cc1003, Kerry, Lauree, and anyone else who knows about natural medicine

[JudyJudyJudy]

Last night I compromised on the ratio between what Kerry and Lauree suggested, and I put 9-10 drops (I meant to put 9, but I think an extra drop went in) of GSE in one ounce of olive oil. Apparently, it was too strong because I developed tiny blisters in one area.

Well, today, I cut down on the ratio and used only 6 drops to one ounce (actually I put 1 drop to a teaspoon because it's the same, and I didn't want to waste any). Well, I just put it on a few minutes ago, and now I'm having shortness of breath and wheezing a little. Could I be allergic to the olive oil (I've wondered about this before), the GSE, or both? Any suggestions?

[_Gypsy_]

Could you try with something like safflower or canola oil?

[cc1003]

I would highly doubt an allergy to GSE.

Not many people are allergic to olive oil but I suppose it's possible.

Could you be having an allergy attack from something in the air? I know it sounds simple but it seems more likely, especially with your symptoms.

ETA: I want you to try jojoba oil. Do you currently use any moisturizer on your face? An odor free, hypoallergenic? If so, you could add one drop to some of that and apply.

[Funmommy]

My first thought was an Asthma type attack ... Something inhaled not applied
JMO For what it's worth anyways
I hope you feel better soon :hug:

Funmommy

[JudyJudyJudy]

Thanks for the suggestions. Right after I posted this, I started feeling really sick. I dry-heaved, but I never did throw up. It was the same feeling I had when I took B-vitamins before I knew I was allergic to yeast and that I should only take yeast-free ones. I put topical Benadryl on my face because I can't take the liquid Benadryl, and, damn, it burned! That probably wasn't a smart move.

I'm still not feeling well. My breathing is a little better than it was, but I feel so tired.

I can't eat anything that has citric acid as an ingredient, but I'm usually okay with natural fruits (limited). I'm kind of afraid to try the GSE again, though.

[Lauree]

Oh dear! OK, unless you are allergic to baking soda I would try to neutralize everything and work on soothing. To do this soak a cotton cloth in warm water that has about 1/4 cup of baking soda in it (use a large bowl) Make the water very warm and when the soaked cloth is about 94 - 98 degrees place it on the affected area and leave it there for about 1/2 hour. Repeat this a couple times a day for a couple days.

If you want to continue with the GSE I would do so slowly...very slowly and with an oil that you KNOW you are not going to react to.

Also, are you allergic to beet or carrot juice? If not then I would also recommend drinking an 8 ounce blend of 1 part beet juice, 1 part water and 2 parts carrot juice daily for at least 1 week. This will stimulate the liver and help to rid the body of toxins that may be contributing to your condition.

I also wonder if this isn't something dietary that is contributing. Have you ever conducted a food sensitivity diet? I could help you with that if you are interested. It can help to determine if a food source is contributing to your outbreaks and then you can avoid that food like the plague!

I do hope you begin to take it easy. Again, above all I would work on neutralizing the GSE and oil with the poultice.

[JudyJudyJudy]

Thanks, Lauree. I don't know for sure if I'm allergic to baking soda or not. It does bother me when I clean with it, though, so I'm afraid I might be.

AFAIK, I'm not allergic to beets or carrots. One time I had a reaction after eating carrots, but I figured out that they were probably too old and likely had some mold on them that couldn't see.

I've never done a food sensitivity diet.

[Amy_G_]

Judy, if you can't eat citrus, then you probably can't use GSE, grapefruit seed extract. Grapefruit is a citrus fruit.

[JudyJudyJudy]

Amy, I'm usually okay with limited citrus fruits (I have to be more careful with juices), but I can't eat anything that has citric acid as an ingredient.

[Amy_G_]

There is good evidence that the extract of citrus grapefruit seed has low levels of antioxidant properties.[20][21]

Analysis shows the constituents of the seed extract and pulp are flavonoids,[22][23] ascorbic acid (commonly known as vitamin C[24][25][26]), tocopherols, citric acid,[20] limonoids,[27][28][29] sterols, and minerals.[30] A study suggests the consumption of the bioactive compounds found in grapefruit seed and pulp may help suppress the development colon cancer.[31] Another study showed the flavonoid naringin is an excellent plasma lipid lowering and plasma antioxidant active elevating flavonone.[32]

from wikipedia.

[JudyJudyJudy]

Thanks, Amy. That's probably the problem.

[Lauree]

Judy, I don't have the time right now but I will put together directions for a sensitivity diet and cleansing diet. If there is a food on there that you know you react to then of course exclude that food.

Treating your condition topically will not fully take care of the problem. Eruptions and the like are nearly always the body's reaction to something and finding out just what that is will do far more than just treating the visual problem. It does sound like you are a very sensitive person so the likelihood that it is something making you react is pretty likely.

I am a holistic practitioner and like to address the mind and spirit when treating the body as well. Healing happens best when all are involved. My recommendations for someone with your symptoms would include energy work such as Reiki to address blocks, Chakra work to promote healing and specific meditations in conjunction with the investigations into the diet and herbal remedies. If you are interested in any of these let me know; otherwise I will just work on getting the sensitivity diet to you.

I do hope you find relief soon! I won't be back on until tonight as I have a rather busy day ahead of me.

[Amy_G_]

I would recommend you start on an elimination diet. did you do that when you were nursing? I don't remember, but know a lot of allergic moms have allergic kids and do an elimination diet while nursing. So I was wondering if you tried something like that, and if so, did you have any improvement?

[JudyJudyJudy]

Lauree, thanks. I will take all the information you can give me!

Amy, no, I didn't do an elimination diet while nursing other than to exclude peanuts and tree nuts after we found out Jacob was allergic to them. He was over 3 years old at that time. I truly had no idea that a nursing mother should not eat certain things; in fact, when I asked, I was told that I could eat anything as long as it didn't give him gas. I have a reaction when I eat peanuts as well, but I *think*, though I don't know for sure, that I may not actually be allergic to peanuts, but rather, just to the mold that grows on them. (I know I'm allergic to that mold among all others.)

[Amy_G_]

Maybe it would help you to try an elimination diet like a breastfeeding mom may use for several weeks, or a month and then begin to introduce one food at a time to see if you can identify your further triggers?

and for MOST moms that are breastfeeding, they can eat anything they want as long as it doesn't bother baby.