The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
General Feedback
Posted by Barbara A (Los Angeles, Ca) on 12/03/2012
I want to use bm for my hbp and diabetes. The problem is that my iron is more than adequate and it occured to me that I might get too much iron from this product (I'm a diabetic). I want to take it very much, but don't want to get into trouble. Thank you for your time! Barbara
Low Iron Count
Posted by Concerned2 (Watonga, Oklahoma) on 11/09/2012
Excellent note on low iron. Most people lose iron - I found this out, also when I went to give blood: my iron was low because the nurse said that I shouldn't drink tea when I am eating a meal. Very unusual. Evidently, tea lowers the level of iron. I got my blood level up with BSM AND apple cidar vinegar... Drank alot of it in a glass of grapefruit and honey. Yea for BMS. Feel great, sleep better and less leg cramps.
Anemia
Posted by Claudia (Orange, Ca/usa) on 10/23/2012
★★★★★
Don't try this at home, but... Back in the early '80's I was expecting my 5th and 6th children (twins). In my fourth month my blood work came back with the iron a little low. My ob-gyn gave me a RX for some iron pills. I went home and started a regimen of 4-6 tbl. of unsulphered black strap molasses and didn't fill the RX. The next week the doc said, "Boy, those iron pills really work! " My iron levels were good throughout my pregnancy (had healthy babies) and I kept up the daily dose of molasses.
Side Effects
Posted by Tamara (Fort Collins, Colorado) on 07/23/2012
Hi Planky. I, too, got hives from taking molasses everyday. It took me a week to figure it out, but I realized that I had bought a different brand than I usually take. It was organic and unsulphured, but I definitely reacted to it! I took a few weeks off but really the only thing that worked to get rid of the hives faster was eating good ole' apples! I had been listening to Robert Von Sarbacher (of Mini Beet Protocol fame), and he talks a lot about the detoxing power of apples. I had at least 3 apples a day for a week and the hives went away. Without them, I believe it would've taken longer. So switch up the brand, try some apples and good luck!
Side Effects
Posted by Planky (Ronkonkoma, New York, United States) on 07/23/2012 7 posts
I didn't get acne from molasses but have rash like hives on my arm since I started molasses. I don't know whether to continue or stop taking it. I am taking it for fibroids.
Fibroids
Posted by Lola Omotayo (Lagos, Nigeria) on 06/28/2012
★★★★★
Organic blackstrap molasses and organic apple cider is an unexplained magical remedy, it vanished my overian cyst within 4weeks and shrank the fibroid from nine to three, though I am still taking it to finish it up. I first saw kemi testimony from lagos and contacted same person who sold it to her and I must inform you that kemi had just delievered a bouncing baby after clearing her cyst with ORGANIC APPLE CIDER VINEGAR AND MOLASSES. I want everyone to know it works, please ignore surgery.
Eczema
Posted by Jamie (Haslet, Texas, Usa) on 03/20/2012
★★★★★
I have been using the BSM for about a week, and my skin has not been so clear in years. My eczema is almost gone. The taste is really hard to get past though. I found that a smoothie is the best way to mask it. My recipe is:
- 1 large banana
- 4-5 ice cubes
- 1tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1tbsp organic coconut oil
- 1/4 cup of coffee to dissolve BSM and Coconut Oil.
- 1/4 cup milk, or water.
- 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder, or vanilla extract.
- Optional 1tsp cayenne pepper.
Blend well. You cannot even taste the Blackstrap anymore. It tastes like a banana muffin.
Skin Rashes
Posted by Cat (Papamoa, New Zealand) on 03/15/2012
I have been taking the BSM internally. I'm a firm believer that we heal from the inside - out. One tbsp in the morning and one tbsp before bed.
Skin Rashes
Posted by Stonfieldsian (Auckland, New Zealand) on 03/14/2012
Hi, do you take BSM internally or apply topically? And how much?
Skin Rashes
Posted by Cat (Tauranga, New Zealand) on 03/13/2012
★★★★★
YEA I thought it was worth mentioning that BSM has virtually eliminated my rosacea on my nose. I had a red (sometimes VERY red) nose for years now but to be honest, I'd never noticed it creeping up on me till someone asked me why my nose was always red!! I have never been so humiliated in my life but it made me very conscious of course and before trying anything natural, went through a stage of using makeup - FAIL - to try and cover redness. About 6 months ago I started using BSM morning and night and noticed my nose had returned to normal skin colour almost immediately!! It has been years since I've been this confident about not using makeup and going out, now the only time I notice it come back (only slightly) is if I drink certain wines which I believe is quite common, but it doesn't happen all the time - only with certain brands.
It never really occured to me that it was the BSM but if I run out and don't take it for a few days, it slowly creeps back but not as severe as before. I'm sure of course this is due to the high content of copper in this brand, it's also reasonably high in sulphur which is great for skin issues!
Anemia
Posted by Jlynn (Broken Arrow, Ok) on 01/23/2012
I crave mints too!! I started about a year ago and could never figure it out. I also have been having very heavy periods...... I'm wondering if I'm low on iron. I have just started taking BSM. I hope it works. I would love NOT to crave mints!
Gray Hair
Posted by Happee (Se Usa) on 01/23/2012
Hi - just FYI, there is no way that something you consume can change the color of the hair that is already on your head (grown out from your scalp). Hair isn't "alive" in that way; it's like your fingernails. So whatever was affecting your hair color came from an outside application, such as chlorine in water.
I don't know about molasses affecting hair color over time, but I do know that there are herbs that are used in Asia that accomplish this, so I would assume that, if molasses treats an underlying imbalance or nutritional lack, it could produce the same result. It would take some time to see whether it works though.
The growth rate of head hair for most people averages about 1/4" to 1/2" a month. 1/2" a month is considered pretty fast growth, for example. Using that calculation, you'd have to consistently take the molasses and see if you started to notice a difference in hair color after about six months (since the molasses effect might not start working immediately).
Low Iron Count
Posted by Cheryl (Abilene, Tx) on 01/22/2012
★★★★★
I tried to donate blood and could not - my blood was iron poor -it was at 7.2 - had to be 7.5 to donate. This was in June of 2011 - so I went on blackstrap molasses and gave blood in jan 2012 - now I am at 12.9 - wow Blackstrap Molasses works for me!!
Gray Hair
Posted by Robert Henry (Ten Mile, Tn Usa ) on 01/01/2012
HI U HUBERT, my ole Mississippi Grand Dad used to have a cane syrup mill which a mule was used to turn the cane squeezing system. He then used a wood burning cooker to evaporate off the water. The Black Strap came from the third cooking and had less sugar but more vitamins and a higher content of iorn than the previous two cookings. What you want is Unsulfured Black Strap Molasses.
I have tried this before, but the high iron can wreak havoc with you. In my case it caused my glucose to go out the roof for several weeks. As my Nuropath doctor tells me, iron is a two edged sword. Be- careful. =====ROBERT HENRY=========
PS.. Hope all you people are having your good luck Black eyed peas today. Looks like we are going to need it in 1212. We are having them and Collards Greens for the money. This is a Southern Tradition.
Gray Hair
Posted by Hubert (Phoenix, Az., United States) on 01/01/2012
I am going to try Black Strap Molasses (BSM) in an effort to eliminate some of my grey hair, but I am a novice as far as BSM is concerned, so would one of the BSM Veterans wade in and respond to my comments and questions.
There were a few people who stated in their post that they were taking BSM in hopes of minimizing/eliminating their grey hair; they went on to explain they had to discontinue their regimen due to the high sugar content of BSM, which had a negative impact on them. I'm wondering if they were taking the unsulphered BSM. Is there is a difference between the unsulphered and plain BSM?
Also I was wondering would it be ok to use BSM in hot green tea with lemon? Normally I use honey as a sweetner, because I believe it is a healthy alternative to sugar. But I would like to start my BSM regimen with green tea and lemon; providing the beneficial effects of the BSM won't be diminished.
Side Effects
Posted by Shelly (Springdale, Arkansas) on 11/02/2011
That strange feeling in your chest (and back) could be acid reflux.
Side Effects
Posted by G-ma (Cincinnati, Oh 45039, Usa) on 10/25/2011
Plantation unsulphurated BlkStr. I love the flavor, (reminds me of Goodn'Plenty my favorite candy), so I take 1 T. in a.m., for 3 days now, today I was having a slight pounding in the center of my back, I thought it might be my heart too! I am 57, good health, active w/3 new grandbabies??
Side Effects
Posted by Immich (Las Vegas, Nv, Usa ) on 10/07/2011
I've taken 1tbsp, once per day, for 3 days and I'm noticing that it's giving me something like heart palpitations just after taking it, I think this is odd because I've seen it mentioned that it prevents this. Not sure that I will stop taking it just yet, I'm very healthy overall and not too alarmed by this... Has anyone else experienced this???
Acne
Posted by Liz (Boston, Massachusetts) on 09/05/2011
I would stick with it because it will likely pass. I am almost the same age as you and was never acne-prone, not even in my youth. I don't think I've had even one random pimple in over 20 years.
About two or three days into taking BSM, I woke to find a small whitehead on my cheek. I thought 'What the... ?? A ZIT??' Then it hit me - molasses. :)
That was close to a year ago. I've never had one since.
Acne
Posted by Alice (Whitestone, New York/usa) on 09/05/2011
aahh.... Thank you for that. I recently read how wonderful blackstrap molasses is for you but I noticed that I started breaking out. Wasn't sure if it was or could even be the molasses but that was the only new thing I added to my diet. So I stopped for a couple of days and no breakouts. Had two teaspoons yesterday and today another breakout. I'm 51 and should have acne. So should I just keep with it? And how long should it take before the acne stops?
Anemia
Posted by Dee (Atlanta, Georgia) on 08/16/2011
★★★★★
I visited the emergency room when my blood level was low and feeling faint and the emergency room doctor suggested Brer Rabbit Black Strap Molasses. It really does work better than any other blackstrap molasses that I have tried.
Depression
Posted by Becky (Denver, Co) on 07/26/2011
★★★★★
Molasses also helped my depression. 1 TB per day. I always try to "fix" my health problems with natural things. I have tried sooo many things through the years for different health concerns and most of the time I didn't notice any difference. I started the molasses and I believe I felt better the first day. I am happier, more positve, have more energy, I'm motivated to do things. I have hope once again.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Om (Hope, B.c. Canada) on 07/25/2011
when I was first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes I had a slim figure (all my life). Now I am gaining weight and my doctor tells me it is the insulin. Never before have I had high blood pressure - now I have it! I am vegetarian with wheat allergy and walk almost daily close to an hour. I suffer from extreme fatigue.
I never eat junk and almost all crackers are made with canola oil so I won't have them. I will experiment with acv. It has a lot of potassium and is alkaline. By the way, black strap molasses cures arthritis. But now after four years it is coming back because molasses is a problem with diabetes. Apple Cider Vinegar does mitigate arthritic pain. B. St. Molasses is excelent for cancer as it dries up tumours. My dog was thought to have a large tumour but after two years of diluted b st molasses in her food she is healthy with a fabulous coat the colour of which are very vibrant.. In India the sugarcane plantation workers are very poor. So they eat a lot of sugar cane. They have good teeth and never cancer. Our organic store bought molasses must be dissolved in some warm water. Om
Skin
Posted by Sdl (Calgary, Canada) on 06/26/2011
To the gal who says her skin became drier using blackstrap molasses, have you considered mixing it with coconut oil or coconut milk? I've been using coconut products (the organic extra virgin or virgin unrefined kind) and find my skin is nicely improving and after just 5 days is already better than it has ever been in four decades!! Smooth, nicely toned, etc. Cleared up blackheads on my nose and tightened pores. The list goes on. I will be trying molasses soon and possible Apple Cider Vinegar as well, but one thing at a time. So far, I'm a coconut oil convert for life. ;) Lots of water is a good thing for skin too, I've found. 2-3L a day works wonders.
Anemia
Posted by Lily (Brooklyn, New York) on 06/22/2011
To Katy from Astoria Oregon: You're the first person I've heard that mentioned a craving for MINTS. This was me for about a year. I was addicted to mints, the stronger the better. I loved trying different brands of mints, purchased several packages so that I'd always have a supply. Altoids, Fisherman's, Asian herbal mints. And so your excerpt explains it!
I've been living with anemia for about 3 yrs, and learned about fibroids a month ago. Learned about BSM a week ago! When I started taking the iron supplements, the craving for mints stopped also. thanks for your message.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Mary (Greensboro, Nc, Usa) on 05/23/2011
★★★★★
For one month, I have been taking 1 tbs of Blackstrap Molasses in warm almond milk each morning. I love the taste. My nails, skin, bowel movements have improved and I think I sleep better. Another benefit is that it curbs my appetite and my friends are telling me that I look like I've lost weight and I am losing weight. As for my hair, it may be getting darker and my husband's hair definitely looks darker. We looking forward to the next 3 months. We will keep doing this and making other nutritional adjustments.
Vertigo
Posted by Angeldivine (Bedford Hts, Oh) on 05/22/2011
★★★★★
I read about the benefits of blackstrap molasses years ago and have been taking it off and on ever since. More recently, I have been using the organic blackstrap molasses consistently. I have a "molasses coffee, " which is BSM mixed w/ vanilla almond milk and and them warmed; a "molasses milkshake, " which is BSM mixed w/ cold vanilla almond milk and ice cubes or in a blender w/ ice cubes; and any kind of fruit smoothie w/ about a tbls of BSM. Every now and then, I'll make gingerbread using the BSM, ginger, and a little agave nectar for a little extra sweetness. You can look up recipes and tweak them if you're vegan. Overall, the greatest benefit so far is curing the dizziness or lightheadedness I would get as a result of taking an herbal diuretic. Diuretics can deplete the body of potassium and BSM rectifies these symptoms.
Anemia
Posted by Bambi (Bonfield, On Canada) on 02/20/2011
I have been reading about iron because I'm not into meat... But I read you and your husband are mixing the black strap with tea.... There are beverages that block iron absortion and tea-coffee-milk are some of the drinks. So you might want to change that to reap the full benefits...
Side Effects
Posted by Karl (Digby, N.s. Canada) on 01/10/2011
Dianna from Texas are you perchance on any HBP meds or Diabetes meds, remember that these meds and certain foods can do strange things to your Sugars and BP, of course the Doctors don't tell you that, they just want you to blindly follow their words.
Anemia
Posted by Anna (Pittsburgh, Pa) on 12/08/2010
★★★★★
I just started taking BSM about two weeks ago and can already feel a difference in energy! Even my period seems a lot lighter than usual. The funny thing is, that I didn't even know I was iron deficient until reading about the same symptoms I've been having for years! I really thought its normal to feel so tired all the time.. Its so important to listen to our bodies and make use of what nature provides for us to be our healthiest-inside and out!
Fibroids
Posted by Lane (New York, Ny, Usa) on 10/30/2010
Christina, I can't speak directly to blackstrap molasses. But I can say that I was helped tremendously by acupuncture and herbs through a Chinese herbologist, who made the combinations himself. I had an embolization previously, in order to avoid surgery. But the embolization only helped temporarily, and not that much. I am fine now, and the fibroids are greatly reduced, though they once were huge. I looked 4 months pregnant. I was also taken to the emergency room four times in the years before the embolization due to low blood count and pain.
Fibroids
Posted by Christina (Ann Arbor, Mi) on 10/29/2010
Hello everyone,
I was diagnosed with fibroids several years ago. I had a robotic myomectomy, which took care of the large one (about 7cm). I had a very small one, but was told that it was slow-growing, so I didn't worry. Well, fast-foward to 2010. In March, I discovered that my fibroid was about 9cm. This month, I began having so much trouble w/ urination frequency, pain and bloating that I went for an MRI, and it was discovered that I had three fibroids, the largest of which was 10cm. Two weeks later, it had grown to 12.5cm. I signed up for a study of mri-guided ultrasound ablation because I just couldn't take the symptoms anymore. It was 30-40% successful, meaning that it killed that much of the fibroid. Unfortunately, I won't see if it's taken care of my symptoms for 3-6 months, and the fibroid will decrease in volume, but not much in size, so I'm stuck with a pot-belly, and that's pretty unsightly for me, as I weigh normally 125 lbs / 5'6". I was told that my only option was either embolization (which isn't guaranteed to take care of all the fibroids and which doesn't mean that more won't grow) or hysterectomy. I don't like those options. I'm trying to find anything that will keep me from going through these procedures.
Here's my question: Has anyone on this site found that Blackstrap molasses has contributed in any way to shrinkage of their fibroids? I'm going to try it b/c it can't hurt (in small dosages), but I'd like to know if there's been any experience out there where the fibroids have shrunk. Thank you for your help.
Gray Hair
Posted by Amy (Scottsdale, Arizona, Usa) on 09/04/2010
★☆☆☆☆
This is Amy, the original poster. I am checking back in at 9 months and was about to say with certainty that this does not work. I have been taking pictures every 3 months and see no improvement and still need to color every three weeks.... However, I have not been taking ORGANIC BSM. I've been taking Plantation brand unsulfured BSM from the health food store but it does not say organic. Hard for me to imagine how this can make a difference. And if the health food store does not carry it, how am I supposed to find it? At the moment I shall not continue with this 'treatment'. I do not see any results and at 1 T a day for 9 months that is a lot of calories for no result.
Anxiety
Posted by Tasha (East Coast, Usa) on 08/27/2010
★★★★★
It seemed to work on my mood immediately, as in within 2 days. My anxiety went WAY down very quickly. Very pleased with this and absolutely sure its the BSM.
Gray Hair
Posted by Christina (Houston, Texas) on 08/10/2010
Thanks to both Addy and Lon for your comments. I already use the purple shampoo, this was a standard before deciding to try BSM. I will stop the BSM and look into vitamins as well as other solutions to reverse its effects.
Gray Hair
Posted by Lon (Stanhope, Nj) on 08/08/2010
I'm quite a novice, so may be completely wrong on this subject, but just in case, I thought I'd mention the following. I know a person whose dark brown hair gradually became lighter, but with a greenish tint. This amazed everyone. It was later found to be caused by too much copper in the diet and in a supplement he was taking. I was told he had a susceptibility to this. I may be wrong, but doesn't BSM contain a significant amount of copper? The person's diet had to be changed, supplement eliminated and I think there was a vitamin used to help reverse the effects.
Gray Hair
Posted by Isabelle (Garden Grove, Ca Usa) on 08/08/2010
Hello! I know it is maddening when the hair gets off color. It happen to me 20 or so years ago but it was from to much msm that I was taking for skin problems. Dear, make sure that your Blackstrap Molasses is organic and also check you amount of sulfur in you diet and supplements: some liver can process only small amount of sulfur per day. I don't know if this is pertaining to you, but it doesn't hurt to check. For restoring color, look on iodine and paba. But remember, what ever you do is connected to you whole body state of health and there is a lot of reading to do on this site and the internet. I hope you get satisfying result! PEACE!
Gray Hair
Posted by Christina (Houston, Tx) on 08/07/2010
I started taking BSM about three weeks ago. I take a teaspoon daily. About one week after beginning BSM I noticed my silver hairs looked copper colored and some were yellowish. I was happy- I believed the BSM was working to restore my natural color. Now my hair looks yellow and green in sunlight. I do not use coloring agents or chemical processes on my hair and I haven't been swimming. I've already tried a clarifying shampoo, it did not remove the yellow and green. Does anyone have any suggestions for removing these undesirable colors?
Pain
Posted by Terrie (Cleveland, Ohio) on 07/07/2010
★★★★★
Was in alot of pain, could hardly take a few steps in the morning - could only sleep about 4 hrs before pain would wake me up - started blackstrap molasses 1 tablespoon am and pm. Severe pain has gone away - thanks to this site
