Secrets, Secrets....Secrets of the B's

It's hard to keep secrets, isn't it? Especially GOOD ones! They are hard to find, and even harder to keep! This is the kind of secret I can share, so let me introduce you to the 'new guy' in our house, or rather the 'revisited' new guy! Nutritional Yeast Flakes! It's nutty, cheesy, robust flavor adds a certain unique 'gusto' to any meal or juice. But I'm sure your real question isn't what or how...but WHY?

Nutritional Yeast flakes work as a food-grade sourced multi-vitamin; specifically with the B's. So what's so important about B vitamins? They help with digestion, nerve functioning, skin and hair health, our body's natural capability to detox, and general immune support! AND....it is truly difficult to get a proper balance of these vitamins in your system unless you are taking a 'super food source' of them, in a bountiful supply. Any offsets or imbalances of one B vitamin can be detrimental (they are water soluble and can be flushed out easily; but an overabundance of one creates a lack of another) which can definitely create uncomfortable symptoms and eventually lead to huge health problems. Since most people prefer their habitual food choices, it is quite easy actually to create a deficiency in just diet preferences alone! If one can keep a regular supply of all B vitamins being introduced, there is little chance that a deficiency can even get a foothold. Here are the top food sources of Balanced B vitamins:

• Animal Liver is an excellent source (almost all animal liver store months to years supply of B vitamins) HOWEVER, the liver of each animal also flushes all viruses, Bactria and toxins out of the body. So with your abundant supply of B vitamins from eating liver, unfortunately, you are also receiving an abundant supply of 'less-than-desirables' from it as well.
• Fermented foods provide a rich source of beneficial microbial cultures, which in turn, assist in producing B vitamins in your gut! Kombucha, Sauerkraut, Pickled vegetables, Sour Dough, Cultured milk products like keifer and yogurt, Wine (in modesty and naturally made), a varied daily dose would be a great source of B vitamins. Most industries do not 'grow cultures' in products anymore, so the best source is a homemade one. Unlike the other sources listed here of B vitmains, fermented foods provide an environment to produce B vitamins, but does not actually provide them.
• Nutritional Yeast is the most simple way to get a balanced B vitamin Food source! It is a deactivated yeast (not like the yeast we're warned about in diet programs) grown on molasses and harvested to provide a balanced foundation for nerve, emotional, digestion and metabolic health! 

My personal story: when we first started living more naturally 7 years ago, my great aunt on the west coast not only introduced us to natural living, but started us out with one of her favorite supplements: KAL brand Nutritional Yeast Flakes. I didn't know much about them, but took them everyday in 4 ounces of 100% pure orange or concord grape juice, per her advice which I highly valued from her experiences. In ALSO being on a mostly natural/organic food diet, we started seeing former health problems melting away: painfully cracked heels, thin weakened hair, dry skin, stomach indigestion, sleeplessness, recurrent allergies, bowel weirdness, low energy, and the one that bothered me the most: black circles under the eyes. In addition to organic naturally made foods, we supplemented with an acidophilus source and a Spirulina source, as well as regular consultations with our naturopath. When we moved a few years back, I debated packing my (at the time) recently emptied can of Yeast Flakes. I opted to just try to remember to reorder once we moved. I forgot. That is...until recently in being put on a healing regimen with my kids for our livers. Our our symptoms seemed to degress back to similar ones from when we lived with our previous home.
I started doing more research a few weeks ago and kept coming across how the liver is healed, kept strong, detoxed and supported by balanced B vitamins (So I questioned myself: we started taking B vitamins again last summer after seeing a chiropractor who suggested them--both drops and capsules that were 'natural'! So what was the problem then? My guess-it wasn't a food source!) After that, I was searching a nutritional site for liver support and came across NUTRITIONAL YEAST FLAKES. Then it struck me, like "Oh yeeeeaaaa! We used to take this when we first began our natural living adventure!" At this point I was once again reminded that we are to be led by the Holy spirit in our quest for answers, not by frantically searching for answers at convenient worldly stops along the way. Not only this, but we get answers in His timing, when we best utilize and learn from the experience of being given the information! Sometimes information can be withheld, (with problems reverting back to original ones...) in order for us to gain knowledge in why we made changes in the first place! NOW, I actually LEARNED why nutritional flakes are important, and what happens to the human body without an ample, regular source. Having genetics of B vitamin deficiencies in my past, with my grandmother having been diagnosed and treated with multiple B vitamin deficiencies (monthly prescribed B12 shots, etc)...it is ESPECIALLY important to my genes and I!

With starting the flakes up again last week, I can see already the energy level has increased immensely (when my mudroom closet even gets cleaned, you know energy isn't in short supply!), stools improving and our overall happiness has left nothing to be desired! I am truly excited and have felt led by the Holy spirit...

SO the importance of balanced B vitamins in proper body functioning? They're CRITICAL! Each one has an array of  health benefits, and without them in balance with one another, one can have lifelong, degenerative symptoms! You may be supplementing PLENTY with food or capsule of one B vitamin, but then the other ones can get grossly offset. Keeping them in balance is key. B's include:

• B6--used for nerves, protein digestion, antibody synthesis, red blood cell formation; DEFICIENCIES include morning sickness or weak stomach, anemia, impaired nerve functioning, hair loss
• B12--converts carbs to glucose for energy, regulates the nervous system against stress and depression, protects against stroke, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. DEFICIENCIES are stomach upset with weight loss, light headedness (indication it has impacted adrenals), weakness and pale skin 
• B2--Keeps skin, hair, nails and eyes in good health, used in treating Alzheimer’s, anxiety and nerve disorders; DEFICIENCIES include migraines, bloodshot/irritability in the eyes, chapped and/or sore tongue and lips
• B9--otherwise known as FOLIC ACID--Prevents birth defects, helps produce healthy blood cells, strengthens nervous system and digestion system. DEFICIENCIES produce symptoms of stress related disorders, preterm labor, birth defects, cell mutation and tumor growth, leading to certain forms of cancer.
• B5--labeled the 'anti stress vitamin', B5, aka pantothenic acid, is a booster for our adrenals. Friends that have taken it have made sure to give me feedback of their quickness in getting over illness compared to their other family members, as well as the energy they have felt an increase in. I have experienced this as well! It is found in blood plasma, helps those with autism, increases hair growth, cystitis and asthma. DEFICIENCES include: sleep difficulty, upset stomach, poor temperment, lasting illnesses, hair loss. 
• B1, B3, B7 are all important to digestion, hair and skin health and nerve health
  
  Have you had your B's today? We make sure to get Gi-normous amounts of calcium, Vitamin A, Vitamin C...but what about the B's? Don't forget the B's...
  
  In Christ,
  Ms. Salubrious

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

In the Eyes of the Beholder

Mark 8:25 Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly

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."

• Half of the U.S. population ages 20 and older has poor eyesight, according to a study in the August Archives of Ophthalmology.


• It is estimated that more than 150 million people in the U.S. use corrective eyewear (Prevent Blindness America, 2002).


• Among all individuals who report "serious difficulty seeing, even when wearing glasses or contact lenses," 33% live in cities, 37% live in suburbs, 28% live in non-metropolitan areas (e.g., small towns) and 1% live in farm areas (Schmeidler & Halfmann, 1998b).
  

What can one collectively presume looking at the 3 above statistics?

Perhaps that "most people lose their eyesight as they grow older, needing corrective eyewear from something that rural living has to offer"?

Am I suggesting that one move to the "country" if they have poor eyesight? Absolutely not! But I will attempt to suggest a reason as to "why" the considerably higher percentage of people are from non-rural areas. Perhaps the people on farms having good eyesight have lived on a diet mostly of freshly picked vegetables and fruit that help them to nourish their sightseeing organs. Most people know that Vitamin A (from orange vegetables) helps to "feed" the eyes, but are there others? I ran across a great article at:

http://www.treelite.com/articles/nf/natures-field---july-20-2010.html that I'll share some excerpts with you:

"The sad thing is that one simple nutritional change could save many people's vision. That change is to get more antioxidant nutrients into the diet. Antioxidants are extremely critical to eye health because the eyes are extremely prone to oxidative stress and free radical damage. In fact, oxidative stress is the underlying cause of cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration."

Many people do not make the connection between diet and nutrition (me being one of them in the past. I found I needed glasses after my mom went back to work, with my diet offering meals with considerably less vegetables, being sacrificed for a busier, but comfortable lifestyle). Others may think that vegetable flavored chips, synthetic meal replacements, and fruit flavored cereals / fruit roll-ups make an exceptional form of a daily vegetable and fruit intake. I'll be the first to admit that I didn't even try THAT hard, but completely threw any diet-to-eyesight connections out the window! YES...I wear glasses now and have for over 15 years now. I'm trying to play "catch up" for those years 'lacking' in my diet, but it's VERY hard to do! I have found by not trying CONSIDERABLY hard (other than upping my raw vegetable intake) that I have for the first time in 15 years not gotten worse when I had my eyes checked, but even improved by a degree! After I heal fully from our latest addition to the family, I plan to travel down the road of improving my eyesight naturally. Here are some more tips I'll be following from the above article link:

• Lutein and xeaxanthin, are yellowish pigments found in foods like spinach, kale, green beans, corn and egg yolks. They are also antioxidants that protect your eyes from the blue and near-ultraviolet wavelengths of light. Protecting the eyes from these wavelengths of light reduces the risk of macular degeneration.
• Carrots are high in beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A. Both vitamin A and beta-carotene are very critical antioxidants for the eyes, meaning there is some truth to the popular belief that carrots are good for your eyes.
  There are other carotenoids that protect the eyes, too. For instance, lycopene, a carotenoid that contributes to the red color of tomatoes, helps protect eyes from light and oxygen damage. It also protects the prostate and blood vessels.
  The dark purple color of blue berries, huckleberries and bilberries is due to the presence of anthocyanodins. These compounds protect blood vessels in the eyes (and throughout the body) and enhance night vision.
  The bottom line is that our eyes can help to guide our nutritional choices, so we obtain the nutrients our eyes need to stay healthy. An ingenious system, don't you think?
  

Find yourself living a busy lifestyle and plan to slow down later to a life with more vegetables and fruits?

Look for a supplement offering carotenoids, which are so important for the eyes! NATURE's SUNSHINE offers a product with beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, lutein, lycopene, and zeaxanthin called: CAROTENOID BLEND. NATURES SUNSHINE was the first company to encapsulate herbs, back in 1972, and have thus been known for their disease-fighting properties. You might also search for a health product containing the herbs BILBERRY and TUMERIC, which have powerful anti-inflammatory properties that protect the eyes, liver, blood vessels and other tissues from damage. NATURES SUNSHINE also offers as a product: PERFECT EYES, which contains the carotenoids lutein, xeaxanthin, beta-carotene, lycopene, along with bilberry and turmeric.

Desire to see God's pathway clearer? Use His creation as an investment in your vision by increasing your raw fruit and vegetable intake. Your eyes may thank you come 40 years from now, and you're not needing to wear those unsightly senior citizen SUNGLASS BLINDERS for extreme sunlight sensitivity!

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. ******

OUR DOG STORY

We adopted our 6 year old husky from the humane society in the fall of 2002. Over the next 4 years, we took note that she had only a few health problems. Some of the health problems she faced over these 4 years included: kennel cough, ruptured anal glands, torn leg ligaments, and a lack of appetite. She was on and off medications for these various problems, along with a few surgeries here and there. We experimented with several different brands of commercial dog foods, but nothing seemed to tickle her fancy--she didn't even go ga-ga over table scraps like most dogs did!

Our dog's road to natural health fell upon us in the spring of 2006. Leading up to this, the previous fall, she was chasing a rabbit and started limping; she had torn a knee ligament. My uncle and aunt's dog had just died from a staph infection after a routine teeth cleaning surgery, so my greatest concern was that our dog would have a similar result from her surgery the vet prescribed. The vet assured me that she would be fine. She had the surgery:

She was doped up on pain medication, anti-infection meds and within a few days would not leave her bed spot without being carried (just picture me carrying our husky to her food bowl and down a flight of stairs to go outside!) Our dog stopped eating, stopped pooping and laid on her bed lethargically from day to day getting worse. As we had visitors drop by, they made comments, "She's pretty much gone" or "She's given up on life; there's nothing you can do" and "Is that dog even alive still?"

After not having eaten for over 10 days, and drinking minimal droppers of water, I called the Vet, "You can bring her in to do testing to find out which body parts are shutting down...." SERIOUSLY? THAT'S ALL YOU HAVE FOR ME??? Well, you can imagine why we took the matter in our own hands then, with me spending late hours on the computer doing research on canine health. What I came up with was that her body was too weak from malnutrition to be able to recover from a major surgery. MALNUTRITION? BUT, how could that be since we fed her good brands of commercial dog foods?!?!

INSTEAD....my question SHOULD have been, "Are we feeding her the type of food that God created a dog to eat?" The answer would have been "no". In my research, I found a dog needs to eat a majority of their diet as protein, not as grains and carbs as most commercial dog food is made. OF that protein, it should be raw--just as a canine would eat out in the wild!

MY EXPERIMENT: I held a piece of raw meat in front of her nose--not having eaten for 10 days, keep in mind--and the RAW was KEY, because we had tried plenty of cooked meat! Her ears perked, her nose wriggled and she slowly accepted the food. Over the next few days as her appetite came back, we gave her an enema (yeah, gross!!) to get her bowels moving again (NATURES SUNSHINE LOWER BOWEL STIMULANT DROPS worked for ongoing flushing for the next few weeks) and fed her milk, raw eggs, bits of raw steak and hamburger to keep her eating. Within a week she was running around as her usual self.

Our dog is 13 years old now and has a healthy appetite, plays throughout the day, sees well, hear well, has all of her teeth, and even chases rabbits and other critters regularly around our yard. In fact, most new visitors think she's about 5 years, as their mouth drops when we tell her REAL age! She has not needed any medications or vet visits for health problems in the past 4 years (she doesn't GET health problems, in fact!), and is in GREAT SHAPE considering where she was before and directly following her surgery. She doesn't get the luxury of having special food bought for her....instead we have found a very budget-conscious diet plan for her....still involving raw foods. If you are interested in how we have done this--tune back in for my next BLOG POSTING on NATURAL CANINE HEALTH!

God Bless, 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. ******

Aaaaah, Sugar, Sugar

WARNING: This video is STRICTLY for entertainment--no educational aspect to it whatsoever! (Well.....I guess it DOES make an interesting connection between sugar and the harmful effects it has on the human body!!)

"The chemical formula for cocaine is C17H21NO4. Sugar’s formula is C12H22O11. For all practical purposes, the difference is that sugar is missing the 'N', or nitrogen atom... Sugar has 12 carbon atoms, 22 hydrogen atoms, 11 oxygen atoms, and absolutely nothing else to offer.' ..."

"...Today we have a nation that is addicted to sugar. In 1915, the national average of sugar consumption (per year) was around 15 to 20 pounds per person. Today the average person consumes his/her weight in sugar, plus..... corn syrup"

Both of the above quotes were taken from http://macrobiotics.co.uk/sugar.htm

Contrary to popular belief, sugar doesn't stay in your body only long enough to go through your bloodstream and digestive tract. Sugar can be stored for years as deposits in organs, bones, teeth, muscle tissues, and fat cells--leading to associated health problems in us. What we put into our body on a daily basis, can affect our health and disposition for the remainder of our lives, along with being passed on to our children at the cellular level!

How processed forms of sugar can effect the human body:

• lower the immune system
• negatively effect pancreatic function leading to diabetes
• turn into fat cells leading to obesity
• has even been found to have a positive correlation to 8 forms of cancer: colon, breast, rectum, ovary, prostate, kidney, nervous system, and pancreas (Haas EM. The Detox Diet, 1996: 48-55)
• spikes and drops blood sugar levels throughout the day, which can contribute to several health problems that you wouldn't suspect a connection to sugar: anxiety, aggression sleeplessness, emotion problems, overeating and problems controlling the good bacteria/bad yeast levels in our digestive system.

Believe it or not, the damaging effects of sugar on the body are supposed to closely mirror that of cocaine, except the damages from cocaine are detected faster and take less time to reverse. (it take years to reverse health conditions associated with sugar, but it IS possible with a certified master herbalist)

Yes, it may SEEM like you could quit eating sugar/simple carbohydrates if you "chose to", but actually TRY doing it! People who have gone through all-forms of sugar detoxing (processed white, corn syrup, simple carbs, etc) for weeks at a time, have complained about crawling the walls with anxiety, along with having withdrawal symptoms of headaches, exhaustion, excess hunger, anger, heat flashes, fevers, loose stools, and heightened cravings. If a "food" can do this to me when I decide to quit eating it, my conscience tells me it's probably more of a "drug" than a food. So, why is it legal and IN virtually everything processed that we buy from the grocery store? I assume they keep it legal to appease to consumers, sellers, and processors! Imagine if they pulled all the foods off the grocery store shelves containing processed forms of sugar--there would be a shocking out cry from society! But, there would also be a decrease in the "need" for immunizations, clinics, medications, and "diets"! It is IN almost everything, to attract the customers who have a "sweet tooth".

Since the average person consumes 20-25% of his/her calories from some form of refined sugar(Lick the Sugar Habit, Nancy Appleton, PhD), let's take a closer look at what sugar does to the body:

"If you were to look at a drop of your blood under a microscope following sugar consumption, your white blood cells become increasingly immobile based upon the amount of sugar consumed. The more sugar, the less protection the body has against illnesses. During our 'sugar celebrations' (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Super Bowl, Valentines and Easter), the body really gets overloaded," (and may take several days to recover, while in the mean time, lowers your immune system, playing host to bacteria and viruses.) Could this be A CAUSE of why people tend get more colds, viruses, bacterial infections, and the flu....rather than getting them just because it's "colder" outside and we're indoors more? If you think about it, "The average American kid consumes 330 pounds of refined sugars every year--that's nearly half a pound a day--by way of soft drinks. A body in good health will have the stamina to handle such a challenge (a soda now and then), but the average kid is drinking 3-7 cans a day!" so, if we INCREASE this amount as we go to celebrations that promote eating and snacking (most of the time on sugary ones) the results may bring along more sickness than normal--taken from Health Quarters Monthly newsletter.

"Even if we meet the RDA of vitamins and minerals, but we also eat sugar, the sugar changes our body chemistry and our cells can't fully benefit from the vitamins and minerals. For example, researchers have found that ingesting sugar increases the rate at which we excrete calcium. Calcium depletion makes bones fragile and leads to osteoporosis." (Lemann J. 1967, Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 70:236-45)

This week we took a look at the effects of processed sugars on the human body, which "is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God 1 Corinthians 6:19. In the following weeks, we will take a look at sources of processed sugar, alternatives to sugar, and things we can take to help our bodies deal better with sugar, if we plan to occasionally eat it.

******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. ******

THE POWER OF ZINC

Most all of the following information included in this posting can be found in this website newsletter, published by HEALTH QUARTERS MONTHLY: November 2008 Newsletter. The mission of Health Quarters is one that I highly support and believe in as well, "to help facilitate health, both physical and spiritual, in the lives of God’s people, enabling them to more effectively serve God in His world." Here is their website: Health Quarters Ministries.

The TRUTH ABOUT ZINC:

Without zinc, the functions of your white blood cells cease. These are your immuneforces. They’re supposed to be keeping watchful eye for cancer cells, ready to destroy them along withother foreign invaders like viruses, bacteria and parasites.

HEALTH CONCERNS RELATED TO ZINC DEPLETION :

Prostate Cancer:

Testosterone is vital for male health. It protects the prostate from the wounding, swelling, cancer-causing impact of estrogen on these tissues. Zinc is not only necessary to the production of testosterone, but it keeps an man's fat cells from converting his testosterone into DHT (potent form of testosterone, but weak at protecting prostate gland) and estrogen.

Hair Problems:

A lack of ZINC STORES in the body can be a key contributing factor to a variety of hair and/or scalp related disorders and concerns: brittle, loss, premature graying, slow growth, and even dandruff. The anti-dandruff shampoos on the market are usually high in zinc, but I can't speak for their effectiveness.

Breast, Uterine, Ovarian, Cervical Cancers:

A woman's ovaries are the primary producers of her estrogen and progesterone. When the ovaries are weak (thyroid function problem) or gone (hysterectomy) or retired (menopause), she will not make progesterone to help balance the estrogen that her adrenals and fat cells continue to make. She is now dominated by estrogen, a growth hormone that only stimulates the production of immature cells, which are prone to cancerous mutations, but simultaneously depletes the body of zinc (which is vital for the immune system's ability to fight cancer).

Ear Problems:

The inner ear requires more zinc than any other part of the human body. Insufficient zinc stores in the body may therefore result in inner ear problems, perhaps the most common being ringing--a condition known in the medical world as Tinnitus.

Eye Problems:

When zinc is missing, various eye problems occur. Common ones include: sties, sensitivity to light, inability to adjust to darkness (night blindness), mascular degeneration, and even detached retina or retinal bleeding.

Other problems potentially related to depleted ZINC stores:

• Repetitive yeast infections (vaginal, urinary, intestinal--setting up for digestive diseases)
• Sensory problems related to taste or smell
• Anemia--when zinc is depleted, the body rejects iron....the issue, then, is to supplement with zinc along with iron, or the body will continue to reject the iron!
• Reproductive problems with infertility, irregular female cycles, impotence, reduced sperm count in men

Zinc Depleters:

• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Drugs (antacids, birth control, cortisone, over the counters,etc)
• Refined grains (flour)
• Processed sweeteners (brown & white sugar, corn syrup, sucrose, dextrose)
• Artificial sweeteners (aspartame, NutraSweet, Splenda)
• Estrogen Dominance ( progesterone production becomes insufficient to balance estrogen, which in turn depletes zinc)

To Replenish Zinc Stores:

Herbal sources whole/capsules: Bee Pollen, Chamomile, Fennel seeds, Milk thistle, Kelp

Food Sources: Alfalfa Sprouts, Nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, etc), Corn, Garlic, Legumes, Seeds (poppy, pumpkin, sunflower), Leafy Greens (spinach), Onions, Nutritional Yeast, Coconut

Supplementation: Zinc taken by itself is not only poorly absorbed, but can sometimes cause stomach aches. I (Health quarters) often recommend a product by NSP (Natures Sunshine Products) in which zinc is accompanied by various absorption-enhancing substances.

On a final note: Zinc is water soluble, which means it's not stored in fat tissues in the body. It must be replenished daily. Because Zinc is water soluble, much of it in foods is lost during canning or cooking food in water. Here are the 2 Zinc Supplements from Natures Sunshine that Health Quarters suggests if wanting to supplement with it: (click on the links) ZINC -25 MG , and ZINC LOZENGES.

Health In Christ,
Whole-E Herbster

******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. ******

Quotes from "He's Not Autistic, But..." by Tenna Merchent

Some Highlights from the book, "HE'S NOT AUTISTIC, BUT.....HOW WE PULLED OUR SON FROM THE MOUTH OF THE ABYSS" by TENNA MERCHENT http://www.joyousmessenger.com/

"It's also frightening to write about something so unconventional. Many people accept stories of healing in the Bible; nevertheless, most do not believe it can happen today. Healing DOES take place today. God still works miracles. I know, because I've lived them." pg 6

"I became extremely open-minded and would have done almost anything that was moral to find a cure for my son." pg 6

"I knew Clay was very sick, it wasn't just back to back colds-but the pediatrician didn't believe me." pg 3

"Healthy people have a balance of both yeast and good bacteria in their digestive system. The predominant thinking is when a person takes antibiotics, they kill the good bacteria in the digestive tract along with the bad bacteria they are intended to kill. This makes the digestive tract susceptible to a yeast overgrowth. Yeast needs SUGAR (corn syrup is sugar as well!) to GROW and SURVIVE." pg 13

"Aluminum kills bacteria. That's why it's so widely used as a preservative (in foods and medications). When you have aluminum in your system, it kills the beneficial bacteria, allowing a yeast overgrowth. Antibiotics are loaded with aluminum, plus they kill the beneficial bacteria in your system." pg 14

"Aluminum...causes infertility as well. It settles in the solar plexus and causes the organs, including the uterus to drop." pg 19

"Clay was ill most of the time. If he came anywhere near anyone with a respiratory infection, Clay would get it and the next two weeks would be horrible." pg 15

"One of my red flags is the thought, 'I should just get this over with.' That was how I felt about the (immunization) shots and would feel later about other medical interventions. The bottom line for me has been when I ignore them , I regret it. So now, I practice listening to them and pray for relief from my ego, which wants to run the show at my expense." pg 51

"In the world of alternative health care, there are treatments available for toxemia, but i didn't know this at the time (of 1st pregnancy with toxemia). Alternative doctors believe toxemia is simply a magnesium imbalance. When I told my OB this during my second pregnancy, she agreed toxemia is a magnesium imbalance. So why on earth didn't she put me on magnesium during my last pregnancy, when I had toxemia?" pg 20

"Allergy symptoms can be anything that didn't exist before the allergen was introduced, including behaviors like head-banging, foul moods, insomnia, and spinning in circles, to name just a few. Most people think of allergies as mucous and hives, and while they can certainly be an element of allergies, they are by no means the only ones." pg 43

"In the beginning, I didn't tell people about Clay's recovery because it is so far out." pg 94 (How sad not to be able to share a miraculous story of healing because of how skeptical our society can be towards it? Again, we share the same story on this, not many people know or want to know our healing story with our daughters!)

"I thought the Master Herbalist had some magical power. In some respects he does, because he has the power of GOD BEHIND HIM. He would be the first one to tell you that he doesn't do the healing, Jesus does. Anyone can become sensitive to these energies..." pg 96

"My recommendation is, don't go (to an Herbalist) as a patient, but as an apprentice. Put your faith in GOD, and you can (learn to) be a tool for HIS healing." pg 125

"He (the Master Herbalist) already has more business than he needs or even wants. He is a family man who has deep faith in God. He has spent a tremendous amount of time studying herbs and prayer, and now he has students like me taking his work out into the world" pg. 121

"My lack of faith interfered with my ability to help myself and others. (thinking) I am too great or too small for one of God's assignments, which of course, is not true. We are all totally capable of being one of God's tools. His loving power will do great things--things we could never do on our own, like healing." pg 97

"I have been told that my son was sick for my benefit. If it had not been for him, I would have continued my unhealthy lifestyle and never been cured of myself. " pg 98

"....when aspartame (in Diet soda) reaches body temperature, it turns into formaldehyde. What I didn't know about aspartame was that I was highly addicted to it. I really struggled with the decision to give it up. I loved my diet sodas and looked forward to them. I had done the Weight Watchers diet in the past and believed it was a healthy and balanced diet. (Weight Watchers) allows aspartame.... I experienced withdrawal for at least 2 months...the withdrawal I experienced and the mourning I went through over having to give it up just confirmed to me how deeply addicted I was." pg 57, 58, 59

"After getting a clean bill of health on an energy level for my fertility I saw my fertility doctor. He didn't think there was much chance I would become pregnant, nevertheless, he was willing to cooperate with my request. The test was PERFECTLY NORMAL! I became PREGNANT, with NO HORMONES, NO SHOTS, and NO INVITRO FERTILIZATION. I was finally FERTILE at age 43! (my first pregnancy) I had taken so many drugs, months and months of hormone shots. I had numerous blood tests, ultrasounds and repeated disappointments when my cycle started each month. This time I was free to enjoy my pregnancy without the tether of fertility treatment." pg 114

" It seems that everyone I meet is sick or has a sick family member. Crohn's, Cancer, Lupus, and Alzheimer's are all curable, yet many do not want to do what is necessary to heal and recover" pg 4

I'm hoping that if this has peaked an interest, that you might chose to read this overwhelming, inspiring story for yourself! Thanks for reading!!!

HEALTH IN CHRIST,

WHOL-E-HERBSTER

BOOK in REVIEW: "He's not Autistic, But..." by Tenna Merchent

"He's Not Autistic, But...How We Pulled Our Son From The Mouth of the Abyss" by Tenna Merchent, Master Herbalist, Doctor of Naturopathy. Her Website: http://www.joyousmessenger.com/

I am reading the book for my second time through to highlight and make note of comments that stand out and are meaningful to me. The first time I read it, I was trying to absorb it so fast that I didn't want to take the time to highlight or mark pages....I read it completely within a 24 hour time frame! This book is one that gives hope to exhausted parents who battle behavior and medical problems with their children...it helps one to see "the outside forces" acting on our precious little ones from the moment they enter our world. These outside forces are so common in our everyday lives that we DON'T and sometimes even WON'T acknowledge them. Aren't you curious to know about why some babies cry for hours when people dismiss it as simply being "SOME BABIES CRY FOR NO APPARENT REASON"? Or why some children are destined to have poor health for the rest of their lives, and parents write it off as being "BAD GENES or a TOUGH BREAK FOR THE KID"? This book gives immense hope, faith and comprehension to people who are looking for answers about health from our heavenly Father.

After reading the book, you will begin to have your eyes opened to God's perspective on our lifestyles and you may not like it, but if you acknowledge it, your relationship with Christ will bloom--you will forever be changed for the better! This book not only deals with natural healing, but also faith healing--which is something so many people are skeptical about now days because of all of the "false healers". Tenna Merchent teaches you how to connect with your maker in a way that not many people connect now days--through depending on Him and His ways for healing. My faith grew as I turned the pages of this book!

There are a few things from this book that stirred by soul completely down to it's core....

1. The fact that her story was frighteningly similar to my husband's and my experience with our children, except we had all the issues to a slightly lessened degree that she mentioned over a time frame of 4 years between two children. Therefore, it wasn't as drastic as her experience. However, we got answers right away after starting our search, and she unfortunately had to have several bad experiences with natural health practitioners before finding the Master Herbalist who helped her.
2. I know of 3 Master Herbalists now, who all share the same two qualities with one another: DEEP faith in our Savior Jesus Christ whom they give all their healing knowledge and abilities to. Knowledge to turn around almost any health condition to start the healing process. These qualities ALWAYS win people over to Christ's healing methods & the idea that his healing CAN and DOES happen in our times and our country! Master Herbalists seem to have the special gift of healing, so encourage you to find one and learn from them!
3. The courage she has to share her story completely with sparing no details --she took the chance to reach even those who aren't yet "ready" with a "prepared heart and open mind" to receive her story or fully believe it!

Take a step of faith and order the book from Amazon.com for as little as $9.....please join me in changing our lives to living from a whole different perspective! Also, you've done so good with e-mailing me with questions in the past, please feel free to do this if you chose to read the book. I'd love to hear your thoughts and questions--you'll be in my prayers!

HEALTH IN CHRIST,

WHOL-E-HERBSTER

My Natural Health Journal Entry #1

We had a lovely Bacterial strain go through our house--our family went through all winter with no major flu or colds, and here we sat with congestion up to our ears (literally-our girls had ear infections that set in). All 5 of us at one time or another squeezed into our Queen-size bed. My husband and I are softies when it comes to not feeling good, so we let our kids pile on. How do you fit 5 people on that size of a bed? Let me show you! It's a little of this:

& a lot of this:

****(Yes, those are glow-in-the-dark skeleton pajammas that Sophie and Sage picked out --we were studying the human body at our homeschooling group at the time--great find to study bones!)****

It started out with cough fits one evening for Sophie. I got my book: Homeopathic Self-Care: The Quick & Easy Guide for the Whole Family and looked up the remedies listed for coughing. With the symptoms she had (barky cough fits when laying down), I decided to try out the RUMEX REMEDY, so I gave her 3 pellets from the vial in my 30c Remedy Kit . It was 9:30 pm, and we didn't hear another cough out of her mouth until 2 am. At this point, I re-dosed the same remedy, and she fell back to sleep without another squeak until 7:00 am when she woke up for the day. This is how well homeopathy can work with everyday health problems that arise! However, if it something deeper than an everyday cough, there would be more to follow....and there was!

Over the next few days, Sophie's cough got worse, along with a stuffy nose and a sore throat that settled in. The cough remedies from the kit didn't stop the cough anymore, so I knew it was a more serious condition than just a cough. I went on to get her RELIEF for those NEW SYMPTOMS with these other things:

• I made up some SALT PACKS (salt is a nutrient that naturally draws out toxins and infections) to lay on her chest (works as a medicine or nicotine patch would, except for drawing out infection instead of absorbing a drug). To make the salt pack, I put a cup of Morton salt in a zip lock bag and had her lay with it on her chest through the night. (This got rid of my mother's Bronchitis fully in 3 nights time)
• I had Sophie take a bath in EPSOM SALT water to get her bowels moving (illnesses, viruses, bacteria and toxins can slow down the bowls, which causes more congestion, pushing upwards--hers started in the lungs, then to the nose, then to the ears, working upwards)
• I gave her FOOD ENZYMES as well to start breaking up the food in her intestines that seem to hold an illness in place
• I made some THROAT COAT TEA with RAW HONEY and LEMON to soothe her sore throat
• I also gave her the homeopathic remedy "Complete Virus", to see if it would help, if so, we were dealing with a virus.

By the time I got Sophie relief on these things, an ear infection had also settled in, which is something acute and needed to be treated in a very timely manner because of the pain aspect involved. I checked out a BLOG site that I knew had some good information on Ear Infections (Treating Earaches the Natural Way), and decided to try:

• PULSATILLA Remedy from my kit
• FENUGREEK & THYME, which is an herb that naturally thins mucus, and some
• Cold Pressed OLICE OIL Drops directly into the ear.

This completely took care of the ear infection within a matter of an hour, and she settled to sleep for the night. I could then focus again on settling the other congestion down the following day.

The next day, our other children started to develop the same cough fits as Sophie. At this point I wasn't thinking it was a virus, since the "Complete Virus" remedy had not taken care of it-- (From my previous BLOG Homeopathic Remedies to Keep on Hand, I mentioned that if a remedy doesn't work, you may need a different remedy, or it may be something you're continually exposing yourself to.....either one would fit in this case). I decided to call my Master Herbalist Consultant to get a little more insight into what was happening. Through the 15 minute consultation, she helped me to see that it was a Bacterial infection. I would do the following to fight off the bacterial infection by raising the immune system:

• baths with ORGANIC APPLE CIDER VINEGAR mixed in, a natural anti-bacterial nutrient and their bodies would absorb enough through their skin. (YES! VINEGAR makes a great ANTI-BACTERIAL spray alternative to the Harsh and widely used BLEACH--our ladies at church use this in the nursery and kitchen now!)
• ECHINACEA & GOLDEN SEAL drops (a natural "pro"-biotic herb, opposite of anit-biotic) from NATURES SUNSHINE PRODUCTS, and
• the BAC HP (Bacterial Homeopathic) Remedy from Energique.

My consultant also found a really good immune booster that I ordered from a nutrition store called ACF (ACUTE COLD & FLU FORMULA) by Buried Treasure. It contains herbs and nutrients renowned for their antiviral and antibiotic qualities: Echinacea, Goldenseal, Myrrh, Elderberry Extract, Thyme, Osha Root, Usnea Lichen, and Ginger Root, Vitamin C, Bioflavonoids, Zinc, and Colloidal Silver. When I was picking this up from the store, a salesman from another company asked to see it, that he had heard about how good it was through the grape vine. He took one look at the ingredients and said, "Anything with those ingredients has got to be good! I'll have to see if we can market something similar to that." The taste of it alone, would be enough to scare any bacteria or virus away--this product now is a permanent fixture on our refrigerator shelf!

I remember my sister telling me that she once had a cough that stayed around for 3 weeks, and it was her second round of antibiotics that finally got rid of her congestion. The vinegar baths took care of it for the girls--their coughs went away completely! It was a matter of about 1 1/2 weeks to get rid of their coughs altogether--from onset to after the vinegar baths......only because they were being re-exposed to the bacteria and we hadn't found a strong enough IMMUNE BOOSTER in the mean time until using the VINEGAR! The acute symptoms (sinus, ear and respiratory infections) didn't last very long, otherwise we would have made an appt with our Herbalist earlier than we had.

I like to think of Natural Treatments to illnesses as a collective group of things you LEARN to use. This particular method of getting rid of a congestive bacterial infection may or may not work for yours, but you accumulate ideas over the years to use. As you try things, you will get more confidence and will have more methods to tap into before heading to the doctor, or in our case, Natural Health Practitioner! If you get to the point where you can't take it anymore, or you get to a brick wall without any more ideas, it's time to call on someone certified for help. Find someone that is willing to educate you in the process, so you learn what to do if a similar situation arises. My goal was to be able to someday deal with illnesses on our own with only using God's resources. Well, this is the way to do it...by learning through example of someone who cares enough to teach you!

Through ALL of this, we prayed for recovery in our precious daughters and the Lord had brought it upon us by showing us the way. Praise the good Lord for giving our family the resources to fight something like a bacterial lung infection with only his tools of herbs, homeopathic remedies, oils and nutrients. God is amazing and we thank him for blessing our family with the pathway he has led us down. May He also bless your path, and show you His way of healing, as well--He will reward you for your faith you place in Him for healing!

Health In Christ,

WHOL-E-HERBSTER

******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. ******

Intro to Homeopathy

Are you looking for a healing substance that has no recorded instances of anyone that has ever been harmed by it? One that addresses the individual needs of a person and doesn't cause unpredicted side effects in the process? How about a healing substance that doesn't need to be taken on a daily basis for the rest of your life, yet can give you relief for the rest of your life? Many traditional medications are taken with the intent to destroy the specific disease organism, leading to weakened immune systems and destroyed beneficial bacteria. But, Homeopathy neither covers up or destroys disease, which is what makes it so safe! Homeopathic remedies stimulate the body's reaction to throw off the defender, and actually strengthen the immune system while doing this. The only hard part about it is that you have to do a little research to figure out the exact symptoms of the problem and individualize the treatments!

The answer to how Homeopathy works is "Like is cured by Likes", in reference to the Scientific Law of Similars. It was developed by a German scientist named Dr. Samuel Heinemann in the year 1796. The idea behind his research was to cure the individual patient and his/her CAUSES to their disease, rather than the disease itself. Although most symptoms head down a similar course as one another to a degenerative disease, the CAUSE of the symptoms are what vary from individual to individual, and therefore have to be treated individually. Two people may both be experiencing flu-like symptoms--one may have a virus, and the other food poisoning, but neither of them are certain of the cause, only the symptoms. Either way, a medication suppresses it, which may partially relieve some symptoms, but then takes even longer for the body to heal from it. Homeopathy can help in that you look up the type of specific symptoms you have: acidic indigestion, cramping, nausea, fever, constipation, dirrhea, vomiting, etc, and then you would take a remedy that helps with those same symptoms. For instance, the Ipecac Remedy would be the choice remedy to help stop vomiting!

Homeopathy gently stimulates the body's immune system by giving it a jump-start in energy to defend the invading attacker. The way it does this is by using a small dose of a substance made into a remedy to heal, instead of using the same substances in large quantity which would cause negative effects. It is well-known that Ipecac induces vomiting, but the remedy Ipecac which has been diluted hundreds of times, is a frequently used remedy so stop nausea and vomiting.

The major problem is that most people do not fully understand how homeopathy works, and they get frustrated when they try to blindly use their limited knowledge to heal themselves and it doesn't work right away. When someone truly comprehends how homeopathy works, and has seen it heal someone, they will know that if it DOESN'T work for the intended healing purpose desired, they just didn't find the right one! So, then you just try another one. Yes, this can be costly if you chose to buy remedies individually, because they typically run about $11-$13 a piece. Or, you can purchase 50 in a kit (see below) to save on money in the long run. Either way, the good news about it is that they never expire and you generally use only a few drops at a time, unlike a medication that you may pay up to hundreds of dollars for and throw out after the one use! So, you will build up a collection for convenient use when you need it next.

You can buy remedies in ELEMENTAL FORM, or COMBINATION FORM. ELEMENTAL meaning one like the Ipecac remedy which treats a specific symptom, or an example of a COMBINATION would be one with Ipecac in it, along with a few other elements that will treat a broader range of symptoms. You can buy ELEMENTAL remedies in pellet form (they look like little white balls) or in liquid form. You can buy the COMBINATIONS in liquid form, and on the label it will tell you all the elemental remedies in it.

BELOW: Here are two liquid drop Combination remedies bought for $11/piece at a Natural Health store

BELOW: Here is an example of a Pellet Remedy in ELEMENTAL form. You will notice that there are 50 of them in this kit that I purchased for $100, making each one of these ELEMENTAL REMEDIES roughly $2/piece.....considerably cheaper than the liquid drop Remedies.....but also a large upfront cost. IT GOES ALONG WITH THE BOOK: Homeopathic Self-Care: The Quick & Easy Guide for the Whole Family. You can purchase this Remedy Kit at Washington Homeopathic Products, but BE SURE to purchase the book from the link above at Amazon.com, or else from the kit link HERE: Homeopathic Self-Care. STARTING to use this KIT and BOOK together is the most reasonable and practical way to start learning and using Homeopathy in your home.

When taking a "dose" of a remedy, an adult dose is considered to be 3-5 pellets or 3-5 drops, a child's dose is 1-2 pellets or 1-2 drops. They should both be placed under the tongue and allowed to set or be absorbed for a least 10-15 seconds. This way, the remedy will be absorbed directly into the blood stream for quick and effective use. After 10 seconds, they can be chewed, spit out, or swallowed.

You will need to avoid essential oils, food and drink (even water) for 10 minutes before and after taking a remedy. Tooth paste, mouthwash and mints, coffee and tea should be avoided for at least 45 minutes before and after a remedy is taken. These things take away the effectiveness of remedies because they are so fragile in composition.

When storing a remedy, be sure to not have it anywhere near anything electrical, or containing aromatic fragrances, which can both ruin the remedy and limit its effectiveness.

I will give you some good COMBINATION REMEDIES to keep on hand in my next BLOG, but for now here are the basics......ENJOY!

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. ******