Those Dreaded Nights

I was surprised when Ilysse called me at 3 in the afternoon today. She told me she was having a tummy ache and hasn't eaten anything for lunch. When I left in the morning, she complained of a tummy ache but told her that she might just be hungry because she hasn't had breakfast yet. I knew that she must have felt really sick because that was the first time she called me in the office. I wanted to hurry home but was also itching to do some grocery because the kids have virtually cleaned out our pantry that was just 2 weeks ago filled to the brim. When I learned after a few minutes that Ilysse had fallen asleep, I rushed to the supermarket while whispering a prayer that my Ilysse would be ok.

When I came home, Ilysse still hadn't eaten a decent meal and had vomited when she woke up. I gave her Chamomilia and Carbo Betulae for the tummy ache and the vomiting. At around 8 pm, she developed a slight fever which just kept on rising, and peaked at 12 midnight at 39.3 C. I have been giving her Apis Belladona every hour. Considering that I just need to give her 5 drops of it, I use a dropper and she doesn't even stir. I dread nights like this. Every parent does. Could it be dengue? Intestinal Flu? Or even Appendicitis?

After giving her the Apis every hour since 8 pm, her fever has gone down to 37.7 C at 2 am. I'm ready to get some rest. I just earnestly hope that tomorrow won't bring me one of those dreaded nights again.

Oblivious to Brand

There is one thing that I want my children to learn in this age of unrestrained consumerism and that is detachment from all things material and superficial. I know the difficulty that lies ahead in teaching this value. Children are bombarded with all kinds of stimuli that promote the belief that anything expensive and anything that comes with a brand is good, or even better.

I can honestly say that I have aqcuired some sort of immunity from anything branded, and anything expensive. My mom has showed me the way by her simple and thrifty ways, and I sincerely hope that I can pass it on to my children as well.

I trust that my girls can easily part with a Prada (the only costly brand in my closet that was given by a client) in the same way that I did with mine.

How Words Can Change Your Life-Isabelle's First Post

Did you know that words can change your life?Studies show that positive or negative words can change your life.Saying positive words can make your life a happy one.When you are mad,try to calm down.You might say things that you don't mean.Bye, and have a happy and healthy life to all of you!- Isabelle, 9 years old

The Cough Syrup Scare and Bacteria-Infested Leaves

(Taken from the Solmux Ad)

On 21 February 2012, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that a 7-year old dies after taking cough syrup. It was reported that Niel John Picoc was given a three-fourths teaspoon of a generic cough syrup when he suffered a seizure and fell to the ground. When the child started getting up, he fell again and banged his head in the pavement. It was at this point that blood started coming out of his mouth and nose. They tried to revive Neil who was rushed to the nearest hopsital but he eventually died.

It was a tragedy that could have been avoided. Whatever may be the proximate cause of Neil's death, whether it was because of the cough syrup or from the head injury, it is clear that the injury sustained by the child was the direct and immediate consequence of his taking the cough syrup.

The use of over-the-counter cough and cold syrups for children ages 5 and below has been decried by the Commissioner of Health for Baltimore together with 15 pediatricians which became the basis for a Citizen's Petition before the United States Food and Drug Authority (US FDA). The City of Baltimore issued a statement on 26 October 2006 that there is no evidence to support the effectiveness of these non-prescription medicines and that the side effects of these drugs could even cause harm. The statement reported that the side effects can be dangerous and that the dangers include accidental ingestions, more specifically, elevation of blood pressure and heart rate, risk of stroke, effects on the heart, and in some cases, death.

On the other side of the fence, big pharmas have been flooding Philippine airwaves with ads discrediting the use of lagundi leaves to cure coughs and colds by saying that anti-cough lagundi products contain (daang libong bacteria) thousands of bacteria. The talent further quipped that if you won't take anything with bacteria, why should your baby (kung ikaw di iinom ng bacteria, si baby pa kaya?).

There are very inaccurate and deceiving statements made in this particular advertisement. It failed to define what kind of bacteria they are talking about. Probiotics, including yogurt and yakult, are filled with billions of good bacteria. Are they referring to these good bacteria? They also failed to give concrete examples of the ill effects of these so-called bacteria to people's health. This pharma thinks that they can dupe intelligent and thinking people with the scare tactic that lagundi products contain bacteria. They should be the first to know that people are exposed daily to all sorts of bacteria, even the most virulent ones, just by opening the door in the office or holding the rails of the escalator. What is most loathsome is their indirect claim that their cough medicine is good for babies. This claim is belied by the statement issued by the US FDA in its website updated last 23 February 2011. The FDA recommended that these drugs not be used to treat infants and children under 2 years of age because of serious and potentially life-threatening side effects. The FDA further disclosed that it has not completed its review of information about the safety of cough and cold medicines in children 2 through 11 years of age. This is not only an alarming disclosure, but an admission-against-interest by the US FDA. This only means that you should not give your children any kind of over-the-counter cough or cold medicines.

I have always relied on fresh oregano leaves and lagundi capsules, cayenne tincture (my kids squirm when i give them this, my baby even covers his mouth, because even a drop stings but even just a drop works extremely well), honey and apple cide vinegar, and homeopathic medicine for my kid's cough and colds and they absolutely work without any dreaded side effects.

So, if given the choice between chemicals and bacteria, which one would you choose?

Another Natural Remedy for the Entire Family

I discovered last year a natural remedy that can ease body pains, alleviate sinus problems, and even cure the flu. They call it the nuero-muscular therapy at the AANI Herbal Center at the Quezon City Circle. It is a form of massage that uses the fingers, with the therapists going through the entire stretch of your body with their gentle, yet firm, strumming of their fingers. These therapists are not the same masseuses you get in spas. They have ample knowledge of the different muscles in your body and they can tell by the mere touch whether it is an ailing muscle.

My bouts with the flu last year were cured through this therapy, and a host of other herbs like oregano, Lagutangi, and salabat (ginger tea). I knew immediately that the therapy worked because right after my massage, I sweated profusely replacing the chills I were experiencing prior to the therapy. I have also seen it worked for my children. I have brought Isabelle once when she had a slight fever and colds. I was expecting her fever to rise the next day but was surprised that not only it did not but her colds and the stuffiness in her nose were completely gone. I have since been bringing my children regularly for therapy. Even Mio has had this therapy but considering that he's barely 2 years old, I would hold him in my lap in a sitting position so the therapist can strumm away at his back. Andrew tries to get a massage from them every chance he gets.

Don't expect first-class accommodations for this therapy. The place is small and only holds 4 beds. A fan is used whenever it is hot. There is no divider since there is no need to undress, which means that the bed beside you can be occupied by someone of the opposite sex. They have a clean restroom for those moments. But, if you can prepare yourself and do what has to be done in the house or somewhere else, the better it would be since there is no flowing water in the toilet. They charge Php300.00 for an hour of massage but I can assure you that you'll be blown away, just as I was and the rest of my brood, by the kind of strumming they will do on you.

I consider this discovery a blessing, as I have with the other natural cures I have found. I just pray that I will remain open to the infinite possibilities that our universe offers and that I will be able to discern those that are best for my children.

We've Gone Raw

[oldredbarnco.com]



It has been a while. The last post I had was in December 2009. So many things have happened since then. I became emboldened to write again because just before going to bed this evening, Isabelle asked me to write again. She complained of reading my old posts again and again.

While I might have stopped writing here, I have continued exploring ways and means to improve the health and well-being of my children. One of the recent changes I have made in the diet of my children is to give them raw milk instead of pasteurized milk.

Although I have already known of the benefits of taking raw milk, the other end of the pole which enumerates the undesirable consequences of taking raw milk have made me hesitant to take that dive until a few months ago when I came across a gem of a book entitled “Raw Vegetable Jucies” by N.W. Walker, with a copyright date of 1970.

The author expounded on the ill effects of taking cow’s milk which he said is probably the most mucus-forming food used by human beings resulting in colds, running noses, tonsil, adenoid, and bronchial troubles. He said that when milk is needed, there is one kind of milk that is compatible with human digestion, and that is Raw Goat’s Milk.

Even Kevin Trudeau, author of Natural Cures “They” Don’t Want You To Know About recommends ingesting only raw, unpasteurized and unhomogenized milk, cheese, and dairy products. While he didn’t limit his choice of milk to only goat’s milk, I would stick to raw goat’s milk because I have seen for myself the effect of cow’s milk in my children – bloated tummies, rhinitis, and a host of other allergic reactions.

Before I met Jackie, who supplies our raw goat’s milk, I was giving my children pasteurized goat’s milk from Milk Star. When I got hold of the book by Dr. Walker who recommended keeping 2 or 3 milk goats for ones daily raw milk consumption, I seriously thought about getting goats to keep in the backyard and even broached the idea to Andrew. However, considering the difficulty of keeping and even raising goats, I found it truly a blessing to have met Jackie one Sunday morning while we were going through organically-raised fish being sold at the Centris Market.

A Grateful Heart

My heart is filled with gratitude for the year that was, the year that gave me sorrow dampened by unexpected joys, tears uncovered with smiles, and despair amidst hope. It was indeed a year of miracles and I start 2010 with a list of five of the things, people, and events I am thankful for.

2009 started with me all giddy with excitement at the thought of having another baby to hold and care for but finding that dream cut short in a couple of weeks. It was a painful time. However, just as I was wiping my tears dry, I find myself rejoicing again by middle of 2009. He is now almost 7 months old and is healthily growing in me. Isabelle and Ilysse, and, of course, Andrew, can't wait to meet him. I give Him thanks from whom all blessings flow!

I am thankful for the turmeric, a rootcrop which belongs to the ginger family. In the Philippines, it is locally known as the luyang dilaw. After four long and excruciating years, Isabelle's eczema has finally cleared. With all the concoctions I tried, only this truly worked in such a short span of time. I just chopped the rhizomes and spread it on her arms and legs.

I am thankful for the oregano, the herb which remains the trusted medicine for my family's cough, colds and flu. It is the one medicine that has made my family antibiotic free for the past 4 years! Unbelievable, but true!

I am thankful for the gift of finding the memoirs of my grandfather that my father entrusted to me, and which, I thought I have lost. He was one of the most influential people in my life and his work is one of my prized possessions.

Finally, I am thankful for people who have made a difference in the lives of countless Filipinos, Filipinos who have brought hope, honor and dignity back to our beleaguered nation-Efren Penaflorida, Cory Aquino, Noynoy Aquino, Tony Meloto, Grace Padaca, Muelmar Magallanes, and a host of others. I have almost given up on this country but their unparalleled devotion to our people led me back to the right but difficult path.