This weekend I attended an amazing workshop not even 3 miles from my house. Dr. Mary Ann McNeilus and Judy Aitkens, RN were sharing their vast experience with natural health. Both had worked extensively in what I guess you would call “regular” medicine and what Dr. Mary Ann referred to as “drug based” medicine. The 2 had met in Cambodia while working in a refugee camp. Over the years they learned the incredible value of natural remedies and its accessibility to people of all age brackets, income, education and anywhere in the world.

“One thing everyone has is water” Dr. McNeilus shared.

Here Dr. McNeilus and Lis Craft of St. Paul demonstrate the Contrast bath method while the translator makes sure all the Karen in the audience understand. You use two tubs, one hot (as you can stand) and one cold. This treatment is used to increase circulation and can be used for localized infections, muscle or joint injuries, headaches, edema and some blood vessel diseases in the feet and legs.

Dr. Mary Ann shared how she has sucessfully used this treatment for infections among the poor Amish where she currently lives. Say you have an infection in the hand, first you put your hand in the hot water for 3 minutes, then in the cold for 30 secs. This is one change. Do this 5-7 times 3 times a day and for 1-3 days after it appears the infection is gone.

Follow up with a charcoal poultice, I will talk about this on Wednesday.

As healthcare costs continue to rise I have to admit I have been pretty worried about what we will do when we farm full time. I was experienced with some natural remedies, but hearing an actual medical doctor who made the switch talk was more valuable then I can say. Dr. Mary Ann shared that she had been a family practice doctor. And she was constantly sick. Now after utilizing lifestyle medicine and natural remedies it has been 30 years since she took an antibiotic.