Ridding your body and your home of Toxic Mold is NOT EASY. But....it is POSSIBLE!!
Welcome to my website!!! My name is Jennifer and I am the founder of Surviving Toxic Mold.
I have put together this lengthy but VERY DETAILED page as a guide so that others could possibly benefit from my experience and the experience of my friends and "mold victims" that I have met along the way. I always said I wished that someone had put together a simple step by step on what do avoid, buy or at least given me 1/10 of the information that I have compiled on this site. This is a picture of me in 2015, 5 years after leaving my extremely toxic moldy home. I didn't have thousands of dollars to see expensive doctors or treatment centers but over a 5 year period of time I studied people who got well, took advice from mold experts that would give me free and priceless information as well as took notes from the people who spent thousands of dollars on holistic medical teams to get them well. The steps in my guide are all things that were recommended by "Top Medical Mold/Detoxification Practitioners and Experts in Mycology and Toxicology and even healers, functional doctors and holistic naturpathic practitioners.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor, medical professional, scientist, professional environmentalist, pathologist, toxicologist, herbalist or treatment specialist. I am simply a mold victim who got great advicefrom other mold victims who are "Symptom-FREE" and "Functioning" - FREE of mold" and mold doctors who have even cured themselves. You are advised to seek out your own experts and doctors and not solely base your recovery on ANY suggestion or method I have listed herein. I take no responsibility legally or medically.
I've created this page in a "Checklist" format. If you'd like to print it out and take it to your doctor, practitioner or a family member you can simply hit { Ctrl+P } on the keyboard and it will prompt you to print a copy.
HERE'S HOW I SURVIVED THIS MESS
COMMITMENT
Committment & Attitude are key to your recovery.
Mold is a SERIOUS ISSUE. Experts say that if mold is NOT removed from the body it can progress into stages 1, 2 and 3.
In order to fully recover from mold toxicity you MUST decide that your commitment level is at a minimum of 100% and sometimes 200%. Sounds pretty humorous, but mold is nothing to joke about and should be attacked with a high committment level.
Your attitude can also play a part in your recovery or your demise. During my journey which you can read here, I needed to laugh, be positive, draw closer to God and determine in my mind that this was going to be ok. and YOU MUST TOO!! Making excuses for everything and why you can't do this will only get you exactly what you asked for "NOTHING". So look yourself in the mirror and say "I am COMMITED"
TIME & SCHEDULE
I am going to break it to you gently:
YOU CANNOT GET WELL in ONE WEEK, ONE MONTH or SIX MONTHS...some never get well (just being honest)
Mold takes "TIME" to leave the body. Mold does NOT want to leave your body because your body is a "HOST". It will do everything it can to stay.
You and your loved ones will deal with frustration
People expect to get well just by leaving the moldy environment but it's very "rare" that those who might have certain genetic mutations that get triggered "ON" from mycotoxin. Two of those possible mutations are HLA & MTHRF gene mutations. They have a difficult time ever getting well just by leaving. Also those with these gene mutations "turned on" might have days where they feel better then completely digress to a bed-ridden state. This is because these mutations block an individual's ability to fully release toxins and they reabsorb back into the body where they will make you sick all over again. This can also happen to people who do not test positive for either of these mutations but simply have toxic livers and detox pathways. Toxic mold and mycotoxins have a pattern of reabsorption back into the blood stream and can make you somewhat re-infected over and over. Fungi is parasitic in nature and will do anything to survive with your body as the "HOST". Be patient with yourself and family members: practice patience, love and understanding...and just be grateful it is not YOU dealing with being "re-infected" over and over.
Schedule plays a huge part in this process. If you are not able to function at work, school etc. you need to consider filing for disability (Temporarily) because it may take 8-10 months to start feeling normal. Please see our legal section to learn about "Mycotoxicosis" and filing for disabillity. If you are otherwise ok, you'll need to carve out a minimum of one year or two years if you are not detoxing well. It took me 4 years being very very strict to even start getting well enough where I could function and not be bed ridden. Yes, it's a scary road...but YOU CAN DO THIS!!
MONEY & FINANCES
Removing Toxic Mold (and all the other HIDDEN pathogens that come with it) from your body is draining on your finances. Unfortunately the main stream Medical community, AMA and your insurance providers DO NOT RECOGNIZE mold as a disease or illness
Some chemicals and pesticides use toxic molds that produce T-2 mycotoxins (Trichothecenes) - Agent Orange, RoundUp (Rumor has it)
Living near airports, trains, trucks, or buses - Diesel and Jet fuels contain mycotoxin and can be a source of toxic mold exposure if you are exposed on a constant basis?
Fall Seasonal rotting of Leaves
Burning Fall Leaves - mold is not destroyed unless the heat reaches over 500 degrees F. Spores and mycotoxin can float to nearby structures and contaminate.
Test the environment to make sure you are dealing with "TOXIC MOLD"
Not all molds are toxic and not all molds that may be toxic are toxic to ALL people. It is important to know what you are dealing with before trying to move forward or touching it.
*Important Warning:
DO NOT CLEAN MOLD (Toxic molds put off a neurotoxin when they are touched or disturbed. These neurotoxins are called mycotoxin that
if inhaled, swallowed or land on your skin can lead
to serious diseases like autoimmune, cancers and death)
ALWAYS TEST MOLD BEFORE DISTURBING IT
3 tests are required to know what you are dealing with.
Getting just one test does not give you all the pieces to the puzzle.
SWAB testing: Visual? - Do you see actual mold? If so, a standard swab or some might call it "tape lift" test can identify this mold.
USE A PROFESSIONAL ONLY. (Do not use test kits from hardware stores. They are not accurate).
It is important to locate a reputable mold testing company before spending money on a professional mold test. We are working on getting a substantial listing of mold testers HERE. If you do not see anyone listed in your area yet we suggest googling { Mold Testing in "name of your city and state" }
Swab testing ONLY reveals what is in that particular swab. It does not identify mold spores in the aire that you or your family are breathing. It is important to also get AIR and ERMI testing below for safety.
AIR testingor (control testing): Air samples can be used to gather data about mold spores present in the interior of a house. Usually testing is done outside the home and then also inside the home to compare normal outside natural mold levels to indoor levels. These samples are taken by using a pump that forces air through a collection device which catches mold spores. Air samples alone are not enough to confirm or deny the existence of toxic molds because some molds are light and float in the air and some of the most deadly molds are considered "HEAVY" and never float in the air such as "Stachybotrys" (the worst mold in existence). Air testing needs to be in addition to a visual inspection and other methods of data collection, such as a surface samples that include BOTH Swab and ERMI testing.
ERMI testing: The ERMI is an acronym for Environmental Relative Moldiness Index. This test is based on dust samples collected from throughout a home or building. 36 different fungi make up the ERMI and are designed as Group I (those found in a typical, water damaged home) and Group II (those commonly found in all homes) Get your ERMI testing HERE
(Optional ARMI testing): The ARMI is an acronym for American Relative Moldiness Index. This test is a more cost efficient version of the ERMI testing but is not as thorough. This test correlates with the ERMI for predicting the moldiness of homes. 13 different fungi make up the ARMI and are designated a group 1 (found in typical, water damages homes) and group 2 (commonly found in all homes). The fungi identified in the ARMI tests are: Stachybotrys chartarum, Chaetomium globosum, Cladosporium sphaerospermum, Aspergillus versicolor, Eurotium (A.) amstalodami, Penicillium variabile, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus restrictus, Penicillium crustosum, Penicillium purpurogenum, Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium corylophilum,
(Optional MSQPCR testing):MSQPCR is an acronym for Mold Specific Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction. This test is a FAST, ACCURATE, and SENSITIVE DNA-based analytical method for identifying and quantifying molds to the species level types they belong to. This testing method looks for the presence of DNA sequences that are unique to a particular mold species.
How much does Mold Testing (By an expert) cost? Thorough Inspection: Will be between $150-$300 depending on the size of the home or if there are hard to reach attic or crawl space areas. Air Testing: Will be between $200-$300 (for one outside/control sample and one inside room sample). Most additional room samples cost between $75 - $150 each additional room. Swab/Tape samples - Each small area physical samples will be $75 - $150 per sample (This is for visible mold colonies you are concerned about) ERMI Test - ERMI tests (Done yourself) cost about $275, however most people do not collect the samples correctly. If you want your expert technician to do it for you it will cost an additional $100-$150.
For an expert and thorough testing and inspection of a home figure about $1200-$1400 Total. This will tell you "everything" you need to know about the possible mold in your home.
Next is: Stopping the cause of moisture and getting rid of mold as well as removing yourself from ANY exposure to it
Step 4
FIND and Stop ALL moisture or WATER intrusions - Hire the proper professionals to stop leaks and moisture from coming in. There are three possible ways to find and locate moisture or water intrusions.
Visually - This way is not accurate as sometimes we can only see a little portion of a bigger problem. Remember an "iceburg".
Hire a mold or plumbing inspector to come in and use moisture meters and detectors. This is the most expensive but also MOST accurate way of detecting hidden leaks and moisture in a home.
Self Detection with state of the art technology
There is a new product out on the market for users to detect moisture using your iPhone or Android. It's called FLIRONE. FLIR ONE can help you identify wet areas and potential leaks in ceilings, walls and floors before mold starts. This tool is a moldy's best friend and a must-have for your a DIY moisture detection method that can save you thousands of dollars and avoid having to constantly hire professionals to come into your home and find leaks you had no idea were there.
See how homeowners are able to find shower leaks before they become a major source of toxic mold by clicking play on the video below. To order your FLIR One YOU CAN BUY IT HERE
Step 5
MOLD REMOVAL & REMEDIATION or MOLD ESCAPE: first off you cannot get toxic mold out of your body if you are still living with any mold around you. So first step is a mycotoxin/mold-free environment otherwise you will keep inhaling the mycotoxins and they will not leave your body.
MOLD CANNOT BE VACUUMED, WASHED, CLEANED, SPRAYED etc. If there is visible mold it must be cut out, gutted, replaced by a PROFESSIONAL ONLY. When you disturb toxic mold it defends itself by spraying what is called "Mycotoxins". Mycotoxins kill human cells and DNA.
Mold Removal: If the mold is smaller than 2ft x 2ft you can wear protective gear including suit, gloves, face mask, eye protection, ear protection. Cut approximately 1 foot beyond the mold and place in a plastic bag and throw out the nearest window. DO NOT DRAG THROUGH HOUSE. Still wearing the protective gear clean the room and the entire contents of the room in a 50/50 ammonia and *distilled water solution. Air to dry with fans pointing outside a window.
Mold Remediation: If mold is bigger than 2ft x 2ft you have a HIGHLY CONTAMINATED situation that is LIFE THREATENING. DO NOT try to remove it yourself. If you are renting: call the landlord immediately and go to a friend or family's house unti it is resolved. If you own the home: call a professional immediately and go to friends, family or neighbors until professionals can resolve it.
Mold Escape: If anyone in your home is sick the only way to resolve it is to leave the home/apartment fully entact with everything in it. If you try to save or remove items from the home you are bringing the toxic mold to the new location or worse, to your car.
I highly recommend getting "SAFE" advice about your home
if you find out that your home testing comes back positive for mycotoxin-producing molds. One of the most trusted resources I know is a gentleman by the name of
David Snell who runs www.RestorationBoard.com
Step 6
Finding a holistic "Mold Literate Doctor" is ideal. We've found several HERE in your area. I would highly recommend herbalists, chinese medicine, functional medicine or naturopathic doctors or even just a "clinician" that completely understands what "mycotoxins" and "toxic molds" are. Do NOT spend money on a practitioner if they cannot explain toxic molds, list the 4 most dangerous molds and also DO NOT KNOW what mycotoxins are. Sometimes people get lucky and can work with an MD that will listen and not make you feel you are crazy. (However, doctors are not trained in medical school regarding toxic mold, mycotoxins or mycology in mold illness and will try to treat the symptoms as a separate disease and not ALLOW you to speak of mold exposure as the cause. You cannot work with these traditional doctors. Treating symptoms can be dangerous because mold will still continue to grow in your body unless the appropriate actions are taken to remove it). ***GOOD TIP: Use your regular MD for things like vitamin/mineral deficency labs, blood labs and urine tests. Do not seek advice from an MD and start taking meds for symptoms. It takes you deeper into sickness.
**NOTE: If you cannot afford to pay for an alternative doctor it's "ok". Simply do your best to follow this step by step guide and it will help you "self heal" but you need to make sure that you follow it precisely or you will be missing IMPORTANT STEPS that are necessary to get rid of the mold in your body.
Step 7
Medical Testing: for mold, mycotoxins, Candida, bacterial infections, parasites, viruses, heavy metals, hormones, metabolic panels, nutritional deficiencies, bloodwork etc.
Toxic mold releases biotoxins into the body that can alter the entire functionality of the body including the immune system, endocrine system, respiratory tract, Dermal system & Nervous system. FACT, most mycotoxins are actually classified as "IMMUNE SUPPRESSORS & NERVOUS SYSTEM inhibitors . This means that when your body's immune system, nervous system & hormonal system is weakened it opens the door to opportunisitc pathogens like:
Candida
SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) SIBO blocks absorption of foods leading to nutritional deficiencies
Parasites
Viruses (Can activate or you can catch new ones)
Detox systems (Liver, Skin, Pancreas, Skin) can become dysfunctional and trap toxins like (heavy metals, chemicals and more)
Hormones not working correctly
Metabolic processes don't function properly
MOST TESTING IS USELESS UNLESS YOU HAVE A QUALIFIED DOCTOR, NATUROPATH, INTEGRATIVE, FUNCTIONAL, HOMEOPATHIC practitioner or clinician to look at the test and DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT
(MOST IMPORTANT TEST!!) Mycotoxin testing (Urine Mycotoxin Panel): Toxic molds put off a secondary metabolite called mycotoxin. You may have read here on the site about mycotoxin. It's kind of a waste product or after result of the toxic mold spore. Having this show up in your urine means you have definitely been exposed to the rare types of toxic molds usually found in water damaged buildings, however as stated above there are other sources of these toxic molds like foods and medicines. Having a positive test here confirms some type of exposure and is a sign that your bladder is releasing the biotoxin.
Here are the companies that test to identify mycotoxin metabolites in urine
www.RealTimeLab.com - $695.00 Realtime Labs offers a Mycotoxin Urine Panel that tests for 4 mycotoxins: Alfatoxin, Trichothecenes by the mold species Fusarium, Myrothecium, and Stachybotrys (i.e. black mold), Ochratoxin & Gliotoxin.
www.GreatPlainsLaboratory.com- $495 Realtime Labs offers a Mycotoxin Urine Panel that tests for 4 mycotoxins: AFLATOXIN M1 (AFM1), OCHRATOXIN A (OTA), STERIGMATOCYSTIN (STG), RORIDIN E Roridin E is a macrocyclic trichothecene produced by the mold species Fusarium, Myrothecium, and Stachybotrys (i.e. black mold).
Scientist & Toxicologist Dr. William Croft, PhD of Environmental Diagnostic Group- $100
Dr. William Croft is a toxic mold expert who spent his career working for the government studying Trichothecene mycotoxins. He is generously offering "MY READERS" a discounted rate on detecting the most dangerous mycotoxin group in urine which is Trichothecenes by the mold species Fusarium, Myrothecium, and Stachybotrys (i.e. black mold) This discounted test is the basic test to know if you have been exposed to the infamous (black mold) that is so dangerous.
Get tested for "Lyme Disease" - (Lyme Disease (Borrelia spp) DNA, Qualitative, Real-Time PCR) Lyme Disease can mimic the same symptoms as mold. Also a high percentage of people with mold illness also have Lyme Disease and never knew it because both Lyme and Mold are in the same classification of biotoxins and they weaken the immune system in the same way. You can order your own Western Blot Lyme Disease test from www.IGENEX.com HERE
Co-Infections of Lyme Disease
Babesia microti DNA, Real-Time PCR
Babesia microti Antibodies (IgG, IgM), IFA
Malaria/Babesia/Other Blood Parasites
Bartonella DNA, Qualitative Real-Time PCR
Ehrlichia chaffeensis DNA, Real-Time PCR
SIBO Testing (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) Unfortunately a lot of Americans have a minor case of SIBO due to their high carbohydrate and sugar diets way before they were exposed to toxic mold. However, after getting exposed this phenomenon known as SIBO can literally bring one to their knees and make them extremely ill. These bacteria in the small intestine cause (constipation, diarhea, cramping, nausea, brain fog, depression, anxiety attacks, panic attacks, nervousness, shortness of breath, fast heart rate, distended belly). If you have any of these symptoms it is most likely that being exposed to toxic mold made this worse and (THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED BEFORE YOU CAN HEAL FROM MOLD). The test you need to take is a hydrogen/methane lactu-lose 3 hour breath test. After all my research I have found that there are only a handful of experts (maybe 300?) in the US that REALLY know how to eradicate SIBO. Most western doctors know about SIBO but do not know how it relates to toxic mold thus they are not educated enough to really eradicate it completely. You'll need an expert at reading the test and gives you a customized treatment plan that is very specific to your test results. *DO NOT TRY TO SELF TREAT SIBO: It is a complicated issue and really requires an expert. (functional docs are great)
Candida Testing - Candida DNA, Qualitative, Real-Time PCR, Serum or you can also get Candida results in a Gi-map test from a functional provider.
Metabolic Panels (CMP) - This test is always covered by insurance and can be ordered by any practicing physician. This is the general blood work done by all doctors and ER doctors that show the main important life functions. *99% of the time this will look fine. Toxic mold has a bad habit of making this test look great thus people get a false feeling that they are ok based on a normal CMP. However, this couldn't be farther from the truth.
Vitamin D levels -
This is usually very low in persons exposed to mold. A possible cause for this could be SIBO. SIBO can block absorption of VitaminD. You need more (10am - 1pm) direct skin sun exposure to convert to raise vitD/ if no sun you'll to supplement D3 under doctor supervision. I recommend ONLY using non-GMO verified VitaminD so be sure to check with your practitioner and make sure they are offering you a non-GMO verified supplement. If they are not or you are choosing not to be under a practitioners care, you can supplement with "Garden of Life" brand Vitamin D. "Garden of Life" is verified as non-GMO. (warning about GMO's: it introduces a fungal element to the product) You can get "Garden of Life" VitaminD HERE
Get tested for Pyroluria and Methylation status (Pyrole: Kryptopyrole, Zinc blood, Copper blood and if you have psychiatric symptoms the best way to check for methylation issues related to these mental symptoms is through a "WHOLE BLOOD HISTAMINE" test. - Read this important article on Copper imbalances and how they are bad for fungal infections HERE Besides all of the normal mold symptoms I had severe mental illness and I don't mean the kind where you do crazy things or are not in your right mind...I mean...OCD, panic, anxiety to the point of I couldn't even function as a human being, depression and suicidal, crying all day long...asking my kids to please not leave because I was afraid of "WHAT?" I had no idea...my brain was just so confused.
A local friend came over and told me about his daughter and how she recovered from all of these same symptoms and found out that environmental toxins can trigger something called Pyroluria.
For a while I was in denial until I literally had to go to a behavioral health center for a week I couldn't even cook for myself it got so bad.
I was referred by my friend to http://www.PyroluriaTesting.com and www.MensahMedical.com as a last resort. After all testing came back I was both shocked and relieved to know that mold in fact had triggered this condition called pyroluria. I found out that mold had caused an imbalance in my blood chemistry and I was severely deficient in zinc....when a person is deficient in zinc, copper is not able to be detoxed or removed from the body and pyrole proteins start duplicating in the body at alarming levels. Pyrole depletes B6 so the imbalance then became Low zinc, high copper, B6 deficient, high pyrole. This combo can dibilitate a person to the point of suicide, anxiety, ocd, schitzo and more. Copper is a conductor of electricity in the body so using wifi and EMF exposure increased the excitability in my brain 10-fold....I was literally shaking 24 hours a day.
Dr. Mensah met with me online and gave me a custom protocol of the exact amount of zinc, copper chelators and B6 plus I consulted with his referral for diet advice for low folate...all of this combined and I have only had ONE anxiety attack in 3 months. I feel some anxiety and very little depression now...I am FINALLY not paranoid about anything anymore and all this has changed in a short period of time..only 3 months. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/holistic-psychiatry/201709/copper-toxicity-common-cause-psychiatric-symptoms
Test for Idione Deficiency - this is common in moldies. If after testing you find out that you are iodine deficient like I was you can purchase a high quality idione supplement.
Full Hormone & Thyroid Labs - TSH lab tests are usually useless,(these are always innacurate) just an FYI. To really find out if your thyroid is not functioning correctly you can order a "DUTCH HORMONE TEST" from a (Functional Practitioner or Clinician ONLY. Regular doctors do not know what a Dutch Hormone Test is). You can order the DUTCH TEST on your own HERE but remember....having the Dutch Test does not solve anything unless you have a qualified clinician that can review and interpret the results as well as create an entire treatment plan for you using natural supplements to fix the hormones that are not working correctly. (Functional Docs are good sources for this)
Sinuses (testing and treatment)
Have a qualified practitioner test you for MARCoNS -(Multiple Antibiotic Resistant Coagulase Negative Staphylococci) is an antibiotic resistant staph infection that resides deep in the nose of 80% of people with exposure to a toxic mold as well as andother chronic inflammatoryif you have this bacteria in your sinuses you cannot detox properly from mold. MARCoNS is a resistent bacteria found usually in the sinus and nasal passages. You can order the test HERE. Here is hands-down the BEST blog post on the internet about testing for it and ways to kill it.HERE I used 2 specific all natural sprays: "Argentyn 23" nasal spray to eradicate fungus and bacteria from my nose and sinuses. It completely illiminates the use for antibiotics (which do not work, by the way on MARCons) It is 100% natural and safe for adults and children. It is made of silver hydrosol. The best place to buy it is HERE
I also used "Xlear" which contains Grapefruit Seed Extract and Xylitol which are excellent antibacterial agents in fighting any type of sinus infection. Xlear is completely "all natural" and completely safe for adults and children so there are no chemicals or drugs involved in the sinuses. You can get it HERE
Heavy Metal Testing - If you have a high concentration of heavy metals in your system (from Mercury Amalgams in your teeth, foods, cookware) you would NEVER know it and it COULD be that this is your problem instead of mold OR both!! If it is both you cannot detox properly from mold until heavy metals are removed via extracting your mercury teeth fillings and also chelation or some other method. Check out this girls grueling story and experience with heavy metal poisoning: http://www.xojane.com/it-happened-to-me/it-happened-to-me-a-misdiagnosis-made-me-sick-for-a-decade
Ammonia levels - This is important to know because if you have high levels of ammonia in your body you should never take an ammonia bath *See Step 12 below
FULL Viral Load Testing - When exposed to a biotoxin like toxic mold these biotoxins are usually considered immunosupressive which means that your immune system is now vulnerable to a slew of viruses that can be just as bad if not worse than the toxic mold exposure itself. Please get tested for these viruses. Most of these tests here can be run by a regular MD. Doctors might think you are nuts...but your health is important so stress that you want these tests done.
Herpes Simplex Virus 1/2 Antibody (IgM), IFA with Reflex to Titer, Serum
Herpes Simplex Virus 1/2 (IgG) (HerpeSelect®) with Reflex to HSV-2 Inhibition
Enterovirus RNA, Qualitative, Real-Time PCR
cox sackie
anti ASO (strep) - Pandas
Dig Deeper: If you are really struggling with food sensitivities, gut issues, neurological issues or were diagnosed with any type of an auto-immune disease you might want to consider some of these functional labs that might be able to help you figure out what is going on as well. These symptoms can be caused by toxic mold exposures.
Keep your environment free of mold, moisture and mycotoxins and at the same time work on detoxing your body and building your immune system.
(This can take from 6 months up to 5 years) IMPORTANT:
We are not doctors or licensed practitioners. The advice or suggestions given in the entirety of this website are for informational purposes only. Please consult your physician before beginning any supplement or regimen. Some statements, treatments or suggestions listed in this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This website and/or any of it's contents are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. (saying this because we have to)
Step 8
MOLD FREE ENVIRONMENT & INTENSE PREVENTION TECHNIQUES ( The instructions below are for the NEW HOME & NOT to be confused with the "MOLDY HOME". Do not try to clean a MOLDY home )
Keeping your (NEW) environment both MOLD and Mycotoxin-FREE is KEY to recovery. Clean EVERYTHING with ammonia. Floors, walls, clothes blankets etc....50/50 ammonia and distilled water.
Be 100% sure your new environment tests BELOW safe mold levels. Have the new home/apartment visually and ERMI tested HERE
Keep all fabrics clean "weekly" by washing them in a washer with NO DETERGENT and 2 cups ammonia. (All blankets, pillows, pillow covers, matress pads, sheets, towels, rugs, dishtowels, pot holders, shower curtains). *Our bodies release mycotoxins through our pores. This can contaminate anything our skin comes in contact with including clothing, bedding and couches. Keep these items in contact with the ammonia at least once a week to keep the mycotoxin levels down. This will enable you to recover.
Clean home weekly with only "Non-Toxic" cleaning ingredients.
Benefect Botanical Cleaner Benefect is an amazing product that is made from Thyme essential oil and is completely all natural and non toxic. Thyme has been proven in labs and studies to kill toxic mold and neutralize mycotoxin.
Ammonia: *yes, this is not toxic if using 3% household ammonia (antifungal but NOT antibacterial. DO NOT MIX WITH CHLORINE OR ANY OTHER DETERGENTS). Can be used all over the home for general detoxifcation of mold and mycotoxins.
Baking Soda(antifungal) - Baking soda is a good antifungal cleaner for wet areas around the home. Kitchens, bathrooms, laundry areas and garages. *Note: Baking soda does not have any antibacterial properties so if you want to add an antibacterial element to your use of baking soda you'll need to add an antibacterial essential oil to the baking soda.
Castile Soap is safe and non-toxic for any kind of cleaning job. *Note: Castile soap does not have antibacterial or antifungal properties but is a non-toxic base for cleaning. If you want to add an antibacterial, antiviral or antifungal element to your use of castile soap you'll need to add an essential oil to the Castile Soap.
Borax(antifungal) also known as Boric Acid. This can be used as an antifungal laundry wash, antifungal shower cleaner, also used as a non toxic pesticide for ants, spiders and cockroaches.
Epsom Salts (antibacterial, antifungal & antiviral properties) Can be used to "pull out" toxins in a bath, can be used to clean toilets, bathtubs and sinks because it has both antibacterial and antifungal properties. Can also be used to wash clothing that has already been washed in ammonia but you keep reacting. You are possibly reacting to bacteria and not the mycotoxin. Always double check and wash with epsom before deciding to throw out the clothes.
Essential Oils like Lemon (BUY LEMON HERE), Oregano, Clove, Cinnamon, Thyme, Cedarwood, Hyssop are all great antifungal oils.
Buy and use "DAILY" a room or whole house air purifier that has been proven to (REMOVE, KILL and NEUTRALIZE MYCOTOXINS) Do not use these in moldy homes with visible mold.
Get rid of the moisture problem and mold first, then buy the air purifier. Here is an ONGOING LIST of purifiers that meet the specifications just for mold and mycotoxins.
Step 9
Follow a Strict "Anti-Mold" Diet and ANY/ALL drug, smoking or alchohol consumption
You must follow a "Mold Detox Diet"You can access the diet HERE. The only sugary type foods allowed would be some carrot, green apple and some berries. No yeast, no breads, no grains, no sugars, no processed food, no unhealthy meats, no beans, no coffee, no tea, no packaged drinks.
No Smoking, Drinking or Drug Use
NO SMOKING - Not even one cigarette (smoking causes mold to take over your body)
NO DRINKING - Not even one drink (alchohol has mycotoxins)
NO DRUGS - NONE (this creates a toxic load in the body that could be fatal) *Medical Marijuana and Canabis oil are not considered drugs and can actually have positive results for those with mold illness but more research needs to be done.
Step 10
A Binder MUST be used to bind the toxins and get them prepared to exit from your body
TALK CLOSELY WITH YOUR DOCTOR ON "DOSAGE and TIMING": MOLD DOCTOR OR MD THAT WILL HELP. You must use a binder to get the mold spores and the mycotoxins out that they produce. (These DO NOT come out of your body naturally as they must be moved out and neutralized).
Here are the top "binders" you can use. (Not all binders work the same for each person so you can try each one for three to six months at a time each to see which one works. You will know it worked by how you feel...the symptoms will all start going away.) I'd start with the top of the list and work down:
Detox+Plus is an exclusive mix of cleansing herbs, Detox + helps to gently cleanse the body of harmful mold toxins, heavy metals and chemical toxins as well as helping to purify the digestive system and colon.
Special Precautions & Warnings: Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking chitosan by mouth if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Shellfish allergy: Chitosan is taken from the outer skeleton of shellfish. There is a concern that people with allergies to shellfish might also be allergic to chitosan. However, people who are allergic to shellfish are allergic to the meat, not the shell. So some experts believe that chitosan may not be a problem for people with shellfish allergy.
Buy it HERE Limu Moi
(Brown Seeweed Drink but tastes good!)
Buy it HERE Chlorella
(Safe and effective for anyone) **Also extremely effective for those who have "Mycoplasma" which is a co-infection of Lyme Disease.
Buy it HERE Cholestepure A natural alternative to Cholestyramine
Modified Citrus Pectin Supports Cellular Health, Supports Healthy Immune Response, Support Healthy Detoxification of molds, metals
Below are medications sometimes used. Always keep in mind that medications have side effects and may react with other natural or prescribed products and should always be monitored closely by a scientific medical doctor or medical toxicologist. I personally DO NOT recommend taking any of the drugs below as they add more of a toxic load on the GI tract and liver.
Cholestyramine (prescription) - Drugs can add to your toxic load take caution Welchol: also known as colesevelam hydrochloride(Prescription) - Drugs can add to your toxic load take caution.
Doctors will tell you: DO NOT take any of the binders above unless you are taking some type of a kidney, liver, lymph support herb. Talk to an herbalist and tell them you are detoxing and that you need to make sure these organs are open and not blocked. (When you use a binder it will bind the toxins and push them into the bloodstream and your organs which can poison you...so you want to make sure you are using herbs that "open" the doors to let the toxins out.
Step 11
Drink 2-4 cups of "Organic Loose-Leaf Green Tea) per day
Most teas contain dangerous molds or mycotoxins and should be avoided when you are following the mold detox diet. However, Organic loose-leaf green tea is in a category all by itself. ECGC in green tea has been proven in scientific studies to reduce the cytotoxicity of trichothecene mycotoxins.
Please read our full article HERE in the blog about how to use green tea as well as the type to use. Using store bought green tea "WILL NOT" be enough and can be more harmful to your health.
Step 12
Healthy water is essential for moving toxins through the body:
Drink a little more than HALF your body weight in healthy filtered/mineralized water to help flush out the organs.
I highly recommend getting "polar mins" and adding it to your daily water which are trace minerals that are vital to your health and detoxification. Polar minerals contain basic electrolyte magnesium, potassium, calcium & sodium. You can buy "Polar Mins" HERE
Another important part of water is that while you are sick you DO NOT want to be drinking tap water, bottled water (unless it's from a glass), well water or distilled water. Drinking good clean water is vitally important to the detox process. Good forms of water are: Kangen Water, Natural Spring Water (filtered), Berkey Filtered (tap) water. Honestly, most water filters do not filter out everything like chlorine, flouride and pharmaceutical medication residue however, the Berkey Filter filters out ALL contaminents and is the cleanest, safest water to drink. You can buy a Berkey Water filter HERE
If you are looking for something "less bulky" that filters out the most toxins in water I highly recommend the AquaTru Countertop water filter that filters out well over 70 known contaminents in tap water. It doesn't have the same portibility factor that the berkey portable system has but if you are looking for something to use in your kitchen this is the best product out there. You can buy an AquaTru HERE through this link.
Step 13
Opening up the Detox Pathways is REQUIRED in order to let the Mycotoxins out of your body: PULLING TOXINS OUT
Detox pathways are like doorways that lead "out" and "away" from your body. Our bodies were designed to have many "doorways that lead out".
Here are the doorways that your body has:
Skin/Pores
Ways to open up skin/pore pathways
Ammonia Baths: If you have a positive mycotoxin panel test of "Trichothecenes/T-2 toxins" you can take daily ammonia baths. Full bath of water with 1 cup of white household 3% ammonia. Soak for 20 min per day. 2 months. (DO NOT TAKE AMMONIA BATHS UNTIL AFTER YOU"VE TESTED YOUR BODY FOR AMMONIA LEVELS. If your levels are high you cannot take ammonia baths)
Eliminate "Anti-Perspirant" deoderant use: Check your deoderant for the words "anti-perspirant". If these words appear anywhere on the packaging that means they use Aluminum in the ingredients. Aluminum is toxic to the brain and clogs up your armpit pathways. The armpits are one of the biggest places that your body gets rid of toxins and biotoxins. If you have them blocked...you will remain toxic.
Epsom Salt baths. 1 cup of Epsom Salts for a full bath. Soak for 20 minutes per day. 6 months.
Epsom Salt Foot Soaks - Soak feet in Epsom Salts for up to 20 minutes per day. You will feel a detox feeling after. The bottom of the feet is a place where toxins can be excreted.
Saunas - Invest in a home sauna that you can use daily and weekly. It can be quite expensive trying to book appointments to go to a place that has sauna packages. Also another reason to buy your own is that you will realize that you will want to keep up sauna treatments the rest of your life because it will help you avoid "ever becoming toxic again". It is a wise choice to purchase one of your own so that you can take control of your future health.
Dry Sauna - *not as effective as infrared
Infrared Sauna - *more effective than dry sauna
Infrared saunas are an effective tool for natural healing and detoxification. Infrared light safely penetrates human tissue which pulls out mold toxins, chemical toxins and biotoxins. Below are my "picks" for home saunas on "any" budget. From smaller more portable options that are cheaper to more permanent options that can last you a lifetime.
Armpit Binder Masks - Make a paste using any binder by mixing it with water. My favorite is Bentonite Clay or Charcoal. Place the paste under your armpit and let it dry. Let it absorb toxins through your armpits for up to 30 minutes then get in the shower and rinse.
Liver The liver second to the skin is the most important part of detoxing pathways when you have been exposed to mold and mycotoxins. Here are many ways to support and keep those detox pathways open on a daily basis.
Keep the Liver "door" open with Coffee Enemas: If you want to get rid of mold toxins, have better digestion, get back your energy and a healthier gallbladder and liver, this is the best procedure you can invest your time in. This is by far a superior process for cleaning up the filtering processes of the body. The biggest benefits of a coffee enema are:
Enhances the liver enzyme, glutathione, which removes many toxins, including toxic mold from the blood
Dilutes and increases bile flow
Coffee enemas also help eliminate bacteria’s and candida in the colon.
Reduces inflammation of the gut caused by Candida, poor diet and mold exposure
Coffee enemas are used as part of the Gerson Therapy cancer cure protocols. (which in an of itself is amazing to know).
Warnings: You should always seek the advice of your physician before taking coffee enemas. Coffee enemas are not for everyone, but many people have had good results. We recommend reading Gerson Therapy books to find out who can and who cannot use coffee enemas. Make sure you have plenty of electrolytes and nutrition right before you do an enema. (coconut water, fresh juicing, himalayan salt in fresh filtered water, proteins, leafy greens also). Another contraindication reported is for people with heart or kidney ailments, as enemas can cause an electrolytic imbalance.
HERE's what you'll need 1. Non-Toxic Stainless Steel Enema Kit
Why stainless and not rubber? First off, many of the rubber or plastic enema kits are completely toxic in and of themselves. If you have been exposed to mold, most-likely you will have developed MCS or (Multiple Chemical Sensitivities). The rubber or plastic ones have such an awful odor that it could put you in a tail spin with MCS.
You can buy this exclusive stainless kitHERE
2. Organic Enema Coffee (Do not use standard drinking coffee) Specially formulated enema coffee is high in cafestol and palmitic acid which is needed to open the liver bile ducts. It is a very “clean” organic air roasted coffee and is not the same quality as store purchased coffees.
Most enema coffees are tested for mold or fungus They look to buy and sell specialty grade coffee. Mold or fungus damage on green coffee beans is considered a category 1 defect that would prevent it from being considered specialty grade in use for enemas. Currently there has been a widespread growth of fungus found on lesser grade coffee beans. You can buy specially formulated organic enema coffees HERE Good brands are (Cafe Mam [the only coffee recommended in Gerson therapy book], PureLife, Core-Vital, Aussie Health, Premium Enema)
Follow the Mold Detox Diet on our website - here are also some very important vitamins and nutrients that specifically help the liver detox biotoxins: (These are all approved for the mold detox diet above.
One of the best herbs you can get for detoxing that liver and opening up those pathways from the liver is to take "Milk Thistle". As I have mentioned before I prefer the NOW brands in my recovery so I use the Silymarin which is actually 2 times the Milk Thistle and has added artichoke and dandelion root which are also great liver detoxifiers. You can buy it HERE
The liver needs living enzymes, vitamin C, natural antibiotic substances, anti-parasitic, anti-fungal and anti-cancer phyto-nutrients. Raw juicing is another way to gain the benefits from these foods. Here are some great juicing recipes we recommend that are safe for the Mold Detox Diet.
Vitamin K – green leafy vegetables and alfalfa sprouts.
Arginine – this helps the liver to detoxify exessive ammonia. Arginine is found in walnuts and seeds.
Antioxidants – found in fresh raw juices such as carrot, celery, dandelion, (green) apple and green drinks from chorella and spirulina, and fresh citrus juice from lemons and limes.Try this Mold Detox Juicing Recipe
Selenium – sources of the antioxidant selenium are kelp, garlic and onions.
Methionine – is essential for detoxification. Is found in eggs, fish, garlic, onions, seeds and meat.
Essential fatty acids – Seafood, cod liver oil, and fish oil. Seafood needs to always be fresh such as sardines, salmon, mackerel, tuna, trout, mullet, calamari, herring, blue eye cod. Fresh avocado, fresh organic raw nuts like almonds, walnuts and pecans and seeds, green vegetables such as spinach, green beans, eggplant, cold pressed fresh vegetable and seed oils, freshly ground seeds, especially flax seeds (linseed), evening primrose oil, black-currant seed oil, star flower oil. Essential fatty acids are required for healthy membranes in every cell of the body and plentiful amounts are required for healthy liver function. This is why strict low-fat diets are not beneficial for general health, weight control or liver detoxing function.
Natural sulphur compounds – Found in eggs (pastured eggs only), garlic, onions, leeks, shallots and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts.
Half your body weight per day in filtered or kangen water: If you weight 200lbs then drink 100oz.
Warm Water in the morning with fresh squeezed Organic Lemon juice
Dandelion tea
Marshmallow root
Nettle tea
Parsley
Red clover
Ginger
Turmeric
Watermelon
Pumpkin seeds
Spirulina
Blueberries
Asparagus
Baking soda - 1/2 teaspoon in 4 oz of water in the evenings helps clean out kidneys.
Lymphatic System/Lymphnodes
Daily rebounding - This is the rebounding trampoline that I bought and still use every single day. You can buy it HERE and have it delivered to your house. Also here is a great video on YouTube on the subject of rebounding as it applies to opening up the lymphatic system and helps you detox better. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khCtpHj5hjw
Dry Brushing - This is the dry brush that I purchased and use every single day "Before" I take a shower. You can buy it HERE and have it delivered to your house like I did. If you are not sure how to dry brush here is an excellent video on how to dry brush your lymphatic system each day before you shower: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QpQZyze3Yk
Spleen Traditional Chinese medicine pays extra special attention to the Spleen and rightly so. The spleen is actually part of the lymphatic system and it's key function is to renew our cells and eliminating toxins from the body. In a normally healthy body the spleen will actually repair itself, however, when toxic molds enter the body and put off dangerous mycotoxin the spleen can become "enlarged" and toxins will be trapped. This is quite dangerous because our spleens clean out blood, and make red blood cells. Cleansing out your spleen is an excellent way to support spleen health and functioning and bring your body back to homeostasis (the way it was before a toxic mold exposure) Here are some great ways to open up the detox pathways of the spleen:
Mold Detox Diet - This is most effective way to keep the spleens detox pathways open. The Spleen responds well to "warm" foods like: Warm detox soups, carrots, sweet potato, warm teas and approved mold detox fruits. Cranberry (not store bought cranberry but juiced cranberries are extremely detoxing to the spleen) Here is the closest version to fresh pressed cranberry there is on the market.
Herbs for the Spleen -
Echinacea In Traditional Chinese medicine connects echinacea to the spleen.
You can drink Echinacea Tea
Which Can be purchased HERE *always remember to avoid "tea bags" as
they contain added toxins that your body will need to
detoxify from. You can read about toxins in tea bags
here in my article.
Or you can buy Echinacea in a
capsule form which is more
convenient which can be
purcased HERE
Astragalus has also been used in Chinese Medicine to support the spleen.
or you can take astragalus
in a tincture form HERE
You can either make a tea out of the raw chopped
organic Astragalus by purchasing it HERE
Wild indigo root is another herb that encourages lymphatic flow and cleanses the lymph of damaging microbes, which will ultimately aids the spleen. These herbs often come in pill form or, if purchased raw, can be made into teas and tinctures. As with any medicine, take care to always follow the recommended dosages—even herbal remedies can be dangerous if taken in excess.
Pancreas
Gallbladder
The gallbladder is especially on the "attack" with mold and mycotoxins...just ask me :( I've had gallstones now and many attacks even on a low fat diet. It's the mycotoxins unfortunately wreaking havoc on your system.
One good way to keep the gallbladder detoxed is to drink a flush of fresh organic juice every other day with:
Beets
Carrots
One apple
Lemon/Lime
Herbs that aid digestion and stimulate bile flow are:
Milk Thistle (aka St Mary's thistle) BUY HERE Dandelion, Globe artichoke, Celandine and Turmeric.
*See also coffee enemas above
Step 14
Reset & Rebalance the Immune System
Many of the treatments listed in this step by step will work toward strengthening the immune system, but "Resetting & Rebalancing" the immune system is a whole different step in the process.
Do 2-days of fasting every 2 weeks
Prolonged cycles of fasting for 2-4 days at a time - not only protect against toxic effects of mycotoxins, but also trigger stem cell regeneration of new immune cells and clearing out of old, damaged cells. Prolonged fasting shifts stem cells of the immune system from a dormant state to an active state of self-renewal. When you stop eating, the body uses up stored glucose (which mold spores get fuel from), fat (where toxic mold is stored) and ketones, and also recycles worn out and damaged immune cells.
One bad lifestyle habit that can drive mold toxicity levels or any toxic pathogen process is avoiding going without food for very long. Contrary to popular belief, the human body simply isn't designed to run optimally when continuously fed. This can really baffle the average person in modern society as we are conditioned to believe that we need food 3-6 times per day. The scientific research and functional testing shows the opposite.
*WARNING: Groups that should NOT fast include those who are underweight or malnourished, children and pregnant or breast-feeding women
Supplement with Colostrum for 12 months I take "ImmuneTree" brand Colostrum every single day. You can buy it HERE
Step 15
Ongoing use of a "safe" antifungal that is changed/rotated every 2 weeks
We do "ongoing" research of safe/anti-fungals and all natural proven antifungal remedies.
**IMPORTANT: Remember it is very important to take antifungals once or twice daily faithfully and make sure that you discontinue use of each antifungal and use a different one every 2 weeks because "Candida" (just like bacteria) can mutate and become resistent to antifungals usually between 2-3 weeks after taking them. If you switch to another antifungal every 2 weeks you are "outsmarting" the candida and "winning the battle!!" Here are a list of "natural and safe" antifungals to try:
Below is your shopping list of "natural antifungals" (NOTE: Brands and Manufacturers "DO" matter when it comes to fighting Candida so I've included the highest quality supplements that were recommended to me by Functional Practitioners)
Oregano Oil - Wild Oregano is one of the most powerful natural antifungals nature provides. Oregano oil is another excellent choice of antifungal to start your Candida treatment. I recommend the brand Oreganol because this brand is a non-GMO variety of Oregano. One danger of genetically modified foods that they have the potential to change DNA. People exposed to mold already have some level of DNA damage from the mycotoxin exposure so you'll want to avoid any and all supplements that are not labeled as non-GMO if you can.
Garlic - Garlic Plus by Biotics Research is our pick for the best quality garlic supplement. Garlic is highly antifungal. A substance called Ajoene is one of the strongest agents found in garlic and is shown here in this study to be very effective against fighting Candida. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC203719/
Grapefruit Seed Extract - extract from grapefruit seeds not only inactivates viruses, but also yeasts like Candida, other fungi and parasites. There is some controversy as to whether GSE is actually a natural product but when used in a Candida protocol like we have outlined you would only be using it for two weeks anyway. There have been no documented side effects of using GSE for two weeks or even two years so it is considered safe.
Olive Leaf Extract - Oleuropein is the main medicinal substance of the olive and is extracted. It has strong anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-parasitic properties. Gaia herbs is our choice for a pure olive leaf for the treatment of Candida Albicans.
Colloidal Silver - In a study conducted by the Department of Microbiology at Kyungpook National University in Daegu, Korea, and published in the prestigious Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, proved what tens of thousands of colloidal silver users have already known for years, i.e., colloidal silver is one of the most powerful and effective natural anti-fungal agents in the world.
Jatoba - (Scientifc name: Hymenaea courbaril L. )Some of the main compounds found in jatoba have strong resistance to fungus and yeast. It is a very effective topical application for addressing fungal infections such as candida, athlete’s foot, and nail fungus. Jatoba can be ingested internally and offers symptom relief for issues that are of a fungal origin and do not respond to harsh anti-fungal prescriptions. This natural, fungus resistant compound like jatoba has generated high interest in the holistic medical community. (Jatoba antifungal study)
Barberry - Barberry is an herb that contains a chemical called berberine and is lethal to candida. Berberine has been shown to inhibit the growth of bacteria in test tubes, and may help the immune system function better. In studies barberry was found to eradicate candida and yeast infections of the skin or vagina. http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/barberry
Tanalbit - Tanalbit is an herb that ranks high for candida and yeast infection treatment. It also has a reputation for fighting some pretty bad bacteria. Plant tannins always rank pretty high for effectiveness. Caution: *I would not take Tanalbit if you are allergic to dairy, have leaky gut, SIBO or any other autoimmune gut disorders because it does contain casein which is an irritant to the stomach lining.
Oregon Grape Root - Oregon grape isn’t actually a grape. The berries of the plant just happen to resemble a grape. The berries are not the actual medicinal part of the plant but the root is what is used. The active chemical in oregon grape root is called berbamine which is an alkaloid. Berbamine is a strong antifungal and antimocrobial. It kills "dead" Candida Albicans and other yeasts. It is effective in killing Candida both internally and externally and has been shown to also help with eczema and psoriasis because these two "diagnosed" conditions are actually fungal in nature.
Undecylenic acid - Thorne Research makes an excellent product called "Formula SF722" which is said to deliver six times the effectiveness of caprylic acid, however as always make sure you are only using this product for two weeks and then move on to the next antifungal in the group. This product is also recommended for women's vaginal support for health flora to avoid yeast infections.
Aloe vera (inner leaf) - The inner leaf of aloe has been used for centuries to assist in fungal overgrowth in the gut. There are several very important things to remember. Most aloe products are made with citric acid (which is made from toxic molds). We have only found "ONE" product that meets all of the needs of those exposed to toxic mold and that is "Lakewood - Pure Aloe (inner leaf) Organic / no citric acid" All other aloe vera juices are not appropriate for the eradication of Candida.
Cloves - Although most well known for antiparsitical activity, it has some fighting power against candida. In addition to having Candida most people also have parasites, so you can knock out two things in one. Starwest Botanicals (shown here) provides an Organic ground powder. You can put it in smoothies, sprinkle on salads, mix in water or lemon water and drink. Take twice per day.
Candidate - Many have had great success with a product called Candidate. Candidate is a 100% natural and safe homeopathic mixture of herbs, proven to be effective. Promotes growth of healthy probiotic flora in the digestive tract and maintains natural balance of candida in the body. It is 100% natural safe and proven herbal formula.
It has a positive effect on intestinal health and functioning as well as known antifungal properties. Contains no artificial preservatives and no side effects. It is a non-addictive natural herbal remedy that safely promotes balanced and healthy levels of ph and bacteria in the body
Caprylic Acid - Caprylic acid is one of the strongest and most effective natural yeast-fighting agents. It penetrates the cell membranes of candida yeast cells and causes them to die off, detoxifying the digestive tract and speeding up the healing process. This study shows that caprylic acid reduces symptoms associated with viral and fungal infections like Candida and Chlamydia.
Phyto-Biotic - Phyto-Biotic is a product that was formulated to contain several herbs of the antifungal family. Phyto-Biotic supports the immune system by balancing intestinal flora in the digestive tract. Phyto-Biotic includes extracts of barberry, Oregon grape, and goldenseal - all excellent sources of a compound called bebeerine that is highly antifungal. Do not use this product immediately after taking either barberry, oregon grape or goldenseal to prevent resistance.
Astralagus Herb - This popular Chinese herb is excellent for stimulating the immune system, essential for recovering from candida or any other infective condition.
Black Seed Oil (cold pressed)- Black Seed Oil and various extracts of N. sativa particularly thymoquinone have potent antifungal effects (antifungal study of black seed oil) Black seed oil is effective against most pathogenic fungi including Candida Albicans. Black seed oil targets the immune system to go after bacteria, fungus and viruses. (Great information and blog post on antifungal properties of Candida )
Step 16
Vitamin & Mineral Support
The importance of supporting your body with the correct forms of vitamins and minerals is essential to healing from mold exposure. Toxic mold invades the microbiomme of the gut and small intestine and crowds out the body's ability to absorb. A large percentage of what we eat is absorbed in the small intestine. From my personal experience of having "SEVERE" malabsorption issues to the thousands of people I have had the pleasure of hearing their stories about mold exposure....one of the key elements is vitamin and mineral supplementation.
90% of ALL Vitamins are Synthetic and/or are derived from toxic molds like Asperillus, Pennicillium
Most vitamins and, (not as many) minerals are either contaminated with mold, derived from strains of mold or contain synthetic forms of that vitamin that are NOT going to absorb in your small intestine. This is a critical component to understand as it can mean the difference between recovering and not recovering completely.
Your body is in "SEVERE DISTRESS" give it what it needs...and do not cut corners to save money. (I learned the hard way)
Here are the best Vitamins and Minerals I have researched. Some of these vitamins and minerals are actually "SPONSORS" of my website and I have created a solid relationships with these companies that offer whole food vitamins that DO NOT CONTAIN ANY YEASTS OR MOLD DERIVATIVES.
Vitamin C - "PureFood-C" (Whole Food) ONLY
........GET 20% off your first Order of Pranin Organics by entering the code: SURVIVINGTOXICMOLD in your shopping cart......
PureFood C is an organic, whole-food vitamin C powder made from organic moringa leaves and amla berries. Each scoop of PureFood C contains the same amount of vitamin C as 20 organic lemons!Every ingredient used in Pranin Organic products are certified organic and every batch is tested for nutrient density, mold, yeast, bacteria, salmonella, ecoli, mercury, lead and arsenic before it gets to your home:
Step 17
Ongoing management of symptoms "WHILE" you are treating the mold and detoxing
The symptoms from mold illness can be almost too much to bear. There can be over a 100 symptoms that people have reported after having a toxic mold exposure. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you DO NOT take a bunch of pharmaceutical drugs or over the counter drugs to fight your symptoms because adding this to your body is called creating a "TOXIC LOAD". That means the above detox pathways or "doorways" we discussed in Step #12 can become blocked with these pharmaceutical drugs and your organs not only have to fight mold, fungus and bacteria but now synthetic drugs.
Our family uses "Essential Oils" for symptoms and for overall health and wellness while detoxing. They are 100% pure and natural and do not create the "Toxic load" so that your body can detox faster.
Essential oils are in simpler terms "the blood of plants, roots, leaves and bark" that have therapeutic and healing properties. Each type of essential oil can have up to 20 different properties and health benefits. Like herbs, essential oils need to be respected because they can be very powerful and could be harmful if not used correctly. ( If you have basic education about using essential oils they can be both safe and VERY effecitve to achieve better health.) See our "Essential Oils for Mold" page HERE where you can get more information on oils that I use everyday as well as links to purchase the oils that I personally buy.
Step 18
Moderate Daily Exercise is important: Do NOT exercise a lot....but you need to do non-strenuous exercise like meditation, relaxing, breathing, yoga, walking, stretching every single day. Here are some great resources and ideas below:
Monitor SYMPTOMS CLOSELY and Keep your medical team CLOSE!!!:
You will need to see your doctor EVERY TWO WEEKS and keep lists of symptoms so that your doctors can adjust herbs and supplements accordingly.
Speak to your doctors and homeopathic doctors about medications, support herbs or support supplements based on tests that your regular doctor can check for like: monthly CBC with differentials, metabolic panel, cortisol levels, vit D levels, have doc test for Candida, testosterone levels, hormone levels, blood sugar, blood pressure etc. then take supplements according to your deficiencies as you detox.
Step 20
I HIGHLY recommend the following books to help you through this terrible illness:
Are you sick all the time? Do you have recurring infections, fibromyalgia, acid reflux, chronic fatigue syndrome, migraine headaches, asthma, allergies, or ongoingdigestive problems, such as IBS? Have you been diagnosed with rheumatoid
arthritis, MS, ALS, or cancer? Maybe you have difficulty concentrating, memory loss, depression, or insomnia. Are you always going to the doctor, for various and ongoing ailments? Maybe you need to look at your environment as the possible
culprit. Maybe you are moldy, like me.
Read how exposure to indoor toxic mold and mycotoxins has affected my health andmy life, and how mold could also be
affecting you. Find out the signs and symptoms of mold illness, and effective clinical ways to test for it. Check out a new,
highly effective, and safe technology in moldremediation. Read interviews from threemold experts. Don't be one of the 500,000in the US who die from mold-induced illness each year. Stay safe. Stay mold-free. Are you moldy?
Surviving Toxic Black Mold Syndrome
by Dr. Mary Short-Ray D.O., M.S.
Indoor toxic black mold that can be present in homes, schools and workplaces can make you sick! Symptoms can vary depending on the individual and the type of mold exposure. Most commonly symptoms range from headaches, cough and muscle aches, to severe fatigue, shortness of breath, flu-like symptoms, anxiety and neurological (multiple sclerosis-like) symptoms. Surviving Toxic Black Mold Syndrome is a chilling account of a doctor’s personal encounter with toxic black mold and its devastating effects. Based on her own personal experience and much research, Dr. Short-Ray gives valuable step-by-step advice on how to recognize the symptoms of toxic black mold syndrome, what tests can be used to diagnose this syndrome, how to test a building for toxic black mold, how to successfully treat toxic black mold syndrome, and how to fix toxic mold problems in the home. The author’s hope is that advice in this book will help to lessen the devastating effects of this syndrome.
This is a picture of me in 2015, 5 years after leaving my extremely toxic moldy home. I didn't have thousands of dollars to see expensive doctors or treatment centers but over a 5 year period of time I studied people who got well, took advice from mold experts that would give me free and priceless information as well as took notes from the people who spent thousands of dollars on holistic medical teams to get them well. The steps in my guide are all things that were recommended by "Top Medical Mold/Detoxification Practitioners and Experts in Mycology and Toxicology and even healers, functional doctors and holistic naturpathic practitioners.
I've created this page in a "Checklist" format. If you'd like to print it out and take it to your doctor, practitioner or a family member you can simply hit { Ctrl+P } on the keyboard and it will prompt you to print a copy. 
FLIR ONE can help you identify wet areas and potential leaks in ceilings, walls and floors before mold starts. This tool is a moldy's best friend and a must-have for your a DIY moisture detection method that can save you thousands of dollars and avoid having to constantly hire professionals to come into your home and find leaks you had no idea were there. 
Toxic mold releases biotoxins into the body that can alter the entire functionality of the body including the immune system, endocrine system, respiratory tract, Dermal system & Nervous system. FACT, most mycotoxins are actually classified as "IMMUNE SUPPRESSORS & NERVOUS SYSTEM inhibitors . This means that when your body's immune system, nervous system & hormonal system is weakened it opens the door to opportunisitc pathogens like:
I also used "Xlear" which contains Grapefruit Seed Extract and Xylitol which are excellent antibacterial agents in fighting any type of sinus infection. Xlear is completely "all natural" and completely safe for adults and children so there are no chemicals or drugs involved in the sinuses. You can get it 
Ammonia:
Baking Soda
Castile Soap
Epsom Salts
Most teas contain dangerous molds or mycotoxins and should be avoided when you are following the 
If you are looking for something "less bulky" that filters out the most toxins in water I highly recommend the AquaTru Countertop water filter that filters out well over 70 known contaminents in tap water. It doesn't have the same portibility factor that the berkey portable system has but if you are looking for something to use in your kitchen this is the best product out there. You can 
Skin/Pores
We recommend reading Gerson Therapy books
1. Non-Toxic Stainless Steel Enema Kit
2. Organic Enema Coffee (Do not use standard drinking coffee) Specially formulated enema coffee 
This is the rebounding trampoline that I bought and still use every single day. You can 
Dry Brushing - This is the dry brush that I purchased and use every single day "Before" I take a shower. You can 
You can drink Echinacea Tea
Or you can buy Echinacea in a
or you can take astragalus
You can either make a tea out of the raw chopped
I take "ImmuneTree" brand Colostrum every single day. 
The symptoms from mold illness can be almost too much to bear. There can be over a 100 symptoms that people have reported after having a toxic mold exposure. 
