I have UC; most of the inflammation is in the left side of my colon. I really want to do the wild oil of oregano treatment, because I'm sure my UC started because of a bacterial infection (my brother got UC the same time I did after a common meal at a family gathering) and I've been having major bloating and candidia infection symptoms. The problem is I'm breastfeeding and don't want to stop yet. I am just starting the elemental diet to provide colon rest to get healed up. Can I do the olive leaf extract while breastfeeding?

I am just starting the Natren Life Start probiotics.

Are there any other ideas of what I can do to eliminate some of the bloating?

and address the candidia or other bad bacteria problems without using oil of oregano?

Hi, there.

The olive leaf extract might be fine while breastfeeding, but I'd get the advice of a good naturopath first.

The good news is, there are lots of other ways to address candida overgrowth without resorting to either substance. The bad news is, they'll probably take longer, but at least they won't interfere with breastfeeding your little one.

The probiotics will certainly help, especially if you make some modifications to your diet at the same time. A terrific website with a wealth of information you can check out is:

http://www.yeastconnection.com/

To be honest, you're probably looking at a multi-step journey here, though. The elemental diet will give your colon a rest, but some people experience an increase in bloating and candida while on it - you'll have to go with your gut on this one, depending on the severity of your symptoms.

If you're having severe diarrhea or are experiencing colonic bleeding, the elemental diet is called for. You can get that addressed and then address the yeast overgrowth. In fact, many people need to address one symptom at a time - progressing from the more serious ones to the less serious. (Not that bloating isn't disruptive and extremely uncomfortable, I know ...)

If your worst symptom is bloating, I'd probably go with probiotics, dietary modifications and explore some emotional stuff as well. That might sound pretty strange, but check out the following web link, which I, at least, found quite intriguing. (This was an interview of Gary Craig, the founder of EFT, by Kathleen Barnes of The Yeast Connection.)

http://www.emofree.com/Articles2/yeast-interview.htm

By the way, EFT can also be very effective in addressing physical issues, as well, so you can also explore using it directly on your symptoms. If you don't already have it, the free manual can be downloaded from:

www.emofree.com

Anyway, there are a few things to get you started. Check those out and don't hesitate at all to come back with any questions that come to mind after you've read them.

All the best,
Nicole

Hi Christy,

I used wild oregano whilst breastfeeding my third child, Hugo - about 5 drops per day. I watched him closely for any signs of anything, but noticed nothing. I also took high dose probiotics (all 3) at the same time and I when I gave him pumped/expressed milk, I mixed Life Start (B. infantis) in with the breastmilk, or I just gave it to him on my finger - see Ch.9 of LTYG for instructions for babies.

We also gave super high doses of wild oregano to our cat whilst she was nursing 5 kittens - for about 10 days. Again, no adverse effects noted in kittens.

Do some research online, but I don't know whether you'll turn up anything for wild oregano or olive leaf whilst breastfeeding....still, worth a try. Go with your gut and monitor baby closely. Again, read Ch.9 of LTYG for lots more ideas.

take care,
Jini

wow, thank you guys for the input and advice. Its so nice to be heard and have some feedback. (I don't have a doctor who is open or interested in listening to my holistic journey. I'm currently seaching for one.)

I feel like I am in a big trial and error time right now, since the IBD stuff is pretty new to me, but I think I figured out why the bloating during the elemental diet was so bad for me. I had started taking asacol just before I went on the elemental diet because of some pretty severe bleeding after a very stressful weekend. I also did a couple healing enemas (1 x day for 3- 4 days), which I could never get to stay in longer than 10 to 20 minutes...they always ended with fecal matter needing to come out!! Just shy of a week into the elemental diet I went off of asacol due to joint pain increase. A few days later, I had a horrible day of bloating and just feeling yucky and achey in my gut. My bleeding increased so that night I did the healing enema. The retention enema lasted about 5 minutes, but I had so much fecal matter come out I could not believe it. I felt so much better. The bloating was gone the next day, but I did the enema that night and had the same thing happen. It's almost like my gut had stopped moving or couldn't get the fecal matter out on its own without the enema's help. And it wasn't constipated type material. Maybe asacol played into that or the fact that my gut just isn't normal right now?

my other candidia "symptoms" like pain on urination have not come back while I've been on the elemental diet, so maybe the candidia isn't as bad as I thought.

I've now been on the elemental diet 2 weeks and it seems like the only time the gas and bloating gets a little bad is when there is material in my colon....which I guess I thought there wouldn't be any at all because of the elemental diet, but I definitely have fecal matter that is still coming out...is this normal?

Jini, thank you sharing your experience with wild oregano...I am going back to reread LTYG and actually fill out the healing workbook this time.

Hi, Christy.

It's definitely normal that there'd still be fecal matter on the elemental diet.

Another elemental food, as an example, is breastmilk - but you, as a mother, know that that doesn't translate into no soiled diapers. (Too bad, though, huh?)

If you're anything like I was (I've followed the elemental diet twice), you'll start to really notice improvements at about the four-week point.

Hope that helps.

Nicole

oh, that comparison helps!

I'm glad to have a reference point...I was just agonizing a bit over whether I should continue with the elemental diet or go back to food.

thanks Nicole!

You're very welcome,

Nicole

I did a little research and found a website that gives a dosage amount for breastfeeding mamas. (basically the same as what Jini did).

http://www.naturalenergies-online.com/o ... ano.php#Q9

I haven't started it yet...but I'm planning on it.

Hey, Christy.

That's terrific you were able to find some information and thank you so much for sharing it!

Will you also share your experience if you do go ahead with it?

Might help another nursing Mum somewhere along the way....

All the best,
Nicole

I started a second round of Wild Oil of Oregano and it doesn't seem to be affecting my son.

As I look back to the first round, and the timing of my son's diarrhea, I noticed that he got his first 2 teeth 1 week after getting diarrhea...so that probably explains the diarrhea better. He lost his appetite and was fussy for that whole week before he got his teeth.

its been a week now since I've restarted and I'm up to 10 drops a day and he seems fine and happy. And I'm getting better results with getting my diarrhea stopped.

Hi Christy,

Breaking up your wild oregano dose will help with the sugar cravings - try taking 5 drops, 2x/day. Or, even better, 4 drops, 3x/day.

Yes, usually, if you're getting strong sugar cravings it means Candida is surging. So the divided wild oregano dose will help a lot with that (if not eliminate it).

The other avenue to explore is using EFT, search their website as there are lots of articles on using EFT for sugar and chocolate cravings:

http://www.emofree.com

all the best,
Jini
_________________