Saturday, February 27, 2016

Progress on the bridal shawl

I think I'm approaching about half-way on the bridal shawl. The pattern is written really well. I have a few lifelines in there (yellow), and I've had to use one, but I' very happy with the progress so far.


I'm using the Alberta Shawl pattern which can be found on Ravelry.

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Treating Fibromyalgia with Teasel Root Tincture

I've recently been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I'm not thrilled with the medications available to treat it - I guess what I'm not thrilled with are side the effects. But last summer when I thought it might be Lyme disease, I made some teasel root tincture (it grows around here), using roots from first-year plants. Teasel root tincture has been used by many people either alone, or in conjunction with antibiotics, to treat Lyme disease. 

I took 3 drops 3 times a day for six weeks. I felt a lot better for quite a while - until the end of December/ start of January.  Feeling better on that one 6-week course lasted for about 5 months. Since Dec./Jan., it's all come back. I went in for another round of blood tests and X-rays and the doctor this time came to the conclusion that I have fibromyalgia.

I don't like the drug options for treatment, but I was curious about how well I felt after using the teasel root tincture. I googled around and have found a few references noting that teasel root tincture has been useful in the treatment of fibromyalgia too. 

So I've decided to give teasel root another try. I had to go out and dig through some unmelted snow to get to some rosettes. I only got a few roots, but that will get me started. The tincture (the roots chopped up and left to soak in vodka in a dark place) will take two weeks to make. Then I'll press it as best I can without a tincture press, strain it, and then it will be ready.

Here's hoping to success with the tincture. I'd like to feel better without taking those other medications everyday for the foreseeable future.  


EDIT: Okay, I went out yesterday and got a few more roots. Now I have a good amount of tincture brewing!