Going natural-LITERALLY!

[Meyer Jordan]

Hey Ladies. Were you aware of this. Seems to be fairly common. Quit using beneficial bacteria in your ponds, bathe in it instead. Its good for you, so this link says.
http://www.cosmeticsdesign.com/Form...idizing-bacteria-shown-to-improve-skin-health

 

[Mmathis]

I'll pass....

 

[Meyer Jordan]

You mean you are not a NEW AGE woman?

 

[Mmathis]

You mean you are not a NEW AGE woman?

I still like it when men hold the door open for me (but I hold doors open for others, as well)
Pretty dull and old-fashioned in some ways.... I do what makes me happy, not what other people say is "the thing to do."

 

[Mucky_Waters]

I do what makes me happy, not what other people say is "the thing to do."

That sounds like something my rebellious teenage son would say.

I've actually used balls of fibrous string algae I pulled out of my pond as a cleaning scrubber. Once you squeeze the water out of it it sort of feels like one of these bath scrubber things my wife uses, but the algae would have the added benefit of being covered in live nitrosomonas bacteria.

 

[addy1]

Substitute one and see it makes a difference, she will thank you!

 

[Lisak1]

The whole subject of bacteria and it's importance in our health is so fascinating to me. I've recently started fermenting vegetables and making fermented tea (kombucha) in an effort to re-colonize my gut with helpful, good bacteria. I read an article that said that researchers have found that isolated tribes of indigenous people have many, many - like thousands - strains of bacteria in their gut. We Americans sometimes have as few as THREE. Which is why they hypothesize we are so susceptible to superbugs and autoimmune disorders. Our reliance on antibiotics in medicine and, unfortunately, our meat sources is creating a problem that will have disastrous results if we don't get smart about it.

So would I put bacteria on my face? Maybe not. But I would definitely consider ingesting it for improved health! And, by the way, it was all my research on pond bacteria that lead me to the subject of bacteria for better health. So, once again, ponding proves to be a healthy hobby!

 

[Mmathis]

@Lisak1 What about a fecal transplant? Often those are ingested,
This past January-ish, I was treated for a dental infection. Lo & behold, guess what happened.......C. diff colitis! They said since I'm a retired nurse, The C. diff was probably already colonized in my gut (just from routine exposure to hospital bugs), since I don't fall in the usual risk category). I was sick, sick, sick, and the treatment antibiotic made me feel even worse. All was good in the end (no pun actually intended, but, hey, it fits), but now I go into (almost) PTSD mode whenever I feel nauseated or have to take antibiotics (which I just finished for another dental problem....). And no, I didn't have to go the "fecal transplant" route, thank goodness!

 

[bettasngoldfish]

So how does one decide which bacteria is beneficial and which is dangerous?

Don't think I will be bathing in any pond water any time soon

 

[Lisak1]

So how does one decide which bacteria is beneficial and which is dangerous?

Well, the bad ones are the ones that make you sick. C-diff is a perfect example that is running rampant in hospitals. We all encounter and even harbor the bad bacteria, but having enough of the good stuff can help us fight off the bad stuff. Not always of course, but it will at least give you a fighting chance. Antibiotics are so wonderful when they are needed, but overuse has caused two things - the development of drug resistant strains of bacteria and human guts that are lacking in enough good bacteria to maintain the positive balance.

And while I don't bathe in my pond per se, I do get in and wade around. Not sure how it affects my skin, but it is the only time this gardener's feet actually get clean!

We have an acquaintance who had a fecal transplant. While it's still considered a relatively new treatment, it saved his life - and his colon. Not exactly sure HOW the transplant happened, but I do know his brother was the donor. Imagine the jokes that little transaction inspired!

 

[Mmathis]

@Lisak1 Well stated!! My Hubby and I are both in the health care field, and one of our biggest pet peeves is the over prescribing of antibiotics! The general public has no concept.....the majority of illnesses are viral, in which case antibiotics aren't going to help (unless you're looking at a secondary infection). A simple blood test and review of symptoms is generally enough to tell if it's viral or bacterial. Viruses just have to run their course.

And we could also be describing our pond ecosystems. This is why it's not wise to blindly "treat" a pond or fish -- try to have an idea of WHAT you're treating -- for the reasons you stated.

As to the fecal transplant process (gross by any standards), they usually try to use donors who are living in the same household or who are closely related -- the rationale being these people will have gut flora similar to that of the recipient. Also, they do somehow sterilize it it, so it's not quite as bad as it sounds. Glad your friend did well!

 

[DrCase]

My wife always wanted a swimming pool , with this good news she should just be happy to take a dip in one of the ponds

 

[MitchM]

If any of us had a look at our skin surface with a microscope, most of us would probably be more than a little uncomfortable.
Google "skin flora" - or don't.
or "demodex mites"
Ignorance may be bliss here.

What's next, Meyer, no more shaving razors?

 

[HARO]

Bathing in my pond?? HELL NO! I don't want to kill my fish! But seriously, when I was working in northern Ontario, we ALWAYS took a bar of soap, hopped in the lake, and scrubbed ourselves clean! There was a rather large pike that liked to stay under the dock, and would come out to watch while all this was going on. Wonder what he was thinking?
John

 

[Mmathis]

@HARO I can't say it.....