In August of 2017, I begun a weight loss journey that ended around January of 2019 with the loss of 240 lbs. It has been six years since I stepped back from my weight loss program to learn how to maintain what I had accomplished. Against all odds I have not regained any of the weight lost. The emotional work I needed to do has taken six years but I’m ready to finish this weight loss journey begun exactly 9 years ago this month.
My goal is to lose another 75 lbs. or more. I’m not certain where I should set my ending weight, it will be a matter of what seems right, I’m thinking somewhere between 145lbs. and 165lbs. So onward and downward.
Here is what I’m doing, and it works perfectly. Here are the resources for those who want to do the reading.
Unlocking the Secrets of Weight Loss; By Dr. Jason Fung
Dara Dietz2014 Before Weight Loss
When I begun my journey in 2017, the only book available was the Obesity Code, it is an excellent resource for understanding the value of fasting. Life in the Fasting Lane, really maps out how to set your program up.
My Current Fasting Program:
I began doing 23 hours fast every day. What this looks like is you eat one meal each day, allowing only an hour during the whole day to consume food. The rest of the day you are fasting. So, you are basically not eating for stretches of 23 hours each day. This routine did not work well for me.
The pounds were not moving away at a rate that suited me, so I decided to fast every other day. In real time here is what it looks like, I eat food for two hour every other day, so, I’m fasting from 2pm on Monday until 12 pm on Wednesday. This is a 46 hour fast. I find it painless, and the scales show a nice weight drop of around 2 to 4 lbs. for each fasting period.
A two-mile walk is a nice beginning to my day. I seldom miss it rain or shine. This walk is not about weight loss, as you will find when you read the two books above, it is about mental and physical health. Your body needs to move to be healthy.
Each morning, I consume my teas of the, Weight Support, Brain Food, Mood food and Echinacea formulas. I choose to add a splash of almond milk to my teas including on the days I fast. I also take my psyllium husk fiber each morning fasting or not. The fiber keeps your bowels comfortable. The LBF #1 Capsules (poop pills) are taken sometime around 5pm every day. If my bowels are not working well, I’ll go ahead and use the ascorbic powder to give them a little push.
Drinking all the tea or lemon water I can remember to drink throughout the day will ensure better results the next day. If I find myself dealing with hunger pains I’ll have a nice cup of hot tea with the Digestive tonic, and some more brain formula, with a little almond milk. Sip it and my tummy feels better very quickly.
The Food Program for the days I eat is high protein, fat and fiber. Absolutely no cheep carbs. Nothing with sugar, white flour, or wheat flour, really if it is processed it is not going to work. Wednesday for my meal I had, 4 pieces of toasted Ezekiel bread with olive oil and smashed avocado topped with Seasoned Salt and chopped onions, a nice salad with vegetarian bacon bits, cucumbers, onions, olives, red wine vinegar and olive oil. For dessert a bowl of fresh cherries. I found this satisfying.
On Saturday I enjoyed 3 Chickpea flour patties, green beans, 2 slices of Avocado toast and a bowl of cherries. You can find the recipe for the patties on my blog. One day last week I had a pasta casserole make with chickpea pasta, pasta sauce, Mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, olives, chopped garlic, Tofu sausage, (the only one they make without sugar added). This is good and can be eaten with cooked vegetables or a side salad.
Hopefully you get the idea; good food made well, following the plan of high protein, fats and fiber. Lots of great ideas out there.
I began this program 3 weeks ago, around the end of July and have lost 16 lbs. to date. Read the two books recommended above and come join me for the end of my journey. The fasting approach to weight loss works, since ending my active fasting program in 2019 I have not regained any of the weight lost.
Life can become so chaotic with all our numerous obligations, it is important to step away and take time to catch up with ourselves. Do a reality check. Years ago, I unplugged from the secular media, television, Facebook etc. and discovered all that wasted time spent staring at a computer or television screen could be much better used feeding my brain. I have also “tried on” several hobbies, things that keep my hands busy while I listen to my audio books or just relaxing while spending time with my husband in the evenings.
Stepping back from all the mind-numbing entertainment (so-called), has been one of the best gifts I’ve given myself. I admit to wringing my hands in the beginning wondering what to do with myself, but I knew there had to be some changes. The connections we form with our computers can destroy our emotional, physical and spiritual health. We need to connect with people. Spend time with our friends, real people in real time, in the same room with us.
We also need to spend time with the Father every day. Finding that place and time each day to connect with the one who knows us best and loves us the most is time well spent. These quite hours have become my favorite time of day.
Before the sun comes up, I’m slipping down the hall to my study area, where I find him waiting with his wisdom and blessings for my day. I talk to him and then I open my bible where he talks to me. The time sails by and I realize it is already 7am. Time for my morning walk.
The cool crisp air bursting with the birds’ songs along with the exercise fill me with the joy of a new day. The large black birds come for the peanuts we have tossed out for them. The squirrels sneak in and grab a peanut then run for cover. The early morning drama of nature. My morning is done; it is time to turn on my phone and wake up my computer. Technology is here to stay, use it wisely. It is a gift from God to us; it can also be a curse.
A choice can be a simple thing, a moment in time with little apparent significance. Yet, moving through time, from childhood into adulthood, all those little choices add up to make a life. We build our characters, personalities, destinies, one deed at a time. Our actions when we are stressed or emotionally exhausted provide an open window into the soul. We become our choices; every decision made from the day we come into this world forms us into the people we are today.
It takes only one step to begin a thousand mile journey. Each following step leads us closer to our goal and further away from where that first step was made. At the end of any physical, emotional, or spiritual, journey, I am not who I was at the first choice or beginning. The experience of the journey has created a new person, one who can never completely return to the start and choose another direction.
Something to contemplate as we start a new year. Who am I today? What new venture can I begin that will enhance the person I have become?
A Blessing for the New Year!
My prayer for each of you is that your life will exceed your expectations.
May your days be filled with perfect balance.
May your Blessings keep you humble and grateful.
May your Joys be a never ceasing spring flowing from within.
May your trials all become victories. And May this New Year be filled to the brim with possibility. –Dara Dietz
2024 has been a year of changes for all of us. The problem with change is that when it occurs we must adapt, adjust our thinking and actions to accept or fight the changes. So many questions need answering for us to make responsible decisions. The only real unchanging, steady, and reliable aspect of my life is my relationship with the Lord. There are no safe harbors aside from Him.
What am I trying to say, to share today. In recent months and weeks I have seen so many making fear based decisions. When we are afraid our focus turns inward to self-preservation, it becomes harder to see the big picture when our hearts are fearful of the future. The Father has promised to give us a spirit of peace and a sound mind.
The two, Peace and a sound mind, go together. This has been repeatedly shown out in the past 100 years. The survivors of war, forced to live in fear for months and years develop post traumatic stress syndromes. Our nerves were not intended to remain in the fight or flight mode for extended periods of time.
In addition to the stress brought on by change, we continuously feed on an intellectual, emotional, and spiritual, diet of stressful content from the media. The daily news channels are constantly focused on the next big change or disaster. Any truly evil event is televised repeatedly just in case you did not get the full effect the first time. The entertainment offered from mainstream media is full of shocking stories intended to grab your attention. All of this wears on the fragile nerves of our minds.
It is important to disconnect from all the noise and confusion, come away each day to a quiet place where the Father can refresh your spirit. Learning to trust Him will only happen when He is asked into our daily life. He will not intrude but is very willing to join us in anytime or place we choose to make time for Him. Then Continue to allow Him to remain beside you throughout the day.
“Conversations About God” is a recorded series of twenty Friday evening discussions with Graham Maxwell based on the conviction that the most important of all beliefs is the one that brings joy and assurance to Christians everywhere — the truth about our Heavenly Father that was confirmed at such cost by the life and death of His Son.
All addictions – whether drug or alcohol related, sexual, or relational – meet the same definition: “the compulsive engagement in behaviors that bring short-term reward but long-term destruction.”
No matter the addiction that brings short-term pleasure, even if it’s accepted by society, if not overcome it will completely ensnare and destroy you. A range of treatments are available – from counseling to prescription medicine – but when God is included, people can experience real freedom.
One of the most common addiction treatments are 12-step rehab programs, the bases of which were first published in the 1939 book, Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism. Many conscientious believers have asked me not only whether these steps are effective, but also whether they are biblical.
While often presented generically so as not to offend non-Christians, these steps are designed upon the journey of Christian conversion and spiritual maturation, which is one reason these programs are so successful. You see, the primary purpose of the 12 steps is not merely to achieve abstinence from the addiction, but the healing of the heart, as unhealed emotional wounds often lead people to engage in addictions as means of self-medicating. Let’s take a quick look at the scriptural underpinnings of the 12 steps.
Step 1: Admit You Are Powerless Over Your Addiction
We must admit our inability to heal ourselves, that our lives had become unmanageable, and that we need a Savior. “Jesus said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners’” (Mark 2:17).
Step 2: Believe that a Power Greater than Yourself Can Restore You to Sanity
We must know the truth about God: that He is in the saving business – and not the condemning business – and He has the ability to heal us. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16, 17). “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all to myself” (John 12:32).
Step 3: Make a Decision to Turn Your Life Over to the Care of God
We must choose to open our hearts to God, as best as we understand Him, and let His power transform and heal us from within. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30). “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).
Step 4: Make a Searching and Fearless Moral Inventory of Yourself
We must stop running from the truth about ourselves and our brokenness. It is only as we are truthful that we can experience healing. “The truth shall make you free (John 8:32). “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23, 24).
Step 5: Admit to God, Yourself, and Others the Exact Nature of Your Wrongs
This step is about grace in relationship. As we confess our wickedness and experience love and acceptance from God and humans, our shame is replaced with love and empowers us to move forward in healing (John 8:1–11). “When anyone is guilty in any of these ways, he must confess in what way he has sinned” (Leviticus 5:5). “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (James 5:16). “If someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1, 2).
Step 6: Be Entirely Ready to Have God Remove All Your Defects of Character
We must have heart honesty. God cannot remove from us what we persistently hold on to. If we really want freedom, we must honestly let go of our addiction. “I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me” (Jeremiah 33:8). “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws” (Ezekiel 36:25–27). “This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people” (Hebrews 8:10).
Step 7: Humbly Ask Him to Remove Your Shortcomings
We must commit to daily acknowledgement that we are powerless to change our own characters or natures and daily reach out to God for His transforming presence. “Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin” (Psalm 51:2). “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).
Step 8: Make a List of All Persons You’ve Harmed and Be Willing to Make Amends to Each One
True heart change replaces fear and self-centeredness with love for other people, and self-deceit with truthfulness. We stop lying to ourselves, stop denying the truth, and instead become lovers of the truth – including the truth about our own histories. As we are healed by our Creator, our motives change and a genuine love for others grows within.
Step 9: Make Direct Amends to Such People Wherever Possible, Except When Doing So Would Injure Them or Others
Both steps eight and nine are meant to help us apply new methods, principles, and motives to our lives – the process of thinking about the welfare and health of others rather than one’s self. In doing so, we move forward in God’s healing and deliverance. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift” (Matthew5:23, 24).
Step 10: Continue to Take Personal Inventory and Promptly Admit to Wrongdoing
We should do our best to prevent new mistakes from taking root and becoming habits. We daily examine ourselves in light of God’s design for life and health and apply His principles to our lives. “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. … The man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it – he will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:22, 25).
Step 11: Seek Through Prayer to Improve Conscious Contact with God, Asking Only for Knowledge of His Will for You and the Power to Carry That Out
We must grow in our relationship with God, exercising new healthy brain circuits resulting in the actual rewiring of our brains over time. “Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:13–18).
Step 12: Having Had a Spiritual Awakening as the Result of These Steps, Carry This Message to Addicts and Practice These Principles in All Your Affairs
We must allow God’s love to flow through us to others – the more we give, the more we receive. “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” (John 20:21).
Before concluding, there is one aspect that I have come to recognize as important in recovery from addictions that is not specifically addressed in the 12 steps: “bringing every thought into captivity to Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). Science has revealed that even though we may avoid unhealthy behaviors (taking a substance, gambling, shopping), if we engage in the behavior in our imagination, the same neural circuits fire as when the actual behavior is carried out. This means that if we long for the addiction in our mind, if we imagine the “good ol’ days,” if we wish we could engage in our addiction but don’t merely because we know it will harm or kill us, then our brains will not rewire and our characters will not change. Such persons never experience genuine freedom from their addiction.
However, when we not only change our behavior but our thinking as well, over time our brains actually rewire and what we once found pleasurable will, in time, become repulsive. This is the freedom that unity with Christ brings!
Anytime there is an issue in the body we can expect to find a toxic condition blocking up the affected area, preventing the circulation of nutrients into and waste out of that part. Clearing the toxic build up out and restoring good circulation is what natural healing is all about. This action is also applied to the brain. Toxic buildup in the brain can affect our thinking, causing a sluggish, unproductive feeling, anxiety, and confusion, in our thinking processes. Clearing the toxic condition of the body often restores a more productive, uplifting and bighting of the mind.
When any area of the body is not working well there is a need to target that area with the herbal supports provided for us in nature that feed and restore that particular function or area. For the Mind there are several master herbs and many herbs that support the master herbs in their work.
Increasing the blood flow into the brain is best supported with the Ginkgo Leaf. The nutrients in this herb work as a vasal dilator, opening up the area. This master herb for the brain is an excellent aid for Alzheimer and Dementia. It is also a support for vertigo issues. A good mix of herbs to support circulation to the brain are: Ginko Leaf, the master Herb in the formula, the supporting herbs to aid the master herb in its work are, Rosemary Leaf, Cayenne, Calamus, Kola Nut, and Gotu Kola Herb.
A Brain Food Formula would be helpful for anyone needing mental clarity or wanting to ensure good recall. The older we get the more we value how sharp the mind was in our younger years. A formula of this type can be used freely as it is a food formula and will not create “die-off”, which require boosting the immune system in order to support the work it would do.
Clearing toxicity from the brain will require a detoxing herb that focuses primarily on the brain. Using St John’s Wort as the master herb in a brain detoxing formula would ensure the brain is targeted and cleared of toxins. St Johns Wort herb is a mild tasting herb. This can be a bit deceptive as it is a very powerful detoxifier, targeting the brain. When using this herb it is important to boost the immune system with a good daily dose of Echinacea. Don’t let the mild, pleasant taste of the herb fool you, if the immune system is not supported there will be a serious detoxing backlash. When used and supported this herb is an exceptional aid for clearing toxins from the brain that can contribute to anxiety issues, depression and other mental disturbances. This is not magic, it is an aid from the Father that will support, and aid in regaining mental health.
A Good Mood Food Combination might look something like this: Saint John’s Wort, as the master herb in the formula. The Herbs to support the work of this master herb could be, Kava Kava, which aids in promoting a since of wellbeing, Uva Ursi, supporting the endocrine system, Hawthorn Berries, heart food, Yellow Dock, to feed the blood, Kelp, a good source of energy.
Adding a good Olive Leaf formula along with the Mood Food combination has proven to work well with the St John’s Wort herb to enhance the detoxing of the brain tissue. In my life I’ve needed a good brain detox for depression several times. This combination has never failed to bring relief, bringing the sunshine back into my heart and mind.
Understand the basic of any detoxing program. If you continue to feed garbage into your body nothing is going to clear your mind. The Rubbish consumed is not only in the form of the food you choose to eat, but also the life choices you make. Feeding your mind from the media garbage put out for public consumption will have the same toxic effect on your brain and nervous system as consuming a toxic food program. Feeding on good healthy emotional food is an important as ensuring the nutrients you put into your body via your mouth are as healthy as possible.
For the best life in this toxic world it is important to take responsibility for our total intake of nutrients and environment. The physical health is dependent on the emotional and Spiritual health of the Spirit and soul. As the Emotional and Spiritual parts of your life regain balance and circulation so will your physical body. Physical and Psychology will rise and fall together. Another way to put it is to say, “I can not be any healthier physically than I am Emotionally & Spiritually.” When these areas of life are allowed to fall into decay the physical body suffers. Take the time to see what is real, Hear what is being said. We often allow experiences from the past to taint or skew what we see and hear today. It can take an effort to learn to look past our knee jerk reactions and really see and hear the truth surrounding our lives.
Herbal first aid for soft tissue injuries. Sprains or strains of the joints anywhere on the body can cause painful inflammation. The first step would be to ice the area if there is any chance of internal bleeding or bruising. Arnica oil will prevent bruising from forming when applied directly after the impact.
Note: Arnica Oil should not be applied directly into an open wound.
An additional aid for internal bleeding would be to take a dose of Cayenne, a glass of hot lemonade would be helpful. This is a cold drink consisting of 16 to 32 ounces of water, 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp cayenne, Lemon juice and Maple syrup to taste.
After the ice pack has done its job or if not Icing is required, as in the case of overuse of a joint, or any case where there was no impact or concern for internal bleeding, apply a pack with a good Healing Salve with anti-inflammatory properties. A good combination of herbs and essential oils could be, Comfrey Root; Marshmallow Root, Marigold Herb, Beeswax; Essential oil of Rosemary, Lavender, Frankincense and Helichrysum
Apply as a salve pack over the abused or damaged joint for a couple of hours. This combination of herbs will knock down the inflammation around the damaged area and allow healing to happen more quickly. Also this will aid in keeping the discomfort from increasing. (Remember, pain comes from blockage, clearing the blockage will knock down the pain.)
A good herbal combination to aid in restoring the damaged joint is Dr Christopher’s BFC formula. His combination of herbs supports with the nutrition to “knit” the body back together. BFC, Stands for Bones, Flesh, and Cartilage, this herbal combination of, White Oak Bark, Comfrey Root, Gravel Root, Mullein Leaf, Marshmallow Root, Black Walnut Hulls, Wormwood, Skullcap, Lobelia is an helpful aid for providing the body with the nutrition needed to repair damage to the Bones, Flesh, and Cartilage.
The formula can be applied as a salve pack over the affected area. It is also wonderful as an herbal extract taken as a cup of tea internally. Leave pack on overnight, depending on how extensive the damage continue to use allowing the area to “breath” without a pack for 6 to 8 hours each day.
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Definition: Thrush is a Fungi Infection of the Tissue of the Mouth. Thrush can occur in children and adults when conditions permit too much growth of a fungus called candida in the mouth. Thrush may appear as a Creamy white lesions on the tongue, inner cheeks, and sometimes on the roof of the mouth, gums and tonsils. Slightly raised lesions with a cottage cheese-like appearance. Redness, burning or soreness that may be severe enough to cause difficulty eating or swallowing.
Herbal Aids & Suggestions:
Plantain: Make a decoction, simmering one ounce of seeds in one and one half pints of water and reducing to one pint; sweeten with honey and give one tablespoonful three or four times daily.
Bayberry: Spray mouth and throat with tea in atomizer. If too young or throat too sore to gargle, then drink 1 or 2 tablespoons each hour until relief.
Red Raspberry: Use the strong infusion as a wash and gargle.
Thrush Infection in Babies: If your baby has thrush, which you can determine from white spots on the sides of the mouth, a white tongue, or soreness during nursing, you can try several remedies. Dip a Q-tip in X-ceptic (an herbal extract) and swab the area several times per day, then give raspberry tea in a bottle. Other remedies may include washing the white parts with a Q-tip soaked in yogurt or, from a drugstore, purchase Gentian Violet, which is an inexpensive germicide, not necessarily an herb but an old-fashioned and effective remedy. With a Q-tip dipped into the liquid, don’t soak but just coat the infected surfaces. Gentian Violet will stain anything it comes into contact with.
In order to get to the source of the problem, you need to help the baby feel no stress, make sure your own yeast infections are under control…and help restore the baby’s proper bacteria composition in the intestine. Use acidophilus freely yourself, and give the baby acidophilus, either the liquid or a capsule dissolved in a little sterile water.
Blueberries: The Blueberry has a substance, myrtillin, which combats the bad bacteria in the intestinal tract. Because of this the berry is useful in bowel diseases and diarrhea. A tea made from the berries has been used in cases of thrush or other mouth and throat infections…A half of a cup of berries in a quart of water boiled to one pint will yield a solution that can be used internally or externally such as in cases of eczema or other skin disorders.
Small Boy Quickly and Totally Healed of Thrush: We had an interesting case in Taylorsville, Utah. The patient was a little boy about 18 months of age. As I stepped into the house the stench of Thrush was so strong it nearly staggered me, yet the child was across the large living room from the entry.
Quickly we mixed oak bark tea and concentrated it down to half its original volume. With the little boy on my knee, an atomizer was used to spray oak bark tea into his mouth through his swollen lips, white sores and swollen tongue. Since he couldn’t swallow well because of the sores and swelling in the throat, it was necessary to tip him over so that the liquid would run out of his mouth. This procedure was repeated several times. This child could swallow only small amounts of fluid that would seep down his throat. Instructions were given to the parents to give him only red raspberry tea to drink and as much oak bark tea as possible until he healed. I was called back the next day because of an injury to an older boy, and as I stepped in the house, the little boy who had been treated for Thrush came rushing over, threw his arms around my leg and looked up with a big smile. His lips were down to normal size the white sores showed a healing pink. He was happy.
During a lecture, a student related the details of another case of Thrush in Flagstaff, Arizona. She told how two men took turns holding a little girl afflicted with Thrush 24 hours a day for two weeks to comfort her in her agony. Another woman told of her personal acquaintance with Thrush. She had suffered over six months with the disease of the gums, and her gums had been trimmed down to the bone. She has lost all her teeth and now was wearing dentures that were sitting on the bone of the jaws with no suction. Yet our little patient healed rapidly in less than 24 hours with herbs.
Bayberry and Thrush: An architect called his medical doctor about a child with mouth problems, which the M.D. diagnosed as thrush, sometimes called trench mouth or hoof-and-mouth disease. The physician was dubious about clearing the case at all, perhaps, he said, in several months, although the child might be in danger of losing his teeth. Unhappy with this news, the architect called Dr. Christopher, who lived about forty miles away.
When he arrived, Dr. Christopher nearly reeled from the stench in the house. The child, only eighteen months old, just stood there crying, with a mouth so full of sores that his tongue was sticking out, all swollen up. Dr. Christopher had asked the parents to boil some water, and he made bayberry tea, and, putting the child on his knee, sprayed some of it into the boy’s mouth and let it run into a pan, as the child couldn’t swallow. He continued this many times, and told the parents to keep doing it, adding that they should give him raspberry tea to drink later, as well as more bayberry tea to drink.
In less than twenty-four hours, instead of in months as the M.D. had predicted, the child was smiling and the case was nearly cleared up.
Bayberry is an astringent; it promotes greater density and firmness of tissues–as contrasted with laxatives, for instance, which open up tissues. Astringents cleanse mucus and lessen or arrest internal hemorrhages by coagulating the albumin. As in the case of thrush above, they contract and strengthen the tissues weakened by disease.
A Backache can be caused by any one of several issues. The first to look at is a structural or spinal issue. Has there been a recent injury, a fall or sharp twisting of the spine, or overuse of the back, lifting a heavy object incorrectly, that has caused the back to rebel.
An arthritic condition in the spine can seriously degrade the freedom of movement causing the back to ache and when the affected joints become inflamed to cause severe pain.
Kidney Issues: Stones or Infection should be ruled in or out when working to clear a backache. The Kidneys are located toward the back on each side of the body. Kidney stones travel through the Kidney causing the pain to move from the back to the front as it winds its way through the organ.
An infection or inflamed Kidney will be enlarged creating pressure and muscles spasms around the organ causing the back to ache. My experience when dealing with an inflamed Kidney condition was an inability to stand up straight. The back was unable to support me causing severe discomfort when trying to walk. I would have to hold onto furniture or some other object as I tried to move around the house.
For Women Menstrual cramps is another cause for a backache.
The first issue to be addressed when working to clear a backache is why is the back affected. Being female, so menstrual cramps were an issue, and having had a serious back injury, cracked my spine in a car accident in the mid 80’s, and also serious kidney issues since childhood, when my back would act up I had to determine why. Over the years I found a fail proof way, for me, to determine which of the above were contributing to my current discomfort.
If the possibility of menstrual cramps was an issue Lobelia, crampbark or the stronger combination for spasms using Lobelia seeds, Dr. Christoper called Antispasmodic. If the cause was from cramps it would take about 15 minutes for the uterus to relax and the spasms to stop.
When menstrual cramps were not an option, I would start with my three Kidney support drinks. (1) 1 oz of Echinacea in 12 ounces of water, (2) Hot lemonade, (1 tsp Cayenne, 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar, Lemon juice to taste, Mable syrup to taste and 16 ounces water) (3) 1 tablespoon of Herbal Aid 1 In 16 ounces of hot water. (Herbal aid 1 is a Mix of Garlic, Dandelion root, Goldenseal root, Ginger root, Cayenne, Horseradish).
It would normally take about 45 minutes for the teas to begin filtering through the kidneys enough to calm the spasms bringing lasting relief. This would also let me know my kidneys had become inflamed and it was time to do the Infection program to support the healing process.
The last but not least is the structural issue of my back. I have found a hot and cold shower will calm or end the back spasm when caused by structural issues. After my shower I like to apply the M&L Salve followed by a BFC Pack over the lower back where the injury occurred. I will also begin using the BFC extract 3 every three hours for a week or so until the crisis is over, then reduce back to my normal dose of once or twice a day.
When dealing with an arthritic condition of the back that has become inflamed, (hot & Painful is the way I’ve heard it described), Packing the area with an herbal support that will dissolve the Uric Acid Crystals that are creating the inflamed issue can prove very helpful. Dr. Christopher’s A&R Salve packed over the inflamed joint has proved an effective support to stop the discomfort and cool the inflamed issue. Once the issue is comfortable again switching back to the BFC Salve which has the nutrients to repair the damaged joint can be helpful. The A&R is also known as A Joint Support Formula, which can be taken as a liquid extract for additional herbal support.
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Lots of itching is going on this summer. Ant bites, poison ivy, you name it the cause dose not really matter, the itch is awful. Here is the quickest way I have found to clear the itch and knock out the inflammation.
All you need is Hot and Cold water to initially stop the itch. I have found the shower with a handheld shower head works the best. Something about the moving water over the affected area. Adjust the water to as hot as possible without scalding yourself. This will pull the fresh blood into the area and it really scratches that itch without wrecking the skin. After a minute or so of hot water change to completely cold, do this quickly, now blast the area with the cold driving the blood deep through the affected area. This will allow the toxins causing the inflammation to be cleared by the body and flushed out of the system.
Doing 7 “hots” and 7 “Colds” changes, seems to be the best. A minute or so with the hot and a minute or so with the cold. The itch will be gone. Repeat this as needed to relieve the itch if it returns. For me the relief has lasted for hours. Hydrotherapy
After the hot and cold, hydrotherapy, I like to apply a nice Herbal salve to support the body in clearing the reason for the itch. A good Healing Salve herbal combination to try is, Comfrey Root; Marshmallow Root, Marigold Herb, Beeswax; Essential oil of Rosemary, Lavender, Frankincense and Helichrysum.
When the issue is persistent or severe, a liver flush may be helpful. The liver being the vacuum of the body can be supported in its work of clearing the cause of the itch. The ELF is often helpful when supporting the body to clear most issues affecting the skin such as eczema or hives just to name a few. Herbal wisdom has found any issue that affects the skin can often be helped by clearing the liver. How to do an ELF
When the liver, the body’s vacuum bag is full, the liver decides to vicariously detox through the skin. The organ, which is the skin, is unable to handle the serious toxic waste thrown out by the liver and quickly breaks down. Clearing the liver will encourage it to detox the waste out through the proper channels (The bowels), saving the skin from this detoxing duty nature never intended it to do.
Simple but effective natural supports should not be underrated or ignored. The longer the body is allowed to push this toxic waste from the liver out through the skin the more difficult it will be to redirect the body and liver to stop abusing the skin. It will have become the “normal” after years of skin issues. As with anything in life change of habit takes time and effort. Clear these issues quickly by supporting the liver with regular detoxing programs.
Dara Dietz Blog 