MSG and the Muslim World

I actually discovered MSG when I was living in Egypt. I thought they had invented it because it was such a popular ingredient in all their soups - especially in those "Maggi" cubes. However, when I started to feel ill every time I ate something with MSG I started to do some more research. Even before completing my studies in natural healing I had become aware of the harms of MSG.

It turns out that MSG is a harmful flavoring that causes different health problems for different people ranging from stomach aches, insomnia and headaches to more major problems like diabetes, heart problems and cancer. Because of its dangers Chinese restuarants were pressured to take it out of their foods about 8-10 years ago. What I have found offensive, since then, is that while Chinese restaurants have taken it out of their foods, places like Pizza Hut continue to add it to their sauces and many canned items include it in their sauces and soups. It is still used in many salad dressings and other food items here in America, and still used liberally in the Middle East.

What I have always had a hard time understanding, however, is how a predominately Muslim culture can continue to use a flavoring that is extracted from dried animal blood and decaying protein? The following description was provided by a student of the Islamic Healing Course (www.IslamicHealingCourse.com) As I was correcting assginments this morning it reminded me of MSG and the Muslim world and inspired me to post this reminder to the list:

MSG: Also can be named as hydrolyzed plant protein, natural flavor and Kmbu extract, autolyzed yeast, and yeast extract. The animal based MSG comes from animal blood or decaying protein. It has been linked to learning disorders in children and hyperactivity. Effects include headaches, nausea, diarrhea, mood changes, sleep problems, rash, sweating, and chest pain.

Letters to the Editor: What Are Epsom Salts?

Question: I am using a formula of salt, olive and lemon juice for cleansing. Can I use Epsom salts instead? It says I should use sea salt? Why?

Answer: Epsom salts are not just "salts" - they are a natural substance that can extract toxins from your body. Scientifically Epsom salts are a magensium sulfate "salts" - most minerals can be made into salt! Regular salt that we eat is really just mostly sodium chloride. You would not want to eat Epsom salts, although there are some ways you can consume them safely "now and then" for health benefits.

Sea salt is also beneficial in therapy - although its effects are different from that of Epsom salts because sea salts are made up of many different minerals.

Sea salt contains about 84 different essential minerals - 83 which are actually EXTRACTED when regular table salt is made!

And yes, you CAN mix the lemon juice, olive oil and sea salt.

Blessings & Health,
Karima

Letters to the Editor: Stomach Pain

My schedule no longer allows me to answer Letters to the Editor. I now do all of my consulting via www.HerbnHome.com . At this time I am posting some old letters that I want to share with the public in case they may help someone else. I will be posting a sample of some of these old letters from time to time on this BLOG. A complete file of old "Letters to the Editor" is available by becoming a member of the consulting list at www.HerbnHome.com

Stomach Pain
Question: Ms. Burns,

Assalamwalaikum, I hope you are doing well. I am
writing this e-mail to you with deep concern for my
father. He is almost 70 years old and since I can
remember he had and has a digestive problem,
heartburn, he does not get hungry, constipation and he
is in constant pain (quite literally). He is a
smoker, and there is no chance of him quitting. He
takes numerous amounts of medicines and tries anything
in hope of relieving his suffering due to abdominal
pain. He will eat fruits such as kiwi, prunes, dates
and figs so he can use the restroom. However, I
believe my father is not consistent in taking one type
of medicine. He gave up a long time ago. Are there
any herbs that you can suggest, or anything he could
do so his pain can decrease? Thank you, Jazak Allah.
- MG

Answer:
Please try Aloe Vera juice mixed with juice (to make it taste better). If he takes 2 ounces 3 times a day with juice (start with 2 times a day and then increase to 3 if he needs it) I am sure he will feel better. You might also consider getting him a full consultation so he has a holistic practitioner look at all his issues together. I offer online consultations but you may want to see someone in your area.

I hope this helps!

I know it has helped many people I know.

You can get Aloe Vera juice at the health food stores but it is much less expensive from the health section of the grocery stores.

If you are not living in the USA then try Psyllium seed powder mixed with juice 2 times a day.

One-week discount and New Islamic Healing Course Website

Please take a moment to look at the new Islamic Healing Course website at:

www.IslamicHealingCourse.com

Prices for the course have increased (as I mentioned a few weeks ago). However, anyone who sends me this e-mail can still register under the old prices ($250.00 for the entire course or $35.00 per class.) until August 1, 2008.

I look forward to hearing your feedfback on the new website.

Blessings & Health,
Kristie Karima Burns, MH, ND

Kristie's Consulting & Seminar Trip Dates

Consulting & Seminar Trip July 2008: Kristie Karima Burns, Mh, ND

Get your free travel blog
Visit my travel blogs

Folk Medicine - Listerine and Mosquitos?

I recently received the following post from a friend:

I can't wait to try this in the summer!
I was at a deck party awhile back, and the bugs were having a ball biting everyone. A man at the party sprayed the lawn and deck floor with Listerine, and the little demons disappeared.
The next year I filled a 4-ounce spray bottle and used it around my seat whenever I saw mosquitoes. And voila! That worked as well. It worked at a picnic where we sprayed the area around the food table, the children's swing area, and the standing water nearby.
During the summer, I don't leave home without it.....Pass it on.

So why does this work? If we ask ourselves this then we will realize that the reason this works is NOT because of the Listerine brand but because of the high concentrations of Thyme and Eucalyptus essential oils in the mouthwash formula.

The active ingredients listed on Listerine bottles are menthol, thymol, methyl salicylate, and eucalyptol. Ethanol is present in concentrations of 21.6% in the flavored product and 26.9% in the original gold Listerine Antiseptic. Thymol is an antiseptic, methyl salicylate is a cleaning agent, and menthol is a local anesthetic. At this concentration, the ethanol serves to dissolve the active ingredients.

So...instead of using the slightly toxic mouthwash to rid your area of mosquitoes - consider making your own homemade spray with thyme and eucalyptus oils. And don't forget the sage oil for those horrible itches! (Note: Essential oils should be diluted by 3 drops per 1 TBS. of carrier oil)

Letter to the Editor: Colon Cleanse

Asalaam O Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah.

Sister, I had a question to ask you. ------ is
going to do a colon cleanse with bentonite and
psyllium. He is also having an issue whereby whenever
he drinks water, he has the urge to go. He can hold
it but it is almost as though his bowels don't wait to
get full up so if he drinks, he is basically going to
urinate alot which can be annoying not to mention his
hands get dried up so much that the skin starts to
crack and bleed alittle.
Do you think it will be OK to do the cleanse since he
will be on a liquid diet?

If you think this condition needs attention then I
will consult you, InshAllah.

Wasalaam, - T

Dear T,

Wa Aleikum Asalam...

It sounds a little complex for a short answer. I would recommend that he get a consultation from me or from someone else to completely evaluate his situation. However...I do have a few general comments:

1. You mention he does not hold his water. Is this just because he is on a liquid diet right now or does he typically drink a lot and urinate a lot? If so, then he needs to be evaluated by a health care practitioner because these are serious symptoms usually having to do with the pituitary glandm brain or kidneys.

2. Many people do cleanses while on a liquid diet - as long as they are in very good health, are very strong, are being monitored by a health care practitioner and they have "eased" into the cleanse before hand with a pre-cleanse.

Hope this helps!

Blessings & Health,
Karima
www.TheAvicennaInstitute.com