The Coca leaves have been used by the indigenous people of the Andes for thousands of years. Chewing the leaves cures altitude sickness, it can reduce hunger and fatigue, and enhance physical performance. It is a better local anesthetic that either lidocaine or procaine. Unfortunately it has a bit of a undeserved negative reputation, but that does not stop me from reaping the benefits of the coca plant.

Hey.

I struggle with a lack of energy most days, with coffees and energy drinks a constant theme in my life. However, due to a severe anxiety disorder, the caffeine in this is far too much for me to handle.

I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions on proven alternatives to caffeine that are 'brain boosters'? Improves cognitive performance and alertness without causing the heart to race, or be incredibly anxious and nervous shake?

I did look at Gingko and I have taken that in the past but apparently it's mixed in the field of being helpful. I used to buy it in my Tank smoothie drinks here in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Thanks for any suggestions. :)

Hello all,

Sharing my health seeking guidance, references to knowledge providers, advice, discussion and any other commentary.

So since September 2023 I’ve had an irritation nasopharynx (top of throat behind tongue, up a bit). Became constant last december, then some heat in the chest, sour taste in mouth near constantly, heartburn, some difficult and pain swallowing and dry mouth (mostly at night - where I’ve woken up since december 6-12 times usually at end of REM cycle with crazy dreams).

The doctor’s chucked my some PPI’s before I know what was what, and didn’t give me any tests to get to the root of things - so I’ve taken charge of my health.

To my mind, my symptoms are silent reflux (first), and then gastric reflux next (the constant heartburn, chest pain). What the cause is - I don’t know. One nurse said gastritis and esophagitis, but gut microbiome, infection, organ mysunction, nerve system imbalance and other options could all be at the root.

I took some ibuprofen on the reg September - December, ate some spicey food quite regularly, did some smoking, and possible aggravated what had started as throat pain.

Form my research pepsin from gastric acid may be the main thing coming up, so I’m eating cooling foods, smaller meals. Sleeping inclined, drinking alkaline water, undertaking acupuncture, taken PPI’s (until tapered off), avoiding triggers and generally attempting a more sustainable healthy diet and lifestyle.

I gulp in gaviscon and rennies too.

My questions are: any advice? Any similar stories? Any ideas for what tests to get? Any known cured or treatments out there?

Whenever I bring up saliva it normally causes a tingle in my throat and mouth - suggesting to me that the acid is jiggling the pepsin in my tissue. I’m positive about getting better, and reaching out to you all with a teaching hand,

Thank you, and look forward to hearing from you.

I’m also not sleeping and wonder if all this came about from a) lifestyle choices, but also b) opening myself to heal from fight or flight mode life and repressed feelings over a lifetime (the thought prompt to do so drifted into my head one day before all this.)

My first upper GI issues began with a swollen uvula.

I also have varicocele scheme did for embolization next Tuesday, but having second thought a given the savage nature of the treatment.

Thanks again,

God bless,

Keep on keepin’ on ✊🏼

I recently came across Stamina Aphrodisiac Gummies designed for men looking to enhance their sexual performance. Each gummy contains a blend of natural ingredients like Barrenwort, Muira Puama, and Korean Ginseng, known for their aphrodisiac properties.

The recommended use is to take one gummy about an hour before an intimate session, along with water. It’s interesting how these ingredients are thought to boost libido and overall vitality.

Have any of you tried similar products? What has been your experience with natural aphrodisiacs?

I am struggling to sleep well lately. I know about melatonin, but I don’t want to use it because I’m concerned about becoming dependent on it. Could you clarify if this is true? Also, I’d like to know if there are any supplements I can take to help improve my sleep

Thank you in advance for any useful suggestions!

Hi there, I have DED and MGD and I have a good eyelid routine but I still get these little bumps every few days. They usually resolve within 3-4 days on their own but they keep coming back. What can I do to fix the cause?

What are the best natural treatments , essential oils, foods , homemade concoctions to help with thinning and grey hairs ?

There are different grades of manuka honey, different rating systems, and prices are all over the map. I was wondering if anyone's found a way to get manuka honey consistently for a good price? I prefer buying it in glass, but understand it it's not possible.

Which is better? I understand that fermented one is more of a natural one as it was extracted from something that was grown and fermented..? And chelated means it’s a regular synthetic (?) zinc that is bound to another molecule. So which is better?

Is there a natural way to resolve this with an alternative/non-invasive treatment?

Thank you x

Hey guys, as part of my master's dissertation (and because I'm a heart patient myself), I'm researching people's experiences with digital health platforms/apps these days. Can you try out my simulation of a health app and answer my survey so I can get insights on what you think? It's completely anonymous and would only take about 10 minutes.

https://uva.fra1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4MYfggwIVNm9LLw Thank you in advance :)

Hi everyone! I’m conducting a research study for my master's dissertation on people's experience with digital health platforms/apps for managing simple health tasks like booking appointments and refilling prescriptions.

If you've ever had trouble getting the help or advice you needed from your general practitioner or work in primary healthcare, your feedback will help provide insights about how these tools can better support us.

🕒 Time commitment: Just 10 minutes
🌐 Completely anonymous
📱 Who can participate: Anyone aged 18 or older

Important Note:

📱 Best experience on mobile (or make sure to use Google Chrome on Desktop 💻 ).

If you’re interested, please click the link below to join the study: https://uva.fra1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4MYfggwIVNm9LLw

Thanks in advance! :)

I'm not entirely opposed to western medicine. I'm pro-vaxx and support functional medicine, integrative medicine, and most traditional medicine.

I greatly dislike how horribly misinformation, disinformation, covid-19, vaccine hesitancy, distrust in the US government, and alternative medicine were handled online (people involved in western medicine, pseudoskeptics, Redditors, etc.) between 2020 and 2021, however, and I dislike the anti-Chinese sentiment and anti-Chinese propaganda that occurred too.

So I’ve been suffering from chest tightness and breathlessness for the past 3 weeks, as well as pressure in my throat. Blood tests came out fine, same with oxygen levels, this is really above modern medicine. I’m struggling to concentrate on anything else because the breathlessness is so intense, but no one else notices it. To be fair, I did have intense stress last year, but how is it possible I’m still sick in 2025? Any natural remedies or advice appreciated, thank you.

*If this post seems inappropriate for your community please feel free to let me know... maybe even redirect me if you don't mind. I am just sincerely wondering, and I find Reddit to be a safe and anonymous place for us to share our true opinions, views and maybe ask things that we normally get shunned for

Personally, I took the vaccine 2020 era. I feel like I really had to go against something strong in my self to take an 'alien' vaccine from a stranger.

Already I had found it to be strange how quickly the people around me were rushing into something that we had no clue about, from governments that for the most part do not trust.

It may be strictly on the soul level... but I've never had peace from that day to be honest, (the day that I took it). I wonder what damages/changes I have done to myself that can only now be accepted...

Please just be honest. If this kind of thing is triggering for you, maybe make more space for those that it is relevant to to share.

Hello, I went to a naturopathy for the first time today. He wanted to do a mybiotrek on me but I declined as I’ve never heard of it and wanted to research it first. I can’t find much on their website. Does anyone have non-bias info on mybiotrek? Thanks in advance 😊

Hi all,

Once upon an every-morning, I wake up with symptoms of dehydration, grogginess, and a dull, heavy feeling head, despite adequate hydration the day before. I believe this relates to the horizontal position and its effect on kidney functioning.

Also, I experience the compulsion to drink water continuously throughout the day in response to stress.

I have a lot of fear in my body carried over from my past, and I am aware that the kidneys are associated with the emotion of fear, so imagine this to be at play.

I have heard that sleeping at a slight incline is helpful to alleviate the above symptoms. Does anyone have guidance on a product suitable for a single bed?

Any general advice on kidney support is also most welcome. Thank you

Hello ! I (28F) get frequent pelvic pain, especially around my ovulation and periods. The pain is very intense for more than 24 hours while I'm ovulating, so much that Meftal only makes it bearable and not complete relief. During these pain episodes, I'm unable to walk straight or stretch my leg. I feel which ovary is involved in the ovulation as it throbs in pain. I get pain during and post intercourse as well around these time (like 3-4 days before and after ovulation and periods), as well as post masturbation. It pains with bowel movement as well during these episodes. I consulted two gynaecologists in past 3 years. All the reports and ultrasounds (including pelvic ultrasound) shoes everything normal, and the birth control pills don't work for me as a gynae took that course of depression and within 2 months of taking the pill, I got depressed and suicidal. I don't know what should be the course of action, consultation and treatment for this. I desperately want to know what's wrong and what is causing these pain, as it is making my everyday life very difficult. Thank you!

hello all, in my journey towards holistic health, i discovered nectar patches that claim to enhance energy through natural transdermal delivery. has anyone here experimented with these? i'm interested in their effectiveness and any personal experiences you'd like to share

I've heard about food staying undigested for long periods of time. while the internet says it's believed it's between 8-30 hours, I'm curious and open to any information about food being undigested for months or years.