I wish we had a sticky; or I wish I would remember to bookmark threads :)

[OneGrassRoot]

I know you guys have talked about so many wonderful vitamins, minerals and supplements, and provided wonderful links, but darn, I can never find it when I need it.

I'm specifically looking for information now about grape seed.

First silly question: is grape seed extract and grape seed OIL extract the same thing?

I'll share my current situation in case it applies to anyone else or prompts other questions. :)

I'm following a fairly consistent supplement program to work with some basic symptoms I have that many of us experience: fatigue, irritability, depression, etc., etc. I also have hair thinning which is starting to bother me tremendously, though I do understand long-term chronic stress can cause this.

One thing I have tuned in to -- after really starting to pay attention to myself in the last week (my daughter is at a camp for three weeks...my attention is on me now ;)) is this: I believe my body is craving essential oils. I could live on avocado -- sea salt on avocado is NIRVANA!!! I've been using sea salt to stimulate the thyroid, as thyroid and adrenal stimulants are part of my regimen, too, along with the normal B-complex and multivitamin (Dr. Weil's).

Anyway, in the last week I have focused on being sure to take the omega oils. :)

What led me to the grape seed oil search is toenail fungus. Joy, joy. I've ignored it for about two years but decided to DO something. Tea tree oil was the most common remedy mentioned, along with grape seed oil extract.

I saw a thread about probiotics and thought that may play a role in any external fungus, too, right? I am taking Activia with whole flax seeds every day; I don't have noticeable digestive issues, it's more preventive than anything.

So, my specific question is if there is benefit to taking grape seed oil extract supplements (does it even come in pill form? Sorry...I obviously didn't read much and came directly here instead), and then use the tea tree oil topically?

In lieu of answering these varied questions, does anyone know of one magic bullet pill that will solve, and prevent, all known ailments we may ever encounter? ;) :hippie:


Oh, Why Szyczy, I am using the Ignatia as well, focusing on releasing. I haven't noticed anything specific -- one way or another -- but what I HAVE noticed in the last week is that I am not in the depths of depression any longer...I seem to be much more neutral emotionally. Some very upsetting, frustrating things are occurring right now, but I'm responding to them in a much more calm fashion.

:)

Thanks much in advance, Everyone. :hug:

BTW, as a complete aside, I started a focused breathe and release exercise ("in and out" - I must start simple :)) last week as well. The very first day, as I did this and called forth guidance, I saw a WHITE CROW within 30 seconds of asking for guidance. I was driving. :)

Today, for the first time in my life, I saw a bald eagle. I couldn't believe it was real, but sure enough that's exactly what it was. It was near a lake, and I searched and see that others have spotted a bald eagle in that area.

I've always considered the hawk my guide of sorts these last few years; seems birds in general are now.

In fact, the white crow and eagle sightings were near the same lake. I believe I should go there for some quiet time very soon to receive more guidance. :)

Thanks for allowing me to ramble.


:grouphug:

[Why Syzygy]

1. Hey!

I'm really glad to hear you're feeling better! With the Ignatia, you don't have to "focus on releasing". Unless you just want to. It might make you feel more like doing that and other healing activities, though.

I've read enough about Grape Seed that I've added to my iherb 'wish list' and plan to get it when I order. I don't remember exactly why or what I was investigating. It may have been related to Resveratrol and anti-aging. Or anti-inflmation. (Maybe Shalla wrote something? Or it was in the Health forum?) I do remember it was very impressive.

I WISH there was a one product does all. None that I've found. If you find one, let me know! Mercola has some interesting food derived things, very expensive for my budget. My searches for such an item have focused in on whole food powder formulations.

I can't cite any specifics on GS, so how about some reference stuff:

http://search.mercola.com/Results.aspx?q=grapeseed&k=grape

http://search.lef.org/search/default.aspx?s=1&QUERY=grape%20seed

[OneGrassRoot]

3. ...

Thanks so much! :hug:

I was kidding about the magic pill, but wouldn't it be nice? ;)

[OneGrassRoot]

8. Actually....

if you come to any conclusions about the whole food powder formulations you mention, please let us know.

All of these supplements get overwhelming. And, I wonder if -- like pharmaceuticals -- some may counteract others if taken together or simply not be as effective? I know some work better WITH others, but perhaps the opposite is true?

:crazy:

I need to get a grip on this or it'll become another stressor and my hair will really start falling out...lolol.

[Shallah Kali]

2. GrapeFRUIT Seed Extract anti-fungus|Grape Seed Oil edible & for massage|GrapeSeedEXTRACT- Veins

Grape Seed Extract is for strengthing blood vessels, is believed to help prevent macular degeneration, & got rid of my Mom's restless legs which she had blamed on the cats all wanting to lay on her at night. She started using it hoping to prevent macular degeneration which runs in her family as she read about it in a rodale book (publisher of prevention mag) Miracle Cures. AT the time she had just diagnosed withs omething called drusen which can turn into macular degeneration. Eye specalist had no recs on how to reduce or prevent so we read up on it and thought it worth a try. Every couple years she gets another visual field and other eye exams and so far, in oh about 10 years, no worsening of the drusen. She also started Bilberry caps soon after the grape seed extract as well which improved her night vision so the stalling of the drusen might be due to the combo of the two.

BTW some find Biotin useful for hair growth. Some find it helps the hair come back, others at least find the remaining hair thicker and healthier. Got my Mom to try it for the thicker & healthier effect and after a month her normally dry skin got soooo much softer. No more scaly elbows too.

If you have the time you might want to look up the epsom salt treatment for toenail fungus. some people say after soaking daily for 2 months or so it went away. I am trying to get my Mother to try it as she has one and doesn't dare try the prescription the doc wanted her to take which can ruin the liver :eek:

Thyroid - do look into eating foods high in selenium. The thyroid needs it almost as much as it needs iodine to operate.

[OneGrassRoot]

4. You are seriously amazing, Shallah...

thank you so much. :)

And thanks for clarifying those three items for me!

Epsom salt soaks seem to be an amazing thing for many conditions. I took an Epsom salt bath last Friday as part of my "release and detoxify" approach right now. Excellent suggestion about the foot soaks.

I just checked and, interestingly, selenium isn't found in my multivitamin, nor in anything else I'm taking. Biotin (1000% of the daily allowance) is in the hair/nail formula I'm taking, so that's good. :)

I suppose I need to add selenium to the list since I don't eat enough selenium-rich foods (nuts and fish, so it seems).

An interesting note about grape seed extract: my aunt was diagnosed with Parkinson's recently, and has found that grape seed extract is more helpful to calm the tremors than the prescription medication thus far.

Thank you again! :hug:

[Shallah Kali]

11. selenium rich foods are hard to find as most areas soil is low in it +more on Epsom Salts

I take kind selenium from Now Foods that is bound to an amino acid (L-Selenomethionine) 2-3 times a week to make sure I am getting enough. Don't know if this is the absolute super duper best form but do know that any mineral bound to an amino is more absorable for the ole bod than pure mineral form & Now is good about allergen labeling. Some say getting selenium that also is w/vitamin E is best but haven't tried it myself. For now I just take it when I take natural vitamin e.

Selenium Critical to General Health and Thyroid Function

Interesting Information on Epsom Salts

Sulfation Benefits - PDF or http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/articles/Sulfation_Benefits_072204.pdf&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a">View as HTML

[lildreamer316]

5. Here's what I take;

Every Day:

Omega 3-6-9 (1-2 a day)
Tonalin CLA (4 a day)
Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (4-6 a day)
Grapeseed Extract
Gotu Kola
Dandelion
Horsetail
Biotin
Milk Thistle
Vit.C (ester)
Green Tea ( I usually drink this)

Every other day:

Collagen II
B-Complex
MSM


I started most of these to help with skin issues such as cellulite and softness, and of course the Biotin is for hair growth also. They also help with weight control. The Milk Thistle helps my liver to process the hormones in my body so that they stay balanced; that helps a lot! Like above, the grapeseed along with several others strenthens my veins so that the fat deposits can be better carried away.

Of course i get a lot of other benefits from each of these, but I was just telling you why I originally started taking them. I will admit that at the moment I can eat just about anything I want in moderation and not gain a whole lot of weight, lol. And my hair grows like crazy. Oh! your hormones may have a lot to do with your hair loss; you might want to look up either Vitex or Evening Primrose Oil and see if they may help.

Good Luck!

[OneGrassRoot]

6. Wow :)

Thanks much, lildreamer.

I'm sure my hormones are at play -- which is why I'm focused on the adrenals and thyroid for now. I tried progesterone, which helped PMS a lot years ago, but I guess I'm not meant to take it now. After a few months, it didn't help the symptoms and I had a LOT of breakthrough bleeding. So, I tackled the supplement route...

So you take dandelion and milk thistle every day?! I take them periodically to cleanse the gallbladder and liver, but I suppose I just assumed the effectiveness would be diluted if I took them every day. Taking them more regularly could be very significant for me, especially as I lean toward gallbladder issues yet need essential oils very much now.

I'm taking about one-third of the items on your list now. Interesting, I always thought gotu kola was for mental clarity only, yet I see it's also for circulation as well.

Is there a certain brand of collagen II you recommend?

[OneGrassRoot]

7. About milk thistle:

In case others have questions about milk thistle, here is a good article:

http://heartspring.net/detoxification_liver_health.html


I see that I should indeed be taking this daily. I'll look for a milk thistle/dandelion tea. Yellow dock root is usually included in these preparations, I believe.


:)

[Shallah Kali]

10. Milk Thistle is not very water soluble so caps or grinding the seeds themsevles is best

http://www.mothernature.com/library/bookshelf/books/54/12.cfm

silymarin, milk thistle's active ingredient, is concentrated from milk thistle seeds and sold in standardized capsule form or extracts. The capsules I take are standardized at 80 percent silymarin. The recommended average daily dose is 200 to 400 milligrams of silymarin, but I don't take it regularly unless I'm traveling or celebrating.

Some herbalists say that it's better to eat the seeds or capsules than make a tea or infusion of the seeds. silymarin is barely soluble in water and poorly absorbed from the stomach, so it needs to be concentrated and standardized for oral use.

I've never been desperate enough to harvest milk thistle seeds myself, but if I were, I'd get out the scissors and a pair of long, tough gloves. Eating the seeds can be effective, because all sorts of things happen in the stomach that don't happen in water or alcohol extracts. I'd estimate you'd have to eat about half an ounce of seeds to get the equivalent of an average daily dose of silymarin.

snip

Germany's Commission E (a panel of experts roughly the equivalent to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) reports no known contraindications or drug interactions for milk thistle, the fruit. Occasional mild laxative effects have been noted, but if you stick to the recommended dose, there should be no problems.

[OneGrassRoot]

12. Again, thank you so much, Shallah....

your wisdom is always most appreciated.

:hug:

[lildreamer316]

9. BlueIris turned me on to the brand I take..

Neocell Laboratories Super Collagen C.

I have times where I skip a whole day of supps, so it ends up where I don't actually take everything every single day, but most days.

[OneGrassRoot]

13. Cool....thanks again, lildreamer316!

:hug:

[Why Syzygy]

14. Me too.

I got it on her recommendation also. However, I don't like taking caps/pills, so bought the powder.
It's difficult to dissolve. Which are you using?

[Shallah Kali]

15. How does it taste and does it set ok on the tummy?

My joints are getting touchy w/all the weather changes in my area so I am reading up on different things that can help people. Funny thing is I ache & limp more in a changable damp summer than I do in winter :shrug: Tried glucosamine which made horribly nauseous for the entire day. Condroition is made from cow and pig cartilage and I am :tinfoilhat: about beef parts. Chicken based cartilage type supplements seem to be price. Hylauronic items even more. SAM-e pricey. Maybe I should just gnaw on all the bits of my next organic chicken and see if I get any good effects from that :p