Invest in Knowledge and Self-Improvement

[marcus]

From https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/warren-buffett-once-said-major-100900154.html
Title : Warren Buffett once said there’s a major investment that’s ‘not taxed at all’ — holds the key to wealth. Do this now
By Phil Osagie , April 2026

... Warren Buffett has built a tremendous financial empire , making him the 11th richest person in the world, as of April 1, 2026 (about $141.2 billion)...

Buffett’s greatest advice? Bet on yourself.
While this isn’t a traditional investment tip, Buffett firmly believes that by regularly investing in knowledge and self-improvement, you yourself become an asset and can more easily access opportunities for growing your wealth.

“Address whatever you feel your weaknesses are, and do it now,” Buffett said during a different interview with Forbes.

“Nobody can take away what you’ve got in yourself — and everybody has potential they haven’t used yet. If you can increase your potential 10%, 20% or 30% by enhancing your talents, they can’t tax it away. Inflation can’t take it from you. You have it the rest of your life.” ...

 

[marcus]

I totally agree with Buffett in this subject .

Since I learned how to connect to internet after I retired , I learned about so many things (but it seems most prefer videos and I prefer written information) .

Even before internet , I learned a lot by working at my father's shop (at that time kids could work legally) ; when adult : did myself Tax Return Reports , documents , investments , learned about my own sicknesses and how to cure them (after consulting many doctors who didn't solve the problems) , ...

In general , I learned that I cannot blindly rely on specialists in subjects that are important to me , so I had/have to learn about them too .

 

[harryopal1]

I totally agree with Buffett in this subject .

Since I learned how to connect to internet , I learned so many things , but I prefer written information .

Even before internet , I learned a lot by working at my father's shop (at that time kids could work legally) ; when adult : did myself Tax Return Reports , documents , learned about : investments , my own sicknesses and how to cure them (after didn't work by consulting many doctors) ,...

With a long interest in health matters I hope you do not mind my askinh what were your sicknesses and how did you cure them? My impression is that the western tradition of medicine tends to treat symptoms and often does not try to find the cause of the problem. Broken bones and physical injuries seem generally reasonably well treated but not always. Other stuff depends so much on the experience and integrity of the individual practitioners.

 

[marcus]

... what were your sicknesses and how did you cure them?

I had frequent (around 70%) blockage of my nasal channels (maybe sinusitis) and everyday's white pus in my eyes requiring cleaning each (around) 4 hours (maybe conjunctivitis) .

I solved both of the problems with a very known & cheap fruit named 'luffa operculata'.
I boiled 1/3 of a small dried luffa (of around 1 inch/2.5 cm long) with water and after cooling it down , I poured just few drops of it in my nose with my head down , sometimes turning the head to the left or right in order to make sure the liquid reached all areas of the nasal channels (the process was done intuitively and taking in consideration that this liquid could also cause bleeding) . After around 30 minutes a lot of yellow pus came down . Did that some 5 times (in different days , starting with very few drops then increasing little by little) . And also when I closed my nose and put pressure on its both channels simultaneously , this liquid opened my both eyes' channels , which were also blocked . In other words , this fruit's liquid worked like a detergent , cleaning the channels' (around 15 years old) chronic infection I had (over & both sides of my nose and under my eyes) .

Notes :
a) The Google AI says :
In one answer : Luffa operculata exhibits biocidal, antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive actions, among others. There is evidence of cytogenotoxicity, tissue toxicity, (sub-) acute, reproductive, neuro- and phytotoxicity. Toxicological data (in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo) warn about caution in the use of Luffa .
In a second answer : The luffa operculata is a toxic medicinal plant, frequently used for sinusitis and rhinitis, requiring strict care. Never ingest it, as it can cause severe poisoning, hemorrhages, and an abortive effect. Its use should be limited to inhalation (vapor) for short periods and is contraindicated for pregnant women, breastfeeding women, children, and people with nosebleeds.
b) Years after I used the luffa , I quickly saw (in the internet) many people's good experiences with it but just one scientific study (it was against its use but not specifically related to my problems) . What I wrote above about my experience should not be repeated without being aware of the risk(s) that its use can cause .
c) I assume that my above problems was caused when I got a severe cold or flu , that when I wanted to frequently clean my runny nose , I partially blocked my nose and 'blowed' (as many people usually do) . I heard from a doctor that we should not 'blow the nose' as due to the pressure , the pus goes up in the nasal channels , infecting many parts of the channels .

My impression is that the western tradition of medicine tends to treat symptoms and often does not try to find the cause of the problem.

I have the same impression . And they usually have side effects . In all my life I used them rarely . My first option now is herbal medicine .

Broken bones and physical injuries seem generally reasonably well treated but not always. Other stuff depends so much on the experience and integrity of the individual practitioners.

I learned to not trust medical doctors much . From some 10 expensive specialists I consulted for my above problems , none of them helped .
Nowadays if I need to go to the doctor (fortunately the last time was some 10 years ago) , I first check my book 'Johns Hopkins Symptoms & Remedies' and information in the internet .

 

[harryopal1]

Thank you for the details. The eye and sinus problem remedy sounds fraught with danger so lucky you got through that.

 

[marcus]

... sounds fraught with danger so lucky you got through that.

I agree that I was lucky referring to that I used it when I didn't have access to information in the internet yet , so I didn't know how to adequately use the luffa .
Nowadays in the internet you find so many information on how to use it .

About the danger , I think it is not much . It has been used by maybe many generations and it would not be so popularly known if it is really dangerous by using the way I did (it is dangerous to drink its "tea") .


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From https://caringsunshine.com/relation...Hn0aZtExIkE4Vn5n0d3kyjSnTdJ2LrfB3-nQ3ApnSQhwH
Title : Evidence supporting the use of: Luffa . For the body system: Sinuses

Luffa is a plant whose dried fibrous skeleton is commonly used as a natural scrubber, but various parts of the plant have a long history of use in traditional medicine, especially in Asia and parts of Europe. In traditional European herbalism and in homeopathy, Luffa operculata has been used as a remedy for sinus congestion, allergic rhinitis, and other sinus-related issues...

 

[snpark]

Warm salt water also works for the nasal flush. Not sure how it would work on the eyes. It might sting. But hey they'd be clean. Or try vinegar

 

[harryopal1]

Warm salt water also works for the nasal flush. Not sure how it would work on the eyes. It might sting. But hey they'd be clean. Or try vinegar

Vinegar for the eyes? Ouch! Or how about this?

TikTok - Make Your Day

 

[snpark]

That was meant as a joke but I was thinking something that would clean. But for the eyes perhaps NOT vinegar. But nose definitely warm salty water works. I've seen it many times on that interwebby thing

 

[Pak Tani]

That reminds me of this jenius:

"And then I see the disinfectant where it knocks it [Covid] out in a minute. One minute. And is there a way we can do something like that, by injection inside or almost a cleaning?

"So it'd be interesting to check that."

 

[snpark]

A nasal flush (nasal irrigation) is a safe, effective, at-home method to clear mucus, allergens, and bacteria from the nose using a saline solution. Using a neti pot or squeeze bottle, this technique reduces congestion from colds, allergies, or sinus infections. Always use distilled, sterile, or previously boiled water to avoid rare, serious infections.

Benefits and Uses
Relieves Congestion: Thins mucus and flushes out allergens, dust, and debris.
Reduces Sinus Pressure: Helps alleviate swelling and sinus-related headaches.
Enhances Hygiene: Acts like a "toothbrush for your nose," clearing the nasal passage.
Improves Breathing: Helps those with chronic allergies or sinus infections.

How to Perform a Nasal Flush
Prepare the Mixture: Mix a saline packet with lukewarm distilled or previously boiled water in a clean squeeze bottle or neti pot.
Position Yourself: Lean over a sink at a 45-degree angle.
Rinse: Place the spout in one nostril, open your mouth to breathe, and gently squeeze the solution so it flows through your nasal cavity and out the other nostril.
Repeat: Repeat on the other side.
Blow Nose: Gently blow your nose into a tissue.

 

[harryopal1]

That was meant as a joke but I was thinking something that would clean. But for the eyes perhaps NOT vinegar. But nose definitely warm salty water works. I've seen it many times on that interwebby thing

A very painful joke. And one needs to treat any advice on that "interwebby thing" with a degree of caution.