𝐀𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞

𝑹𝑬𝑾𝑹𝑰𝑻𝑻𝑬𝑵 + 𝑰𝑳𝑳𝑼𝑺𝑻𝑹𝑨𝑻𝑬𝑫 𝑾𝑰𝑻𝑯 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑯𝑬𝑳𝑷 𝑶𝑭 𝑮𝑬𝑴𝑰𝑵𝑰
When a painful, blistering rash flared up across my chest, I had no idea what had hit me.

Sensing I was in rough shape, Samart stepped in and drove me out to see what I can only describe as a traditional village healer.

The treatment was as startling as it was effective.

The healer tossed a handful of medicinal leaves into his mouth, chewed them vigorously to extract the potent juices, and then cleanly sprayed the saliva mist over my raw skin—carefully holding back the leaf pulp. To my astonishment, the burning pain vanished almost on the spot.

What felt like pure folk magic had real science behind it: the healer was using Phaya Yo (Clinacanthus nutans), an herb deeply rooted in Thai medicine that modern science has since proven packs powerful natural analgesics and direct antiviral compounds against the herpes virus family. Chewing broke down the cell walls instantly, delivering the raw plant enzymes right to the nerve endings.

I returned for a few follow-up treatments over the next two weeks, and the rash cleared up completely. It wasn’t until later, catching an ad on television, that I finally connected the dots and realized I had weathered a textbook case of shingles—healed by a time-tested village remedy before I ever needed to step foot in a modern pharmacy.
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Pudgy at old age has benefits

 

My BMI (Body mass index) hovers around 28 to 29.9, depending on the day and perhaps the optimism of my calculator. Officially, that puts me in the “overweight” category — not quite “Fatboy 1.” At age 81, however, a little pudge may be less a failure of discipline and more a strategic reserve.

Turns out, carrying some extra weight in old age can come with advantages. During illness, body reserves may help one recover. A bit of padding can sometimes reduce frailty, and maintaining weight is often preferable to becoming too thin and losing muscle. There may even be mobility and joint benefits for some people, depending on overall health and strength. Above all, several studies suggest that for older adults, being modestly overweight is often associated with lower mortality risk than being underweight — or even aggressively lean.

So perhaps what looks like “extra cushioning” is, in old age, exactly that: cushioning. Definitely cushions.

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Sugar Sugar 🎶🎵

Choose Wisely

Senior over seventy, healthy diet

Surprisingly many of the foods mentioned here I use frequently, fact I am having garbazos for breakfast สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Charley horse / muscle spasms 💊 🏥 ⛑️ maybe caused by medicine you take

Chatting with AI and ChatGPT recently, I started mentioning a few of my minor medical issues. “Minor” may be technically correct, but at four in the morning, with a muscle cramp twisting your upper thigh, it doesn’t feel minor at all.

The cramps usually last less than a minute, but the pain is intense. Oddly enough, I sometimes get similar cramps while masturbating, which suggests the muscle itself may already be irritated or prone to spasms when it tightens suddenly.

Living here in a hot, humid climate certainly does not help. I sweat heavily most days, and sweating means losing not only water but also important electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium. As people get older, the body often becomes less forgiving about fluid and mineral balance.

Two medications I take may also play a role. I take atenolol daily for blood pressure, and Miracid (omeprazole) when needed for stomach acid. According to information I found through AI and ChatGPT, both medications have occasionally been linked to muscle cramps or electrolyte imbalance. Omeprazole, especially when used regularly over long periods, can sometimes contribute to low magnesium levels.

For now, my plan is fairly simple. I’m adding one packet of electrolytes daily to my homemade tea concoction and looking for a magnesium supplement at the local drugstore. I also need to pay more attention to hydration before bed instead of waiting until morning to replace fluids.

At my age, the body becomes a bit like an old car. Usually reliable, but every now and then a warning light comes on, reminding you that maintenance matters.

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Hydrate

Let’s start with a common misconception: beer is not an effective way to hydrate. 

While it does contain water, alcohol has a diuretic effect, meaning it increases fluid loss. In practical terms, drinking beer can leave you more dehydrated than you were before—especially in larger amounts.

So how do you know if you’re not drinking enough?

One of the earliest signs is lightheadedness, particularly when standing up quickly. This happens because dehydration reduces blood volume, which can lower blood pressure.

A more obvious indicator is dark urine. Ideally, urine should be pale in color—darker shades suggest your body needs more fluids.

Muscle cramps are another warning sign. They can be brief but very painful, especially in areas like the neck or legs. While cramps can have multiple causes, dehydration and low electrolyte levels are common contributors.

Other symptoms include irritability, dry mouth, headaches, and fatigue. These are easy to overlook but often improve quickly with proper hydration.

How much water do you actually need? Recommendations vary, but a general guideline is around 2 to 3 liters per day, depending on climate, activity level, and individual needs.

I have trouble downing 3 to 4 bottles of water per day so I brew a healthy tea instead. 

Star anise, cinnamon sticks, homegrown mint, homegrown hibiscus tea, ginger powder and honey.

This not only makes hydration more enjoyable but can also provide additional health benefits.

The key is consistency. Your body performs best when it is properly hydrated—and even mild dehydration can affect how you feel throughout the day.

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Melioidosis wet weather disease

Melioidosis is predominantly a wet season problem in tropical regions, with cases spiking during periods of heavy rainfall, high humidity, and flooding. 

If you get your feet wet outdoors in wet puddles or mud 

WASH YOUR FEET AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

In worst cases it has resulted in deaths, other cases resulted in expensive medical treatment

  

government warns of a melioidosis outbreak

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Pesticide Residue, wash thoroughly before consuming

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There may be a day of rain end of March, otherwise not much of a spring rain in the local forecasts yet

At age 81 dust is becoming a noticeable problem. If there is any doubt. I sweep a four meter pathway every day, and every day there's a pile of dust. Pictured are three days piles
After encoutering facial skin problems, especially pimples on my nose, I started washing my face at least four times a day in hot water to open pores, then use rubbing alcohol cautiously on my face and neck for cleaning. Pictured is the early morning face rinse after getting out of bed

Due to the dust in the air, I have a severe sleeping problem. Wake up during the night with a very dry throat from breathing through my mouth because my nose is clogged. First night with a air purifier, very minimal dry throat สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Dust Season

Dry season. from October through April is the dustiest and at times the windiest period of the year.

Causing sinus, eye and even skin problems like pimples.

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New mutated influenza

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Fruit and Vegetable recommended for flu prevention

Flu season reports have been increasing since early November.

Vitamin C is at the top of the list of preventative measures. Red bell peppers are touted to have the vitamin C equal to three oranges. 

Garlic is on the recommended list due to its natural antibiotic ingredients. 

Surprisingly yogurt is on the list of recommended preventative measures. It controls gut bacteria. (I make my own).

Various greens and berries are also on the recommended list

There's a few variations of the flu. The B variant is quite common, Expect the K variant to arrive via tourism.

Masks are recommended in indoor public spaces, such as shopping.

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Bug Wars 101

Eating onions and garlic daily has apparently been debunked by science as being ineffective. Even though garlic is a great antibiotic, eating too much can cause stomach problems.  Garlic does not discern between good and bad bugs *.

I avoid using hazardous bug sprays around the kitchen and pets.  Been using VINEGAR for cleaning and as a bug spray very effectively.  It's a deterrent to many flying and crawling insects.

Short while ago I experienced the effect of vinegar first hand. Felt something crawling on my leg. Sprayed the area with vinegar. Shining a light on the area, I discovered and removed a 'comatosed' mosquito. Placed it under a light, identified it as a mosquito, and crushed it.

Vinegar is not necessarily a bug killer, it does keep bugs scurrying in other directions.

In the kitchen I use vinegar for cleaning countertops and cabinets. Works just as well as many commercial cleaning products. I spray the recycle and trash containers.

Bathroom is another place where mosquitoes are attracted to the moisture.  Vinegar is a great substitute for commercial glass and time cleaners.

I must admit it took a few days getting used to living in what smells like a salad bar. The smell dissipates, but the effect on surfaces lingers. 

* Potent properties-What’s the real logic behind not consuming onion and garlic?

xxสกลนคร Sakon Nakhonสกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

travel advisory: Mosquito Virus

 "chikungunya virus causes joint pain that can persist for weeks"

mix of dirty air, high humidity, high temperatures cause for increase of pimples

With a little help from dust and air pollution, sweat, and body oils, high humidity creates a breeding ground for acne causing bacteria.

If you sweat it's a good idea to use a clean wet cloth on your face and neck a few times during the day.

The word which appears frequently in tropical climates applies here: HYDRATE.  It can work against you creating more sweat and may require more face washing

Managing acne in humid weather | Schlessinger MDส
Unmasking the Relationship Between Humidity and Acneกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Cannabis is on the minds of governments The US version

Trump Eyes Cannabis Rescheduling

 

noteworthy in this article: January 2025 "hearing is stayed and parties ordered to provide ongoing status updates <br>Federal Marijuana Rescheduling | Moritz College of Law

Cleanse your blood and skin

Recently started eating cherry tomatoes as a substitute for a sugary snack. After a couple days of that I started noticing a reduction of pimples.  

Eventually I started adding tomatoes to my daily diet.  Even rubbed a tomato on a pimple a few times and it seemed to heal much quicker.

Love making salsa dip, keeping in mind cooking does reduce some of the vitamins.

Tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin K, potassium, folate, and calcium. Contain plenty lycopene, a powerful antioxidant.

" . . . may offer several potential benefits related to sexual health, including improved erectile function, enhanced male fertility, and prostate health . . ."

AI Overview ". . . research suggesting that they can reduce the risk of prostate cancer and enlarged prostate . . . "
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Microplastics Have Made Their Way Into Penises. What Can We Do To Avoid ...

It's obviously an attention grabbing headline by Business Insider. 

It does have some valid points. 

I avoid microwaving plastic containers, use glass. Stopped using baking paper  because the silicone  coating is just as hazardous.  

Even canned drinks, the cans are lined to prevent rusting. Probably it's best to avoid hot foods and drinks in plastic containers.

Further reading: 

Stroke patients have high levels of microplastics in the plaque clogging their arteries, researchers find by Morgan McFall-Johnsen

Air quality unhealthy for sensitive groups

Having just survived another bronchitis infection, I consider myself in the sensitive group. 

During the dry season there's plenty of dusty farm fields, unpaved highways, dust everywhere.  Add a light breeze with occasional heavy gusts and you have 'dirty air.'

I've tested the air at different locations around my house. Air seems to be more polluted around windy areas

My small pool is a good example of pollution, dirt at the bottom of the pool two days after cleaning it. Stuff floating on top is just as bad.

During the hot and dry summer months it's important to clean the air conditioners with regular frequency.  The accumulated dirt is just unbelievable.

Sakon Nakhon City installed a number of air quality sensors throughout the area last month. Think in an effort to calm fears.

This morning, the dust levels in the country exceeded the standard in 37 provinces.  MGR online dated 20 March 2025

Sakon Nakhon air quality map | IQAir 
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Khon Kaen Cow infected with rabies

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