pre- mid- and post-SHTF health

I have an east indian friend at work that told me that there are many, many blind people in India as a result of drinking home-distilled alcohol. He says they got lazy and didn't give it that last filter, but I don't know, I'm just saying that's his perspective.

This article tells of a rash of recent deaths due to improper methods. "Bootleg liquor turns deadly in India." Doesn't say if it is due to accident or malicious intent.

http://www.todayonline.com/World/EDC111216-0000036/Bootleg-liquor-turns-deadly-in-India

Since I've been reading about people processing their own hooch in a shtf world I've told my kids (and anyone else that would listen) that unless they are absolutely sure that the distilled 'beverage' is safe to drink to stick with a fermented 'beverage' (beer or wine), as I am that concerned.

... Bootleg liquor is scary stuff ...and tough to drink, lol ... think I will stick to wine!

I was at the clinic this morning getting a Tetanus Shot, and learned something interesting. I've mentioned that I don't have a doctor I can call my own, I see who ever is available, on-call, or doing clinic, whatever, that day. It so happened that the doctor that saw me was the same one that after listening to my litany of ailments asked me if there was any mental illness in my family. 😡 grr-r-r But I was just there for a quick shot and then off to visit paintergirl. Anyway, the doctor had my file in his hand and started asking me about my problems from the last time I saw him. I told him that nothing much changed, but that I'd self-diagnosed it as diverticulitis, and was treating it as such. He seemed to think that was as likely an ailment as any. He mentioned something about a barium something, which reminded me about asking (again) for a colonoscopy...

So, the interesting part is that there is a shortage of radiologists (worldwide, he said) and even very, very sick people have a hard time getting the procedure done. Someone like myself that appears to be fine, they won't even make an appointment for. I'm kind of stunned that in Canada this is our health care system.

I guess this is not a complete surprise.
*sigh*

Soaring BPA levels found in people who eat canned foods.

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/11/23/soaring-bpa-levels-found-in-people-who-eat-canned-foods/

I was going to say that generally I don't eat much canned food (although I do have quite a stock for emergencys), but then I realized that whenever I eat a staff meal at work, or eat out that I am getting canned products.

My own personal 'cure all' is to keep flushing my system with vitamin C.
I take a daily tablet (1000mg time release w/ bioflavonoids) as well as +/- 2000mg of the crystals or powder in my water bottle.

yes, I or we do in this house the V-C 1000mg a day, the swallow type. i hear V-C can destroy your teeth enamel. So don't give your kids chewable kind. And pop B-12 now and then.

I have made great progress on my medicinal herbs and home remedies notebook , may start a thread here on it once it is closer to completion. I have harvested from various books and the internet and am actually quote pleased with how much can be tended to with a kitchen pantry. Over the years I have used many home cures but there are so many great ones out there.
One of my areas of interest was not just herbs and seasonings, but plants that could be foraged locally as well. Stay tuned!

I will be keeping a close eye on the cottonwoods over the next few weeks to collect and start this years Cottonwood salve, do you make them as well Paintergirl?

I use from for both peaple and critter use, Here is a site with a fairly good write up on it..

http://www.familyherbalremedies.com/balm_of_gilead.html

I wish I had known about that salve when I was living on the prairies! We had cottonwoods everywhere, it was the dominant tree there, that and weeping mountain ash... Here, not so much, especially because I am close to the ocean. Mostly fir, oak, elm, pine etc. What a great site Farmgal, thanks~ and I like your blog as well and have bookmarked it for future reading! 😀

I found a good site that shows how to make the mother for Apple Cider Vinegar.

http://mossgrownstone.wordpress.com/2012/02/13/apple-cider-vinegar-making-a-mother/

I have been taking 1 heaping (lol) teaspoon of ACV in fruit juice daily for over a month now. I am sure that is why that 'thing' in my left side that constantly bothers me has been much less of a problem and my whole nervous system is calmer.

I had also been taking a teaspoon of colloidal silver daily for a couple months which I also believed helped to a degree. But I just recently read another post on this site about colloidal silver being outlawed and when I googled it I decided to stop until I knew more about it. I bought a prepared solution (not homemade) at a reputable vitamin shop, I've seen it advertised on practically all the survival web sites, so other than not taking too much and turning blue I didn't think it was a bad thing to be taking. Need to do some more research.

I wouldn't be trying any of these if I wasn't desperate to improve my health, stay working and not lose the lifestyle to which I've become accustom. 🙄 As mentioned in previous posts the doctors that I've been to in the last 3 and 1/2 years have not been of much help.

They also outlawed Hemp for a time, so read the sources as well as the articles.
Hemp is one of the most amazing things ever.
clothing
building
eating
(before stupid postings happen, you need a whole field to get high, but you would die from smoke inhalation, so a bonus there to those then)

I've heard that hemp clothing is really nice close to your skin -supposedly really soft. (bamboo clothing is soft too)

Garlic is supposed to repel fleas and ticks on animals - no reason why it shouldn't work for upright animals like us. Just don't give too much garlic to dogs (just a little bit every 2nd day)
http://www.brighthub.com/environment/green-living/articles/60192.aspx

Here are 55 (general) herbal remedies to get the "party" started:
http://www.herbalremediesinfo.com/best-herbal-remedies.html