleased.

Literature states that Pitch contains proven antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties and has been used medicinally for years. Many people have effectively used the NATR ointment to treat almost any kind of skin irritation whether it is caused by bacterial, viral or fungal agents. The only body area to avoid applying NATR ointment is the face, especially the eyes (it won't harm the eyes, but would create an uncomfortable burning effect). And, of course, do not swallow or eat the ointment.

Some reports indicate the NATR pitch products have been used effectively to treat: ringworm, scabies, nail fungus, infected wounds, bee stings, diaper rash, mosquito bites, poison ivy and oak, psoriasis, sunburn, severe skin abrasions, deep cuts, athlete's foot, and warts. Again, remember the only body area to avoid applying NATR's ointment is the face, especially the eyes (it won't harm the eyes, but would create an uncomfortable burning effect). And, do not swallow or eat the ointment.

I found out about NATR's Super PAV ointment from reading "Alternatives", a natural health newsletter published monthly by Dr. David G. Williams. "Alternatives" is a wonderful source of practical, useful, reliable information. To subscribe, call 1-800-219-8591 or sign up for free e-mail dispatches at www.drdavidwilliams.com Mailing address: Mountain Home Publishing, 7811 Montrose Road, Potomac, MD 20854, USA