Sick all the time!

[Chicago Lady]

Hello, everyone. I am hoping that you can give me some suggestions and hope. For the last 5-6 years, I am sick on-and-off from September to March. I have been battling whatever it is for two weeks now and am not really getting any better. I have a lot of sinus congestion, a dry cough, running nose, and headache. I take raw garlic all year, herbs, and Vitamin c, gave up dairy and sugar years ago. I have a very clean house, replace the furnace filters frequently and am not allergic to my dog. My doctor has taken a whole battery of blood tests and, other than a slightly out of kilter thyroid, says I am very healthy. I am a seamstress by profession so I don't have a lot of contact with sick people. I also have no tonsils, if that makes any difference. I am at my wits end with this problem and wonder if anyone can suggest anything. Please don't tell me to move (I wish!), as my husband has his business here. Thanks for all the suggestions!

[ItalianBee]

How much vitamin C are you taking? It is possible to take too much. And what are the herbs? Chamomile, for instance, seems to help hay fever for some people and make it worse for others.

Also, even with a clean house and being sure you aren't allergic to your dog, you could be allergic to something in your environment.

[Chicago Lady]

Italian Bee, thank you for getting back to me! I take about 500mg of vitamin C daily. I also that Horsetail, Red Clover, Evening Primrose oil, Turmeric,ginger, and Milk Thistle. This is along with vitamins and calcium. I should be super-healthy!

[RoseRed]

See an Allergist/Immunologist and get a diagnosis. Those symtpoms fit a variety of different illnesses.

Keep your body well cared for. Nutritional support is essential when you'll ill for extended periods of time.

[Singingcrowsings]

I would also suggest drinking taheebo (pau d'arco) tea. It will help support your immune system and is amazing for the respiratory system. Have a big pot on the stove continually brewing so you can just dip into it and drink it all day.

Pay attention to everything in your surroundings. What is different? Plants? Weather? Construction? Sewage? Smells? Seasonal foods you only eat at that time? What about clothing? Are you wearing materials you wouldn't through the warmer months? Are winter/fall clothing, including coats, being stored somewhere that might allow them to pick something up? Do you change cleaning products a that time? Do you use certain personal hygiene products only during those months? ANd of course, there could be your heating. Your system could be blowing something or could be burning something you don't do well with (it might not have to do with the filters). Of course, there's also your husband? What is his job? Could he be bringing something from his job in only during the cooler seasons? Is your dog indoors more? If so, and you don't have a vacuum, that could be part of the problem, even if you're not highly allergic to your dog.

I'd go through each thing, one at a time, and write it down. Make a spreadsheet! and narrow it down to what changes.

And I agree with Redrose. Get yourself some support from an immunologist/allergist.

[Gwen]

Do you take the same herbs all year round? How do you take them? In tea, tincture, capsules?

[Chicago Lady]

Hi, everyone. Thanks for reading my posts and taking time to make some much-needed suggestions. In answer to your questions, yes, the herbs that I mentioned are pretty much my all-year fare. I take them in capsule form usually. I used to take Pau D' Arco many years ago, but heard that it could be dangerous and quit. I am checking off the list of things that could be possible irritants and I really think the dampness from Lake Michigan has a lot to do with my problems. Does anyone on this forum live by a very large body of water and find that it contributes to health issues? Thanks for all the input!

[Gwen]

Hi, everyone. Thanks for reading my posts and taking time to make some much-needed suggestions. In answer to your questions, yes, the herbs that I mentioned are pretty much my all-year fare. I take them in capsule form usually. I used to take Pau D' Arco many years ago, but heard that it could be dangerous and quit. I am checking off the list of things that could be possible irritants and I really think the dampness from Lake Michigan has a lot to do with my problems. Does anyone on this forum live by a very large body of water and find that it contributes to health issues? Thanks for all the input!

My gut feeling is that you are using too many herbs and using them as drugs rather than herbal medicine. You are also using a quite a lot of very powerful herbs. I feel like you may by hindering or overstimulating your body, getting in the way of its natural healing processes by using too many powerful herbs. Its not that the herbs don't have the potential to address your health concerns, but they may not be appropriate for specifically you, your body, your constitution, and your particular issues. This is wisdom I gained from studying Herbal Energetics with Kiva Rose.

In the wise woman tradition of herbal healing, the idea is to nourish and build strength. Part of me feels like why not let yourself go ahead and get good and sick? Make a deep, rich nourishing bone broth and add astragalus to it. Sip on it while your immune system does what its been trying to do for the past 5 years. Accompanying this with a comforting cup of tea or a sip of Elderberry syrup.

My intuitive response is to suggest that you ween yourself off the herbs one at a time. Then, start them up again, one at a time, for a few days, and see if you can feel the affect the herb is having on your body. I would also recommend that you start using the whole form of the herb as opposed to capsules. I really have to question the wisdom of using the same herbs all year long. We don't eat the same foods or wear the same clothes all year long. Our body's needs are also in a constant state of flux and hopefully in sync with the seasons. I think it would be wise to step back and reevaluate your body's changing needs.

I wonder how much of a relationship you have established with the area surrounding Lake Michigan? Have you spent any time there exploring? Does it provide food in the form of fish or plants? I wonder what herbs, animals, and other plants grow in that area? You might be astonished to find just exactly what you are looking for there.

Intuitively, I feel like Mullein might be a good herb for you. In the wise woman tradition of herbal healing, emphasis is placed on simples: using single herbs.

Susun Weed has established a healing modality called the Seven Rivers. These seven rivers are a guide to help you approach a health issue in a way that is not overwhelming.

Susun Weed says it best so here are a few links that explain her approach to herbal healing. I have also included some links to a blog by a very well known herbalist in the Lake Michigan area, Jim Mcdonald.

http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/January07/healingwise.htm
http://www.susunweed.com/How_to_make_Infusions.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1SNC4_lzLk&list=PLEF0F8FBDA34D0E09
http://www.herbcraft.org
http://www.herbcraft.org/mullein.html

Even though I have been studying herbs and herbalism for years, I still consider myself a novice. Therefore, these are just suggestions based on what I've learned and my intuition. I hope there is some information here that helps!

[ItalianBee]

Italian Bee, thank you for getting back to me! I take about 500mg of vitamin C daily. I also that Horsetail, Red Clover, Evening Primrose oil, Turmeric,ginger, and Milk Thistle. This is along with vitamins and calcium. I should be super-healthy!

I agree with what Gwen said about capsules - and 500 mg of vitamin C might be overkill.

[Chicago Lady]

Hello, everyone. Thanks again for all the suggestions. In answering your questions, I must admit that I spend very little time exploring the land where I live. I have been race walking for years, but almost totally ignore my surroundings. Guess that better stop!

I know that I am taking too many herbs. I know that I should be taking tinctures or teas instead of capsules. Why on earth am I still doing it?! What should I cut out? If I were to consume just one herb, what should it be?

I also have thought about getting "good and sick" and just letting my body get well on its own. I am almost afraid to do this, though, because I get bronchitis very easily and it can and has gone into pneumonia. Sorry if I seem unflexible; I just hate to be sick so much! Any more suggestions?