The Oliver Family Reports Assignment #40 Heal yourself.       "Carol's cures for different ailments" Carol Oliver

I have always used non-traditional methods to heal myself and my children. I am very in touch with my body, despite appearances to the contrary. It has been my considered opinion for some time that nutrition - even small nuances of nutrition - plays a much larger role in the health of an individual than does medicine. I have been aware of this since my early twenties when I saw stars in my vision. It was suggested to me (by a physician) that I should add magnesium or zinc to my diet. Very few physicians in my experience before or since are so enlightened. They'd rather address symptoms surgically or chemically than to do the research needed to ascertain what might be of benefit nutritionally.    Years ago many around me were alarmed when I suddenly began to have bouts of chills and chest pains. These were to me instinctively not life-threatening occurring right above my sternum higher in altitude and more shallow in location than where my heart resides. People near me only saw an obese woman with chest pain and jumped to the worst conclusions. To appease their fears I went the allopathic route and ruled out anything heart related. I then turned to a naturopath who after blood work and dietary journaling helped me to realize that my problem was very nearly the opposite of what everyone feared. The involuntary muscles in my chest (those that cause us to draw breath for instance) were not sufficiently lubricated. My cholesterol was lower than normal despite the fact that I was not a vegetarian and already consumed red meat. I was advised to add more organ meat to my diet and perhaps supplement with some other form of oil or fat.    After doing some research of my own, I hit upon flaxseed oil as a great alternative to the seafood I could not afford and the organ meat the rest of my family would not eat. After a few weeks of consumption of same, I was Òcured.Ó Recently when I again experienced chest pain, I wondered if I should get a check up and realized that the pain was familiar. A few days of flaxseed ingestion later and the pain is gone.    Likewise in my life have I cured dizziness with an increased potassium intake. For me this means a tablespoon of molasses instead of the customary banana since I don't care for bananas anymore. And many a cold has been averted in myself and my children by the expedient use of aconite whether by herbal tincture or homeopathic delivery. My medicine cabinet is never without the Roxalia which I always need when I have a cold to save my voice from departing with the virus. Arnica for all the bumps and bruises of life is another staple for our family. I know that I am a hunter and not a gatherer. I'm firmly convinced that those of likewise persuasion when they reach middle age would do better to give up flour and anything made with it than to procure the most expensive nsaids and most advanced pain relievers in the world.    Sometimes, though, the medical community has its uses. Recently I was experiencing excruciating pain in the top of my foot at the ankle after no apparent injury. I visited a chiropractor for weeks and obtained some relief and some good advise for a change of shoes, but still the pain persisted though some days were better than others. In desperation I availed myself the services of a podiatrist. After thorough examination of the joint and the movement it could and could not do he concluded that I needed more support in my shoes. Outfitted with arch support and ankle brace I have only twinges now of the pain that once plagued constantly. Interestingly enough, I had for years augmented nearly all my shoes with Òarch cookiesÓ in order to better support the foot I instinctively felt pronated out of line with my leg. In Seattle I could find none and so had been going without for awhile. This prolonged walking flat of foot resulted in the inflammation of the tendon at the top of my ankle. My instincts were right all along - if only I'd kept after a different solution I could have saved myself a lot of pain.