PHARMACY OF THE MIND - Ultimate Natural Pharmacy - Spiritual Awakening

Video commentary:
http://www.CourseOfAwakening.com
http://www.InnerBodyAwakening.com
http://www.AlchemyEnergyProcess.com
http://www.TheHeartEnergy.com
- Tobias Lars BS, MBA shares on - "PHARMACY OF THE MIND - THE ULTIMATE NATURAL PHARMACY"
- Naturally created DMT, Serotonin, Melatonin, Endorphins, Adrenaline VS. synthetic drug company pharmaceuticals? Which is better?
- Why & How is our "Natural Pharmacy" so much more powerful than man made synthetic drugs?
- How can you let the Natural Life Force Pharmacy support and function for you?

Here's a powerful, simple clear method for allowing and remembering that the God - Source - Life Force created 'Pharmacy' is so much more powerful, elegant, effective, with no side effects except feeling good - than any man made synthetic, barely tested, don't know the long term effects pharmaceuticals made by drug companies.

Tobias Lars' sharing about  the natural pharmacy that is already in us resonates with me and aligns with what I have been learning so far in my research about natural health matters. It is interesting to note that our naturally produced endorphins are (at least) 4 times stronger than the medically prescribed morphine in terms of providing pain relief. I think it is helpful to know that we all already possess an amazing pharmacy within us that is genuine and owned by the lifeforce/God/Spirit in us. I suppose each of us will then need to learn how to tap the incredible resources that we have in us instead of depending on pharmaceutical drugs - I learnt that I have shared a few of these health tips in my blogs, as follows.

http://physicalandspiritualhealth.blogspot.sg/2011/11/natural-remedies-for-relieving.html
"Bananas contain tryptophan, an amino acid that can be converted to serotonin, leading to improved mood"

http://physicalandspiritualhealth.blogspot.sg/2012/04/foods-that-feed-pineal-gland.html
"It is also interesting to learn that certain foods such as seaweed vegetables can nourish the pineal gland. I think miso soup usually contains seaweed vegetables."

So, it appears that we can harness the powerful natural pharmacy in us through monitoring our diet and lifestyle.

Better to invest in buying and eating organic food

According to this article, Monsanto is the evil corporation in our refrigerators.

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/02/04/monsanto-the-evil-corporation-in-your-refrigerator/

While some people may say that the above article is just a conspiracy theory, I believe there is some hint of truth in some "conspiracy theories", and there are indeed many reasons for people to question the practices of Monsanto, which appear to harm the environment and human health, as well as impose unfair treatments on farmers. For one, I have come to see that genetically modified food is mostly against natural processes of plant growth, and tinkling with nature can result in ecological harm, such as causing superweeds to grow, as noted by the article. I think I also read somewhere that GM wheat contains excess gluten that can be hard for many people to digest properly, and result in gluten intolerance, compared to organically grown wheat.

So yea, it is better to invest in buying organic foods where possible, because though they are generally more expensive than mass produced GM foods or processed foods, we actually save money in the long run in terms of healthcare because at least we are assured we can stay healthy and have less risk of health complications that may be caused by eating too much GM foods. It is good for people to make informed decisions in buying food, thanks to articles such as the above article to create awareness.

Sodium fluoride may cause joint pains

I learnt that sodium fluoride in toothpastes and mouthwashes can have side effects, such as joint pains due to the fluoride accumulating in joints of the body over time.

http://toxipedia.org/display/toxipedia/Fluoride
"Skeletal fluorosis happens at the advanced stage of fluorosis. Fluoride deposits in the joints of the neck, knees, pelvic and shoulder bones and hinders movement. In the early stages, back stiffness, burning sensations, tingling or prickling, and muscle weakness arise and irregular calcium deposits show up in ligaments and bones."

So yea, I will see if I can get toothpastes and mouthwashes that do not contain sodium fluoride in future, and monitor whether the knee joint pains will cease after using these non-fluoride items.

 

Related link

Mouthwash: Any natural alternatives to Listerine and Colgate?

Clothing effects on human health

Here's sharing some websites I came across recently when I was researching about the effects of clothing material on human health.

This website lists the six synthetic or artificial fabrics to avoid because they may be toxic or harmful to some people. These include polyester and nylon. http://bodyecology.com/articles/top_6_fabrics_you_should_avoid_wearing.php#.UGZZpK5J0SU

The article recommends people to wear clothes made of natural fibres, such as cotton, silk, wool and linen. I have decided to discard some of my clothes from my drawer recently after reading about it, such as my shirts and shorts that are made of polyester.

I have read in some other websites such as this one http://www.ecologycenter.org/factsheets/plastichealtheffects.html that polyester clothes may cause skin allergy or rashes and cause respiratory irritations.

This article says that studies have shown that polyester garments and undergarments may affect pregnancy health in women, and also affect fertility in men. http://blog.fashionandearth.com/2010/05/16/polyester-clothing-and-your-health/

Dumbing down of the masses

"Diet, injections and injunctions will combine, from a very early age, to produce the sort of character and the sort of beliefs that the authorities consider desirable, and any serious criticism of the powers that be will become psychologically impossible. Even if all are miserable, all will believe themselves happy, because the government will tell them that they are so"

Bertrand Russell, The Impact of Science on Society 1953

I think there is some grain of truth because according to some articles in Natural News website that I have read, the government's plan to add fluoride to public water may well be an attempt to "dumb down" or affect the mental capability of the masses, which may in turn affect their critical thinking ability and not question the government's propaganda too much. Here's an example of an article that discusses the possible links between fluoride and lower IQ levels in humans, and learning and memory impairment, among other symptoms.

"In all, FAN said, 34 studies now link fluoride to lower IQ levels in humans, while scores of other studies correlate fluoride to learning and memory impairment, fetal brain damage, altered neurobehavioral function and altered thyroid hormone levels."

http://www.naturalnews.com/037339_fluoride_brain_damage_studies.html#ixzz27ot2gcXT

I suppose it would be advisable for the public to install water filters in their homes, where they can, in view of this finding.

Here's sharing this video that discusses the possibility of the population being subject to chemical manipulation through vaccinations and fluoride in water supply.

"Why is America so brainwashed by the corporate media? Why do we care more about American Idol and sports games than being poisoned with mercury in our vaccinations and sodium fluoride in our water supply? America needs to wake up and get the facts about our chemical manipulation before it's too late."

This website suggests some ways to remove fluoride from our daily water consumption and activities - I think I will start looking for fluoride-free toothpastes in health stores in future too. 

http://purewaterfreedom.com/osc/remove_fluoride.php
"1) If you're using a fluoridated toothpaste, consider switching to a non-fluoridated alternative (which you can find at most health food stores)"

The following website summarises the various ways the authorities seem to be using to dumb down the modern society - I think this happens not only in America but also in other modern cities such as Singapore. These ways include chemtrails, processed food, fast food, HD TV and video games and other entertainment. http://adventofdeception.com/dumbing-down-through-chemtrails-hd-tv-and-food/

Speaking of entertainment, I used to play computer games quite a lot when I was younger in my school days, and I have grown out of it since the early 2000s. I suppose I too was subject to the subtle manipulation of the authorities by being distracted by computer gaming, instead of being more aware and concerned about social issues in life, so to speak.

The World According To Monsanto - Full Length Documentary

Video commentary:

A great documentary exposing the evil agricultural nightmare called Monsanto and the story of Roundup and Roundup Ready Soybeans. A 2004 documentary film which makes an in-depth investigation into unlabeled, patented, genetically engineered foods that have quietly made their way onto grocery stores in the United States for the past decade. It voices the opinions of farmers in disagreement with the food industry and details the impacts on their lives and livelihoods from this new technology, and shines a light on the market and political forces that are changing what we eat. The film decries the cost of a globalized food industry on human lives around the world, and highlights how international companies are gradually driving farmers off the land in many countries. Potential global dependence of the human race on a limited number of global food corporations is discussed, as is the increased risk of ecological disasters -- such as the Irish Potato Famine (1845--1849) -- resulting from the reduction of biological diversity due to the promotion of corporate sponsored monoculture farming. The issue of incorporating a terminator gene into plant seeds is questioned, with concern being expressed about the potential for a widespread catastrophe affecting the food supply, should such a gene contaminate other plants in the wild. Legal stories reported by the film related how a number of farmers in North America have been sued by Monsanto; and the defendant of the Monsanto Canada Inc. v. Schmeiser case is interviewed.

 I think capitalism has its pros and cons, although at the very core of its ideology, I don't agree with its rationale. One may say capitalism benefits humankind by encouraging innovation and healthy competition, through the incentives of higher profits. On the other hand, capitalism may encourage greed and selfishness in people, as they value profits over people's welfare. I think a fundamental flaw of capitalism is that it measures everything according to monetary value, yet in the deepest essence, we are all priceless and valuable. No one or no one's work is actually more valuable than another. Capitalism and economics reduce humans to mere commodities. This is dehumanising. I also think (almost) every company or corporation starts off with good intentions, as they want to manufacture products or offer services to benefit people, but somewhere along the way, as they earn more profits and start expanding their business, many of the businesspeople lose sight of their initial goal or mission, and start to prioritise profits at the expense of the well-being of people's health and the environment.

Related article:
Vandana Shiva: corporate monopoly of seeds must end

"Every Cancer Can be Cured in Weeks" explains Dr. Leonard Coldwell

Video commentary:
http://www.ihealthtube.com Dr. Leonard Coldwell states that every cancer can be cured within 16 weeks. Dr. Coldwell states how that's possible in this video.

I agree that cancer can be cured (or prevented) through monitoring one's diet, such as eating more alkaline food and increasing intake of Vitamin C, as I have come across similar findings about these natural treatments/prevention measures.

"Vitamin C - A study done by Dr. Ronald Hunninghake found Vitamin C to be selectively cytotoxic against cancer cells over the course of a 15-year research project."
http://www.naturalnews.com/037216_cancer_cells_immune_system_bromelain.html#ixzz27lsm0ykH

"- stop eating acidic stuff(mutated cells thrive in acidic environment and die in alkaline environment) - avoid sugar, pop, soda, coffee, milk, etc. Eat more raw green leafy vegetables, fruits, alkaline water, coconut water,"

http://physicalandspiritualhealth.blogspot.sg/2012/03/what-is-cancer-shocking-truth.html?m=1

"Early Cancer Detection Does Not Save Lives" - Dr Leonard Coldwell

Video commentary:
http://www.ihealthtube.com Dr. Leonard Coldwell believes there is no benefit to early detection and explains why. He also says that many cancer treatments actually cause cancer themselves.

This video reminds me of related posts that I have researched on before, that say every human being already has some cancer cells in their bodies, which is normal and natural. As long as our body's immune system remains strong, it will not be a problem because there is no chance for the cancer cells to multiply to dangerous levels. I think one downside of cancer treatments, as noted by the video and many others, is that these treatments lower the immune system because of radiation, which only makes the body vulnerable.  So it may be better to focus on natural ways to boost the immune system and keep cancer cells at bay, such as through diet, exercise, deep breathing, etc, as shared in this blog. http://physicalandspiritualhealth.blogspot.sg/2012/03/what-is-cancer-shocking-truth.html

What happens when a whole nation of people wakes up?

1. They start to pay attention.
2. They recognize lies when they hear them.
3. They take responsibility for sleepwalking through life.
4. They quickly recognize people who would take from, rather than (take care of them)...
5. They refuse to buy in to the lies.
6. They actively reject people and (institutions) that would hurt them.
7. They work to expose the lies.
8. They let go of old ideas (traditions), laws and people that no longer serve them.
9. They vow to never (to support lies) again.

This sums up the process that people go through when they realise they have been misled or deceived by the system or institution that was supposed to help or take care of them. This is especially so when it comes to organised religions and healthcare systems that prioritise power and profits over people's general well-being. When it comes to mainstream Christianity, for example, people start to pay attention to the spiritual abuse caused by fear-based doctrines and legalism, and question these doctrines, and recognise the self-serving nature of the institutions. They refuse to buy in to the lies and reject the institutions that would hurt or take from them instead of take care of them, and they would work to expose the lies, such as through blogs, videos and podcasts, and let go of old ideas and traditions that no longer serve them. They also form support groups and communities to find support and encourage one another as they find healing and take comfort they are not alone in their hurt and spiritual abuse by the religious system.

Similarly, when it comes to the healthcare system, people are also starting to pay attention to medical propaganda about cancer screenings and treatments, vaccines and pharmaceutical drugs, for example, and question the necessity and reliability of these practices and medications. They realise through doing their own research that much of the healthcare system is actually profiting at the expense of people's health and well-being, especially when the system uses fear tactics to coerce people to go for screenings, in the hope of making money, when/if some results show false positives and the affected people become anxious and consider going for treatments, which may actually be unnecessary. The people decide to take responsibility for their own health and not give in to fear or allow themselves to be stressed so as not to become dependent on the healthcare system. They also form support groups and communities to share testimonies to encourage one another and to create a greater awareness about the lies of the healthcare system as well as about alternative solutions, such as diet, exercise, and natural remedies, treatments and prevention. While there are certainly some benefits of healthcare, such as non-invasive blood tests and surgery in serious or emergency cases, at the same time there are also dubious motivations in the some healthcare systems when it comes to certain mass cancer screenings, vaccinations and over-prescription of pharmaceutical drugs at the expense of the people's health and well-being.

Turmeric (Curcumin) - A powerful cancer-fighting food

Turmeric (aka curcumin) has many health benefits, including being anti-cancer.

http://naturalsociety.com/turmeric-offers-powerful-anti-cancer-benefits-without-side-effects/

I have come across several other resources on turmeric, describing how it is a powerful and effective anti-cancer food/herb/spice. It is consumed daily in India as part of their food culture, resulting in low incidences of certain types of cancer in India compared to other countries. http://www.curcumin.co.nz/curcumin-story.htm

"Scientists are excited about curcumin because it has been shown consistently to inhibit NF-kB. A lot of the research into curcumin has focused on cancers. According to cancer researcher Bharat Aggarwal a professor of cancer medicine at the MD Anderson Cancer Centre University of Texas, the incidence of the top four cancers in the U.S. - colon, breast, prostate and lung is as much as ten times lower in India where significant amounts of turmeric are consumed daily. Prof Aggarwal says "we have not found a single cancer on which curcumin does not work". Prof Aggarwal's hypothesis is that most cancers exhibit activated NF-kB which in turn promotes the proliferation and metastasis of tumours. Blocking of NF-kB suppresses the formation of tumours.
...

Curcumin has been found to be a powerful inhibitor of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which is linked with cervical cancer."

These websites have some tips on how to add turmeric or curcumin (which is available in stores and supermarkets) to our daily diets.
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=78
http://www.livestrong.com/article/465241-foods-with-turmeric/
http://www.naturalnews.com/031461_turmeric_superfood.html

Pain-free menstruation and natural childbirth

According to this forum post, menstruation is not inherently linked to PMS (premenstrual syndrome).

"It seems like most women believe that painful cramps and moodiness are inherently linked to menstruation, since so many women experience these symptoms everytime they menstruate or right before the onset of their period. Some might even think it is not normal for a girl or woman to not experience any negative symptoms during their menses.

But I personally never believed it to be normal when women experience pain from their menstruation as I never experienced it and I have always thought that painful periods are not just a natural part of a woman's physiology that she has to put up with, because I don't believe it's normal and it's just a typical sexist belief to think that Nature or God would make women suffer merely for being a woman.

I've always seen it as something psychological that has manifested itself into the physical level, something that women collectively carry along and I think I read a good explanation of the deeper-lying cause of those symptoms that accompany many women's moontime."
~ Yazzmyne

Having read the above post, I think it is interesting to see and understand the psychological (and perhaps metaphysical) aspects of menstruation - given that we all are energy and we are all interconnected, it makes sense to see that the collective consciousness of women would have accumulated the past hurt and abuse caused by the oppression in male-dominated patriarchal societies, and at the same time, it is empowering to know that women can reclaim their inherent power and be free from the pain body consciousness, by realising their true identity as goddesses, and that they need not subscribe to the conventional idea that menstruation and giving birth are always associated with pain - instead, they can expect to experience these natural processes without pain and even with joy and enlightenment, as the post puts it.

Here's sharing this interesting blog on moontime which I have come across some time ago, and it came to mind when I was reading the post.

"As women raised up in religious, patriarchal and misogynistic societies, we are taught our bodies are shameful, we are the center of sin, we are “unclean.” Our “moon time” or menstrual period are to be hidden. We are ashamed, embarrassed… Such a potentially spiritual time is degraded.

There was a time when a woman’s moon time was celebrated. The blood isn’t brought about through violence - peaceful blood - so it is holy. It is different.
...
The Oglala Sioux people of the North American prairies have a long history of revering the menstruating woman as a powerful being. The newly menstruating girl would traditionally undergo a purification ritual and undertake instruction from a holy woman. She would be compared to the sacred Mother Earth, yet her power was also considered to be dangerous if the proper rituals and instructions were not given. But once these conditions were met, her holiness was considered to extend to the entire tribe, not just to herself.

After these rituals, the young woman was told: “You are the tree of life. You will now be pure and holy, and may your generations to come be fruitful! Wherever your feet touch will be a sacred place, for now you will always carry with you a very great influence.”

According to the above blog, in some ancient cultures or indigenous societies, where women are treated equally and honoured, menstruation is seen as an occasion for celebration and reverence, not shame. Unfortunately, some patriarchal socieites have unwittingly put shame on women for experiencing what is only normal and natural. It is important therefore for more people to realise and appreciate the divinity and uniqueness of divine womanhood.

I also like what the post in the forum says here.

"If most women would take on the belief that they naturally can have painfree menstruation and painfree childbirth and even see these typical female phenomena as ways to become enlightened, gynecology would cease to exist and it will automatically lose it's grip and power over women when they become aware of their own true power."
~ Yazzmyne

When growing up, I also used to think that childbirth is almost always associated with pain (or labour pain), no thanks to mass media. Yet, recently, I have come across a post in an inspirational page in Facebook that shares about women who experience pleasure (or orgasm) during childbirth. I googled about it and came across similar accounts of women experiencing ecstatic joy during childbirth.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=6120045&page=1#.UGO8_vlrbeM
'Dr. Christiane Northrup, a board-certified OB-GYN and author of "Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom" and "Mother-Daughter Wisdom," said orgasms during labor are caused by basic science.
...
To actually experience an orgasmic, or pleasurable birth, Northrup says it's important for women to lose their fear and their inhibitions. One method is to practice relaxation techniques. For Hartnell, chanting and doing yoga helped transform the pain into what she calls simply "sensations."'

http://www.orgasmicbirth.com/what-is-orgasmic-birth
"It is possible to have an ecstatic birth—in fact, that is the best natural high that I know of. And these states of consciousness are best reached when a woman is fully aware and fully awake. Women don’t have a way to know how their body works until they really try it out in birth. I think that women can be just completely surprised by the change in them from giving birth—you have something powerful in you—that fierce thing comes up—and I think babies need moms to have that fierceness—you feel like you can do anything and that’s the feeling we want moms to have."

I think the idea of having pain-free menstruation and pain-free natural childbirth goes against the grain of the mindset of mainstream society. Like what the forum said, maybe it is because gynecology and patriarchy "do not want women to become enlightened and find their true power". Yet there have been real-life cases of women experiencing pleasure during childbirth, as mentioned in the above websites, so I believe that is possible when women rediscover their true identity and enjoy their goddesshood.

Related articles

• Menstruation is not inherently linked to PMS
• "Moon Time"
• Labor Orgasms Called 'Best-Kept Secret'
• What is Orgasmic Birth?

Questioning the need for pap smears

About pap smears (or cervical screenings)

 Someone shared in Yahoo Answers:

"Abnormal pap tests are VERY common, almost all are false positives. False positives are even more common in women under 30 (1 in 3 for those under 25)...in fact, in many countries pap tests are only offered from age 30. The UK doesn't test before 25 and after reviewing all of the evidence a couple of years ago declined to lower the testing age to 20...Dr Angela Raffle, world expert on screening, concluded it was unethical to screen women under 25. No country in the world has shown a benefit pap testing women under 30# but young women produce the most false positives.

Cervical cancer is rare, very rare in young women...women need to be careful agreeing to pap tests during pregnancy or for 6 months to a year after delivery - you are even more likely to get a false positive at these times due to birth trauma and hormonal changes.

Pap testing is a screening test, if you're symptomatic you don't need pap tests, you need a proper assessment by a specialist...bleeding for 5 months after delivery is not normal, you may have some retained placenta...also, bleeding can produce a false positive pap test.

So, don't panic...the lifetime risk of cervical cancer is 0.65% (LESS than 1%)...keep things in perspective and see a decent doctor.

Don't feel you have to apologize to doctors - pap tests, colonoscopies, mammograms, PSA testing are all "elective" cancer screening tests, they can never be anything other than elective. As a low risk woman I made an informed decision not to have pap tests about 30 years ago, my risk of cc is near zero, I was not prepared to accept a 77% lifetime risk of colposcopy/biopsy, almost all false positives and the high risk of over-treatment...that can damage the cervix and lead to premature babies, c-sections, miscarriages etc

Now we know that only 5% (roughly) of women benefit from pap tests, those women who test positive for HPV at age 30 or older - this is the new Dutch program - women will be offered 5 hrHPV primary triage tests at ages 30,35,40,50 and 60 and ONLY the roughly 5% who are positive and at risk from cc will be offered a 5 yearly pap test (until they clear the virus)....those HPV negative will be offered the HPV primary testing program and there is also a reliable self-test option, the Delphi Screener. Those HPV negative and confidently monogamous or no longer sexually active can forget all further testing. This program will save more lives by identifying those women at risk and spare HUGE numbers of not-at-risk women from a lifetime of unnecessary pap tests and the fairly high risk of false positives and potentially harmful over-treatment. (about 95% of women aged 30 and older)
Sadly, in most countries the programs are not based on the evidence and that means women suffer...from lots of unnecessary pap testing, excess biopsies and over-treatment and some lose their lives...pap testing is less reliable than HPV primary testing.

You might want to get a second opinion before allowing a biopsy..."

I agree with the answerer that there are lots of unnecessary pap testing in most countries, and this Natural News health website also notes that the medical industry and pharmaceutical industry nowadays are mostly motivated by politics and profits.

Someone shared in this website:

"I think only  women in the west  are the only women who believe they need routine annual gynaecological exams.
I'm 51 and have had one pelvic exam in my life - when I was symptomatic - it turned out to be nothing....
The medical journals have lots of research and articles to show that these exams are unnecessary in asymptomatic women and can be harmful"

 Alternative tests for cervical cancer

CSA Blood Test

I learnt that there is a new and better alternative way of testing called the CSA (Cervical Specific Antigen) Test, which is non-invasive and much more accurate..

I googled about Cervical Specific Antigen, and came across some similar testimonies of how women decided not to do pap smears - they are in the comments section of this website http://dodomar.hubpages.com/hub/For-any-woman-fearing-an-OB-GYN (need to ignore the article on top and scroll down instead to read these testimonies). Here's sharing some of the testimonies below.
"

Loren 23 months ago

After doing my research I don't do pap smears anymore. I'm not scared of getting cervical cancer. I hated having pap smears and I think all the anxiety I used to have over them harmed my health. My blood pressure used to always be sky high when I would have a pap smear. They're degrading and I refuse to let myself feel so violated anymore. I feel so happy and free thinking about not ever subjecting myself to the discomfort and humiliation again. It was depressing.

Sienna 2 years ago

Young women beware...pap tests cause more harm than good!

Here in Australia teenagers and early 20's women are still screened even though the evidence of enormous harm has been clear for years. There are no benefits for women under 25 so it's a futile and risky exercise.

Don't put yourself through it and end up with cervical damage and emotional problems, these biopsies are nasty.

This was in the paper last year:

http://www.smh.com.au/national/start-pap-tests-lat

Pretty clear isn't it?

Yet now we have ads on TV calling for young women to screen and a scary campaign featuring a 21 year old woman, a rare, rare case and she had a normal pap smear 6 months before she was diagnosed so the pap test didn't help her, it might have delayed the diagnosis. Naturally they didn't mention that fact...it was all praise the pap smear nonsense once again.

This is what happens when you screen young women - every 2nd or 3rd pap is "abnormal" and these poor girls are referred...false positives...scary stuff - and the one or 2 with a real problem are missed.

The Government is about to change our program FINALLY protecting young women from harm, but astonishingly they're investing AT THIS STAGE half a million tax funded dollars on a scary campaign to get young women to do what they absolutely should not do if they value their health and their ability to have babies one day.

This is beyond negligent and irresponsible.

It's like...let's harm as many young women as possible before the change is made.

I'm sure lots of young women will get screened and end up damaged...I hope they all take legal action.

They didn't need to suffer...."

"Also, there is a simple blood test which is almost 100% accurate that tests for cervical cancer - it's called the CSA Test (cervical specific antigen) and was patented about 4 years ago in the States. Women should demand access asap - write to your politicians and womens action groups. There are many vested interests in the lucrative business of cervical cancer screening that will not give up their market and control easily...

You'll find information on line at the Cervuis and Onconix websites."

From what I read in the CSA blood test website http://onconix.net/pap_smear_limitations.htm the CSA blood test is much more accurate test than pap smear (which is found to be unreliable, according to the many testimonies I have read so far), and is also convenient.

Delphi Screener Self Test

I have checked out the website http://www.asexuality.org/en/index.php?/topic/70367-byebye-pap-smear-pelvic-exam/ as well as a few other related websites. I agree with the first post that says:

"If you hate traditional pap smear and pelvic exam and want an alternative: Do the research first on your options. After the research, I would go to your GYN doctor and say "NO to traditional pap smear & pelvic exam AND say I want my CSA blood test and delphi screener instead."

CT scan

I think that if a CT scan showed no sign of abnormalities in the pelvic and abdomen regions, it would also indicate strongly there is nothing wrong with these areas. As for women in the East, we seem to hardly hear about cervical cancer and they don't do cervical test pap smears too. I think only in modern cities, where western medical practices have an increasing influence, the GPs are starting to advocate (or rather propagate/advertise) pap smear tests to women - I think it's part of the medical propaganda from the West.

DR-70 blood test

I also learnt from this petition website that there are alternative non-invasive tests, besides CSA blood test, such as DR-70 blood test and urine sample tests that can be used for pelvic exam screening. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/18/the-right-to-pelvic-exam-alternatives/

"In other countries such as China use a CSA blood test that some believe to be even more effective that a pelvic exam. DR-70 is a simple blood test that can also detect it. Verbal questionnaires can eliminate the need to look for skin cancer, which can often hide in the nether regions. Urine samples can be used to test for cervical cancer and HPV. There are also personal vaginal swabs or a Self Pap that can be used in the bathroom and then given to the doctor to replace the PAP smear. Some places offer lessons in self pelvic exams,"

I googled about DR-70, and came across this website. http://www.mnwelldir.org/docs/cancer1/dr-70.htm

"In June 2000 the FDA approved a new cancer screening test called DR-70. It is a simple blood test the screens for 13 different cancers all at the same time. Clinical studies have been conducted all over the world and the results showed that it detected cancers of the lung, colon, stomach, liver, pancreas, rectum, ovaries, esophagus, cervix, uterus, thyroid, breast and even malignant lymphoma. The test is simple, non invasive, and costs right around $100.

You will have to ask your doctor for this. Odds are s/he might not have heard of it. If s/he hasn't heard of it, the phone number to AMDL, Inc., the company that developed it, is  714-505-4460 , or you can go to their web site atwww.amdl.com."

It is good to know there are safer, more convenient and non-invasive screenings available, and I hope these options are available in more clinics.

Why a GP is saying no to pap smear

I also read this article, which I find quite balanced. http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/why-im-saying-no-to-a-smear-7577967.html I think the GP who wrote this article has made a strong case on why she's saying no to a pap smear, since it's optional and it often carries more risks than any potential benefit, and she considers herself having low risk for having cervical cancer (since she doesn't smoke, for example). Besides, it is noted that cervical cancer is indeed very rare, and therefore not worth the risk of pap smear too.

I agree with Michaela's view at the bottom of this website http://dodomar.hubpages.com/hub/For-any-woman-fearing-an-OB-GYN that women have every right to be given risk information on cervical screening by the GP, and they are free to decline any and all medical examinations.

Awareness about alternatives to gynecological exams

I think it is good to be part of this Facebook community "Against Gyn Exams" as they are here to "exchange articles and websites on the subject to increase awareness of the many existing alternatives and scientific facts about gynecology, its history and unravel the real motivations behind gynecology", according to the profile description. It is also good that we have such useful information and testimonies available online, which enable us to make informed decisions, especially when it comes to certain medical exams that may affect our health and well-being.

Even though some women may think that the peace of mind is well worth taking pap smear, I find that in many other cases, women prefer to have other alternatives to pap smears because they find pap smears unreliable and a bit risky, if not humiliating or embarrassing.

I agree with the following comment I read at the bottom of this website http://feministsforchoice.com/why-must-a-pap-smear-be-so-awkward.htm that people need to be given a choice on whether to accept a screening test.

"Elizabeth says:

August 2, 2012 at 3:34 am

Sandra,
An appropriate screening test must meet a few criteria, one being the test must be acceptable to men or women. Yet I have always felt women were told they must find it acceptable, no one really asked women how they felt about this test. Self- test options have been blocked or discouraged in many countries, many countries screen too often or too early worrying and harming huge numbers of women unnecessarily…in ethical and evidence based hands, most of this damage was avoidable. Now there is no excuse…"

Profit-oriented nature of medical screenings

I have come to see that GPs in western (and westernised) societies seem to follow (perhaps blindly) their medical procedures, when it comes to recommending cervical screening, for example, - and part of their motivation could also be that their practice gets paid a bonus for achieving certain levels of screening, as shared by this person below. 

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/why-im-saying-no-to-a-smear-7577967.html

scotslass • 6 months ago

"As far as I can see, noone has pointed out one of the main reasons for GPs pressurising women into screening. Their practice gets paid a bonus for acheiving certain levels of screening, just as they do for childhood immunisation.
I'm all for people being allowed a chouce to opt out, but when they do their GP and the health authority should accept this" 

 Patriarchal influence on medical exams

I have come across a few observations online about the unfair or unequal treatment of women in medical examination matters, partly due to the male-dominated patriarchal mindset. Here's an example.

http://againstallevidence.wordpress.com/2010/12/30/cervical-screening-lies-part-1/

"Lishra,
Exactly, and we don’t see that sort of attitude in male cancer screening – there IS a double standard in medicine. My husband was “offered” prostate screening when he turned 50 and I was astonished to see he was handed a long sheet listing the pros and cons of testing – his doctor stressed cancer screening is elective and entirely his decision.
Women are treated SO differently – ordered, pressured, coerced or scared into screening with IMO, misleading and even incorrect information. Zero respect for informed consent and our doctors even get paid behind our backs for numbers screening…counted like sheep being run through dip!

Yet prostate cancer is common, cervical cancer has always been rare and that’s the difference, you MUST screen very large numbers if the disease/cancer is rare and with an unreliable test that means a BIG and negative impact on healthy women – the more than 99% who’d never have an issue with this cancer.

It means this program is only viable IF unethical measures are used and informed consent is ignored – IMO, that makes the program unethical and illegal…it violates our legal rights and ethical standards.

I guess keeping women ignorant has protected the Govt and doctors from law suits from women harmed by over-treatment – most women walk away relieved they don’t have cancer or assume they were “treated” for cancer. When women don’t have basic information about this testing, it means legal action is unlikely as few women will put 2 and 2 together and realize they didn’t give informed consent in the first place: How many women even receive the pros and cons of testing from their doctor? Most women tell me they’re basically told by their doctor that all women MUST test, it’s part of being a woman…doctors have been getting away with this for decades.

Time to challenge them…I’d urge every woman to speak up and stand firm when her rights are violated – ask doctors about false positive rates, the rareness of the cancer, the evidence that testing helps women under 30….when you have the correct answers, you’re better able to assess your doctor’s answers."

Conclusion about cervical screenings

Much of the medical profession in modern societies is partly influenced by patriarchal mindset, and partly influenced by the profit nature of the medical industry. Even in clinics here in Singapore, I see posters advertising about cervical cancer vaccines to women. When I googled about pap smears earlier on, I see a number of websites of hospitals and polyclinics in Singapore propagating about women above 30 to take pap smears every 3 years, and not much information was given about the possible risks of the pap smear test. One thing I noticed also is that it seems most people in Singapore are not outspoken about this either, unlike in the West. It is only through internet research have I begun to realise the dubious motivations of the medical industry behind their propaganda about cervical screening.

What about mid cycle spotting if one doesn't want to go through cervical screening?

I googled to find out more about mid cycle spotting, and some websites say "Fortunately, mid-cycle spotting is usually nothing to worry about." as it could be due to hormonal changes, for example, which is normal/common. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100904112118AAdvb76
You could consider taking alternative screen tests, such as the CSA blood test, just to put your heart at rest.

Observation about the food and health industries

This interesting quote captures the sad irony regarding much of the food industry and healthcare industry in our modern societies as both seem to put prioritise profits over people. These days, I am learning to be more careful and selective when buying food in supermarkets, such as the kinds of peanut butter and cooking oil, for example, after doing my own reading and research on natural health websites. It seems the food and health regulatory bodies are leaving the decisions mainly to the consumers and allow certain foods that are processed with refined sugar and hydrogenated oil to continue to be sold to the general public. I am learning that our food is our medicine, provided we choose foods that are mainly natural, preferably organic and comprise largely of fruits and vegetables (and occasionally some fish, for the non-vegetarian).

Natural remedies for eye stye

According to this website http://naturalsociety.com/home-remedies-for-styes/#ixzz26v0OadkQ

"An eye stye is a result of a bacterial infection around the eye area. This condition can manifest itself in what looks like a small boil or pimple on the eyelids. Since this is a bacterial infection, it can be itchy and painful, but thankfully numerous home remedies for styes do exist."

It appears that a number of health websites suggest using warm compress as one of the main ways to treat stye.

"Clean the area with warm water. Try using a Q-tip or a cotton pad after soaking it in warm water, then clean the eye area. Cleaning will help unclog the area where the stye is, accelerating the healing process.

Warm compress. Apply a warm compress on the area for a few minutes at least 4-5 times a day. This will help reduce the swelling and redness associated with styes."

http://naturalsociety.com/home-remedies-for-styes/#ixzz26uxrriTJ

These two websites suggest using tea bag as a convenient and effective warm compress.
http://www.wikihow.com/Cure-a-Stye
http://voices.yahoo.com/four-natural-cures-eye-styes-678891.html

This website suggests using chamomile as a warm compress as it has anti-inflammatory effects. http://www.livestrong.com/article/95664-herbal-remedies-stye-infection/

I also learnt that aloe vera can also be used to treat styes, as mentioned in the wikihow website above.

There were a few times my eyes felt sore and tired in the past, and I learnt to rest my eyes more often, besides ensuring eye hygiene and using eye drops at times (though I also discovered not to use eye drops for long periods of time, as it can cause dryness of eyes, so I think natural treatments and preventions are still the best solutions in the long run).

The good news is that stye will go away on its own, and meanwhile, we can take care of it by using warm compress, and keeping our eyes clean, as mentioned above.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sty/DS00257/DSECTION=lifestyle-and-home-remedies

What we consume affects us

"Now I wonder how much human suffering – sickness, psychosis, ignorance, broken relationships, injustice, even war – is caused from industrialized food." ~ from "The Food Lone Ranger"

 I think it's helpful to read the above-mentioned blog about the author's experiences on how the body would tend to be sensitive to processed or industrialized food after detoxing with natural foods or supplements, which reminds me of what you shared from your own experiences too. I googled about it just now and learnt this is commonly observed by food nutritionists. This website also suggests taking probiotics and ginger tea, among other natural supplements, regularly to support digestion and continue detoxifying the body.

Post Detox Guidelines | After your detox retreat

"You get very sensitive on a detox retreat, transition to a normal diet. ... Healthy juices, probiotics, kefir, both water and dairy,natural yoghurt, fermented soy like tempeh or natto, fermented ..."

I also googled and learnt that industrialised food tends to desensitise one's taste buds. I wonder if the same kind of food would desensitise a person in other ways too. Given that a person would feel more energetic and think more clearly after detoxing and abstaining from processed food such as sugar and genetically modified wheat, perhaps this might mean that those who continue to eat much processed food regularly would not be able to think as clearly or feel as deeply about human concerns, which in turn may result in injustice and conflicts in the world in the long run. So perhaps there is some connection between processed food and human suffering because what we consume do affect us in some ways.

Mental or emotional implications of back pain

Louise L. Hay

If you're experiencing back pain, see if these mental causes could be true for you. These affirmations are from my book, Heal Your Body. Hay House has a special offer on this title, along with a few other goodies. http://www.hayhouse.com/shop-catalog/2012/fall-clearance/under-5&utm_id=HAYFB

I think it's helpful to see possible connections between back pain and the emotional pain/fear/guilt/anxiety a person goes through. I agree that affirmations such as loving and approving ourselves, and trusting our needs are always taken care of can help relieve the physical conditions in our body. I found it to be true in my own case regarding heart palpitations - I think this was partly due to self-condemnation in the past. I am glad to have been learning to let go of condemnation and to love and accept myself unconditionally since.

Treating Hiatal Hernia Naturally

WHAT IS HIATAL HERNIA?

According to Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiatus_hernia

A hiatus hernia or hiatal hernia is the protrusion (or herniation) of the upper part of the stomach into the thorax through a tear or weakness in the diaphragm.

WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS OR POSSIBLE CAUSES/CONTRIBUTORS OF HIATAL HERNIA?

I have done a quick internet search about haital hernia and the possible causes and risk factors, and it appears that the risk factors include being overweight, smoking, above age 50, and stress. 

HOW IS HIATAL HERNIA DIAGNOSED?

It can be diagnosed through a gastroscopy test, and when the result of the test is out, the doctor will discuss the result with the person.

TREATING/PREVENTING HIATAL HERNIA THROUGH MAKING CHANGES IN DIET

 We can avoid foods that cause heartburn,  such as certain acidic food, spicy food, milk, etc, wherever possible. More information is found in this website "Treating heartburn naturally" under the last section on "Practise Good Eating Habits Regularly".

This website recommends drinking aloe vera juice twice a day, among other suggestions.  http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/askquestion/12951/health-advice-on-hiatus-hernia-treatment-for-hiatu.html

TREATING/PREVENTING HIATAL HERNIA THROUGH EXERCISES

This website suggests relaxation exercises http://drbenkim.com/articles/hiatal-hernia-treatment.htm

In the following website, someone made an interesting suggestion for a simple fix through a series of exercises that involve drinking warm water first thing in the morning and doing squating exercises regularly as often as necessary.

  http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/hiatal-hernia.html

06/19/2010: Tom from Regina, Sk replies: "This ongoing fix for a hiatus hernia comes from the 'Alternatives' health tips of Dr. David Williams.

First, a Simple Test:

It's not foolproof, but some doctors have their patients take a deep breath and hold it for 40 seconds. If you can't hold your breath for that long, and there are no other problems,then a hiatus hernia is a possibility.

A Simple Fix

If the top portion of the stomach is stuck up above the diaphragm, then the obvious answer is to get it out. This can be done in two steps:

Drink about a glass of either room temperature or slightly warm water when you get out of bed first thing in the morning. (No coffee, no tea, no juice, no cold water, just warm water.)

Then, while standing, bring your arms straight out from your sides and bend your elbows so that your hands are touching your chest. Then stand up on your toes as high as possible and DROP down onto your heels, rather like a weightlifter's squat! You should force a pretty good jolt. Drop down like this 10 times in a row. Then, while standing with your arms up, pant short quick breaths for about 15 seconds. That's it.

The warm water acts like a weight in the stomach. Warm water doesn't cause the stomach to cramp, but instead it relaxes it. Spreading your arms stretches the diaphragm and opens up that hole in the back. Dropping down on your heels jerks the stomach out of the hole, and the panting tightens up the diaphragm muscle to close the hole.

You need to do this exercise every day - not just until everything feels normal. This will also strengthen the area, and make the hiatal hernia less likely to come back.

Try it! It costs nothing."

Doing abdominal exercises, such as sit-ups at moderate levels, can help treat and/or prevent hiatal hernia, as they help strengthen abdominal muscles.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/310958-exercises-to-stop-a-hiatal-hernia/

http://www.ehow.com/way_5622517_exercises-cure-hiatal-hernia.html

"Certain exercises will provide relief from your symptoms, possibly forever. One activity is simply walking. Walking at a brisk pace, using good posture and holding in your abdominal muscles, can really help relieve the pressure you feel in your chest. Because you are holding yourself upright and bouncing slightly, your stomach can slide down back into place. Walking also provides stress relief, which will lower your stomach acid production and keep your stomach from clenching. Stress is a contributor to hiatal hernia. Any abdominal exercise, like sit-ups, will help strengthen the muscles in the area if done in moderation. Don't do the extreme-type crunches because too much force can actually worsen your condition. Take it slow and easy, looking for gradual results. Yoga and Pilates may be beneficial because they aim to strengthen the entire organism, especially the core muscles."

TREATING/PREVENTING HIATAL HERNIA THROUGH LIFESTYLE CHANGES

Avoiding people and/or situations where there are low vibrations can help relieve and/or prevent stress. 

Here's sharing another relevant information that I thought is useful for treating and preventing hiatal hernia naturally. I learnt that poor sitting positions/postures may also cause or contribute to the condition. 

This website says changing to a squatting position when using the toilet for defecation can even help to remedy the hiatus hernia problem, as it would decrease straining and ease pressure on the stomach.  

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiatus_hernia

"According to Dr. Denis Burkitt, "Hiatus hernia has its maximum prevalence in economically developed communities in North America and Western Europe ... In contrast the disease is rare in situations typified by rural African communities."^[3] Burkitt attributes the disease to insufficient dietary fiber and the use of the unnatural sitting position for defecation. Both factors create the need for straining at stool, increasing intraabdominal pressure and pushing the stomach through the esophageal hiatus in the diaphragm."

This website supports the findings, and suggests how people can adopt a safe squatting position in toilet which is more natural and comfortable position to empty the bowels.

http://www.toilet-related-ailments.com/

TREATING/PREVENTING HIATAL HERNIA THROUGH CHIROPRACTIC THERAPY

Besides diet, exercise and lifestyle changes, chiropractors can help in healing hiatal hernia. 

There are some testimonies in this website on how chiropractors have helped to heal hiatal hernia.

http://www.topix.com/forum/health/hiatal-hernia/T59PMK4VI8GSEQ68I/p2

This video demonstrates how a chiropractor helps someone to find relief from heartburn.

In the same website http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/hiatal-hernia.html someone shared a testimony on how hiatal hernia can be healed by a chiropractor.

12/20/2010: Kauai_syren from Mendocino, Ca replies: "To the person who is suffering Hiatel Hernia with no luck:
Have you thought about the possibly that you could be gluten intolerant? I am gluten intolerant and suffer hiatel hernias when I am exposed to gluten... Also, both my left and right ileocecal valves open up. This causes a lot of pain and I suffer....! However, I am very lucky and blessed as I have a wonderful doctor that always seems to fix me. She is a doctor of chiropractic and an applied kinesiologist specializing in nutrition and food allergy testing. She is also celiac (allergic to gluten). If you are intrigued and want to know more, please take your chance! Being gluten free changed my life. I don't know what I would have done if I had not made this change. It is hard, but is there really any price to pay for feeling healthy?"

I think based on these testimonies, it is worth considering seeing a chiropractor. Otherwise, one can still apply the above-mentioned natural remedies, in the areas of diet, exercise and lifestyle changes, that are customised to one's specific needs.
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Additional reading:

Use natural remedies for a hiatal hernia