The Health, Nutrition and Wellness site
21 May
The miasms (disease taints) can be seen as a kind of “map” as to where a being is in the overall health picture. Each of the miasms manifest certain diseases according to the level of toxicity in the body. In the tubercular miasm we find much internalized mucous and an inability to put calcium in the right place. For mucous loading to occur, dehydration would be one of the main factors involved. In relation to Traditional Chinese Medicine the TB-Miasm can be linked to an imbalance in the Metal Element.
The tubercular miasm is made up of two miasms namely the sycotic or gonorrheal miasm and the syphilitic miasm, this is when the body will be overproducing mucous because of high toxicity caused by various factors. These factors could include an inherited toxic load, unhealthy environment and inappropriate diet and would certainly include dehydration. More mucous leads to more “cut-off” cells and more dehydration, which leads to more dis-ease, each time on a deeper level as cells become less able to communicate with each other and their environment. The ideal day-night picture of Na, Ca and fats entering the cells during the day and then being displaced by Mg and K at night, gets disturbed by the increased levels of toxicity and dehydration. If the body is on dehydration alert it will produce cholesterol to help itself, the cholesterol is mixed with the fats (fats you have eaten) and as the Na, Ca and fats move towards and into the cell, the cell membrane will become coated with the cholesterol mixture. Cholesterol coating the cell membrane makes it difficult for nutrients eg. Ca to exit the cell and this Ca then becomes deposited in the cell and the cell becomes more “cut-off”. Calciums natural place is outside of the cell and this displacement of calcium, when reaching toxic levels can lead to diseases such as arthritis and bowel problems, which are characteristic of the physical level of the TB-Miasm. When the mucous load becomes blocked and so more internalized and extreme calcium displacement starts to take place because of and increased toxic environment and/or diet as well as extreme dehydration then the body enters a destructive phase. The cells are so “cut-off” that the body becomes destructive in an attempt to clean itself any way it can. The destructive “phase” is seen as being characteristic of the syphilitic miasm. Because the body has failed to rid itself of the mucous load and has a high level of “cut-off” cells, cells which aren’t communicating with the body as they should be, the being starts to be “dissasociated” with the physical body and disease starts to form on a Mental/Emotional level. This is towards the more extreme manifestations of the tubercular taint and one can see diseases like addictions or manic depression presenting. To manifest a full Tubercular picture both the gonorrhoeal and syphilitic miasms need to be present. Either one can “come through” as an inherited taint or in some cases both can be manifest in the parents, then we see a full tubercular picture in the new generation. One might find a child whose parents both showed Syphilitic and Gonorrhoeal miasms, for example where they have syphilis or gonorrhea in their family history, so inheriting the taint themselves. If they then merely build upon this toxic load they risk passing on a full TB-Miasm inherited picture to their child.
The TB-Miasm can be linked to a Metal Element imbalance through the following: TB manifests in the lungs which are one of the organs governed by the Metal Element (asthma is also indicated in the TB-Miasm picture). The Metal Element also rules the Large Intestine or colon. It is the Large Intestine which sends the dehydration message, which starts the whole toxic picture for the body, to the brain. The Metal Element is also related to skin and one can see this manifesting in diseases such as eczema, which requires a high toxic load, high acidity and a very disturbed calcium picture as well as severe dehydration to manifest, and is a disease characteristic of the physical manifestations of the TB-Miasm. The Metal Element also governs the capacity to cough (or expel unwanted things) and TB itself is a very persistent cough (the bodys attempt to expel the unwanted mucous in the lungs and so lighten the toxic load). The disease TB also acts as a cleanse for the body by creating inflammation (inflammation is an attempt at cleansing the body and its tisssues of toxins and excess mucous). If this TB then gets suppressed and not treated in a cleansing manner one can find a move into the Carcinosin (Cancer) Miasm which is indicative of a much higher toxic load where the body is no longer capable of moving the toxic load or producing mucous. It is however possible to move into the Cancer Miasm from any stage of the TB-Miasm. The Cancer Miasm is indicative of the Water Element (which rules fear, lack of movement) and an imbalanced Metal Element (TB-Miasm) often leads to an imbalanced Water Element, as the Metal Element “promotes” the Water Element, just as the TB-Miasm “promotes” the Carcinosin Miasm.
One can also “connect” Hering’s Law of Cure and the TB -Miasm. Hering’s Law of Cure states: ” Healing starts from the top, the head, to the bottom, from the inside to the outside, from the major organs to the minor organs and in reverse order in which they presented”. If looking at someone with a tubercular miasmic picture eg. someone with anorexia, (mental/emotional level of TB- Miasm, head(top) problem ) who then because of a cleansing and lightening of the mucous load, travels back in the TB -Miasm and manifests bowel problems (physical level of the TB -Miasm (bottom and inside) problem) and later eczema (physical level of the TB -Miasm, skin (outside) problem) then one can see the progression of cure quite clearly according to Hering’s Law. For cure to progress in the right direction gentle cleansing would have to take place on each different level of the whole being, as that level became available, until eventually the excess mucous load had been shifted and eliminated, the calcium “pattern” (day-night shift) had been normalized and proper hydration and neutral pH had been re-established, with the being as close to being in full self-communication on all levels as possible.
The TB -Miasm can also be related to diet in the sense that in order to attain a state of extreme dehydration, calcium displacement, high levels of acidity and internalized mucous, the body needs to be in a state where it is not recieving the right messages. One of these messages is the dehydration message, which is sent by the colon. If one is eating dehyrating foods such as wheat and pork regularly, this will send a dehydration message to the body which will further escalate the toxic picture and mucous production, which eventually leads one to the TB -Miasmic picture. Not consuming enough pure water will also contribute to this dehydration alert. More hydrating foods to eat would be short-grain brown rice with pulses or sprouts and an adequate ( 4 pints daily) intake of clean water.
I see the TB -Miasm as the “middle step” between the Psoric and Carcinosin Miasms, it is in a sense a warning stage (and attempt at cleaning the toxic load) before the being reaches such levels of toxicity that it cannot shift the toxic load and manifests a Carcinosin Miasmic picture. The TB -Miasm also provides a way of tracing cure, along with using Hering’s Law of Cure. I feel that the TB -Miasm gives the practitioner of Natural Nutrition one more way of forming a “whole” or more complete picture of a beings overall presenting health picture and how they might have reached that point (inherited miasm can be found in the family history).
15 May
Carrier Oils act as a medium for essential oils which are very concentrated and are blended into the carrier oil in low dilutions ( 3% ). This means that you will add a maximum of three drops essential oil per teaspoon carrier oil.
Carrier oils are usually extracted from seeds and fruit and are called fixed oils because they are not volatile. The chemical structure of vegetable oils is such that it is easily absorbed through the skin and also has therapeutic properties of its own.
While the vitamins and minerals of the different carrier oils have a role to play,it is the concentration of essential fatty acids,the presence of anti-oxidants and natural tocopherol (Vit.E ), that determine the ultimate benefit the carrier oils offer. EFA s are free radical scavengers and can protect the skin from pollution and sun and wind damage. Carrier oils containing Gamma Linoleic Acid (GLA ) are important for healthy cell functioning and regeneration of skin cells. Carrier oils containing Vit.E promote soft and supple skin and act as a natural preservative.
Invest in quality, cold-pressed organic oils and store in dark glass bottles in a cool place. Create your blends in small quantities as exposure to light and oxygen over a period of time may turn the carrier oil rancid. Choose your carrier oils for the specific purpose you need it for,be it massage oil, bath oil, skin oil or barrier cream. Those with sensitive skin, should always do a test patch and people with a severe reaction to nuts should rather not use nut oils.
Has been popular through the ages for use in face and hand creams. It can be used for all skin types and its concentration of oleic and linoleic essential fatty acids makes it a great moisturiser,soothing to itchy and inflamed skin,and a good lubricant and conditioner for the skin. It is used extensively on its own as a massage oil because of its light and non greasy nature.
Contains useful levels of EFA s, has a light texture for easy absorption and blended with other oils such as almond and sesame, offers enriching and nourishing properties for dry , damaged skin.
Traditionally used as a beauty oil by women in Mexico, avocado oil is rich in proteins and Vitamins A,B,D.,and contains anti-oxidants which gives it a long shelf life. Cold pressed, the oil is thick and viscous and is better used as addition to another carrier oil. Avocado oil is good for dehydrated skin and has the ability to penetrate into the deeper layers of skin. It also act as a natural sunscreen.
Grapeseed oil is popular as a massage oil as it has a light texture with good lubricant quality and is an odourless carrier for essential oils. It contains some Vit. E ,minerals and vitamins. Critcism against grapeseed oil is that it is obtained by hot extraction methods or solvents and is thus not as “wholesome” as cold pressed oils.
Olive oil has been extensively used since ancient times,as food as well as massage oil.Olive oil has a high concentration of anti-oxidants as well as chlorophyll and carotenoids.This makes olive oil good to assist cell regeneration,to stimulate and nourish the skin,as well as softening and preserving the skin. Olive oil has an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory action due to its polyphenol content. Olive oil is used as a base for ointments, but blended with other oils for use as a massage oil.
Sesame oil is a clear pale yellow oil ,rich in minerals and vitamins and have a high Vit. E content. A natural moisteriser,it nourishes and detoxify the deeper tissue layers. A natural sunscreen ,it is also good for sensitive skins and has antiseptic properties. A good carrier oil to use on its own or as part of a blend.
The above carrier oils are readily available from health shops to offer their unique qualities to your skin and massage oil blends. Some specialized carrier oils are available to use in small quantities to enhance your blends even more.
Evening Primrose Oil is well known for its health benefits and are taken via capsules internally. As a carrier oil, it is used in small quantities in a blend where it acts as a preservative to the base oil,as well as bringing its unique qualities to the blend.The high GLA content of evening primrose oil moisturises and nourishes the skin,counter-acting premature aging. It has a beneficial effect on skin conditions such as eczema,psoriasis and dermatitis.
Extracted from the beans of this desert scrub, jojoba oil is a waxy substance,akin to sebum, making it an excellent lubricant, beneficial to all skin types. A natural sunscreen, jojoba oil is easily absorbed into the deeper layers of skin, is softening, moisture retaining and protective to the skin. Add to other carrier oils.
A wonder oil derived from the seeds within the rose hips,it is high in essential fatty acids, GLA and Vit. C. Research has found rosehip oil excellent for the healing and regeneration of damaged tissue. Rose hip oil has been used to treat burns, scars, ulceration of the skin,and radiation burns. Rose hip oil used as a night oil,is good for dry and aging skin. Blend in any dilution with carrier oils.
A natural oil with a high Vit. E content, wheatgerm oil is used at a 10% dilution in other carrier oils for its anti-oxidant properties to increase shelf life. Wheatgerm oil will benefit dry or mature skin. Buy wheatgerm oil in small quantities and keep refrigerated.
A good quality vegetable , seed or nut carrier oil will enhance your skin as well as offer a wholesome medium for your chosen essential oils. Creating your own personalized blends is a satisfying process and good for body ,mind and soul.