Natural solutions for embarrassing health problems

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Home cures for embarrassing health problems

No one wants to talk about warts, bad breath or dandruff but they are real problems with real cures. The Medicine Hunter, Chris Kilham, tells Dr. Manny about some of the remedies that are right in your own home

Most people prefer not to dive too deeply into conversations about warts, dandruff, bad breath and other personal health issues, but these are real conditions that require attention. Here’s a rundown of six all-too-common embarrassing health problems, with natural solutions.

Jock itch is an uncomfortable rash in the genital region caused by a fungus. Jock itch goes by other names including jock rot, crotch itch and crotch rot, and is the result of infection by Tinea cruris. Various fungi commonly grow on or in the top layer of a person’s skin, and this is where Tinea cruris resides. This fungus can proliferate in the outer layers of skin, hair, or nails. Fungi are found throughout our environment, and may or may not cause an infection. Fungi flourish in warm, moist areas of the body. Thus the groin, inner thighs, and buttocks make ideal breeding grounds.

One of the simplest remedies is an anti-fungal oil called Manuka Oil (Leptospermum scoparium). This pleasant-smelling essential oil has potent anti-fungal properties, and will get jock itch under control fast. Apply several drops directly onto afflicted areas, at least twice daily.

Profuse or excessive sweating is known as hyperhidrosis, which literally means too much water. For this problem, the best natural solution is so-called rock deodorant. Also known as crystal deodorant, this is made of a single ingredient, either potassium alum or ammonium alum. Unlike almost all other deodorants, rock deodorant has no odor or aroma of any kind. There is no smell to the crystal at all, not even when wet. A quick Google search will dial you right into dozens of brands of rock or crystal deodorant. It’s a pretty simple and elegant solution to excessive sweating and underarm odor.

Warts are small, bumpy growths caused by a form of HPV, or humanpapilloma virus. Warts often resemble little cauliflowers, and most commonly occur on hands and feet. There are many types of warts, from flat warts to plantar’s warts, which dig deeply into the bottoms of feet. 

Warts can also cause internal infections. The advice here refers to treating warts on skin. The best remedy I have ever found is Tamanu Oil Calophyllum inophyllum.  The oil is widely available in natural food stores or online. A small bottle lasts a very long time. Apply a couple of drops right onto a wart at least twice daily, and do so until the wart is dead and gone. I have seen even very large and deep plantar’s warts disappear using Tamanu Oil. It is the best thing.

Toe nail fungus, aka Onychomycosis, is caused by a fungus similar to the one that causes jock itch. In the case of toe nail fungus, Tinea unguium is the culprit. You can use either Manuka Oil as previously described for jock itch, or Tamanu oil. In either case, apply the oil liberally onto the afflicted toe, and do this at least twice daily until the problem is resolved. These remedies work well. Do not cover your nails with false nails, or this will largely prevent the healing and recovery process.

Dandruff involves the shedding of dead skin cells from the scalp as flakes, rather than as discrete little cells. This produces a snow effect, with flakes of dead skin appearing throughout hair and on shoulders. Dandruff may be due to inadequate fatty acids in the diet, or even an overly harsh shampoo. 

In any case, use a gentle shampoo, and buy some rosemary essential oil. Place a few drops in the palm of your hand, and after you shampoo your hair, rub the rosemary essential oil vigorously on your scalp while your hair is still damp. Rub in the rosemary thoroughly, and let it sit for abut 20 minutes. Then gently rinse your hair. You can also rub witch hazel on your scalp after that. Either using rosemary oil on its own, or in conjunction with the witch hazel, you should experience improvement within days. You may also wish to take a good omega-3 fatty acid supplement derived from fish oil, to improve your scalp from the inside.

Halitosis, or bad breath, can be caused by odors arising from poor digestion and elimination, an imbalance of good and bad gut bacteria, and even malodorous bacterial fur on your tongue. A highly successful regimen for bad breath is as follows: One step is to take potent probiotics, friendly bacteria that replenish your digestive system. I like the Pearls IC, because it replenishes friendly bacteria in the gut, and can lead to sweeter breath.

Another strategy is to brush or scrape your tongue when you brush your teeth, removing any slime or crud. Thirdly, fresh peppermint can help. Eat fresh mint, use a drop or two of peppermint essential oil on your tongue. Don’t forget peppermint Altoids, which can also help a great deal.