If you’ve ever noticed your digestion, mood, or sleep take a turn for the worse around the full moon, you’re not imagining it. Many people—especially those dealing with gut imbalances—report stronger symptoms during this lunar phase. One possible explanation is the connection between parasites, gut organisms, and circadian biology.
Ancient traditions and modern clinical observations point to the idea that our internal ecosystem responds to lunar cycles more than we realize.
Your digestive tract is home to:
Beneficial bacteria that support immunity, mood, digestion, and nutrient absorption
Opportunistic organisms like yeast and bacteria that can overgrow
Parasites—including protozoa and worms—that some people pick up from contaminated water, soil, food, and/or pets
When this ecosystem is balanced, you feel well. But when parasites or other organisms gain the upper hand, it can contribute to symptoms such as:
Bloating and gas
Sugar cravings
Constipation and/or diarrhea
Unexplained fatigue
Skin issues
Mood swings or anxiety
Sleep disturbances
Grinding teeth
Itching, rashes, or unexplained inflammation
Inability to lose/gain weight
Many people with gut dysbiosis notice patterns—especially around the full moon. Some parasites synchronize their activity or reproduction with the host’s biorhythms. So, during the full moon, when humans often experience lighter sleep, some organisms may take advantage of the weakened immune surveillance. However, you don’t have to dread the full moon. With the right support, these flares can actually become a valuable map of what’s happening in your gut.
Herbs traditionally used for parasites and dysbiosis include:
Wormwood
Black walnut hull
Clove
Berberine
Garlic
Oregano
Neem
If you are working with a practitioner at our office, it is likely that you have already been muscle tested for these herbs or similar supplements, such as Para 1, Para 2, Para 3, and others.
Additionally, fiber has long been used to help sweep the colon and remove waste such as:
Psyllium husk
Flax
Chia
Cooked vegetables/leafy greens
Pectin-rich fruits
Some people combine fiber with binders like bentonite clay or activated charcoal. At our office, practitioners often muscle test clients to determine which binders or supplements—including ViRadChem Binder, Biotoxin Binder, HM ET Binder, and Carboxy—are most appropriate for each individual.
When doing all of this, it is essential to remember to support your drainage pathways so that the toxins have somewhere to go. Helpful ideas commonly include:
Lemon water
Milk thistle
Dandelion
Burdock
Castor oil packs
Dry brushing
We tend to recommend the above therapies often, as well as specific kidney, liver, lymphatic, gallbladder, and colon-supportive nutritional supplements, to help minimize the discomfort that can sometimes accompany normal detox reactions.
Lastly, tracking your symptoms throughout the month or during the week of the full moon is a great way to identify patterns and potential root causes of the issues you’re experiencing on your health journey. This record can also be a helpful resource for your practitioner, as even small details may reveal important insights that you might not have noticed.
Contact us at The Nutritional Healing Center if you’re ready to begin a personalized protocol to better your health, today!
Sincerely, Mikaela Cradit, Certified Natural Health Practitioner CNHP
Health is a work in progress. I’m 19 years in and still working. A big part of the reason why we have to keep trying to improve our own health is that we live in an environment that is filled with toxins that we are exposed to on a daily basis. That is the toxic soup that we are swimming through every single day.
Symptoms possibly related to toxicity are: Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, Cancer, Fatigue, Infertility, Allergies, Behavior and/or Mood Disorders, Neurological Conditions (tremors), Headaches, Skin Issues (eczema, breakouts), Digestive Problems (bloating, diarrhea, GERD), Cognitive Difficulties, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Brain Fog, and Sinus Congestion.
There are toxins in our air, water, food, homes, and products we use on our bodies.
Amalgam fillings that contain mercury, silver, and tin are in many mouths. Aluminum from cans, anti-perspirants, and antacids. Lead can come from old construction/paint, water (lead pipes), and firearms/bullets.
Some environmental chemical toxins that can disrupt hormones are :
Phthalates: Plastic and personal care products. Disrupt testosterone synthesis.
Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, firefighting foam, aka “forever chemicals”.
Pesticides: Agricultural chemicals like DDT and atrazine, which can mimic or block hormones.
Bisphenol A (BPA): Plastic bottles and food can linings. Mimic estrogen and bind to estrogen receptors.
I tell clients, you can’t live in a bubble. I want to go out and enjoy life on this earth. But we can do some things to try to minimize exposure whenever we can. It may not be possible to be toxin-free. But making some small changes can decrease our toxic load.
Here are some ways you can support your detoxification pathways:
Make sure you are having healthy bowel movements 2 – 3 times per day. A healthy gut is most important to help with the elimination of toxins from the body.
Filter your water and drink an adequate quantity to support your kidneys. Distilled water is a good option, or Mountain Valley bottled water, which comes in glass bottles.
Drink some warm water with lemon in the morning (maybe instead of coffee).
Consider a shower filter or whole whole-house filter to reduce toxic load.
Use healthy bath and body and skin care products. A good resource for this is ewg.org.
Avoid using anti-perspirants that have aluminum. Humble is a great option that we carry in the office.
Use glass instead of plastic whenever possible. Glass water bottles. Glass dishes for food storage. And, don’t reheat in plastic in a microwave.
Cookware should be stainless steel, ceramic, or glass.
Use castor oil packs on the liver to help that pathway of drainage.
Dry skin brushing can help with lymphatic flow.
Make exercise/movement a daily habit.
Use a sauna to sweat out toxins and improve circulation.
Ask your Practitioner about binders and other supplements to help with your individual detox needs.
Start making some changes today that can greatly, positively impact your future health (and the health of your family/kids/grandkids, too). We’re here to help you on your journey.
Reference: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/13/10/1347 – Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds: An Overview on Their Occurrence in the Aquatic Environment and Human Exposure
There are many different ways to cleanse the body. The concept of cleansing can be a powerful tool to reset, rejuvenate, and restore balance to our mind and body. Physical detoxification can help with a variety of concerns such as bowel irregularities, skin issues, brain fog, headaches, mood, urinary problems, joint pain, fatigue, and sinus congestion.
Our bodies are made to detoxify through pathways of the liver, kidneys/bladder, lungs, skin, and bowels. However, we are susceptible to the accumulation of toxins from processed foods, environmental pollutants, metals, and chemicals. Through detoxifying supplements or fasting, physical cleansing helps rid the body of these harmful substances. This allows organs like the liver and kidneys to function optimally. Incorporating fresh, nutrient-dense foods, staying hydrated, and engaging in regular exercise are also important to supporting our body’s natural detoxification processes.
Parasite Cleansing works well around the full moon when parasites are more active. Detoxification of metals and chemicals is often done over longer periods of time with several different supplements to aid the process along the way. CellCore Biosciences makes some of the best supplements to give the body energy, provide drainage support, support the immune system and gut, and do the work of detoxing.
A cleanse can last days or months depending on the method. Avoiding white refined sugar, refined carbohydrates, and alcohol during the time you are detoxing allows the process to work more efficiently. Foods that can encourage detox pathways to work better are garlic, green tea, ginger, turmeric, beets, and fermented foods (sauerkraut, yogurt, kefir).
Practices like sauna sessions, dry skin brushing, and using castor oil packs can aid in the process. The goal is not only to cleanse the body physically but also to cultivate habits that sustain long-term vitality and health.
While cleansing can offer many benefits it should be approached with awareness of individual needs. Extreme detox diets or abrupt lifestyle changes can be counterproductive or even harmful. Instead, gradual and sustainable adjustments tailored to your unique circumstances are key to long-term success. This is what we do for clients here in our office.
Embrace the power of cleansing to refresh the mind and invigorate the body.
We look forward to helping you on your journey to good health.
In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, we often forget to pay attention to one of the most crucial systems in our body – the lymphatic system.
The lymphatic system plays a vital role in maintaining our overall health and assisting in the detoxification process. Let’s explore the significance of lymphatic drainage, the benefits of dry brushing techniques, and discover natural solutions to combat lymphatic congestion.
The lymphatic system is a complex network of vessels, nodes, and organs that works tirelessly to rid our bodies of toxins, waste, and excess fluids. Unlike the circulatory system, the lymphatic system doesn’t have a pump, relying on muscle contractions and body movements to facilitate the flow of lymph fluid. When this flow is hindered, it can lead to lymphatic congestion, causing a range of issues such as swelling, fatigue, a compromised immune system, and many other common symptoms.
Lymphatic drainage is the natural process of eliminating waste and toxins from the body. For starters, it helps maintain fluid balance and promotes overall well-being. When the lymphatic system is functioning optimally, it assists in the removal of toxins and ensures a healthy immune response to everyday life. Dry brushing is a simple yet effective technique that can enhance lymphatic drainage. By using a dry brush with natural bristles, you can stimulate the lymphatic system and promote circulation. Here’s a basic guide to dry brushing:
Choose the Right Brush. Select a brush with natural bristles; we sell one here at The NHCAA. Brushing Technique:
Start at your feet and move upwards in gentle, circular motions.
Always brush towards the heart to follow the natural flow of the lymphatic system.
Pay special attention to areas with a high concentration of lymph nodes, such as the armpits, breast area, and groin.
In addition to dry brushing, incorporating these natural remedies can further support lymphatic health-
Hydration:
Adequate water intake is crucial for maintaining lymphatic flow and preventing congestion. Ensure you stay hydrated throughout the day.
Herbal Teas or Supplements:
Certain herbs, such as dandelion and nettle, have diuretic properties that can aid in reducing fluid retention and supporting lymphatic function. Ask your practitioner which supplements you are on or should be on to support your lymphatic system.
Exercise:
Regular physical activity promotes muscle contractions, aiding the movement of lymph fluid. Incorporate activities like walking, yoga, or rebounding into your daily routine.
Massage and Manual Lymphatic Drainage:
Professional massages or manual lymphatic drainage sessions can help stimulate lymphatic flow and alleviate congestion. Using an essential oil such as myrrh, tea tree, or castor oil when doing manual lymph massages is also beneficial.
In a world focused on quick fixes and external solutions, it’s essential to recognize the importance of nurturing our internal systems, especially as we are binding up toxins in our body. By embracing lymphatic health through practices like dry brushing and incorporating the above natural remedies, we can unlock the potential for a healthier, more vibrant life. Prioritizing the well-being of our lymphatic system is a small yet powerful step towards overall wellness.
How does one approach healing without the sole reliance on medication and surgical means? There are many approaches to healing, naturally.
The methods most taken while pursuing the holistic route are diet, exercise, and nutritional supplements. These approaches are powerful; however, there’s only so much you can exercise away or ingest. There are many other natural modalities available that unlock your maximum healing potential. It is helpful to look at the wisdom of the past for nearly forgotten methods for healing. One such method has been in practice for centuries: the castor oil pack.
Castor oil is derived from the castor bean which is native to India. This medicinal oil can stimulate lymph and liver function and reduce inflammation. The benefits of castor oil packs are largely due to the oil’s high concentration (about 90%) of the molecularly unique fatty acid ricinoleic acid, which is responsible for many of its healing properties.
Castor beans are quite toxic due to a chemical called ricin that is in the pulp of the bean, but ricin is not contained in the oil. When castor oil is extracted under heated conditions, the ricin is removed, and any ricin left behind is deactivated.
When castor oil is used topically, it is non-toxic and can be a great addition to a healing program. A castor oil pack is a method of saturating cloths in castor oil for healing through topical application. This pack is placed over the problem area to stimulate organ flow and function and as an anti-inflammatory measure.
Healing with castor oil packs for topical use can be helpful for the following situations:
Constipation
Digestive problems
Abdominal cramps or bloating
Gallbladder discomfort
Menstrual cramps
Sore muscles
Joint pain
Swelling
Lymph congestion
Injuries
Fibroids
Ovarian cysts
Items Needed:
1-quart glass jar with lid (mason jar)
Organic, Hexane-free Castor Oil
1 cotton flannel or unbleached wool cloth*
A long, wide piece of cotton flannel to tie around the abdomen
A heat source (hot water bottle, hot rice pack, heating pad, etc.)
Protective covering for bed or couch (old sheets, towels, cloths, etc.)**
*You can buy a set of castor oil with a pack already made. These premade packs are expensive but convenient.
**Some sources recommend using plastic bags or wraps. I do not recommend using plastic as the chemicals contained therein have the potential to be absorbed with the castor oil, especially once heat is applied.
Directions:
Fold the cotton/wool into a square large enough to cover the area you are addressing (Example: for liver/gallbladder, about 7”x10”)
Put about 2 tablespoons of castor oil onto the cloth and fold in different directions to get the oil to saturate the full surface of the cloth. The cloth should be saturated but not dripping
Apply the cloth “pack” over the desired area
Right upper abdomen for liver/gallbladder
Left upper abdomen for spleen/lymph
Middle of abdomen (or right upper abdomen) for general bloating and constipation
Lower abdomen for menstrual issues
Directly to joints or injured areas
Mid to lower back for kidneys
Cover the pack with the larger strip of cloth and wrap or tie it around the area
Place a heat source (hot water bottle or heating pad) over the pack
Lay down and elevate your feet if possible and relax for 30 minutes to an hour*
Remove the pack and cleanse the skin with a mixture of warm water, gentle unscented soap, and baking soda
Place the used pack into the glass jar and seal the lid for storage until the next use. You can typically get 30 uses out of one pack. Throw away the cloth sooner if it becomes discolored or has a bad odor
Rest and hydrate
*You can apply the castor oil pack overnight. If you do this method, the heat source is not necessary.
Castor oil is very safe and well tolerated when used topically; all the same, there are a few things to keep in mind when using castor oils packs:
Castor oil packs can stimulate bile flow, which can lead to additional, and sometimes urgent, bowel movements after use. It is a good idea to do your pack at the end of the day when you are staying in, relaxing, and close to a bathroom.
Castor oil packs can stimulate lymph flow, which can lead to an increase in urination.
Some individuals may notice increased gut gurgling, gas, or discomfort after doing a castor oil pack; especially if placed on the abdomen. These sensations should pass within an hour. If you experience this, try doing the pack for a shorter amount of time until your body adjusts.
When working on a holistic healing plan, it is good practice to look at many avenues of support for your body, even beyond what you ingest. History can be a powerful teacher. Centuries of use in at least 50 countries across the world, and a fantastic safety profile, highlight the benefits of castor oil packs, making castor oil for topical use a desirable adjunct to your healthy habits. Castor oil for topical use also has the additional advantages of being affordable, easy to use, and able to offer quick relief in many situations.
Your gut health is intimately connected with the health of your microbiota. Specifically, your gut is the tract that goes all the way from your mouth to your anus. The term “microbiota” refers to all the organisms living in AND on the human body. The microbiota is made up of a large variety of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
Your microbiota live in a delicate ecosystem. These bugs keep each other in balance. When this microbial balance becomes disrupted, you develop “dysbiosis.” Dysbiosis refers to a microbial imbalance in which “bad” bugs opportunistically colonize OR bugs that are normally “good” in small amounts overgrow and become pathogenic. Correcting dysbiosis is how you restore your gut health.
How does gut health get disrupted?
Antibiotics:
There are many reasons why the microbiota gets disrupted. A common cause is the overuse of antibiotics. According to the CDC, 50% of antibiotics prescribed are either unnecessary or inappropriate. The damage in this scenario is two-fold; first, antibiotics indiscriminately kill many of the bugs in the gastrointestinal tract. Secondly, with the overuse of very broad-spectrum antibiotics, what is left behind are what has been referred to as “superbugs,” which are very treatment-resistant and make it very hard for the microbiota to correct itself.
Another issue surrounding antibiotics is that 80% of the antibiotics prescribed in the U.S. are given to livestock. This means that even if you have managed to go your entire life without taking a prescription of antibiotics if you have ever eaten conventional meat and dairy, you have been exposed.
Diet:
A factor that is just as important, if not more so, than antibiotic use, is DIET. Eating processed, high acidity foods treated with chemicals, hormones, and antibiotics as well as loaded in refined sugar makes up the majority of gut health issues. The good news is that this is the most controllable cause of dysbiosis.
Eating foods that you do not digest well can also create dysbiosis. When I tell patients they have food sensitivity often they reply “But I’ve been eating that my whole life and it’s never been a problem!” The truth is, that may be the problem in and of itself. Eating a food that is not digested well may feel fine for days, months even years. It often takes a long time for symptoms to manifest. Meanwhile, it is costing your body much of its precious reserves and energy to process and damaging the gut. Discover how to start a diet plan to take ownership of your health.
Infection:
The fundamental issue of dysbiosis is the imbalance of microbes. There are “commensal” microbes (“good bugs”) that have a beneficial role in the gut and also “pathogenic (“bad bugs”), disease-causing microbes that are not a normal part of the gut ecosystem.
There are a multitude of ways infection can come into play. Scenario 1: dysbiosis exists and the commensal bugs get out of balance. Some “good bugs” become overgrown or out of balance while other “good bugs” are not at a high enough level for good health. 2. Dysbiosis is created due to an infection with a “bad bug” such as a parasite, mold/fungus/yeast, and/or bacteria that is NOT native to your body’s ecosystem.
Microbiota in Human Intestine
Regardless of what scenario has occurred, the infection must be resolved to heal the gut.
Other Causes:
A poor diet and antibiotic use are two very problematic factors that disrupt gut health; however, there are many other contributors. Toxic exposures, long term general medication use, exposures to pathogens foreign to your microbiota (overseas travel for instance), and being born from C-section and/or consuming baby formula as an infant are all contributors.
What does dysbiosis do to the body?
The gut is the hub for digestion, nutrient assimilation, creation of neurotransmitters and immune factor creation. As a result, dysbiosis symptoms and conditions can run the full gamut of physical as well as mental symptoms and conditions. The following list names many of the more common and or/well-established issues connected to dysbiosis.
Dysbiosis Symptoms:
Digestive Problems
Gas/bloating
Constipation AND/OR diarrhea
Unresolved skin rashes
Weak immune system/frequent illness
Dental problems
Gum disease
Cavities
Dry mouth
Bad breath
Vitamin Deficiency
Especially B12, Iron and Folate
Frequent yeast infections
Toenail fungus
Chronic Conditions Connected with Dysbiosis:
Hypertension
Diabetes
Migraine
Headaches
Food
Allergies/sensitivities
Autoimmune
Disorders
Mood/Behavior
disorders
Depression/Anxiety
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Infertility
Preterm
Birth
How To Heal Your Gut
“Let food be thy medicine.”
Hippocrates
Food and Food Eliminations:
You can take the best supplements on the planet, but if your food choices are incorrect for your body, your gut will not heal and you are wasting a lot of money.
There are many ways how to restore your gut health by attacking your diet. The most basic step on how to heal your gut is to eliminate all processed, chemicalized and refined foods from your diet. A good rule of thumb is to shop primarily in the outer perimeter of the grocery store, leaving the center aisles alone. Eating grass-fed beef and other meats and eggs that are free of hormones and antibiotics is important. White sugar is out, completely.
As many pathogenic bugs proliferate on sugars, keeping even natural sugars to a minimum is important. Most people should be eating no more than 100-75 grams of carbohydrates a day for good gut health. Some individuals with difficulties losing weight, unresolved infection and inflammatory conditions should eat less than that.
Depending on your specific health profile, you may need to implement an Antifungal Diet, an elimination diet, or, in more extreme situations, the GAPS diet.
If you have a lot of reactions after eating food, you should find out what your food sensitivities are. As food reactions are not always immune in nature, allergy tests alone may not be enough to find your trigger foods. For this reason, elimination diets have a lot of value. My favorite elimination type diet to use is the Whole30. Journaling your food intake along with your symptoms often helps you find the foods that are triggers, as well. Keep in mind that often a food can still launch a negative response for about 3 days after consumption.
Supplements:
Pages upon pages could be written to go over what supplements should be given to help dysbiosis. I will only cover the supplements I see most broadly applicable.
Probiotics:
Another gut health tip is taking the right probiotic. There are many blends out there and many reasons why one might be superior to another. The following are some general guidelines:
Vaginal Health a) Primarily Lactobacillus Strains
Gut Health and Oral Health – Broader Spectrum a) My favorite: Flora 12 + from Energetix
Baby Health -B. bifidum and B. infantis a) Prenatal through 2 years
I find that if you have potential parasites, yeast issues, and thyroid problems, it’s good to make sure you have the S. boulardii strain in your probiotic. Prosynbiotics from Standard Process and Flora 12 + from Energetix contain this strain. There is also a stand-alone S. Boulardii from Physica I use if a patient needs to amp up another probiotic for those concerns or if they generally do not do well with supplementing probiotics (this can happen if a patient has Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth also known as SIBO). S. boulardii is actually a beneficial yeast that is not killed during most antibiotic therapy and has strong antiparasitic and anti-candida properties.
Probiotic foods:
If you have taken many probiotics in the past with little results or do not feel well with probiotics, you may be a better candidate for a supplement called Ion*Gut Health (previously known as Restore). This supplement is not a probiotic but contains factors from soil that help to improve the health of the gut wall and create an environment in the gut lining that can support healthy microbiota.
Other Needs
If you have long term gut health issues that don’t resolve with the above interventions, you may need support for specific digestive organs (such as the gallbladder or intestines) or a leaky gut protocol. To find out what additional interventions you need, see one of our practitioners.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
