We are adapted to survive mild exposures to radiation. After all, the
sun is a kind of controlled nuclear bomb and it releases a lot of radiation.
Of course, this radiation, and man-made radiation, can also cause cancer
and a host of short- and long-term health problems.
Whether you are worried about the radiation from dental x-rays, a mammogram,
or fallout, here are some Wise Woman Ways to help you stay healthy.
(If you are using radioactive therapies in your cancer treatment, there
is a chapter full of information specifically for you in Breast
Cancer? Breast Health! The Wise Woman Way.)
Japanese researchers found that diets high in carotenes significantly
reduced DNA damage in humans exposed to radiation. Supplements of beta-carotene
(or of vitamins C or E) did not show this effect. Eating lots of orange
and dark green foods (sweet potatoes, winter squash, beets, carrots,
kale, collards, chard, and spinach, for example) can protect you from
radiation-induced cancers.
Envision yourself and all your cells protected from damage. (One woman
wrapped herself in psychic lead.)
Guinea pigs bombarded with radiation lived a lot longer if they ate
broccoli or cabbage. All cabbage family plants -- including arugula,
turnips, radishes, cauliflower, mustard greens, bok choy, Brussels sprouts,
broccoli d'rappe, kale, collards, and of course broccoli -- protect
your cells from the damaging effects of radiation.
Choose an image, an icon, something meaningful to you, as a focusing
agent. Put your affirmations, blessings, prayers, visualizations, and
healing love into it, for easy access when you need help.
Miso broth is the classic food for prevention of radiation damage.
There’s twice the protection if a quarter-ounce/5 grams of dried
kelp seaweed is added to the soup. In scientific studies, seaweed was
able to neutralize radioactive isotopes in the human body. Researchers
at McGill University say radioactive strontium binds to the algin in
brown seaweeds to create sodium alginate, a compound easily and harmlessly
excreted. Common black tea exhibited the same anti-radiation effects
in several Japanese studies.
In Fighting Radiation and Chemical Pollutants with Foods, Herbs, and
Vitamins (Vitality, 1991), Steven Schecter tells us that both black
and green tea showed "radioprotective effects" whether
taken before or after exposure to radiation. Among other modes of operation,
tea catechins absorb radioactive isotopes and remove them from the body
before they do damage. The action is similiar he says, to that of sodium
alginate (the "active ingredient" in kelp seaweed).
Eating any amount of reishii (a mushroom) reduces damage from
radiation.
St. Joan’s/John's wort oil protects my skin from radiation
damage. I use it as my only sunscreen (and I am outside alot) and find
it not only immediately effective in preventing and treating sunburn,
but even more protective with continuing use over years.
Burdock root (Arctium lappa) removes radioactive isotopes
from the body. A dose is 1-4 ounces/300-120 grams of cooked fresh root,
up to a pint of infusion daily, or several large spoonfuls of vinegar
(but only if made with fresh roots).
Dried beans, especially lentils can reverse DNA damage done
by radiation. So can red clover (Trifolium pratense) and
astragalus (Astragalus membranaceous) -- two powerful
members of the legume (bean) family.
Homeopathic remedies can be taken before and after exposure
to radiation: Plumbum (lead) is said to help those who feel overwhelmed
and in need of protection. Belladonna is used to prevent and relieve
radiation burns and pains -- even long after the immediate exposure.
Recipe for "Anti-Radiation Easy Meal"
is on page 308 in Breast Cancer?
Breast Health! the Wise Woman Way.
Selenium protects DNA from radiation damage and helps prevent
damage to the skin surface, too. Get plenty of selenium by eating a
daily dose of 2 cups/500 ml of nettle infusion, one-half ounce/15 g
kelp, 2 ounces/60 g cooked burdock root, or 1 cup/250 ml organic yogurt
daily. Shellfish, green and black teas, and garlic contain significant
amounts of selenium, as do many mushrooms. The best sources however
are nettles (2200 mcg per 100 grams), kelp (1700 mcg/100 g), burdock
(1400 mcg/100 g), catnip (Nepeta cataria), ginseng, Siberian ginseng,
and astragalus.
In clinical trial with humans, those who took ginseng extract
(Panax quinquefolium) for thirty days following exposure to radiation
showed hastened recovery from injuries to their bone marrow, organs,
skin, and blood cells according to Paul Bergner in The Healing Power
of Ginseng, The Enlightened Person's Guide, Prima, 1996. He quotes Japanese
researcher Dr M. Yonezawa as saying that "ginseng appears to be
the most useful agent available for protection against radiation damage."
It’s important to keep yourself well nourished if you are
exposed to radiation. Make it a habit to drink at least two big cups
of nourishing herbal infusion daily. Nettles, red clover, and violet
leaves supply generous amounts of the nutrients you need most: protein
and minerals, especially potassium and zinc.
For best results, do not use capsules of the
herbs mentioned in this article. Instead, cook with them
(kelp, astragalus, Siberian ginseng, ginseng, reishii, and burdock),
brew nourishing herbal infusions with them (nettles, red clover, astragalus,
burdock, catnip, and ginseng), make mineral-rich vinegars with them
(nettles, burdock, catnip, ginseng, and astragalus), or take a high-quality
non-standardized tincture of them (burdock, ginseng, Siberian ginseng,
astragalus).
To make a nourishing herbal infusion: Put one ounce of dried
herb into a quart jar; fill jar to the top with boiling water and cap
tightly. Strain after 4-8 hours and drink hot or cold. Refrigerate what
you don't drink right away; drink that within a day.
To make a vinegar: Fill any size jar with fresh herb (best !!)
or one quarter full of dried herb (not nearly so good). Pour room temperature
apple cider vinegar over the herb, filling jar to the top. Cover with
plastic wrap or a cork. Label with date and name of plant. Let sit for
six weeks. Decant into a pretty bottle and use to season soups, beans,
and salads.
This is the Wise Woman Way the world 'round. Take good care of yourselves.
Green blessings to all.
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