Health is Wealth

Ever since I found out that coconut water is packed with healing properties and can be used to prevent UTIs, I have started to feed Baby C with it. However, I am still doubtful if it’s save for a toddler to drink too much coconut water since the Chinese old wives would say that it is too cooling for the body. I did a google search and found this article from BabyCenter :

Tender coconut water (elaneer / nariyal pani) is one of the richest sources of electrolytes. It is high in chlorides, potassium, and magnesium and has a moderate amount of sugar, sodium and protein. Coconut water is also a good source of dietary fibre, manganese, calcium, riboflavin and Vitamin C.

Coconut water relieves exhaustion by replenishing the natural salts lost by the body. It is ideal for children to prevent dehydration when they suffer from diarrhoea. In the hot summer months, when your toddler is thirsty, coconut water is so much more preferable than the empty calories of packaged fruit juices and aerated drinks. It is naturally sterile so it is perfect for children while travelling since you don’t have to worry about contamination.

Coconut water is a natural diuretic and hence increases the flow of urine; this helps prevent urinary tract infections and cools the body. Coconut water also helps relieve constipation, improves intestinal function and promotes digestive health. It may also help infants suffering from intestinal problems.

Coconut water contains high levels of lauric acid which is what is used by the body to make monolaurin — a disease fighting fatty acid derivative. Babies make monolaurin from the lauric acid in their mother’s breast milk so coconut water is recommended for nursing mothers. Lauric acid has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties which protect young children against various infections.

Coconut water is a nourishing beverage and very suitable for children of all ages.

Posted on July 3rd, 2009 by shireen
Filed under: Natural remedies, Home Remedies | 2 Comments »

One of my all-time favorite drinks is coconut water. I love the juice, drunk directly from the coconut and my favorite is the small coconut that produces fragrant coconut water, which tastes a tad like juice of pandan leaves (screwpine leaves). This type of coconut is slightly costlier than the big regular ones.

There is a coconut stall right outside where I stay and we are regular patrons of this stall. We patronize this stall at least once or twice a week. The Chinese old wives would always tell a woman who has just conceived that she should avoid coconut water as it is very cooling to the body, thus may cause a miscarriage. I don’t know how true this taboo/fact is but I recently found out that coconut water has many health benefits and healing properties. Remember the old movie Blue Lagoon, starring Brooke Shields? In that movie, she didn’t know that she was pregnant and gave birth to a baby in an island.  She fed the baby with coconut water and the baby thrived and grew up!

These are some very interesting and amazing health benefits of coconut water, extracted from this website and this website:

* The body retains its coolness and temperature that is proper.

* The body gets orally re-hydrated and contains all the required isotonic beverages.

* It carries oxygen and nutrients to the body.

* The immune system gets boosted.

* Helps in weight loss.

* The body fluids gets replenished naturally after exercise.

* Raises the body’s metabolism.

* Fights viruses and detoxifies.

* Diabetes gets controlled.

* The digestive system gets cleansed.

* Helps the body in fighting viruses such as herpes, AIDS and flu.

* Reduces the risk of cancer.

* Urethral stones and kidney can be treated.

* Improves circulation.

* Contains less sodium.

* Good source of potassium.

* Coconut water is good for the functioning of the kidneys.

* It is useful in the case of urinary bladder problems.

* Useful for re-hydration.

* Contains less fat.

* Contains no cholesterol.

* Natural balance of magnesium and calcium as well as sodium and potassium.

* An electrolyte drink.

* Refreshes and revitalizes on a hot summery day.

* Stabilizes electrolytes.

* A useful source of fiber for diet.

* Can improve good cholesterol (HDL).

* Free from contamination. Useful while traveling.

* Beneficial for those suffering from acidity.

* Heart burn, sluggish digestion during pregnancy can be taken care of by drinking coconut water.

* Drinking coconut water for infants are effective for natural treatment of intestinal worms.

* Coconut water consumption aids in natural destruction for intestinal worms and it is safe for children to administer this herbal remedy on them.

*  Coconut water contains natural albumen, thus it is perfect natural SOS drink for cholera affected patients.

Wow, I never knew that coconut water is so therapeutic!  Since it’s also beneficial to the kidneys and can treat urinary bladder problems, I started feeding Baby C with some coconut water yesterday.   My 2 older gals love chilled coconut water too and it’s an excellent leong sui (cooling drink) for them on a hot day or after a heaty meal of deep fried food or spicy food.

Posted on July 2nd, 2009 by shireen
Filed under: Natural remedies, Home Remedies | 2 Comments »

A relative gave us a few huge stalks of aloe vera last week.  I know that aloe vera has been known for many years as an amazing plant, with amazing healing properties.  Some people whom I know of eat the flesh in its raw form, by scooping out the flesh with a spoon as if they were eating jelly or ice-cream. But I just can’t stomach the bitterness of the gel/flesh. I think it’s much, much more bitter than bitter gourd.

I can only eat it if the aloe vera is slightly sweetened. I used to buy the sweetened aloe vera from Lo Hon Kar outlets but they ain’t chep. I have also boiled aloe vera with dried loh hon kor and the concoction tastes great. The other day, my mil boiled the aloe vera with some mak joa (preserved honey dates). It’s quite tasteless but the flesh is pretty nice to chew on, as if one is eating jelly.  Sadly, Alycia and Sherilyn didn’t quite accept the taste and I had to add some Ribena to the aloe vera drink and force it down their throats.

Aloe vera boiled with preserved honey dates.

I did a google search on the health benefits of aloe vera and found 518,000 search results on aloe vera! Anyway, here are some interesting facts on the health benefits of aloe vera, extracted from this website:

• Halts the growth of cancer tumors.
• Lowers high cholesterol.
• Repairs “sludge blood” and reverses “sticky blood”.
• Boosts the oxygenation of your blood.
• Eases inflammation and soothes arthritis pain.
• Protects the body from oxidative stress.
• Prevents kidney stones and protects the body from oxalates in coffee and tea.
• Alkalizes the body, helping to balance overly acidic dietary habits.
• Cures ulcers, IBS, Crohn’s disease and other digestive disorders.
• Reduces high blood pressure natural, by treating the cause, not just the symptoms.
• Nourishes the body with minerals, vitamins, enzymes and glyconutrients.
• Accelerates healing from physical burns and radiation burns.
• Replaces dozens of first aid products, makes bandages and antibacterial sprays obsolete.
• Halts colon cancer, heals the intestines and lubricates the digestive tract.
• Ends constipation.
• Stabilizes blood sugar and reduces triglycerides in diabetics.
• Prevents and treats candida infections.

Posted on June 30th, 2009 by shireen
Filed under: Home Remedies, Healthy Food | 2 Comments »

Alycia has a huge ulcer on her lower inner lip.  She and Sherilyn seem to take after daddy’s bad genes coz he is always attacked by ulcers on his lips and tongue.  One time, many many moons ago, he was hospitalized for a week for having gigantic ulcers in his mouth and tongue.   Though my gals drink lots of water, they are still very susceptible to getting throat infection and mouth ulcers… no thanks to daddy’s genes!

Anyway, I did a google search on home remedies for mouth ulcers and found this website.  There were many suggestions given ranging from apple cider vinegar to toothpaste, Listerine or any mouth wash, hydrogen peroxide, turmeric powder,  Vegimite, brown molasses, salt, raw honey and many more.  Many even swear by applying sulphuric acid (found in batteries) to the mouth ulcer!  Yikes… I think these people are crazy to have the guts to put such a substance into their mouths!

Alycia has been gargling her mouth with salt water since yesterday but I’ve not been diligent enough to remind her to gargle several times a day.  Anyway, I will try the honey method later.  I’ll apply some Manuka honey (UMF 10+) onto the ulcer directly and will get her to gargle her mouth with salt water more often.  Will see how effective these are and keep you all posted.

Posted on June 28th, 2009 by shireen
Filed under: Mouth ulcers, Home Remedies | 3 Comments »

I was told by Baby C’s surgeon that beet roots are very nourishing and nutrients-packed and he had suggested to me several times feeding baby with beet roots, radishes, peas, spinach and fresh fish.  I bought 2 beet roots the other day and grated about 1/4 of it into baby’s porridge.

Baby’s colorful and sweet porridge made up of rice, millet, grated beet root, broccoli, spinach, pumpkin, ma yau fish and pork (she doesn’t eat the pork).  It tasted really good and even I liked it!

Posted on June 26th, 2009 by shireen
Filed under: Food for toddlers, Healthy Food, Cassandra | 3 Comments »

…. that Baby C does not have anymore Klabsiella bacteria in her urinary tract.  More than a week has passed since the last urine culture test was done.  I haven’t sent Baby C’s pee for another culture as her purging had stopped, her down under is not sore anymore and her pee looks rather clear.   I am praying hard that the Klabsiella bacteria had been flushed out from Baby C’s body through her pee.  I am also hoping that after the ureteral reimplantation surgery and all that she had gone through last month, her urinary tract system is now normal and functioning as it should have been.  Now that the duplex system is fixed, I hope baby’s body is able to fight off whatever bacteria that is invading her urinary tract.   Before the surgery, the urinary tract system is like a yoyo due to the double ureters.  I am praying hard that baby’s urinary tract system is A-ok now.  

I am still living in fear each day. I still smell and scrutinize baby’s soiled diaper each time I change her.  For as long as there is no confirmation from the doctor or MCUG scan that she is free from Kidney Reflux, I am still petrified that what she had gone through for the past 1 year will still happen again. I am well aware that the success rate of the surgery is 96%-100%, so there is a chance that she still has kidney reflux. 

In the meantime, I am feeding baby with barley water every other day as I was told by my surgeon that barley water is good for the bladder.  I did a google search on barley water and UTI and found out that indeed, barley water, which is diuretic, is effective in treating UTI.  Have also been feeding her with boiled lemon grass water. I read that coconut water is also good in treating UTI.  Perhaps I should try feeding her with coconut water too.  Hopefully with all these natural remedies along with being super clean with her down under, I can help stave off those nasty bugs from attacking Baby C.

Posted on June 25th, 2009 by shireen
Filed under: Natural remedies, Home Remedies, Urinary Tract Infection, Cassandra, Kidney Reflux | 7 Comments »

Here’s my breakfast today:

2 slices of toasted sprouted-wheat (flour-free) bread. One slice is an open sandwich with tuna fish, a squeeze of Japanese mayo, avocado and some toasted sesame seeds sprinkled on top.  Another slice is spread with Steffi’s sugar-free peanut butter and my mum’s homemade pineapple jam.

My breakfast must end with a cup of Japanese green tea. 

Also had a free-range egg (gave the egg yolk to Baby C), a glass of low-fat milk with caffeine-free coffee, some fruits (I eat fruits before anything else as fruits musn’t be eaten with food) and some biscuits. A very heavy breakfast eh? This can fill me up until 1pm and I won’t even feel hungry by then. I normally have quite a heavy breakfast, a light lunch and a dinner that’s not too heavy or light.

Posted on June 22nd, 2009 by shireen
Filed under: Healthy Food | 4 Comments »

After breastfeeding Baby C for over 14 months, I had my first Mastitis yesterday, on my left boop.  I felt pain on my boop early in the morning yesterday during my jogging session, especially when I lifted my left hand.  The pain gradually intensified and by afternoon, it was unbearable.  It felt tender and extremely painful when touched.  I could not even carry Baby C with my left hand.   I could feel a hard lump, as big or even bigger than a rambutan seed, inside my boop.   No wonder my milk supply on the left side had dwindled for the past few days, but the real pain only surfaced yesterday.  My left boop has always been the more active one, producing much more milk than the right one… for all my 3 kids. 

The last time I had an extremely painful Mastitis was 5 years ago, when I was nursing Alycia. I can’t really remember how the duct was unblocked but it was unblocked after 1 long torturous night and day. It was so painful that I was in tears… I hardly cry when in pain! I tried the frozen cabbage method, hot compress and even cold compress.  Somehow, it was unblocked again.

Anyway, last night I used an ice-cube, wrapped it in a hanky and put it on my left boop for about 15 minutes. It felt better when the ice-cube (without the hanky on) touches my boop directly. I also let Baby C suckle longer on the left boop. By 4 or 5am today, the lump in my boop could no longer be felt and the pain had also subsided, thank God!

If you are suffering from Mastitis, you can click here to read more about it and to find treatment for it.

Posted on June 20th, 2009 by shireen
Filed under: Breastfeeding | 4 Comments »

Did you know that the lemon grass or serai or heong mau (in Cantonese) that some people find as nuisance as they tend to grow like lalang have many health benefits? It is anti-cancerous and anti-bacterial and can treat a range of ailments. Recently I have been receiving emails from friends on how effective lemon grass is in killing cancer cells. My relatives have started to make lemon grass drinks and yesterday, I followed suit and made a pot of lemon grass concoction.

Here’s some interesting facts on lemon grass:

Citronella is known for its calming effect that relieves insomnia or stress. It is also considered as a mild insect repellant. But more than scent, tanglad or lemon grass provides a lot of health benefits. Studies have shown that the lemon grass has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Mixed with pepper, it’s a home therapy for menstrual troubles and nausea. Drank as tea, it is an effective diuretic. When it comes to pets, citronella is used to neutralize excessive barking of dogs. Since dogs hate citronella, it is sprayed to dogs to prevent them from barking or just to lessen the behavior.

The Lemon grass is a good cleanser that helps to detoxify the liver, pancreas, kidney, bladder and the digestive tract. It cuts down uric acid, cholesterol, excess fats and other toxins in the body while stimulating digestion, blood circulation, and lactation; it also alleviates indigestion and gastroenteritis. It is said that lemongrass also helps improve the skin by reducing acne and pimples and acts as a muscle and tissue toner. Also, it can reduce blood pressure. Just make a concoction by boiling some lemon grass leaves, let it cool for a while and drink the liquid.

The leaves and base of this tender perennial are used as a food flavoring, particularly in fish and poultry dishes, and its essential oils are used medicinally. Its distinctive flavor balances hot chillies and contributes to the elaborate, multi-layered flavors of many dishes in South East Asian cuisine.

As the long, thin, grey-green leaves are tough and fibrous, the outside leaves and the tips are usually chopped very finely or discarded from the dish before it is served. The base is often ground. Citral, an essential oil also found in lemon peel, is the constituent responsible for its taste and aroma.

Lemon grass, also known as Sweet Rush and sometimes called Fever Grass in the Caribbean, can be used as a remedy for ague, fevers, and colds.

Filipino ingenuity has produced a commercial beverage made from lemon grass. A concentrate composed of lemon grass juice and muscovado sugar bottled in attractive design.

A recent study by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the department of Science and technology ( DOST ) claims that every 100g of edible tanglad when boiled can contain up to 24.205 micrograms of beta-carotene the anti-oxidant that scientists believe can help prevent cancer. Another DOST study shows that lemon grass oil has the potential as a tropical eye medication against keratomycosis, an inflammation of cornea often associated with burning or blurring of vision.

The lemon grass drink that my mil made yesterday. All she did was boiled a pot of water. When it’s boiling, she put in the lemon grass and let it steep in the hot water for about half an hour. You can drink it hot but it tastes better and really refreshing when chilled. My 2 older gals who love cold drinks have no problem drinking chilled lemon grass drink. Even Baby C drinks it and according to the article, lemon grass can detoxify the kidney and bladder, which is good for her.  It can even help to stimulate lactation so, it’s good for moi too since Baby C is still breastfed.

Posted on June 17th, 2009 by shireen
Filed under: Natural remedies, Home Remedies, Healthy Food | 4 Comments »

Baby C has been poo pooing 3-5 times a day ever since she was discharged from the hospital more than 2 weeks ago. Several days ago, her down under turned sore and her pee also smelled a tad funny in the wee hours of the morning. These are normally the classic symptoms that would present themselves whenever baby has bacteria in her pee. I applied some Egozite and Pureen cream (both contain zinc oxide, which prevents soreness and nappy rash) on her down under and after a few days, the soreness went away.

Today, I took samples of her pee to the hospital for a urine culture. It was really difficult and stressful for me and baby. My maid and I had to break our backs waiting for her to pee for over an hour, yet she didn’t pee.  She was struggling and crying. I even had to offer her my boop to calm her down, while my maid sat on the floor waiting to catch her pee with the specimen bottle. After more than an hour and a specimen bottle with only about 1/2 a teaspoon of pee, I told my maid to stop waiting as baby wasn’t cooperating.  I also told my maid to throw the very little pee collected as it may be contaminated (in room temperature for over an hour and I think I spilled a little drinking water into the bottle).   I then cleaned baby’s down under with some cotton and saline and stuck a urine specimen bag onto it. Within 5 minutes, she peed in the bag.  I quickly asked my maid to hold baby in an upright standing position (so that the pee would not leak out from the specimen bag) and I hurriedly and carefully removed the specimen bag (which made baby yell out in pain when the bag was zapped off)…. and poured the precious pee into a fresh sterile specimen bottle. Next, I placed the bottle of pee in 2 layers of plastic bag and placed it in the fridge. Then, called the hubs to hurry home to send the pee to the hospital. Haih… my baby is always playing tricks on me. When I don’t need her to pee, she would always pee on me and on my bed…. and when I desperately want her to pee, she just won’t cooperate.

The urine FEME results showed that the WBC in her pee is 5-10 (which is insignificant) and there’s 1+ bacteria. I sent a text message to my surgeon to inform him. He replied and said that WBC of 5-10 is not a UTI…. he said that having a few bacteria in the pee after a bladder surgery is not uncommon and he will not treat baby as she’s well. I am praying hard that the few bacteria that’s lingering in the urinaray tract can be flushed out completely in a day or two, just like what had happened in the past…. without any treatment needed. Anyway, baby’s purging is slightly better today. As of now today, she has only poo pooed once and I hope the purging will stop coz in my baby’s case, no purging = no bacteria.

Posted on June 15th, 2009 by shireen
Filed under: Urinary Tract Infection, Cassandra, Kidney Reflux | 5 Comments »