women's health -

March 30, 2019

I Tried a V Steam & Here’s What Happened

There are some things that good Christian women shouldn’t talk about (like our periods)… but here I am, sharing about my experience with a “V Steam” because, well, I like to overshare. And oh yeah, by the way, women need to hear about this ancient herbal ritual that is actually good for their health! I share my experience below.

First of all, when I first heard about V steaming I thought “this is a little too out there for me. Isn’t anything private and sacred anymore?” But the more I learned the more intrigued I was.

V steaming is becoming a popular topic, with everyone from Gwyneth Paltrow to your local gynecologist touting the benefits. So what is a V steam?

V steam – yep, it is what you think it is.

First of all, the “V” stands for “vaginal.” Let’s just get that out there. Yes, it’s an herbal steam for your vagina.

This is also known as a “Yoni steam,” as “yoni” is the Hindu word for vulva. I guess the “V” could also stand for “vulva” with that in mind, but I digress.

The whole “yoni” thing can get into some Hinduism & spiritual stuff that I’m not interested in, so I’ll stick with “V steam” and tell you about the purported benefits… and what happened when I tried a V steam myself… at my local mall. Yep, I’m classy like that.

But more on that later. Let’s look at what a V steam actually is.

V steam -the herbal treatment for your lady bits

A V steam is basically where you squat over a pot of steaming herbs so that the herbal steam can enter your vaginal canal. Ideally, there is a seat or stool so that you can sit comfortably for half an hour or longer while you steam.

Herbs used include motherwort, wormwood, rosemary, and red raspberry, though the herbs can be tailored for an individual woman’s needs. Essentially these herbs are for combating infections as well as balancing hormones.

Listen, I’ve had four kids. And if you’ve had some kids, I probably don’t have to tell you that those sweet angels do a number on your body… including your vagina.

Whaaat? Pushing babies from your vagina changes it? Ya don’t say. Yep, as well as your pelvic floor muscles, your uterus, your bladder, and pretty much every other square inch of your body from your ankles to your chin(s). Actually, now that I think about it, even my feet changed during my first pregnancy.

But here’s the thing- V steams aren’t just for women who have had babies. They can be helpful for lots of female issues.

V steam benefits:

uterine toning
hormonal balance
improved fertility
relaxed pelvic muscles
reduced period problems like PMS, cramping, and heavy bleeding
less yeast infections
may help with bladder problems and bacterial infections in the vagina and even the gut.

These benefits have not been studied, but proponents suggest that increased blood flow to the vaginal area following a steam may contribute to some of the purported benefits. In addition, herbal steam contains the constituents and therefore benefits from the herbs, so herbs that are indicated for infection, hormone balancing, and so forth may provide benefits.

What happened when I got a V steam

Because of my status as a four-time birthing champion, as well as lingering symptoms of interstitial cystitis, I decided it was high time to give V steaming a go.

I heard about a new medical spa in town and all the holistic health services they offered, from IV therapies, to an oxygen bar, to V steaming. Sign me up for a spa day.

Here’s how that went: my V steam experience

I arrive at the “medical spa,” which is basically a one-room shop at the mall. (I hadn’t realized it was at the mall.) The door is propped open and there are people constantly walking by and in.

“It’s cool,” I think. “I’m sure there’s plenty of privacy for such a treatment.”

I realize that the only separate room with a door in this place is the bathroom. “I’m not sure what your comfort level is with privacy…” the employee starts. “We can set you up right here [out in the open in the large room where other people are receiving services], or I can put you behind the curtain [still in the same room, but with a plastic curtain separating you from other people].”

Me: “Is that a trick question?” She looks at me. Clearly this is not a trick question. “Behind the curtain, please,” I say.

I walk in and there is a geriatric-looking stool perched over an electric burner and an old pot with water in it. It’s not yet boiling as expected. So, she adjusts something, the burner clicks on, and I wait while the water heats up.

I notice the pot for sure looks like it’s Teflon. I make a mental note to research the negative effects of Teflon fumes entering my vaginal canal.

She helps me put the steaming cape on and tells me I can wait to take off my pants while the water heats up. She leaves to get the herbs and I’m left wondering if I’ve made a critical error in scheduling this appointment. My fears are confirmed when she returns.

The cape.

She scoops some herbs into the now boiling water and tells me to take off my pants and undergarments. That wouldn’t have been awkward at all to do out in the open in front of the couple now receiving ionic foot detoxes.

After I’ve disrobed, she tells me she’ll help me get onto the stool. I look at her and wait for her to put some sort of barrier on the seat. When she doesn’t move to do so, I ask, “Um, are you going to put a cover on that seat?” She kinda chuckles and says, “No.”

Me: “You mean, other women sit their naked behinds on this stool? And you don’t put some kind of liner or barrier over it?”

Her, still finding my dismay humorous: “No. We sanitize it.”

Me: “I mean, my chiropractor puts down a barrier for people’s faces and you’re not going to put one down for my behind?”

Her: “I can get some paper towels for you if you want?”

Me: “It’s fine.” (It’s not fine.) I mount the seat. I text my friend Jess about the lack of covering for the seat. I need moral support. She suggests I research natural cures for herpes next.

The employee leaves and I’m left to ponder the position I now find myself in: perched up on a stool, naked from the waist down (though covered with a cape), listening as only a plastic curtain separates me from a guy and his girlfriend getting foot baths.

Just on the other side of this, a dude and his girlfriend are chatting away. But at least there’s this curtain.

And then the steam hits. The glorious steam. And I’m instantly relaxed. I tell Jess that I don’t even care if I get herpes.

“OH MY GOSH,” I text Jess. “THIS IS HEAVENLY.” And it really is. Jess comments that she’s glad we get to bond over this experience. “This is a level of friendship intimacy from which we can never return,” she says.

The steam is wonderful… the sweating that ensues leaves me assured that sanitizing this seat is not sufficient. But the steam.

I can see, at least, how the steam relaxes the pelvic muscles. I definitely feel relaxed “down there.”

When my 30 minutes are up, I grab my clothes and shuffle across the big room to the bathroom (again, maybe I’m overly modest, but I feel weird carrying my pants across the room to go get dressed, but listen, things were, um, steamy, and I needed to dry off before putting my clothes back on).

I really do feel relaxed and rejuvenated, and I swear some of the bladder symptoms I deal with daily were temporarily abated.

I decide I want to continue doing V steams because it was just that good. But I don’t want anymore awkward experiences for my modest self.

How to do V steaming at home

While I was sitting for 30 minutes steaming, I had plenty of time to research how to have this experience at home. It turns out, it’s really easy.

First, you’ll want some kind of stool. Options abound. You can get this inexpensive stool made for camping, or a stool made specifically for V steaming like this.

You’ll also need some kind of cape to “tent” yourself over the steam. You might be able to use a large towel or even a sheet, but there are pre-made steaming capes available like this.

You’ll want to buy pre-made bulk herb packs that are created for V steaming like this.

You can use a portable burner to keep the herbs steeping for a minimum of half an hour, or you can heat the herbs on the stovetop, then steam for as long as the steam lasts. I plan to try using my Instant Pot, because, why not? (The Instant Pot Mini 3 qt would be perfect!)

Basically, all you have to do is make a tea (bring 2-3 quarts or so of water to a boil, then add a 1/2-1 cup herb mixture) then let the steam do its magic. Position yourself over the steam in a squatting position, with fabric of some kind draped over you to keep the steam in. Relax for half an hour or so.

With all the benefits of herbs for your health, it only makes sense to apply them directly to your lady bits, right? But -word to the wise- do it at home or do your homework before booking an appointment.

June 6, 2018

Managing Your Stress Response

Is your stress response chronically elevated? It could be adrenal fatigue. We’ll tell you more about how to quiet your stress response and heal your adrenals below.

What is the most common response to stress?

I don’t know a mom that wouldn’t rate her stress level as “high.” In our fast, be-it-all, do-it-all world, we are left with limitless decisions and tasks despite our limited resources. Families are overburdened and overwhelmed in epidemic numbers.

Is this how we were meant to live? Why are we so stressed? Is there something we can do about it?

What are the stages of stress response?

Most of us notice we have stress but don’t know the stages of stress which are actually quite distinct. If you understand the stages any stressor follows, you can learn how to control and manage your stress responses to lower your overall stress.

Stage 1: Recognizing a potential stressor event.

Any outside occurrence can be perceived as a potential stressor. This comes in many forms and happens thousands of times in the course of one day. We get the mail, drive, cook, work, clean, and go throughout our daily lives. Any out of the ordinary happening or unexpected event triggers our consciousness to consider if this is a threat or stressor.

This is where habits can be helpful. Good habits help you make fewer decisions and free up your time and mental resources to make decisions on more important tasks. For some, this means making a weekly schedule of your tasks can decrease your overall stress levels.

Stage 2: Evaluating the potential stressor event.

Once a potential stressor is recognized, we begin to evaluate if it’s truly a stressor to our personal resources. What is a stressor to one person, is not to another. Our subconscious asks these two questions: is this a threat to me, and do I have the resources to meet this demand?

If we feel that the event could be a threat, or that we do not have the resources to handle it, we begin the physical and mental stress process. This event is labeled as a stressor, and even if it’s not significantly draining, we will treat it as such. This is why some individuals can handle a significantly stressful event and others are upset over an unexpected $4.50 bill.

Stage 3: The body prepares for the stress response.

If an event is labeled a potential stressor, the body begins to respond by firing up the nervous response to meet the stressor’s demands. The sympathetic nervous system (SNS), also called the fight-or-flight response, prepares the body for extra physical demands and possibly a battle or quick escape.

The SNS signals the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, or HPA axis, to create and use more energy (ATP) because of the incoming event. This system communicates to the adrenals (small organs located above the kidney) to produce more cortisol, the hormone responsible for generating energy in our body.

While energy moves to our limbs and brain to physically and mentally prepare, it is moved away from our internal organs such as our digestive and immune systems, emotions, and sexual behavior.

Stage 4: The body acts on the stress response.

In this final stage of stress, the body prepares for the attack or flee. Pupils dilate, the heart rate increases, perspiration and breathing increases, blood clotting factors are sent to the appendages, and the blood moves from the internal organs to the limbs and brain.

Stage 5: The body perceives the threat as over, and scales back.

After the stressor’s demands are perceived as met, our parasympathetic system begins to take back over and lessen the effects of the sympathetic system. The parasympathetic system sends out messages to lower stress hormones, move the energy back to the digestive system and internal organs, rest, and to regenerate new energy for storage. It focuses on the long term, versus the short term of the SNS, survival.

Run or eat? Your “fight-or-flight” and “rest-and-digest” instincts

Why is the body’s response to stress called the fight or flight response? Because back in our non-modern days, we needed this type of reaction to stressors. Most of our serious threats were environmental and physical, and we needed to be able to act quickly to fight or run away from our enemy.

Today, not so much. The enemy is our busy schedule, rude boss, unruly toddlers, financial struggles, and on and on. Our stressors are more long term rather than short-term, and our SNS is activated for way too long. This wreaks havoc on our digestion, immune system, emotions, sexual health, and energy levels.

The vagus nerve and your stress response

When the parasympathetic system is employed, the vagus nerve is stimulated to send signals of relaxation, peace, and calmness to your body. When your vagus nerve is impaired, those messages aren’t sending.

Luckily, you can stimulate the nerve yourself to encourage the body to lessen your stress levels. Though there are a number of herbs which can help, simple relaxation techniques like mediation, prayer, laughter, and music or silence can make a huge difference in our vagal health.

How to improve your stress response

First, begin with managing your beginning stages of response. You don’t need to perceive every event as a threat. Mantras such as “I have all I need,” “God is my strength,” & “This too shall pass,” will create a baseline of peace and strength in your world, eventually reminding even your subconscious that it doesn’t need to jump on every possible stressor.

Work on developing a solid foundation of a good schedule, concrete community and help, financial stability, and self-awareness (via journaling, meditation, etc).

Then, implement these steps to lessen your stress response.

Mindfulness – simply being aware of yourself, your response to events, and being present in the moment elevates your mindfulness. Being aware of the Four Agreements, as penned by Don Miguel Ruiz, can also help in your relations to yourself and others: Be impeccable with your word. Don’t take anything personally. Don’t make assumptions. Always do your best.
Deep and slow breathing – slowing your breathing can slow down your stress response and activate your parasympathetic system. Try 5 or 10 long breaths that fill your lungs all the way to your belly, clearing your mind and focusing on one object in front of you.
Sole water – imbalanced minerals play a huge role in adrenal health. If you have consistently been stressed, you may be depleted. Sipping sole water can rejuvenate your mineral levels and increase your energy, creating a more positive stress response. Learn how to make sole water here.
Adaptogenic herbs – in addition to a balanced, whole foods diet, adaptogenic herbs such as maca, ashwaganda, ginseng, holy basil, rosemary, milk thistle, and some mushrooms and can help your body cope with stress. Learn how to make your own adaptogenic herbal remedy here.
Give back and connect – volunteering at a friend’s home, local shelter, or charity will broaden your perspective on your life’s stressors and teach you how to cope with new situations. Realizing there’s a world apart from our struggles can send huge ripples of change through our view of our own stress.

The Adrenals 101

If you have been undergoing chronic stress, your adrenals may actually have sustained some damage. Your adrenal system may be overactive, or underactive after years of stressful burdens. If you are consistently short-tempered, have a very low sex drive, don’t enjoy social engagements, do not sleep well, have a consistently high heart rate or high blood pressure, it may be time to give your adrenals some additional support.

Supporting your adrenals

Cortisol is the primary hormone that helps us adapt and handle stress in our day to day lives. Yes, it’s that important. And unfortunately, it can become low producing or get thrown off its daily rhythm leading to major issues for your mental, emotional, and physical health.

Test your adrenals via a four-point (four different times of the day, see below) saliva test and consider supplementing for the lows (adrenal cortex extract) and highs (zinc and/or holy basil). We like this supplement and this supplement of adrenal cortex. Of course, if you know your farmer, you can also ask for the adrenal glands and desiccate them yourself.

Iron
To build up your thyroid and adrenal health, you need a solid supply of iron. It’s important to get your iron tested before working on healing your adrenals (see test below in Additional Resources). To improve iron levels, work on healing your gut, detoxing your liver, and getting enough natural iron. Consider taking desiccated liver capsules.

Selenium
Selenium is an important cofactor to thyroid hormone production. Selenium must be optimal for your thyroid and adrenals to function properly, as selenium prevents iodine from attacking the thyroid cells. You can consider a supplement like this one, or eating Brazil nuts, which contain high levels of selenium.

Iodine
As of the 1990’s, salt and other processed foods are no longer required to contain iodine. It was replaced by its not-so-healthy friend bromine, which works against iodine in the body and actually makes other toxins, like fluoride, stick in the body.

Originally derived from the sea, iodine is also found in cranberries, strawberries, kale, and seaweed. Kelp is one of the best natural sources, though most of us need more than kelp to supplement our low iodine levels.

In fact, the RDA is about .003% of the amount most iodine researchers say we need today. Iodine (with selenium) is needed to produce enough thyroid hormones, which in turn generate good ol’ ATP (energy) in your body.

Iodine deficiency looks like lack of energy, thinning hair and eyebrows, brain fog, fatigue, low immunity, and breast tenderness and cysts.

See testing, supplementation, and dosing suggestions in the Additional Resources section below, and be sure to read our full post on iodine supplementation here.

There is hope! You may not need therapy or medication to manage chronic low or even high levels of stress. You can change your stress response with a little of self-awareness and some help from a few natural supplements.

How do you handle daily stress in your life?

Additional Resources

Stop the Thyroid Madness Website

Stop the Thyroid Madness Book

BLT Thyroid Test

ZRT At Home Cortisol Saliva Test

Iron Test

Lugols Iodine

Natural Seagreens Iodine

Iodine Dosing

May 9, 2018

What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy has been garnering more and more attention as its popularity spreads. And with good reason – it is convenient, safe, effective, and affordable. So what is homeopathy? Contributor Rheagan will tell you all about it below!

What is homeopathy and what does it do?

Homeopathy is a unique form of energy medicine discovered/founded by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician, in the late 18th century. This system of medicine is based on the premise of “like-cures-like,” otherwise known as the law of similars.

This law of similars was known to Hippocrates and Paracelsus, and several traditional cultures have used this principle in their healing practices, but it was Dr. Hahnemann who developed it into the system of medicine we know today as homeopathy. The term homeopathy literally means same (homoios) suffering (pathos).

The terms “homeopathy” and “homeopathic” are often erroneously used interchangeably with terms like “holistic” or “natural.” While homeopathy is a form of holistic or natural care, not all natural or holistic remedies are homeopathic. To be considered homeopathy, a remedy must adhere to the law of similars.

For example, elderberry syrup is a great natural remedy, but because it is not utilized in a like-cures-like manner, it is not homeopathic.

What is homeopathy?

Homeopathy utilizes remedies formulated from various substances found in the plant, animal, and mineral kingdoms which are then diluted to “potentize” them.

The more diluted a remedy is, the stronger its effect on the body. As the physical aspect of the remedy is weakened (through dilution), the energetic properties are heightened.

Each remedy has a symptom picture which is matched to the symptoms of the person seeking relief. This picture is established through a series of scientifically documented processes called a proving. The proving reveals what symptoms the remedy can cause in a healthy person. This then correlates with the symptoms it can relieve in a person suffering dis-ease (like-cures-like).

How does homeopathy work?

Homeopathy works by matching a remedy to the symptoms, whether physical or emotional, that someone is experiencing. One looks at the whole picture of the person and compares it to the whole picture of the remedy. Even tiny details that one may not think are relevant can make the difference between the correct match or not.

For example, a common remedy for the common cold is allium cepa and one of its chief indications is nasal discharge that burns and causes a raw upper lip. Conversely, euphrasia, another common cold remedy, is indicated by the lack of burning from the nasal discharge.

While trying a poorly-matched remedy won’t cause harm, it will not provide relief of symptoms.

Homeopathy can also be used for deeper healing, often referred to as constitutional care. In this case, a single remedy is matched to the person as a whole. This is best done under the care of a trained homeopath.

Homeopaths undergo extensive education and training to practice. These skilled professionals are trained and experienced in taking a complete case of a person seeking treatment and will know best what to look for when matching a remedy.

What are the benefits of homeopathy?

The benefits of homeopathy are numerous. Here are a few:

Homeopathy is safe for all ages, from newborn to 100+, though it would be best to seek the care of a homeopath when seeking treatment for very young babies as their vital force tends to be more sensitive.
Treatment is perfectly customized for each individual, no matter the issue at play.
Remedies are accessible and inexpensive.
Remedies are also easy to administer.

What can homeopathy be used for?

Because homeopathy works by addressing physical and emotional symptoms, the underlying diagnosis does not have much bearing on treatment, so homeopathy can be used for anything from acute annoyances to deep-seated chronic issues.

Types of homeopathic remedies

Homeopathic remedies come in several different formats.

Pellets- the most common and most easily available remedy. Homeopathic pharmacies buy or make blank pellets made of sugar, and then coat the pellets with the liquid remedy. Once dry, the pellets are packaged in plastic or glass bottles or dispenser tubes.

Since the remedy is on the outside of the pellet, it is important not to handle the pellets to avoid the risk of the remedy rubbing off. Pellets are said to be more resistant to the negative effects of travel than tinctures, so that may be something to consider if you know you will be travelling with your remedies frequently.

Tinctures- also popular, but harder to come by, are tincture remedies. These are made with water or alcohol and often have to be ordered from a homeopathic pharmacy. Often easier to administer to young children and those with physical limitations, wet remedies (also known as water doses) are said to be slightly stronger than dry dose pellets.

Topical remedies- Homeopathic remedies can also be applied topically. Arnica cream is a common and popular example of this application. A remedy can be applied directly to the site of injury or complaint. Try this arnica cream.

When a remedy is needed for more systemic use but oral administration is not an option, a wet remedy or pre-prepared cream can be applied to pulse points of the body, such as behind the knee or the inside of the wrist.

Paper remedies- not so well-known and often harder for our allopathically-trained minds to grasp. Since homeopathy is an energy medicine, and the remedies are so diluted as to not contain any of the original substance past 12C potency, remedies can also work by intention. The mind leads and the emotions and body follow.

For a paper remedy, the name of the remedy is written on a piece of paper which is then carried in the pocket or held under a glass of water to be sipped. The energetic properties of the remedy are imparted to the water being consumed as the remedy itself. While certainly handy to use in a pinch, the effects of a paper remedy are said to wear off sooner than that of a physical remedy.

Remedies similar to homeopathy

Flower essences are a close cousin to homeopathy. While not homeopathic in that they are not administered under the like-cures-like premise, they are another form of energy medicine.

Dr. Edward Bach who discovered the flower essences was himself a homeopath, but his work with the flower essences focused solely on flowers and transmuting their energy to the remedy and addressing the emotional field rather than the physical one. We like Bach Flower Remedies. Scroll down here to learn more about them.

Cell salts are another remedy similar to homeopathy. Developed by Dr. Wilhem Schuessler in the 19th century, these are 12 homeopathically-prepared remedies of the 12 inorganic mineral compounds (“salts”) necessary for cellular health. While not necessarily administered under the law of similars, cell salts can help address a variety of physical and emotional complaints by promoting the balance of these salts in the body. Buy cell salts here.

How long does it take for homeopathic medicine to start working?

Homeopathy can work in seconds or it can take years. It depends on the circumstances and what you are expecting from your remedy. A really good constitutional remedy should begin to alleviate symptoms fairly quickly, sometimes within days, and then continue to have a positive effect over time.

Considerations and contraindications

Homeopathy will not interfere with other medications, but some people may experience sensitivities to the base material of the remedy. Many homeopathic pellets use lactose in their formulation. For those with dairy sensitivities or allergies, this can be problematic. In this case, it is best to seek pellets made with sucrose instead.

While antidotes to homeopathy are a debated topic amongst homeopaths, certain environmental influences have been reported by some to hinder the effects of homeopathic remedies. Direct sunlight, high heat, and strong odors can be problematic, as well as essential oils, particularly peppermint.

Camphor and menthol may also antidote remedies, so you may need to consider switching toothpaste and mouthwash and avoiding throat lozenges, as well as using caution with topical applications such as Tiger Balm, vapor rub, or other preparations containing essential oils. Coffee has been known to antidote remedies, so consider the timing of when you take your remedy with respect to your morning cup of coffee (or consider opting for a bulletproof tea latte instead).

X-ray does not appear to be problematic to homeopathic remedies, but electromagnetic fields (EMF) have been known to antidote remedies, including ultrasound and MRIs. Take care to store your remedies away from sources of EMF exposure (WiFi router, cell phone, etc.) and be prepared to re-administer a remedy following exposure to ultrasound or MRI. (source)

Is homeopathy right for you?

Homeopathy is an alternative healing modality that can be used whether you’re battling an acute or chronic condition.

For those seeking to expand their healing journey, homeopathy deserves consideration. It is safe, convenient, easy to use, does not interfere with other allopathic treatments or medications, and can be very effective when used in conjunction with other diet and lifestyle adjustments to promote health and healing. As with any new therapy, it is best to consult with a trained professional for input on your unique considerations.

We suggest The Complete Homeopathy Handbook to learn more about how to treat your family using homeopathy. Buy it here.

April 22, 2018

How To Treat A Yeast Infection At Home With What’s In Your Kitchen

Let’s face it, most of us women have had to deal with a range of “special” problems at some point, from painful periods to yeast infections. While they are certainly irritating, contributor Stefani is here to tell you about how to treat a yeast infection at home and perhaps even stop them from happening at all!

Being a woman can be an amazing thing. We get to grow humans in our womb, nourish babies with our bodies, and let’s be honest – we get to wear all the pretty clothes. We also don’t have to smell like boys (and as a boy mom, I assure you this really is a thing).

But there’s a downside to womanhood.

The pain of our monthly cycles, whether it’s physical or emotional. Hormonal imbalances and the resulting fluctuating moods that will leave anyone feeling crazy (don’t tell my husband I admitted to this). And of course – the dreaded yeast infections.

While not a glamorous subject by any stretch, we’ve all been there.

Whether you suffer from chronic yeast infections or just get them out of the blue from time to time, it’s estimated that 75% of women have had to deal with vaginitis at some point in their lives.

So you’re not alone.

What is a yeast infection?

When Candida yeast has the opportunity to take over its environment, it will.

A yeast infection (aka vaginal candidiasis) is an overgrowth of yeast within the vaginal canal. While Candida normally lives inside the body and on the skin, an imbalance will allow yeast to quickly multiply and cause signs of infection or overgrowth.

The normal vaginal pH – or levels of acidity – in women of childbearing age is between 3.8 and 4.5. This slightly acidic environment helps keeps bad bugs or opportunistic ones – like Candida – in check.

When you add sperm, blood, amniotic fluid, or chemicals this changes the vaginal pH, giving yeast the window they need to multiply and cause vaginitis.

What causes yeast infections?

Contrary to what we may instinctively think, yeast infections don’t happen because you’re “dirty.”

Even those who are the most hygienic can suffer from their fair share of this yeast overgrowth. Though personal hygiene does have an impact on the health of our girl-parts, often, an infection isn’t because you’re not washing well enough.

Washing too aggressively and with soaps that contain fragrances and harsh chemicals is actually counterproductive to vaginal health.

These products can cause a change in the pH of our delicate vaginal biome, which then creates the ideal environment for yeast to thrive.

The best way to keep it clean is gently using a mild soap on the outside only, and making sure to wear clean cotton (or other breathable) underwear.

Those with a weakened immune system also have a much higher incidence of developing yeast infections. This is so prevalent that research suggests any woman with frequent or stubborn vaginal candida or other types of vaginitis be tested for HIV.

Additionally, the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics is actually one of the biggest contributors to the development of yeast infections. Antibiotics encourage the growth of the opportunistic yeast by killing off the normal, balancing vaginal flora.

This is one of the reasons why antibiotics should be reserved for only when you really need them. (Find out how to make your own herbal natural antibiotic here.)

Fortunately, knowing how to treat a yeast infection at home – gently and naturally – will help to create and maintain balance, even after antibiotic use.

P.S. if you DO find yourself in a position where antibiotics are a MUST, try taking Saccharomyces boulardii (a friendly yeast) a few hours away from each antibiotic dosage to keep candida at bay.

Again with the hormones

Women who are pregnant or taking birth control have higher rates of developing yeast infections. Why? Blame it on your hormones.

Research shows that estrogens allow candida to easily adhere to vaginal cells, which allows an infection to bloom. If you’re battling frequent yeast infections, you may be dealing with estrogen dominance.

It has also been discovered that Candida strains contain a receptor for female reproductive hormones, which also helps to provide an ideal environment for growth.

So those pesky hormones aren’t only just a hassle for us (postpartum anxiety, anyone?) to deal with, they could actually be helping the yeast to get comfy and stay a while!

How do you know if you have a yeast infection?

Signs of a yeast infection will vary from woman to woman. But the most common symptoms of yeast infection include:

Vaginal itching and swelling (sometimes the itching is unrelenting and severe)
Pain during sex
Discomfort or pain when urinating
Abnormal vaginal discharge, which many say is thick, white, and lumpy like cottage cheese

Now that I’ve successfully turned you off of cheese for a while (sorry about that), let’s quickly discuss how you know you have a yeast infection.

A trip to the doctor can diagnose this for you easier than you can, simply because we just can’t see down there as well as they can, nor can we do advanced testing at home. But since 15-20% of women are asymptomatic when they have yeast infections, they often don’t get to the doctor right away.

If you’re wanting to hold off on a doctor’s visit, there are some home remedies for yeast infection that will go far in alleviating the symptoms or even eradicate it altogether.

Knowing how to treat a yeast infection at home and naturally is the key.

Do yeast infections go away on their own?

If you have a mild vaginal yeast infection, then there is a chance it will go away on its own. Sometimes the vagina needs time to be able to rebalance.

But this only helps if you know it’s a yeast infection. It could also end up being an STD or bacterial infection causing the symptoms. If you’re not sure, ask your doctor to do a test and clarify the situation.

How long does it take to get rid of a yeast infection without treatment?

If you know how to treat a yeast infection at home, then you can certainly give it a try. However, if it’s not getting better within a few days, see your doctor.

It could end up being something else entirely.

How to treat a yeast infection at home

If you want to know how to treat a yeast infection at home and naturally, prioritize prevention.

This requires cleaning gently down below with no perfumes, scents, or chemicals to disrupt the natural balance.

Also, wear clean and breathable underwear. This will provide a barrier and keep other bacteria from getting in and setting up shop.

So:
→ gentle cleansing
→ avoid leather panties. But those sound incredibly uncomfortable anyways.

Most importantly, follow a healthy, real food diet.

Remember that health begins on the inside. Sugar feeds yeast and promotes overgrowth. By eating only nourishing foods, your immune system will have a fighting chance and your body will quickly heal.

Need some healthy recipe ideas? Check out our recipes section.

What remedies can I use for a yeast infection?

Treating a yeast infection at home will encourage your body to heal on its own. And while you won’t find all of them in your kitchen, you may have one or two that you can use right now.

Olive leaf extract – has strong anti-fungal powers and can be taken orally to cut down on yeast. Grab a good one here.
Apple cider vinegar – is a natural anti-fungal, and when taken internally can tone down yeast overgrowth. Many people drink it daily to boost the immune system. Get it here.
Coconut oil – has gentle anti-fungal properties, and can be frozen into suppositories that can be left in overnight. Make sure to wear a pad to absorb what comes back out! Buy high quality coconut oil here.
Tea tree oil – known for its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, it can be mixed with coconut oil and applied on the outside of the vaginal area. Make sure it’s well diluted, or it could sting. Get the organic tea tree essential oil we recommend here.
Plain Greek yogurt – studies have shown that eating 8 oz of yogurt containing live Lactobacillus acidophilus each day decreases candida colonization. So make sure there’s no sugar added (that feeds the yeast) and get your yogurt on! (And, by the way, you can apply yogurt and kefir topically to replenish good bacteria down there!)
Take quality probiotics. – Also consider drinking kombucha and kefir and eating fermented foods like sauerkraut; these are great ways to get good quality probiotics into your gut. This helps to keep our delicate vaginal (and gut) biome balanced! Get our favorite probiotics here. (Again, you can also apply probiotics topically.)
Boric acid suppositories – you can put these capsules into your vagina at night time. When it’s repeated for a couple of weeks, boric acid suppositories can help get rid of recurring yeast infections. Buy them here.

Many of these natural remedies help to restore balance. And unlike harsh antifungal medications, these home remedies will also preserve the communities of healthy bacteria and yeast in your vaginal canal.

Give a few of them a try, kick that yeast infection for good, and get back to focusing on the stuff that makes being a woman awesome.

April 5, 2018

The Benefits of Cod Liver Oil (& How to Choose a Good One)

If you’re not familiar with the benefits of cod liver oil, you’ll want to read on to learn more about this ancient super food supplement. Contributor Stefani gives us all the details below.

The benefits of cod liver oil have been known for centuries. Natives in northern Europe used it to protect them from the cold winters. (source) At the beginning of the 20th century, it was discovered that cod liver oil was effective in preventing rickets, a disease linked to a vitamin D deficiency.

Parents started giving it to their children, and studies began to show that it reduced upper respiratory infections. (source) It’s no longer as popular as it once was, mainly due to the strong taste, however, it’s beginning to make a comeback in recent years.

What are the benefits of cod liver oil?

Cod liver oil is just as it sounds: it’s an oil made from the livers of codfish. It’s a good source of vitamins A & D, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Because the Standard American Diet is too high in omega 6 inflammatory fatty acids and too low in omega 3 anti-inflammatory ones, taking a cod liver oil supplementation is wise.

Cod liver oil:

relieves achy joints and muscle pain
provides fatty acids known to improve brain health and may help with depression and other mental illness
is useful in elderly populations for increasing bone density and reducing fractures
may be useful in treating glaucoma due to its ability to reduce intraocular pressure. (source)

Additionally, the benefits of cod liver oil go beyond pain relief and healing glaucoma, to actually boosting and maintaining immune function in the body.

How vitamins A and D improve the immune system

One of the biggest benefits of cod liver oil is its impressive offering of high-quality vitamins A & D. Vitamin A is essential for the immune system, and our bodies don’t produce it so we must get it from an outside source. It’s responsible for the growth of bones and cells, the function of our skin and epithelial tissues, and reproductive functionality. (source)

Vitamin A deficiency causes an increased risk of infection. Additionally, infections increase the body’s need for vitamin A, which creates a downward cycle of health.

Direct sunlight is the best source of vitamin D, but our indoor lifestyles, cloudy climates, and increasing air pollution affect the amount we receive. Therefore, researchers believe that half of the world’s population is vitamin D deficient. (source) Our culture’s overuse of sunscreens also decreases the amount of sunlight we receive. Wearing a sunscreen of 30SPF reduces vitamin D absorption by the skin by more than 95%.

Adequate Vitamin D not only prevents rickets, but reduces the risk of common cancers and other diseases. It’s been shown to reduce type I diabetes, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and more. (source)

The superior omega fats in cod liver oil

In addition to vitamins A and D, cod liver oil contains essential fatty acids. (Read more about why you need those and the best way to get them here.)

The beneficial omega 3 fatty acids that are present in cod liver oil are eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (EPA and DHA). These are the same fatty acids that you can find in cold water fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines.

EPA and DHA are far superior to other omega 3 fatty acids such asalpha-linolenic acid (ALA), found in chia seeds and flax seeds. While ALA still has benefits, you’d have to eat a great deal more of these foods than those with EPA and DHA to get the same benefit.

EPA and DHA are extremely beneficial for lowering systemic inflammation levels throughout the body. When studied, they showed the ability to lower the risk of heart disease by minimizing arterial inflammation. (source) Scientists believe that the protective omega 3s in fish oils also reduce triglycerides and increases HDL cholesterol, further supporting the health of the cardiovascular system. (source)

Why you should avoid cheap cod liver oil

Gaining the benefits of cod liver oil is simple, but your top priority should be finding a high-quality source because not all of them are created equal. The biggest concerns to consider when choosing a cod liver oil are the source of the fish, the process of extraction, and whether or not there are any other additives.

Cod liver oil is highly fragile. It oxidizes easily when exposed to light and oxygen, which ruins the product. This is why great care must be taken during the production process to prevent oxidation (spoilage) and protect the nutrients in the cod liver oil.

A to D ratio: an important consideration

It is important to AVOID cod liver oil that contains low levels of vitamin D in relationship to vitamin A. The ideal ratio of A to D is no greater than 10:1 (for every one unit of vitamin D there should be no more than 10 units of vitamin A).

With industrialized processing, these ratios can become imbalanced and the risk for vitamin A toxicity becomes greater.

You will find that the purest, least processed cod liver oils have a ratio near the ideal 10:1, because when the vitamins are naturally occurring, rather than synthetic, they are naturally balanced.

Who needs the benefits of cod liver oil most?

Cod liver oil is a traditional, ancient super food that various cultures have long depended on for health, vitality, and fertility.

Yep- cod liver oil is super important for fertility. Those planning to become pregnant, or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding need cod liver oil the most, as the omega fats in cod liver oil nourish the brains of growing babies and children.

Yep- kids need it too. Growing brains and bodies can benefit greatly from cod liver oil supplementation. Especially in the winter.

Yep- vitamin D is scarce in the winter. Which means we can all benefit from cod liver oil supplementation, particularly during gray and cloudy seasons, in order to bolster the immune system when the sun can’t give us the vitamin D we need.

Best (& worst) cod liver oils

Best cod liver oil

Rosita Extra Virgin Cod Liver Oil- EVCLO is unprocessed, which is superior to other processed cod liver oils. The naturally occurring omega 3 fatty acids and vitamins A and D are already present in the right ratios, which allows this type of cod liver oil to provide far better benefits than other kinds. (source)

Each batch of Rosita EVCLO is carefully handcrafted without heat, chemicals or exposure to metal in Rosita’s dimly lit, cool facility.

How is it processed?

First, after removing the livers from the fish, they gently expose them to near-winter conditions (like the cold waters where the fish swim). They then gently allow the livers to warm up to just a bit above freezing. This gradual shift in temperature and pressure breaks down the liver cells. Within an hour or two, they release the oil with all its nutritional goodness.

The oil is then gently filtered using a natural marine material that absorbs contaminants like a magnet for easy removal. Next, the oil goes through a series of paper filters. Each batch is tested twice to meet strict EU standards for export and to ensure it’s free of heavy metals and contaminants.

In addition, tiny amounts of a carefully selected organic rosemary extract and full spectrum vitamin E is added to ensure freshness.

Rosita Extra Virgin Cod Liver Oil is truly an artisan product and gives you the nutritional benefits of a whole, nourishing food. The truth is that I would rather give myself and my children smaller doses of this high quality oil and ration it than use a cheaper oil.

Extra virgin cod liver oil is the highest quality cod liver oil available. You can purchase both liquid and capsules here.

Worst

Please note that we do not recommend fermented cod liver oil at The Family That Heals Together.

We’ve written extensively about why we don’t recommend fermented cod liver oil. You can read about that here, here, and here. All signs point to fermented cod liver oil being rancid and causing health issues. In addition, the product appears to contain vitamin D2, not the desirable and absorbable D3, and the A to D ratios are way off.

In addition, testing found that the oil used in fermented cod liver was not even true cod!

As far as processing, fermented cod liver remains shrined in secrecy, so it’s unclear how the oil is actually fermented, lending to the uncertainty of safety and possibility of rancidity.

What about cheaper oils available online and at health stores?

While the benefits of cod liver oil are many, they are dampened by chemical processing and added ingredients. While some lesser quality oils may provide some beneficial omega fatty acids, they should not be depended on for quality vitamin D supplementation.

The cod liver oil industry has huge differences in the quality of oils from the various companies that produce it. The best way to ensure that you are getting the incredible benefits of cod liver oil is to thoroughly research the product, practices, and source prior to making a purchase.