Podcast Summary: "Top Natural Remedies That Actually Work"

The Dr. Josh Axe Show
Date: November 25, 2025
Guest: Barbara O'Neill

Overview

In this compelling episode, Dr. Josh Axe sits down with legendary natural health educator Barbara O’Neill to discuss practical, time-tested natural remedies for healing, hormone balance, and overall wellness. They highlight the importance of self-empowerment in health, biblical principles for healing, and both the pitfalls and promise of modern and natural medicine. The conversation spans women’s and men’s hormone health, gut healing, nutrition as medicine, the dangers of toxicity in the modern world, practical herbal tips, the transformative power of patience, and faith in the healing process.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Culture of Health: Empowering Self-Care

[00:28–04:54]

• The Western dependency on external healthcare: Barbara shares her awakening moment—her child's recurring ear infections and failure of antibiotics led her to question medicine and rediscover folk remedies.
• Quote:
  • "We questioned everything except medicine…my next child had an earache…I went to the old lady next door…I steamed an onion, put it on his ear. He slept for two hours. I don’t think he’s ever had another earache." (Barbara, 03:23)
• Empowering mothers and families: The importance of passing down lost wisdom and reclaiming agency over family health.

2. Women’s Hormone Imbalances: Causes and Solutions

[05:34–10:54]

• Hormonal issues are epidemic: 85%+ of women at Barbara’s health retreat showed imbalances.
• Root causes:
  • Long-term contraceptive pill use as a crucial disruptor—raising risk for PCOS, hypothyroidism, breast cancer, endometriosis, fibroids.
  • Environmental estrogen mimickers: BPA in plastics, growth stimulants in food, synthetic fabrics (nylon, acrylic, polyester).
• Quote:
  • "Contraceptive pill…disrupts the hormones… no one ever told women that it was a hormone disruptor." (Barbara, 06:11)
• Restoring balance:
  • The role of wild yam (diosgenin cream) in stimulating natural progesterone, rebalancing estrogen and testosterone.
  • Inspirational comparison to Japanese longevity through plant-based, yam-rich diets.

3. Thyroid and Hormones: The Role of Iodine and Environmental Toxins

[10:54–15:12]

• Iodine deficiency: Both under- and overactive thyroid can often be traced to iodine deficiency.
• Interfering toxins: Mercury from dental fillings blocks selenium (needed for thyroid hormone conversion); plastics and pesticides compete with iodine.
• DIY iodine sufficiency test: Use Lugol's solution on arm and monitor absorption as a self-check.
  • "If it's gone in an hour, your iodine levels are low." (Barbara, 12:38)
• Get mercury amalgams removed, opt for organic foods, avoid glyphosate, and use ancient grains.

4. Healing the Gut Microbiome: Foundations of Immunity

[16:07–17:44]

• Harmful factors: Antibiotics, chemotherapy, statins, long-term painkillers.
• Restoration:
  • Fermented foods (sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, kefir, plant-based yogurts).
  • The power of prebiotic fiber and diversity—varied plant intake boosts diverse gut flora.
• Quote:
  • "Variety is the spice of life—to our gut." (Barbara, 17:37)

5. Herbal and Food Remedies for Gut Healing

[18:40–22:02]

• Aloe vera and slippery elm: Both stimulate gut lining healing; slippery elm great for ulcers and inflammatory bowel diseases.
• Comfrey and medicinal charcoal: Historic remedies for tissue repair and detoxification are part of a “biblical medicine cabinet.”
• Biblical health wisdom: Herbs are framed as serving mankind (Psalm 104:14).

6. Biblical Health Principles and Fasting

[22:42–27:18]

• Ancient dietary patterns: Stories from Daniel and Esther show the benefits of plant-based eating and fasting.
• Fasting practices:
  • Vegetable broths, juices, and plant-based meals give the digestive tract a break and stimulate detoxification and healing.
• Quote:
  • "The body has been designed by God to heal itself and just needs the right conditions." (Barbara, 14:28)

7. Drug Dangers and the Superiority of Natural Remedies

[27:18–28:59]

• Drugs mask, not heal: Barbara asserts allopathic medicines mask symptoms rather than address causes, often causing further harm or depleting nutrients.
• Quote:
  • "Drugs never cure disease...they only mask symptoms. It's the body...that has the capacity to heal." (Barbara, 27:55)

8. Fertility, Birth, and Trust in the Human Body

[29:26–38:18]

• Home birthing: Barbara recounts personally delivering her child and critiques the fear-based, intervention-heavy modern birth practices.
• Dangers of excessive monitoring: Overuse of ultrasounds can cause unnecessary fear and interventions.
• Emotional and spiritual health: Safety, hope, and security are central to conception and birth; fear is destabilizing.

9. Men’s Hormones: Causes for Decline and Restoration

[40:32–44:19]

• Falling testosterone: Same endocrine disruptors affecting women also impact men (environmental estrogens, plastics, EMF exposure—laptops, cell phones).
• The wild yam cream: Useful for balancing male hormones, prostate health, low libido, and restoring fertility.
• Quote:
  • "This cream just puts lead in my pencil." (Patient via Barbara, 43:34)

10. Dangers of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

[45:24–49:58]

• Risks of HRT: Barbara links long-term use to increased risk of breast cancer and further hormonal disruption.
• Her protocol: Cease HRT and immediately start yam cream, but urge patience—true healing can take a year or more.
• Quote:
  • "We don’t get sick overnight and we don’t heal overnight...Quick fixes [are] another problem with medicine today." (Barbara, 48:23)

11. Top Health Mistakes in Modern Culture

[51:33–54:28]

• Dehydration: Tea and coffee are dehydrating, not hydrating.
• Sedentarism: Exercise is vital at every age.
• Neglecting sleep: Pre-midnight sleep is doubly restorative.
  • Referenced Dr. Matthew Walker's findings on the necessity of eight hours.

12. Food as Medicine and Addressing Misinformation

[55:09–61:17]

• Favorite healing foods: Greens and beans—nutritious, restorative, and high in minerals and fiber.
• Lectins: Proper preparation (soaking, cooking, fermenting) neutralizes supposed “toxins” in beans and grains.
• Sourdough and ancient grains are vital for gut health, even for sensitive individuals.

13. Miraculous Healings & The Power of Personal Responsibility

[61:50–64:52]

• Cancer reversal and diabetes improvement: Through dietary intervention (sugar elimination, high fiber, JUICE fasting), herbs, and mindset.
• Quote:
  • "He did it. That’s the key." (Barbara, 64:52)
  • "Be ye doers of the word, not hearers only." (Barbara, quoting James 1:22, 64:52)

14. Herbal Medicine Deep Dive

[65:32–70:02]

• Key herbs:
  • Slippery elm: Gut healing.
  • Goldenseal, gentian, dandelion, ginger: Boost stomach acid and mucous membrane health.
• Self-experimentation: Barbara shares her battle with anemia and how boosting stomach acid (via “didge tea”) profoundly restored her iron and ferritin levels.

15. Sleep, Melatonin, and Neurological Health

[70:22–73:55]

• Alzheimer’s link to poor sleep: Inadequate early-night rest impairs brain cleansing systems, increasing risk for amyloid plaque buildup.
• Melatonin production: Dependent on healthy gut flora; best produced with proper sleep schedules and light hygiene.

16. Natural Fabrics and Environmental Toxins

[73:56–75:39]

• The importance of natural fibers: Wool and organic cotton recommended over synthetic fabrics for hormone and skin health. Barbara shares even military special forces are turning to natural fibers for performance reasons.

17. Barbara’s Simplicity, Global Reach, and Message

[75:54–76:39]

• Empowerment through practical, simple remedies is key to Barbara's massive appeal—ex: drinking water with a pinch of sea salt.
• Medicine should be accessible, affordable, and return agency to the individual.

18. Critique of Mainstream Medicine & Call for Reform

[76:39–79:59]

• Growing distrust due to pharma-driven education and lack of root-cause solutions.
• The need for healthcare professionals to stop putting trust in pharmaceutical companies’ research (Psalm 146: "Put not your trust in princes…").
• The importance of collaborating with, but not blindly following, conventional medical advice.

19. Hyperbaric Oxygen, Cancer, and “The Great Physician”

[80:00–82:51]

• Patient stories of recovery through faith and natural treatments, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
• The importance of biblical promises in sustaining hope and healing.

20. Faith, Seasons, and Patience in Healing

[83:20–84:48]

• Favorite scripture for health:
  • "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1 – Barbara, 83:31)
• The circadian rhythm, sunshine, and timing as crucial to the body's healing cycles.
• Healing is a journey, not a quick fix.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On drugs: "Drugs never cure disease...they only mask symptoms. It's the body...that has the capacity to heal." (Barbara, 27:55)
• On women’s hormone balance: "Wild yam...stimulates the biochemical pathway in the body that the body uses to make progesterone." (Barbara, 09:24)
• On herbal medicine: "God gave herbs for the service of man. So these herbs come in, they coat, soothe, and help to heal." (Barbara, 20:35)
• On lifestyle: "Stagnant pools breed disease and stagnant bodies. That's a big disease producer." (Barbara, 52:09)
• On sleep: "Eight hours is a must…and at least two before midnight." (Barbara, 53:25)
• On food myths: "If you soak [beans] and you rinse them several times and cook them well…disarms the lectins." (Barbara, 58:29)
• On healing patience: "We don’t get sick overnight and we don’t heal overnight." (Barbara, 48:23)
• On faith and natural medicine: "The Bible is the greatest medical book ever written." (Barbara, 22:42)
• On clinical empowerment: "I like to empower people to be their own doctor." (Barbara, 11:32)

Important Timestamps

• 02:50 – Barbara’s background and personal health awakening
• 05:34 – Root causes of women’s hormone imbalance
• 09:24 – How wild yam cream restores hormone balance
• 12:38 – At-home iodine deficiency test
• 16:39 – Restoring and diversifying gut flora
• 19:38 – Aloe and slippery elm for gut healing
• 22:42 – Fasting and biblical health principles
• 27:55 – Drugs vs. natural remedies for true healing
• 32:06 – Home birth story and reclaiming trust in the body
• 42:42 – Yam cream for men’s hormones and prostate
• 45:43 – HRT’s risks and Barbara’s approach
• 51:33 – Three biggest everyday health mistakes
• 55:09 – Beans & greens as cornerstone healing foods
• 61:55 – Most miraculous healing stories from Barbara’s retreat
• 65:58 – Boosting hydrochloric acid and healing anemia
• 70:22 – Alzheimer’s, sleep, and glymphatic system
• 73:56 – Role of natural vs. synthetic fibers
• 75:54 – The global impact of Barbara’s simple remedies
• 77:06 – Critique of mainstream medicine
• 83:20 – Most meaningful Bible verse and the importance of timing and patience

Conclusion

This episode weaves a tapestry of practical healing—from earaches to cancer—anchored in reverence for nature, scripture, and the body’s innate ability to heal. Dr. Axe and Barbara O’Neill challenge conventional paradigms, advocate for natural and biblical medicine, and consistently return to self-empowerment, patience, and hope. Their wisdom is accessible, actionable, and deeply inspiring—reminding listeners that true healing is both an art and a God-given potential within us all.