THANKSGIVING

      

 Today is Thanksgiving, my sister and 3 brothers are having a meal together today at my oldest brothers home , my mom is in a nursing home and I believe they are hoping she will be able to come to my brothers to eat with them today. I am not going as usual. My health is not all that good, the pain is always with me and because I am somewhat of a hermit these days, a social setting now makes me anxious as well. This week the doctor put me on a Burst of Prednisone with 60mg. for 3 days ,40mg for 3 days and 20mg for 3 days and so on, that put me in a tail spend of stiffness and pain flair that has made me miserable this week. The first 3 days were great but damn it has been rough the rest of the week. I realized that you DON'T take 60mg of prednisone for 3 days only to drop 20mg in one day! I am usually on 10mg daily any way but when you taper off of prednisone you do not do that with 20mg at a time , you go a half a mg. or even 1 mg. at a time and even that will cause you some problems, but me I had to go and do 20mg . at a time . I have been miserable this week with increase pain and stiffness and a headache all week that I could not shake. I usually don't have headaches but this week I have been miserable with pain at the base of my skull and in my temples and across the forehead. Then to top it off the doctor took me off of my pain med but did not replace it with another, I can't go without something , it may not do much for PMR but for my arthritis it does help make life more tolerable. She was not happy that I am taking diclofenac along with prednisone , because it may cause increased bleeding. She gave me a muscle relaxer to take 3x's a day which helps some but not with the joint pain, so I have been taking extra strength Tylenol but it is just like taking candy instead so I have been taking a few diclofenac when I can't tolerate the pain this week anyway. 

My youngest daughter is driving down and will be here around noon and she will help me fix a turkey dinner tomorrow for just the 3 of us so we are still having a dinner ,just not today. My oldest daughter had her Thanksgiving last Sunday with her husband's side of family and of course we were invited and of course I declined, she brought me and hubby a dinner plate that afternoon which was great. 

Today I am not so ouchy as I have been all this week but still not up to par. This gets old and it makes me feel so old , I am 59 but feel older than my mom who is 85. I am not looking forwards to the Christmas season, I have mixed feelings about this month long dragged out season. Having barely enough money for our needs it will be another Christmas where we are unable to buy a gift for the ones I love . For me that is what I use to enjoy about Christmas being able to buy everyone I want a gift, that is not happening this year. I treat Christmas as a secular holiday I have never made it a religious one because for me it isn't, Christ was not born on this day, it is like celebrating my birthday which is in May in September, what? who would do that? So I have never combined the two. For me it is Yule and the Winter Solstice and the welcoming in of winter and the return of the sun to begin the lengthening of our days.

Well enough bitching for today. May all of you have a thankful Thanksgiving. Blessings and merry part

PATC

 

 

A new Nurse Practitioner Visit

It says tenderness, NOT, full blown pain!!

Well I had to go to a different Nurse Practitioner who is a friend of my daughter, we have more of them than doctors here in town. My other doctor and my other Nurse Practitioner just up and left without notice. So my daughter who is a RN took me to see her friend today. I have been on 10mg of prednisone for almost a year and although it cuts my pain almost in half it is still not doing the trick, I am so damn tired of this constant pain. My Pain medications even Norco, just does not touch it. So I will be doing a Prednisone burst this week starting with 3 days of 60mg, 3 days with 40mg and 3 days at 20mg. hopefully if PMR is what I have that should knock the pain out for sure. She also took me off my pain medication Diclofenac 50mg 3 times a day, apparently it and the prednisone cause stomach bleed, now they tell me. I will be on skelaxin 800mg. a muscle relaxer, I can take up to 3 times a day when needed. I am hoping this will do the trick. If I have Polymyalgia Rhuematica (PMR) then this higher blast of prednisone will get rid of the pain for sure, if not then we will have to figure out what in the hell my problem is. I know I have osteoarthritis in both shoulders but both of my upper arm muscles are in so much pain that I am unable to do anything , the pain levels can get up to 9 and 10,   pain medications do nothing for it, the muscles feels like some big man gripping my upper arms as hard as he can and this is constant cramping with no let up. Add that to the joint pain in my shoulders and neck that seem to be in a constant flare ,the combo has been my constant companion for about a year or more.
So wish me luck
Healing blessings
Pat

ADDICTION the proper use of this word .

Here is some information that people need to get straight about the difference between ADDICTION and NEED when it comes to prescriptions /medications.
To be addicted means you are taking a medication for other purposes for which it was prescribed and you think you need them especially if you are no longer suffering from the condition that you were prescribed these medications in the first place. If you are addicted to pain killers it is NOT because you are taking them for pain!
People like me who take prescription pain killers take them because if we did not take them ,our quality of life would be very low. My pain levels without medications would consistently be above 8 on my pain scale, while on pain medications it ranges from 5 to 7 unless I am in the midst of a flare, then nothing seems to help. This nasty stigma that is placed on Chronic pain sufferers has got to stop!!! I take multiple medications for various reasons not because I want to but if I did not I would be very sick and may stroke out. Medications for thyroid, high blood pressure, for diabetes , for stomach issues ,usually stemming from the medications. I am NOT ADDICTED to these medications but need them for health reason , for a better quality of life, I am not taking them for a thrill ride. The same goes for pain medications, I for the life of me can not understand why anyone would choose to take them for any other reasons but for pain. I really don't get it. I don't like how they make me feel head wise but for pain yes I will take them, it is a compromise on my part. But to tell someone they are an addict because they have to take pain medications for a relatively decent quality of life is SHAMEFUL , HARMFUL and people this has got to stop!
Yes there is a major problem with over prescribing of pain medications and especially the Opiates when other lesser pain medications would probably do the trick. That is the fault of Doctors and apparently they need to be educated to the proper use of pain medications and for the proper prescribing of them to the proper medical conditions.
I am not talking about short term prescribing of Opiates after a severe injury or trauma or for treatment after major surgery, those prescriptions should be limited to possibly a weeks worth at the most. But for people with long term Chronic conditions that will remain with the individual the rest of their lives , to prescribe the proper pain medications for these individual so that they can have some semblance of a quality of life, that my friend is NOT ADDICTION. Chronic pain is pain that has outlived it's usefulness. Acute pain is an adaptive beneficial response necessary for preservation of tissue integrity.

Chronic pain and addiction  here
Addiction is a primary chronic neurobiologic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestation. It's characterized by 1 or more of the following behaviors: impaired control over drug use, compulsive use, continued use despite harm -- and I emphasize harm -- and cravings.
Physical dependence is not addiction. Physical dependence is a state of adaptation that is manifested by a drug-class-specific withdrawal syndrome that can be produced by abrupt cessation of the drug, decreasing dose of the drug, decreasing blood level of the drug, or the administration of an antagonist that blocks the action of the drug.
Physical dependence and addiction can coincide, but physical dependence does not equal addiction in all cases. Physical dependence is a neuropharmacologic phenomenon, a natural physiologic event, while addiction is both a neuropharmacologic phenomenon and a behavioral phenomenon.
Tolerance is not addiction. Tolerance is a state of adaptation in which exposure to the drug induces changes that result in diminution of 1 or more of the drug effects over time. Now key to this definition is all other conditions remaining constant. The bad side of this for your patient is that the disease, the cancer, or the syndrome has progressed; the pain has increased. That is disease progression, and therefore, it is appropriate to titrate the opioids up and the adjunctive medications to a higher dose to meet the increased pain. That is dealing specifically with the disease, the cancer, or the syndrome and applying your rational pharmacotherapy appropriately.
Let me ask, would you make your patients beg for beta blockers, digitalis, or insulin, because you would be afraid that you would make them insulin-addicted diabetics or something similar? No, you wouldn't do that. You would treat the patient with mutual trust and respect and properly prescribe the medicine. The key with pseudoaddiction is that with proper pain management, retrospectively, the patient's behavior normalizes. However, with the disease of addiction, in the genetically sensitive individual, behavior deteriorates with pain management. Again, you're looking to improve their quality of life.
Chronic Pain vs Addiction
Now what is the difference between somebody who is a pain patient and somebody with the disease of addiction? A pain patient is not out of control with their medications. Somebody with the disease of addiction by definition is out of control. In a pain patient, the medications improve quality of life. In somebody with a disease of addiction, the quality of life is obviously decreased. The pain patient will want to decrease the medications if side effects are present, while the patient with the disease of addiction is oblivious to side effects and wants the medicines to continue despite any side effects.
The pain patient is concerned about physical problems; the patient with the disease of addiction is in denial. The pain patient follows the agreement for the use of opioids that you set up before writing the first prescription; the patient with a disease of addition by definition is out of control, cannot follow or does not follow the agreement for the use of opioids. The pain patient frequently has medicines left over. The point that I'm making is that the relationship between doctor and patient is one of mutual trust and honesty; you have a responsibility, but the patient also has a responsibility.
For what it is worth,
PATC

  

LIVING WITH AND GROWING MY OWN HERBS

CONTAINER HERBS ON MY DECK

 I have disabling Osteoarthritis in most of my major joints and back, I am in a wheel chair, I have Polymyalgia Rhuematica (PMR), which makes the use of my arms and shoulders, sometimes a living hell, my poor shoulders, if that is not enough has Osteo- Arthritis as well so swinging my arms over my head or reaching behind my back, ain't going to happen, I mainly have use of my arms from my elbows down. I have my mom and dad's genes to thank for this. My pharmaceutical medicines just don't cut it most of the time  because of adverse side effects ,so for a number of years I have been raising my own herbs that I use in tinctures, teas, cooking ,capsules and salves. 

I grow my herbs mainly  on my deck in pots. I like growing them on my deck so I can have easy access to them all the time, just working and tending them helps me greatly, I love the smell they give off especially after they have been watered. I grow, rosemary,sage, thyme,oregano, various mints, lemon balm,aloe,basil, onion and garlic chives,echinacea, chamomile, Lavender and marigold. I am hoping to add to my collection this coming growing season. 
My best go to herbal tinctures that I do not grow is olive leaf tincture , a must have in anyone's herbal collection. It is what I go to when I have the first sign of colds, flu, cough, you name it, I start taking a teaspoon 4 times a day to ward that crud away and it has not let me down.  I am on prednisone for  my PMR and it suppresses my immune system so I have to be diligent when any signs of sickness comes my way usually via my grand-kids. I also have insomnia thanks to the prednisone and so I drink chamomile tea every night before bed with a little cannabis to help me sleep , most days it works but about 2 nights a week, nothing helps and so I get to have all nighters, yippy. There are many good places on line to find out about these herbs and how they can help you, I am sure their information will be a lot better than I can give you. I am just saying how important it is to be able to provide herbal medicines for ones self in this day of easy pill popping.

 By raising my herbal medicines, I am able to have a very real connection with my plants, they give me great pleasure seeing them grow and thrive .  I find that most bee's and nectar loving insects choose flowers from herbs over any annual flowers I have. Even if the flowers from my annuals are big they choose the little herbal ones over them, they know where the good stuff is.
It is much cheaper and healthier to raise your own medicines, you know what has or has not been placed on your herbs. You also don't have the government telling you what you can have or not have. I believe there will be a time when medicines may be harder to get when you need them and one must be able to take care of your family and one's self when you need medicine. Even now they have made it hard for me to get the pain medication I need because some twit has abused them, so now all of us are now suspect, even though I have xrays, MRI's to prove my pain, it is getting harder and more expensive for me to get them so I have to think outside of the box and take care of things myself.
I am hopefully going to do some landscaping in front of my home , some old worn out hedges along side of my front step needs to go and I am going to replace them with herbs and edible plants . I can't wait to have tall lavender at my front step so all can smell them and be given their awesome aroma when they come into my home.
Happy growing.
HEALING AND PAIN FREE BLESSINGS
PAT

HAWTHORN AND HYPERTENSION

I have been dealing with Hypertension/ High Blood pressure for some time , largely due to my Prednisone intake for my  PMR which is it's only treatment, no pain medication works for it. A while back I noticed that my B/P would take a nose dive after 10 P.M  a few nights a week, I felt like I was going to pass out ,got dizzy,sweaty,weak and nauseated my B/P went down to 80/50 ,lets just say it is a scary thing to go through and I started looking at what medications I had changed or what I have been eating or drinking prior to this to try to find out what in the hell was going on. I finally found out the culprit, it was my Night Time tea I have been drinking before going to bed. I checked out all the ingredients and herbs in it and found out that it had Hawthorn  flowers and leaves which works on the heart system. If you take any blood pressure medicine please check your teas to make sure it is not in there, you DON'T want to take both!
So this month I found out my Nurse Practitioner  left and my Doctor retired without any notice given to their patients , so when the pharmacy called and said they can not refill my B/P medications because I was not "in the doctors system". So I call the doctors office and found out that they had flown the coop. So that left me with no B/P medications. So I got some hawthorn berry/leaf capsules and my night time tea and began taking them, my B/P has lowered to healthy realms and I might add better than when I was on my medications. I went from 160/100 on no med to 130/85 which is a lot better than my B/P was on my meds which usually was 140/95. So I will now be taking Hawthorn capsules instead of pharmaceuticals for it and so that is one more medication to take out of my life, thank goodness for that.
 So here are some healthy alternatives to your medications:taken from HERE

   Disclaimer and Safety Information

This information (and any accompanying material) is not intended to replace the attention or advice of a physician or other qualified health care professional. Anyone who wishes to embark on any dietary, drug, exercise, or other lifestyle change intended to prevent or treat a specific disease or condition should first consult with and seek clearance from a physician or other qualified health care professional. Pregnant women in particular should seek the advice of a physician before using any protocol listed on this BLOG. The protocols described on this BLOG are for adults only, unless otherwise specified.

Cardioinhibitory And Cardiotonic Nutrients (Controlling the force at which the heart pumps)

• Magnesium: 350 – 1500 mg daily
• Hawthorn Berries: 2 – 3 g daily

Regulation of Blood Volume (Blood is mostly water, so its volume is dynamic – therefore interventions that help control water storage can modulate blood pressure as well)

• Potassium: 99 mg daily (or more) when instructed to do so by a health care professional, based on blood test results.
• Calcium: 1000 – 1200 mg daily

Antioxidants (Reducing oxidative stress helps maintain the ability of blood vessels to dilate, a critical step in blood pressure regulation)

• Coq10: 100 – 300 mg daily (ubiquinol form of coenzyme Q10)
• Lycopene: 15 – 30 mg daily
• Green Coffee: standardized extract: 400 – 1200 mg daily
• Vitamin C: 1000 – 2000 mg daily

                       Hawthorn-Dr-Weils-Herbal-Remedies

Hawthorn

Crataegus laevigata, C. oxyacantha

Hawthorne is a flowering shrub that is part of the Rosaceae, or rose, family. It is native to northern Europe, but now grows throughout the world. The red berry-like fruit of this spiny plant is sometimes called "haw," and has been used for both medicinal and culinary purposes. Hawthorn berry was included in the U.S. Pharmacopeia until the 1930s. The leaves are edible as well.

Used for:

The berries have been used in traditional medicine since the first century, and contain phytonutrients called anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins, antioxidants that have a variety of therapeutic effects including strengthening the walls of blood vessels. Extracts of hawthorn berries, leaves and blossoms also contain compounds that have a tonifying effect on the heart and vascular system. Hawthorn has been studied for its use in treating health concerns related to the heart and blood vessels. This includes congestive heart failure, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, low and high blood pressure, angina, atherosclerosis, and high cholesterol. A meta-analysis based on data from 14 studies concluded that a hawthorn extract offers "significant benefit" as an adjunct to conventional treatment of chronic heart failure. Specifically, symptoms including shortness of breath and fatigue were significantly alleviated, compared to placebo treatment.

Hawthorn has also been used for digestive and kidney problems, including indigestion and diarrhea, and to address anxiety. Topically, hawthorn may be applied to sores, ulcers, boils frostbite and to alleviate itching. However, there is insufficient evidence regarding its effectiveness for these uses.

Available in:

Liquid extracts, capsules and tablets.

Herb / drug interactions:

Before taking hawthorn, talk with your healthcare professional, as it potentially can significantly interact with several prescription medications. Hawthorn may affect blood pressure, and should not be taken with medications for high blood pressure, including beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers, medications for "male enhancement" (many of which are based on blood vessel dilation and increasing blood flow), and medications that increase blood flow to the heart. Additionally, people taking digoxin should not take hawthorn.

When buying: Products available in the United States include hawthorn leaves, flowers and berries, sometimes in combination. Look for an extract of the leaves and flowers standardized to its content of flavonoids (approximately two percent) or oligomeric procyanidins (18-20 percent).

Dosage:Most studies used doses ranging from 500 to 1,500 mg a day. Hawthorn berry extracts can be taken indefinitely.

Dr. Weil says:

Hawthorn berry preparations haven't been as well studied as those of hawthorn leaf and flower. Germany's Commission E no longer recognizes its use, and approves only preparations of hawthorn leaf with flower. Very little research in the United States has been done on hawthorn berry using modern methods. While there is probably no harm in taking it, I wouldn't rely on hawthorn berry extract alone for treatment of any heart-related problems – I suggest a supplement that contains the leaves and flowers as well, and only as part of a comprehensive treatment program. In addition, always use hawthorn under the supervision of your health care provider if you have a heart condition

                      

HEALTH BENEFITS OF CINNAMON

I have many health issues I deal with and so I do not need to also deal with adverse side effects from the medications I must take to control pain, hypertension,high cholesterol, Diabetes and so forth. So a while back my cholesterol levels came back in the high range and so the doctors put me on a statin drug. OK so I took it and developed side effects namely muscle soreness and weakness so I told my doctor that I no longer wanted to take this statin drug and my Internist told me about cinnamon capsules to take it instead. So I did, I got 1000 mg of cinnamon  and began taking that. The next blood test 6 months later showed a 100 point drop in my levels, woo hoo! So I knew I was on the right tract with that . Time goes on, I run out of my capsules , stuff happens and I forget to buy some more,so my next blood test showed a high spike in my numbers and I realized that I had not been taking my cinnamon capsules. Off to the store to buy some more and this time I will keep taking them.I have also found that they work very well at keeping my blood sugar down enough so that I am now taking half the dose of my diabetic medication and I have eliminated one pill all together ! and it keeps  my cravings down as well. Down below is a list of all the good you can get from cinnamon.
How to use it

The great thing about using cinnamon for weight loss is that it is such a common spice, since it is a “superfood” every household keeps and can be added to many common foods. Here are a few ideas as to how you can incorporate cinnamon into your diet to lose weight:

• Sprinkle a teaspoon on your oatmeal or breakfast cereal
• Mix cinnamon and honey into hot water to make a tea-like concoction
• Add to your regular tea or coffee
• Mix into butters, yogurt or cheese spreads to enhance flavor
• Add into fruit juices or ciders
• Mix into a protein shake
• Take a cinnamon capsule (supplement)

                                  26 HEALTH BENEFITS OF CINNAMON

The FDA has not approved Cinnamon to cure any medical condition. This information is presented for informational purposes and is not intended to treat, diagnose or cure any illness. Consult a physician before taking any Cinnamon. 

1. Blood Sugar Control – Several studies have found that Cinnamon has properties that help those with insulin resistance. It is therefore very popular with Type 2 diabetics who take it to control their blood sugar variations.
   
   Ceylon Cinnamon is particularly popular because it has low levels of Coumarin. compared to Cassia Cinnamon found in your grocery store. In case you did not know, Coumarin in high doses can cause liver damage. This study found Cassia Cinnamon was more effective than Ceylon Cinnamon at controlling blood sugar for a given amount of Cinnamon. An easy solution is to therefore double your dosage of Ceylon Cinnamon, since even doubling the dosage will not come close to the high Coumarin levels found in Cassia Cinnamon.
   

   
   
   

   In another study Ceylon Cinnamon was found to have an effect on blood sugar control in a rat model. If you are taking Ceylon Cinnamon for diabetes, take it in moderation as part of a healthy program of diet, proper nutrition and moderate exercise.
   
   According to Paul David at UC Davis in this NPR story of 2013, Cinnamon has a 3-5% effect on blood sugar levels, similar to an older generation of diabetes drugs. That could make it an ideal option for pre diabetics. For severe Type 2 diabetics, whether you can take enough cinnamon to make a difference is a decision you should make in consultation with your doctor.
   

   
   There is also some evidence that it is the Cinnamaldehyde component of Cinamon (commonly found in Cinnamon Bark Oil) that seems to be effective for blood sugar control. This studyfound it the most effective compared to  berberine (Ber), and metformin (Met) at controlling blood sugar levels. Another study found Cinnaladhyde from Ceylon Cinnamon Bark Oil (Cinnamonum zeylanicum)  reduced plasma glucose concentration significantly (p<0.05) in a dose-dependent manner (63.29%).
   
   
2. Candida Yeast Infections - Cinnamon has shown an amazing ability to stop medication-resistant yeast infections. This applies to Escherichia coli bacteria and Candida albicans fungus. This study discovered that Cinnamon Oil was one of three leading essential oils effective against Candida. A second study found that Cinnamon Oil was effective against three strains of Candida, Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Candida krusei. Real Ceylon Cinnamon Tea infused with Cinnamon Bark Oil could be an excellent way to fight internal Candida infections and boost your immune system. For topical applications (except genital areas and mucous membranes) 1% Ceylon Cinnamon Leaf Oil mixed with a carrier oil could be an extremely effective treatment option.
3. Stomach Bug/Flu - By far and away the best remedy for a horrible stomach bug is Cinnamon. It make sense because Cinnamon is a powerful anti-bacterial. Research has shown Cinnamon is one of the most effective substances against (click the links for the research)  E-coli, and  Salmonella. as well as Campylobacter . Another study found Cinnamaldehyde from Cinnamon Bark Oil in its various forms is effective against adenovirus. Another reason to have our Cinnamon tea which is infused with Cinnamon Bark Oil that has high levels of Cinnamaldehyde (between 40-50%).
4. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) – As a digestive cinnamon dramatically reduces the uncomfortable feelings associated with IBS especially the bloating. It does this by killing bacteria and healing infections in the GI tract and enabling the gastric juices to work normally. A Japanese study apparently showed it to cure ulcers but this cannot be verified. But if you do have stomach cramps or upsets, a cup of Cinnamon tea 2-3 times  per day will dramatically reduce the pain.
   
   
5. Cancer Preventer – Research shows that Cinnamon oil is a promising solution in the treatment of Tumors, Gastric Cancers and Melanomas. Research studies show that sugar maybe causing or sustaining cancer cells and cinnamon may have a mitigating effect by controlling blood sugar levels in the body. Another study found good results with leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.
   
   Cinnamon in its various forms has two chemical constituents called Cinnamaldehyde  and Eugenol (From Cinnamon Oil). These have been used to develop nutraceuticals in this studythat have proven fairly effective in fighting Human Colon Cancer Cells (Eugenol) and Human hepatoma cells (Cinnamaldehyde). So the evidence seems to suggest that Cinnamon is starving cancer cells of the sugar needed to sustain them. This University of Arizona studyfound that the cinnamaladehye component of cinnamon was a potent collectoral cancer fighter.
6. Arthritis/Osteoporosis –  The widely cited Copenhagen university study is a hoax. Most of the evidence that Cinnamon helps arthritis is from personal testimonials. Some people claim drinking Cinnamon tea helps the pain from arthritis while others claim a Cinnamon Oil based massage oil helps ease the pain.
   
   What we do know is that Cinnamon has high levels (73% DV in two sticks of Cinnamon) ofManganese which is used to build bones, blood and other connective tissues, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The body needs manganese for optimal bone health, so people who are deficient in the mineral are more likely to develop osteoporosis. Of course another factor causing Osteoporosis may be excessive dairy consumption.
   
   A study in 2008 listed in this pdf found that Alderhyde components of Ceylon Cinnamon bark extract suppresses RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis through NFATc1 down regulation.
7. Anti-Bacterial/Anti Microbial - Ceylon Cinnamon Leaf Oil is a powerful anti-bacterial and makes a great natural disinfectant. Cinnamon oil had the best anti microbial activity among three oils against Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus aureus , Aspergillus oryzae , and Penicillium digitatum according to this abstract..
   
   Cinnamon Bark Oil Oil is also an extremely powerful anti bacterial. This study found the cinnamaldehyde levels of cinnamon Bark Oil was effective against Listeria monocytogenes,Salmonella Typhimurium, and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli.
   
   Dilute either cinnamon oil with water to disinfect kitchen counter tops, sinks, your refrigerator, door knobs, toys and many other things. If you have young children and don't want to use harsh cancer causing chemicals use Cinnamon Oil. Cinnamon sticks are also a good anti bacterial but you would need a lot of it to make a difference. If you want a mild disinfect, like to wash your face, then a couple of Cinnamon sticks boiled in hot water might be an idea.
8. Food Preservative – Cinnamon is effective in inhibiting bacterial growth. This maybe one reason why it is widely used in food preparation in hot Asian countries. In Sri Lanka, virtually every dish has a pinch of Cinnamon in it. In addition to great flavor, Ceylon Cinnamon in combination with other spices like Turmeric and Chili may have been an indigenous solution to preserve food without a refrigerator. This study for using Cinnamon Oil coated paper as a preservative found a 6% Cinnamon Oil solution was responsible for complete inhibition of mold in sliced bread packaging. This study listed on Feb 2013 also found cinnamon oil effective in developing insect resistant food packaging film. Cinnamon also came on top in this study, even against All spice and Clove Oil as very effective for making edible food film.
9. Odor Neutralizer – Pure Cinnamon Leaf oil not only smells great but is an effective odor neutralizer as it kills bacteria that creates bad odors and not just mask odors. All you need is 2-5 drops of Cinnamon leaf oil mixed with water on a diffuser and within minutes all odors are neutralized. Alternatively spray diluted Cinnamon Leaf Oil and wipe down toilets, floors and kitchen counter tops, garbage cans and the interior of vehicles to rapidly remove foul odors. Far better than any chemical sprays. It also has the effect of improving your mood. Especially great as a cure for the winter blues.
10. Alertness, Memory & Cognitive Development –  According to this study by Dr. Bryan Raudenbush, Director of Undergraduate Research and associate professor of psychology at Wheeling Jesuit University in Wheeling, WV. Cinnamon may keep you more alert and decrease your frustration when you are behind the wheel.
    

    
    This hard to verify German study cited in this article those taking Cinnamon improved their response times and memory recall. While not scientific, our personal experience suggests pretty good results in alertness and concentration.
11. Anti-oxidant – With an ORAC value of 267536 μmol TE/100g (USDA 2007) cinnamon is one of the top seven anti-oxidants in the world. The suggestion is that Anti-oxidants reduce the formation of " Free Radicals " that cause cancer. This study found Cinnamon has sufficient anti-oxidant properties and makes for improved food palatability. This detailed Indian study(pdf) also found potential anti microbial and antioxidant properties of the volatile oils and oleoresins of cinnamon leaf and bark. But consider anti-oxidants as good for your whole body, repairing damage to virtually all parts of your body from skin to organs.
12. Weight Loss – Cinnamon apparently has the effect of thinning your blood thereby increasing blood circulation. Increased blood flow generally boosts your metabolism which is why it may be helpful in weight loss. This blood thinning property of Cinnamon also helps it in acting as an anti clotting agent especially for those suffering from heart disease. Care must be taken to NOT to Cinnamon with other blood thinning medication. The main ingredient that causes your blood to thin is Coumarin which is present in high doses in Cassia Cinnamon (4%) but not in Ceylon Cinnamon (0.04%). However Coumarin causes liver damage. So taking Cassia Cinnamon for weight loss may end up causing liver damage.
    
    This article cites Dr. Greenburg of Tufts University as saying it holds promising possibilities for weight loss.. We take a more in depth look here. 
13. Massage Therapy – Cinnamon is a well known warming agent. Combined with a carrier oil it is highly effective in relaxing and relieving muscle pain. Some put a few drops in their bath to relax and to sooth tired and aching muscles.
14. Toenail Fungus – Got a bad case of the toenail fungus or athletes foot? Cinnamon Leaf Oil is a powerful anti fungal far superior to commercial topical treatments. You can use Cinnamon sticks, tea or powder for internal treatment and a few drops of Ceylon Cinnamon Leaf Oil and soak your feet to treat the toenail fungus or athletes foot. Shockingly effective fast results .Click here to read more.
15. Lowering LDL cholesterol & triglycerides – According to a Mayo clinic article the only possible way Cinnamon could lower cholesterol is indirectly via how the body processes sugar and fat. But there is no direct effect on cholesterol. Still another study in Pakistan found Cinnamon reduced triglyceride (23-30%), LDL cholesterol (7-27%), and total cholesterol (12-26%). A review in 2011 found The consumption of cinnamon is associated with a statistically significant decrease in levels of total cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglyceride levels, and an increase in HDL-C (the good cholesterol) levels, but qualified it by saying that applying it to patient care is difficult. Still, worth a try in our book.
16. E-coli Fighter/Salmonella – One of the most effective E-coli fighters because of its anti microbial properties. Mix cinnamon oil with hydrogen peroxide and spray your cutting board and kitchen sink especially after you have cut meats. Spray it in your refrigerator. It’s safe and natural. This study found a concentration of 2 microl/ml from cinnamon was enough to inactivate Salmonella Enteritidis, E. coli, and L. innocua in apple and pear juices and 8 and 10 microl/ml from cinnamon for melon juice and tryptone soy broth.
17. Tooth Decay and Gum Disease – Again the anti-bacterial properties of Cinnamon play a crucial role in getting rid of harmful bacteria without damaging your teeth or gums. It’s one of the reasons that Cinnamon Oil is often used in chewing gums, mouthwashes, toothpaste and breath mints.
18. Nutrients –  One teaspoon of Cinnamon Powder (a realistic dose) has 0.33mg (16% DV) Manganese, 0.76 mg (4% DV) Iron, 24.56 mg (2% DV) Calcium. This data was calculated fromthis site. We have also presented USDA figures with RDA % (see chart here) which we think is more accurate, although we cannot confirm the Manganese levels in Cinnamon from any reliable source. Manganese apparently works as an enzyme activator and plays an important role in building good structure and bone metabolism. According to WebMD manganese is therefore useful for weak bones (osteoporosis), a type of “tired blood” (anemia), and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
    
    
19. Insect Repellant – The anti microbial qualities of Cinnamon Leaf oil is often used for head lice treatment, black ant control, bed bugs, dust mites, and roaches. It is well known as a defense against mosquitoes'. This WebMD article sites a Taiwanese study which found that it not only kills Mosquito larvae but also acts as a bug repellant. This paper suggests that real Cinnamon Oil as opposed to Cinnamon extract is the best for a broad range anti microbial activity.
20. Cold, Sore Throat and Cough – At the first sign (within 5-10 minutes) of sniffles or an itch in your throat take some Cinnamon Tea or Cinnamon stick Tea. It is said to stop an impending illness in its tracks. Again this is related to the anti bacterial properties and warming properties of Cinnamon and its propensity to increase blood flow and thereby improve blood oxygen levels to fight illness. Chinese traditional medicine commonly recommends Cinnamon for phlegm coughs.
21. Alzheimer’s Disease – This article cites an Israeli study done at the University of Tel Aviv that found sufficient evidence to conclude that Cinnamon can delay the effects of five aggressive strains of Alzheimer's inducing genes. Another study also finds that orally administered Cinnamon extract has had good success in correcting Cognitive Impairment in Alzheimer's Disease in Animal Models.
    
    The latest findings indicate that two compounds found in cinnamon — cinnamaldehyde and epicatechin — may be effective in fighting Alzheimer's. According to a study by Roshni George and Donald Graves in 2013, two scientists at UC Santa Barbara, Cinnamon has been shown to prevent the development of the filamentous “tangles” found in the brain cells that characterize Alzheimer’s.
22. PMS - Again because of the high levels of Manganese Cinnamon may be an excellent candidate to mitigate the effects of PMS. According to the University of Maryland web site women who ate 5.6 mg of manganese in their diets each day had fewer mood swings and cramps compared to those who ate only 1 mg of manganese. These results suggest that a manganese rich diet may help reduce symptoms of PMS. Another clinical study found that 46 patients with PMS had significantly lower amounts of calcium, chromium, copper, and manganese in their blood. You should not consume more than 11 mg of Manganese per day (about 12 cinnamon sticks) according NYU. FDA guidelines establishes a daily value of 2mg (about 2 Cinnamon sticks).
23. Depression/Reduced irritability/Mood Enhancer - Ancient folklore says the smell of Cinnamon is the best cure for the winter blues. The only scientific evidence we can find to support this theory is this study by Dr. Bryan Raudenbush, Director of Undergraduate Research and associate professor of psychology at Wheeling Jesuit University in Wheeling, WV. The study found that the scent of Cinnamon reduced driver irritability.
    
    But Cinnamon may be an excellent cure for depression in a more round about way. There is some evidence that certain types of gut bacteria may make you more susceptible to depression. Cinnamon as a powerful stomach anti bacterial may help you remove the bad bacteria. However since Cinnamon removes both bad and good bacteria from your stomach you would be advised to repopulate your body with good bacteria by drinking a good probiotic or eating fermented food after taking Cinnamon.
24. Virus Fighter - It is also becoming apparent that Cinnamon is also a potent virus fighter. AnIndian study based out of Pune India claimed that a Cinnamon derived procyanidin polymer can turn HIV infected people into HIV controllers (those who carry the Virus but do not develop full blown AIDS). This study found that Eugenol (the primary ingredient in Ceylon Cinnamon Leaf Oil was effectives against Herpes. And Cinnamaldehye (the primary ingredient in Ceylon Cinnamon Bark Oil) was effective against the adenovirus in this study, an infection that is the most common cause of illness in the respiratory system. .
25. Parkinsons Disease- Although very little research has been done on Cinnamon as a solution for Parkinson's Disease, Cinnamon should present an exciting possibility. This July 2014 study by Rush University Medical Center found that using cinnamon can reverse the biomechanical, cellular and anatomical changes that occur in the brains of mice with Parkinson’s disease (PD).
26. Cinnamon and ADHD - Some parents are begining to use Cinnamon as a supplementary treatment option for their children with ADHD or ADHD like symptoms. The best known study of issue is this study out of Taiwanese study which used cinnamon oil aromtherapy.

ADJUSTMENTS TO FARMING WITH CHRONIC PAIN AND DISABILITIES

I have been an active person all my life, I have enjoyed fishing and hunting, going for long walks, doing yard work, gardening. I love the out doors and sitting around was not my cup a tea. But since my late 30's , I am now 59 my body has been causing a great deal of problems with my life style to be truthful. Although I have had my hip issues since age 5 it was not so bad as to slow me down too much but when I hit  my 40's all hell broke out. I had been a nurses aide and a Medication Tech for 14 years in various nursing homes and that was pretty hard labor, lots of lifting ,walking and bending and then I spent 14 years on the road with my trucker hubby and that I believe pretty much put the icing on the cake for me and my chronic pain from arthritis.
So I have had to make adjustments to how I garden . I first started off with using a cane then walker and now wheel chair so working in the garden became almost impossible for me . So my hubby made me some raised beds and gardening became fun again. The last few years we have recycled our old freezers, refrigerators and even our bath tub into garden beds. On my deck I plant in flower pots, this is where most of my herbs are grown.Down below are some of my garden pictures, of my raised beds and some of my harvest from them.