Subject: You are a genius!

Really… I’ve been trying to take the B vitamin every day, and I feel better, really  I have to tell you more about it, but boy it helped a lot.

Natalie suffered chronic migraines that lasted up to two weeks at a time for many years.  Shortly after giving her Super B Complex with Vitamin C (Sam's Club "Members Mark" brand), she sent me this victory email!

Natalie - Austin, TX

Subject: Holy Basil for anxiety, depression, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

In late 2012, I was suffering from depression, anxiety and a severe case of the winter blues.  Grace recommended and sent me a bottle of Holy Basil swearing by its ability to counter the feelings I was experiencing.  I was skeptical, but feeling so low that I was willing to try anything.  

I know this stuff is supposed to take a while to build up in your system, and maybe it was a placebo effect, but I took them all as you directed today & was in a good mood at work all day for the first time in... I can't even remember when.

Within 2 weeks, the memories of feeling so terrible day to day seemed to drift away almost as if they were never there.  I’ve never stopped taking Holy Basil daily since then and I can’t express how much it has helped me look upon my daily life with more of an optimistic, positive and energetic attitude.  I would recommend this herb to anyone who needs a helping hand in dealing with life’s everyday stresses.

Jim – Pittsburgh, PA   

Note from Grace:  For the record, the amazing part about Holy Basil Extract is that it makes you feel better ON DAY ONE!!!  I sent Jim a few different things of Swanson's brand to try so when he says that he knows this stuff is supposed to take a while to build up in your system, he must've been thinking about something else.

Jim - Pittsburgh, Pa

Subject: Chloe - dog's severe bone on bone spinal pain

Grace,
 
My little dog is having severe back pain.  She has had a few x-rays that show nearly bone on bone contact.  She has been prescribed an anti-inflammitory, Rimadyl 25 mg a day and Tramadol 25 mg three times a day for pain. I believe she might have arthritis. 
 
I was wondering if you knew of supplements I could give her that would not harm her.  She only weighs 12 pounds. Any advice you could give would be appreciated.
 
Thank you,
 
Christine

Note from Grace: I immediately gave Christine a bottle of Swanson's Turmeric/Bromelain (300mg/150mg respectively) and told her to give it to Chloe daily for 1-2 weeks and then depending on how she is doing, cut it back to every other day, and if she still does okay, cut it to twice a week for maintenance purposes as that was what I did for both of my boys (also dogs, one is 33lbs and the other 18lbs at that time), as it did wonders for their respective pain challenges. 

See Spinal Trap's "Furry Children, Pain & Much More" page for details:

furry_children_pain__much_more

I also suggested that she monitor her for the possibility of being able to cut her pain pills back because that was the entire point of me getting on this combination and it allowed me to do, exactly that! 

Around the clock pain pills are no better for a dog than they are for a human!

I sent Christine a follow-up email saying that I had decided to try splitting one of these capsules between my two boys to save money; and for the first time ever, neither wanted to eat their dinner because they found its taste, undesirable.  So much for saving money; their dinner got tossed and re-made! 

She replied: 

Grace,

This is too funny!  I took the dog food and put steak drippings all over it then mixed in the turmeric capsule.  She loved it, she has that yellow brown mess all over her beard from the turmeric.  She did great today so I made sure I did it again.

Loren grilled chicken so I made a sauce from chicken poured it in dog food and mixed in turmeric. She is as messy as ever but very happy and comfortable. I can't thank you enough.

Mix it with a little chicken or beef stock and put it in dog food I guarantee they will love it.

Thanks again you are the best. 

Christine

Remember people, just because your dog(s) can't complain doesn't mean that they don't hurt! 

And if they are crying and whimpering in pain, or pacing and unable to lie still, THEY ARE REALLY HURTING! People do this too! 



Christine - Las Vegas, NV

Subject: Turmeric & Bromelain for her spinal pain. 

When I met Dawn, she had just found a spinal surgeon to whom she was going to entrust her spinal surgery needs for pain relief. 

I told her that if she has to have surgery, then I am glad that she found someone good; but that if she can avoid it and/or delay it by trying natural methods, she may want to consider what has done wonders for me. 

I spoke of Turmeric/Bromelain and gave her the 6 or so Turmeric capsules I had in my purse to take if she believed it to be a prudent, safe choice for her.  Her pithy reply is all about quality, not quantity!

Dawn's reply: 

Love it

All other medication in the trash 

Thank you

 

Dawn - Las Vegas, NV

Email about Turmeric/Bromelain for foot and other pain:

I still take the T&B, and I think it helps. Hard to say sometimes if it is just natural healing or if it helps. Ankle has been OK. I have taken to bike riding though instead of jogging b/c of ankle and knee. Biking is a lot lower impact on the joints. My elbows bother me a lot as I messed them up and I have sever golfer's elbow. I have exercises I do to help, so I still take the T&B more for that.

 

Note from Grace: Scott makes a good point about natural healing also contributing to reduced pain.  Unfortunately, there are millions like me who are severely injured that don't receive appropriate medical care immediately to allow for maximum natural healing.  As a result, the body doesn't heal as well and this results in chronic pain.

 

Scott K. -  American living in Germany

Email about Turmeric/Bromelain for foot and thumb pain:

I've been taking twice a day, feet feel a little better, but no change to my thumbs.  I've also been taking a lot of ibuprofen, 8 pills a day, so maybe they work in combo.

Note from Grace: J.P. was absolutely right about them working in combo! 

You see, Bromelain is a digestive enzyme found in all parts of the fresh pineapple.

What this means is that it potentiates (increases absorption) when you take it with both OTC and/or prescription medications; at least that is what I have found to be true when I take it with my pain pill and prescription anti-inflammatory, which is why I was able to decrease my opioid usage by a third!

J.P. - Las Vegas, NV

This next set of email testimonials are from Maggie M. in Las Vegas, NV who suffered greatly from Fibromyalgia pain and eventually depression.

Note from Grace: In addition to telling her to try Swanson's Turmeric & Bromelain, I also recommended that she use Apple Cider Vinegar to detox her body of all the toxic residue that every single prescription pill leaves behind that contributes nothing good to a person's health and wellness.

Please click this link under the self-help healing modalities page for more information.

http://www.spinaltrapb2g.com/self-help_healing_modalities/apple_cider_vinegar

I also gave her a bottle of Swanson's Holy Basil Extract for her depression and anxiety after instructing her to research it and ensure that there were no contraindications for her to take it. 

I am pleased to share the fact that like me, Jim, and others, she enjoyed such immense relief from Holy Basil ON DAY ONE that she never picked up the anti-depressant that was prescribed for her that she references below!!!

Good Morning Grace,

Answers to questions about my Fibromyalgia and Turmeric:

I have been diagnosed about 5+ years ago.

I have had chronic pain intensifying for years. Have take pain killers for years, gone through pain management/ injections.

Recently went to the doctor and she prescribed me a depressant medicine I haven’t yet picked up from the pharmacy.

Cried at the doctors office about how intense and constant & deep pain I was in. She referred me to pain management again.

Researched home remedies.

Just started Turmeric on this Thursday 23^rd. By Friday morning I already felt relief and considerably less muscle pain.

The cost was so very inexpensive in powder. Tablets were 29.98 for 150 count and I take two daily.

I think a miracle just happened as I feel my wings(arms & shoulders) have more movement then I have in years. My lower back doesn’t feel fused together allowing more agility.

I am also drinking Apple Cider Vinegar/lemon juice/honey/cinnamon and water mixture.

I am going to purchase the Holy Basil as soon as I get off work.

Thanks again.

Kindly,

Maggie

In addition to telling me that she didn't need to even pick up the anti-depressant due to the wondrous Holy Basil benefits, she replied to me:

[yes I am taking the Holy Basil 1 a Day and feeeeeel very human.]

Note from Grace:  Until you live with chronic pain or some other equally debilitating health crisis for years, you can't truly comprehend what it is like "to be alive without living"; I understood instantly what she meant about feeling human.

Due to her success with my prior recommendations, I emailed Maggie suggesting that she also consider adding a Super B complex with Vitamin C to her daily routine as well as Magnesium Malate. 

Magnesium Malate has done WONDERS for my muscle pain and knee pain!  See this link:

http://www.spinaltrapb2g.com/supplements/magnesium_malate

More from Maggie:

Thanks for this advice. I used to be so lethargic and energy depleted. Now that my chronic, chronic pain is gone, I will buy these vitamins. My doctor would die if she saw me go from crying in screeching pain to supple muscles and very low pain all due to treating it holistically.

She is suppose to order a blood panel based on nutritional measure. I haven’t slowed down for this though.

Kindly

Maggie 

I communicated with my sister in San Antonio about the Turmeric. She has gained relief also. I will thus inform her of the Holy Basil.

I will take as you have recommended.

Kindly,

Maggie

Maggie M. - Las Vegas, NV

Email about Holy Basil for anxiety/stress:

I finally bought some Holy Basil at Whole Foods, just to try it. Thanks!! It is good to use to combat stressful situations.

Note from Grace:  I can't say this enough, HOLY BASIL is a blessing!  IT WORKS ON DAY ONE!

C.D. - Pittsburgh, PA

Email for knee, hip and thigh muscle pain relief.

Dear Grace,

I am writing to express my thanks to you for your expert advice on herbal pain relief.

For the past several years, I have been living with pain in my upper left leg.  This does stem from a childhood hip disorder for which I was treated, but hadn't caused me any issues until my mid 40s.  The pain originated in or around the knee.  Sort of an arthritic pain.   Not constant, but painful after an activity, or a change in the weather, etc.  I eventually received steroid injections from a doctor. These would alleviate the pain for about a 3 maybe 4 month period.  After several rounds, maybe six total, the injections were not helping as they once did.

After a while of using only over the counter pain meds, I finally tried the Turmeric/Bromelain you kept saying that I should try.  After about a week, I noticed a REMARKABLE difference in the pain relief.   My joint pain was virtually gone!

Now with the joint pain handled, I eventually began to have thigh muscle pain as well.  I also took your recommendation to take no less than 400mg of Magnesium Malate daily.  In 2 or 3 days that pain was gone too!

Short of surgery, this herbal regimen you gave me has done wonders to help me get back to a normal life.  Thank you so much!

Jeff P
Pittsburgh, PA

Update:  Jeff decided to go ahead and have hip replacement surgery.  I told him to stay on his Turmeric & Bromelain twice a day up to the day of surgery; and if he could, take it while in the hospital as it would work well with his pain meds to make him more comfortable. 

When I talked to him the day after his surgery, if I didn't know that he was in the hospital, I never would've known that he was in the hospital! 

He sounded fantastic and had NO complaints about pain, let alone excruciating pain! 

I was speechless and if you read my website, you quickly figure out I'm not usually short on words...

Yes, I realize a successful procedure by an excellent orthopaedic surgeon contributed to that, but you will never convince me that getting his pain and inflammation under control with these supplements, a few weeks prior to his surgery, didn't help him to have an easier time. 

It just makes sense people because inflammation is controlling! 

Proof: I've done dozens and dozens of acupuncture appointments.  It was not uncommon for the doc to either not be able insert a needle, and/or, for it to pop out immediately because my inflammation was that strong.  

Jeff P. - Pittsburgh, PA

Email about a dog Turmeric/Bromelain for whom taking Glucosamine & Chondroitin was not enough.

My email advice:

If Tyler has joint issues, just put her on Swanson Turmeric and Bromelain each morning upon waking, (300mg/150mg respectively). 

Give her one every other day for 2 weeks and then drop her to Wednesdays and Sundays thereafter.  Little Buck's back legs used to fall down when he lifted them to pee; now he jumps like a track star!!!!

Also, give on an empty stomach.  I'm telling you, if she has any noticeable stiffness, you should see a huge improvement by the end of the first two weeks.  

HI Grace,
 
Tyler is doing MUCH Better on turmeric!  Running. playing more and overall feeling better….
 
Thanks so much,
Debbie

 

Debbie - Pittsburgh, PA

From a chronic pain person, my formr neighbor Patricia:

Email #1:

I am writing to let you know I have been taking all of your recommended gingko, turmeric, holy basil, lysine.

As you know and I know, being pain free is a hard state to be in after damaging nerves and other important parts.  

I do feel better and I stopped taking lots of medication.  

I can tell you that my short term memory is so much better! Before the gingko, I could hardly remember a phone number long enough to write it down, now I remember long numbers for a long time, wow, that is big.

People really need to hear what you have to say about depression because when we are inactive we feel guilty and it compounds those feelings and it's almost like we get used to it and it becomes a part of us. 

Email #2:

I loved it!!!!!!!!!! You are so good at touching all of the elements.

Patricia is referring to Spinal Trap’s “Does Your Doctor (Dis)Respect You?” page.

Respect from your dr. is every bit as critical as respect for your  dr.  Do you get mutual respect?  If you aren’t sure you should read this page and then you will know!

Email #3:

The swelling on my baby fingers that I have been getting has gone down, along with the pain in my thumbs.  A while back a doctor told me I had arthritis and I needed to wear the braces when the pain happens. Just thought this might be in all probability an additional benefit from your supplements?



Patricia is absolutely right that there are numerous benefits to reduction of multiple areas and types of pain when you take the various herbs and supplements that I do and that she now does too.

Patricia May - Katy, TX

This testimonial was given to me in person:

Holy Basil feedback:

"At a stage of being extremely stressed, I was so wound up I was having chest pains. I took my first holy basil and noticed that I was in control of my emotions and feelings the first day and that is something that my own medicine didn't do."  (I completely understood what Sally described; I have endured all of those same things before going herbal.)

Valerian Stress Mix feedback:  

"I was having problems sleeping due to stress and I took my first valerian root at 7pm and by 9:30pm I was asleep and didn't wake up till the next morning.

The exact supplements that I shared with Sally can be found on my Swanson Vitamins Review page in this link:

swanson_vitamins_review



Sally Decker - Round Rock, TX

Hi Grace,

I'm almost afraid to say I'm improving, cuz everytime I say it, I flare up lately. Anyway, I'm making progress. I take all my supplements throughout the day. I know that it could be so much worse without keeping the inflammation down. Turmeric and bromelain is a great combo.  (Taken for cervical spine pain.)

Note from Grace:  Sara's natural pain management victory pleased me extra much because she is a doctor! 

Every doctor could benefit themselves and their patients by learning about these safe, common, effective herbs, and bromelain, (a proteolytic enzyme) to recommend to their patients as indicated. 

Especially these days when so many doctors practice paranoia vs. prudent prescribing because they are terrified of drug addicts! 

I understand the concern of writing opiods are valid; however, I will NEVER understand denying a patient a necessary opioid if they have no prior history of drug abuse and give off no signs of a being an addict or a liar, especially when their urine screens support all that they report.  

Doctors pride themselves on being logic-based, where is there ANY logic in denying a patient an essential precription in the case I just described?  It's indefensible to let someone suffer.  

PRACTICE MEDICINE NOT PARANOIA PEOPLE! 

Some chronic pain patients kill themselves due to not being able to manage their pain!  How are those deaths any better???  Dead is dead.  If I were a prescribing doctor and a patient accidentally died due to opioid side effects, that would break my heart; but if they killed themselves due to me denying them reasonable pain management prescriptions?  That would haunt me for life.   

Being a fair person permit me to say it is also INDEFENSIBLE to abuse your prescription drugs! 

I am now 17 years into living with chronic pain and I have never once had trouble getting my opioids refilled due to abuse because I've never once been suspected of it or accused of it, because I have never abused any of my opioids, Xanax, etc. 

And any dr. who uses their God-given brains can easily determine that by looking at me and listening to what I say.  I talk way too much to be an effective liar!

I've also never once had urine tests conflict with what I report. 

I've also never once in my entire life tried any illegal drugs, including marijuana. 

If you are a young person and have not tried illegal drugs or abused prescription drugs, GOOD FOR YOU AND NEVER DO! 

Life is hard enough without making yourself a dumbed down moron through drug abuse!  

Thanks for the help!  Sara - Austin, TX