Miranda Castro's A QUICK RADIATION UPDATE

I have had an unusual number of requests for information about what to do about the effects of radiation exposure. So, after some considerable research and reflection, here are my two cents ...

First: Step away from the television. And the tabloids. It's quite a mess out here and one of the biggest problems as I see it is the terrible fear and panic the media are whipping up. They make it sound like we are all going to keel over. Any minute. We are not. Give yourself a break from all scare-mongering news sources and news-related programs that make you feel shakey with fear and/or worry.

Second: Get informed!
Please read these postings (and the comments). They are written in plain English by a nuclear engineer (with a PhD in nuclear engineering). They spell out the issues one by one in carefully graded steps. They are nothing short of brilliant and couldn't be more helpful right now.
Read this first: Radiation 101
This is longer and more specific: Yet Another Japan Reactor Posting The Chart attached is from the UK's Daily Mail. Looking at the numbers carefully will put any fear into perspective. I left the top half in to illustrate the typical fear-mongering that journalists are engaging in. The picture itself doesn't match what most people are going through in Japan and the word "terrifying" is unnecessarily frightening.

Third: Herbs and Nutrition
Here are two great links for information and advice about which foods and herbs will support your general health and well-being as well as the health and strength of your thyroid at any time but especially at a Time Like This:
Gail Faith Edwards, Herbalist
Todd Caldecott, Medical Herbalist and Ayuvedic Practitioner
The main nutritional message just like you mother told you: Gobble up your fresh fruits and veggies (organic if possible)!!
Oh - and add in a whole mess of seaweeds! And some miso.

Lastly: Homeopathic Solutions
Having read the postings above you will now understand that taking potassium iodine in tablet form (not homeopathic) is not a good idea.

There are quite a number of homeopathic ideas floating about the internet right now. Many of them are aimed at homeopathic practitioners. Here are my responses to the ones that I have seen repeatedly over this past week or so.

Kali iodatum 30C to be taken daily as a preventative.
If you do not need it and you are sensitive it it then you can develop the symptoms it was supposed to cure. These are called proving symptoms and this is how homeopaths test out new substances/remedies. If you are not in test group then these symptoms are called 'unintentional provings' and they can range from mild and transient all the way to seriously unpleasant and more difficult to get rid of. If taking potassium iodine is not a good idea then taking the same substance in a homeopathic potency is not going to be any better.

Radium bromatum 1M to be taken daily as a preventative
Some people are recommending the use of high potencies of 'radiation remedies'. This is a terrible idea. I do not recommend anyone takes Radium bromatum in any potency as a daily preventative for anything.

Combination remedies
Some practitioners are recommending combination homeopathic remedies. Rad-tox is a favorite and while it isn't too bad (it doesn't have high potencies of deep acting remedies in it), it isn't great either - there are eighteen remedies in it (way too many), at least three of which have difficult relationships: counteracting each others effects. I simply cannot see the point of taking it.

Homeopathics for the effects of radiation poisoning
There are a tremendous number of homeopathic medicines for the effects of radiation toxicity. Depending on the type/s of radioactive matter and its typical as well as actual effects. Of course we don't have to treat each person individually but we do have to know the ball park to be effective. The homeopaths treating those affected by radiation in Japan will have information we can use if radioactive material makes its way over to the US. We need to be a tiny bit patient and wait for their wise counsel. Hopefully we shall not need anything at all.

In the meantime we can support Japan's efforts by donating towards their heartbreaking work and make another bowl of miso soup with vegetables and seaweed.

Homeopathic Donations for the Earthquake Sufferers
The Japanese Homeopathic Medical Association are mobilizing donations of homeopathic remedies for emotional distress and sleep disorders, homeopathic kits, nutritious foodstuffs (including dried vegetables and fruits grown at organic/homeopathic farms), miso and vegetable juice.
They have set up a donation site: Homeopathy Japan
The full amount of your donation will be devoted for relief efforts and reconstruction assistance. It's super easy to send money from your Paypal Account to Homeopathy Japan using just their email address: system@homoeopathy.ac

Warmest healing wishes
Miranda