Herbal Legacy Articles

Natural Herbal Treatment of Bronchitis Without the use of Steroids or Other Drugs- Jim Spalding M.H.

Have you ever been unable to breathe well? What a desperate feeling! What an equally helpless and panicky feeling to watch as a small child or other loved one struggles to get breath to sustain life.
If you know what I am talking about you have probably been through the conventional route of treatments. Antibiotics, possibly inhalers, maybe even oral steroids like cortisone. Some people may wonder what is wrong with these conventional treatments.

Before getting into the natural herbal treatment of bronchitis, consider the regular drug treatments that are given. Medical textbooks say that you will find inflammation of the bronchial walls and/or spasm of the muscles surrounding the bronchioles when bronchitis is occurring. These can be brought about by infection or irritation to the area.

When we use antibiotics, we treat bacterial infection. If there is viral infection then antibiotics do no good at all. An antibiotic will not kill a virus. The antibiotic will also be useless if the bronchitis is due to an irritation - either chemical or allergic. Even if the condition starts with a bacterial infection, an antibiotic is not effective in getting rid of the inflammation or bronchial constriction. The only positive action of an antibiotic is to kill bacteria. Their side effects can range from mild digestive distress such a diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting to fungal infections, kidney damage, deafness, and even fatal anaphylactic shock. They are Russian roulette in a pill. I personally will not take them unless there is absolutely no other effective remedy for a situation. I have not found that situation yet.

Inhalers can be helpful as a temporary crutch in some types of bronchitis. They can contain a drug that relaxes the muscles surrounding the bronchial tubes or a drug that reduces the swelling in the wall in the bronchial tubes. They also have side effects including increased blood pressure, nervousness, tremors, headache, bronchospasm, anaphylactic shock, oral thrush infection, and weakening of the muscles of the larynx. These are only a few of the problems reported. Among all drug treatments for bronchitis, these are the least harmful.
Oral steroids such as cortisone are drugs that treat only the inflammation (swelling) in the walls of the bronchial tubes. They do not do away with the cause of the swelling.  The side effects of these drugs would take a couple of pages. Among them are suppression of our own natural steroid production, disruption of the menstrual cycle, worsening of diabetes, acne, weight gain, fragile skin, depression, insomnia, osteoporosis leading to bone fractures, and so forth. In short, they can possibly ruin your health. There must be a better way!
I am so relieved that there IS a better way. One of the best remedies of which I am aware is a tea made from a combination of Mullein and Lobelia in a 3:1 ratio. When you hear this story, you will be able to understand my gratitude to our Creator for these herbs.
A few months ago I found out that my little grandson - going on three- had been sick with bronchitis for at least three weeks. Two rounds of antibiotics later he was still suffering. Mama and Papa were getting very little sleep as he struggled to get his breath. Brothers and sisters were irritable because they weren’t sleeping well either. My grandson looked bad. When I found out about this, I immediately went out to the farm and educated Mama on how to use these herbs. She did it. A tea of these herbs was made and applied to the chest. When I followed up with a phone call the next day I was told that he was breathing easily and all had slept better!

I hope that this makes life better for someone you love.

Jim Spalding is a Master Herbalist graduate of The School of Natural Healing. Speaking, writing, and individually teaching have become his way of advancing the health of this country. For questions and other help, contact can be made through his web site athttp://natural-healingwithherbs.com/.

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by Doreen Spackman MH, MG 

This time of year is a great time to make a plan to develop better habits and put into practice the things that will enrich your life. In our home we think of goals we want to achieve in the New Year, some call them New Year’s Resolutions. But we often change the question and instead of asking “What goals do you want to set?” or “What did you write down for your New Year’s Resolutions?” we ask “What A.R.E. you going to do to ENERGIZE your life?”  ENERGIZE means to activate and give more life, just saying the word gives me energy! Here are 3 steps to energize your life today!

(A)ctivity- Physical activity helps our health in all areas; physical, mental, spiritual, and social. The benefits are extensive and include; longer life, improved memory, new brain cell development, lowers blood pressure, helps in prevention and control of diabetes, strengthens your heart, antidepressant, strengthens bones and muscles, reduces anxiety, increases self-esteem, reduces risk of developing and /or dying from heart disease, and helps you to sleep better at night. So what activity are you doing today? Starting is easier than you think because there is a beginning level for everyone.  Just 5 minutes a day can make a huge difference. This should be enjoyable, so jump up and down or put on some fun music and dance your heart out for a few minutes, use a cellerciser, or take the dog for a walk in the fresh air. It might be a new practice you are creating but it won’t take long before it is a healthy habit, so start today! Boost your energy and better your health. ENERGIZE your life! Let those happy cells come to life.

(R)est- Sleep is needed so our minds can process life, our bodies can repair and our organs rejuvenate. Resting helps keep your heart healthy, reduces stress and inflammation, and of course ENERGIZES your life! Need hints on sleeping better? How consistent is your “before bed” routine? Remember those things we were told to do before bed as children? They are the same things we tell our children each night. Go to the bathroom, brush and floss your teeth, say your prayers, and read a story (something relaxing). In our house we also make sure we don’t talk about stressful/sensitive subjects just before going to bed. It’s also helpful to talk about happy events of the day or of the past or write them in a journal. You could also write positive affirmations or a positive self-talk paper that can be read before going to bed. It could include “I am sleeping through the night from 10pm-6am” or “I will wake up refreshed and well rested”. Listening to relaxing, uplifting music can be very beneficial as well. This can all be done in about 15 minutes and that’s a lot less time than lying in bed just hoping to fall asleep. Write down your routine today and follow it each night until it becomes a beneficial practice in your life.

(E)ating- Food is so vital for energizing our bodies! The old adage is true “We are what we eat”. Are we eating live food that gives us life? I hope so! Our busy lives make the variety of readily available, pre-made “fast food” very appealing.  But, the drive through is the last place we should be looking if we want to ENERGIZE our bodies. The fastest and healthiest food there is, is fresh and whole from nature, food that is ready to eat with very little preparation or hassle. 

Fresh fruits and vegetables can be washed and/or cut quickly and ahead of time for a quick meal or snack every day of the week. Add a handful of nuts or seeds to help satisfy hunger and add a protein packed punch. Even in this cooler weather there are many fruits and vegetables available. Apples, oranges, tangerines, bananas, berries, pineapple, kiwi and mangoes would make a delicious addition to any combination of lettuce and sprouts for a healthy salad. Mix it up for a change of taste and texture. Also, experiment with time saving meals such as a low heated pot of soup for dinner that can be put in a thermos for lunches. Think seasonally, there are all kinds of squash, onions, cabbage, carrots, and potatoes to make a different soup each time.

So what A.R.E. you going to do to ENERGIZE and enjoy your life today?

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by David Christopher M.H.

Those of us reading this newsletter know that we should make healthy changes to our diet.  The hard part is knowing how to make these changes.  Perhaps it would help to know why we eat the way we do, not as an excuse for staying the same but as a guide to improve our well-being.

All herbivores and omnivores have an attraction to sweetness because it indicates high caloric and vitamin content of the food.  To be physically active we need energy and calories provide this energy.  This is not a “lose-lose” scenario.  Eating sweet foods is natural and necessary. But in this scenario the sweets we eat should be natural, in their whole fresh state, nothing added and nothing taken away.  Fresh fruit satisfies this necessity. 

Herbivores are supplied these sweet calories with grass (just notice the extreme sweetness of wheat grass juice).  If we have indulged in highly processed sweet “foods”, and have developed an “addiction” to this highly advertised merchandise then a remedy of barberry root extract, or any other extremely bitter herb is recommended.  The extreme bitter taste seems to counter the desire for sweetness.

The taste of bitter is normally disliked by people.  This may have roots in our hunter/gatherer days, when the taste of bitter was a warning.  Poisonous plants are acrid and the closest taste to acrid is bitter.  Medicinal plants tend to be bitter so when we are sick we have a better tolerance for this taste, perhaps even a craving.  Cravings for bitter coffee and beer may be an attempt, by the body, to obtain a remedy for healing.

Unlike fruits, vegetables are not as sweet and do not provide many calories, which makes them the best foods to help lose weight.  Vegetables are the best source for vitamins, minerals and other healing compounds which have bitter tastes. It is generally the slight bitterness of vegetables that cause their rejection at meals.  Flavorful herbs and spices, salt sparingly, and the richness of oils help counter the disagreeable taste that most Americans have for vegetables.

Correct food choices start at conception.  When soon to be moms eat nutritious foods during pregnancy, the child will be more prone to eat those nutritious foods as well.  The flavor and odors of what mothers eat are present in the amniotic fluid, which is swallowed by the fetus (they are also found in breast milk).  Fetal taste buds are mature at 13 weeks and taste receptor cells are functioning at 16 weeks.  This phenomenon is evident with American couples who adopt Asian babies. Even though these babies have no exposure to Asian foods they are attracted to the flavors of the food their biological mothers consumed while carrying them.

Adults and older children can change their food preferences by consistently eating these nutritious foods.  One of the ways of introducing these more bitter vegetables is to slightly sweeten them and then gradually reduce the sweeteners.

The next step to healthy eating is making sure that at least 50% of all food consumed is raw.  There are several “Non-Cook” books available to guide us in preparing these healthy raw additions. Melissa Chappells book, “Faves” is full of delicious raw recipes and is the newest addition to the excellent books published by Dr. Christopher Publications. 

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by Yvonne Lunt Salcido MH, Holistic Iridologist

Are you feeling the after holiday guilt from overeating, lack of exercise, and maybe eating things not as healthy as you should? How would you like to guarantee a good night sleep every night, be your perfect weight, and have more energy? Our bodies are designed to work best when we are physically active. Now is a great time to evaluate your exercise and nutrition habits. Only about 12% of Americans report exercising vigorously for more than 20 minutes, three times per week and the actual number is reported closer to 3%.

A few benefits of exercise include: cancer prevention, improves cognitive function, helps to overcome the negative effects of a poor diet, promotes the creation of new nerve cells (neurons) in the brain, enhances the entire nervous system’s plasticity (helping to prevent injuries to the body), has a protective effect on the brain as people age, has positive effect on mental health especially with fighting depression and anxiety.

There are three types of exercise the body needs; Cardiorespiratory, Strength Training (Muscular Strength & Endurance), and Flexibility Training.

Cardio-respiratory Exercise, involves continuous, rhythmic movements of large-muscle groups, such as rebounding (cellersizer), walking, jogging, biking, aerobics, dancing and hiking. Benefits include: the heart pumps more blood per beat, slower resting heart rate, volume of blood increases, tissues receive more blood, the bodies temperature regulates better, blood pressure decreases, improvement in the body’s chemical systems (mainly in the liver and in the muscles). A healthy heart endures stress, emergencies and the wear and tear of life. This needs to be done 3-5 days a week.

Strength Training, sometimes called weight training or resistance training decreases the risk of osteoporosis and maintains muscle mass and function. This greatly improves the quality of life and prevents injuries. Muscular Strength uses the amount of force a muscle can produce in a single effort. Strong muscles are critical for everyday life, such as climbing stairs. Strong muscles help to keep the spine in proper alignment, preventing leg and back pain, and maintaining support for good posture. Muscular Endurance is teaching a muscle to hold a contraction and resist fatigue. This is critical for good posture and injury prevention especially to the back. Sign up for a class or check with your local gym to teach you the basics to avoid injury first. After you learn the basics you can do it at home. This needs to be done 2-3 nonconsecutive days per week using all the major muscle groups. Examples are bicep curls, abdominal curls, push-ups, and bench presses.

Flexibility Training, is teaching the body to have the ability to move the joints through their full range of motion. Pain free, flexible joints are important to good health and lifestyle. Inactivity causes us to become stiff and inflexible as we age. Stiffness leads to improper posture that can stress muscles and joints. An example of a great flexibility program is yoga. Flexibility exercises can be done daily and should be done at least 2-3 days per week exercising all the major joints.

Most importantly, find something to move your body that is fun and that you enjoy. Think of it as play time! Be creative, change things around, maybe invite a friend, but be consistent and maintain a healthy habit!

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by Jo Francks MH

An important part of Dr. Christopher’s Incurables Program is the sunbath.  He recommended that you “take a sunbath each day in the nude and not through glass but in the direct sun.”  There are two types of ultraviolet light from the sun, UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays are longer and penetrate deep into the skin to produce a dark tan. When in the sun too long they cause wrinkles and sun spots.  UVB rays are shorter and cause the skin to burn. They are also the only rays that make vitamin D. Vitamin D is actually a steroid and is a powerful antioxidant.  It is an important nutrient in preventing cancer including skin cancers. It is important for proper immune function and to prevent autoimmune diseases.  It helps with proper brain function, diabetes prevention and is needed for absorption of calcium and phosphorus.

“Only allow two minutes on the front and two minutes on the back the first day. Then add two minutes front and back each day, but no more.”  You should never stay in the sun long enough to get burned.  The body stops making vitamin D once the skin starts to turn pink. When SPF sunscreen is applied it stops vitamin D production and may make you more susceptible to some skin cancers. 

“The sun is the world’s greatest doctor but must be used by building up the exposed time in the sun gradually so as to not burn.”  The best time for vitamin D production from the sun is 11:00 am until 1:00 pm or when the sun is the brightest.  That is when the UVBs are most direct.  They are not as effective when they come in at an angle and they are easily filtered out by smog, pollution, fog, clouds and windows.

“If it is a cloudy or cold day, use a sunlamp, but do not allow a burn.” The best source for vitamin D is from   natural sunlight, but in the winter, it is not possible to get adequate amounts of vitamin D from the sun. Sunlamps or tanning beds are another option and some provide both UVA and UVB rays for vitamin D production.

Most salon tanning beds are calibrated to produce about 95% UVA light, but there are some that will produce both UVA and UVB rays.  The same caution should be used with a tanning bed as with sun exposure and they can safely produce vitamin D in the winter months. Dr. Michael Holick of Boston University has shown that vitamin D produced by UVB radiation from a tanning bed maintains longer lasting and more consistent levels of vitamin D than taking vitamin D supplements.  Dermatologists have found that tanning makes the skin give off endorphin’s  which improve feelings of well-being and make you feel happier.

Sources: Herbal Home Health Care by Dr. John R. Christopher

Primal Body, Primal Mind by Nora T. Gedgaudas, CNS, CNT

Baby Boomer Diet by Donna Gates

Mercola.com/Tanning-Bed

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by Mishelle Knuteson M.H.

I have been very blessed these past few months to be an apprentice to my yoga teacher learning a healing therapy called Thai Yoga Massage. The origins of Thai massage can be traced back 2500 years to India. At this time the Thai Buddhist temple was an operation center for the health care of the common people. The walls of the temples bear epigraphs depicting the sen, the body’s energy line network. There are also various stone-carved statues eloquently holding Thai massage postures outside the temples.

Thai Yoga Massage is performed on the floor in loose, comfortable clothing. When a person receives a Thai Yoga Massage they also receive the benefits of practicing yoga. A Thai Yoga Massage session incorporates martial arts moves, rhythmic motion, palming and thumbing along energy lines, gentle stretching and breath work. A session not only stretches and tones the muscles, Thai Yoga Massage also improves circulation, relieves muscular tension and spasm, helps expedite metabolism, boosts the immune system, and balances the body energetically, inducing a calm mental state.  The recipient receives both a physical and an energetic massage.

The practitioner and the recipient perform a series of yoga positions that creates what many call a graceful or flowing “dance”. The practitioner uses his/her hands, feet, arms and legs to gently guide the recipient into various yoga positions. The practitioner works from a meditative state of metta (loving kindness) while moving in a rhythmic flow, transitioning from one posture to the next. There is a strong emphasis on safety and on using the least amount of effort to achieve the maximum results.

The systems of the body stagnate when they are not pumped, stretched or worked out. The body systems that are helped through Thai Yoga Massage are the skeletal, circulatory, muscular and nervous systems.

Skeletal System - The human being is the only animal that walks erect. Keeping this upright position puts a lot of pressure on the spine. The spine is designed to perform six distinct movements which are incorporated into the Thai Yoga Massage session: flexion and extension, left and right lateral flexion, and left and right rotation. Stretching the spine increases the space between the vertebrae and allows the fluids to circulate more effectively.

Circulatory System - The compression touch of palming (pressing on the marmas; pressure points or energy centers) and thumbing (tracing the sen lines; energy lines of the body’s organs) in Thai Yoga Massage acts as an assisting pump to the heart. This stimulates blood flow without causing any strain to the heart. The pressing and pulling of the extremities also stimulates circulatory pathways.

Muscular System - Muscles work on a “relax and contract” system. The muscle in action (an agonist) is balanced by the work of a muscle stretching in the opposite direction (the antagonist). The stretching and messaging in a Thai Yoga Message session activates the circulation of blood which will in turn increase the muscular relaxation and elasticity which effects the mobilization of the muscle. 

Nervous System - The nervous system breaks down into two categories; the autonomic nervous system that regulates involuntary action, and the somatic system which guides sensation and movement. Further breakdown of the autonomic nervous system is the parasympathetic system, nerves that calm the body, and the sympathetic system, nerves that prepare the body for action. Thai Yoga Massage stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system which helps to lower the pulse, slow the breath and relax the body.

A short example of how Thai Yoga Massage has helped clients of my yoga instructor: She was on a trek with several youth. One young girl twisted her knee during the hike. By the end of the day her knee was swollen and it was painful for this young lady to walk. After just 15 minutes of palming and running the sen lines, the young girl felt better and by night fall she was running around with the rest of the group. In the morning her knee had swollen up a little yet the pain was gone. Another 15 minute session allowed her to hike all day with the rest of the group. There are numerous similar stories but not enough room to share them with you! 

My husband has been my willing recipient as I have been practicing the techniques of Thai Yoga Massage. He has two bad knees that affect his mobility from time to time. So far he is loving the results that he is getting through the sessions. We are hoping that with continued therapy he will recover faster from muscle stiffness and joint pain following racquetball games as well as enjoying greater flexibility in his daily life.

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by Doreen Spackman M.H., M.G.

We want you to know of our wonderful website that many of our readers are unaware of - Herballegacy.com. This site has a list of Dr. Christopher’s formulas, a list of ailments and programs to help with those ailments, single herbs, recipes, herbal education information and more. I’m going to walk you through the site to help you find the information you’re looking for

Some easy ways of accessing the site:

1. At the bottom of your newsletter there is a section of Herbal Resource Links. Click on the second link that says “Herbal Legacy.”
2. Go to www.schoolofnaturalhealing.com On the left hand side in blue click on “Herbal Reference Links”, and then click on the “Herbal Legacy” link.
3. Type www.herballegacy.com into your browser bar.

Home page
We get many calls where readers want to give information from the newsletter to their family and friends. This is where you can direct them to sign up for the newsletter. They only need to type in their first name and email address, then click the submit button.

Tabs on the site:

1. Articles - Here is a list of previous newsletters with their name and the date the article came out. There are articles for everything from “Natural Protocol for systemic Yeast overgrowth & leaky gut syndrome” on May 5, 2010 to “Preparing a fomentation for injuries” on March 30, 2011 and everything in between.
2. Dr. Christopher formulas - Click here for a list of Dr. Christopher’s original formulas and the herbs in them.  Some let you know what each herb in that product does, and some will tell how many parts of the herb is contained in the product. It also tells different ways to use the products and testimonials of people who have used them and their results.
3. Ailment & Programs - Here you can learn about the difference between the 3 day juice cleanse,  the extended cleanse program, the incurables program, as well as a list of ailments from A-Z and the way Dr. Christopher taught how to take care of that problem.
4. Single Herbs - We have place School of Natural Healing graduates Thesis papers here so you can have more information on single herbs. Each thesis will tell the history, location, chemical constituent, medicinal qualities, contra-indications, some herbal formulas using that herb, dosages and applications, and personal experiences with those herbs.
5. Recipes -Everyone loves recipes and here is a great resource from breakfast and main dishes to snack, soups and of course desserts. Yummy!!
6. About Us - gives you some information about Dr. John R. Christopher and David Christopher.
7. Herbal Education -This gives you information about the School of Natural Healing and the times the general public can call and talk to a Master Herbalist for answers to health questions.

I love Herballegacy.com it has so much information on one site and so convenient to use. Have fun on the site and let us know what helped you most or send us some of your testimonials.

Have a Happy and Healthy Day!!!

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By Noell Larsen H.N., M.H. - Oregon

Fall is one of my favorite seasons here in Oregon. At the local farmers market you will find a colorful palette of the region’s fresh organic apples. While it’s hardly arguable that nothing beats the refreshing taste of a crisp apple freshly picked, this is only one facet of my appreciation for the amazing apple and how it tops my charts as being one of the worlds most nutritious foods.

In 1998 the Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry published a study that highlighted the relation of pectin in the diet, it’s ability to lower cholesterol in the liver and its ability to bind and remove cholesterol from the body as it passes through the intestinal tract. At the conclusion of the study it was observed that, “… Serum cholesterol [total amount of cholesterol found in the body] only declined significantly in apple-fed groups. The decrease of cholesterol levels in liver and serum, and its increase in faeces could explain the beneficial effect of including these fibers in the diet to prevent some nowadays very frequent diseases.” Long before this study was published Dr. Christopher recommended the apple for use in the three-day Cleansing program. About the apple’s virtues Dr. Christopher exclaimed, “One of the most effective blood purifiers known is the common apple.”

In 2004 two studies were done, together they further magnified the benefits of the apple. In January 2004 Swiss Medical published a report showing how apple pectin significantly reduced the 137Cs cesium (radioisotope and unstable chemical) uptake in Ukrainian children affected by the Chernobyl nuclear reactor disaster. Results of this study showed a 62% reduction in 137C cesium. In May 2004 Nutrition Journal published a report that said, “Apples are a widely consumed, rich source of phytochemicals, and epidemiological studies have linked the consumption of apples with reduced risk of some cancers, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and diabetes. In the laboratory, apples have been found to have very strong antioxidant activity, inhibit cancer cell proliferation, decrease lipid oxidation, and lower cholesterol. Apples contain a variety of phytochemicals, including quercetin, catechin, phloridzin and chlorogenic acid, all of which are strong antioxidants.”

Way to pack a punch! The apple,  a good source of soluble fiber, controls blood sugar and insulin release, sweeps clean the intestinal tract, helps prevent cancer, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, is capable of removing heavy metals, radioactive particles … and tastes absolutely amazing!

Noell Larsen is a Holistic Nutritionist and Master Herbalist/ Masters of Science graduate of The School of Natural Healing. Together with her husband (a current Medical Student) and as a mother of two children… speaking, writing and tutoring others in health has become a family passion.

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by David Christopher M.H.

You have probably read the news about prostate screening for cancer, which appeared on the front page of many newspapers across the country.  On Thursday October 13, 2011 an Associated Press article by Marilynn Marchione basically blasted PSA tests.  It related that this test is only a measure of inflammation which can be elevated for many reasons including bike riding, recent sex, or normal enlargement of the prostate due to age.  She also debunks the claims that the screening saves lives. She makes these claims by drawing from a very large, well done American study, that\ showed that annual screening did not lower the chances of dying from prostate cancer.  Many men believe the screening saved their lives because their urologist erroneously told them it did.  These men and urologists become very vocal in promoting prostate cancer screening.

Less visible are the unfortunate men who test high for PSA and are then subjected to invasive testing that can harm or spread cancer.  One such case as reported in the article is, “… Donald Weaver who was a healthy 74 year old Kansas farmer until doctors went looking for prostate cancer.  A PSA test led to a biopsy and surgery, then a heart attack, organ failure and a coma. His grief stricken wife took him off life support. ‘He died of unnecessary preventive medicine,’ said his nephew, Dr. Jay Siwek, vice chairman of family medicine at Georgetown University.  Blood tests can kill you …”

The United States Preventive Task Force does not recommend the use of this test, and doctors have been warned by the AMA to leave slow-growing prostate cancer alone; that interference may spread the cancer. What should we do to prevent prostate cancer?  Well first, grow up and eat like an adult.  Stop eating those sugary breakfast cereals.  Stop drinking milk, it contains hormones that stimulate growth of prostate tissue.  The hormones found in meat can also negatively effect prostate health. Do eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, sprouted grains and legumes, and include nuts and seeds in your diet.  This program is preventative for not just prostate cancer, but all cancers. If prevention is too late, then do the extended herbal cleanse as explained in the Dr. Christopher Three Day Cleanse booklet.

Next eat the seeds highest in cancer preventing nitrilosides; which are apricot seeds. They are extremely bitter, but buck up and eat six seeds a day to start and work up to as many as 30 per day. These simple seeds are natures’ chemo therapy. Cyanide and benzaldehyde are the chemicals in the seed that destroy cancer cells. These two chemicals are bound to two glucose molecules and are inert until activated at the actual cancer site. This is accomplished enzymatically. The chemicals are released with beta-glucosidase which is found at cancer sites.  Healthy cells are surrounded by the enzyme rhodanese, which in the presence of sulfur, converts the cyanide into thiocyanate, which then converts to cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12).  The Benzaldehyde, in the presence of oxygen is converted to benzoic acid, an analgesic.

In conclusion, I ask “Why would anyone want to go through risky medical procedures to look for possible prostate cancer, when nature provides a safe and natural chemotherapy, specific to cancer cells and at the same time is nutritive to healthy cells?”

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By Tara Christopher Eyre

We had an interesting dinner the other evening–I had prepared a fabulous cashew sauce for our zucchini noodles and was excited for the kids to try it out.  My three year old took her first bite, said “Yum!” and then immediately had a look of horror cross her face.  Being the mom that I am, I thought, “Oh no you don’t - not tonight!” and immediately gave her another bite.  She cried and complained while I tried to enjoy some of my own dinner.  As I often do, I gathered my wits, force fed her another bite and ate some more.  But this was not the usual whining about something new for dinner.

Her cries got louder, her face turned red and all of a sudden she had big white bumps around her eyes.  The bumps multiplied, her eyes starting swelling shut, her stomach hurt and I sprang to action.  I grabbed a cold wash cloth for her eyes, held her in my arms and took a moment to think.  It seemed like her body was having a major reaction, that her immune system was just going crazy.  Best thing to calm the immune system?  Marshmallow and Astragalus.

So I had my son grab a bottle of Kid-e-Soothe and immediately gave her three droppersful.  I checked the washcloth, it was burning up, so I cooled that down and gave her three more droppersful of Kid-e-Soothe.  The swelling in her eyes and white bumps started decreasing, so I kept changing the cloth on her eyes and giving Kid-e-Soothe while I flipped through my homeopathic book (that I keep in the kitchen, specifically for times like this!) and finally found what I was looking for - Apis, a specific for hives, reactions, allergies, etc.  I gave her some immediately, and started alternating it with the Kid-e-Soothe.

She was able to lie on the couch while I started some Raspberry/Spearmint/Catnip Tea a favorite at our house for any sickness.  A few minutes later she was done with the cloth on her eyes - and they looked A LOT better.  The cloth wasn’t pulling out heat anymore.  I slowed down the Kid-e-Soothe and Apis because she wouldn’t take it.  And then (about ½ hour into the experience) she threw up.  She would only take one sip of the tea, which was fine, but she did want more Kid-e-Soothe and Apis.  I also put some Apis in a water cup and she sipped on that intermittently.

She threw up twice more that evening, each about an hour apart, and then slept soundly the rest of the night.  The next morning she was back to her old self, playing and laughing with her brothers–and completely starving for breakfast!  She had a few red areas on her face so I gave her more Kid-e-Soothe and Apis and it cleared up within an hour.  She was fine the rest of the day.

As I took care of my little sweetheart I let my mind put the pieces together that caused this experience and realized that she is definitely allergic to cashews.  The only other time she has eaten cashews is when I chopped them up in a homemade energy bar.  She threw up a ½ hour after eating those and again about an hour later.  I don’t remember any swelling or hives during that experience, but maybe it’s because she only had a little bit of the energy bar, not a concentrated amount like the cashew sauce.  The other thing that I realized is that she always refuses cashews when I offer them to her.  Somehow she knows that those aren’t good for her and stays away from them.  What amazing bodies we have!  She was listening to her body all along - it just took an experience like this one for me to understand!

I also felt so thankful for my upbringing and the School of Natural Healing course I am completing.  I was able to keep my wits about me, understand what my daughter’s symptoms were telling me, and act accordingly.  What a blessing!  No trip to the emergency room, no Benadryl, just the safe herbs and homeopathics I had in my kitchen.  What a fabulous dinner!

Tara Eyre is a busy mother of three fabulous children.  She grew up with herbs and is finishing up her Master Herbalist course through The School of Natural Healing.  She loves taking care of her children naturally at home.

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