posted November 22, 2004 07:19 PM         

Sorry that there has been some delay in getting back to you about the Neem oil.
I have been away in the East Bay and have only just spoken to Rashi.

Well it seems that Neem is only effective for contraception at the site of entry. That means that no oral capsules will be of help in that capacity. Now the Neem that I smelt years ago was not pure, it was a mixture of Neem and Sesame oil. For contraceptive use you would need only the strongest and purest form of Neem, not just leaf Neem, but 50% ethanol extract from the Neem Flower. It stinks to high heaven and smells like rotting greens according to Rashi, who says that her husband was put off of sex purely by the smell.

I then spoke to the chief herb biologist at the Ayurvedic Institute who is an expert on Indian plant medicine. He confirmed that you should be careful as not all Neem oil is the same. He also told me that he gets his Neem from trees he grows in Florida. He does not think the studies for it's use on contraception complete by any means. However he did agree, that full strength Neem oil was very powerful and he did not doubt it killed spermosa. He said it would have to be externally as all the test were external and none internal. He will be emailing me with more details to post. It is used internally for infections only. He also pointed out that it was quite drying though not astringent as such. He confirmed that the smell was really quite unsavory.

Rashi says that you can dilute Neem by boiling it in water and using it as a douche for vaginal infections too.

I'll post more info as I get it.

I was in the East Bay last week and went to visit a really well known holistic center where I underwent a breast thermograph. It is the holistic non radiation form of a mammography and can actually pick up a problem ten years before a traditional mammography can. It cost me only $175 and was worth ever penny. The insurance will not pay for this of course. It makes me so angry that they would prefer to give you large doses of radiation that can cause what it was supposed to prevent in the first place.

I have new information on herbs that have been tried and tested on thyroid function. I'll post all that as time allows. I've been busy giving talks to Curves ladies on supplements and nutrition and have been swamped by emails that I must answer.

Hope you are well.

Gia

posted November 23, 2004 09:50 AM         

I wish Neem were more reliable and easily used as birth control. It would be nice to have something reliable that is also herbal and non-toxic. I just can't continue taking birth control pills, when I know how potentially harmful they are to my body. And natural birth control is a bit dodgey. Gia, would it be an imposition of me to ask what you use, if anything? Please disregard the question, if you think it rude.

You know, I have avoided a mammography for the same reasons as you. I refuse to let my body be exposed to radiation that may not even detect a cancer. Our idea of modern medicine is sometimes such a farce.

I will be eager to read of your new research on herbs and thyroid. I have been using virgin coconut oil for a few weeks now, too early to notice any major difference, but I will keep you posted. It is alleged to have thyroid-nourishing properties, that also boost metabolism.

Thank you again Gia, I so appreciate your wealth of knowledge and your willingness to share it here. My only 'hobby' is reading about natural health and herbs, but I know so little compared to you. I will continue my search for more natural forms of birth control (are you aware of any others?), and herbs for thyroid.

Thank you dear lady. As always, you have my love and respect.

posted December 01, 2004 10:52 PM         

Thank you for the kind words, however I wish at times I knew more about herbs. I'm not an all knowing oracle in that department at all. I do have a few friends who are just awesome in that department though and they always help me out.

Please always feel free to ask me anything and I'll try and answer it as honestly as I can.

Apart from 2 months of my adult life, I have never taken or used any contraception at all of any kind. The two months was due to bad cramps when very young.

From the age of about 9 - 10 I knew that I would never have children. I don't know how I knew but I just did. I always played adoption games with my dolls. I also used to tell my sisters that they would have to share their babies. I have three older sisters with 8 kids between them. I have never been really upset although I adore kids. I simply knew for a fact that it would never be. There was never any doubt, not even a little one that I would, or could, ever conceive.

I have never really investigated myself medically as there seemed to be little point in wasting time. Instead married a man with two kids. My step kids are now in their 30's, but they lived with us growing up. My hubby then picked up mumps from the kids and was informed by the doc's that he was sterile. I called it the natural snip.

It certainly didn't make any difference to me at all. At age 30 I met an Indian Holy man who did my Vedic Life Chart. He also informed me that kids would be impossible for me to bear. He said I had chosen not to go along that path this time round. I knew it already so it was no big surprise or upset.

Depending on how you look at it, it may be unlucky or a blessing. I think of it as a blessing to be able to learn to love kids that I didn't actually carry. I hope that answers your question fully.

Gia

posted December 02, 2004 09:47 AM         

Thank you Gia.

Interestingly, I have always felt similarly. I always knew that I would not bear a child in this life, and if I were to be a mother, it would be through adoption. In fact, when I was a child, I insisted that I wanted to adopt a child from a Third World country. Perhaps a day may come when I can bring home one of those beautiful unwanted girls from China.

Astrologically, I also appear barren, with a moon in Cappy, and a 5th house loaded with three Cappy placements, including Saturn.

But knowing in my soul and knowing intellectually is often a challenge for me. (It's all those pragmatic planets )
So I still worry about birth control.

I have moved out of the very fertile years, but my ovaries still appear to be working quite well, and babies tend to be born when they want to be, regardless of a mother's age. So I still want to be as cautious as possible.

You live a beautiful, blessed life, Gia.
You too, Yin. I love your beautiful spirit.

posted December 02, 2004 01:33 PM         

I only had two dolls growing up. One of them was a hand me down from my older sister Chris, the other a brand new one given to me by an aunt at Christmas.

I was so totally into this new doll. I treated her like a real baby and I named her Johanna straight away. Please notice how I spelt the name even at a young age. Most English kids would have spelt it Joanna.

Many years later at age 35 I became involved with Childreach. Through them you sponser kids and communicate with them through letters and photos. You can send them clothes and gifts and stuff to help them out and even visit should you wish.

Anyway when asked where in the world I'd like to sponser a child, I ticked the box that was non specific because it was not important to me where the child lived.

The first child sent to me was a sweet 2year old girl called Johanna with the same spelling. I told you guys that I played adoption games with my dolls. It all came true. Not only the name, but as a baby she looked just like the doll!!

She's growing up fast now and she hopes to be a nurse when she finishes school. She lives in a small mountain village in Paraguay. She is the sweetest thing and I love her every bit as much as the original doll. Her little sisters are pretty special too. They send me photos and paintings and beautiful letters. She calls us her Godparents which really touched us.

Please know if you want to make a huge difference in a childs life that you can through Childreach.

Funny old life isn't it?

Gia

posted December 02, 2004 01:59 PM         

I noticed another thing. Even if you search by specific criteria on the site, different results pop up every time.

posted December 05, 2004 01:22 AM         

No I assure you I did a very good check on them before hand. Also the fact that I have a friend who works for PLAN INTERNATIONAL helped. You get a full account of where all the money goes every year. How much was spent on administration and how much on the kids. Your money goes directly to the kids. All the money for administration is given by large companies. You can check on your child when you wish and as I said before, also visit, exchange letters, photos and gifts. They win awards every year from UNICEF for their work and also have been voted the best childrens sponsership charities. Jack Nicholson is one of their biggest sponsers and so was Lady Diana Spencer.

One child at a time makes a huge difference.

Gia