Bezoars

Disclaimer.  I am not a licensed health practitioner.  This is just another post on an item you might wish to have available if needed so that a physician can treat you and your family as best as possible.  No medication, including those available over the counter, should be taken without consulting a physician.  Information shared here is for educational and entertainment purposes only.  It is not medical advice nor a substitute for licensed medical care.  A qualified, licensed physician or other medical provider should be consulted before beginning any herbal or conventional treatment.


The article on dietary fiber earlier this year touched briefly on bezoars, and now it's time to cover the subject in a bit more detail.  Bezoars (BE-zor) are hard, compacted clumps of fiber, much like hairballs in cats.  And while cats can cough up hairballs, people cannot cough up a bezoar.  This undigested or partially digested material can build up and cause blockages anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract, but they are most commonly found in the stomach.  Fortunately, many bezoars are completely asymptomatic and cause no problems at all.  Unfortunately, however, surgical intervention is sometimes required, and that may not always be an option.

Diagnosing a bezoar in a patient isn't going to be all that easy, either.  It will be necessary to obtain a very thorough patient history and detailed information on the diet.  But without lab equipment, it may be next to impossible to do anything more than make an educated guess.  However, recognizing the risk factors and educating ourselves and our family members may go a long ways towards prevention.

The symptoms of bezoars include:

• feeling full after eating very little food
• lack of appetite
• nausea
• vomiting
• abdominal pain
• weight loss
• anemia

There are six types of bezoars.  Older adults are generally at greater risk for developing bezoars, but trichobezoars and lactobezoars are more common in children. 

• Phytobezoars are the most common type, making up about 40% of all bezoars.  They form quickly and present with nausea, vomiting, and gastric outlet obstruction.  These have been treated with good success using Coke, regular or diet, a 12-ounce can twice per day for 6-8 weeks.
• Diospyrobezoars are a type of phytobezoar due to eating too many persimmons.  These bezoars cannot be dissolved by Coke and must be surgically removed.
• Trichobezoars are most commonly found in adolescent girls who suck on, chew, and swallow hair and often indicate some underlying psychiatric issue, as might happen in a time of stress in a collapsed society.  The condition is also called Rapunzel's syndrome.  These bezoars take a considerable amount of time to develop, sometimes years.  The patient usually presents with nausea and early satiety, and perhaps anorexia and weight loss.  These usually require removal through endoscopy or surgery.  Coke does not work.
• Pharmacobezoars arise due to medication that doesn't get digested.  These patients are usually older and are more likely to have gastric outlet obstruction.
• Lactobezoars occur most frequently in infants and arise due to dehydration, prematurity and low birth weight (underdeveloped gastrointestinal tract), high calorie formula (not mixed according to directions), or the addition of thickening agents like pectin to formula.  They present with problems in feeding intolerance, abdominal distension, irritability, and/or vomiting.  A palpable mass may be detected in these patients.
• Foreign body bezoar, most often tissue paper and styrofoam cups.

Bezoars most often develop in people with the following risk factors.  If you don't have at least one risk factor, you're probably in the clear for this condition.

• gastric surgery or gastric band for weight loss
• reduced stomach acid production or decreased stomach size
• cystic fibrosis
• delayed gastric emptying due to
• diabetes complications
• autoimmune disorders
• mixed connective tissue disease
• gastroparesis
• ulcers
• hypothyroidism
• can't or don't chew food properly, due to poorly fitting dentures or missing teeth (more common among the elderly)
• excessive intake of fiber, and especially in a rapid change from a modern American diet to a high fiber diet, like what may happen post-collapse.

Those at risk for developing bezoars should chew their food thoroughly before swallowing and should avoid following foods:

• pumpkins
• celery
• persimmons
• sunflower seed shells
• prunes and raisins
• leeks
• beets

Links to related posts:
Dietary Imbalances and Consequences--Fiber

For more information:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bezoar
https://www.healthline.com/health/bezoar#outlook-and-prevention
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gastroparesis/expert-answers/bezoars/faq-20058050
https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gastrointestinal-disorders/bezoars-and-foreign-bodies/bezoars
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3966178/

© 2019, PrepSchoolDaily.blogspot.com 

august 11 2021 

The Medicinal Uses of Calendula

Disclaimer.  I am not a licensed health practitioner.  This is just another post on an item you might wish to have available if needed so that a physician can treat you and your family as best as possible.  No medication, including those available over the counter, should be taken without consulting a physician.  Information shared here is for educational and entertainment purposes only.  It is not medical advice nor a substitute for licensed medical care.  A qualified, licensed physician or other medical provider should be consulted before beginning any herbal or conventional treatment.


Calendula officinalis is a bright, yellow-orange flower in the marigold family.  It is very easy to grow and thrives in full sun with good soil, but also does well in less-than ideal conditions or with little care.  Harvest the flowers on a dry, sunny day, if possible.  The medicine is strongest when the buds are just opening, and the stickier they are, the better.  The flowers are edible and often added to salads and soups. Calendula is a powerful antiviral, yet it is safe enough for babies. 

Calendula has a wide range of medicinal applications and just as wide an array of preparations for usage.  It is used to treat dermatitis, diaper rash, shingles, and minor wounds--cuts, scrapes, bruises, and bites; to reduce inflammation in joints and relax muscle spasms; for abdominal cramps and constipation; to treat ear infections, sore throats, and gingivitis;  and for hemorrhoids, duodenal and gastric ulcers.

Tincture.  The tincture is best prepared using fresh flowers, in a 1:2 ratio, that is, one part blossoms to two parts alcohol (70%)  It can also be prepared with dried flowers in a 1:5 ratio.  Per Stephen Buhner (author of Herbal Antivirals) the dosage is 5-30 drops, up to four times per day.

Oil.  Calendula oil is used topically to treat skin rashes, eczema, and inflamed lymph glands. To prepare the oil:

• Let freshly picked blossoms wilt for about 12 hours.
• Loosely fill a canning jar with the wilted blossoms.  
• Pour melted coconut or olive oil over the top.  
• Put on a lid and place in a sunny location to let the oil infuse for one month, shaking daily.
• Strain the flowers and pour the oil into a clean jar.  
• Store in a cool, dark place.

Creamy salve.  A creamy calendula salve is used to manage superficial skin issues, such as minor burns, cuts, rashes (including diaper rash), dermatitis, ringworm, and athlete's foot, as well as reduce inflammation in joints and relax muscle spasms.  To prepare a creamy salve:

• Melt 8 ounces calendula oil and 2 ounces grated beeswax or pastilles in a double boiler.
• Add 5 drops lavender essential oil.  
• Pour into a small jar, put the lid on, and store in a cool, dark place.

Salve.  Just this morning, I woke up with an incredible itch on my ear; I figure something bit me as I slept.  It was itching something fierce!  I used some salve a friend (thanks, Lisa!) made for me last year, and the itching ceased immediately.  And it hasn't come back. (It's now been almost 12 hours.)  (Little update:  The itching returned about 9PM last night, so I reapplied more and went to bed.  I must have rolled over and been sleeping on my ear and woke up itching.  Reapplied more at 1AM, went back to bed, and made sure to stay off that side.  Still fine now at 7AM.)  To make a salve, follow the directions for the creamy salve above, but use only 4 ounces of calendula oil.  Pour into a jar or lip balm tubes.

Infusion.  An infusion is used internally to alleviate digestive irritation, abdominal cramps and constipation, ulcers, bladder infections, menstrual cramps, measles, and chickenpox.  It is also used as a mouthwash or gargle for mouth lesions, gingivitis, and sore throat.  And it can be used as a wash for treating wounds.  Prepare an infusion by steeping 2 teaspoons of calendula in boiling water for 10 minutes. 

Poultice.  A calendula poultice provides significant relief for shingles and minor wounds.  To prepare a poultice, soak a clean cloth in a calendula infusion and place it over the wound or rash. 

Contraindications.  Not to be used internally by pregnant women or those wishing to become pregnant.

Cautions.  Calendula may lower blood pressure.  It may also cause drowsiness.

Links to related posts:
The Medicinal Uses of Comfrey
How to Make a Salve


For further reading:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16906636 (abdominal cramps and constipation)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19601397 (wound healing)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3917203 (dental plaque and gingivitis)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16677386 (cancer treatment)
https://ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.1200/jco.2004.07.063 (acute dermatitis in cancer)

Dr. Patrick Jones, The HomeGrown Herbalist, p 109-111.
Rosemary Gladstar, Medicinal Herbs:  A Beginner's Guide, p 112-116
Dr. Stephen Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, p 367.

© 2019, PrepSchoolDaily.blogspot.com  

13 december 2020

The Medicinal Uses of Peppermint

Disclaimer.  I am not a licensed health practitioner.  This is just another post on an item you might wish to have available if needed so that a physician can treat you and your family as best as possible.  No medication, including those available over the counter, should be taken without consulting a physician.  Information shared here is for educational and entertainment purposes only.  It is not medical advice nor a substitute for licensed medical care.  A qualified, licensed physician or other medical provider should be consulted before beginning any herbal or conventional treatment.



Peppermint has flavored or scented gums and candies, desserts, tea, toothpaste, soap, and shampoo, and probably loads of other products forever.  Have you ever noticed how many cold and cough and nausea remedies (Pepto-Bismol, Vicks, NyQuil, Listerine, etc.) contain menthol--one of the primary active constituents in peppermint?  There's a reason for that--it works!  Peppermint is in the same plant family as lavender, spearmint, catmint (catnip), and rosemary.  It's one of the easiest medicinal plants to grow; in fact, some would say that it is too easy.  If it is not well contained, it will spread everywhere.

Peppermint leaves and flowers are best harvested just after flowers begin to emerge. 

Numerous studies have shown that peppermint is antibacterial, insecticidal, and anti-parasitic.  Historically, peppermint has been used to treat not only gastrointestinal upsets, but also tuberculosis, colds, and headaches.  Fresh peppermint leaves are chewed to freshen breath; however, peppermint is most frequently taken in the form of tea or essential oils.

Fresh leaves.  Chewing on fresh peppermint leaves freshens the breath because the peppermint leaves possess antibacterial properties, i.e., they kill bacteria.  Bacteria produce a bad smell.  So bad breath goes away when you chew peppermint leaves.

Infusion.  Steep peppermint leaves or a tea bag in boiling water for 5-10 minutes.  Add sugar or honey to taste.  Drink peppermint tea to:

• relieve headaches and migraines;
• relieve nausea and vomiting;
• relieve menstrual and muscle cramps;
• soothe the respiratory tract and ease cold and flu congestion;
• promote sleep;
• relieve bloating, indigestion, and ulcers due to H. pylori;
• reduce fever.

Essential oil:  Sometimes you need the medicinal effects of peppermint to be a bit more concentrated; after all, you can only drink so much tea.  And that's where essential oils come in.  As essential oils are going to be rather difficult to produce in a collapsed society, plan to acquire a good supply of this valuable item from a reputable source.

• Aromatherapy/steam inhalation:
• stress and nausea--put several drops in a diffuser;
• colds and influenza, for clearing airways--add 10-12 drops to a pot of boiling water and then inhale the steam for 10 minutes;
• though not as effective, in the above situations if unable to use a diffuser, inhale directly from the bottle or rub a drop or two of oil onto your wrists and inhale as needed;
• tuberculosis--as an adjunct to other therapies, put 10 drops in a pot of boiling water and inhale the steam for 20 minutes each day for 2 months.
• Externally:
• nausea--mix 1-2 drops with 1-2 drops of carrier oil and rub behind the ears to prevent nausea;
• tension headache--mix a 1-2 drops into 2 drops of carrier oil and rub a drop on the temples for relief;
• upset stomach and heartburn--dilute 2-3 drops in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil and massage into the stomach;
• colds--dilute 2-3 drops in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil and massage into the chest;
• diabetic neuropathy--dilute a few drops in a carrier oil and massage into the afflicted areas.
• Internally:  Peppermint essential oil is generally recognized as safe when taken internally in very small doses, about 2-3 drops in a carrier oil or in water.
• heartburn, upset stomach--1 drop of essential oil, 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, and 1 teaspoon of honey to a glass of warm water and drink;
• asthma, seasonal allergies--2 drops in a glass of water;
• sore throat gargle--2 drops in a glass of warm water to soothe the pain of a sore throat and to kill bacteria.  For added relief, add in 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
• irritable bowel syndrome.  For those concerned about nuclear radiation exposure, a few studies have shown that peppermint oil may provide some protection from radiation.  So far, the studies have been limited to mice and have shown that the peppermint needs to be taken before exposure to radiation. 

Contraindications for internal use:  Because peppermint can relax the sphincter muscle between the stomach and esophagus, it should not be used by people with GERD.  Do not use if you are taking iron supplements or cyclosporins, if you have a heart condition or high blood pressure, or if you are taking medications to reduce or suppress stomach acid production.  Do not use in children under the age of 12.  (Children may use spearmint the same as adults use peppermint;  spearmint is a close relative, but much gentler in its actions.)

Cautions:  Doses above 500 mg can irritate the mouth and stomach and produce a heartburn-like reaction.  May cause skin rashes, allergic reaction, or other irritation.

Other uses:  Peppermint essential oil is used in conjunction with other oils as a mosquito repellent and a pesticide.  Interestingly, it is also used in plumbing and construction to test for leaks by detecting the odor.

Links to related posts:
The Herbal Medic (book review)  
The HomeGrown Herbalist (book review)   
Anti-Nausea Medications   
Spearmint   
Peppermint-Lavender-Rosemary Headache Balm   
Catnip   

For further reading:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16121521 (general review of published articles)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29372567 (overall review of published articles)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23011739 (protection from gamma radiation)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/13678235 (virucidal effect on herpes simplex 1 and 2)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23416804 (irritable bowel syndrome)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26319955 (irritable bowel syndrome)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3403674/ (infantile colic)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28562281 (functional abdominal pain in children)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17427617 (irritable bowel syndrome)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17653649 (gastric emptying; gastroparesis)
https://draxe.com/peppermint-oil-uses-benefits/
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/10/14/peppermint-health-benefits.aspx\
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/peppermint-oil-uses-benefits-effects#1
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12048423 (postherpetic neuralgia)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17128800 (tuberculosis)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11201253 (hay fever)


© 2019, PrepSchoolDaily.blogspot.com
  

15 november 2020

15 january 2024