Big Pharma's greed for profits, not lack of funding, delaying Ebola treatment development

Big Pharma's greed for profits, not lack of funding, delaying Ebola treatment development

At the heart of the Ebola crisis -- in which nearly 5,000 people have already died in West Africa -- is one word that frequently appears in the media: funding. ⁽¹⁾ Without enough funding, research and development regarding treatment plans don't come easy. Without enough funding, food and other resources can't get to the ill in a timely manner.

Sure, there are experimental Ebola vaccines being tested, but lack of funding is the major issue that's putting the world at a standstill, while the sick become sicker as they wait for the powers that be to come up with proper financial resources.

Well, at least that's what Big Pharma wants people to believe.

Head of WHO comes down hard on Big Pharma greed

It turns out that funding is not necessarily what is delaying the development of Ebola treatments after all.

Rather, it's Big Pharma greed, and Dr. Margaret Chan, the director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), has no qualms about saying that money-hungry drug companies are responsible for the slow-moving Ebola treatment efforts. ⁽¹⁾ "A profit-driven industry does not invest in products for markets that cannot pay," she said during a recent conference in West Africa. "WHO has been trying to make this issue visible for ages. Now people can see for themselves." ⁽²⁾

Her comment speaks to the fact that Ebola didn't just start appearing on the radar screen over the past year or so. In fact, it's been around since 1976, when it was discovered in Zaire (now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo). However, Chan explains that, because the disease was confined to impoverished areas in Africa, the development of a vaccine was basically considered to be moot. ⁽²⁾ Now that it's become more widespread (translation: affecting those who reside and work in cities that aren't poor), there is an incentive to take the disease more seriously.

No time for complacency or playing a numbers game

Chan's comment also comes on the heels of yet another physician who died in Sierra Leone, the fifth local doctor there to succumb to Ebola. That death reinforces the mounting severity of the disease, cases of which WHO estimates are significantly higher than what's being reported; in Liberia, for example, WHO estimates that the actual number of Ebola cases is about 2.5 higher than reported numbers. In Guinea, it is thought to be 1.5 times higher. ⁽³⁾

Sadly, there are those that continue to turn a blind eye at the desperate need to act with the urgency that is necessary to fight Ebola and more effectively tend to those affected. Chan is adamant about this, saying that WHO's arguments about the overall decline in public healthcare "have fallen on deaf ears for decades" and are now "out there with consequences that all the world can see, every day, on prime-time TV news." ⁽²⁾

The Ebola crisis, Chan says, "is the most severe acute public health emergency seen in modern times." ⁽²⁾
The "70-70-60" plan is hoped to be put in place by December 1, 2014, a plan whereby at least 70 percent of known Ebola cases in West Africa will be isolated, followed by a safe burial of no fewer than 70 percent of people who ultimately die. A 60-day deadline has been established as part of this plan, representing the time frame between when it is put into motion and when it should be realized. (3)

Herbs and Supplements to fight candida overgrowth

Herbs and supplements to fight candida

There is an arsenal of natural herbs and supplements at your disposal to fight Candida and other fungi. Here are some of the top contenders.

Aloe vera

Aloe Vera lowers pH levels creating an inhospitable environment for Candida. It also helps detoxify the liver. The liver filters the byproducts of Candida and deals with toxins from the die off process, as the Candida is destroyed. Aloe Vera juice can be consumed on a daily basis (no more than 1/4 a cup) or capsules can be taken.

Garlic

Raw garlic is a powerful anti-fungal that does not destroy beneficial bacteria in the gut. It does, however, kill bad bacteria while killing 24 out of 26 strains of Candida. It can also be rubbed on fungal skin infections. It can be eaten raw, taken in softgel capsules, or taken as an oil. Warning: can be a blood thinner. Do not use garlic if you plan to undergo surgery or if otherwise contraindicated.

Clove Oil

Clove oil is a powerful anti-fungal that also boosts the immune system. Use 15-30 drops in water, 3 times daily.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is a strong anti-fungal with many beneficial properties. Take one tablespoon 1-2 times a day.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Use 15-30 drops in water, 3 times daily.

Oil of oregano

Oil of Oregano is a strong anti-fungal and antimicrobial. You can take 5 or more drops under the tongue or dilute in water 2-3 times a day. It can also be taken by capsule or oregano leaves can be steeped for a medicinal tea. Oil of oregano is also very high in antioxidants.

Colloidal silver

Take 1 teaspoon up to 3 times a day, but do not take it long term. There are many claims that colloidal silver is amazing. We haven't had any luck with it when treating topical bacteria or fungi and there is a lot of controversy about its effectiveness and use, though there are also many claims that it is very effective.

Olive Extracts

Olive oil and olive leaf extract doesn't directly kill fungi; it disrupts the reproductive cycle. It also stabilizes and lowers blood sugars to help starve Candida. It is also an amazing antioxidant that stimulates the immune system. It can be taken in capsule form, as a tonic, or as a tea.

Undecenoic Acid

Undecenoic acid is a very effective broad-spectrum antiviral that is taken in capsule form.

Grapefruit seed extract?

Grapefruit seed extract is effective against 100 strains of fungi as well as bacteria, viruses, and parasites. It works well with undecenoic acid and does not harm beneficial bacteria. Add 10 drops to water, 3 times a day.

Please note the warnings for pregnant and lactating women for the following remedies:

Black walnut

Black walnut has been shown to be more effective against Candida than any antiviral drug. It can be taken in capsule form or as an extract.

Homemade Lavender Soap Bar

 

                             

This Homemade Lavender soap bar recipe is great for your skin! It provides hydration and vitamins while nourishing your skin! It’s easy to make and free of harmful chemicals! Try it today!

Homemade Lavender Soap Bar

Total Time: 30 minutes

Serves: 30

Ingredients:

• 20-30 drops lavender essential oil
• Soap Base
• 3 drops Vitamin E
• Oval Bar Molds or Decorative Soap Mold

Directions:

1. Put soap base in glass bowl then place that bowl in sauce pan with water.
2. Heat stove to medium and allow base to melt.
3. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Then add the lavender and vitamin E
4. Mix well and transfer to a soap mold
5. Let mixture cool fully before popping bar out of mold. Keep at room temp

Homemade Honey Citrus Shampoo

                             

This homemade honey citrus shampoo recipe is great for your hair! It helps to balance the hair’s natural pH, it kills bacteria, restores moisture to hair, reduces dandruff and it doesn’t strip the hair of its natural oils! Try it today!
Note: Citrus essentials oils are highly concentrated and are full of healthy acidic properties! Because of this, we recommend you use glass containers when storing them so they do not eat away any of the plastic.

 

Homemade Honey Citrus Shampoo

Total Time: 2 minutes

Serves: 20-30

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 5 tbsp honey
• 5 drops lemon essential oil
• 5 drops melaleuca essential oil
• Glass bottle with dispenser

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. If necessary use a mixer.
2. Transfer to a container. Shake well before each use.
3. It's pretty simple. 

Holy Basil Balances Cortisol and Hormones

 

Tulsi, another name for holy basil, has a rich history dating back to ancient eastern uses 3,000 years ago. Mentioned in the Rig Veda around 1500 BC, the sacredness of holy basil was celebrated in the Purana and is highly regarded in Ayurvedic medicine.
It is suspected that tulsi is native to tropical Asia, although it now grows in many tropical climates across the globe. Historically used in these areas as medicine because of its widespread healing power, holy basil leaves are now regarded by most countries as adaptogens (anti-stress agents) and have been used widely to promote health throughout the entire body.

Holy Basil Benefits

Today, holy basil is consumed mostly in supplement form or as Tulsi tea and is used to treat:

• Anxiety
• Adrenal fatigue
• Hypothyroidism
• Acne
• Blood sugar

Now let’s jump into the research to see how effective holy basil really is.

Acne

Widely used for skincare, a team of researchers from Thailand conducted a study to determine the efficacy of holy basil essential oils against bacteria that cause acne. Essentially testing its antimicrobial capability, they discovered that a 3.0% concentration of holy basil oil is most effective against bacteria that cause acne.
Interestingly, it was also noted that the primary compound of holy basil oil is eugenol, the active ingredient in the powerful antimicrobial clove oil, which is widely held to cure many skin disorders.
When implementing tulsi for natural acne treatment, consider using unrefined virgin coconut oil as a carrier because when melted, it is more viscous and absorbs into the skin better than other oils.

Cancer

Last year, the journal Nutrition and Cancer published a fantastic review outlining the influx of research substantiating tulsi’s cancer-killing prowess that we have seen the past several years. This is their breakdown:
Holy basil possesses significant anti-inflammatory and immune boosting properties that protect against fever, pain, stress and protect vital organs like the liver. Consequently, people who regularly consume tulsi are less likely to be immune-compromised and are less susceptible to developing cancer cells.
The phytochemicals in tulsi prevent chemical-induced skin, liver, oral and lung cancers because they increase antioxidant activity, alter healthy gene expressions, induce cancer cell death, prevent blood vessel growth contributing to cell growth and stop metastasis.
The extracts of tulsi protects against radiation-induced sickness and mortality and selectively protect the normal tissues against the destructive effects of radiation.
Additionally it prevents radiation-induced DNA damage, which highlights holy basil’s widespread ability to promote healing.
It’s actually unremarkable to consider that one plant has been proven to not only kill cancer, it prevents it; and even protects the body from dangerous cancer treatments.

Diabetes

Since the mid-1990s, tulsi’s ability to control blood glucose has been widely known. For instance, to test its ability to manage and reverse diabetes, researchers from Azad University of Agriculture and Technology (India) evaluated the effects holy basil leaves had on rats.
Compared to a control group, the group being administered holy basil experienced some amazing results. Not only did fasting glucose fall by 21 mm/dl, post meal glucose fell by 15.8 mm/dl, which represented reductions of 17.6% and 7.3%. Fascinatingly, cholesterol levels were decreased during the treatment as well!
Six years later, the Journal of Ethnopharmacology published a study proving that the extract of holy basil leaves were found to decrease glucose by more than 36% in normal rats and by 18% in diabetes-induced rats.
These results continue to hold true during the test of time. Just two years ago, an article published in the Journal of Pharmacy & Bioallied Sciences confirmed the ability of tulsi to balance blood sugar.

Hormones and Thyroid

In addition to managing diabetes by controlling blood sugar levels, an article published in the journal Die Pharmazie (German for “The Pharmacy”), describes that the hypoglycemic effects of holy basil is possibly due to its ability to regulate serum cortisol levels.
Oftentimes ignored, the “stress hormone,” as it is commonly referred to, is responsible for an alarming number of diabetes mellitus cases throughout the world. Its far-reaching effects on the body can play havoc on learning, memory, lowered immune function, bone density, weight gain and heart disease.
Elevated cortisol levels are so dangerous that Psychology Today refers to cortisol as “Public Enemy #1”! Another benefit from lower cortisol is supplementing with holy basil has been found to reduce anxiety and emotional stress.

Holy Basil Uses

In using holy basil, I would recommend taking it in supplement form or the way I personally consume it is by drinking 1 cup of Tulsi tea a day.

Natural Remedies for ADHD

                       

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), generally diagnosed in childhood, is a behavior-related condition that causes difficulty concentrating, impulsiveness, and excessive energy.
Causes of ADHD include a diet high in sugar and additives, nutritional deficiencies, and food allergies.
In some cases, a partial cause is related to lack of interest or forcing children to learn in a manner to which they are not geared to learn.  Some children learn better by seeing or doing (kinesthetic) rather than by hearing.
The most common treatment of ADD/ADHD today is using medications such as Ritalin and Adderall both of which have been linked to suicidal thoughts and personality changes.
The good news is there are natural remedies for ADHD that are both effective and without side effects.

Top Foods For ADHD

Additive-free, unprocessed foods – Due to the toxic nature of food additives, these may be especially problematic for those with ADHD.  It is best to eat unprocessed whole foods prepared at home.
Foods high in B-vitamins – B vitamins help maintain a healthy nervous system, make sure to include brewer’s yeast and green leafy vegetables in your diet as these contain higher levels of B vitamins.
Poultry – Tryptophan, an amino acid, helps produce serotonin a calming neurotransmitter to the brain.
Breakfast – For some people and especially those with ADHD breakfast helps the body properly regulate blood sugar and stabilize fluctuations. Make sure breakfast includes at least 20g of protein to regulate blood sugar levels.
Wild Caught Fish - Wild caught fish, such as Salmon are high in Omega-3s and are critical for brain health.  It is optimal to eat wild-caught fish at least 2x per week.

ADHD Foods to Avoid

Sugar - This is the primary trigger for most children with ADHD. Avoid any forms of concentrated sugar including candy, desserts, soda, or fruit juices.
Gluten - Some parents report worsening behavior when their child eats gluten which may indicate sensitivity to the protein found in wheat. Avoid all foods made with wheat such as bread, pasta, and wheat cereal.  Look for gluten free or even grain free alternatives.
Conventional Dairy – Most cows milk dairy contains A1 casein that can trigger a similar reaction as gluten and therefore should be eliminated if it causes problematic symptoms.  However goat’s milk does not contain this protein so it may be a better option.
Food coloring and dyes - Children with ADHD can be sensitive to a variety of food dyes and colorings, therefore all processed foods should be avoided.
Soy – Soy is a common food allergy and can disrupt hormones causes ADHD symptoms.

Top 5 Natural Remedies For ADHD

#1 Fish Oil (1,000mg daily)The EPA/DHA in fish oil are critical for brain function and are anti-inflammatory. Supplementation has been shown to reduce symptoms and improve learning.
#2 B-Complex (50 mg daily)Children with ADHD may need more B-vitamins to help with the formation of serotonin, especially Vitamin B6.
#3 Multi-Mineral Supplement (including zinc, magnesium, and calcium)
500 mg calcium, 250 mg of magnesium, and 5 mg zinc 2x daily.  All play a role in relaxing the nervous system and a deficiency may exacerbate symptoms.
#4 Probiotic (25-50 billion units daily)
ADHD may be connected to digestive issues, therefore taking a good quality probiotic daily will help maintain intestinal health.
#5 GABA (250 mg 2x daily)A calming amino acid, ask your doctor before taking GABA as it can interact with other medications.
Bonus Remedy
Rhodiola rosea as proven effective at improving the focus of both adults and children.

Essential Oils For ADHD

According to the Journal of American Medical Association essential oils of vetiver and cedarwood are very effective at improving ADHD in children.  Calming oils like lavender may also be effective.

The Most Dangerous & Heavily Promoted Prescription Drugs & Their Potential Natural Alternatives

The Most Dangerous & Heavily Promoted Prescription Drugs & Their Potential Natural Alternatives




Prescription drugs are the 4th leading cause of death in the world. If that’s not enough to make you shriek, I’m not sure what will.
The pharmaceutical industry is committing a silent holocaust around the globe. It works like this: People are sick because they aren’t getting proper nutritients. Then they are covering up their sickness with a doctor-prescribed pill. But this is causing some serious side effects, leading their doctors to prescribe more pills to conceal those side effects.
Rinse and repeat.
The following is a list of the 7 most dangerous and heavily promoted prescription drugs with some natural alternatives.

1)  Prednisone or Cortisone

What’s the deal? Used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, asthma, allergies and many other conditions. Corticosteroids mimic the effects of hormones your body produces naturally in your adrenal glands, which sit on top of your kidneys. When prescribed in doses that exceed your body’s usual levels, corticosteroids suppress inflammation.
What are the side effects? 

• High blood sugar, which can trigger or worsen diabetes
• Increased risk of infections
• Thinning bones (osteoporosis) and fractures
• Suppressed adrenal gland hormone production
• Thin skin, easy bruising and slower wound healing

Alternatives: Raw whole food diet.

2) Methotrexate & Other Chemotherapeutic Agents

What’s the deal? For the most part, Methotrexate is used alone or together with other medicines to treat several types of cancer such as breast, head and neck, lung, blood, bone, lymph node and uterus cancers.
What are the side effects?

• Cause fetal death and congenital anomalies.
• Liver and Kidney toxicity.
• Bone marrow depression.
• Lung disease ­ which can be fatal.
• Reacts with NSAID’s ­ which can be fatal.
• May cause intestinal bleeding and ulceration.
• Depresses the immune system.

Alternatives: High dose vitamin C injections have shown positive results in fighting cancer cells in studies…
RESHAPING OUR THOUGHTS ABOUT CANCER

If the thought of loving rather than fighting your cancer terrifies you, it may help you to understand that fighting cancer is a fear-based thought process rooted in separation consciousness—believing that we are separate from each and separate from Creation itself.

 

Also Raw 100% Organic Foods and foods as close to as nature intended.

 

3)  Coumadin or Warfarin

What’s the deal? Anticoagulant (blood thinner) which prevents the formation and migration of blood clots.
What are the side effects?

• Haemorrhage (bleeding)

Alternatives: 

• Vitamin C – 1,000 mgs. daily. Vitamin C coats the red blood cell (RBC’s) walls and prevents them from breaking and bleeding. However, too much Vitamin C inhibits the absorption of calcium.
• Vitamin E - 400 IU. Vitamin E coats RBC’s and binds collagen in blood vessels to prevent bleeding and strokes.
• OPC 165 (all natural anti-oxidant blend).

4) Cholesterol Lowering Drugs

What’s the deal? There are multiple types. Some of these drugs (Atromid and Lopid) work by absorbing bile acids which are produced from cholesterol in the intestinal tract and cause them to be excreted, thereby lowering the levels of cholesterol circulating in the blood. Statin drugs reduce production of cholesterol in the liver and alter the way in which LDL cholesterol enters the cells.
What are the side effects? 

• Myositis - inflammation of the muscles.
• Rhabdomyolysis (rare) – With this condition, muscles all over the body become painful and weak. The severely damaged muscles release proteins into the blood that collect in the kidneys. The kidneys can become damaged trying to eliminate a large amount of muscle breakdown caused by statin use. This can ultimately lead to kidney failure.

Alternatives: Fish, whole foods – oats, nuts, beans, spinach, avocado.

5) Prozac (anti-depressants)

What’s the deal? Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Lovan and Luvox belong to a class of drugs which alter the mechanism that balances levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain. Serotonin affects mood, agitation, anxiety and sleep. These drugs mock the re-uptake or removal of serotonin by nerve cells in the brain, thus leaving more serotonin to bind to the receptor sites. This has been shown to alter mood and behavior.
What are the side effects? The FDA has admitted that antidepressants can worsen depression and suicidal symptoms in some patients. Other side effects include:

• nausea
• increased appetite and weight gain
• loss of sexual desire and other sexual problems, such as erectile dysfunction and decreased orgasm
• fatigue and drowsiness
• insomnia
• dry mouth
• blurred vision
• constipation
• dizziness
• agitation
• irritability
• anxiety

Alternative: Aerobic exercise and a clean whole-food diet.

6) Ritalin, Cylert, Dexadrine, Adderal

What’s the deal? It produces such effects as increasing or maintaining alertness, combating fatigue and improving attention. Traditionally used to treat ADD or ADHD in children. It has also been used to treat narcolepsy. Frighteningly enough, Dr. Bruce Perry, a world-renowned ADHD expert, has stated that ADHD is not a real disease. 
What’s the risk? 

• Abdominal pain
• Alopecia (loss of hair)
• Angina (chest pain)
• Appetite loss
• Anxiety/Nervousness
• Blood pressure and pulse changes (both up and down)
• Cardiac arrhythmia
• Depression
• Diaphoresis (sweating)
• Dizziness
• Hypersensitivity
• Psychosis and psychiatric disorders
• Stunted growth
• Suicidal ideation
• Tachycardia

Alternatives: Yoga, exercise, playing an instrument, clean whole food diet.

7) Beta Blockers and Calcium Channel Blockers

What’s the deal? A class of drugs used to lower blood pressure.
What’s the risk? Calcium channel blockers – In an ongoing study, Bruce Psaty, M.D., compared 291 patients taking calcium channel blockers for hypertension to 1,240 people with the same condition, but taking other drugs. He found that patients who were taking large amounts of calcium channel blockers for high blood pressure had a 60% higher death rate compared to patients taking diuretics or beta blockers.

• shortness of breath
• cold extremities
• palpitations
• congestive heart failure

Alternative: Reduce processed sodium intake, reduce alcohol consumption, exercise regularly, whole food diet.

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is that taking a long term medication which alters any of your natural body functions is obviously dangerous. This includes virtually everything used for high blood pressure and heart disease; diuretics, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers and ACE inhibitors.
While prescription pills are beneficial in some cases, the Collective Evolution team are advocates of nutrition as the most powerful type of medicine. Our body is truly a remarkable machine naturally built for optimal function, but this is only when we provide our body with all of the essential nutrients that it needs.
When we are not supplying our bodies with proper nutrition, disease likely manifests. This is usually when most people will resort to prescription drugs. These drugs only cover up the problem, but are never actually dealing with the root cause.