http://www.natureswisdomwellness.com/, https://linktr.ee/naturalcarol

Nature's Wisdom Wellness Center Inc, 85 A Beach Street, Westerly, RI (2026)

09/04/2026

🥗 EATING HEALTHY… BUT STILL BLOATED?

You eat salads, vegetables and whole foods—so why are you still bloated?

Sometimes it isn’t that you’re eating unhealthy foods. It may be what you’re eating and how well you’re digesting it.

🥬 FIBER + CELLULASE
Salads and vegetables contain lots of fiber, including cellulose. Here’s something interesting: humans don’t make the digestive enzyme cellulase.

Instead, some plant fiber reaches our gut bacteria, where fermentation can create gas and bloating.

🌿 MY FAVORITE TIP: Try a broad-spectrum digestive enzyme containing cellulase with high-fiber meals. It may help break down some plant material and make those healthy vegetables easier to tolerate.

🥛 COULD IT BE DAIRY?
Not producing enough lactase can leave lactose undigested, leading to fermentation, gas and bloating.

And sometimes the issue isn’t lactose. Some people simply don’t tolerate certain dairy products or milk proteins well.

🌸 HORMONES
Notice bloating at certain times of the month?

Hormonal changes can affect fluid retention, constipation and intestinal movement.

Evening primrose oil, a source of GLA, is sometimes used for PMS symptoms. Research is mixed, but some women find it helpful as part of their hormonal support routine.

💨 DON’T FORGET OTHER CAUSES
Constipation, SIBO, IBS, food intolerances, sugar alcohols, carbonated drinks, eating too quickly and changes in your gut microbiome can all contribute.

Sometimes the answer isn’t simply:

“What am I eating?”

It’s also:

“How well am I DIGESTING what I’m eating?” 🌿

Persistent or worsening bloating—especially with significant pain, vomiting, unexplained weight loss, blood in the stool or major bowel changes—should be medically evaluated.

Natural Carol 🌿

09/04/2026

💊 KLONOPIN CAN QUIET PANIC FAST… BUT WHAT ELSE CAN CHANGE?

Klonopin (clonazepam) is a benzodiazepine often prescribed for panic disorder and seizure disorders.

It can work quickly—but with regular use, your body can adapt to it.

Here are a few things worth knowing:

😴 DROWSINESS & FATIGUE
Klonopin can make you sleepy, sluggish or less alert.

🧠 MEMORY & THINKING
Some people notice slower thinking, trouble concentrating or memory changes.

😵 BALANCE & COORDINATION
Dizziness and impaired coordination can increase fall risk, especially in older adults.

⚠️ TOLERANCE CAN DEVELOP
Over time, some people may feel like the same dose doesn’t work as well as it once did.

🔄 PHYSICAL DEPENDENCE CAN HAPPEN
Your body can become physically dependent on clonazepam even when it is taken exactly as prescribed.

That does not automatically mean addiction—but it does mean your body may react if the medication is stopped too quickly.

🚨 WITHDRAWAL CAN BE SERIOUS
Abruptly stopping Klonopin after regular use can cause anxiety, insomnia, agitation, tremor, sweating and other symptoms.

In more severe cases, withdrawal can cause seizures, which is why benzodiazepines should generally be tapered under medical supervision.

🍷 ALCOHOL & OPIOIDS ARE A DANGEROUS MIX
Combining Klonopin with alcohol, opioids or other sedating medications can dangerously slow breathing and increase overdose risk.

💚 THE TAKEAWAY

Klonopin can be very helpful for panic and anxiety—but if you take it regularly, it’s important to understand tolerance, dependence and withdrawal.

If you feel like you need more than you used to, feel overly sedated, notice memory changes, or want to stop taking it, talk with your healthcare provider first.

Never stop Klonopin abruptly after regular use.

Sometimes the medication that calms the nervous system can also change how that nervous system functions when your body gets used to it.

🌿 Natural Carol

09/04/2026

🌿 THE REMARKABLE STORY OF ESSIAC — PART 3

FOUR HERBS BECAME EIGHT… BUT WHY?

René Caisse’s Essiac became known as a four-herb formula.

Then came her collaboration with Dr. Charles Brusch.

According to the National Cancer Institute’s historical account, their work eventually led to the development of the eight-herb formula now marketed as Flor•Essence.

Interestingly, the NCI refers to the four additional plants as “potentiating herbs.”

So what is actually in these formulas—and what makes these herbs interesting?

🌿 THE ORIGINAL FOUR

BURDOCK ROOT
Traditionally used as a digestive and elimination herb. Burdock also contains flavonoids and polyphenols that have demonstrated antioxidant activity in laboratory research.

SHEEP SORREL
Traditionally used in herbal medicine for digestion and elimination. It contains anthraquinones including emodin and aloe-emodin, as well as phytoestrogens. Laboratory research on these compounds is interesting but complex—their effects are not always beneficial.

SLIPPERY ELM BARK
One of my favorite soothing herbs. Its mucilage forms a slippery, soothing substance when mixed with water, which is why herbalists have traditionally used it for irritated digestive tissues. It also contains antioxidant compounds.

INDIAN/TURKEY RHUBARB ROOT
Traditionally used to encourage bowel elimination. It contains compounds including emodin and aloe-emodin that have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic effects in laboratory research.

Then four more herbs enter the story…

🌿 THE ADDITIONAL FOUR

WATERCRESS
A nutrient-rich cruciferous plant containing PEITC, a compound researchers have studied for its effects on abnormal cells in laboratory experiments.

BLESSED THISTLE
Traditionally used to support digestion. It contains cnicin and other plant compounds that have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and other interesting biological activity in laboratory research.

RED CLOVER
Contains isoflavones and other phytoestrogens, including genistein. Researchers have studied these compounds extensively, although their effects can vary depending on circumstances and dose.

KELP
A mineral-rich sea vegetable and natural source of iodine. Extracts from kelp have also demonstrated immune-related activity in laboratory research.

So the eight-herb formula wasn’t simply “more herbs.”

It brought together plants traditionally associated with digestion, elimination, soothing tissues and nutritional support, along with numerous plant compounds that scientists continue to investigate.

But here’s the important distinction:

Finding an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory or anticancer effect from a plant compound in a laboratory does not mean drinking the herbal formula has been proven to treat cancer in people.

The NCI reports that the Caisse-Brusch collaboration included clinical and laboratory investigation, but those results were not published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. And no human clinical-study results for Flor•Essence have been reported.

That doesn’t erase the remarkable history.

It simply separates the historical story and laboratory science from what has actually been clinically proven.

And there’s still another fascinating question:

Was the eight-herb formula really René Caisse’s formula—or was her true Essiac always the original four?

Nearly a century later, people are STILL debating that.

🌿 The Essiac story isn’t over yet.

— Natural Carol 🌿

09/04/2026

🌿 OLD-FASHIONED REMEDIES: LINEN SHEETS

There was a time when linen was one of the prized fabrics of the bed.

Before polyester, microfiber and synthetic blends, linen—made from the flax plant—was used throughout Europe for sheets, clothing and household textiles. Historical records show that linen was especially valued because it was durable enough to withstand the demanding washing methods of the time. In fact, linen remained a common material for household textiles well into the 1800s. (Taylor & Francis Online⁠)

And there may be more to linen than nostalgia.

🌿 IT HELPS MANAGE HEAT AND MOISTURE

Linen fibers readily absorb moisture and conduct heat, two properties that can make linen feel cool and comfortable against the skin. Historically, those qualities helped make linen useful in warm climates and for clothing worn close to the body. (Victoria and Albert Museum⁠)

That matters during sleep because body temperature and thermal comfort are closely tied to sleep quality.

And here’s where it gets really interesting.

🔬 A 2024 systematic review examining different bedding and sleepwear fibers found that linen bedsheets improved sleep quality under warm conditions in young adults in the study that tested them.

The researchers cautioned that only a small number of studies have directly compared bedding fibers, so we can’t say linen is a treatment for poor sleep—but the findings suggest that what we sleep on really can influence thermal comfort and sleep. (PubMed Central (PMC)⁠)

🌿 IT BREATHES

Unlike a tightly constructed synthetic fabric that can sometimes trap heat and moisture, linen is generally quite air-permeable.

That combination of airflow + moisture handling may be one reason so many people describe linen as feeling cooler and less clammy during the night.

And modern sleep research increasingly recognizes that being too warm can interfere with comfortable sleep. (PubMed⁠)

🌿 IT IS INCREDIBLY DURABLE

This was a BIG deal historically.

Sheets had to survive repeated washing, scrubbing, drying and reuse.

Linen fibers are strong, and old household records show that linen was chosen partly because it could tolerate the harsh laundering methods used before modern washing machines and detergents. (Taylor & Francis Online⁠)

That also helps explain why linen became such an important hospital and household textile.

Historical literature even describes the traditional sick bed as involving linen sheets and wool blankets. (PubMed⁠)

🌿 WHAT ABOUT THE CLAIM THAT LINEN IS ANTIBACTERIAL?

You’ll see this everywhere online.

But this is where I want to be careful.

A 2025 laboratory study specifically tested untreated linen fabrics and found no inherent antibacterial effect. Bacteria could still attach to the fabric and form biofilms.

So while linen may handle moisture and airflow well, I would NOT tell you that linen sheets somehow kill germs simply because they’re linen. (ScienceDirect⁠)

I actually think knowing the difference between what’s proven and what’s simply repeated online makes these old remedies even more interesting.

🌿 AND ONE MORE INTERESTING HISTORICAL CONNECTION…

Linen and wool are both mentioned many times in the Bible.

There is even an Old Testament instruction not to wear cloth woven of wool and linen together (Deuteronomy 22:11; see also Leviticus 19:19).

I wouldn’t turn that into a modern medical claim—the Bible doesn’t tell us that mixed fabrics are unhealthy—but it is fascinating that these two natural fibers were important enough in ancient life to be specifically discussed.

Maybe our ancestors paid much more attention to the materials touching their bodies than we do today.

And considering that we spend roughly a third of our lives in bed…

perhaps what our sheets are made from deserves a little more thought.

— Natural Carol 🌿

09/03/2026

🌿 OLD-FASHIONED REMEDIES: WHEN HOSPITALS OPENED THEIR WINDOWS

There was a time when fresh air wasn’t just considered pleasant.

It was considered part of care.

Before air conditioning, sealed buildings and modern antibiotics, hospitals and sanitariums—especially during the tuberculosis era—often relied on open windows, outdoor porches, sunshine, rest and nourishing food as part of recovery.

Patients were sometimes placed near open windows for hours.

Some were even wheeled outside in their beds.

The belief was simple:

🌿 Fresh air mattered
☀️ Sunlight mattered
😴 Rest mattered
🥣 Good food mattered
🌲 Nature mattered

Did open windows “cure” disease?

No—not in the way modern medicine would define treatment.

But this old practice reminds us of something important:

Our environment affects our health.

Ventilation still matters. Fresh air still matters. Time outdoors still matters.

And while modern medicine has given us tools people in those days did not have, some of the simple things they valued—light, air, movement, rest and nature—may have been worth more than we often give them credit for.

Sometimes old-fashioned remedies weren’t really about a “remedy” at all.

Sometimes they were about creating the conditions in which the body could heal.

🌿 What simple old-time health practice do you think we’ve forgotten?

— Natural Carol 🌿

09/03/2026

🦷 GUM DISEASE: IS IT REALLY JUST ABOUT YOUR TEETH?

Bleeding when you brush? Puffy or receding gums? Bad breath that keeps coming back?

Your mouth may be telling you something.

Gum disease involves bacteria, inflammation and the immune system—and research has found associations between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other inflammatory health concerns.

Your mouth is part of your whole body. 🌿

So along with good dental care, here are some natural ways to support healthier gums:

🥥 COCONUT OIL PULLING
Swishing coconut oil around your mouth may help reduce plaque and certain oral bacteria. It doesn’t replace brushing, flossing or needed periodontal care, but it can be a useful addition.

🍊 VITAMIN C
Your gums need vitamin C to make collagen and maintain healthy connective tissue. Low vitamin C can contribute to swollen or bleeding gums.

❤️ CoQ10 / UBIQUINOL
CoQ10 is an important antioxidant involved in cellular energy production. It has also been studied for periodontal health. Small studies suggest it may provide additional gum support when used along with conventional periodontal care.

🪥 LOOK AT YOUR TOOTHPASTE
Some people choose to avoid fluoride, while others may be sensitive to artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, foaming agents or other fillers and additives.

Want something really simple?

You can make your own toothpaste using:

🥥 Coconut oil
🥄 Baking soda
🧂 A small amount of finely ground sea salt

Brush gently—baking soda and salt can be abrasive, especially if you already have exposed roots or sensitive teeth. Or just use coconut oil.

🧴 THINK ABOUT YOUR MOUTHWASH, TOO

Your mouth has its own microbiome, and not every bacterium in your mouth is bad.

Certain oral bacteria help convert dietary nitrate into nitrite—an important step in your body’s production of nitric oxide, which helps blood vessels relax and supports healthy circulation.

Research suggests that frequent use of some strong antiseptic mouthwashes can disrupt these nitrate-reducing bacteria. Some studies have even found small increases in blood pressure after this pathway was disrupted.

Alcohol-containing mouthwash can also be drying or irritating for some people, especially those who already struggle with dry mouth.

The goal shouldn’t necessarily be to sterilize your mouth.

It should be to support a healthy oral environment while keeping harmful bacteria under control.

🌿 And don’t forget the basics: floss or clean between your teeth, eat a nutrient-rich diet, avoid smoking and have regular dental cleanings.

Persistent bleeding, significant recession, loose teeth, swelling or pus shouldn’t be ignored. Natural approaches can support oral health, but established periodontal disease may require professional treatment.

Your mouth isn’t separate from the rest of your body. Healthy gums are part of whole-body health. 🌿

Natural Carol

09/03/2026

🗣️ CAN UNSPOKEN EMOTIONS SHOW UP IN YOUR THROAT?

Many traditional healing systems have long connected the throat with communication, expression and emotions we hold back.

And modern physiology gives us another interesting piece of the puzzle.

Stress, anxiety and emotional tension can contribute to:

• A “lump in the throat” feeling, called globus
• Throat tightness
• Muscle tension in the neck and jaw
• Voice changes or hoarseness
• Difficulty swallowing sensations
• Reflux symptoms that irritate the throat

Think about what happens when you’re trying not to cry or when you want to say something but hold it back.

Your throat can actually tighten.

This does NOT mean emotions cause thyroid disease or every throat problem. Persistent symptoms should always be properly evaluated.

But it does remind us:

Emotions aren’t only experienced in the mind. The nervous system can express them throughout the body.

Sometimes it’s worth asking:

What am I holding back that I really need to say?

🌿 Natural Carol

09/03/2026

🌿 THE REMARKABLE STORY OF ESSIAC — PART 2

Then a doctor decided to investigate it.

By the late 1950s, René Caisse had spent decades working with the herbal preparation she called Essiac.

But in 1959, the story took a fascinating turn.

René began working with Dr. Charles A. Brusch, an American physician in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

And this wasn’t simply a doctor hearing about an herbal remedy.

According to historical documents reproduced in The Essiac Report, René worked at the Brusch Medical Center, where Essiac was investigated with cancer patients and laboratory mice.

Brusch later described physicians on his staff supervising the work and wrote about observations that included:

🌿 Reduced pain
🌿 Weight gain and improved general condition
🌿 Changes in tumor growth

The early investigators reportedly concluded that Essiac had “merit” in the treatment of cancer.

But the story didn’t end there.

Years later, Dr. Brusch made even stronger statements about Essiac and remained a supporter of René Caisse’s work.

He even reported using Essiac himself after developing cancer.

The Caisse-Brusch work was not published as the type of randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial we would require today to establish that a treatment cures cancer.

But the original documents are still an important part of the Essiac story.

And I actually own a copy of The Essiac Report, which contains reproductions of letters, reports and other documents connected to René Caisse and Dr. Brusch.

Next comes another fascinating part of the story:

What exactly was in René’s formula—and how did we eventually end up with both ESSIAC and FLOR•ESSENCE?

🌿 PART 3: ESSIAC vs. FLOR•ESSENCE — are they really the same tea?

— Natural Carol 🌿

09/03/2026

💊 TAKING ZOLOFT EVERY DAY? SOME SIDE EFFECTS AREN’T ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT.

Feeling different since starting Zoloft?

It may not be your imagination.

Zoloft (sertraline) is an SSRI commonly prescribed for depression, anxiety, panic disorder, OCD and PTSD. It can be very helpful for some people—but it can also affect more than mood.

Here are a few things worth knowing:

😴 SLEEP & ENERGY
Some people feel more tired or sleepy, while others experience insomnia, restlessness or vivid dreams.

❤️ SEXUAL SIDE EFFECTS
The more common s*xual effects include decreased libido, difficulty reaching or**sm, delayed ej*******on, erectile problems or reduced ge***al sensation.

But s*xual side effects don’t always go in the same direction.

More unusual reactions have also been reported, including increased libido or hypers*xuality, changes in ge***al sensation, persistent ge***al arousal, and in rare cases, s*xual symptoms that continue after stopping an SSRI.

If someone suddenly develops a dramatically increased s*x drive along with agitation, impulsivity, decreased need for sleep or unusually elevated mood, it’s important to let a healthcare provider know because those can also be signs of medication-related activation or hypomania/mania.

💦 SWEATING
Increased sweating and night sweats can occur.

🤢 DIGESTIVE CHANGES
Nausea, diarrhea, stomach upset, indigestion and appetite changes are common, especially when first starting treatment.

🧠 EMOTIONAL CHANGES
Some people describe feeling emotionally “blunted” or less able to feel highs and lows.

😵 DIZZINESS, HEADACHES & TREMOR
Dizziness, headaches, shakiness or tremor can occur.

⚖️ WEIGHT & APPETITE
Some people notice changes in appetite or weight over time.

🧂 LOW SODIUM
SSRIs can occasionally lower sodium, especially in older adults and people taking diuretics. Symptoms can include headache, weakness, confusion, unsteadiness and, when severe, seizures.

🩸 BLEEDING RISK
Sertraline can increase bleeding tendency, particularly when combined with aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen or blood thinners.

❤️ HEART RHYTHM
Sertraline has a relatively low risk of affecting heart rhythm, but QT prolongation can occur in susceptible people, especially with certain medication combinations or electrolyte problems.

⚠️ SEROTONIN SYNDROME
Rarely, too much serotonin can become dangerous—especially when Zoloft is combined with other serotonin-raising medications or supplements. Symptoms may include agitation, sweating, fever, diarrhea, tremor, muscle rigidity or rapid heartbeat.

⚠️ MOOD CHANGES WHEN STARTING OR CHANGING DOSES
Antidepressants carry a warning about increased suicidal thoughts or behavior in some children, adolescents and young adults, particularly early in treatment or after dose changes. New or worsening agitation, impulsivity, severe mood changes or suicidal thoughts should be taken seriously.

⚠️ DON’T STOP SUDDENLY

After regular use, abruptly stopping sertraline can cause discontinuation symptoms such as dizziness, irritability, anxiety, sleep problems, nausea, headache, sweating and unusual “electric shock” sensations.

If Zoloft needs to be discontinued, it is generally tapered with medical guidance.

💚 THE TAKEAWAY

If you notice new changes in your sleep, energy, digestion, s*x drive, s*xual function, sweating, weight, mood or balance after starting Zoloft, pay attention to the timing.

Sometimes a symptom that seems unrelated may actually be connected to a medication you take every day.

And never stop Zoloft abruptly without discussing it with your prescriber.

🌿 Natural Carol

09/03/2026

🌿 THE TRUTH ABOUT SEED OILS — PART 2

🚨 WHAT IF I TOLD YOU RESEARCHERS CAN ACTUALLY SEE HOW MUCH THE AMERICAN DIET HAS CHANGED… BY LOOKING AT OUR BODY FAT?

And what they found was pretty remarkable.

Researchers reviewed 37 studies that measured linoleic acid in the body fat of Americans between 1959 and 2008.

The result?

🔬 Linoleic acid increased from approximately 9.1% to 21.5% of the fatty acids stored in adipose tissue.

That’s a 136% increase.

And that increase closely followed the dramatic rise of linoleic acid in the American food supply.

Why is this so interesting?

Linoleic acid—the predominant omega-6 fat in many seed oils—can become incorporated into our cell membranes and stored body fat.

And it doesn’t turn over overnight.

Research suggests linoleic acid in adipose tissue has a very slow turnover, measured on the scale of many months to years.

That doesn’t mean one french fry stays inside you for two years. 😂

It means something much more interesting:

The types of fats we repeatedly eat can actually change the fatty-acid composition of the fat stored in our bodies.

Think about that.

Over several generations, we didn’t simply change what was sitting in our frying pans.

We changed the fatty-acid composition researchers could measure in human tissue.

And a 136% change is something I think deserves a much closer look.

Because next we need to understand what this fat actually is, why our bodies need some of it, and why scientists are still debating what happens when our exposure becomes dramatically higher than it once was.

Stay tuned for
🌻 PART 3: What exactly ARE seed oils—and why is linoleic acid at the center of the controversy?

— Natural Carol 🌿

Nature's Wisdom Wellness Center Inc

09/04/2026

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