Herpes Nation Newsletter Volume One, Edition Eight
Welcome Home
Life Lessons from the Herpes Virus
If you love learning then every event in your life becomes an educational opportunity- from the simplest observation to the most vexing challenge.
For me having Herpes has been a great teacher, although I haven’t always been the best student. In the beginning I was so scared and ashamed of having Herpes that I missed opportunities to learn and grow, but I on a different wavelength now and wish to share with you some of the lessons I am learning from Herpes and I ask to you write me and share some of the things you’ve learned so that I can put them in future newsletters.
Adversity creates motivation, reflection, openness and humility:
Getting Herpes when I was 25 was the first big crisis in my life. Neither having been born two months premature, or having a drug-addict as a father, or growing up in public housing in Toronto, or being in the army had fazed me much, but getting herpes brought me to my knees. I thought having Herpes would destroy my life but instead it has given me so much motivation to become holistically healthier, more honest, more courageous, more sympathetic to others, and more humble. I never thought that getting herpes would end up making me a better person, but it has and it can make you better to- if you take on the challenge and make peace with it, I promise.
Having Herpes helps shatter the myth of invulnerability:
Before getting Herpes I felt almost invincible. Herpes has helped me understand and appreciate how sensitive and vulnerable we all are. I’m not trying to suggest that we are not also strong and robust, but I find that our macho culture celebrates strength a bit too much and avoids looking at fragility. Herpes has helped me learn how sensitive our immune systems are and how much stress kills us each day. Just 15 minutes of stress can shut down your immune system for 24 hours. Many of the simple things in life cause stress like that morning commute to work or trying to find a parking spot before being late for an important appointment, or even watching the nightly news. Having Herpes has helped me to tune into my body’s sensitivities and doing so has allowed me to go outbreak free for years at a time.
You cannot control what happens to you but you can control how you react: Herpes has helped me also realize what my one true power in this life is, and that power is how I choose to react. I understand that I cannot always control what happens to me but I can control what I choose to do about it. In 2000 I was in a bad car accident that in ordinary circumstances should have ended my life. I was very very lucky and survived with just a broken collar-bone and some damage to my back. I was in bed for three and a half months. I can honestly tell you that I was never depressed for a second during this ordeal. My immediate reaction was gratitude- I felt like I had been given a second chance at life. I also didn’t take any pain-killers and was able to heal in less than half the time the doctors predicted. I give my happiness and positivity most of the credit for how well I did and I wouldn’t have been so happy and positive if the Herpes virus had not taught me to ask myself some simple questions; What’s funny about this? What can I be grateful for in this situation? How can I use this as an opportunity to improve my health? What does this teach me about life?
Enough about me for now. I would love to hear from you about your life lessons from the Herpes virus. Email me at holistic at natropractice dot com.
Love
christopher scipio
homeopath/herbalist
holistic viral specialist
Celebrating the Release of the Second Edition of My Book.
I’ve just had my 44th birthday and I have just printed the second edition of my book “Making Peace with Herpes”. The first edition of the book had six printing which all sold out and many people have told me about how profoundly the book has helped them on their herpes healing journey. The Second edition is even better and I would like everyone to read the book, so if you haven’t read it yet here’s my birthday gift for you: From now until the 11th of April I will sell you the electronic version of the book for $9.99 (regular price is $21.99) and the soft-cover version of the book for $14.99 (regular price $29.99).
If you have read my book but have never listened to the self-hypnosis CDs that are an extension of the book, until the 11th of April you can purchase them for $29.99 (regular price $60.00). If you have read my book but have never had a phone consultation with me and would like one, until the 11th of April you can book a 30 minute phone consultation with me for $24.99 (regular price $50.00). And if you have read the book but have never tried my Herpes formulas until the 11th of April you can buy them for $69.99 (regular price $140.00). These offers are only available to the readers of my newsletters so to take advantage of them email me at holistic at natropractica dot com.
More information can be found at http://www.herpesbook.com and https://www.natropractica.com
Deal With It…
…from an informed, objective perspective
by NR/Nevada
Consider this startling statistic, according to WebMD – Half a billion people across the globe have genital herpes. Additionally, “Most people with herpes simplex virus type 2 don’t know they’re infected and don’t have symptoms,” note the researchers, who work at Imperial College London and the World Health Organization (WHO).
I’ve had herpes for more than three decades, and I can honestly say it’s brought out my deepest insecurities and my greatest personal strengths. Despite the fairly trivial effects of this condition, it carries a degree of stigma in U.S. culture. However, given the fact that I know my HSV status (unlike millions of asymptomatic carriers), I consider myself empowered to deal with the condition honestly and objectively.
Let’s face it, putting herpes into the 21st century dating mix can be awkward, but it’s not insurmountable. The bottom line: Don’t limit your dating partners to people who play host to this little virus. Sure, it might be more comfortable to consort with those who share our “gift,” but having nothing more in common than herpes is not necessarily a recipe for a good relationship.
Additionally, because your potential partner may also harbor the virus, consider urging her to get a full spectrum of STD tests. Because I’m HSV positive but HIV negative, I’ve always insisted that any person I want to “bed” get an HIV test and show me the paperwork. It’s the smart thing to do. If they balk-walk.
With the advent of the information age, and especially the internet, it’s more important than ever to be honest and informed when dealing with potential lovers. That’s because at the touch of a computer mouse, people can unearth a ton of information on the condition. Some of it will be factual and some of it will be pure hype.
So to successfully wade into the dating scene, and risk the deep waters of disclosure when you want to take the next step with someone you fancy, you need to be informed. You need to have facts on hand to put the herpes discussion in perspective and bring a level of objective context to the condition. For example:
¨ The possibility of spreading the virus when it’s not in an active state is relatively low, somewhere in the four to 10 percent range. Coupled with protection such as a condom, that figure is reduced even further.
¨ Nearly eight out of 10 individuals who carry the virus are asymptomatic. That means that many people have been exposed to the virus and don’t even know it. Your commitment to full disclosure will be respected and appreciated by your partner. I should know, as I’ve been down that road more than a few times.
¨ If you’re taking medication and/or potent remedies such as those offered by Christopher Scipio, your immune system is getting a powerful boost to keep the virus in a dormant state. That’s another plus as you discuss the potential for passing the virus, which you have reduced through your conscious efforts to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and keep a balanced mental state.
If you limit yourself to dating only those who share the condition, you may miss out on the love of your life. Despite the rejection that I have sometimes experienced through honest disclosure, I have no regrets. My life has unfolded as it was meant to. I respect myself and the decisions I continue to make in all areas of my life.
If someone wants to make herpes an issue, so be it. Move on, continue to hold your head high, and keep taking the risk of honest disclosure. Remember, knowledge is power when it comes to herpes.
Go Really Green This Spring
Times are tough – we hear it all the time these days. Global recession, global warming…seems like its all bad news these days.
Here’s an idea to turn it around, at least at your house. The recipes that follow are for “green” cleaning products that you can quickly and easily make yourself, for a fraction of the cost of the nasty store bought chemicals that marketers work hard to convince us to buy.
And while you are saving cash, you’ll be saving the environment.
Healthy All Purpose Cleaner
Mix 2 tbsp. of vinegar with 1 tsp. borax in a spray bottle
Fill the rest of the bottle with very hot water
Shake until the borax is dissolved
Add the 1/4 cup of liquid soap
To scent, add 10 to 15 drops of an essential oil.
A combination of lavender and lemon is nice. Because minerals in the water inhibit cleaning, it’s best to use purified or distilled water if your local water is hard, especially for this recipe. It’s important to dissolve the borax in hot water so that it doesn’t clog the spray nozzle. And don’t mix the soap and vinegar directly together, because the soap will clump up. Please follow the order of the recipe by mixing the vinegar, borax, and water first and adding the soap last.
Natural Disinfectant Spray
2 Cups Water
1/4 Cup White Vinegar
1/4 tsp. Tea Tree Oil
1/4 tsp. Lavender Oil
Combine and store in a spray bottle. Shake occasionally. Use where ever a disinfectant spray is needed.
Natural Tub and Tile Cleaner
1 2/3 cups baking soda
1/2 cup liquid soap
2 tablespoons vinegar
1/2 cup water
a few drops of Tea tree essential oil
Mix soda and soap. Add water, then add vinegar and oil. Store in a squirt-top bottle and shake before using. Rinse thoroughly to avoid leaving a residue.
If you want to learn more about making the switch from household chemicals, there are a lot of good blogs and websites you can consult. For starters try;
http://organizedhome.com/pantry-recipes-homemade-cleaning-products
http://www.treehuggingfamily.com/25-safe-non-toxic-homemade-cleaning-supplies/
http://www.greenjoyment.com/recipes-for-whole-house-cleaning-success-natural-and-environ.html
More Holistic Herpes Recipes
by Cassa Wood
Fish Tacos
4-5 Soft Taco shells
1-2 fillets of White fish
1 cup of carrots finely sliced
1 1/2 cup of Salsa
2 tsp of Olive oil
In a pan, sauté the oil onions and garlic for about 5 minutes or until soft, on medium heat. Then add the fish and carrots and cook until the fish is almost cooked, and put aside. Then take a soft taco shell, place a little bit of salsa, cottage cheese and some of the white fish mixture. Roll it up and place it into a oven safe dish or pan. Continue doing with all the taco shells, spreading 1/2 cup of salsa on top of them all. Then put into the oven for about 7-10 minutes at 350 degrees or until the taco shells are toasty. Serve hot, alone or with rice.
Spinach Saag
Spinach is a great immune booster and this is a tasty way to eat those greens. I love it with steamed brown Basmati rice!
Spinach
3 tbsp of Garam Masala
1/2 Onion chopped
1 tbsp of chopped Ginger
4-5 cloves of Garlic
1/2 cup of Organic Cream
3-5 tbsp of Olive Oil or Ghee Butter
In a fry pan add the oil or butter, onions, garlic and sauté for 5-10 minutes on medium or until they are translucent. Then add the garlic and spices, turning down the heat a little. Cook for another 3-4 minutes and then add the cream cooking for another 5-6 minutes stirring occasionally making sure the milk doesn’t overcook. Then add the spinach and simmer until it is wilted and hot. I like to then let the dish sit for 5-10minutes on the stovetop, covered with the heat turned very low or off, to let the spices blend with the spinach a little longer.
The Ultimate Tuna Sandwich
1-2 slices of your favourite whole wheat or grain bread
1 can of Tuna
1/2 Avocado
1 glove of garlic finely chopped
1/2 onion finely chopped
1/2 lime
Salt and pepper to taste
Cilanto (optional)
Tomato slices
Cucumber slices
In a bowl, take the tuna, avocado, garlic, and onion and mix together. Squeeze the fresh lime juice overtop and add the salt and pepper to your liking. If you are a fan of cilantro then you can throw it into the bowl as well.
Spread over the fresh bread open faced, placing slices of tomato and cucumber on top. Then cut it into 1/4 size pieces to make it easier to eat!
Salsa Salmon
2 large limes peeled, and chopped into small chunks
1/3 cup very thinly sliced red onion
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
1 small Jalapeno, halved, seeded and very thinly sliced crosswise
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tbsp of Apple Cider Vinegar
2-3 cloves of garlic finely chopped
1 tsp of brown sugar
1 tsp of Sea salt
1 tsp of freshly ground pepper
2- 4 6-ounce Sockeye salmon fillets (depending on how many you are serving?)
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place the salmon filets in a casserole pot or cooking pan, lightly drizzling the pan and the salmon with some oil to prevent it from sticking. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until it is a lighter pink, and flaking. Best not to overcook but it depends on preferences. While the salmon is cooking you can mix together the oil, garlic sugar, limes, onions, cilantro and jalapenos salt and pepper.
Serve the fillets with the salsa mixture and rice or salad.
Now we want to hear from you!
Do you have a story to tell? Have you found a helpful resource you would like to share with other members? Email Christopher at info@natropractica.com with your contributions. All media are considered, including links to relevant film, video and other audio productions.
Thank you, on behalf of our readers.
Email Christopher Scipio if you would like to be added to the newsletter’s mailing list