Herbal Healing, Women's & Men's Health

Pregnancy Green Drink

The Green DrinkInterestingly the [Red Raspberry] berries are said to provide many of the medicinal factors of the leaves. We have been encouraged by midwives to eat freely of the berries, if possible, for the same good effect during pregnancy–a lovely medicine!

Since some people never get used to the taste of the tea a good way to use the leaves is to make a green drink. Our “pregnancy green drink”, to which we have grown so accustomed that we can hardly imagine pregnancy without it.

Directions for Making the Pregnancy Green Drink

It is made thus, to a cup or more of pineapple juice in a blender container, add a handful of Red Raspberry leaves, a handful of comfrey leaves and a few alfalfa leaves. Blend until the fibers of the leaves are broken down and drink immediately. You can add a couple of ice cubes or a little cold water if you want an icy or thinner drink.

Herbal Healing, Herbs & How to Use Them, Women's & Men's Health

Three Supportive Herbs for Every Expecting Mother

raspberryleafRed Raspberry is a great agent for cleansing a canker condition of the mucous membranes in the alimentary tract, leaving the tissue toned.

In pregnancy the infusion, when taken regularly, will quiet premature pains, and will produce a safe, speedy and easy delivery. Raspberry leaves stimulate, tone and regulate (both the leaves and fruit are high in citrate of iron which is the active alterative, blood-making, astringent and contractive agent for the reproductive area) before and during childbearing, assisting contractions and checking hemorrhage during labor, relieving after-pains, then strengthening, cleansing, and enriching the milk of the mother in the post-delivery period.

Dr. Christopher recommended taking at least a daily cup of Red Raspberry tea throughout pregnancy.

He said that in addition to Red Raspberry’s good effects on the uterus it is also anti-nausea.

A woman who was expecting her ninth child often experienced nausea during pregnancy. When she suspected that she might be pregnant again she began taking the tea even before she began to feel morning sickness. She never experienced any discomfort so she wondered if it might just be an unusual or unhealthy pregnancy, so she discontinued the tea. Not long after she began to feel nausea! She quickly began to take the tea again and felt no discomfort since then.

Alfalfa: Many people consider Alfalfa an important herb to take throughout pregnancy.

  • alfalfa-bspIf an expectant mother is suffering from morning sickness, she can eat Alfalfa sprouts in her diet, until the condition is under control.
  • Many people consider that a daily green drink consisting of Alfalfa, comfrey and fresh red-raspberry leaves is an excellent pregnancy drink; it is preferred to a tea made of the same substances.
  • After the birth, Alfalfa is sometimes taken to prevent hemorrhages. Some women have eaten Alfalfa after their births like candy in order to shorten the postpartum bleeding time.
  • Alfalfa is also thought to dramatically help bring the milk in for the nursing mother. It certainly enriches the quality of the milk and is much preferable to other hot beverages, such as regular tea, which can pollute the breast milk.
  • Alfalfa tea can be flavored with mint, orange peel, and

kelp-285x300Kelp and Toxemia: Kelp, as might be expected, is also of use in the female organs. It will tone up a weak uterus and help produce a healthier baby, as the balanced minerals will be supplied fully with the use of Kelp. Some women who had lost babies in childbirth and others who had not been able to carry babies were helped by the use of Kelp by Dr. Powell’s prescription of Kelp to carry healthy baby’s full term. Especially when toxemia threatens during the last stages of the pregnancy, Kelp, being a carrier of important minerals and a toner and an antiseptic, can help clear up an otherwise dangerous condition.

Digestion & Gut, Herbal Healing, Women's & Men's Health

Heartburn during Pregnancy

adding extract to waterMany women experience indigestion and heartburn, and sometimes gas, during pregnancy. This may be caused by the stomach having less room to do its work, nervous tension which inhibits good digestion, too many stomach acids, or a relaxed stomach, which allows foods to back up.

Be sure that you DO NOT TAKE antacids during pregnancy. They further inhibit digestion, and they may cross over the placenta into the baby.

The Digestive Tonic is an excellent remedy for all cases of Heartburn.  Add one teaspoon to a glass of water and drink all at once.  This is a simple but effective formula made up of Ginger Root, Peppermint Leaf, Fennel Seed and Peppermint Oil.   The Digestive Tonic can be used freely.

To deal with symptoms of Heartburn, Dr. Christopher first emphasized that we must chew our food. Many of us just gulp it down, and the large particles cause gas, fermentation, and pain. Chew well; even juices should be swished in the mouth to mix them with saliva and begin digestion.

Avoid drinking with your meals; water or other liquids dilute the digestive fluids; you may, however, want to take broth or juices with the meal, but you should “chew” these, too.

Increase your B-vitamin foods, including whole grains, brewer’s yeast, wheat germ, yogurt, perhaps acidophilus.

Don’t smoke or drink tea or coffee; these irritate the stomach and increase heartburn.

Eat small meals frequently; if you must be away from home, take juice, fruit and nuts with you to prevent your blood sugar going down and stomach acids overproducing.

Papaya can aid digestion–fresh, dried or in tablets.

Some women take tablets of activated charcoal to absorb gases in the system.

Slippery elm gruel will alleviate heartburn and absorb gases and toxins.

Cleansing & Flushing, Getting Started, Herbal Healing

Healing Basics: The Cleansing Crisis

treat-cancer240x240Most Natural Practitioners warn their patients that it is normal to feel a bit under the weather during the first few days of any good detox program.  Detoxing the body does not have to be problematic if handled correctly.  A basic understanding of the cleansing process will prevent or quickly end any toxic issues.

What is a Cleansing Crisis?

A cleansing crisis will occur anytime the immune system is unable to properly deal with the toxins ready for elimination.  A Cleansing Crisis can leave you feeling like you have been run over by a Mac Truck.  The body can feel achy from head to toe, congested, nauseated, very much like the flu.

These symptoms let us know the immune system needs some support. Internally the body has been using the alkaline foods and herbs consumed to clear waste from the tissues and organs.  This waste must now be moved up and out, where it will need to be neutralized by the immune cells.  Once the immune system has done its job the liver and kidneys can filter the waste for elimination from the body.

Toxins the immune cells are unable to neutralize will not be released into the blood.  This waste will be reabsorbed back into the tissue or organ.  Our internal body chemistry functions in an alkaline environment. Our blood must maintain a pH of 7.4. If it drops below that to 7.2 we die.

The cells of the body in health are alkaline. In disease the cell pH is below 7.0. The more acid the cells become, the sicker we are and feel.  Reabsorbing of the toxic “die-off” created during the cleansing process causes the body to feel toxic.

Prevention is the answer: Before beginning any cleansing program make it a habit to boost your immune system.  Echinacea is the most effective immune stimulator in nature.  Echinacea works by sending a chemical command to the immune system to produce more immune cells.  With ample immune cells to deal with the detoxing waste the body will not feel any effects from the cleansing process.

Digestion & Gut, Herbal Healing

Hemorrhoids

hemorrhoid-picturesAnyone who has ever experienced hemorrhoids can attest to the long lasting pain and discomfort.   Over the years I have discovered a few things that work well and those that do not.  The best advice I can offer is to deal with it early.  Don’t wait for piles to form or the pain to drive you on for answers.  Deal with this issue at the first sign of discomfort.

Prevention is always the best medicine.  Constipation is the leading cause of Hemorrhoids.  Pushing hard matter out damages the tissue around the rectum.  Over time the elasticity of the skin is broken down allowing the vessels to float to the surface where the hard matter passing over them wrecks pain and havoc.  Do whatever it takes to keep your bowels soft and moving well.  The Lower Bowel Formula #1 is an Excellent Herbal Aid for backed up bowels.

Calcium

Another cause for Hemorrhoids is a poor food program.  Calcium is an important nutrient for healthy tissue.  Varicose veins as well as Hemorrhoids are intensified when the body is lacking a good usable source of Calcium.

Avoiding foods that leach calcium from the system is the first step in building up the body.  Stay away from all processed foods, especially sugar and white flour products.  Get outside into the sunshine whenever possible.  This is your best source of Vitamin D, and it’s free.  See the Calcium Information Sheet for more great tips.

BF&C Tincture & Salve for Hemorrhoids

One of the best herbal aids for strengthening tissue is the BF&C (Bone Flesh & Cartilage) formula.  This formula contains the nutrients that can knit the body back together.  Suggested dose: 1 teaspoon of the tincture taken in water or juice three times a day.  Apply the Salve to the affected area after bathing and following each movement.  I’ve seen great improvement within the first week.  This is not a quick fix but a healing which takes time.

Pain Suggestions:  The G-Nervine Salve is helpful at calming the fired up nerves following any movement.  Applying a finger full of the salve after each movement can calm the pain.

Try inserting a finger of “Red Potato” into the rectum to calm the pain.  This has proven very effective.

Cleansing & Flushing, Herbal Healing

Incurables FAQ

questions

What is the Incurables Program? When should someone do this intense cleansing program?

The level and intensity of cleansing will be determined by the work you need to do.  It is important when possible to build up to the intense flushing programs.  Begin with the basic bowel cleanse for a week followed by two weeks of raw food while doing your first liver and kidney flushes.  The next step might be a five day juice fast and liver flush.  This powerful week of cleansing can clear many of those “knock’s and pings” accepted as a part of aging.

We all have issues in our bodies that bother us from time to time.  That dull ache on the right side just under the rib cage.  It comes and goes never too much of a bother.  Nightly leg cramps… just stuff we have come to accept as a part of life.  Everyone has headaches, right? Take a couple of aspirin to dull the pain.  These discomforts all occur because of blockage, a buildup of toxic waste in the body creating blockage.  Cleansing the body will clear out the cause for these little discomforts before they become something serious.

Full Strength Program

When you know there is a serious condition in your body it is time to do the full incurables program. The time has come to get those bowels opened, pull out that juicer and begin rebuilding your body with nutrient rich Juices.  While building with nutrition it is important to begin cleansing the bowels, liver, and kidneys.  Cleanse & Feed, this is how we assist the body in regaining a healthy state.

Keeping your liver actively pulling and dumping waste is key to removing any major disease.  This is done by flushing the liver repeatedly.  The intense program looks like this, castor Oil Packs over the liver every night, liver flushing every other week in addition to doing an ELF three nights a week during both the liver and kidney flushing schedules.

Herbal Healing, Herbs & How to Use Them

Using Garlic

Garlic& Green183x253

I had promised before our computer crash that I would write a little something on using garlic.  Finally I have a few minutes. Garlic is such a blessing; I hope you will familiarize yourself with this gift from above.

Garlic:  MAN’S BEST FRIEND IN A TOXIC WORLD

Garlic has been known for centuries to function as a natural antibiotic. It destroys the unnecessary and harm bacteria throughout the human system. It emulsifies cholesterol and loosens it from arterial walls.  It is used against contagious diseases, high blood pressure, fevers, parasites, worms, nicotine poisoning, and yeast infections.

I was recently asked to write something on garlic.  Where to begin.  Garlic can be used externally or internally.  It is natural healing first aid for clearing the lungs when applied as a paste to the feet.  You will find detailed direction in our Infection Info sheet.

Applied over a corn or wart garlic works to destroy the virus and dissolves the issue.  See info sheet on warts and feet care.

A powerful healer, this mighty little bulb deserves respect.  If not used properly when applying to the outside of the body it will leave a chemical burn.  For those who have not experienced a garlic or cayenne burn, let me say it is a burn and it hurts.  The first and best relief is to soak the affected area in aloe vera jel or juice.  BF&C Salve has also been useful to quickly heal the burn.

Garlic Paste to the Feet

Daily usage of garlic is a good plan.  Using garlic in your food program every day is an excellent way to protect the body from incoming germs & bacteria.  There are several way to get your daily dose of garlic.

Blend Olive oil with garlic cloves until smooth & Creamy.  This can be spread on toast or drizzled over a salad, it is also an excellent starter when browning onions, peppers, mushrooms ect… for any number of yummy dishes.

My Best Suggestion for Someone wanting a daily dose of garlic.

Use HEAL’s Supertonic or Herbal Antibiotic once or twice daily depending on your situation.  Supertonic, made with apple cider vinegar, can be used as a daily preventative added to water or juice or just knock back an ounce once a day.  The Supertonic is also  excellent as a salad dressing with olive oil and a season salt.

The Herbal Antibiotic tastes quite good added to a glass of tomato or V/8 juice.  It taste a bit like pepper sauce in your tomato juice drink.  The Herbal Antibiotic is also good as a hot tea with honey.  It is a great over all tonic as it brings fresh blood to the throat & vocal cords.  As a preventative try ½-1 Teaspoon once or twice a day depending on your needs.  This formula can also be taken for extended periods when clearing cholesterol issues from the system.  See our Cholesterol Information Sheet for details.

The Herbal Antibiotic can be used at full dose, 1 teaspoon every three hours, for those who need large amounts of garlic to clear their systems.

For those needing or wanting to eat large amounts of garlic for whatever reason there are several ways I have found to eat a huge amount of Garlic without pain.

Removing the Pimento from the Green Olives and inserting a slice of garlic is a great tasting way to get it down.

It is possible to add a large amount of fresh diced garlic to an avocado, tomato and lettuce salad or sandwich.  I have found the avocado absorbs the heat from the garlic allowing me to add a large amount sprinkled across this dish.

Using a Garlic press and scooping the soft garlic up into a gelatin capsule is another way to get a large dose down.  When using this method be ready to swallow the capsules quickly before they have a chance to melt.  The garlic is wet and will dissolve the capsules quickly.

Cleansing & Flushing, Emotional Healing, Herbal Healing

Clearing Out the Junk

Copy of CarrotJuiceToday is day four of my juice fast.  Yes, I decided to do it again this week.  I always feel so much better after a few days off food.  It is lunch time here at HEAL and Connie has cooked up a great smelling meal.  I enjoy the smell while reminding myself that food will still be there when I am ready to eat again. Last night I did an ELF (Big Liver Flush) instead of going to prayer meeting.  I am thinking of doing another one tonight.

One of the first questions I am asked when anyone finds out I have gone four days without eating food is: “How can you do that, I would be starving?”  The hunger is never an issue.  I know I am getting a huge amount of nutrition in the fresh juices.  I do get a desire to chew and swallow at times.  I choose not to dwell on this and it goes away quickly.

The serious hunger issues some people experience when not chewing and swallowing is emotional.  You are not starving; your body is being nourished by the juices.  The emotional need to chew something can be overpowering for those who have never done a fast of any kind.  I would suggest starting with a one day juice fast.

The quickest way off a fast of any kind is to allow yourself to get too hungry.  First timers might want to keep a juice in hand constantly to sip on.  Stay hydrated.  Drink 32 ounces of water first thing in the morning and again in the early afternoon.  This will flush the waste your system is dumping from your body.  Add a little lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to the water for an even better result.

Do not gulp anything.  Drink every glass of liquid slowly, swishing each mouth full around before swallowing. This allows the digestive juices in your mouth to mix with the nutrition.  The juices & water will be better utilized when ingested this way.

The benefits of juice fasting out weight by far the discomfort associated with not eating.  The mind becomes clearer.  The backed up congestion in the system is cleared. This alone would be worth the trouble as it eliminates many little nagging issues around the body.

No I don’t know how long I will continue.  I do plan to eat raw over the weekend.  Come Monday morning I’ll decide if I want to juice fast for another week.

Emotional Healing, Heart, Blood & Circulation, Herbal Healing, Spiritual Healing

Sustaining Healthy body systems

Raindrop showerHealthy body systems and Normal Blood Pressure is achieved by maintaining a healthy emotional life along with a balanced lifestyle of healthy food and daily work, rest, exercise, and play.

Foundation for Emotional Health

We cannot control the emotional ups and downs life throws at us but we can control our reaction to them.  Building up a healthy spiritual foundation based on a belief that you are known completely and loved without reserve by the most powerful being in the universe is a perfect place to start.

Many people do not worship a God of Love, their God is wrathful, waiting for any reason or weakness on their part to punish or destroy.  This perception of God is not only unhealthy but can actually affect the way you value and deal with yourself and others.  We humans are blessed with an innate law of worship.  We assimilate to, or become like that which we worship, and we all worship something.  The health of the body, mind and soul depend to a large degree on what we are modeling ourselves after.  If you would like a better science based understanding of the spiritual mind & body connection the “God and the Brain” seminar by Dr. Tim Jennings is an excellent resource.

Foundation for Physical Health

Our bodies need a daily supply of nutrition or they will shut down and stop working.  The best nourishment would be to follow the original food plan provided for our first parents; vegetables, fruits, nuts, grains and seeds.

The Question is asked: Don’t I Need Animal Products to Be Healthy?

Properly planned vegan diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases….are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence, and for athletes.— American Dietetic Association Volume 109, Issue 7, Pages 1266-1282 (July 2009)

Not only are animal products unnecessary for optimal health, an increasing number of nutritionists and health professionals are acknowledging animal products are harmful to our health. Meanwhile, a healthy vegan diet helps reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, obesity, and diabetes.

The China Study: by T. Colin Campbell is arguably the most comprehensive study on nutrition ever done. Campbell provides compelling evidence linking animal products to disease, including cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, etc.

Herbal Healing, Herbs & How to Use Them, My Opinion

Why Use Extracts

Tinctures-183x253

Why HEAL prefers Herbal Extracts over capsules or press pills.  When using herb filled capsules or pressed pills the nutritional value diminishes from the bottles as they sit on the shelf.  Herbal extracts retain their potency; they do not have a shelf life.   The alcohol used to extract the herbal properties also preserves those nutrients indefinitely.   When stored in amber bottles herbal extracts have retained their value for a hundred or more years.

anxiety-herbs-lg

Extracts are quickly and easily assimilated into the system.  Even the most debilitated individual will have no problem absorbing the nutrition from the alcohol extracts.  Where the herb filled capsules or pressed pills must pass through the hydrochloric bath in the stomach to be broken down before they can be absorbed, this process is bypassed by the herbal extracts.  Someone with a diseased or debilitated system will not have the vitality needed to produce a strong hydrochloric bath in the stomach.  The result is fewer of the nutrients needed to rebuild the broken down systems in the body are absorbed from the food eaten.  The value of the extracts is absorbed directly into the system.

adding extract to water

Herbal Extracts are easy to use.  The liquid herbal formulas can be added directly to any drink.  The preferred way to consume the extracts is as a cup of tea.  Add the amount of the extract you desire to your favorite mug, top with hot water and your tea is ready to drink.  Sweeten with honey, or maple syrup if desired.

dropper in mouth

Herbal Extracts are Life Saving & Fast Acting. 

Here are several examples of how quickly the extracts work.  An older woman with heart palpitations discovered relief in less than a minute when consuming a hot tea containing hawthorn and cayenne tinctures.  Dizzy spells often end as soon as Cayenne extract enters the mouth. Muscle Spasms; Charlie horses are stopped in seconds by a dropper full or two of Lobelia taken directly in the mouth.     Adding the Digestive tonic to a glass of water for Acid reflux issues will provide relief all but instantly.  It’s like a fire hose putting out the flames as it washes from the mouth flowing down the throat and into the stomach.  These are only a few examples, for more information any of our great formulas check out the Members Area at: ladyofherbs.com.