For Informed People Using Alternative Treatments

another article of ketogenic diet...from canceractive.com i really love this website, provides an alternative view of cancer treatment. it also mentioned due to hormone fluctuate during the month/cycle, it's better to have surgery at the 2nd half of the cycle for a lower recurrence rate. it confirms the book i read "what your doctors might not tell you about BC" that natural progesterone is protective and during the 2nd half of the cycle, it's stronger.

http://www.canceractive.com/cancer-active-page-lin...

http://www.canceractive.com/cancer-active-page-lin...

This is the essiac tea I have used, also comes in a liquid:  http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/p/essiac-international-essiac-herbal-tea-1-5-oz-powder/ei-1001#.UvjXjHmd71o

Flavia, I have read back and forth on flax, and it all seems very confusing and contradictory. It also seems to depend, according to some sources, on your ER status AND whether you are on an AI, for example. For now I am skipping it, because I can't seem to find any definitive info one or the other.

I have also read too many conflicting reports on Flax.  I moved onto Hemp for now.  I'll probably read something bad about that next!

I am trying to limit my exposure to xeno estrogens (changed soaps, shampoo, etc..) but I seriously can never find a natural deoderant that works all day for me.  I might make my own.  Anyone use a natural deoderent that actually works and doesn't cause skin issues?? 

The reason why I switched was due to my vegan diet.  

Hjpz, here's a recipe for a natural deoderant/anti-perspirant. I initially started making it for my son who had to use clinical strength anti-perspirants, with which I was not comfortable. I was sure he'd end up with alzheimers because of all the aluminum. He has fairly sensitive skin and it doesn't irritate his, but then again, being a guy....

1/2 tsp pine resin

 250 ml vodka (or just enough to cover the ingredients)

rind of 2 lemons, finely chopped

rind of 2 oranges, finely chopped

10 fresh bay leaves, finely chopped

3 tbsp fresh pine needles, finely chopped

3 tbsp fresh thyme leaves

2 tbsp glycerine

100 ml orange blossom water

1. Crush the pine resin in a pestle and mortar until you have a very fine powder. Pour over 1 tbsp of vodka and stir to dissolve. The mixture should form a thin paste. Add the chopped lemon and orange rind to the mortar and stir with a spoon to remove the last traces of sticky resin from the sides.

2. Place the resin mixture along with the bay leaves, pine needles and thyme in a sterilized mason jar. Add enough vodka to cover, then seal and leave in a dark place for 2 weeks to 1 month.

3. When ready, strain off the herbs through a muslin-lined sieve into a jug, and stir in the glycerine and orange blossom water. Pour into a 100 ml glass spray bottle.

USE: Do a 24-hour test on a small patch of skin before using. Shake well and apply every morning to underarms, feet, etc.

STORAGE: Keeps for up to 1 year in a cool,dry place.

hjpz, I use a deodorant (apricot) from Jason.  It does not eliminate sweat since it's not an antiperspirant, but I don't smell like sweat either.  It's paraben, phthalate, propylene glycol, and aluminum free.

peacestrong - I am a vegetarian and like I said I switched to Hemp Seed (not oil) for my Omega 3.  I noticed after I bought it that it is actually recommend as a good source of protein for vegetarians too so that is a plus! 

hjpz (and anyone who may be interested) -- I have settled on an underarm regimen after trying a number of different products. I use a combination of products, both from the Lush store (they have an online store if you don't have a retail location I your area). I start with a powder called "greench" and then I layer it with a cake bar called T'eo. This combination works well with my chemistry; I have been stink-free even in the hit summer months. It doesn't do anything to prevent wetness, but after losing two lymph nodes, I intuitively feel that sweating is a good thing. At least it doesn't stink. 

Two caveats -- the powder I use isn't talc-free, but I've done some reading and am not horribly concerned about it. Also, this might not work as well on some ... I think it depends on individual chemistry. I do recommend sticking with it a few weeks, because I recall there was an adjustment period. 

i've seen on "The People's Pharmacy" newspaper column that a lot of folks who have problems with antiperspirants have good luck with applying plain cheap (store brand is fine) milk of magnesia and letting it dry before dressing. All it is is a magnesium/water suspension.

Milk of Magnesia works very well.  I tried it after surgery when nothing ( not even traditional deo/anti-persp) could keep the newfound stink away.  I use it on my stinky pre-teen (who fights me on personal hygiene!) and it keeps her fresh for over 24 hrs.  A veritable miracle, if you've spent time around stinky kids!

when I went for radiation they told me not to use deodorant, so I stopped on both arms and discovered that I don't smell any more!  maybe the menopause?  At any rate, I've made home-made from coconut oil, arrowroot (or cornstarch) and baking soda.  I can't say if it works, because most of the time I use nothing and don't smell..... don't sweat much either, maybe more in the summer with hot weather....  I've also added tea tree oil to the home made deodorant because sometimes in hot weather I have skin fungus under my arms... waiting for summer to try....