Don’t Drink the Snake Oil

By Cindy Pitts Gilbert   September 2017 

Dear Sister Knowitall
Help me, I don’t know where to start? There is just too many options and ways to be healthy I don’t know what do choose.  It seems like every other day there is a new book or fad to try to be healthy.  I know I should eat right.  What is right? Hundreds of diets and fads. I try to do the right thing  for us but sometimes the cookies are just too yummy to pass up and I get so busy I forget to drink my water and my kids may not always eat a breakfast of champions.  When choosing natural remedies How do you know who’s advice is really helpful and who are the hoaxers? 

Sincerely
Cookie Cravins

 Dear Cookie Cravins

First and foremost,  Stop beating yourself up.  Keep trying and when you falter, quote Scarlett, “Tomorrow is another day.” Stressing about it is just going to raise your cortisol levels and that isn’t good for your health either. You are right, there are so many options out there for natural remedies and unfortunately there are people who prey on your need to feel better or make a loved one feel better. 
There are so many people out there more interested in taking advantage of people than helping  them.  This isn’t new,  Remember the “snake oil”  sold by traveling salesmen that were more alcohol than anything else. Everyone has their own version of “Sister Knowitall,” that family member or friend that seems to have a just the advise you need.  It is hard to know who and what to believe isn’t it? 

Well I’d like to say believe me but the truth is, you have to be your own health advocate. You have to be willing to take control of your health and your families health and keep it simple,  make one change at a time. My motto is show me the research.  When I want to use a product, service or remedy I want to know it will work but I also understand that just like any medicine each individual is different and everything is not right for everyone.  I research something then I try my best to tear it apart. The eternal skeptic.  I try to disprove whatever it is until I convince myself that it is the right answer and then and only then do I give it a try.   It is like anything else that you study, history, politics, religion,  who to swipe left and who to swipe right. 
Our lives are full of choices. We are ultimately responsible for the choices we make.. I have done the research in many areas of health and wellness for myself and my family and I am always happy and honored to share the results of that research.  Is it right for you? Good Question? Let me know once you have done your own research. I'd love to hear your results.

Just because it's natural doesn't mean it's safe

By Cindy Pitts Gilbert - Gwinnett Citizen  October 2016

Dear Sister Knowitall, 

I have a question about natural home remedy safety.  I mean if it is natural, it is safe for my family to use it, right?   

Sincerely, Crunchy Mom Wannabe

Dear  Crunchy Mom Wannabe,

Thank you. I am so very glad you asked this question.  I am actually speaking at a Health Fair later this month about this very topic.  Just because it's natural doesn't necessarily mean it's safe.  I mean think about it. Mold is natural, but I think we all will agree that it is not something we want in our homes or want to breathe.

Peppermint

Did you know that Penicillin was discovered in London in September of 1928, by Dr. Alexander Fleming, a bacteriologist at St. Mary’s Hospital? He returned from a vacation to find that a mold  - “Penicillium notatum” -  had contaminated his Petri dishes containing colonies of Staphylococcus. He was amazed to find that the mold prevented the normal growth of the staphylococci.  He cultivated  more mold to learn that it could be the answer for many infectious diseases.  (Source: pbs.org.).  But we cannot assume that penicillin is safe in all situations.

Many people are allergic to Penicillin, including Sister Knowitall.  I break out in a very itchy  rash if I am given any kind of Penicillin. What works for one does not work for another.  So you see, natural healing is very personal. It is really important for you to find out what is safe for you. Use caution and do your own research in your quest to live a natural life.

Poison Ivy

That brings me to another point.  It is really important to read labels and find out what  the "Natural” label really means. Advertising can be somewhat deceptive; just because a label says something's natural doesn't mean you should put it on your body or in your mouth.

The FDA has not developed a definition for use of the term “natural” or its derivatives. However, the agency has not objected to the use of the term if the food does not contain added color, artificial flavors, or synthetic substances."  (http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/Transparency/Basics/ucm214868.htm)

A further read of “Natural” FDA labeling states that the policy was not intended to address food production methods, such as the use of pesticides, thermal technologies, and pasteurization irradiation.  Know what you are buying.

Lastly, let’s talk about essential oil safety.  This is a hot topic for me. This topic is "trending" right now, which is both exciting and dangerous.  I use essential oils daily, I am also a fanatic about essential oil safety. There are  three or four major direct marketing companies that are widely recognized. If you say the words “essential oils”  or “natural,” they will all raise a helping hand high in the air, itching to help with all that ails you.

Essential oils are amazing. When I decided to start making products, it was mainly for gift baskets for family. I didn't want to make a gift that hurt a member of my family or a friend, so I started researching. There are rules and guidelines for using natural products safely.  Just because you can buy essential oils, and just because someone gives you a natural essential oil from a company or a natural product store, doesn't mean it is safe for everyone.  I will give you a few examples, and if you want to hear more come to the Health Fair at which I am speaking later this month.

Rosemary is one of my personal favorite herbs and oils, but if you are pregnant, it could cause contractions. Therefore, it is not recommended for women to put on their skin or even breathe during pregnancy.

Peppermint is often used to  relieve sinus congestion, headaches and  muscle pain. It is in many over-the-counter pain relievers, even toothpaste. Some essential oil users and manufacturers recommend applying it to a cotton swab  in the nose or on the brow bone.  Some people can apply oils directly to the skin, but most cannot. It can cause burning.

Tea Tree is another amazing essential oil; when used properly, it can remove mold, ease yeast, and is a great insect repellent. It can also neutralize the venom of insects, such as bee stings or mosquito and ant bites.  It is not recommended for use on dogs for flea and tick control, as it can cause respiratory distress.  I once saw a very trusting esstial oil user recommended tea tree for  diaper rash, without even a mention about diluting.  Ouch! I almost had a coronary.  Tea tree in a sensitive diaper area is just going to  burn, no matter who uses it.

 Follow safety guidelines: 

•Do a small patch test

•Dilute!

•Do not to use water to remove the oil if it does burn your skin. You should dilute with another carrier oil, such as coconut, olive or almond oil.

One last thought: “natural” is a way of life for me. It takes a lot of research, common sense and caution, but it can be an amazing journey to living a healthy, happy, simpler life.

Come see Sister Knowitall speak more on this topic: 
October 28th at 11:00am
Fall Into Health 9am-1pm  Bethseda Senior Center  225 Bethesda Church Road, Lawrenceville

It’s a Natural Kind of Clean

by Cindy Pitts Gilbert  Gwinnett Citizen   August 2016 
Dear Sister Knowitall,

I would like to use more natural products in my home.  I have read that a lot of commercial products are toxic to our family. Do you have any home remedies that will help keep our home clean.

Sincerely, 
Desperate in Dacula

Dear Desperate in Dacula,

I love when I hear that families begin the journey. There are many ways to clean your home with natural products.  There are many that are probably already in your kitchen or are very inexpensive and non-toxic.

One of my favorite staples in our home is baking soda. Let me sing the praises of baking soda, honestly I could write for days about the uses for baking soda. Baking soda makes a great counter top cleaner.  If you have white or light countertops overtime using a knife on the counter without a cutting board can cause tiny grooves that catch dirt and grime and more importantly bacteria.  You may also have stubborn stains such as coffee or tea that  have been taunting you. Here's what you do; wipe down your counter top with a wet cloth and liberally sprinkle on some baking soda, wait 10-15 minutes. Clean your counter with your favorite scrub pad. You can also squeeze lemon juice or spray white vinegar that cause a reaction of bubbles and helps release the stain. The abrasive texture of baking soda gets into the grooves without harming your counter tops. It is also great for cleaning a white sink and the bath or shower soap scum. Baking soda is a terrific rust remover. Have you ever left a can in your sink and have that decorative rust circle in the sink? Follow the same procedure wait a few minutes and drum roll please, the stain comes up with a little light scrubbing. It also works great on cast iron skillets.  Use this same technique on rusty car parts and I have personally used it on light rust on the patio furniture.  Baking soda mixed with a dollup of shampoo makes a great clarifying shampoo.  Baking soda is a safe and somewhat amazing mold remover. It is great on surface mold, but I will warn you if it has gotten deep into your caulking or anything rubber or wood it will help but will not remove deep mold once it is embedded. Baking soda and salt are great for cleaning jewelry and removing stubborn stains on your pots and pans.  Another magic cleaning product is the common lemon.  I don't know anyone who likes cleaning the microwave. The splatter from heating up items without a cover require a lot of elbow grease to remove unless you know this secret trick. Cut a lemon in half and place one half in the microwave.  Set the time in 30 second increments.  When the timer goes off test a small stain with a paper towel. Yes, you read right a paper towel, the stain should wipe away with no effort. if it does not, never fear just add  an additional 30 seconds until the grime wipes away with ease.  You will get a fresh lemony aroma in your kitchen and a sparkling clean microwave you can be proud of.   Safe cleaning.

Cindy Pitts Gilbert is Director of Training for Know It Training for Professional and Personal Development in Gwinnett County.  She is also the Home Remedy Guru of the Blog Sister Knowitall: sisterknowitall.com.  She has been learning natural home remedies after she developed allergic reactions to chemicals in household cleaning products. Send your questions to: askme@sisterknowitall.com

My Son has Poison Ivy in his Eyes

Dear Sister Knowitall,
I have a question; my son got into some poison ivy and rubbed it into his eyes. I can't put calamine lotion in his eyes. What can I do?

Sincerely,
Itchy Eyes Mom

~~~~

Dear Itchy Eyes Mom,
This is a great question.  The first thing to consider is how bad is the poison ivy in his eyes. Are his eyes swollen shut? Is he able to see? How long has this been going on?   If the poison ivy is really bad don't hesitate taking him to the emergency room or your family practitioner.   Now if the problem has just begun and the eyes are getting itchy and red.

pictures pulled from google search

Take a banana peel and remove it from the banana and place slices over your son's eyes and let him lie in a dark room as the light can also make his pain worse.  He should start to feel relief within 1/2 an hour but you will need to do this multiple times during the day until the itchy stops.  I have tried this myself and I worked great. 
You should be able to use this remedy on Poison Sumac, Poison Oak as well. Good luck and remember if you don't start seeing some improvement within a couple of hours contact a doctor. The eyes are really sensitive.

Happy Healing
Sister Knowitall

Welcome to Sister KnowItAll, Ask a question Find an Answer

Hey Ya'll, I'm Sister Knowitall.

This blog was born out of well my brothers calling me a know it all. My youngest brother said, "You know you always have a home remedy for everything maybe you should write a book."  Now, we all know that he wasn't being the slightest bit sarcastic, but then people do seem come to me a lot for advise always have. When my advise is taken folks often find some way to resolve their problem or they feel better from the remedy I recommended. I read a lot, I research a lot. I don't want to try anything on myself or my family to cause more harm than good, like many traditional medicines do.  Have you ever listened to the disclaimers on prescription medicine commercials. It may heal your problem but cause 5 more in the process.  Recently, my best friend took my advise on what to put on her poor aching allergy eye lids, I brought her some coconut oil and she felt better so she said "You should write a blog," so friends, I'm writing a new blog. Do I really think I know it all?  Of Course NOT, I believe I have learned a lot. I believe that it would be selfish to keep it all to myself and I really do want to help others.  I know when to take good advise when it is offered and I don't believe everything I read or hear until I research it to pieces.  I believe we are all here to learn lessons and until we do we will never be truly happy. I do NOT believe in the pursuit of happiness. We already have what it takes to be happy. Don't chase it accept it be happy with where you are and find the joy in every day.  I do believe I can help people by offering the benefit of what I've learned, on how to simply feel both happy and healthy in this crazy, crazy world. So now kind readers you will occasionally get the benefit of my learning and what I  I have learned along the way.
Now, why do I feel qualified to write a blog about everything; because I read a lot. I mean a lot, I  research a lot, I try a lot and I feel now compelled to share the benefits of all my hard work. So here are some things about me, I believe in holistic remedies and a safe environment. I rarely get sick, although a lot of my research stems from some "ailment" that has come my way either myself or my family and friends. When you don't take care of yourself and eat well because life is hectic or crazy you do end up with one ailment or the other.  My family rarely gets sick, and when we do I have some kind of remedy to try that doesn't involve rushing off to the doctor for the latest antibiotic or I research and research and research.  I will be the first to admit google and pinterest are my friends, there are pinterest fails and google also has a lot of bad information, that is good because I can read all angles and then make an informed decision on what is right for my family. I also admire self help gurus and spiritual leaders. I surround myself with positive people and many of them have taught me much of what I know.  I spend a lot of time researching a remedy or a "how to" I don't try anything or recommend anything that is dangerous for your body, mind or spirit, However,  please keep in mind if your body doesn't like something from nature and you have a particular allergy or reaction to something don't use it for a home remedy.  For example, if you are allergic to bananas don't try my banana peel remedy.  When a remedy is a fail I'm the first to admit it and move on.  Home remedies are not magic elixers and take time to work, especially if your immune system is already run down or you aren't taking care of yourself.  I try really hard not to offer advise on something I'm not sure about and If I learn better I do better. . I am not a witch doctor or a midwife. I do however believe that the media and pharmaceutical companies have brainwashed us to the point that now we don't think we can get through the winter without some kind of antibiotic, pain medication or gallons of  antibacterial soap.  So I'm opening the door to questions. You can ask me questions any number of ways. Facebook, email, text if you have my number or in person.  If you want your question to be anonymous I'll keep your name out of my blog. If you want credit for your question then you'll get it.  I will continue researching and finding answers and welcome your own proven remedies and advise we are all in this together, and if I don't know the answer to something I will tell you and try to steer you in a direction that will help you out including some over the counter suggestion or going to a hospital or doctor if you seriously need to see a doctor.  So bring it on I welcome the challenges you have to offer.  I will ask that you keep all negative comments to yourself. They have no place here.