Kidney Stones

Kidney Stones

Most kidney stones are composed of calcium and some consist of uric acid or struvite. Stones form in the kidneys when an imbalance of water, calcium oxylate, uric acid and phosphate that is normally present in the urine. Kidney stones can also form when the PH balance of the urine is abnormal or when the kidneys normal protective mechanisms are over whelmed.
Kidney stones may also form for these reasons:
• Dehydration
• Sluggish or obstructed urine flow.
• Gout, Cushing’s disease and hyper-parathyroidism
• Metabolism problems
• Chemotherapy
• Specific drugs such as thyroid medication or aluminum salts
In some cases kidney stones can completely block the urine from the kidney. This can lead to infection and possible permanent kidney damage if not treated. Kidney stones require prompt medical attention. Herbal approaches to kidney stones can help relieve mild pain when there is no obstruction or infection present. If the pain from a kidney stone is mild and manageable you can try antispasmodic herbs to help relax the ureter.
Herbal remedies for kidney stones:
Yellow Dock: blood purifier that also contains anthraquinones. Use up to 5oo milligram capsules per day, or 20-40 drops of tincture two times a day. Do not use during pregnancy.
Aloe- contains anthraquinones which is the compound that helps prevent kidney stones. 1 teaspoon after meals.
Corn silk- relaxes the urinary tubes and reduces stone formation. 4-6cups of tea per day or 1 teaspoon of tincture four to five times a day.
Slippery Elm- contains high amounts of mucilage which eases irritation and helps body tissue heal. Up to 12 370 milligram capsules per day, or 2-3 cups of tea per day, or 10-30 drops of tincture per day
Marshmallow-helps sooth irritated urinary tissues. Up to six 400-500- milligram capsules per day or 1 cup of tea per day or 20-40 drops of tincture up to five times per day.
Khella-helps relax the muscles of the ureter and urinary tubules. 250-300milligrams of extract in divided doses.
Wild Yam- an antispasmodic but not sedative. Up to 400 milligram capsules per day or 1 teaspoon tincture up to five times a day.
Skullcap- antispasmotic. 1 cup of tea 4 times a day or1 teaspoon tincture four times a day.
Valerian- antispasmotic and strongly sedative herb that helps the ureter relax enough to allow a small stone to pass. 1 cup of tea every hour or 1 teaspoon tincture every hour. Do not use if regnant.
Kidney friendly foods rich in magnesium
• Dark green vegetables
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Leguemes
• Soy products
• Whole grains
• Avocados
• Dried apricots
Foods rich in Vitamin B6
• Egg yolks
• Fish
• Whole grains
• Legumes
• Sweet potatoes
• Cauliflower
• Avocados
Magnesium and vitamin B6 help reduce stone formation.

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Liver cleanse herbal remedy

Making a commitment to do something can be tricky, on one hand you know that commitment is what’s right on the other hand, giving up something that feels good at the moment is very difficult. But when it comes to doing a liver cleanse, giving up that piece of cake or that beer, is going to do your health a world of good.

When making a commitment to do a liver cleanse, you must commit to no less than thirty days. This is very important because the liver rejuvenates and repairs itself on the time frame of thirty days. If you slip before then, you will have to start over to get the desired results, which is a clean liver. A clean liver is the furnace to fat burning, to boosting the metabolism and to healthy thyroid function.

There are several symptoms that accompany a liver gone overly toxic; mild depression, weight gain, acne and that’s just to name a few. When you’re experiencing toxin overload you’re just not going to feel like yourself. This is when you know a liver cleanse is due. If your sink got clogged, you’d snake it so when you liver becomes toxic, you clean it.

A few examples of someone who should on occasion clean their liver would be: smokers, drinkers, junk food eaters, people who are overweight and people who experience high levels of stress. All of these examples are perfect in the sense that the damage these behaviors cause on the liver can be quite extreme and dangerous to the liver.

Your liver is the filter to your body, it filters everything you do. It also is where stress and negative energy is stored. Here are a few herbs that I recommend when doing a liver cleanse;

Milk thistle:

Milk thistle is a common weed with white markings on the leaves. Reaching the height of five feet the plant puts out purple flowering heads, which may be eaten fresh as a vegetable. The seeds are collected and dried for use in herbal medicine.

Milk thistle is useful in the treatment of liver diseases such as alcoholic

Hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver poisoning and viral hepatitis. Milk thistle is one of the few herbs that have no real pharmaceutical equivalent. Milk thistle also regulates the digestion of fats, helps stabilize blood sugars and cholesterol, reduces inflammation of the intestine and promotes the excretion of certain hormones.

Burdock Root:

Burdock is a blood purifier that clears congestion in the circulatory, lymphatic, respiratory and urinary systems. Burdock also helps to eliminate excess fluids in the body and stimulate the elimination of toxic waste which relieves liver disorders and improves digestion. Burdock cleanses the body of bile and detoxifies the kidneys and gallbladder. It also increases perspiration which reduces excess toxins.

Dandelion Root:

Dandelion leaves are a powerful diuretic. The roots act as a blood purifier that helps the kidneys and the liver to remove toxins and poisons from the blood. The roots also can be used to help jaundice. Dandelion also acts as a mild laxative and improves appetite and digestion. Dandelion root is also believed to help age spots.

Bupleurum:

Bupleurum is a Chinese herb that is used for the liver and circulatory system. Bupleurum seems to have a tonic effect on the heart and lungs, making it a great herb for treating respiration and circulation.

Sunshine and Herbs

Jennifer Lamb

Master Herbalist

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Liver cleanse- pre cleanse

It’s that time again, the time to cleanse out the inside of the body and prepare for summer. There is nothing more beautiful in the summer than healthy glowing skin. There are a few things to do first to prepare for the cleanse. I never skip this step because it’s really important. It’s the pre cleanse phase.
The mind is a powerful tool. The mind is also a very destructive tool as well. Step one in the cleanse is getting the mind prepared for change. Everyone is different in this aspect. When starting a cleanse, it makes sense to stop filling the body with anything other than whole foods. Going through the cabinets and fridge to get rid of junk food and carbs is a good idea. Replace those foods with fresh food, lean meats and lots of veggies, green veggies. Another tip to a pre cleanse id to remove all negative thoughts about you and replace them with a positive outlook. For whatever reason you’re cleansing, it’s important to feel good about whom you are.
Since I am mostly focusing on the liver to begin with, I have to bring up the importance of water. The liver requires a lot of water to cleanse itself. If the body isn’t fully hydrated, the liver will pull water from other parts of the body so it can complete its job, which is filtering. If this happens you can really get a bad headache because the brain also requires water to function well. The liver is the most active between 11 p.m and 1 a.m so make sure you are plenty hydrated before you go to bed.
Now that the pre prep is finished and it’s time to get to the cleanse, I should mention that I am hardcore believing in sweaty 60 minute cardio workouts on the cleanse. A lot of toxins will be released through sweat and breath. When doing a liver cleanse, I always start with the basic herbs that work wonderfully together. The staple herbs are Milk thistle, burdock root and dandelion root. All three are great liver, blood and kidney cleansing herbs.
Milk thistle Facts:
Latin name: Carduus marianus also known as Silybum marianum

Other common name: Mary thistle


Milk thistle is a common weed with white markings on the leaves. Reaching the
height of five feet the plant puts out purple flowering heads, which may be
eaten fresh as a vegetable. The seeds are collected and dried for use in herbal
medicine.


Milk thistle is useful in the treatment of liver diseases such as alcoholic
hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver poisoning and viral hepatitis. Milk thistle is one
of the few herbs that have no real pharmaceutical equivalent. Milk thistle also
regulates the digestion of fats, helps stabilize blood sugars and cholesterol,
reduces inflammation of the intestine and promotes the excretion of certain
hormones.

Milk thistle is helpful for:

" Acne, constipation, Crohns disease and irritable bowel syndrome
" Alcoholism, cirrhosis, and hepatitis.
" Atherosclerosis, gallstones, high cholesterol and iron overload
" Cancer
" Diabetes
" Ovarian Cysts
" Parkinson's disease
" Psoriasis


Milk thistle is one of my favorite herbs to take regularly. It’s non-toxic. Using milk thistle daily won’t hurt your body and it contains such amazing nutrients it’s truly helpful. But as I stated before, make sure you drink plenty of water while using milk thistle. The body is made up of mostly water anyway, so you know you need it to function.
Burdock Root Facts:
Burdock Root

Latin name: Arctium lappa

Other common names: edible burdock, greater burdock, lappa



Description of Burdock

Burdock, a relative of the sunflower, grows to the height of five feet with
reddish purple flower heads covered with spiny bracts. In the summer, the
seeds are harvested and the roots of two year old plants are dug. The roots
are the most important part of the plant used for medicinal purposes.



Benefits of Burdock

Burdock is a blood purifier that clears congestion in the circulatory,
lymphatic, respiratory and urinary systems. Burdock also helps to eliminate
excess fluids in the body and stimulate the elimination of toxic waste which
relieves liver disorders and improves digestion. Burdock cleanses the body of
bile and detoxifies the kidneys and gallbladder. It also increases perspiration
which reduces excess toxins.

•Arthritis, gout, sciatica
•Boils, dandruff and eczema
•Cancer
•Diabetes
•Liver diseases


Burdock can heal a damaged liver and protect it from further damage. In as
Little as two weeks, the symptoms from liver damage can improve.

I personally love burdock root as a blood cleanse and as a liver cleanse. When combines with the use of garlic, it really perks the body right up. I have to admit, the combo of those two I will not go without.

Dandelion Root Facts:

Latin name: Taxaxacum officinal

Description:

Dandelion root is know best as a weed that pops up in lawns but grows wild in
most of the world and is cultivated as an herb. The young leaves of dandelion
root are picked in the spring for tonic salads. In the early summer, before the
plant blooms, leaves are harvested for the manufacture of medicinal teas and
tinctures. The roots of two-year-old plants are dug in the fall, when they are
at their greatest concentration of the complex carbohydrate inulin, for use
in tablets and tinctures.

Benefit of Dandelion Root:

Dandelion leaves are a powerful diuretic. The roots act as a blood purifier
that helps the kidneys and the liver to remove toxins and poisons from the
blood. The roots also can be used to help jaundice. Dandelion also acts as a
mild laxative and improves appetite and digestion. Dandelion root is also
believed to help age spots.

Medicinal uses for dandelion root:

" Anemia Dandelion root contains high levels of potassium, is a rich
source of iron and vitamins. Dandelion root contains high levels of carotene.
" Bladder infections Because dandelion root is a diuretic, it helps to
relieve fluid retention in bladder infections.
" Constipation and indigestion dandelion root is a mild bitter. It has a
cleansing effect on the liver by stimulating the production of bile.
" Irritable bowel syndrome dandelion root improves regularity
" Liver problems and gallstones. The bitter principles in dandelion root
increase bile production and bile flow in the liver. This makes dandelion root
useful in sluggish liver function due to alcohol abuse or poor diet. It is a
restorative to the liver and helps the risk of developing gallstones.
" Osteoporosis Dandelion is a rich source of boron, which helps raise
estrogen levels in the blood and helps preserve the bone. Dandelion root is
also a rich source for calcium.
" Overweight Dandelion reduces water weight through its diuretic effect.
It may also help the liver regulate blood sugars. It also increases bile flow
and helps to improve fat metabolism.


So now you have a few basic facts about herbs and the pre prep for a cleanse. Of course this is just the tip of the iceberg and Ill address a lot more components over the course of thirty days. A cleanse will help the body remove toxic build up that may reduce the function of the liver. A few signs that you may need to cleanse would be fatigue, weight gain, acne or mild depression. The liver is where we store our negative energy so every now and again a good purge is in order. Visit the website daily for information on cleansing.

Jennifer Lamb
Sunshine and Herbs
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White walls hold no Darkness

The White Walls hold no Darkness.

“White.” She said. “It must all be white.” With that command she received just that. Her entire house was painted white. Everything from the windows to the trim was covered in a flat white paint. When asked why she wanted it white her response was this “It allows the sun to blanket the rooms with natural light. Who doesn’t like the light to shine in when the day begins and be lifted when the night is to begin? These are reminders of when to wake and when to sleep. It’s the natural order. We must appreciate these moments in life.” That seemed like a good reason for painting a house white. But I couldn’t help but ask “What happens on the day the sun isn’t shining?” and the response was “The sun shines everyday. Even on the darkest of days the sun is still there. It’s hidden but it’s there. The white reflects even the hidden rays of light.”
I think this is true with hidden intention as well. Life is busy with the good days and the bad days. On the good days we walk around feeling like kings and queens of the moment. We pat ourselves on the back for the small little victories of the day. We might even for a brief moment appreciate our life as it is. But then the bottom falls out and we begin to slowly feel less appreciate of our life. Doubt begins to creep in and after we know it we are knee deep in self pity. Then we begin to wonder how this happened. How it all came down to this and we fall prey to the role of victim.
We intend to smile everyday. We intend to think good thoughts everyday. We intend to live with passion and remember purpose everyday. We intend on appreciating our life everyday. But these intentions can quickly be absorbed by stress or disappointments. So these great, positive intentions become hidden behind the cloud of life. Without those white walls reflecting the rays of hidden sunshine into our day, its just doom and gloom that fills the space. Everyone knows what happens when the clouds loom for to long, we fall into a depressive state of mind.
So how do we keep our inner rays of light reflecting within everyday? A great beginning is keeping our body clean and in good physical condition. If you have allowed your body to become overweight you may have some good days where you feel like you can walk that extra little bit or keep up with the kids but in the long run your body is breaking down from the inside out. It will catch up to you in the form of some kind of sickness. Whether that sickness is physical or mental it will eventually bring you down to your knees. Your good intention did not start out with the thought of becoming in physical distress by being over weight.
The liver plays a huge role in our overall health. So many emotions become trapped in our liver. Happiness, sadness, stress and joy all end their journey in the liver. The liver is one of the biggest organs in our body so naturally it has a job that is so important we have to respect its duties. The liver creates urine which is important to flushing out toxins through the kidneys and bladder. The liver creates bile which is important for breaking down fats in the small intestine. The liver helps remove harmful toxins that can damage our cells and the liver is the only organ in the body that after doing all this can regenerate cells and repair damage to it self. So when it comes to our health, the liver is a great place to begin. This is one aspect of letting our natural rays of light shine even on the cloudiest of days. Just like the kitchen sink, if you continue dumping grease down the drain day after day you will have a nasty clog on your hands over time. The liver is no different. It controls several functions of the body including the metabolism. Without proper function of the liver, the rest of the organs in the body become compromised. Therefore it causes weight gain, acne, colds and a breakdown of the natural rays of light. That IS the cloud that covers a sunny day.
To begin the process of painting your “lWallsl” white, the liver is the beginning. Nature produces an herb that is so strong and so effective that it can clean out damage to the liver and help the liver to repair damaged cells. This powerful tool is called milk thistle. The extract Silymarin in Milk thistle helps to prevent toxins from damaging the cells. Milk thistle will remove toxins from the liver for elimination. Milk thistle can improve the function of the liver over time. When the liver is cleaned and repaired, the body begins to function on a more stable system. When Milk thistle is used regularly, even on days the sun isn’t shining, you will be in balance enough with your body that you will remain in a sunny mood and on the positive side of the day naturally. Make sure to pick up this wonderful and natural herbal supplement when beginning to put your physical and mental health back on track. Never allow the clouds to block your natural light when nature offers amazing tools to keep our body in a natural flow with life. Milk thistle with its powerful extract Silymarin will remove the unwanted materials collected over time including those dangerous toxins that break down the body.

Jen lamb
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Detoxing the liver, why and how.

Detoxing the Liver


I hear so often from clients about being sluggish and tired. The first advice I always give in this case is to look at the eating habits and second is to detox all that junk out and start with a clean slate.

Sometimes it just seems easier to go to Mcdonalds and get the "easy" meal and think about it later. When later comes, your body has already rejected that decision and responds with a less than good result. This is when you become weighed down by the fat content, grease and carbs that are worthless.

I never suggest to stop eating out but there is always a way to do it better. When I meet with new clients i like to first take them to their favorite place and show them how to order a healthy meal. You can eat healthy, or better by simply making a few different choices. In the long run, your body will thank you by providing more energy to make it throught the day.

The second is the detox program. The liver plays a huge role in the way your body breaks down everything and rids itself of the waste. Here is a great blog explaining all the functions of the liver. You will be suprised at what you learn.

One of my biggest selling products is the Milk thistle. Milk thistle is just one part to my three part liver detox program. Milk thistle is an excellent herb used in the treatment of liver diseases such as cirrhosis and liver poisening. Its safe to use daily. There is no pharmaceutical equivalent. Milk thistle also regulates the digestion of fats and helps stabalize blood sugars. It also reduces inflamation of the intestine.

I often recomend milk thistle to recovering alcoholics, smokers and those looking to gain more energy through the cleansing of organs. Its a very effective herb in in helping acne,constipation, Chrohns disease and irritable bowel syndrome.

Visit my website for more information on how you can use nature to help cleanse your body and free you from the sluggish day to day.

Jen Lamb
sunshine and Herbs
sunshineandherbs@gmail.com
574-306-1061