Putting the doc on the spot! Dr. Axe stopped by to take a deep conceptual dive into his new book, Ancient Remedies, plus what surprised him in becoming a parent.
TRANSCRIPT
Liz Talks
This is episode 18, topic: Dr. Josh Axe talks ancient remedies; biblical concepts; regenerative farming; and parenting.
In case you missed it, episode 17 tackled:
- Breastfeeding and cow’s milk.
- Simplifying life.
- And tongue tie stress.
Today, I’ve put Dr. Axe on the spot in multiple ways as we take a deep, conceptual dive into his new book. But I want to first thank Arrowhead Mills for their generous sponsorship of this podcast. I just got a shipment of more of their buttermilk and gluten free pancake mixes; yellow cornmeal, because I love cornbread; and red lentils. All organic, and non-GMO.
I appreciate Arrowhead Mills, not just because they sponsor my podcast, but because they’re not only organic and non-GMO, and focused on sustainable agriculture because it’s cool NOW; they were actually founded more than 60 years ago on those principles. So they have walked the walk for decades.
So next time you go to the store, I’d love to have you support a company that supports my work and look for Arrowhead Mills products. You can also find them on Vitacost.com.
Alright, friends. To begin today’s podcast, I’d like to give some context. Dr. Axe is a major player in the online wellness world with a resume a mile long. If you internet search almost anything having to do with holistic wellness, or foods, Dr. Axe’s website will come up. And I was thrilled to be able to bring him on the podcast to talk about some of the questions I had about his new book; Ancient Remedies.
One of the big reasons I wanted to talk to him is because his perspective is strongly informed by spirituality, and a biblical approach. Now, I have an extensive background in Christianity; I went to church twice a week growing up. I was very active in my church, and even went to a religious boarding school. But that part of me had fallen away a long time ago; for multiple reasons, as I sort of leaned into nothing, first of all. And more recently began just sort of contemplating spirituality in a broader context than I have before. And that journey was really inspired by trying to teach my kids ideas of ethics, and morality.
And as I look at the means by which people all over the world manage to do this, I just become more and more interested in having these conversations. Believe it or not, being a secular humanist actually has it’s challenges. So, I’m very earnestly exploring the many ways people approach living a productive, healthy life.
Now, this isn’t taking a particular position on faith, or the utility of biblical concepts in nutrition and wellness. But I love to listen, and to truly engage in conversations like this, to truly get a feel for where people are coming from. And also to sort of exercise that’s part of me that’s sort of long been dormant and inactive.
Do you remember my podcast on listening? This should all make sense if you listened to that one. So I was really grateful to have Dr. Axe willing to field some pretty intricate and complex; maybe sort of intense, questions. Including a question about cultural medical tourism, which is a tough one. That’s how I phrased it; cultural medical tourism. And he in turn, I think, offered a very interesting window into his thought processes and the context and nuance around the topics I brought up.
This is a little outside my normal podcast MO for Liz Talks; but I cannot resist an interesting conversation. And I’m excited to share it with you. So here we go.
Dr. Josh Axe is a Doctor of Chiropractic, certified doctor of natural medicine, and clinical nutritionist. He’s also the man behind DrAxe.com; maybe you’ve heard of it. Which is one of the top natural health websites in the world. He also cofounded the ancient nutrition company which produces supplements and products like, among other things, bone broth protein.
Dr. Axe has authored multiple books, most recently Ancient Remedies: Secrets to healing with herbs, essential oils, CBD, and the most powerful natural medicine in history. His world renowned functional medicine center is located in Nashville, Tennessee.
Dr. Axe; thank you so much for coming on the show!
Dr. Josh Axe: Hey, thanks for having me, Liz!
Liz Wolfe: Absolutely. Well I know you’re a busy human, so I want to ask some very pointed questions today, and see what we can learn about your approach, your new book, and you.
Dr. Josh Axe: Sounds good. Let’s do it.
Liz Wolfe: Alright, let’s do it. So of particular interest to me, before we jump into your book, is your interest in regenerative farming. You’ve talked about this in various places, but I’d love to hear about why you became interested in regenerative practices, and how they inform your business practices and your personal approach to wellness.
Dr. Josh Axe: Yeah. So, you know, this is something that has actually been an interest of mine for quite a long time. I truly believe one of the things that all of us are called to do is help make earth a heavenly place. So anyways, along with that I think that really focusing on healing the planet is something that we can all do. So going back to what piqued my interest; actually my first meeting with Jordan Ruben, something we talked about for hours was regenerative agriculture. Jordan had just sold his company, Garden of Life. And he was on a new venture of wanting to really help heal the planet and do regenerative agriculture.
So I actually flew down; this was probably 12 years ago. I stayed with Jordan in West Palm Beach, Florida. And he shared with me; he really thought he had a blueprint to help heal the planet by using growing certain types of superfood trees combined with the grazing of certain types of animals. So even on our farm today we have lots of water buffalo. We have yaks. We have a lot of ducks, and goats, and sheep. And a type of cow called a zebu. So we really focus on, with these animals, having them; of course, just using these terms, defecate and urinate and just build back the topsoil along with growing more perennial superfood trees. Everything from mulberry to moringa. And this really helps in healing the planet.
But Jordan and I just really felt like this is something we could do in serving humanity. We know with regenerative agriculture; one it helps support the climate. We know it also creates more nutrient dense foods. People have probably seen this research, but I read an article many years ago that really went through how certain nutrients in foods today; for instance, you may have 40% less magnesium in a tomato than you had 100 years ago. And a lot of that is due to the way that we have done these conventional farming practices. They’ve stripped the land, the soil of their nutrients. They haven’t given anything back.
So I really believe that all of us are called to help make earth a heavenly place, and part of that is through farming practices. It’s probably the number one way.
Liz Wolfe: So, various metrics that I’ve seen suggest that we have like 40 years on the topsoil left, as an aggregate, if we continue the way we’re going.
Dr. Josh Axe: Well… sure.
Liz Wolfe: Tell me what you think about that?
Dr. Josh Axe: Well, you know. Number one; here’s what I would ask. 40 years left where?
Liz Wolfe: Right.
Dr. Josh Axe: I mean, there’s topsoil all over the place. I could maybe believe that in Iowa.
Liz Wolfe: Oh, Iowa. Right.
Dr. Josh Axe: I’m just throwing that out there. But is that true; right now, I spend half my year in Nashville and have in Puerto Rico. I’m in Puerto Rico right now; I guarantee you the topsoil is not going to be gone here. I mean, the topsoil is thick here. And nobody is doing many of these practices here; or at least not most of the areas.
Anyway, whoever would say that, that’s a blanket statement that is actually just completely false. I don’t know who could make such a; to me, these might be strong words, but I would say I feel like that is exaggerated. Now, that doesn’t lessen the truth that we are damaging our planet in really severe ways and that we shouldn’t be very proactive in building back topsoil; I think we should all be dedicated to repairing the damage and the things we’ve done to this incredible planet we’ve been blessed with. But to say that in 40 years all topsoil would be gone; I don’t think science proves that, either.
So anyway; one, I would disagree with that. Number two; I do think that we absolutely are damaging. Well, the science is proving we’re losing a lot of topsoil. And that’s going to change climate. I mean, we know for a fact that when you remove greenery in an area and you remove topsoil in a lot of the plants that grow, you’re going to have more temperature fluctuations up and down. I mean, think about, again, I mentioned I’m in Puerto Rico right now. The temperature fluctuates like 15 degrees. Maybe 10 degrees some days. It’s between 70 and 82 almost every day. If you go to a desert, though, all of a sudden, you’re going to have way more; both high but also low. It’s a much greater temperature fluctuation. That’s going to happen.
Anyway; all that being said. I do think that we have longer than 40 years to lose all topsoil, because it’s very different in those other areas. Again; Missouri compared to Puerto Rico. Very different levels of topsoil than what they’re even doing from an agricultural standpoint. But I don’t think that lessens the degree to which we need to be very, very proactive in focusing on healing the planet.
I know I said a lot of words there.
Liz Wolfe: {laughs}
Dr. Josh Axe: And you can cut some of that.
Liz Wolfe: No, all good.
Dr. Josh Axe: But all that being said, I don’t know how that could be accurate.
Liz Wolfe: Well you know; I was recording a podcast earlier, and one of the things I said in response to a question was; I have trouble being brief. Because there is always context, always nuance to be considered on any type of statement like that.
Dr. Josh Axe: Yes.
Liz Wolfe: And one thing I’d like to sort of extract from what you just said; where my mind went, that will also be a nice segue into my next question, is this idea of approaching these things with a spirit of fear. And this idea that; oh god! We’re going to lose all the topsoil. Oh my gosh; this and that. When really, what we need to be focusing on is what we can do. And what those of us who can do something can do.
So along those lines; I would actually like to segue into a question about faith. I know that you are a man of faith. I’ve listened to many of your interviews. And you often lead with that. And one of the things I like to contemplate is how values of faith might translate more secularly. For example; prayer as meditation. Or faith as gratitude.
So for those who don’t share, for example, a belief in God or a higher power, how do you couch your mission to help others find wholeness and healing?
Dr. Josh Axe: Well, this goes back into the previous comment. One; I don’t couch my mission. My faith and my mission is integrated into every part of my life. We eat regenerative foods here at our dinner table. I pray for my team members.
Let me just say this; I believe we’re all called to do three things. Not everyone has to do all of them. I believe we’re all called to have a lovely relationship with God. I believe we’re called to love people. And I believe we’re called to make earth a heavenly place. In fact, if you go back to Genesis and the Garden of Eden, God essentially says; take this paradise, in this one local area at the time, somewhere in Mesopotamia, and spread it to the entire earth. Literally the thing that we were called to do in the beginning of time. When you look at, not just the Judeo-Christian faith, but even some other faiths is; we’re called to make earth a paradise.
I think that’s represented both physically but also paradise in terms of our sort of mental, emotional, and spiritual climate, as well. Right? So all that being said, what I’m doing at Ancient Nutrition right now very much is one; making the earth a heavenly place. Is earth more heavenly, and is it more of a paradise when you have stripped all of the nutrients and all of the soil and there’s greater temperature fluctuations and less water and all those things. Or, is it more of a paradise when you go and you follow these ancient principles talked about in the bible of proper grazer, and planting perennials, and all of these things? Creating a beautiful rainforest.
I think about this; I grew up in Ohio, and driving by corn fields. And you could turn some of those corn fields; those genetically modified corn fields. You could turn into a tropical paradise through practicing certain types of regenerative agriculture. So just to let you know; I know that might not have been where you thought I would take it. But all that being said, I don’t think that removes this thing that I believe we’re called to do. Which is make the world a better place.
So, I do think somebody who doesn’t share my same faith and believing that we have a loving god who created us because he wanted to have a family; and we’re called to represent him and create essentially a paradise here, both spiritually, relationally in that way, and also physically. But if somebody doesn’t share my faith; I think, who wouldn’t agree that they would rather have a healthier planet versus a nonhealthy planet.
Liz Wolfe: Absolutely.
Dr. Josh Axe: I think it’s something everybody can agree on.
Liz Wolfe: So where this sort of popped up in my life long ago was; I was raised in a Christian household. I went to Christian boarding school. I speak that language. And when I was first discovering this idea of nourishing your body with real food, one of the things that popped up to me was this idea of take no thought for your life, what you’ll eat, what you’ll drink, etc., etc. And I was noticing that there were people around me that were actually interpreting that in an entirely different way than I was.
The way I thought of it was exactly what you’re saying. Nurture the earth. Appreciate what is given to us, the bounty of the earth and all of that. Whereas other people around me were saying things like; well, what’s that saying is it doesn’t matter what we eat or drink. It doesn’t matter if you eat M&Ms. It doesn’t matter if you eat GMO corn; that type of thing. Because we’re provided for. And it was a very interesting turning point for me. And seeing; and this is what interests me about your bringing up of biblical nutrition in your book, with that background I have in Christianity, and the way I sort of interpreted that phrase for people around me from my church and my educational environment. So that feels resonate to me, to what you just said.
Dr. Josh Axe: Well Liz, let me share this. One of the saddest things I can think of is how people have incorrectly interpreted the bible out of context. People have used this word of God, and they have taken it out of context for their own gain. Actually, they’ve been taken it from everything to; I mean, so out of context that people will have enslaved people and acted like; you can do anything wrong and just say a few words and it doesn’t matter.
There’s a quote by Gandhi; and Gandhi said, “I love your Jesus. I don’t love your Christianity.” In fact, Gandhi said, “I would be a Christian if it wasn’t for Christians.” Because you see, he said I believe, and the way I’ve read, especially the sermon on the mountain, interpreted the bible. But he said, because of the way people act and live, I don’t want to be associated with that in many regards.
But the thing I would say is; don’t let the mistakes people have made lead you to a life that could be less than it could be. If you did interpret it and look at the things in the correct context.
Anyway. I think if somebody just sat down and read the words of Jesus and saw the way he lived for themselves, I think they might say to themselves; wow. I do believe in this. I can see where this is the best path to leading the best life possible. But I think because it’s been used and abused so much over time, I think that’s caused people to abandon faith.
And let me say this; the bible is the most influential book of all time. It talks about food, and farming, more than anything else. The most stories and principles and things it uses to teach off of is food and farming.
Liz Wolfe: Fascinating. I did not know that.
Dr. Josh Axe: Yeah. Think about the principle; you reap what you sow. Right? Things like that. I mean, there are just so many in there.
Liz Wolfe: Ok. So on that note; your book is called Ancient Remedies: Secrets to healing with herbs, essential oils, CBD, and the most powerful natural medicine in history. That is a mouthful. I would love for you; I think you’ve already given us some idea. But if there’s anything else you’d like to share about your core motivation in writing this book right now.
Dr. Josh Axe: I was sitting on a panel speaking at; it was called South by Southwest. I had a doctor, very well known. If I would mention his name, which I won’t. Because I want to spare him this. But if I would mention his name, every person here listening, if you’ve read anything regarding health you would know who he was. And I was sitting next to him, and somebody in the audience asked; how would I know what is true when it comes to all the advice out there? There’s so much conflicting advice. Should I be vegan, or keto, this or that? What foods are the best? What are the worst?
And the one doctor next to me, he said; just follow the science. He said; if it says it’s bad. Then it’s bad. If it says it’s good, it’s good. Always whatever is said in terms of the scientific literature; that’s what you should do today. If it changes in a year; then start doing that instead.
And I sat there and thought to myself; and then I answered. And I don’t think he appreciated this, but I just wanted to be truthful because I was asked the same question. We all had a chance to answer. And I said; no offense to my friend, the doctor here, but I actually think the greatest thing you should do is you need to understand principles. There are everlasting principles that have been true since the beginning of time. They were true then, they’re true now. And you should understand principles, and how to think about your own health and the way your body works. And then, really you can use scientific research, but don’t have that as the primary. Have that as the secondary to understanding a principle of the way something works.
So I’ll think of an example here; it’s all about getting the root cause. Knowing the principles that allow you to get to the root cause of what’s actually going on. So that’s what I would say. And that’s what this book is all about. This book, Ancient Remedies, is all about; what are those ancient principles that were true at the beginning of time; they’re still true today. What are the ancient physicians like Hippocrates and Maimonides teach that we still need to be applying and utilizing in our lives today? So I go through that. And I also go through; hey, what are the top superfoods and herbs and principles for different conditions.
Here’s another principle I think is so critical for people to understand. There is not one specific diet that is perfect for anybody. Here’s what I mean by that. Not everyone in this world should be on a keto diet. Not everyone in this world should be on a vegan diet. Even though a lot of vegans think everyone should be. That’s just absolutely false.
What I’ve found over time in clinical practice. And by the way, this is exactly the way, especially in traditional Chinese and ayurveda and ancient forms of medicine saw this. There is a unique individual foods and diet for everybody. Some people do great on a paleo diet. Some people do great on a keto diet. Some people do great on a diet that I follow, which is really; I eat meat and vegetables mostly. And then I have some things like berries, and maybe some healthy fat, maybe some sprouted grains on occasion. I do things like that. Everybody is good with different things.
I have a friend who eats only red meat. Literally. And she’s completely reversed her autoimmune disease, and arthritis, and other things like that by just doing that. So my whole point there is I think that’s another ancient principle people missed; and I get through in the bible. I go through; how do you find that personalized diet, that perfect diet for you. In Chinese medicine, they did this in a way, it’s called five elements. It’s essentially like a personality profile where you also find your diet profile of what foods you do best with. And I think that’s something else that people should really be aware of.
But I think the big thing, again, is people need to be able to think. We’ve lost this. Our educational system just teaches people to memorize facts. And they act like facts change over time. {laughs} Versus being able to actually think for themselves. If anybody wants to have any success in life, or any happiness for the most part. Or live by any truth, they need to be able to think for themselves.
Liz Wolfe: As the daughter of an educator, I can tell you that there was some real concern, especially towards the end of her career. She’s retired now. With this obsessive focus on teaching to a test. So memorizing things so you can regurgitate it in a test. There are some amazing public schools; there are some not so great ones. There are some amazing private schools, and some not so great ones. But surely, the education system. I’m very hopeful; not focusing too much on the bad. But very hopeful that there’s a movement of people who are sort of building from first principles when it comes to education, as well.
Ok, so this makes me think about; I think you’re the right person to ask this question. So forgive me if this is a bit of a winding question; but I think you’re the guy to answer it. You clearly believe that there should be some crosstalk between varied ancient traditions and medicine. So in the book, you talk a lot about Chinese medicine. You talk about ayurveda, for example. And you talk about biblical. So my question is with regards to the varied cultural traditions you expound upon in your book. How can we maintain our respect for the sources of the ancient wisdom we admire without coopting them? Or maybe worse; doing a form of cultural/medical tourism?
Dr. Josh Axe: Ask that one more time?
Liz Wolfe: How do we maintain our respect for the cultural traditions that we pull from; all of us. Integrative medicine in the United States is incorporating more Chinese medicine. More ayurveda. More sort of holistic practices.
Dr. Josh Axe: I see.
Liz Wolfe: How do we maintain an appreciation for the sources of that wisdom without doing sort of a form of cultural medical tourism? Like; this is cute. I’ll try this! That type of thing.
Dr. Josh Axe: Hmm. Yeah, I think understanding; what are the similarities between each, and what is first proven as a principle. And then what is the research to back that up. So let me give a few thoughts and examples here.
One of the biggest things people need to understand is that a double blind study; first off. The way we do studies today, it really. I do think the way we do studies today, when they’re done right and unbiasedly, it’s the best we’ve ever done studies by far in history. It’s not even close. So again, I do think there’s so much value in the way we do clinical research today. At the same time, the thing people always have to remember is; you’ve got companies and scientists that are being paid.
Liz Wolfe: Mm-hmm. Institutional capture.
Dr. Josh Axe: So it’s really unfortunate, but the results are skewed. And let me just say; I’m surprised they’re not more skewed than they are sometimes. Because of; I think it’s because we have a mix of people that are all for their self-interest, and some people who are still saying; you know what? I want this to be based on real science, and I really want to be a pursuer of truth. So I think there’s a blend of people.
All that being said, I think people need to be aware of that. But here’s the other thing. Do not discredit the millions of individual case studies that were done throughout history in different forms of medicine, such as Chinese medicine and ayurvedic medicine. So again, today we do a double blind study with 100 people; with 5000 people, to find out how our body reacts to a certain medication. Do certain numbers go up and down? We do this with some nutrients; like turmeric or garlic or green tea or whatever it might be. So we do that today.
But throughout history, these physicians created these techniques, like how to treat somebody with food or herbal teas or things like that, or acupuncture in Chinese medicine. Because they observed, over time, millions of people to decide; hey, how does this affect this person? And they might have also realized, for instance; how, throughout history, did pretty much every culture in the world use some form of thistle when they were exposed to a poison? Like a snake bite? People would use different forms of thistle. How would they know that? Right?
It was by this ancient method of observation. Oh; ok. You had this. Or; you have a rash. I’m going to give you this. What happens? Ok, we start to find. What does this plant have? Oh, it’s bitter. Oh, it’s astringent. Oh, that means it’s going to cause this reaction. So they started putting two and two, and another two and two together, to understand how the body works.
So my whole point is; it’s not like Chinese medicine or ayurveda are not backed by thousands of years of research on millions of people. Because they are. So that’s the thing; it’s like, there is this arrogant pride today of people thinking; everyone who isn’t living within the last 10 years was some sort of barbaric neanderthal. So to me, it’s a lack of respect for what people did in the past. And I would say today; there is much greater observation of really looking at people and seeing what happened to people when they did things; versus, we’re only looking at numbers and data today that is sometimes biased.
Liz Wolfe: Mm-hmm.
Dr. Josh Axe: So I would say; number one, do not discredit or disrespect these ancient forms of medicine and ancient truth. Because I think they tend to be more valid in their assumptions than most of our clinical research today, in certain ways. So I would say that. And I would say; hey, what do they have in common. What’s the overlap here? We know that turmeric was used to treat joint pain, and today it’s used to treat joint pain. And studies prove that. But if one study comes out and says; turmeric may not be effective in treating joint pain. Ok; well, thousands of years of Chinese medicine and ayurveda said it has. And several clinical studies. But then this one study; do you know how many times that’s happened? That one study comes out saying; for instance, vitamin C helps with a virus. And another one says; no it doesn’t!
Liz Wolfe: Sure.
Dr. Josh Axe: I know I’m giving you very long, roundabout answer.
Liz Wolfe: No; it’s great. And one of the things I hear you saying; one of the things you also in your book. And this maybe was a little bit of what I was getting at. This idea that we; you, anybody. There’s no gatekeeper to Chinese medicine or ayurveda in the sense that there are multiple practitioners with profound educations and experiences with hundreds and thousands of people who are truly healers. And on that note; we see Dr. Gong, our acupuncturist. My whole family sees her. And we have experienced more profound healing through her practice than with conventional medicine. So we like to stack those things.
And one of the things you say in your book is; visit a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner. Bring them your business. Your book, for example; you’re not holding it out as the end-all, be-all in education in Chinese medicine. Rather, you’re saying; look at this. This is a sort of overview of the overlap and different profound aspects and intuitive aspects of this particular set of ideas. But go find a practitioner that can work with you. And that’s sort of the heart of integrative medicine; right? Dealing with the individual.
Dr. Josh Axe: Absolutely. I think it’s important to remember; health is a sort of mind-body-spirit thing. I think this is really unique, and people forget. This is another lost thing, over many years. Emotions effect our body in such a profound way. This was very evident during the pandemic, as well. The amount of fear that was being driven. People were sitting there looking at death tolls and things like that all day long. And fear is just driving up. We know with fear, your adrenals release cortisol, and adrenaline, and these stress hormones. And then when that’s high, your body can’t heal itself to a degree. Your immune system is then weakened, and your digestive system.
So, my point is this. Here’s something else the ancients knew. The emotion of fear affects your adrenal glands and your kidneys and your reproductive organs. So if you live in that state, it’s affecting a very specific system in the body. If you have worry; what do people say? Oh, I feel like my stomach is tied in knots. Worry; that specific emotion, damages your digestive system. Hate and anger; those affect the liver. If you won’t let go of something from the past, and you’re depressed about something from the past, that affects the lungs and colon, which is your immune system.
Think about this; anxiety or nervousness, what happens? Blood pressure goes up. It affects your cardiovascular system. So anyway; all that being said, I think one of the other things to remember along with the sort of dietary principles; it’s not just food that’s medicine. But your mindset and your lifestyle are medicine, as well. And that’s another ancient thing I think people really need to remember. It’s not just; a prescription shouldn’t always be; well, actually this is a great prescription. Stop eating the donut and start eating the blueberries and the pasture raised eggs for breakfast.
It should also be; hey, you’ve got fear in your life? Let’s go ahead and work on your outlook of the future, and building your hope. How can we do that? You know. So I think that’s an important thing to consider.
Liz Wolfe: Absolutely. Ok, well I’m not going to keep you much longer. I have one more question that’s just for fun. So you might have heard the saying; I was the best parent I knew until I had kids. So I know I personally, as a person passionate about a holistic approach to wellness, I had a lot of preconceived notions about how pregnancy and birth and parenting would go for me. And I know you all had your first child over the last couple of years?
Dr. Josh Axe: Yep.
Liz Wolfe: Have you run into any unanticipated challenges or pivots as a father, or as a family, that you would be willing to share?
Dr. Josh Axe: Oh. Goodness. I would say a few things. One; I am going to answer the question but first I do want to say this. I am just blown away at my wife; what an awesome mom she is. And the amount of patience you have to have. My wife has never raised her voice. She’s never shown hardly any impatience. and I’m not saying somebody is wrong who hasn’t. But she is just so patient and so loving. And for me, it’s just been a testament of; wow. I’m like; you’re created for this. Just what a great mom you are. So I think that’s been good for our relationship; very much being able to see what a gifted and incredible mom my wife is to our daughter, Arwen.
Here’s one thing that surprised me. Our daughter is 2 now, or just about to turn 2. And I felt like the first year of life, I was kind of useless.
Liz Wolfe: {laughs}
Dr. Josh Axe: I think that surprised me. I’m kind of like; you know. I try to do more dishes. Make more meals. Serve my wife the best I could. So there is that. But our daughter was just kind of like; get away from me. I just want mom. And I don’t know why I thought; oh, she’s going to want dad more. So she had a turning point; definitely at a year and a half. So the last 6 months where it’s like; ok, she wants dad now. We play more together. But I just want to say; my biggest surprise was how absolutely useless I felt our first year. So that’s one. And we probably have other things.
Here’s another thing, too; our daughter eats so clean and healthy. And I think; when we’re around other parents I have noticed; just don’t give them the other stuff. You know? Only give them the healthy stuff.
Here’s another one. Let me tell you the hardest thing I’ve had; by far the hardest thing. My daughter had colic and an upset stomach. You could tell she had stomach pain. Especially around 1 month and 3-month mark. I remember my wife and I; this is just right at 1 month, and she’s crying and screaming for part of the night. Chelsea being in tears; me being in tears. I think; how difficult it is to see your child suffer. I can’t think of anything harder than that.
Liz Wolfe: Yeah.
Dr. Josh Axe: So it’s not that I didn’t know that. But I think when you experience that. And here’s the hard thing for me; I have recommended. I ran more of a family practice, when I did have my family practice. And you give recommendations, and it’s different when it’s your own child. Not that I did anything differently; we took gripe water, which is like fennel and a little ginger. And we rubbed some oil on her stomach. We did all those things, but it doesn’t take care of it right away. And even with all I know, and all my wife knows. With all of our practice; sometimes it didn’t work.
Let me tell another one. She started getting some sort of; it wasn’t eczema on her head.
Liz Wolfe: Cradle cap?
Dr. Josh Axe: Something. Yeah, it was dermatitis. But it was like cradle cap. It was very similar. I tried some coconut oil. And a few essential oils, and it did not really work. So I had to figure out another thing. So finally I’m like; let me do some more research. I found this old ancient recipe. And I did manuka honey on it. And then boom, it went away after three days, completely. So anyway.
There are just things, too; just learning through. I thought this was the best thing, and I recommended it to parents, and they would say; oh, it got 25% better, not all the way. Or sometimes. But with my own child, and we tried manuka. So anyway. It’s also just been a good learning experience. It’s humbling; of all emotions I’ve experienced, humbling is up there.
Liz Wolfe: Absolutely. It’s a whole new lens through which to see the world, I think.
Dr. Josh Axe: Yeah.
Liz Wolfe: Ok, I appreciate that. Dr. Axe, thank you so much for coming on the show.
Dr. Josh Axe: Well awesome, Liz. Thanks for having me. And I always appreciate your great questions. So thanks again.
Liz Wolfe: Absolutely. The book is Ancient Remedies: Secrets to healing with herbs, essential oils, CBD, and the most powerful natural medicine in history. Thanks again!
Dr. Josh Axe: Thank you.
Liz Wolfe: Alright, friends. Thanks for joining me for my interview with Dr. Axe. And a big thank you to Arrowhead Mills for making this episode possible. I hope you enjoyed it. Please keep sharing this podcast with your friends, family, and Instagram feed. I appreciate you. That’s it for now; I’ll see you next week!
