I have had excellent results with using herbs for specific instances (like urinary tract, sinus and yeast infections). I've also had really good results using Reliv nutritional supplement (my experience with Reliv is recorded on <A href="http://www.geocities.com/MurrensNatureMama/Reliv">www.geocities.com/MurrensNatureMama/Reliv</A>). I've cut out certain dairy products that seem to bother me (not all do) - no more ice cream for me. It has been amazing to me to learn how many people experience adverse effects from foods. Most people have one or two foods that just don't sit well with them. Some people are more sensetive and have more foods that offend them or a couple of foods that affect them severely. I think searching out food sensetivities is a great place to start. In my experience, herbs are most effective when you have a good nutritional foundation. If you are deficient in certain nutrients, it will be difficult to absorb other nutrients or use them effectively. Example: if you are vitamin D deficient, calcium will not be well absorbed even if you are taking supplements. All nutrients are interrelated to others, some enhance some negate. Having a good foundation ensures that the supplements you do use will be most effective. Because nutrition and our bodies needs and workings are so complex, it is often not enough to say, "If you're going to take acidophilus, you need to take HSO, too." You also need to think about your diet - what fungus producing or fungus feeding foods are you ingesting.Because of the need for a solid, balanced nutritional base, my experience and the experiences of the dozens of people with CF that I've talked to over the last couple of years I highly recommend using Reliv as your foundation. Other supplements can be used as well, though you probably won't need as many. The other thing to think about is taking herbs in teas or tinctures so that they are best absorbed. Pills are minimally effective and definitely NOT cost-effective because of the small percentage that actually is digested and biologically available for use. Certain vitamins are more effective from one derivitive than another. Vitamin E is one. When you're already dealing with a less effective digestive system, it is important to find the most easily absorbable form of whatever nutrient you are considering. If you would like elaboration on any of these things in particular, you can email me (<A href="mailto:jaloughlin3@sbcglobal.net">jaloughlin3@sbcglobal.net</A>). Some more specifics on certain remedies are detailed on <A href="http://www.geocities.com/MurrensNatureMama/wellness">www.geocities.com/MurrensNatureMama/wellness</A>.
