Scurvy Tea- A Healthy Detox Drink

 As most of you already know, detoxing is crucial to regaining health and staying well. I’ve written and spoken much about heavy metal cleanses, and there are so many ways to do this (Search the blogs or buy my book My Secrets to Regaining Health on Amazon).  But the missing link to this detoxing is the parasite cleanse. 

 

Don’t kid yourself. Everyone has parasites.  It’s in the air, water and food supply. If you have any pets, you have parasites. If you eat unwashed fruits and veggies, or not fully cooked meat, or sushi, then you have parasites.

Bear in mind that if you have heavy metal toxicity, you can be sure the parasites are there as well.  Parasites love heavy metals for protection (biofilm) and ingesting. So if you want to be your healthiest, you need to detox both.  

Common symptoms of parasite infestation are:

·       Teeth clenching or bruxism

·       Itchy butt

·       Anxiety (especially with a history of Lyme disease)

·       Fatigue

·       Digestive issues (reflux, Crohns, IBS, etc.)

·       Joint pain

·       Fibromyalgia[WU1] 

·       Junk food craving

·       Unexplained rashes

·       Insomnia  (parasites are most active at night)

·       Brain fog

I’ve detoxed from heavy metals and other toxins for years; now to focus on the parasites.

There are many ways to do this, but I will leave that up to you and your physician to work out.

But as a good support to any detox, I came across this wonderful recipe for Scurvy Tea.

Easy to make and very helpful in reducing the die-off effect of detoxing.

Cooking up Scurvy Tea

 

Scurvy Tea recipe

2 grapefruits

2 oranges

2 lemons

1.    Rinse all the fruit (organic preferred) well. Cut each into quarters.

2.    Squeeze the juice into 2 quarts of water. Add the cut up fruit.

3.    Simmer covered for 2 hours.

4.    Then let it sit until fully until cool (about 6 hours).

5.    Strain the liquid. Store in glass jars in the refrigerator.

6.    Drink about half cup 2x a day.

Easy to double the recipe, if you have a big enough pot and lots of storage space in your refrigerator.  You can even freeze the tea if desired. It’s a base recipe.  For a different flavor twist, you can simmer it with whole cloves or cinnamon sticks. If the flavor is too intense add a bit of honey or maple syrup.

The cooked leftover fruit, peels and seeds can be used in smoothies or in baking for citrus flavored cookies or cakes. You can even swish it into some plain yogurt, with a little sweetener added for flavor.  Lots of fiber and nutrition is in the peels.  I would not waste them.

It may seem odd to eat the peels and seeds of citrus fruits, but these contain a good amount of antioxidants, B vitamins, polyphenols (anti-cancer) and anti –inflammatory nutrients. 

Scurvy tea may be the missing link in helping you to feel well during your detox cleanse. Easy to make and delicious to drink. Give it a try.  Feedback is welcome.

Castor Oil Pulling

As many of you already know, oil pulling has been around for hundreds of years. It is an ancient Ayurvedic technique used for detoxification and improving health. Conventionally, sesame, sunflower or coconut oils are the most popular for oil pulling, each having their own particular therapeutic effects. And if you want to know the best oil to use for your individual condition, feel free to ask at your next visit with us.

However, there is a new kid on the block: Castor oil. Historically castor oil was mostly used topically to promote healing and to pull toxins out through the skin. But for now there seems to be a sudden interest in oil pulling with Castor oil.

The main plus of using Castor oil, is you can expect similar effects as other oils in a fraction of the time. This can be a game changer for those of us in a rush for a quick daily detox. But the down side is that Castor oil is so much more viscous than other oils. So if oils make you queasy, it may not be the best choice for you.
When practiced regularly, the process benefits the rest of the body as well. In addition to improving oral health, oil pulling can also:
-Relieve migraines
-Correct hormone imbalances
-Reduce inflammation
-Treat digestive issues
-Reduce dental plaque buildup
-Whiten teeth
-Improve vision
-Reduce allergies
-Detoxify the body of heavy metals
When looking for the correct oil to use, organic, cold pressed is usually the best choice. For Castor oil, look for organic, cold pressed, hexane free and packaged in a glass bottle.  We would be happy to recommend a particular brand if you ask at your next dental visit.
As for how to oil pull, it is so simple. You can read our original post with all the directions here.

Castor oil pulling is done exactly the same as the other oils, but only two to five minutes of pulling is needed. That sure beats the usual twenty minute process.

Chlorella and Detoxing

If you are looking to detoxify from your mercury fillings, it is best to look into Chlorella.

Chlorella is part of the blue-green algae family that is loaded with antioxidants. It is a sea plant usually found either in fresh or salt water. It is a complete protein source, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids. Chlorella is also an excellent animal-free Omega 3 source, and it has natural anti-inflammatory properties. This superfood can support the circulatory system, promote brain health, fortify the immune system, detox heavy metals and promote kidney and liver health. We recommend it highly if you are trying to detox from your mercury fillings or just to keep your health strong.

The whole chlorella plant is used to make nutritional supplements and medicine. There are several species of chlorella, with Chlorella vulgaris being one of the most commonly used in supplements. Best to buy organic, broken cell Chlorella to get the maximum absorption and health benefits.

So what are the main benefits of Chlorella?

• Detoxifies Heavy Metals

• Detoxifies Radiation and Chemotherapy

• Strengthens Your Immune System

• Promotes Weight Loss

• Promotes kidney, liver, brain and blood health

• Lower blood pressure

• Lower cholesterol

• May help alleviate PMS symptoms

• Raise B-12 levels (important for vegans)

• Improve mental function

• Boost energy levels

 

Chlorella is also nutrient dense. It is a good source of:

• Vitamin D

• Vitamin B12

• Folate

• Iron

• Carotenoids

• Antioxidants

• Omega-3 fatty acids

• Protein

Chlorella powders can be added to smoothies, soups and even dips like guacamole or hummus. I would suggest starting out with a small dose, maybe a fourth of a teaspoon and work your way up to more. Chlorella can come as a powder, capsule, extract or tablet form. It is highly suggested to look for reputable companies that do third-party testing.

Be sure to ask which brands we recommend at your next appointment.

Screening for Oral Cancer

Mouth and throat cancers are on the rise. And the number one cause of these types of cancers is not from smoking, and not from alcohol use. These used to be the most common causes, but times have changed. Nowadays, the number one cause of oral cancer is from the HPV virus.

 

So what is the HPV virus?

According to recent studies, 79 million Americans are presently living with the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). The number of people who have oral HPV has continuously increased over the past three decades. The CDC says nearly everyone will get a form of HPV at some point in their lives, and about 14 million Americans, including teens, become infected each year. It is more common in men than women.

There are low-risk HPV types which have a low association with cancer, but these can lead to genital warts or oral papillomas.

And there are high-risk HPV types which can cause cell changes and pre-cancers. The most common high-risk HPV types include HPV 16 and 18. These contribute to chronic, or long-lasting infections that can convert to cancer over time.

 

So how does one acquire the HPV virus?

Oral HPV occurs when the virus enters the body, usually through a cut or small tear inside of the mouth. According to the CDC, these are the most common risk factors:

 

• Oral sex. Evidence suggests that an increase in oral sexual activity may be a risk, with men being more at risk, especially if they smoke.

• Multiple partners. Having multiple sexual partners may increase your risk. According to the Cleveland Clinic, having more than 20 sexual partners over your lifetime can increase your chances of getting an oral HPV infection by up to 20 percent.

• Smoking. Smoking has been shown to help promote HPV invasion. Inhaling hot smoke makes you more vulnerable to tears and cuts in the mouth, and is also a risk factor for developing oral cancers.

• Drinking alcohol. Research has indicated that a high intake of alcohol increases the risk for HPV infections in men. If you smoke and drink, you’re at an even higher risk.

• Open mouth kissing. Some research has said that open mouth kissing is a risk factor, as it can be transmitted from mouth to mouth, but more research is necessary to determine if this increases your risk for oral HPV.

• Being male. Men have a greater risk of receiving an oral HPV diagnosis than women.

• Age. It’s more common in older adults because it takes years to develop.

All these factors together can create the worst scenario for developing oral cancer. And this is how the actor Michael Douglas believes he developed his Stage 4 oral cancer back in 2010. You can read about him here.

In the past, it has been difficult to diagnose oral HPV, until a (cancer) lesion was actually present. But now there is a simple painless Saliva Test that can be done in your dentist’s office to see if HPV is present, and which types, if any. The prognosis is excellent if HPV is discovered early, before the cancer develops.

At your next dental visit, be sure to ask for this simple diagnostic screening test. With proper health care, most oral HPV infections will go away on their own without treatment. But you would need to know its presence before taking steps to eradicate it.