Author: Dara Dietz

Dara D Dietz is co-founder with her Husband of H.E.A.L. Marketplace, a private Natural Healing Association. As a teacher and counselor she has been supporting the members of H.E.A.L. with Natural Healing information and herbal supports since 1998. She continues to maintain strong ties to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Since healing her own kidney ailments she has assisted thousands of people in discovering and using natural herbal remedies. Dara has written and compiled numerous articles on a wide variety of natural healing topics. Drawing from her own healing experiences and borrowing from the vast wisdom of natural healers long departed, she continues to provide H.E.A.L.’s international membership with down to earth natural healing wisdom in H.E.A.L.’s bi-weekly newsletters. Dara and her husband currently reside in Rutherfordton, North Carolina.
Brain, Nerves & Sleep, Herbal Healing, Herbs & How to Use Them, My Opinion

Understanding Nervine Herbs

Dara Dietz
NeckPain

The nervine combinations and herbs have been proven useful aids in relaxing the systems of the body as well as calming the mind, and relaxing the muscles.  Over the years I have discovered several truths about the herbals, one truth is the herbs have the ability to affect the emotional and spiritual life in the same way they affect the physical body.  An example is Uva Ursi, an excellent diuretic it aids in the removal of excess fluid from the body.

My father used Uva Ursi in his healing practice as an aid for those who were stuck in fight-or-flight mode.  He was a bit ahead of his time in his understanding of how this mindset would affect the overall health of the body.  He had discovered how useful this herb could be in soothing the mind and emotions allowing the body to calm naturally.  Listening to him counsel his clients I was able to gleam this little pearl along with many others.

As a young adult; I would take 5 capsules of this herb just before bedtime, which would cause me to fall asleep.  When I woke up the sense of emotional clearing was with me, I felt like someone had pulled a plug allowing all the pent-up emotions to drain out. After discovering the power of the herbal extract I have found 1 tsp. of Uva Ursi has a diuretic effect on the emotions, it has proven to be an excellent aid when used appropriately at aiding the heart and mind to clear the emotional stress caused by emotionally feeding on negative and stressful issues.

Old habits of thinking must be changed.  No herbal support can do this work for us; even so, creating a calmer, relaxed condition of the mind and spirit can aid to protect the health of the body while making it easier to choose a better, healthier, happier way of thinking.

A useful herbal combination is Mullein and Lobelia.  Lobelia as a nervine has a calming effect on the entire body, stopping physical spasms as well as calming serious emotional upsets.  Used as a topical salve these two herbs are a powerful topical antispasmodic, quickly relaxing muscle spasms, calming spastic coughing fits.  Dr Christopher developed this combination as an aid for the Thyroid and glandular system.  As a salve the combination has proven a valuable addition to any herbal medicine cabinet.

For the Mullein and Lobelia combination, with the proportions and how to make the salve at home, see Mullein and Lobelia: Letting Locked Muscles Go.

cup-of-tea-01

The herbal NF (Nerve Food) combination has aided everything from insomnia to panic attacks.  One of the best emotional support combinations this writer has ever worked with, I’ve been truly impressed.

For the nerve food formula, with the herbs, proportions and how to make it, see Food for a Frayed Nervous System.

HEAL’s three sleep aids; General Nervine, Insomnia, and Sleep Aid each have their own special personality.  The General Nervine is a strong calming and restorative aid for the nerves, it may be used during times of severe stress in low doses during the day to prevent a complete emotional breakdown; it shores up the emotional strength preventing the descent into hysterics.

For the general nervine, with the herbs, proportions and how to make it, see A Calming Formula for Sleep and for Crisis.

For the two sleep formulas, with the herbs, proportions and how to make it, see Two Formulas for a Good Night’s Sleep.

The Insomnia is a nice sleep aid, allowing the body to become drowsy.  This is a formula that fits some very well while others have indicated it not that effective.

Sleep Aid is a calming aid for the entire body.  I’ve personally used this to calm my restless legs issues.  A teaspoon full in water works to clear that crawly, restless feeling in my legs.  I also find my sleep restful and unbroken when this formula has been used before bedtime.

My Opinion

Learning to Dance with the FDA

Dara Dietz

wet&wildOver the past 20 years I’ve had the opportunity to meet with several FDA Investigators. In recent years the rules have changed allowing them more involvement in our association.  Learning how to deal with nonsense they thrust upon us has been like learning to dance to a strange and unusual tune.  Common sense need not be applied.

The latest dance steps were spun through this past Monday & Tuesday.

The FDA is here. We were just getting started with our day when they arrived for another inspection. It is so unnerving to have them show up. I just hang onto the truth that the Lord is in charge and it will all be for the very best. He will give strength for the day.

Today is also my husbands birthday. I’ve been so blessed to have him in my life. Aside from being my best friend he has stood by me through it all and today appears to be another of those stand together days.

UPDATE TO FDA VISIT POST FROM JUNE 12

The FDA investigators arrived for their second day of their inspection and they left last night just before 6 pm. The team consisted of two women, very nice people overall. I think I could like them under different circumstances.

OK, so the bottom line is this is a dance we will have to learn and do if we are going to continue doing what we do. It is do-able.

Over the last two days Michael and I put them through their paces, we made sure we understood exactly what they want and how we are to achieve it.

I finally get it, I believe. That does not mean I agree with the complete stupidity of these regulations. Little of what we are having to do has anything to do with the quality of the herbal combinations we put out and everything to do with paper trials.

For those of you who may one day need to know here is what they want to see. I have to put in writing directions, that of course, agree with their regulations, for every thing we do. How we make our labels and apply such label. How we combine our herbs, the steps we go through when setting extracts. Every step of what we do has to be written out and comply with what they think it should be.

There is a rule book to follow so it is not arbitrary for the inspector or should I say the inspector does not get to make it up as they go. They were a bit surprised when I quoted their rules and made a stand on several points. I’ve read the complete FDA rules that apply to us. I put them into a kindle book so I can search easily.

Since their last visit I have been working on all these written documents they want but still did not understand exactly how it all fit together. IT makes more sense now. My husband and I do not feel discouraged but empowered, the women who were here gave us the gift of their knowledge and we were able to put our aversion to what they are and who they are aside so we could hear.

This is a long post I wanted to share the understanding that this is the world we are living in, to do the good we want to do we must learn to abide here while trusting in the one who has promised to see us through whatever may come.

Please feel free to ask questions, I will be happy to help.

Cleansing & Flushing, Herbal Healing, My Opinion, Skin, Wounds & First Aid

Liver Flushing for Itch & ECZEMA

Dara Dietz

OLive oil-grapefruit juice253x183Several summers ago I went to a Chinese Restaurant. Long story short, I ended up eating a bit of pork. This is something I can absolutely not tolerate. By bedtime that night I had small read pimple looking bumps all over my arms, chest, and legs. They itched. In the morning they had begun weeping a clear liquid and the itch was almost unbearable.

For two weeks I did all the topical remedies, packing my arms and legs with BF&C Salve and taking high doses of the extract internally. I was also using an ounce of Echinacea daily for six days a week. I did the hot and cold showers 3 or 4 times a day. Those showers were the only remedy that gave any relief from the constant itching.

After two weeks with no improvement I decided to try a liver flush. I had told so many other that when nothing is working do a liver flush. Get that Liver cleaned out and you will begin to see improvement. Will I could have saved myself two weeks of misery if I had taken my own advice sooner.

I did an ELF, the strong Liver flush,  first thing in the morning and by bedtime that night I was about 70% cleared. At the end of day two of liver flushing my condition had completely cleared. The skin on my arms, legs, and chest was completely healthy again. I’m sure the BF&C I’d been using for two weeks played some role in the fast healing of my skin once I eliminated the cause by cleansing my liver.

My understanding is when the liver becomes over loaded it will begin to detox through the skin. This is always a bad idea for the skin, since it is not able to handle the toxic waste and breaks down very quickly. So the key to healing the skin is to first, flush out the liver which will encourage it to dispose of waste through the proper channel, that being the Bowel. Then begin using the herbs to heal and restore the condition of the skin.

For those who have suffered years with this condition healing can come. It will take time to heal the long term damage done over years but relief and healing can be gained by continuing to cleanse the liver while using herbs to heal the skin.

Herbal Healing, Infection, Colds & Flu

Fever is NOT a Disease

Dara Dietz

bedFever is not a disease but a condition in the body wherein the balance of circulation has become disturbed. A fever is nature’s way of trying to burn out the toxic poisons. When the body becomes exposed to excessive chilling or dampness, the capillaries near the surface contract and the pores become obstructed with body waste matter, effective sealing them closed.  This results in a containment of body heat and a sudden rise of body temperature. In fever the natural body function is to increase the heat to a point wherein the thick glutinous and fibrinous matters loading and congesting the system are made liquid enough to pass through the fine and delicate excretory membranes and tubules, flushing out of the body in the sweat.

When a Fever Just Gets started: it can be cleared up very easily, if these following procedures are started early. One of the simplest remedies is to

  • Stop the use of all foods and beverages,
  • Take a high herbal enema (catnip is good)
  • Drink only red raspberry tea.

Between cups of this tea, distilled water may be used, and if desired, give some good organic (natural) Vitamin C.

Drink several quarts of red raspberry tea during the day, but no solid foods.

The running nose, fever, headache and weariness will soon leave and one will feel like a new person. Even after feeling greatly improved, continue on with the red raspberry leaf tea all that day and well into the next day.

If an adult will stay on the tea for three days, it would do a wonderful cleansing job for the body.

To make red raspberry leaf tea put one heaping teaspoonful of cut or granulated (powdered) raspberry leaves into a teacup. Fill the cup with boiling distilled water, cover and let stand in a warm place for five or ten minutes. Strain, and drink it while it is very warm (You may use an ounce of red raspberry leaves to a pint of distilled water, if desiring to make up more at a time).

My Opinion

Making Decisions

Dara Dietz

Trail with fence smMy goal in this life has been to lead by example, to provide answers that really work, and for my own life to work well.  The act of walking away from a painful past provided the needed confidence to continue making the hard choices.  The examples provided by my parents and the adults in my early life were consistently poor and not worth following.  Time and again their selfish choices allowed badness access to us children and our home.  Instead of learning about security, trust and friendship the formative years of my life were spent learning shame and fear.  The emotional healing needed has come but the price has been painful and the emotional wounds heal, oh, so slowly.

In my life providence has led me one little step at a time, each step a small decision to surrender self, to trust just a little more, to acknowledge the impact of my choices on those close to me.  The Father has moved me forward one tiny decision at a time.  One choice at a time, His healing work has continued in my life.  Turning around to view the steep rugged road we have traversed together I can see His small steps have made the upward path bearable.  I am not who I was, the confusion and pain surrounding my early life has been replaced with acceptance and love, His love flows through me enriching my life as it lights up the world around us.

My life could have been so different.  Small decisions that seemed so insignificant at the time in retrospect were major events for change.  The most valuable advice I can share with anyone facing one of life’s big questions is to stop looking at yourself and the benefit you will gain and determine how best you can serve others with the life you have and the choice you are about to make.  Tomorrow is not ours to control, the good done today is our store of joy for the unknown road ahead.  True joy and happiness are ours when we finally surrender to the greatest truth ever given: The only life worth living is one given in service for others.

Heart, Blood & Circulation, Herbal Healing, My Opinion

HEART HEALTH NATURALLY

Dara Dietz

Heart problems can stem from many sources, too many to go into here.  The important thing is to minimize medical intervention as much as possible, because the drugs given for heart problems can often cause side-effects as bad as the heart disease itself.

Heart Health Naturally

Dr. Christopher found that Hawthorne Berries, Garlic, and Wheat Germ Oil specifically strengthen the heart.

CAYENNE: FOOD FOR THE HEART by Dr. Christopher

Cayenne is one of the finest foods for the feeding of the heart and for keeping the veins and arteries in good youthful condition.  It is best to begin using cayenne in small amounts and increase the volume gradually.

For example, start with 1/3 teaspoonful of cayenne in a little water three times a day.

Continue taking cayenne in these amounts for three or four days and then add another third of a teaspoonful to the original third each time it is taken.

Again after three or four days increase the amount of cayenne by another third of a teaspoonful until you can take at least a teaspoonful three times each day.

Learning to Use Cayenne

This herb is not a drug.  It is merely an excellent food, high in calcium, Vitamin C, etc.  Even though one senses heat and slight discomfort at first, this is due only to a stepping up of the circulation and can do no harm to the body.

The herb cayenne is a great food for the entire circulatory system because it feeds the necessary elements into the cell structures of arteries, veins, and capillaries throughout the body so that these structures regain the elasticity of youth again and blood pressure adjusts itself to normal.  Cayenne rebuilds the tissue in the stomach and will heal stomach and intestinal ulcers.  By equalizing blood circulation, cayenne produces natural warmth and by stimulating the peristaltic motion of the veins, arteries and intestines it aids in assimilation and elimination.

When the venous structure becomes loaded with sticky mucus, the heart has a harder time circulating the blood and therefore higher blood pressure is required to force the substance through the veins.  Cayenne regulates and equalizes the flow of blood from the head to the feet which immediately relieves the heart and gradually extends its effects to the arteries, capillaries and nerves.  The frequency of the pulse though not increased is given more power.

Heart Attack:

Prop up the patient and pour hot cayenne tea down, (use a teaspoonful of cayenne in a cup of hot water), and have the patient drink the full cup. The attack will stop immediately. We have been called in the middle of the night so many times. A teaspoon of cayenne should bring the patient out of the heart attack. In case cayenne is not around and you have a heart attack, the dosage on black pepper can be tripled and used.

Garlic & Cholesterol

Garlic has been known for centuries to function as a natural antibiotic. It destroys the unnecessary and harmful bacteria throughout the human system. It emulsifies cholesterol and loosens it from arterial walls.

Wheat Germ for Cholesterol and Heart:

Wheat germ oil is excellent for feeding the heart and helps cut the cholesterol and smoothens its removal from the area.

Clear Hi BP Naturally

Heart Weakness:

Scullcap combined with cayenne and golden seal cannot be surpassed.

Motherwort Vies for the Honor of Being the Best Heart Tonic Known.

It calms and supports the heart and nerves, and may be used in large doses. Motherwort is beneficial as a healing tonic in recovery from debilitating fever where other tonics are inadmissible; it is a good diaphoretic.

Coronary Disease and Chocolate

In 1970, Dr. Lawrence A. Kohn, M.D., from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry conducted a survey correlating the incidence of coronary disease among older male patients with chocolate consumption in their lives.  His results showed that 45 percent of 40 men tested who had coronary disease had used chocolate extensively in early life while only 18 percent of the men free of coronary troubles had the chocolate habit early in life.  Another survey which he conducted at Strong Memorial Hospital showed that 55 percent of the males questioned who had coronary disease had been chocoholics in their youth (Kohn, 1970, pp. 2-3).

The fact that caffeine depletes the bodies calcium and places additional stress on the arteries, nerves, and endocrine system enables one to see caffeine in chocolate as one of the contributing factors to coronary disorders.  We recommend the herbal calcium formula, the hawthorne berry syrup, and cayenne pepper plus the various herbal aids for the heart, nerves, circulation, in addition to a wholesome diet of fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and seeds, plus the elimination of chocolate and other stress-producing foods from the menu.

Alfalfa & Heart Disease

Alfalfa leaves are extremely rich in calcium…this accounts for the claims of herbalists and doctors concerning the benefits of using alfalfa for repairing tooth damage and strengthening the structure of the teeth.  Calcium is also necessary for proper muscle function–That includes the heart muscle as well.  Calcium regulates the heart rhythm.  How much simpler to indulge in alfalfa early in life rather than a pacemaker in later life.

Hawthorn Berry to Build and Strengthen the Heart:

The heart is our life pump, and when it is not properly fed (with wholesome foods) it suffers malfunction (weakness and heart attacks) causing the heart failure condition that is one of the world’s greatest killers.  The mucusless diet used over a period of time can rebuild a heart to a good strong condition, but if the heart, its valves, and other working parts are in a weakened condition and need quick help we use a great “heart food or tonic” to assist it back to health.  This food is the hawthorn berry … This Berry, or Herb, or drug… is claimed to be a curative remedy for organic and functional heart disorders such as dyspnea, rapid and feeble heart action, hypertrophy, valvular insufficiency sufficiency, and heart oppression. Hawthorn berry extract is an aid and preservative.  Recommended dosage is one half teaspoon three times in a day.

World Renown Heart Surgeon Speaks Out On What Really Causes Heart Disease:

By Dr. Dwight Lundell

Read the entire article at: http://preventdisease.com/news/12/030112_World-Renown-Heart-Surgeon-Speaks-Out-On-What-Really-Causes-Heart-Disease.shtml

We physicians with all our training, knowledge and authority often acquire a rather large ego that tends to make it difficult to admit we are wrong. So, here it is. I freely admit to being wrong… As a heart surgeon with 25 years experience, having performed over 5,000 open-heart surgeries, today is my day to right the wrong with medical and scientific fact.

It Is Not Working!

These recommendations are no longer scientifically or morally defensible. The discovery a few years ago that inflammation in the artery wall is the real cause of heart disease is slowly leading to a paradigm shift in how heart disease and other chronic ailments will be treated.

Simply stated, without inflammation being present in the body, there is no way that cholesterol would accumulate in the wall of the blood vessel and cause heart disease and strokes. Without inflammation, cholesterol would move freely throughout the body as nature intended. It is inflammation that causes cholesterol to become trapped.

Inflammation is not complicated — it is quite simply your body’s natural defense to a foreign invader such as a bacteria, toxin or virus. The cycle of inflammation is perfect in how it protects your body from these bacterial and viral invaders. However, if we chronically expose the body to injury by toxins or foods the human body was never designed to process, a condition occurs called chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation is just as harmful as acute inflammation is beneficial.

What are the biggest culprits of chronic inflammation? Quite simply, they are the overload of simple, highly processed carbohydrates (sugar, flour and all the products made from them) and the excess consumption of omega-6 vegetable oils like soybean, corn and sunflower that are found in many processed foods.

There is but one answer to quieting inflammation, and that is returning to foods closer to their natural state. To build muscle, eat more protein. Choose carbohydrates that are very complex such as colorful fruits and vegetables. Cut down on or eliminate inflammation- causing omega-6 fats like corn and soybean oil and the processed foods that are made from them.

By eliminating inflammatory foods and adding essential nutrients from fresh unprocessed food, you will reverse years of damage in your arteries and throughout your body from consuming the typical American diet.

Herbal Healing, My Opinion, Organs & Glands

Blood Sugar Testimony

Dara Dietz
sun-drenched

Several years ago we introduced the Pancreas Support Formula.  Since its introduction this formula has never failed in supporting blood sugar issues.  Low Blood Sugar can have frightening as well as debilitating effects on the body.  As a child and on into my teens I experienced what I have called “Brown-outs”.  During these events I could hear but not respond to my surroundings.  Lethargy would settle in so deep that I would find myself fighting to wake up.  Since adding the Pancreas Support formula these events have been all but eliminated.  The formula has even prevented an event from escalating when taken at its onset.  I can say from experience that the Pancreas Support formula truly supports low blood sugar issues.

tea-2

The feedback provided by our members with type II diabetes has consistently showed the benefits of the Pancreas Support formula for Diabetic issues.  In cases where a good food program is followed the blood sugar numbers fall rapidly, often within days, back into the normal range.  Many of our members have reported after a few days to a few weeks that they no longer needed their medication.  Their blood sugar levels had stabilized in the normal range.

The Pancreas Support formula is not a drug that forces a reaction on the system.  This all herb formula supports the pancreas with nutrients and nutrition specifically for this, often overworked, gland.  The overall effects of the Cedar Berry, the master herb in this formula, on the pancreas, are not completely understood.  The understanding of each of the Father’s master herbs eludes me at times, what I do understand is that the Father has not left us without the aids needed to heal our bodies.  Time and again the Cedar Berry has proven itself able to clear all types of blood sugar issues from the system without any ill effects.

For the pancreas formula, with the herbs, proportions and how to make it, see Steadying the Body Through a Blood Sugar Drop.

Cleansing & Flushing, Herbal Healing

Flushing the Liver

Dara Dietz

liverflushdrink1There are three methods to use when cleansing the liver.  They are the “Mild Liver Flush”;  The “ELF” or Strong Liver Flush; and the Liver Flushing  Teas and Tinctures.  When clearing any conditions in the body no matter how mild or serious the best restorative action will be derived from using a combination of all three.

1) The Mild Liver Flush

This flush is done for one week to be followed by a week of Kidney Flushing.  These two weeks of cleansing work are to be repeated over and again until the issues have been cleared from the system.  This procedure will enable the liver to slowly clear toxic waste from the system.

Not all have the luxury of the time needed to gently cleanse disease from the body.

There are those with serious life threating conditions that have chosen to continue to daily flush the liver over several weeks with only very good results.  My belief has always been that each of us will be lead to follow our own road; our healing journeys are our own.  The only one who can truly walk the entire road with me is the one who knows me best and loves me most.  Spending time each day with the Father has enabled me to better follow where he would lead.  Using good common sense along with the inner wisdom that comes from above will enable even those in the direst of circumstances the best outcome.

The Mild Liver Flush is to be done first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.  Use 8 oz of either Orange or Apple juice.  Combine with 8 oz of distilled water, 1 clove of freshly peeled garlic, 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a chunk of ginger about the size of your thumb.  Add all items into the blender liquefy and drink. Follow with a couple ounces of fresh juice to rinse the mouth.

Each day increase the Olive Oil and garlic until you are using 4 tablespoons olive oil and 4 large cloves of garlic.  Increase the ginger as needed to prevent nausea.

Fifteen minutes after consuming the liver flush drink cleanse your system by drinking two cups Detox Tea along with ½ tsp each LP Formula and Detox formula.  Combining the ½ tsp dose with a shot of the detox tea will better enable one to get these two horrid tasting formulas down.  Do not combine the formulas into one shot cup.  They are best taken separately at least five minutes apart.

2)Full Strength Liver Flush

This flush, we call it an ELF, short for Emergency Liver Flush, should be done once or twice a week if you are ill.  In serious cases it may be done 3 to 5 days in a row.  On the days this flush is not done do the mild liver flush.  Click here for detailed directions

3)Liver Flush Support in a Tincture

liverflushdrink2The Third method for flushing the liver is the use of the herbal support known as the LP (Liver Parasite) Formula.  When Liver flushing the LP Formula should be used ½ tsp three times a day.  For serious issues the dose can be doubled and taken every 3 hours or 5 times a day.

Formula: Milk Thistle seed, Dandelion root , Oregon Grape root, Gentian root , Wormwood leaf , Mojave Chaparral herb , Black Walnut Leaf , Ginger rhizome , Garlic bulb and Fennel seed ,extracted in grain alcohol .

Therapeutic Action:  The herbs in this formula are famous for their ability to stimulate, cleanse and protect the liver and gall bladder and rid the body of parasites.

Milk Thistle has certain chemicals not only bind to and coat liver cells. These phyto-chemicals not only heal previous liver damage but also protect the liver from future damage. Oregon Grape Root Bark, Gentian Root, Wormwood Leaves and Dandelion Root are all classic bitter liver tonic herbs. These herbs not only stimulate digestion but also stimulate the liver to excrete more bile which in turn cleans both the liver and gall bladder. If you have been exposed to any toxic substances, had constipation, eaten large amounts of animal food or drink alcohol or other harmful beverages this formula is for you. It is also beneficial if you have had high cholesterol, blood fats or any family history of liver or gall bladder problems. Many believe that anyone who has cancer or any immune dysfunction had a weak congested liver to begin with. Even if a person has had their gall bladder removed these herbs will still be effective to clean the liver and bile ducts. The Black Walnut hulls, Wormwood and Garlic are strong ANTI-PARASITICAL plants. Use if parasites are suspected, or if there has been a history of bowel problems, constipation, eating of animal products, prolonged illness, disease or degeneration.