The Woman's Herb: RED RASPBERRY (and LEAVES!)

Red Raspberries are well-known for their sweetness--just pop one in your mouth to enjoy a mouth savoring experience! Not only are they delicious though--they are equally as healthy. The vivid fruit is rich in antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals in the body, preventing cell membranes damage. Raspberries are a valuable source of quercetin, an antioxidant that halts the release of histamines thus, minimizing allergic reactions. Being one of the FEW fruits that have low Glycemic index (3.8 g natural sugar per cup), the sweet fruit has virtually no effect on blood sugar levels, making it a sweet snack with minimal side-effects on those with high concentrations of yeast or pancreatic weaknesses. Benefits don't stop there though--many people overlook one of the most beneficial parts of the plant. The leaves!

"Some herbs seem to have a specific attraction to specific organs, in this case, raspberry leaves have an affinity for the female reproductive system, stimulating, toning and regulating the female organs more effectively than any other known herb. The tea is considered the supreme tonic for women to consume during their nine months of pregnancy to tone the uterus, nourish themselves and the growing baby, prevent miscarriage, and facilitate birth and placental delivery. English herbalist Henry Box praised red raspberry as the best gift that God ever gave to women. He said, "If the pains of childbirth are premature, it will make all quiet. If the mother is weak, it will abundantly strengthen her, cleanse her and enrich her milk." The first recorded use of Red Raspberry was in the 1500’s. Red raspberry leaf tea (Rubus ideas) has been used for centuries in Europe, China, and both North and South America. This popular tea has earned the reputation of "herb-supreme" among pregnant women. According to folklore it can relieve almost any discomfort of pregnancy from morning sickness to leg cramps." (BACK TO HERBS E-FLASH on Raspberry)

The leaves of a raspberry plant are probably one of the most beneficial plants for the human female body. Ranging in health benefits for women from childhood to pregnancy to menopause; the leaves have a multitude of healing properties. The leaves contain high concentrations of Vitamin C, E, A and B complex, all vitally important for the various stages a woman goes through in life, therefore helping those with most vitamin deficiencies. Since beauty to most woman is important, they will find impressive that raspberry leaf is an effective tonic on irritated skin--tightening the skin membranes effectively reducing secretions, inflammation and irritation, leading to tissue firmness. Doing the same thing on the inside of the body, raspberry leaf will curb diarrhea, intestinal and stomach upsets, along with nausea and flu symptoms. Raspberry Leaves contain the nutrient fragrine, an alkaloid which helps tone the muscles of the pelvic region so that the process of menstruation and pregnancy/delivery is easier, faster and less painful. "Red raspberry leaf tea does not induce labor directly. Instead, it strengthens the muscles of the pelvic and uterus, so that they can contract more efficiently during labor which is why there is widespread use of red raspberry leaf tea to induce labor" (BUZZLE.COM: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/red-raspberry-leaf-tea-benefits.html)

Here is a list of traditional uses of Red Raspberry:

• PMS symptoms
• Menstrual pain
• Regulate irregular menstruation cycles
• Ease the symptoms of morning sickness
• Soothe and prevent bleeding gums, which many pregnant women often experience
• Relax the smooth muscles of the uterus when it is contracting
• Assist with the birth of the baby and the placenta
• Calm cramping of the uterus
• provide a rich source of iron, calcium, manganese, and magnesium

Traditional uses of Red Raspberry Leaves:

• A valuable source of vitamins B1, B3, and E, which are valuable in pregnancy to help eliminate magnesium deficiency symptoms, common during pregnancy
• Aid fertility
• Promote a plentiful supply of breast milk
• Help stop excess bleeding after birth
• Treat diarrhea
• Regulate irregular menstrual cycle and to decrease heavy periods
• Relieve sore throats
• Reduce fever

I personally have found Raspberry to be a most important asset to our family, beings that I have gone through 4 pregnancies, with 3 of them being girls. It is something I take in addition to my weekly vitamins by either popping in a couple of herb capsules, or making it as my choice flavor of tea for the day. In fact, it is the ONLY TEA I have so far found that my daughters do not insist me add raw honey to. After first hand experiencing the healing properties that Red Raspberry Leaf has to offer--it would be the ONE HERB I would use to prepare my body for pregnancy, and use it to recouperate with until fully healed. (most studies say your body takes 18 months to fully recover all nutrients lost to the baby during a pregnancy; assuming you take good qualitiy vitamins and eat a diet full of high quality protein and raw dairy, vegetables, nuts and fruit)

In Christ, Ms. Salubrious

******None of the above statements have been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. All of the information in this BLOG is strictly for educational purposes. This BLOG should not be used to treat, diagnose, or prescribe for a condition you feel you may have. If you have any health concerns, you should see a competent practitioner. ******

SOURCES:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_raspberry_leaf
• http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080105190141AA62xdl
• http://www.buzzle.com/articles/red-raspberry-leaf-tea-benefits.html
• BACK TO HERBS E-FLASH EMAIL

Antibacterial soap....Et cetera

Antibacterial soap is a better defense against infection than normal soap, right?

Unfortunately, that's false.

Three years ago, a University of Michigan team reviewed data and reported that antibacterial soap products in which TRICLOSAN is the active ingredient is no better than normal soaps at preventing infection. (triclosan is the big dog of antibacterial products)

According to a 2004 report in the journal Pesticides and You (yes, there really is a journal for everything!), triclosan is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent that's used in hundreds of products. But not just soaps. The chemical also shows up in Colgate Total toothpaste, Right Guard Sport Deodorant, and Solarcaine First Aid Medicated Spray.

And here's where things take a very dark turn: Triclosan may promote antibiotic resistance, which would actually make you MORE vulnerable if exposed to infections and hospital superbugs like MRSA and C. diff.

Early this year, Representative Edward Markey (chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment) asked the FDA to update the scientific review of triclosan.

In their response, FDA officials noted that recent research raises "valid concerns" about triclosan safety. In addition to antibiotic resistance, concerns include animal studies that suggest the chemical may interfere with hormone regulation.

So the FDA has started a new review of triclosan safety. Ready for a laugh? Agency officials say they'll have their report ready in the spring of 2011. D'oh!

Want to avoid triclosan right now? Why not? It's apparently not doing anyone any good. Just Google "triclosan-free" and you'll come up with thousands of websites that carry soap and other products that leave triclosan out of the mix.

And if you're wondering just how serious the problem of antibiotic resistance really is, consider that this danger was first recognized more than 80 years ago by one of the foremost medical scientists of the 20th century. His name: Alexander Fleming.

---ABOVE ALL TAKEN FROM HSIALERT.COM (The Health Science Institute)

My thoughts:

If you look under Antibiotic Resistance in the Wikipedia, it says, "Household use of antibacterials in soaps and other products is discouraged (as not being effective at infection control)" Makes you wonder if the use of antibacterial agents in common household products is either effective or harmless?

I first became aware of the potential downsides of antibacterial soaps from Dr. Mercola (The world's number 1 free natural health Newsletter resource), here's a similar article to the one I first read: Dr. MERCOLA ANTIBACTEIAL DANGER NEWSLETTER.

So, everyone wants to keep their family and children safe from harmful bacteria that can cause illness, right? What's the SAFE alternative you ask?

NATURAL, God designed antibacterial agents which have NO NEGATIVE effects on the human body:

• VINEGAR -- as a spray on counter surfaces, toys, and bacteria-laden places. Article on vinegar's effectiveness: VINEGAR AS A BACTERIAL, MOLD, GERM KILLING PRODUCT. It's very inexpensive at the grocery store--give it a try!
• LIQUID SILVER -- Practitioners in burn wards have known for a very long time that soaking bandages in a low concentration silver solution inhibits infection in burn victims; it literally saves their skin. Silver has long been used as an anti-infection agent with bandages or other medical supplies all around the world. VIEW SILVER BAND-AID PRODUCTS. Silver is also coming out in cleaning products/cloths: NORWEX SILVER CLEANING PRODUCTS.

Here's what our family uses as a quick antibacterial handsanitizer when out and about: SILVER ANTIBACTERIAL GEL HAND GEL. A little more spendy...but saves you from taking a chance with using TRICLOSAN on your kiddos!! They also sell a liquid version for antibacterial washings and for using with eye infections: LIQUID SILVER.

In Christ, Ms. Salubrious

******None of the above statements have been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. All of the information in this BLOG is strictly for educational purposes. This BLOG should not be used to treat, diagnose, or prescribe for a condition you feel you may have. If you have any health concerns, you should see a competent practitioner. ******

An ALL-NATURAL, DELICIOUS, NUTRITIOUS, Children's VITAMIN gummy!

LIMITED TIME FREE ITEM OPPORTUNITY at the bottom of the page--so keep reading........The company I do most of our family's ordering from, Natures Sunshine, has a new children's product line out called SUNSHINE HEROS! Sunshine Heros soft-chew products include the "fruit snack texture and bite" of a commercial gummi multivitamin, but with the potent-packed nutrients of a wholefoods vitamin, and without the sugar, chemical coloring and preservatives! Why pay extra money to get a vitamin when there are "perfectly good" vitamins available at cheaper prices on my grocery store shelves? HERE'S YOUR ANSWER:

Itemized below are a few of the non-nutrient ingredients (I would even go so far as to label the "ANTI-NUTRIENTS since they rob the body of valuable nutrients in the process of digestion!)listed on a leading "stone-age family"cartoon vitamin gummi; here's the link for you to see for yourself: COMMERCIAL VITAMIN

• Artificial Flavors (chemically derived, harmful on neurological systems)
• Aspartame (chemical sweetner; recent research showed a clear link between this substance & cancer)
• FD&C Yellow #6 (contributes to abnormal cell growth & weakness of the liver)
• FD&C Red #40 (increase hyperactivity, anger, rage, & irritability)
• Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (contributes to High cholesterol, obesity & heart disease)

Here are a few of the non-nutrient ingredients listed on a comparable Natures Sunshine HEROS Vitamin, and here's the link: NS HEROS SOFT CHEW

• Natural flavors
• Organic evaporated cane juice
• NATURAL Colors from--black carrot juice concentrate, purple berry concentrate, annatto
• Organic sunflower oil

IN ADDITION to the healthier ingredients than the commercial vitamins , NS HEROS vitamins also includes these WHOLE FOODS for additional immune-potency:

• Mangosteen fruit
• Cranberry fruit
• Broccoli flower
• Spinach leaves and stems
• Asparagus stems
• Carrot root
• Tomato fruit
• Acai fruit
• Pomegranate fruit extract
• Fruit Juice Concentrates: White Grape, Apple, Pear, Orange, Pineapple, Cherry, Strawberry, Blueberry.

SUNSHINE HEROES MULTIPLE VITAMIN & MINERAL (90 SOFT CHEWS)
A GREAT vitamin for kiddos, with all natural ingredients, so they're not having to strain their immune system by digesting chemical colorings & flavorings and hydrogenated oils just to get nutrients out of the vitamin they are given! This tasty vitamin provides 100% of the Recommended Daily Allowance for vitamins A, C, D3, E, B6, B12, folic acid, biotin, pantothenic acid and zinc.

SUNSHINE HEROES WHOLE FOOD-ANTIOXIDANT (90 SOFT CHEWS)
Modern diets often lack sufficient amounts of fruits, vegetables and other whole foods, making them low in essential nutrients and antioxidants needed for optimal health. The National Cancer Institute recommends eating at least 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. One serving of Sunshine Heroes Whole Foods Antioxidant offers the antioxidant power equivalent to two average servings of fruit or vegetables plus vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin C for extra antioxidant protection and nutritional support. (BTW,when they give serving recommendations for food meals, they refer to RAW veggies and fruits as a serving; for cooked ones, there's even less of a serving for the diet!)

SUNSHINE HEROES CALCIUM PLUS D3 (90 SOFT CHEWS)
Each serving of Sunshine Heroes Calcium Plus D3 provides 300 mg of calcium, equivalent to an 8-ounce serving of milk. It also provides 140 mg of phosphorus, which works closely with calcium in the body to build strong bones and teeth.
It also Provides 75% of the American Academy of Pediatrics new vitamin D3 guidelines. Vitamin D3 has proven to be the most potent form of vitamin D in all primate species, including humans.

SUNSHINE HEROES OMEGA 3 WITH DHA (90 SOFT CHEWS)

Take this for nicer skin, increased brain functioning and overall good health. DHA and EPA are essential fatty acids found almost exclusively in fish that live in deep, cold water. These fatty acids are key building blocks in every body cell.
Each serving of Sunshine Heroes Omega 3 with DHA provides 100 mg DHA and 20 mg EPA from fish oil. Helps enhance brain growth and development while also supporting the eyes and central nervous system.

SUNSHINE HEROES PROBIOTIC POWER (90 CHEWABLE "TABLETS")

This type of vitamin is the first one we started our girls out on, to build their immune system after being sick every week with colds, allergies and respiratory infections. Studies have shown that children age 1 to 6 years old who attended day care centers and were given milk containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus missed fewer days of day care than children not receiving the probiotic. Studies have also shown that a healthy intestinal bacterial colonization may reduce the risk of food allergies in infants. This product Aids digestion & intestinal function while Strengthening immune system response.

If you are a member of NATURES SUNSHINE UNDER ME, when you order 2 HEROS vitamin products, I will cover the charges of a complimentary NATURES SUNSHINE HEROS T-Shirt! Just send me your reciept with the 2 HEROS VITAMINS, and I will send you a check for $7.50 towards a T-shirt on your next order to Natures Sunshine.....$7.50 for the shirt, just for trying out a new vitamin!

T-SHIRT LINK to VIEW: SUNSHINE HEROES T-SHIRT (X-LARGE)

Sunshine Heroes T-Shirts—Celebrate the Season of Sunshine with UV activated T-shirts. Logo colors appear in sunlight and disappear while indoors! These attractive t-shirts are made from 100% preshrunk Ultra Cotton®, double-needle stitching throughout with a seamless topstitch collar. Available in Adult and Youth Sizes.

If you're not yet a member, here's MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION. You can sign up and order through the website: http://www.naturessunshine.com/us/products/index.aspx or call in to order and sign up at 1-800-223-8225. Upon product purchase receive a complimentary membership that you have no obligations of using again, but if you chose to, you get up to 33% off products. First order must total $40 to obtain membership, and BE SURE to sign up under Jesse or Hayley DeWitt.....send me the reciept, and I'll send you a check for a T-shirt!

******None of the above statements have been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. All of the information in this BLOG is strictly for educational purposes. This BLOG should not be used to treat, diagnose, or prescribe for a condition you feel you may have. If you have any health concerns, you should see a competent practitioner. ******

Cancer-Causing Chemicals Found in Baby Shampoo ...

More than half of the baby shampoo, lotion and other infant care products analyzed by a health advocacy group, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, were found to contain trace amounts of chemicals that are believed to cause cancer. Some of the biggest names on the market, such as Johnson & Johnson Baby Shampoo and Baby Magic lotion, tested positive for 1,4-dioxane or formaldehyde, or both.The chemicals, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has characterized as probable carcinogens, are not intentionally added to the products, and are not listed among ingredients on labels. Instead, they are likely by products of the manufacturing process. Formaldehyde is created when other chemicals in the product break down over time, and 1,4-dioxane is formed when foaming agents are combined with ethylene oxide or similar petrochemicals.The organization tested 48 baby bath products such as bubble bath and shampoo. Of those, 32 contained at least one of the chemicals, and 17 tested positive for both chemicals.

Dr. Mercola's Comments:
Baby products like shampoo and lotion are often advertised as being “pure” and “gentle,” and many parents assume they can trust these claims. But as it turns out so often in the realm of personal care products, there could be virtually anything in that bottle.

This latest study from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found that 32 out of 48 baby bath products they tested -- including some from brand names like Johnson & Johnson -- contained formaldehyde or 1,4-dioxane, both of which are probable carcinogens. And 17 of the baby bath products contained BOTH of the chemicals -- including the top-selling Johnson’s Baby Shampoo and Sesame Street Bubble Bath.

You wouldn’t be able to tell there were cancer-causing chemicals in your baby’s shampoo or lotion just from reading the label, though, as these chemicals are not listed. Rather, they are created during the manufacturing process and shrugged off as being in too minute of quantities to be concerned with. But other countries do not agree. Japan and Sweden have banned formaldehyde from personal care products, and the European Union has banned 1,4-dioxane. They’ve even recalled products that were found to contain it. In the United States, meanwhile, there are no regulatory standards limiting formaldehyde, 1,4-dioxane or, for that matter, virtually any other toxic chemical in personal care products -- not even those for your children. Just How Many Chemicals Are Children Exposed To?

In an average day, children are exposed to 61 chemicals in personal care products(ALONE), 27 of which have not been found safe for kids, according to a national survey by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). In fact, EWG points out that 77 percent of the ingredients in 1,700 children’s products have never been assessed for safety. This means that the simple acts of shampooing your baby’s hair, giving him a bath and putting on some lotion, several times a week or more, is exposing him to chemicals that could very well harm his health. Even though they are likely small exposures at each bath time, over time these exposures add up and may contribute to disease. EWG’s study highlights just what types of toxic ingredients you may be slathering on your child.

They report:
• In an average week, three-quarters of all children are exposed to allergens, neurotoxins, and hormone-disrupting chemicals in their body care products, in addition to the dozens of chemicals not assessed for safety at all.

• Many children's products contain harsh, industrial chemicals at odds with marketing claims on product labels. Products marked as gentle, mild, natural, or unscented routinely contain fragrance, synthetic and hazardous ingredients, and chemicals that can cause allergic reactions or irritate your child’s eyes and skin.

And if you can believe it, at least 41 percent of all products made for children actually warn parents to "keep out of reach of children"!It’s bad enough that personal care products intended for adults contain toxic ingredients, but children are especially vulnerable. Their skin can be up to 30 percent thinner than an adult’s, meaning they’re able to absorb more chemicals into their bodies. And the blood-brain barrier, which helps keep dangerous chemicals from getting into your brain, is not yet developed until a baby is 6 months old, meaning products used before this time should be as pure and safe as possible.Who is Responsible for the Safety of Your Baby’s Bath Products?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would be responsible for the safety of personal care products in the United States, if any safety regulations existed. As it stands, the FDA does not have the authority to require safety tests for personal care products. Instead, a panel called the Cosmetic Ingredient Review goes over the safety of cosmetic ingredients. Not only is this panel funded by the cosmetic industry, but it has yet to review a major portion of cosmetic ingredients that are already on the market. So there is absolutely NO government agency looking out for the safety of personal care products for infants and adults. It is actually perfectly legal and very common for companies to use ingredients that are known or suspected to be carcinogens, mutagens or reproductive toxins.

Which Ingredients Should You Watch Out For?
If you want to avoid the formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane that were detected in many baby products, you need to know what to look for since they’re not listed on the label, at least not in those words.

Common ingredients likely to contaminate products with formaldehyde include:
• Quaternium-15• DMDM hydantoin• Imidazolidinyl urea• Diazolidinyl urea

avoid 1,4-dioxane, a byproduct that could easily be removed if manufacturers chose to do so, watch out for these ingredients:
• PEG-100 stearate• Sodium laureth sulfate• Polyethylene• Ceteareth-20

Of course, this is only a short list of the potentially dangerous chemicals out there. To be truly safe when it comes to personal care products, you need to seek out personal care products that are so pure you could actually eat them. Coconut oil is a great example here, as it makes a great moisturizer that you can also eat. Olive oil is another one that you can use to deep condition your hair. No matter what brand you choose, I suggest you scrutinize the labels on your personal care products and cosmetics just as closely as you do your food. If you’re not sure what an ingredient is, type it into the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database, and you’ll get all the information you need about whether or not it’s safe.

For Dr. Mercola's full story and resources, please visit his website article at: http://tinyurl.com/ckwn5t

We use SUNSHINE CONCENTRATE for several purposes because of the natural ingredients it's made with. It can be used as a household cleaner, a laundry-stain remover, bubblebath or shampoo. My girls love the natural clean scent, or add an essential oil of choice for an extra/different fragrence.

MY THOUGHTS ON ALL OF THIS INFORMATION:

Cancer-causing agents are now pelting us from all sides and angles! Our country is searching for a "Cure for Cancer", but how about the cause? Could it be that there are so many causes that we can't put our finger on just one?

The BLOG article: What is Cancer and What Causes it provides us with a very accurate explanation:

Internal Factors that Cause Cancer:
Hereditary Factors
Weakened Immunity
High Hormone Levels
Metabolism Mutations

External Factors that Cause Cancer:
Tobacco Use
Alcohol Use
Bad Diet
Radiation Exposure

Chemical Substances
Cell Phone Use
Asbestos Exposure
Sunlight (mainly over-exposure, burns)
Viruses

"The above list is not necessarily exhaustive. We may not know all factors that cause cancer. The most likely scenario leading to development of cancer is a combination of several factors - for example if a person who inherited a particular type of gene that predisposes them to developing that type of cancer makes poor lifestyle choices and lives in a bad environment would be exposed to a complex set of interactions between carcinogenic factors which could lead to development of cancer, because they are exposed to several risk factors we do know cause cancer. The more cancer causing factors you are exposed to, the bigger a risk of developing cancer exists.

Furthermore, while above listed agents are known as potential causes of cancer, exposure to these factors does not mean that a person would automatically develop cancer. Many aspects affect your body’s ability to deal with exposure to these agents. For example your age, whether you have inherited any genetic mutations, what you eat and drink, etc. - all of those factors can contribute to lowering or increasing your chances of developing cancer."

Of the internal factors causing Cancer, it's a good thing we can moderate hormone levels and build up immune systems naturally, if we are willing to seek out natural health advice in doing this....possibly eliminating half of the Internal Cancer-causing factors.

I am reminded of the Bible verse: "He (the Lord) punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation." Exodus 34:7 ). If we are not treating our bodies as a holy temple: (1 Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own) and we are pelting cancer causing agents of chemicals at it through our foods, drinks, cosmetics, fabric softeners, yard sprays, house cleansers, shower soaps, gels and conditioners, then how can we expect our bodies to remain in an optimum condition to serve and reproduce? Chemicals WILL NOT GET FLUSHED OUT OF THE BODY if the body does not have the extensive support system to do this! They can remain in our organs, muscle tissues and bones for months, years or even a lifetime.....thus leading to problems passed down to our children through "genetics" as un-expected genes, or causing cancer after months/years of dormancy. God created our bodies to naturally flush out harmful substances, but we also need the proper "fuel" to do this: Raw antioxidant fruits, raw dark green veggies, good quality vitamins (I take SUPER ALGAE and SUPER SUPPLEMENTAL VITAMINS & MINERALS from Natures sunshine to make up for nutrients I'm not getting from foods faithfully each day) are all needed on a daily basis to help support your body in this elimination process.

Since our family is on the computer and phone on and off through the day, we have also protected ourselves against the "cell phone use" cancer causing factor by using our cell phone and universal PROTECTIVE CHIPS from BIO-PRO TECHNOLOGY.

Of the External factors: our family eats foods and uses items in our household which are of natural/God designed origin to ensure the safety to our family's health. The less we are exposed to in our own home on a daily basis, the more we are prepared for the problems we come in contact with beyond the walls of our home.

I will be praying that today's posting may help you in your life journey as a creation of God.

FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION, PLEASE VIEW: http://www.safecosmetics.org/downloads/NoMoreToxicTub_Mar09Report.pdf

Herbs 101

Before Beginning, please read or review: "my medicine cabinet" BLOG (click on words) for background knowledge!



Ezekiel 47:12"Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.”

Herbs can be compared to foods, but not medications. They are not made out of chemicals like most medications, but rather work as a "super-food"---assimilating quicker and working deeper than most any food can. Specific herbs support, feed and cleanse the body, working GRADUALLY to eliminate built-up toxins and re-build vital tissues, thus producing noticeable changes. The speed at which you notice the change is directly influenced by the nutrients you regularly ingest, the level of damage on the tissues present, and the inherited capabilities of your body. As the body cleanses, it will generally remove these through the bowels...producing softened or loose stools. However, if the respiratory system cleanses, it will come out in the form of mucus from the sinuses or lungs, which makes it quite natural and a blessing to have a runny nose....the body is cleansing itself from an intruder!

Herbs provide a nutritive substance to the body, something that no drug can do. Pharmaceuticals were originally derived from herbs, but are now mostly made out of chemicals, producing "relief" to the body by sending it into shock. Since the body cannot recognise a medication as a food, the stomach sends it directly into the circulatory system, instead of through the proper channel of the Liver, which was designed in us to filter toxins before allowing them to go on to the vital organs of the body. The drugs by-pass all the filtering systems, and thus do "as they please" to other parts of our body. Symptoms of Medication usage are gradual, and most likely start as small side effects: dependency over a long period of time (either needing it daily or here and there a few times....but it will increase as the use increases), by gradually starting other symptoms that will become visable in a few months or few years time, or by leading to another need of a medication.....thus finding at age 60 how easy it is for people to be on 5-10 medications daily!

We know from the Bible that Herbs have been given to us for healing purposes. So, you may be asking... "Do I go out and find a leaf in my yard to rub on?" No, not exactly, although if you have an herb garden, it may be beneficial with the right plant! Herbs can be bought in several forms: I have bought it in dried bulk, capsules, liquid, teas, tinctures, extracts, salves, and in root form--depending upon what you would need it for. They can be used for building and maintaining bodily tissues by feeding and cleansing the body. If you go through a natural health practitioner as I do, you would be given a "healing program" to rid the body of a specific problem, and told what form to buy the herb in. When going straight to the source of the problem, you will be eliminating the symptoms as well! Otherwise, with a little herb knowledge from a book like: Prescription for Herbal Healing: A Reference to Disorders and Their Herbal Remedies by Phyllis A. Balch, you can try to treat "symptoms" of health problems as they arise. But, please keep in mind that you are only relieving symptoms--not the SOURCE of the problem, so you will continue to exhibit symptoms to relieve once again, shall they arise.

• My daughter, Sage, was given a dried bulk herb next to her bedside in a "breathable" material that she would breath throughout the night as she slept when she was 9 months old...thus helping her to sleep better. Worked like a charm! That was the first night she slept through the night since she was born.
• My other daughter, Sophie, was to swallow CORNSILK HERB CAPSULES to treat a bladder/urinary tract infection this past year. She never got an antibiotic for it, but only used cornsilk capsules and cranberry juice to treat it. She recovered within a day and was happily bouncing around again! I also relieved INFECTION this past fall with a specific herb capsule .... I had thick red infections lines running up about 4 inches from my fevered and hard infection spot. I took GOLDEN SEAL, every hour for about 2 days when I found myself to be fully relieved of symptoms!
• I have always had asthma attacks and breathing problems, up until starting to eat organic foods these past few years.....now I very rarely will have difficulties, unless I breath in chemicals like varnish or harsh cleaners. When I do have breathing problems, I will use the LIQUID form of LOBELIA ESSENCE from Natures Sunshine , to rub on my lung area...getting complete relief within 10-15 minutes by taking Co enzyme-Q10 as well, if it's a really bad one.
• Teas are used by our house for several reasons: illnesses, building immunity, constipation, sleeping better, or for improving brain functioning like my dear husband. Hy-Vee Health Market has a wide variety of Celestial Brand Herbal Teas that help relieve many types of health issues.

Now that you know what forms that herbs come in, I'm going to share with you the herbs I always keep on hand, and would encourage you to BUILD UP TO having this list as well, if you desire to treat symptoms and illnesses with herbs. I put them as links to the Natures Sunshine Website, only because I know the company upholds a high, Christian standard for finding and processing herbs. You may buy these herbs from most ANY company you desire, but keep in mind, if you do not know the company's morals, they may be selling you an herb with fillers and little nutrition--when I have an infection, I want to be able to trust that the Golden seal herb I buy will be potent enough to fight it off and not allow the infection to get worse! I will gladly order it for you with my discount, and not charging you anything beyond what I pay myself, otherwise you are free to pick up these herbs at any nutrition store. I would not reccomend buying herbs at conveinence stores.... if you decide to go "cheap" you may have side effects from the fillers they put in them, along with your health issue you took the herb for in the first place!

GOLDEN SEAL -- taken daily to build immune system, take hourly to work as a Pro-biotic to fight infection
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL--Take 1-2 after eating processed foods and chemical exposure to help absorb and rid the body of toxins and foods difficult to digest
BIFIDOPHILUS FLORA FORCE (ACIDOPHILUS) -- take each evening to improve overall immune system functioning by putting good bacteria into intestines. Aids digestion.
BLACK WALNUT CAPSULES and BLACK STRAP MOLASSES(1 Tbl)-- works together to eliminate sugar cravings if taken throughout the day, helps relieve yeast infections if taken hourly. Black Walnut also RIDS the BODY of PARASITES.
Abundant blessings CALENDULA SALVE-- soothing, healing and rebuilding properties for skin problems; be sure it does not contain petroleum!!
PSORIAFLORA CREAM --found at most nutrition stores--use for itchy, red, irritated, dry or eczema skin....this even got rid of a huge fungus/Ringworm patch I got diagnosed with and tried using before the drug prescribed!
FENUGREEK & THYME Capsules --Supports the respiratory system, relieves congestion by thinning mucus, soothes irritated respiratory tissue. Take hourly for congestion relief.
LBS II CAPSULES & LB EXTRACT(liquid for kids)-- Herbal Laxative, encourages regularity (your intestines can hold 3 typically-sized meals worth of food, so you should be eliminating 3x a day so that the toxins you breathe, and processed foods you eat do not "sit" in bowels to cause future colon problems). Only sold by Natures Sunshine.
LIQUID CHLOROPHYLL --Helps strengthen cells and cleanses blood system. We mix 1 tsp a day to drink in water, since we do not get chlorophyll naturally from eating a lot of raw vegetables. We drink a Tabl. of this with water to ease the stomach with indigestion or flu-like illnesses. Interestingly, the chlorophyll molecule is chemically similar to human blood, except that its central atom is magnesium, whereas that of human blood is iron.
MAGNESIUM COMPLEX--promotes musculoskeletal and cardiovascular health, especially during exercise. Provides relief to muscle aches. Take 1 a day to maintain bodily functions, or else take 2-3 at a time for muscle aches. (The heart, brain and kidneys cannot function without adequate levels of this nutrient)
COLLOIDAL LIQUID MINERALS -- Found in raw vegetables and fruit (if organic) otherwise one can get it from city water and non-organic foods at the expense of also ingesting chemicals to have to go through the liver. We use a "REVERSE OSMOSIS" unit that strips the water of everything, and then add in a TBL. to each gallon of R.O. water to replenish stripped minerals. Can also be put directly on skin BURNS to relieve pain. Will maintain proper thickness/thinness of BLOOD.

You know your body best, what your greatest needs are ..... so maybe start with that particular herb and build up as you gain knowledge or have different symptoms of a health problem! Good Luck, and may the LORD be with you on your journey to better health!!!

IN CHRIST, WHOL-E-HERBSTER

******The information in this BLOG is strictly for educational purposes. It should not be used to treat, diagnose, or prescribe for a condition you feel you may have. If you have any health concerns, you should see a competent practitioner. ******