Herbal Legacy Articles

by Nathan Jaynes, MH

Okay, you have decided to make a few changes in your diet.  You’re eating less meat, and switched to whole wheat bread.  You’ve even decided to get some of your groceries at the local health food store.  But while you’re there, take a look at what’s in your grocery cart before calling it natural.  Some of the items sold in health food stores just aren’t healthy.

Having visited many health food stores along the Wasatch front, as well as a few out of state, I have noticed a few un-healthy trends.  Shelves that are supposed to be reserved for natural and wholesome foods contain items that are as man-made as margarine and soda.  Now, I realize that many of these foods are there for people who are making a transition from the standard American diet to a healthier one, but do we have to call them health foods if they came from a health food store?

For me, health food is whole, un-adulterated, not enhanced, not radically modified, and life giving.  Health food is not genetically engineered, fortified, pasteurized, isolated, or made in a lab.  But more and more we find things like sugar free candy, protein bars, diet drinks, and sodas with ingredient lists that would take someone with a degree in chemistry to understand.  The most dangerous thing about these foods is people think since they came from a health food store, they are harmless and natural.  These foods are sold alongside organic produce, whole herbs, grains and nuts. Unknowingly, shoppers can go down one isle and get raw-organic carrot juice, and then in the next isle, fluoridated tooth paste.

If you’re a knowledgeable shopper, health food stores have a lot to offer.  Fresh organic produce, herbs from around the country and world, spices, cookbooks, classes, and like-minded people that can help you make sense of it all.  If you find yourself asking “is this food healthy or not”, just look at the label.  If the ingredients sound like chemicals, you can be sure you’re getting something less than healthy.  If the ingredients are plant based, then feel free to try it.     

Printable Version: http://www.herballegacy.com/Unhealthy_Food.pdf

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by Robyn Openshaw, The Green Smoothie Girl
 
Hello friends,
 
In my effort to teach people how to convert to a whole-foods, 60-80% raw, mostly plant-based diet, I’ve found one habit that I consider to be the highest and best use of your kitchen time.
 
Making a blenderful of green smoothie takes only 10 minutes a day. I recommend doing it first thing in the morning, before the day gets away from you. Then put it in quart or pint jars in the fridge. Take your quart (my daily recommendation) and a straw to work with you, or running errands.

A 96-oz. blenderful makes a quart for me, and a pint for each of my four children. That’s 15 servings of greens and fruit for me, and 7.5 servings for them. Wow!

I prefer drinking my green smoothie at lunch because that’s the meal people typically have no time to prepare. Consequently, it’s the meal where we are most likely to eat “fast food” that lacks nutrition and fiber. The foods most Americans eat cause a big energy drain because the body has to work so hard to manufacture enzymes and break down heavy processed foods and animal proteins.

Even if you want something not particularly good for you at lunch, if you’ve filled your stomach up FIRST with high-nutrition greens and fruit (400 calories in a quart), you’ll eat less of the inferior foods.
And your blended greens provide external enzymes to break down other food.

Furthermore, you’re going to see a stabilization of your energy and mood in the late afternoon. That’s when many working people find that they need their productivity most – right as it fails them! Many turn to caffeine or other stimulants just to get through the day.

If your lunch nutrition includes large amounts of the highest-micronutrient foods on earth (greens), you will likely achieve radically improved energy. That may happen immediately. Or it may happen after giving the “cleansing reactions” a chance to subside, if you’re new to green smoothies. (Eighteen percent of the 175 people in my study experienced temporary reactions such as headache or diarrhea.
That’s normal as your body recognizes excellent building materials coming in, and uses that opportunity to “clean house.”)

In my research, 95.4% said green smoothies noticeably improved their health or quality of life! 84 percent were so excited, they taught others the habit! And the top benefits reported were more energy (85%), improved digestion (80%), fewer cravings for sweets and processed foods (65%), and weight loss (50%, with an average loss of 18 lbs.).

Search “green smoothie” on YouTube and see the phenomenon of well over 1,000 demos there–it’s a hot topic! Mine is the top-viewed demo, and it takes only 3 minutes to watch.

To Your Health!
 
Robyn Openshaw
www.GreenSmoothieGirl.com

Printable Version: http://www.herballegacy.com/Green_Smoothie_Article.pdf

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by David Christopher, MH

Hypothyroid, or low functioning thyroid, is extremely common in today’s world.  Symptoms would include, but are not limited to:  Fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, hair loss, intolerance to cold and constipation.  A confirmation of thyroid malfunction can easily be done at home.  Simply shake down a glass thermometer and place it next to your bed.  In the morning, place it in your armpit for ten minutes and then read it.  If it registers below 97.4 degrees Fahrenheit, you can suspect you have a low functioning thyroid.  Averaging out multiple morning readings can confirm your suspicions.

The best therapy would include internal cleansing and a mucusless diet with the addition of Kelp or other seaweeds that are good natural sources of Iodine.  Dr. Christopher has an excellent formula called Thyroid Maintenance which would be taken with meals.  Implementing these treatments should produce a marked improvement in symptoms within six weeks or less.  If symptoms persist, do not discontinue the above treatments but add Dr. Christopher’s Herbal Thyroid formula to your regimen.  This formula will stimulate the thyroid into activity.  It should be taken between meals until the capsules in the bottle are all consumed.

Note:  Stay away from all fluorine (it has been shown to decrease thyroid activity).  This would include fluorine based drugs, supplements and fluoridated water.

Hyperthyroid, or over-active functioning of the thyroid isn’t as common as hypothyroid, but could be potentially more troublesome.  Symptoms would include: goiter, weight loss, appetite changes, heat sensations, excess sweating, excess thirst, heart rate and or rhythm changes, muscle and joint pain, skin problems, hair loss, problems with finger nails, bulging eyes, thinking problems, mood swings, tremors, fatigue, exhaustion and insomnia.

Whether hyperthyroid is caused by physical trauma to the organ (like whip lash), medical treatments, glandular supplements, exposure to excess iodine, or major stress it needs to be addressed.

The herbal protocol would be calming with Mullein and Lobelia.  This is available in Dr. Christopher’s Glandular Formula as capsules for internal consumption and as a massage oil for rubbing on the front of the throat over the thyroid area. It is also available in bulk for making a fomentation, for the same area.

A woman visited me who was scheduled for surgery the next week to remove her hyperactive thyroid. I told her of the procedure of putting the glandular formula wet compress on the thyroid with plastic wrap over the compress to retain the moisture and strips of cotton cloth wrapped around the neck to hold it in place.  She kept these fomentations on 24-7 and took the capsules daily.  The next week she went to the hospital for her operation but the preliminary examination showed no signs of thyroid hyperactivity, so the surgery was not performed.

If this procedure is ineffective, we would try Dr. Christopher’s Master Gland formula which would help correct a possible weakness in the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus.
If the condition still doesn’t improve, we could suspect a tumor on or near the thyroid gland.  If this is indeed the problem, then Dr. Christopher’s four basic cleansing formulas would be a must.  In addition, we would consume six to thirty apricot seeds per day till the tumor is eliminated by the body.

The aforementioned symptoms for hyperthyroid could lead to a diagnosis of the auto-immune diseases Hashimoto or Graves Disease.  For these conditions we would add the Dr. Christopher’s Immucalm formula in large amounts (5 capsules 5 times per day).  Also we would take his Complete Tissue and Bone formula in large amounts (also 5 capsules 5 times per day) to repair the damage to the thyroid tissues, caused by the immune system. 

You can find an herb shop we recommend here:
http://www.christopherwebsites.com

Printable Version: http://www.herballegacy.com/Thyroid.pdf

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by Mishelle Knuteson, MH

Have you ever been in a situation where you hear about a new herb or herbal combination and wonder if it would be good for you to take, if you would really benefit from it and if so, how much would you need to take? When I’m taking a handful of capsules I often wonder if I really need all that I’m taking and if it is doing any good. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could simply ask our body and get a simple yes or no answer? “Does my body need the Thyroid Maintenance formula?” (Y/N)  “Do I need 2 capsules 3 times a day?” (Y/N).

The body, on a subconscious level, knows what it needs and fortunately there is a way to tap into that knowledge. It is through the application of Kinesiology.

Kinesiology is defined as the study of muscles and their movements, esp. as applied to physical conditioning Origin: 1890–95; < Gk k??n?si ( s ) movement ( see kinesis) + -o- + -logy

“Kinesiology is now a well-established science, based on the testing of an all-or-none muscle response stimulus.  A positive stimulus provokes a strong muscle response; a negative stimulus results in a demonstrable weakening of the test muscle.“ — David R. Hawkins M.D, Ph.D., author of Power vs. Force

Over the last 25 years, muscle testing has been demonstrated and verified in many clinical studies.  Dr. George Goodheart pioneered the specialty that he called applied kinesiology, discovering that just the presence of positive substances such as a whole food would strengthen a muscle and a negative substance or stimuli such as a chemical sweetener would cause the same muscle to go weak. The implication here is that at a level below the conceptual consciousness the body “knew”, and through muscle testing (kinesiology) the body was able to signal what was good or bad for it. 

To empower yourself even further in taking responsibility for your own health care, kinesiology (also known as muscle testing) will be a great tool to learn and use on a daily basis. The key is to practice, then trust yourself.

Kinesiology should not be used for figuring out numbers to win the Lottery, selling a product, determining the future or making important decisions about your life, job, relationships etc. It is a gift given from God as a tool to tap into the inner “knowing” of the body and is used to help heal ourselves and others.

If you would like to experiment and have some fun with muscle testing follow these basic instructions from Dr. Hawkins’ book, Power vs. Force.  You will find even more detailed instructions in his book.

Two people are required for this particular technique.

Step 1
Have the test subject stand erect, right arm relaxed to the side, the left arm held out parallel to the floor, elbow straight.  (You may switch arms).

Step 2
Face your subject and place your left hand on their right shoulder to steady them.  Then place your right hand on the subjects extended left hand just above the wrist. 

Step 3
Tell the subject to resist when you push the arm down.

NOTE: Occasionally there are people who are unable to keep their arm extended when any downward pressure is applied due to previous contact with weakening energy fields, doubts about the procedure or negative health conditions; these aren’t suitable test subjects. Some of these subjects can recover by thumping themselves over the thymus gland (at the top of the breast bone) in a “one-two-three” rhythm.  This “fix” may last for only four hours and this “thymus thump” will then have to be repeated.  (Find more about this in the book Power vs. Force.)

Step 4
Now press down with two fingers on the arm fairly quickly, firmly, and evenly.

The idea is to push just hard enough to test the spring and the bounce in the arm, not so hard that the muscle becomes fatigued.  It is not a question of who is stronger, but of whether the muscle can “lock” the shoulder joint against the push.

Assuming that there is no physical problem with the muscle and the subject is “testable”, the muscle will “hold strong”—the arm will remain locked when given a positive stimulus or thinking a truthful declarative statement.

Step 5
Now you can have some fun with this.  Do a trial run.  Ask the subject to think of someone they love and test the arm extended out to the side.  Normally, the subject will stay strong and be able to resist firmly.   Next, have the subject think of someone they hate, fear, or have resentment toward.  A normal response is to go very weak and be less able to resist the downward pressure on their wrist.

To get a read on their affirmative (testing strong) have subject state “My name is (their name)”. They should hold strong on their name. To get a read on the negative (testing weak) have the subject state “ My name is ____ (use a name that is not theirs such as Benjamin Franklin)”. Their arm should weaken on this statement.

An easy method for “self testing” is what is called the “leaning method” or “sway test”. Stand straight, feet about shoulder width apart and arms down to your sides. Ask your question and/or hold the product you are testing to your heart.  If the answer is in the affirmative your body will lean forward, towards the object in question. If the answer is in the negative your body will fall back, repelling. It is that easy.

Have fun with this. Play and practice by using many different declarative statements. This will help you build your confidence on your testing ability.

Printable Version: http://www.herballegacy.com/Kinesiology.pdf

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By David Christopher, MH

Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic widespread pain, multiple tender points, abnormal pain processing, sleep disturbances, fatigue and often psychological distress (National Fibromyalgia Association http://www.fmaware.org/).

Fibromyalgia occurs generally, but not always, in people who are driven, compulsive, overachieving, and/or perfectionists.  Because they plow through tasks, even when exhausted, they are more prone to develop this condition. 

If they do not exercise and eat properly, breaking down and assimilating the correct foods, then the body cannot repair the cells that are damaged from such high stress.  It is the autonomic nervous system that seems to take the biggest hit.  Neurotransmitters become imbalanced and/or dysfunctional.  Hormones are not produced in sufficient numbers, like cortisol, estrogen, melatonin, thyroxin etc.  These imbalances and deficiencies account for many of the symptoms manifest.  This scenario then results in a hypersensitive disorder, in which Substance P is elevated and sufferers feel pain in areas that are not inflamed.

Natural solution:  Follow the dietary directions outlined for fatigue (see http://articles.herballegacy.com/fatigue/).

Herbal protocol:  Cayenne pepper can block Substance P, so mix a teaspoon in water and drink it down.  The extreme heat (without damage) confuses the central nervous system which triggers the release of pain blockers.

Valerian extract from fresh roots will help solve the sleep disorders experienced with Fibromyalgia.

Licorice root and Bee pollen are excellent energy boosters.

Hormonal Changease, a Dr. Christopher herbal formula, will help supply the body with needed hormone precursors known as phyto-sterols.

Precursors for Neurotransmitters are best supplied through legumes, nuts, seeds, endive, avocados, spirulina and nutritional yeast.

Exercise will help deliver the herbs and precursors to their target tissues.  The Cellerciser as explained on http://www.christopherwebsites.com/ will gently exercise every cell of your body. 

Follow these procedures and you will discover that Fibromyalgia is curable.

Find an herb shop that sells Dr. Christopher’s Herbal Formulas on http://www.christopherwebsites.com/.

Printable Version: http://www.herballegacy.com/Fibromyalgia.pdf

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by K Weston

I use Plantain Oil for all the bites and stings you have mentioned but I also use it for shingles. Many, many people have contacted me for the oil when they have had an outbreak. They tell me it is the only relief they have found for the discomfort.

I put the Plantain leaves in a glass jar, cover the leaves with extra virgin olive oil, and let it set in the sun for several days. Make sure you don’t put a solid lid on the jar. I use cheese cloth so there is no condensation collecting in the jar (moisture spoils it).

I strain the oil off before putting it in smaller containers.

Printable Version: www.herballegacy.com/Plantain_Oil.pdf

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Bites, including spider, snake, scorpion and yellow jackets, and the use of Plantain on each, has been a popular topic on our Community Board (see http://www.snh.cc/Community.html for more information on our Community Board).  In today’s article we have some of the stories shared on that board:

Dr Christopher makes a Stings and Bites ointment. I can testify to its usage. Its main ingredient is plantain, so if you have some of just that, them bruise the leaves and place on the bite. I recommend having the Stings and Bites with you at all times.

We have black widows, brown spiders, and many other nasties here. Something bit my foot one night before a hike. It quickly swelled up and had a red streak going toward my ankle. I quickly applied the ointment, a big glob of it, put on a sock and went to bed. It was fine the next morning.

Before another hike I was leading, something bit my foot at night. I didn’t think anything of it, just felt like a small irritation, but within about 2-4 min, it started to hurt! and burn and a red streak formed!  I went to the kitchen for the Stings and Bites formula (plantain ointment) and applied it on about 1/2 inch thick to the entire area. I then took my tincture of Echinacea and drank about 2 oz. After 15 min, I drank about 2 oz more. By now the pain had subsided and the ointment needed to be reapplied, I again applied it thick. I drank another 1-2 oz of Echinacea and reapplied the ointment, gauzed and placed a sock over and went to bed. In the morning all was fine. I also had applied the Echinacea to the bite/sting, but I can’t remember if it was before or after the plantain.

I decided to take the ointment with me the next day on the hike. When we had finished, a lady started scratching her elbow furiously, she also had lots of red. I took out my ointment and applied. Within 1-2 min, her crazy itching was gone and she was fine.

One more, a little boy was bit by something; the parents just did the normal Cortizone and Benadryl before bed. The next morning his toe was swollen and red, they suspected a wolf spider they found after he went to sleep. I applied the paste to that as well as a rash he had. I reapplied 2 hours later. All was fine. I didn’t do the Echinacea on him, the rash did stay slightly for 1 week, but it was nothing to worry about.

Stories posted by Community member: livingforj

One time I was bitten by a yellow jacket (wasp)   I put on a formula that contained plantain it was not the 1st ingredient as that was all I had. I had no pain after application and the swelling and redness drastically reduced.
 
Story posted by Community member: mike cmt ch

We had a horse fall in our creek and get stuck in the mud last Monday and while my family and friends help to pull him out, I, who was barefoot because of the mud, got bit by a spider.  I did not find out till the next afternoon when it felt like I had a nasty splinter in it.  I looked at it, saw it was infected with pus and thinking it’s a sliver tried to pop it so I could clean it.  Right away I knew something was wrong by the way it hurt and burned.  I left it till I got home and showed my mom to see what she said and by that time the area around the bite was turning purple and looking nasty and I had a red line going up my ankle.  I had seen that there were Wolf spiders around, but by the look of the bite, seemed more like a Recluse.  I soaked my foot in Epsom salts, used Black ointment, Complete Bone and Tissue and applied a Plantain Tincture, and by Thursday it was just a faint pink dot!

Story posted by Community member: HerbalDea

NOTES: You can order Dr. Christopher Formulas, including Stings & Bites, from any herb shop that sells Dr. Christopher formulas.  You can find one we recommend at http://www.christopherwebsites.com.

Printable Version, including pictures of Plantain: http://www.herballegacy.com/Plantain_Stories.pdf

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By David Christopher, MH

Fatigue results from a lack of nutrients in proportion to energy used.  Even consuming the best foods is of no avail if they are not broken down properly and assimilated.

In order to reduce fatigue it is important to improve your diet and consume pungent herbs like cayenne or ginger prior to a meal.  These herbs stimulate the production of hydrochloric acid at the time it is needed to break down your food. 

Eat bitter foods like Dandelion leaves and bitter lettuce to stimulate the liver and release bile. This will assure the proper breakdown and utilization of fats. 

Be sure to eat sour foods like grapefruit, lemons and apple cider vinegar to better break down carbohydrates.

And of course, eat fresh foods high in digestive enzymes like papaya, pineapples and apples and take plant-derived digestive enzymes to completely break down and prepare your foods to be assimilated. 

So that food can be better absorbed cleanse the intestines with psyllium seeds, bran, and Dr. Christopher’s Lower Bowel formula.

Family members may want to join in as you adhere to this program, so they will have energy to keep up with the new you!

Printable Version: http://www.herballegacy.com/Fatigue.pdf

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by Doreen Spackman, MH

One of my favorite things to do is to eat, so I am always on the lookout for food with nutrition, flavor, and ease of fixing. The tiny chia seed is from the Salvia hispanica plant that grows in Southern Mexico and is part of the mint family.  The Aztecs used to use this for their warriors when they were going on a forced march - they would eat only a teaspoon of this energy packed food.
 
The chia seed is fun to eat - you can put it on your tongue and it will turn into a gel substance (just as it will in any liquid). Whether I’m teaching classes on grains and nutrition or at family gatherings, the “magic chia seed” has been the biggest hit because it magically changes in your mouth to a gel and the flavor is mild even for those unaccustomed to eating grains and seeds in their whole and natural state.
 
It can absorb more than 12 times its weight in water, thus prolonging hydration. This helps in maintaining the balance and utilization of nutrients, moisture, and electrolytes in the body. This is great for digestion as it slows the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar, so for those with diabetes or glycemic issues this is great news.
 
Dr. Wayne Coates states that the chia seed is 16% protein, 31% fat, and 44% carbohydrate, of which 38% is fiber. Most of its fat is the essential omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid or ALA, according to the (USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 20 (2007).Chia provides fiber (about 2 tablespoons–25 g–give you 7 g of fiber) as well as other important nutrients, including calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, niacin, and zinc.
 
The protein is easily digested and absorbed allowing it to get from tissue to cells quickly. This makes regeneration of tissue for many things in life better, whether you are an athlete, growing child or anyone needing the regeneration of tissue. It is also great for endurance. I have noticed a significant difference in my energy level throughout the day staying strong along with staying hydrated. The chia seed is definitely a great thing to eat on a daily basis.
 
In the article “Chia Seed-The Ancient Food of the Future” by William Anderson, it says the Chia seed is its high oil content, and the richest vegetable source for the essential omega-3 fatty acid. It has approximately three to ten times the oil concentrations of most grains and one and a half to two times the protein concentrations of other grains. These oils, unsaturated fatty acids, are the essential oils your body needs to help emulsify and absorb the fat soluble vitamins, A, D, E, & K. Chia seeds are rich in the unsaturated fatty acid, linoleic, which the body cannot manufacture. When there are rich amounts of linoleic acid sufficiently supplied to the body trough diet, linoleic and arachidonic acids can be synthesized from linoleic acid.
 
Unsaturated fatty acids are important for respiration of vital organs and make it easier for oxygen to be transported by the blood stream to all cells, tissues, and organs. They also help maintain resilience and lubrication of all cells and combine with protein and cholesterol to form living membranes that hold the body cells together.

Unsaturated fatty acids are essential for normal glandular activity, especially of the adrenal glands and the thyroid gland. They nourish the skin cells and are essential for healthy mucus membranes and nerves. The unsaturated fatty acids function in the body by cooperating with vitamin D in making calcium available to the tissues, assisting in the assimilation of phosphorus, and stimulating the conversion of carotene into vitamin A. Fatty acids are related to normal functioning of the reproductive system.  Chia sees contain beneficial long-chain triglycerides (LCT) in the right proportion to reduce cholesterol on arterial walls.

The Chia seed is also a rich source of calcium as it contains the important mineral boron, which acts as catalyst for the absorption and utilization of the calcium by the body.

I love living at a time where we have so many foods available to us from all over the world. They are fun to eat and so nutritious!

Enjoy Healthy Eating,
Doreen

http://www.herballegacy.com/Chia_Seeds.pdf

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I have a hearing loss that continues to get worse as time goes by. I am female and almost 50 years old. I have been diagnosed with Meniere’s Disease and was told hearing aids would not help. Do you think your ear and nerve tonic would give me any relief or improve my hearing loss?

Thanks,
Rita

Hi Rita,

We have witnessed what was diagnosed as incurable hearing loss be reversed. We have a formula that is safe to use as long as the ear drum has not burst. Dr. Christopher personally witnessed hundreds of people throw their hearing aids away because it worked so well.

If it is something you wanted to try, it wouldn’t do any harm. For some, it only takes a few months using the formula to get the results they want, for others, a little over a year. Certain lifestyles or conditions will prevent any healing at all (diet, taking aspirin or certain antibiotics, plugged sinuses, etc.)

If you would like to see how the formula works, you could get much information here:

http://HerbalLegacy.com/Deafness.html

This page will explain how to use the formula with garlic oil to restore hearing. One bottle usually lasts 4 or more months.

Hope that answers your question!

-Nelson
Dr. Christopher’s Herb Shop
www.christopherwebsites.com

Printable Version: http://www.herballegacy.com/Hearing_Loss.pdf

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