Letha's Health Secrets: Last 35 Posts

Amchi on "high blood pressure"

Amchi — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 15:56:47 +0000

MaharaniD on "Skin Care"

MaharaniD — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 23:04:54 +0000

Hi Letha,

After learning a little about Chinese Medicine, herbal medicine and Ayurveda, I've noticed that aloe vera--particularly the gel or juice--is almost always prescribed for issues like inflammation, or perhaps acne and such, but I have a question:

What if one is allergic to aloe vera?

All of the remedies that I have come across containing aloe vera are not helpful to me--in fact, they're harmful--because I am allergic to it. So, having said that, what are some good alternatives to aloe vera?

Thanks!

MaharaniD on "Stagnant Qi"

MaharaniD — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:38:05 +0000

Hi Letha,

I think I have stagnant Qi. My tongue is purple, it has very little coating of any kind, and has very deep cracks at the root. I also have very dark circles under my eyes, and I frequently suffer from lower back pain--where my kidneys are--as well as angina. The angina is horrible. I feel a squeezing pain that is accompanied with yet more back pain that is all above my solar plexus and between my shoulders.

I suspect that the blocked Qi is affecting my kidneys, and in turn, it is affecting my my heart and liver, and everything else! It's as if that one problem is throwing everything else out of balance.

I do not know how to help my Qi circulate properly. Is there anything you could recommend to help me unblock all that stagnant Qi?

I really appreciate any feedback you might have for me.

rvelazquez on "Help for Graves Disease"

rvelazquez — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 05:31:30 +0000

Hello Letha,

I was diagnost with thyroids, my biggest worry is my weight,I've been on every diet I can,it helps for a while, then I go back to eating again. I put on weight where my leags anf knees ache, is there any other solution for my thrroids beside medication, I've heard about acupunture?

Will this work for me..

Thank-you,
Rebecca

Miakoda on "Lien Chiao Pai Tu Pien"

Miakoda — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:26:08 +0000

Hello Letha,

Iv'e used Lien Chaiao Pai Tu Pien intermitently for years for skin allergies and acne. Recently I noticed I needed to restock my supply. The mfg., Tianjin drug, has changed the formulation. I'm now concerned about product safety. After lots of research, I am still unsatisfied that this particular mfg. is completely safe. There are many other patent remedies I'd like to use, but safety is now a real concern. What brands/sources do you recommend?

Thank you for your help and all the great books you've written. You're a blessing.

mylego89 on "2 day Japanese Diet"

mylego89 — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:50:34 +0000

Has anyone taking the "Perfect Slim". If so could you give me a little info. please

Antonio on "From Spain"

Antonio — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 20:44:21 +0000

Dear Letha,

My name is Antonio, I am quite close to the asian way of health since I am a buddhist practitioner. I think I am a dragon type of animal. I am now on diet. I am very happy with your way of considering health topics. I am going to order your book soon. Do you know where I can find your herbal supplements, teas and remedies? I am looking for a slimming tea. Hello also to everyone in this forum!

Yours,

Antonio

pr0898 on "BURN"

pr0898 — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 19:27:12 +0000

Another good thing that you can use when you get burn is vineger. The vineger prevents the swolling and water bubbles from forming in the area. I do it all the time and it works.

pr0898 on "2 day Japanese Diet"

pr0898 — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 19:16:35 +0000

I started the 2 day diet pills and went from 135 to 120 in about a month. There was 1 week I did not use them because I was sick and taking medications and I still continue to lose weight and still suppressed my appetite. The only side effects I have is dry mouth and constipation. The constipation I relieve taking the 3 ballerina pills (herbal slim capsules)and work great. I feel great and i don't look sick like some people do when they lose weight to fast. I have tried to lose weight many many times with different things and never worked. These pills are amazing and really work. A group at work started these pills at the sametime, we all lost weight except 1 because she continued to eat the sameway she always did (I don't know how because I can't eat if I'm not hungry). One thing I like about the pills also is that it makes me eat more fruts and water. Fruts are good between meals as snack.

Letha on "Cellulite Pills"

Letha — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 04:29:03 +0000

Hi to both anti-celluliters. That company may have gone out of business. If you don't have a hyper-thyroid condition, the best remedies to tone metabolism by increasing thyroid action is Laminaria 4 pills from Health COncerns.
If it is water weight (Edema) you can substitute or add
Drain Dampness pills from the same company.

To order from Health Concerns, call 1 800 233 9355 and use my password "LETHA"

See Feed Your Tiger my weight loss book, especially the chapter for Tigers.

Letha on "Blepharitis and Sties"

Letha — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 04:24:19 +0000

Hi Annie

Thyroid medications strongly affect hair loss. First tell your Internest MD about it. He may change the dosage of your thyroid drug.

A cooling oil to apply topically would be olive oil or safflower.Do it at night, not wearing makeup. Avoid the popular very expensive eye-lash enhancing products. Some of them work by irritating the eye and have contained ingredients that treat glaucoma. They dry the eye further and can increase sties, and maybe even macular degeneration blindness.

Letha on "xiao yao wan"

Letha — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 04:20:00 +0000

Hi Mizbabygirl

There are plenty of other digestive remedies that do not contain licorice or dong quai. (You will feel better if you avoid any extra estrogenic foods.) For example homeopathic carbo veg. 30C (homeopathic charcoal) absorbs gas and settles the stomach. Take it as directed between meals.

Letha on "menopause and weight gain"

Letha — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 04:17:06 +0000

Hi EverA

The larger veins may be the result of lowered blood pressure or poor circulation. If it is poor circulation, you will have other problems - like varicose veins in the legs, cracked dry skin on hands and feet. You can improve it by taking homeopathic calc. Fluor. 6x between meals as directed on the bottle.

Letha on "Hirsutism"

Letha — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 04:14:26 +0000

Hi Japan-Freak

When a woman develops excessive amounts of coarse and pigmented hair on body areas where men typically grow hair — such as on the face, chest and back — she may have a condition called hirsutism. It is a condition of unwanted, male-pattern hair growth in women. It may arise from excess male hormones--androgens, the key hormone being testosterone, or it may be due to an ethnic or familial trait.

Several factors may influence the likelihood that you'll develop hirsutism. These include:

Family history. Several conditions that cause hirsutism, including congenital adrenal hyperplasia and polycystic ovary syndrome, run in families.

Ethnicity. Women of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and South Asian ancestry are more likely to develop idiopathic hirsutism than are women of other ethnicities.

Aside from plucking, shaving, waxing, electrolosis, laser, and dipilitory creams - all external treatments that are mostly unsatisfying, there are other unpleasant medicines-- hormonal substances spironolactone (Aldactone) or topical creams that may irritate.

First check to make sure there is no female polycystic problem. That should be treated first to prevent cancer.

Diet: anti-androgen foods improve skin in acne and help to reduce androgens (male hormones) in women. They include mushrooms, soy, burdock, tomato, broccoli.

You probably have to remove the hair. It's temporary, but at the same time, add lots of the above foods. Otherwise, there are medicines. But I know nothing of them and strongly advise against using hormonal drug treatments for something superficial and easy to remove.

Letha on "Eyes"

Letha — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 03:56:55 +0000

If he has lost too much fluid, it may have dried the back of his eye and damaged the optic nerve. I do not know. But that kind of dryness can lead to macular degeneration - blindness. A book I found once about the eye recommended Homeopathic ruta 30C taken 1 - 2 times between meals for slowing macular degeneration. Also closing his eyes and visualizing the darkest color of black he can. That relaxes the eyes and maybe increase fluid to nourish the nerves in the eye area.
Good luck, L.

Letha on "2 day Japanese Diet"

Letha — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 03:52:54 +0000

Have any of you changed your diet?
Eating small portions of healthy foods, increasing water and exercise are better for the heart.

Letha on "Help for Graves Disease"

Letha — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 03:41:07 +0000

Hello MyahM

The thyroid is such a delicate, sensitive, "emotional" organ that medicines sometimes over or under-medicate. The thyroid responds to extreme stress, loss, over-excitement and sleep or food deprivation. The dietary way to slow an overactive (Hyperthyroid) condition is with cooked cabbage or turnips. That tip comes from Dr. Yves Requena, MD, endocrinologist, and Chinese herbal doctor in France.

Using foods are better than surgery because you can use a dose that works for you at the time. I know a girl who had her thyroid removed during a time of high stress. After she left NYC, High Stress!, she moved to the Alps and became obese.

GrantMJ on "Is it gale stones or poylops ?"

GrantMJ — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 07:28:01 +0000

Iv had pain for 5 years and ultrasound shows 3, 1 cm poylops in my gale blader. The pain is often there even if I havent eaten all day. I suspect that there are stones not seen with ultrasound. Im hoping that this YI DAN formula will solve my problem. Doc recomends removal but Iv never had an opperation and scared to hell about going under the knife. I have time to think and try things as our Australian public waiting line is 6 months to 2 years for the opperation. Any suggestion out there would be so nice.
thank you.

jerrygon on "Regrowing hair"

jerrygon — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:15:27 +0000

Would like to know how to regrow hair naturally and is it possible.

Thanks
Jerry
Orlando, fl.

Theresa on "Cellulite Pills"

Theresa — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:43:25 +0000

i am looking for these too. no sign of them on the internet...any luck?

Annie on "Blepharitis and Sties"

Annie — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:35:20 +0000

I am mid-40s, female -- generally in excellent health. I have blepharitis (eyelid inflamation) and recurring multiple eye sties. I've been to several eye docs and they all suggest hot compresses (water or tea bag (Ive tried oolong, chamomile and green tea) plus massage with a qtip. My lashes are falling out and I'm very depressed about this. If I was a man and didn't need to wear makeup for work, it wouldn't be such a big deal but I am a professional woman in NYC and have to wear make-up. I take thryoid medication so am uncomfortable adding herbs but am looking for dietary suggestions or something to use as a compress that I haven't already tried. Please Help.

mizbabygirl4 on "xiao yao wan"

mizbabygirl4 — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 02:43:23 +0000

I recently bought Xiao Yao Wan because it seemed as though it would address my particular health needs, but when I looked up the constituents, I discovered that dong quai and licorice both have estrogenic effects. I am a breast cancer survivor (who had hormonally sensitive cancer). Is Xiao Yao Wan safe for me?

Japan_Freak on "menopause and weight gain"

Japan_Freak — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 13:07:23 +0000

Dear Letha,
How can you cure hirsutism?

Japan_Freak on "Hirsutism"

Japan_Freak — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 13:05:17 +0000

Letha, how do you cure hirsutism?

everA on "menopause and weight gain"

everA — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 03:38:44 +0000

Dear,letha
I have gotten done a examine for blood test and im 42 years old.& i have menopause i have all the symptons and now its proven.The doctor has sent me to take premarin hormones, but everytime i take it i feel that my veins are like big and they get swollen.But it also takes my menopuase symptons away but gives me that disadvantage of the veins getting bigger.What should i do stop taking it or keep taking it?Unless you have another answer for my promblem please let me know.
Thanks for you time,
Ever

everA on "Eyes"

everA — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 03:01:59 +0000

They said their was nothing left to do for his eye.And yet he does not have cataract.They just implied to consume alot of zinc.So he wouldnt loose they other eye vision.
Do you have any recomendation for him?

redazelia on "Cellulite Pills"

redazelia — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 03:16:51 +0000

Hey all,

I'm planning on starting a cellulite diet for a couple of weeks, and would like to add some diet loss or diuretic pills to help out in the process.

There are "Cellulite Tablets" by Thera mentioned in Asian Health Secrets, but I have not been able to find any reference to these online - maybe they're not made anymore?

Any input on pills I can buy (also an online source if available) and other suggestions to the diet much appreciated.

Thanks!

shari72 on "2 day Japanese Diet"

shari72 — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:26:08 +0000

hi i have started the 3x slimming power which is the higher one to the 2 day diet and so far it seem ok .. i have lost 10 lbs so far i have started it about 3 wks now i have a friend who lost 40 pounds in about 2 mths .. he did not have any kind of side effect oh the only thing i drink a lot more water..

MyahM on "Help for Graves Disease"

MyahM — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 07:29:01 +0000

Hello Letha,

can you tell me if there are any chinese herbs that are helpful for Graves disease or if acupuncture is an alternative to the awful treatment options that western medicine offers (i.e. radioactive iodine and surgical removal of the thyroid gland). I was just diagnosed this past week (pending a couple of follow-up tests) and would welcome your thoughts on this. I currently have no symptoms it was discovered during a rutine physical.

Thanks!

LethaHadady on "Damp Heat"

LethaHadady — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 02:41:28 +0000

Hi Sedona

I am happy to gradually answer your questions.
Weak qi can mean a number of things depending on how the chinese herbal doctor diagnoses your complaints. For example if your pulse is slow, weak, and deep that would indicate weak defensive qi or stagnant weak qi. It may be that energy or heart energy or kidney energy is low. Some tonics are intended to increase qi - notably ginsengs because they help the body to adapt to stress and balance immunse response.

If your have a pale, scalloped tongue --COMBINED WITH excess urination, low sexual energy or periods that come late and last long you might very well have low kidney qi. In that case a pinch of clove the kitchen spice in warm water would help brace your kidney/adrenal energy. It would improve breathing and mood. It is very warming.

If you had pale scalloped tongue and irregular heart beat, swollen ankles, shortness of breath, a weak heart in echocardiogram tests, then weak qi would be affecting the heart.

In general weak qi can start from several sources - a diet that is too cold and raw foods (because it requires digestive energy that many people lack)

Overwork, late nights, illness, these also weaken qi so do worry and emotional issues like grief.

WOmen after delivering a body have fallen qi -- very very pale tongue, chronic diarrhea or loss of urine when sneezing.

If you think you have weak kidney qi (excess urinations, aching legs, dislike of cold weather) start by applying a warming rub to kidney area to see if it improves your vitality and eases pain.

LethaHadady on "Eyes"

LethaHadady — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 02:30:06 +0000

Hi 76 is way too young to lose your vision. I wonder if he has cataract or what the problem is...It's not just from tearing. Did they mention surgery?
What was the diagnosis?

LethaHadady on "Treatment for Hair"

LethaHadady — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 02:26:57 +0000

Hi Sedona

For thinning hair, you mgith apply jojoba oil lightly massaged into scalp then wash gently with shampoo cut with water to dilute it. Apply conditioner only to ends not scalp to let the scalp breathe. See my book Healthy Beauty for an entire chapter on hair health.

LethaHadady on "xiao yao wan"

LethaHadady — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 02:24:14 +0000

Hi Sedona

vitamin shoppe and other health food stores sell liquid chlorophyll. Chlorella comes from japan or China - very potent but a source of minerals such as those in seaweed. Chlorophyll is less stimulating and better as a soothing insert into enema or taken orally if your need to quiet the digestion and soothe irritation.

LethaHadady on "Colon Cleanse"

LethaHadady — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 02:22:04 +0000

Hi Sedona - about colonics

Better to do it at home by yourself I say,
You have more control and privacy.
use spring water and afterwards use something in the water like aloe to calm the body. Take oral acidophilus after.

LethaHadady on "Allergy"

LethaHadady — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 02:19:48 +0000

Hello Sedona

I believe the Ayurvedic doctors recommend triphala for allergies because it is so balancing. It contains 3 fruits known to passify Vata, Pitta, and Kapha the basis of health for body and mind. The fruit in triphala that passifies Pitta is amla - a wild sour cherry that's very potent source of vitamin C - that may be how it works to rid the body's sensitivity to allergies. Amla is cooling, useful for acid conditions and water retention - some of the underlying problems associated with allergic response.