Plant Medicine

Uric Acid and Foot Health

About Uric Acid and Your Body

Uric acid is a natural byproduct of your body’s natural functions. Sometimes, levels of this substance can get too high and lead to joint pain, gout, and other painful conditions.

What Is Uric Acid?

Uric acid is a waste product. Your body makes it by breaking down purines, substances found in the body, and specific foods. When your body breaks down the purine, it creates waste products called uric acid crystals.

There are two reasons for gout. Gout occurs by underexcretion of uric acid or overproduction of uric acid. If your body can’t eliminate the crystals, they build up in joints.

Several conditions can cause this buildup:

Foods high in purine
Excessive alcohol
Overweight
Diabetes
Kidney disease
High blood pressure.

How Uric Acid Affects Foot Health

Gout is one of the most painful foot conditions. When uric acid crystals form around the foot’s joints, they cause swelling, stiffness, and intense pain. The most common joint is the big toe joint. Pain is usually so fierce walking or bending the joint is limited.

Gout is sometimes known as the “rich man’s disease” because it’s associated with a diet high in meat and alcohol. Symptoms, The most common presentation of gout in the foot is a joint that will be red hot and swollen. The pain is often so intense it even hurts if a sheet touches it.

Gout can mimic an infection, so if you think you have it go to your Podiatrist and get checked out.

How to Keep Uric Acid Levels Low

Diet is one of the best ways to control uric acid levels in your body. If you’re prone to gout or want to avoid it, the simplest and most effective approach is to change your diet. Stay away from high-purine foods, and eat more plant-based, nutrient-rich foods.

Foods to avoid:

Red meat, including beef, pork, lamb, and game meat
Organ meat
Gravy made with organ meat
Alcohol • High-purine seafood, including shrimp, sardines, and lobster

Foods to eat:

Whole grains
Low-fat dairy products
Eggs
Fruit
Vegetables
Tofu

Natural Solutions for Uric Acid Buildup

In her book “Natural Solutions for Common Foot Problems,” Dr. Dawn Olsen Figlo shows how supplements can enhance the effects of your diet to help your kidneys work better and promote overall health. Here are some worth trying.

Vitamin C: There is promising research about the role of vitamin C in reducing uric acid buildup. If you are prone to gout, consider taking vitamin C supplements or increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamin C.
Cherries: Sweet, delicious cherries help lower uric acid levels. You can eat them plain, make juice from them, or add them to your baked goods.
Herbs and spices: Some plants that help balance uric acid levels are ginger, turmeric, dandelion, hibiscus, and milk thistle.

Keep Gout Away with a Holistic Approach

While medication may be necessary to manage painful, recurrent gout attacks, you can protect your feet with an integrated approach. Improve your diet, use plant-based supplements, and see a podiatrist for ongoing treatment. Download Dr. Dawn’s book for more tips on caring holistically

Why Is Epsom Salt Good for Your Feet?

About Epsom Salt and Your Feet

Also known as magnesium sulfate, Epsom salt has many therapeutic benefits. You can

add it to a warm bath to:

Relieve stress
Reduce muscle aches
Invigorate tired feet
Reduce inflammation
Soften skin

What Is Epsom Salt?

Epsom salt is a mix of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen. Magnesium is a soft mineral in

many hot springs and limestone caves. Despite its name, it is not a salt, but it does

have a similar crystalline appearance to table salt.

A History of Epsom Salts

Like many natural remedies, Epsom salt has been used for centuries. In 1618, a farmer

in Epsom, a small town near London, England, discovered a pool of salty water on his

property. He also noticed that wounds on his animals seemed to heal faster when they

bathed in this pool.

After experimenting with different ways to use this discovery, the farmer began selling

evaporated salt from the pool as a health and beauty aid. In a few years, Epsom

became a popular destination for people looking for natural ways to heal their illnesses

by bathing in hot, salty water.

In 1695, a chemist named Nehemiah Grew developed a brew made from the salts that

he sold it as a body detoxifier and cleanser.

Today, Epsom salt comes from all over the world. It is mined from dolomite rocks that

are in many mountain regions.

Foot Benefits of Epsom Salt

In her book “Natural Solutions to Common Foot Problems,” Dr. Dawn notes that its

specific compounds are natural, proven healers. For instance, magnesium helps our

bodies produce more serotonin, which is the hormone that regulates our moods and

makes us feel happy.

Taking a warm bath with Epsom salts allows the healing

properties of magnesium to enter our pores and create a tranquil, serene mood.

Sulfur has a long history as a natural antibacterial. It can heal acne, gently exfoliate the

skin, and reduce redness and irritation.

Enhance the Goodness with Essential Oils

These beneficial compounds make Epsom salt ideal for soothing several foot

conditions. Try an Epsom salt bath if you have arthritis, tendonitis, gout, or joint pain,

ingrown toenails and bunion, and hammertoe pain. The best part is it feels great, it’s an

emotional “time out” and it’s reasonably priced.

We recommend adding a few drops of essential oils to your Epsom salt bath to enhance

the benefits. Try adding pure therapeutic grade essential oil for a powerfully healing

bath.

Pair these Essential oils with Epsom Salt for added benefits:

Lavender – relaxing and soothing (emotional benefits and skin benefits)

Peppermint – energizing and soothes sore muscles (increases blood flow)

Tea Tree – antibacterial and antifungal (excellent for athletes foot infections and toenail

fungus)

Are There Any Side Effects?

Epsom salt is safe for most people to use. However, you should avoid using it if you

have open wounds, skin infections, or severe burns.

Heal Your Feet the Natural Way

At The Organic Foot, we support a holistic approach to good foot health that

incorporates natural remedies and essential oils. In Dr. Dawn’s book, “Natural Solutions

to Common Foot Problems,” you’ll find more ways to keep your feet healthy and happy.

5 Reasons to Treat Toenail Fungus with Essential Oils

Five reasons to treat toenail fungus with essential oils

Treat Toenail Fungus with Essential Oils

Natural: Essential oils are aromatic compounds from plants. They are plant protectors extracted through cold press and steam distillation. Their properties guard against infectious invaders and insects. They are not seen as foreign to us and are absorbed quickly into our cells without needing to attach to a receptor. This bioavailability means fast action! Pure therapeutic grade essential oils can be used topically, aromatically, and internally.
Safety: Antifungal medications have side effects. Some are more significant than others. One of the most powerful benefits of using essential oils is how safe they have proven to be. When used correctly, essential oils are a great way to treat toenail fungus and support our health in many ways. They are 50-70 times more potent than herbs, so less is more when using them. One to two drops topically is all you need, and a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil should be used.
Antifungal properties: Some of the most effective are Tea Tree, Oregano, Arborvitae, Cinnamon, and Cedarwood. Diluting these oils with a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil is essential. Apply these oils topically – combine two to a roller ball bottle or start with one. Soaking your feet with Epsom salt and tea tree is beneficial and feels terrific.
Cost-effective: The cost of one drop of essential oil is minimal. You are way ahead of the game compared to a synthetic drug counterpart. Be forewarned if your essential oil is low cost; it is probably not pure, will not yield the desired effects, and can be harmful. They should be free of pesticides, herbicides, GMOs, and contaminants.
Additional health benefits: Whatever essential oil you choose, you will receive the many health benefits that the plant provides—for instance, Cinnamon is an antioxidant and helps regulate blood sugar. Lavender is great for skin rashes but also very calming. Essential oils have multiple chemical constituents, each delivering its benefits.

*TIPs: File the top of the toenail down for better penetration of the oil and be sure to treat your shoes as well!

The Power of Plant-Based Medicine

Plant-Based Medicine

Herbal and plant-based medicines have a long history. Plants are still the primary form of medicine in Indian, Asian, and some European cultures.

Science has recently discovered that these traditional Ayurvedic medicines have clinically proven benefits. Nature’s bounty is truly unique, and your backyard may be filled with plants that fight disease and strengthen your immunity.

Focus on Wellness

Herbal remedies do more than address symptoms. They help your body heal holistically. Most medicine focuses on curing the apparent symptoms of illness that come with many side effects. Plant-based medicine focuses on creating total health.

When your body is strong, it can resist diseases and reduce signs of aging.

We believe in total wellness as the start of a long, healthy life. Your feet don’t have to suffer from aches, pains, or deformities like bunions. A holistic approach to foot care means feet that are supple, strong, and able to move freely through your life, creating the structural foundation that keeps us active.

Plants Are Potent

Some people believe that plant-based remedies are less effective than other medicinal approaches, but nothing could be further from the truth. As clinical trials have shown, their effectiveness is just as potent as synthetic pharmaceuticals minus the side effects.

Whether you are treating depression, anxiety, chronic inflammation, arthritis, or foot problems, a plant-based approach will work for you. Best of all, it will enhance your immunity and strengthen your whole body.

Use Plants in Many Ways

The best part about plant-based health is how easy it is to incorporate it into your everyday life. Some herbs and plants can be eaten or made into a healthful, delicious drink. These include mints, lemon balm, dandelion leaves, lavender, and basil.

You can also use the compounds from healing plants in powders, oils, tinctures, and compresses that you apply to your skin. Absorption through the skin is one of the quickest ways to get the benefits of herbal treatment.

Researchers have identified thousands of healing compounds in medicinal plants. The teachings of ancient Chinese, Indian, African, and other ancient therapeutic cultures have shown that these compounds work as well as chemical medicines without the dangerous side effects.

Essential Oils

At the Organic Foot, we stress holistic care involving all our sensory and emotional pathways. Essential oils are an effortless way to activate your senses. They provide powerful healing through aromatherapy, topical application, and internal use.

Because of its direct pathway to the limbic system in the brain, aromatherapy is a proven way to lift spirits, calm your mind, and improve your focus.

We apply essential oils to the sole for the best results. The healing properties of the oils enter the skin quickly. They are not seen as foreign and slide directly through membranes. They provide a gentle way to enhance foot health. We can help you choose essential oils that counter the effects of illness, medicine, and environmental toxins.

Learn More at the Organic Foot

At the Organic Foot, we make plant-based medicine one of our five pillars of good foot health. We focus on a whole-body approach to your feet when you work with us. If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of organic foot care, read “Natural Solutions to Common Foot Problems “ by Dr. Dawn Olsen Figlo.

Five Pillars of Foot Health Create Overall Wellbeing

The Organic Foot – Five Pillars

The foot is a conduit of overall wellbeing. Focus on the foot in these areas improves foot health, reduces pain, and positively impacts us from toe to head. Here is a closer look.

1. Strengthening

Strengthening your feet reduces pain and improves your balance and flexibility. It also reduces your chance of foot pathologies such as bunions and hammertoes. There are 29 muscles in the human foot. Strengthening them supports proper alignment creating a solid foundation. If you’re a runner, walker, or athlete, you’ll get enhanced speed and performance from strong feet. There are several ways to make your foot muscles stronger. Some of them only take a few minutes a day.

Walking Barefoot: When walking barefoot, you’re allowing the foot to move in all three planes of motion and engage all of its musculatures. Walking in the sand is a great workout.
Heel and toe raise: Try them with the feet parallel, with heels touching and toes apart and with toes together. Hold onto a piece of furniture if necessary.
Resistance bands: Use resistance bands to exercise your feet. Place each foot on the resistance band with some tension from a seated position on the floor—point and flex and repeat.

2. Alignment

Most foot problems arise from improper foot alignment—the arch height decreases when this happens. The foot begins to compensate, and the joints take the toll—especially the great toe joint. Bunions, hammertoes, neuromas, and plantar fasciitis can result from this. Knee hip and back problems can also occur as a result of malalignment. Stress is reduced in our knees, hips, and back when our foundation is aligned. Foot alignment is essential at any time, but it’s vital when you’re walking or exercising. At the Organic Foot, we focus on the alignment of the feet.

Two ways to improve your alignment

Strengthening the foot (see above)
Custom insoles (orthotics). A mold is taken of the foot while held in proper alignment. A custom insole is made from the mold to fit your shoes of choice, making every pair custom!

3. Earthing

We spend most of our lives disconnected from the earth’s surface. Earthing, also known as grounding, is the practice of connecting physically with the earth’s electrons through walking barefoot outside, spending time outdoors, working with dirt, and otherwise reclaiming that connection. These electrons dispel free radicals reducing inflammation. A 2012 research study concluded that earthing had potential as a global modality of significant clinical importance.

There are many ways to make this connection, and there are numerous benefits. They include improved sleep, lower inflammation, faster healing, and increased energy levels. The use of earthing/grounding products makes it possible to achieve results from the comfort of your home.

4. Plant Medicine

Let the old become new again! FYI most of our synthetic medications come from compounds in plants. Turning to a safer way to address non-emergent health issues should be our first line of defense. Essential oils are oils extracted from plants. They are the plant’s defense against viruses, bacteria, and fungus and have vital properties to sustain plants’ vitality. When used safely and correctly on us, they can provide many health benefits, locally and systemically (throughout the body). They are beneficial in treating many foot problems, including plantar fasciitis, athlete’s foot infection, and plantar warts. The application of essential oils to the bottom of the feet can enhance overall wellbeing. Combining reflexology and essential oils can maximize the benefits of both.

5. Reflexology

Reflexology is a therapeutic massage that involves placing pressure on specific reflex points corresponding to organs and other body parts. Foot reflexology promotes overall health by reducing stress, enhancing relaxation, and reducing pain in many chronic conditions. Reflexology also incorporates working with energy zones and stimulates the nervous system. This treatment is sure to have you running back for more!

At The Organic Foot, we focus on the foundation of good health. Strong, healthy feet will carry you for a lifetime, and we want to make that possible. Contact us today to get started.

Reference:

Journal of Environmental Medicine: Earthing: Health Implications of Reconnecting the Human Body to the Earth’s Surface Electrons.