Herbal Legacy Articles

by Robert McCandless, M.H.
Vancouver, Canada

A Ginger tea pack is a simple home treatment for congestion in any part of the body - particularly dry cough with thick, sticky phlegm in lungs or sinuses.  It may help with stiff, sore muscles or swollen lymph glands. It is cheap, (probably under $5 for the ginger) and takes 2-3 hours. It is easy if you have a friend to help you. Evening before bed is best, so you can rest deeply.

What you will need:
- a big piece of fresh ginger root
- a grater
- a big pot
- a stove
- a sink
- 3 medium bath towels
- 2 large bath towels
- a bed, blankets, & pillow

How to do it:
1. Fill big pot with water.
2. Bring water to a boil, turn heat to low.
3. Grate the ginger, put it in the pot.
4. Simmer on low for 2 hours with lid on.
5. Keep pot on low heat. Put folded towel on top of pot to keep it warm.
6. Put big bath towel on bed & smaller towel on pillow (to catch drips).
7. Patient may drink some hot herbal tea or ginger tea.
8. Have “patient” lie on the towels on the bed.
9. Keep patient comfortably warm with blankets.
10. Hold both ends of towel & twist it into a spiral shape.
11. Dip middle of towel into ginger tea without your hands touching the hot tea.
12. Twist towel until it doesn’t drip.
13. Carefully open hot towel & lay it on patient’s chest (sinus or wherever).
14. Towel should be hot but not scalding.
15. Cover wet towel with big fuzzy bath towel to keep the heat in.
16. Leave hot towel on approx. 5 minutes or until it is no longer hot.
17. Dip another towel in cold water from cold tap. Wring out so it doesn’t drip.
18. Remove first wet towel, apply cold towel for approx. 1 minute.
19. Remove cold towel, apply freshly dipped hot ginger towel.
20. Alternate 5 min hot, 1 min cold, until all hot tea is gone.
21. Cover patient comfortably & let them sleep.

What you may expect:
Relief from pain and congestion, easier breathing in lung and sinus areas. Some people have coughed up loosened phlegm the next day, others have had runny noses for a week or more. Increased energy and vitality are common results.

© Copyright 2010 Herbal Legacy.  All rights reserved.  No reposting or reproduction of any kind without written consent is allowed.

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by Sarah M Winn
www.massageyogahealth.com 
  
Today’s modern home is loaded with toxic and polluting substances designed to make domestic life easier. The cost of these commercial, chemical-based products can be high — long term health concerns for the family and environmental pollution caused by their manufacture and disposal. In the US, for example, 1 in 3 people suffer from allergies, asthma, sinusitis or bronchitis (US National Center for Health Statistics). Treatment for these conditions should include reducing synthetic chemicals in the home environment.

For many home-cleaning chores, you can make your own cleaning products using the formulas listed below.

A growing number of commercial non-toxic home cleaning products are also available, as healthier and environmentally responsible alternatives. Your use of these products helps promote the growth of green businesses which are contributing to a sustainable economy.

All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda (or 2 teaspoons borax) into 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water. Store and keep. Use for removal of water deposit stains on shower stall panels, bathroom chrome fixtures, windows, bathroom mirrors, etc.

Another alternative is microfiber cloths which lift off dirt, grease and dust without the need for cleaning chemicals, because they are formulated to penetrate and trap dirt. There are a number of different brands. A good quality cloth can last for several years.

Air Freshener: Commercial air fresheners mask smells and coat nasal passages to diminish the sense of smell.

• Baking soda or vinegar with lemon juice in small dishes absorbs odors around the house.
• Having houseplants helps reduce odors in the home.
• Prevent cooking odors by simmering vinegar (1 tbsp in 1 cup water) on the stove while cooking. To get such smells as fish and onion off utensils and cutting boards, wipe them with vinegar and wash in soapy water.
• Keep fresh coffee grounds on the counter.
• Grind up a slice of lemon in the garbage disposal.
• Simmer water and cinnamon or other spices on stove.
• Place bowls of fragrant dried herbs and flowers in the room.

Bathroom mold: Mold in bathroom tile grout is a common problem and can be a health concern. Mix one part hydrogen peroxide (3%) with two parts water in a spray bottle and spray on areas with mold. Wait at least one hour before rinsing or using shower

Dishwashing Soap: Commercial low-phosphate detergents are not themselves harmful, but phosphates nourish algae which use up oxygen in waterways. A detergent substitution is to use liquid soap. Add 2 or 3 tablespoons of vinegar to the warm, soapy water for tough jobs.

Furniture Polish: For varnished wood, add a few drops of lemon oil into a 1/2 cup warm water. Mix well and spray onto a soft cotton cloth. Cloth should only be slightly damp. Wipe furniture with the cloth, and finish by wiping once more using a dry soft cotton cloth.

For unvarnished wood, mix two tsps each of olive oil and lemon juice and apply a small amount to a soft cotton cloth. Wring the cloth to spread the mixture further into the material and apply to the furniture using wide strokes. This helps distribute the oil evenly.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Mix 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar, pour into basin and let it set for a few minutes. Scrub with brush and rinse. A mixture of borax (2 parts) and lemon juice (one part) will also work.

Window Cleaner: Mix 2 teaspoons of white vinegar with 1 liter (qt) warm water. Use crumpled newspaper or cotton cloth to clean. Don’t clean windows if the sun is on them, or if they are warm, or streaks will show on drying. The All-Purpose Cleaner (above) also works well on windows. Be sure to follow the recipe, because using too strong a solution of vinegar will etch the glass and eventually cloud it

Tub and Tile Cleaner: For simple cleaning, rub in baking soda with a damp sponge and rinse with fresh water. For tougher jobs, wipe surfaces with vinegar first and follow with baking soda as a scouring powder. (Vinegar can break down tile grout, so use sparingly.)

© Copyright 2010 Herbal Legacy.  All rights reserved.  No reposting or reproduction of any kind without written consent is allowed.

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by Mishelle Knuteson, MH

We get calls in the office almost daily about water, the alkaline water systems, and wanting to know the school’s advice on water. I hope the article last week about the 9 different types of water enlightened you a bit on the issue. At the School of Natural Healing we use PURE H2O. Nothing added, deleted or changed in the chemical composition. The creator knew what he was doing when he put that formula together.

How do we get PURE H2O? From the book The Choice is Clear, Dr. Allen E. Banik states, “Distilled water is water which has been turned into vapor, so that virtually all its impurities are left behind. Then, by condensing, it is turned back into ‘pure’ water. Distillation is the single most effective method of water purification. It is God’s water for the human race. In a manner of speaking, distillation is nature’s way.”

The common misconception that many people have about distilled water is that it leaches all the minerals from the body. We are even taught in the Master Herbalist course that distilled water is a “hungry water.” Here is what Dr. Banik had to say about that, “The startling fact to remember is that water attracts chiefly inorganic minerals. Organic minerals stay in the tissues, where they belong. The only minerals the body can utilize are the organic minerals. All the others are foreign minerals and must be disposed of or eliminated.” Thus the need for “hungry” water.

Pure water is so important in aiding good and vibrant health. The functions of water in the body (as we learn in level 200 in the Master Herbalist course) are as a lubricant, solvent, transportant, coolent and dispersent. It helps us digest food, maintain proper body temperature, moistens our lungs so that we can breath and helps the trillions of cells in the body to function. Water is the primary ingredient in all the fluids in our body and it helps hydrate the lymph system so that it can function properly, carrying away toxins and contaminates from the body. 

When drinking or storing water, pay attention to the type of container you use. The media is currently giving a lot of attention to Bisphenol A (BPA). This is a chemical found in plastic bottles that can leach into the liquid and cause a variety of severe health problems. Recycling code # 7 on  plastic (usually found on the bottom of the container) contains BPA. If the recycling code on your bottle is #2 (HDPE - high density polyethylene), or #4 (LDPE - low density polyethylene), or #5 (PP - polypropylene), your bottle is safe. The type of plastic bottle in which water is usually sold is #1, and is only recommended for one time use. Do not refill it. BPA-free containers are safe to use as a water bottle, although stainless steel reusable water bottles are the best option. They don’t allow harmful chemicals to leach into the drinking water. 

To learn more about water, pick up your copy of The Choice is Clear by Dr. Allen Banik or read the article, “Why Distilled Water” By Dr. John R. Christopher in our new edition of the 3-Day Cleansing Program booklet.

If you are interested in purchasing a distiller, two companies we know that are reputable are H2Only Distillers (800-4H2ONLY or visit http://www.imh2o.com/) and Wholesale Water Distillers, (http://wholesalewaterdistillers.com).

Purchase Dr. Banik’s booklet, The Choice is Clear, here:

http://www.christopherpublications.com/Banik_Choice_Clear.html

Purchase the new edition of the 3-Day Cleansing Program booklet here:

http://www.christopherpublications.com/3Day_Cleanse.html

© Copyright 2010 Herbal Legacy.  All rights reserved.  No reposting or reproduction of any kind without written consent is allowed.

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by Dr. John R. Christopher

Writing in Food, Yearbook of the U.S., Department of Agriculture, 1959, Dr. Oaf Michelsen of the National Institute of Health, tells us: Next to oxygen, water is the most important factor for survival of man and animals. A person can do without food for five weeks or more, but without water he can survive for only a few days.”

Dr. Allen E. Banik, in the book “The Choice is Clear” gives us a listing of the nine kinds of water:

Hard Water

This is saturated with calcium, iron, magnesium, and many other inorganic minerals. All water in lakes, rivers, on the ground, in deep wells, is classified as hard water. (Many city systems take water from rivers or lakes, or reservoirs supplied with mountain water; they erroneously call their supplies “soft water” but it is soft only in comparison with water which is harder.)  Practically all kinds of “bottled” water is hard water

Raw Water

This is water which has not been treated in any way.  It may be hard or soft – as hard as lime water, or as soft as rain water.  Raw water contains millions of viruses and bacteria, and is densely inhabited in every drop.  Chemicals dumped into our rivers may cause cancer, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Boiled Water

Boiling helps remove some of the germs, but concentrates the inorganic minerals. Other germs are carried into a fertile element for rapid and lusty propagation of germs and viruses already in the body.

Soft Water

This water is soft in comparison with water which is harder. It may contain many trace minerals and chemicals, viruses and bacteria. It is not to be confused with “softened water.” Soft water may be classified as water which is harder than distilled water.

Rain Water

This has been condensed from the clouds. The first drop is distilled water. But when it falls as rain, it picks up germs, dust, smoke, minerals, lead and many other atmospheric chemicals. By the time rain water reaches the earth it is so saturated with dust and pollutants it may be yellowish in color. Water is supposed to act as an atmosphere purifier. If we had no air pollution, we would have far less pollution in our drinking water.

Snow Water

This is frozen rain. Freezing does not eliminate any germs. All snowflakes have hardened mineral deposits. Melt the cleanest snow and you will find it saturated with dirt, inorganic minerals, germs and viruses.

Filtered Water

This water has passed through a fine strainer, called a filter. Some calcium and other solid substances are kept in the filter; there is no filter made which can prevent germs from passing through its fine meshes. Each pore of the finest filter is large enough for a million viruses to seep through in a few moments. A home filter usually only picks up suspended solids and is effective for the time, maybe only for hours, until it is filled up. Then it is ineffective even for removing suspended solids, and at the same time becomes a breeding ground for bacteria.

De-ionized Water

Water processed by the de-ionized method effectively removes minerals, and compares to distilled water in this respect.  However, it does become a breeding ground for bacteria, pyrogenic matter and viruses.  The fault in this system lies in the resin beds which can become notorious breeding grounds.  Therefore it is not wise to have this possibility exist in your drinking water.  Furthermore, deionization does not remove synthetic chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides, insecticides or industrial solvents.

Distilled Water

This is water that has first been turned into steam so that all of its impurities are left behind. Then through condensation, it is turned back into pure water. It is the only pure water – the only water free from all contamination. Distilled water may well be considered the only pure water on earth.

Water is so valuable to the entire system of the human body that it is wise to use only the Best. Use pure steam distilled water for health and well being.

I personally did not know anything about distilled water until just a few years ago. My knowledge of it came in a rather odd way. I had been sitting in a wheelchair (and occasionally up on crutches) for approximately nine months-with both arthritis and also from an accident I had been in a few years before when I had received a concussion on my skull. Build-up of a calcification condition from the former fractured area had put pressure on the brain area causing a paralyzed condition on the right side of my body. I had lost my health-food store (the original “The Herb Shop”) in Orem, Utah, and was broke, so a friend offered me free rent to open another one in Salt Lake City.

Here was a ridiculous situation - a “health” doctor opening a health-food store in a wheel chair. The business started to grow slowly and one day as I sat there, a young fellow came in to do business with me and as he left he dropped a copy of “The Choice Is Clear”, by Dr. Banik, saying, “I’ll bet this will help you!” As I read the booklet through, I was completely sold on distilled water, so called up a company and had some delivered to me. I started using it faithfully and was out of the wheelchair in a very short time. Over the years I had helped patients leave their wheelchairs and had used the same procedure on myself that had cured them. It worked for them but not for me, until I combined my procedure with “pure” water.

© Copyright 2010 Herbal Legacy.  All rights reserved.  No reposting or reproduction of any kind without written consent is allowed.

Purchase Dr. Banik’s booklet, The Choice is Clear, here:

 http://www.christopherpublications.com/Banik_Choice_Clear.html 

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By Dr. James A. Duke in The Green Pharmacy Guide to Healing Foods

I usually don’t play favorites, but when it comes to foods, garlic tops my list of healers.  Though a recent high-profile study called its cholesterol-lowering ability into question, it still has enough heart-protective benefits to rank high on my list.  It has other great qualities as well, including immunity-boosting and antiseptic properties.  Onions share many of the properties and healthful benefits of garlic, so they also deserve a mention here.  And in my Farmacy, I grow a nice batch of ramps, members of the garlic/onion family that you won’t find in many supermarkets (unless it’s ramp festival time in West Virginia and Ohio).  All of these plants contain the very important compound alliin, which converts to the super-medicinal allicin.

Nutrient Nuts and Bolts: When it comes to the heart, you can thank garlic’s many sulfur compounds, including diallyl disulfide, which prevent clotting and allow for smooth blood flow.  Of course, garlic also contains over a dozen immunity-boosting compounds that can fight off colds and other infections, maybe even more effectively than popular herbs like echinacea.  Recent research has also shown that several compounds in garlic can prevent cellular changes within the body that lead to cancer.

Onions offer many of the same sulfur compounds as garlic, but they bring even more to the table with their high amounts of flavonoids, specifically quercetin.  This flavonoid has been shown in studies to reduce platelet clumping and even prevent some forms of cancer.  So far, there is no better food source of quercetin than onion skins.

How to Get More: The other advantage of garlic and onions is just how easy they are to incorporate into your menus.  I add both to virtually all my soups and stews.  And when it comes to salads, just about the only dressing you’ll see me use is vinegar and oil mixed with fresh garlic and fresh diced onion, often with hot sauce or diced hot pepper.  That mixture alone has hundreds of healthful compounds.  Sometimes I even roast garlic and put it on toast for breakfast.

Making the Most of Them: Now I know what you’re thinking: “But Dr. Duke, what about the smell?”  Well, as much as it pains me to say it, studies have shown time and again that the more garlic stinks, the better it works. 
That’s why I often use it raw in salads or even eat whole cloves of the stuff if I don’t have anything social going on that day.

This isn’t to say that you can’t get benefits from cooked garlic; you can.  But you lose 40 percent of the original potency after garlic is cooked for 10 minutes, and you lose much more after 20 – but you never lose it all.  So, if you’re making a soup or stew, it might be a good idea to wait until near the end of the cooking time to add garlic.  Green tea, parsley, and coriander all have a unique ability to partially quell the smell, so you may want to consider brewing green tea and garlic together or adding parsley to a garlicky salad.  Or if you have a new potential client or lover or relative coming over, eat some parsley or coriander and drink some green tea quick!

Other Eating Tips: If you’re going for full effect and eating whole cloves of garlic, it’s important that you nick the surface of a clove first; that is, don’t swallow it intact.  I thought that was the way to go until my garlicologist, Larry Lawson, PhD, told me the skin should be broken before garlic enters the GI tract to get its benefits.  This ensures that the medicinal compounds of the bulb are released and will begin working more quickly in the body.

Now back to onions for a minute.  In one of the funny quirks of nature, most of the helpful flavonoids, such as quercetin, are found in the skin of the onion.  That’s why I always put the skins in a mesh bag and steep it in soups and stews when I’m making them.  Just remove the bag before serving.

© Copyright 2010 Herbal Legacy.  All rights reserved.  No reposting or reproduction of any kind without written consent is allowed.

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From The Green Pharmacy Guide to Healing Foods by James A. Duke, PhD

Few foods offer the unique combination of healthy nutrients and easy accessibility that beans do.  Eating more can provide a multitude of benefits.

Nutrient Nuts and Bolts: Beans get a lot of good press for being low in fat and high in protein, which makes then a great alternative to animal-based protein sources like red meat.  They’re also brimming with soluble fiber. 
This means that they are adept at whisking cholesterol out of your system via the intestines, making them good for your heart.

A lesser-known benefit of beans, though, is their high levels of isoflavones, compounds that are similar in structure to the estrogen produced by your body (which is why they are also called phytoestrogens).  These isoflavones may ease the symptoms of menopause, prevent some forms of cancer, reduce your risk of heart disease, and improve your bone and prostate health, among other benefits.

How to Get More: The nice thing about beans is how easily you can add them to any meal.  Pour them into soups and salads or use them in spicy Mexican dishes.  You also can’t go wrong with hummus, a mix a chickpeas, lemon juice, and garlic often served with pita bread or crackers.  Or try substituting tofu for meat in some of your main dishes.

Making the Most of Them: Dried beans may give you a slight nutritional edge, but not that much, so if you don’t have time to soak and prepare beans, don’t worry.  You can still gain a great benefit from canned beans. 
They’re often high in sodium, though, so you may want to drain and rinse them before using.

© Copyright 2010 Herbal Legacy.  All rights reserved.  No reposting or reproduction of any kind without written consent is allowed.

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Dr. John R. Christopher

Most of us don’t think of wheat, the staff of life and the staple of many Westerner’s diets, as a healing herb. The dried grain in itself provides optimal nourishment as a basic food – it contains protein, vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates for energy. But what turns it into a powerful healer is germination: grow wheatgrass and you have an ultimate healer.
 
Dr. Ann Wigmore was the first to popularize wheatgrass for healing. She noted that wheatgrass has live minerals, live vitamins, and live trace elements at a pH very close to that of human blood.
 
Wheatgrass is 70% chlorophyll. The chemical structure of chlorophyll is similar to that of the hemoglobin of the blood.  Chlorophyll purifies and builds the blood.  It also arrests the growth of unfriendly bacteria, assisting the body in attaining optimal health.
 
Wheatgrass is high in vitamins A, C, and the B vitamins. It contains minerals and trace elements necessary to your body. It is rich in calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in just the right proportions for optimal calcium assimilation (you can’t absorb calcium well unless these three elements are in correct proportion). It also contains sodium, potassium, sulfur, iron, cobalt and zinc. It is loaded with enzymes, which will create youth and health for you. It contains all the essential amino acids, which is great news for the pure vegetarian who is trying to follow Dr. Christopher’s nutritional guidelines.
 
Wheatgrass helps detoxify your body by breaking up impacted matter in the colon. It helps fight infection throughout your system and builds your immune system. It contains lecithin, which will help break down fats in the lymphatic system and feeds the heart. In experiments with anemic animals, their blood count returned to normal after four to five days of receiving chlorophyll.
 
Wheatgrass is entirely nontoxic. It can be used internally or topically without fear of side-effects. Used in conjunction with the Christopher Cleansing Program it can do much as a tonic aid toward relieving pain and suffering of so-called incurable diseases.
 
You can purchase flats of wheatgrass at your local health-food store, or you can grow your own.  Fill a nursery flat with a few inches of soil, making sure it is nice and even. Moisten the soil evenly. Then soak 2 cups of hard red winter wheat overnight. Place on soil in a single layer, leaving no empty spots. Cover with a half-inch of soil. Keep moist; in a few days you’ll have beautiful wheatgrass four to six inches high, which is ready to harvest. Place by a window or outside on a mild day to green up.
 
Cut bundles of this wheatgrass, rinse it well, and juice it in a slow, manual wheatgrass juicer. If you use a blender or highspeed juicer, you can oxidize important lifegiving elements. Drink two ounces night and morning by swishing each mouthful to mix the saliva with the wheatgrass juice. You may experience a “gag reflex” because the wheatgrass juice is so concentrated, but persevere, and you’ll begin to see a miraculous increase in energy and vitality from taking daily wheatgrass juice.
 
Be sure to replant in time so that you’ll have a constant source of fresh wheatgrass.
 
Dr. Christopher recommended this schedule: when you get up in the morning, take a drink of 1 quart warm water, 2 tablespoons unsulphured molasses, and the juice of ½ lemon to clear any leftover digestive liquids from the stomach. In a half hour, take your two ounces of wheatgrass juice. This can be taken straight or diluted half and half with distilled water.
 
Source: School of Natural Healing 100-herb syllabus
 
For a printable version of this article please visit:
 
http://www.herballegacy.com/Wheatgrass1.pdf

© Copyright 2010 Herbal Legacy.  All rights reserved.  No reposting or reproduction of any kind without written consent is allowed.

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Nutritional Yeast is grown on a mixture of cane and beet molasses. B-vitamins are added during the process to provide the yeast with the nutrients it needs to grow.  When harvested, the yeast is washed, pasteurized, and dried before it is ready for market.

Vegans and vegetarians have used it for years as a source of vitamin B-12.  Health seekers who strive to eat primarily a whole foods diet use nutritional yeast because it tastes good with certain foods and adds extra nutrients to their diet.  Nutritional yeast contains 18 amino acids (forming the complete protein) and 15 minerals.

Unlike baking yeast, nutritional yeast is grown solely for its nutritional value. It should not be confused with brewer’s yeast, a by-product of breweries and distilleries. Nutritional yeast is a low-fat, low-sodium, kosher, non-GMO food that contains no added sugars or preservatives.

Many manufacturers of Nutritional Yeast enrich it with B-vitamins and iron.  It is extremely rich in a number of nutrients.  Here is the nutritional value per heaping tablespoon of Nutritional Yeast from a popular manufacturer – Red Star:

• Calories – 60
• Total Fat – 1 gram
• Carbohydrates – 7 grams
• Fiber – 4 grams
• Protein – 8 grams
• Vitamin B1 (thiamin) – 640% Daily Value (DV)
• Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) – 560% DV
• Vitamin B3 (niacin) – 280% DV
• Vitamin B6 – 480% DV
• Vitamin B9 (folic acid) – 60% DV
• Vitamin B12 – 130% DV

So how do you use Nutritional Yeast?

• Use it as a condiment sprinkled on the evening meal of rice and vegetables, or on popcorn for snack time.
• Add 1/2 teaspoon per 1 cup liquid to gravies and sauces.
• Add a tablespoon per 2 cups mixture to vegetable, bean and grain burgers.
• Make a yeast “cheese” to adorn a vegan pizza or lasagna.
• Add it to your cat or dog’s food to help eliminate fleas and promote a healthy coat and good general nutrition.

We highly recommend that you add this delicious, nutritious food to your diet.  You can purchase it in most health food markets.

References and more information:

http://www.bestnaturalfoods.com/nutritional_yeast.html
http://www.efn.org/~sundance/NutritionalYeast.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutritional_yeast

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

© Copyright 2010 Herbal Legacy.  All rights reserved.  No reposting or reproduction of any kind without written consent is allowed.

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by Jo Francks, MH

The urinary tract consists of the kidneys, bladder, ureters and the urethra.  The kidneys function is to remove waste from the blood and regulate fluid levels.  The kidneys process about 200 quarts of water per day and excrete about 2 quarts of waste products and extra water through the bladder per day in the form of urine.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the second most common type of infections in the body and account for over 8 million doctor visits per year.  UTIs can happen anywhere in the urinary tract, but most common is the bladder.  Women are more likely to develop a UTI than men.  One in five women will suffer from a UTI and about 20% of those will likely have another bladder infection.

Symptoms of a urinary tract infection may include cloudy urine, foul smelling urine, a reddish color if blood is present, painful or burning sensation during urination, frequent urge to urinate, and a low grade fever.

If the infection reaches the kidneys, other symptoms may appear such as pain in the lower back or side, nausea and vomiting, chills or fever, tired or general ill feeling.

Herbal treatment for UTIs:  In her book Dr. Mom’s Healthy Living, Sandra Ellis says she has never seen the following treatment fail:  Take 2 capsules of Dr. Christopher’s Kidney Formula with 1 capsule Solaray Cranactin 3 times a day and drink a gallon of distilled water per day.

Sandra says “There is an ingredient in cranberries that keeps the bacteria from adhering to the bladder wall, the kidney formula kills the infection, and the gallon of distilled water flushes it out.” 

Dr. Christopher’s Infection formula can be added to the above treatment if necessary.  Take 4 capsules 3 times a day.  Other herbs that could help with a bladder infection include dandelion which acts as a diuretic and blood purifier; buchu which helps relieve the burning sensation; uva ursi which is a strong diuretic and helps to dissolve stones; marshmallow root to help soothe the irritation; astragalus to boost the immune system; garlic to fight infection and boost immune function; cranberry juice, rose hips, yarrow, couch grass, juniper berries, corn silk, and hydrangea root to dissolve stones.

Prevention is the key – especially if a person has experienced a bladder infection in the past. Don’t resist the urge to urinate, and make sure the bladder is completely empty each time.  Wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria around the anus from entering the vagina or urethra. Take showers instead of baths.  Drink a gallon of distilled water every day.  Eliminate sodas, sugary drinks and processed foods.  Eat more green foods (try a green smoothie) and fresh fruits and vegetables.  Carrot juice, lemon juice and apple cider vinegar are all good to help change the Ph of the body to more alkaline.  Disease can’t grow in an alkaline environment.

If you are looking for the herbal remedies recommended in this article you can find herb shops we recommend on http://www.christopherwebsites.com.

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

© Copyright 2010 Herbal Legacy.  All rights reserved.  No reposting or reproduction of any kind without written consent is allowed.

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by Nathan Jaynes, MH

Fibromyalgia (or “FM” for short) is a complex, chronic condition which causes widespread pain and fatigue as well as a variety of other symptoms.

The name fibromyalgia comes from “fibro” meaning fibrous tissues (such as tendons and ligaments), “my” meaning muscles, and “algia” meaning pain.

Unlike arthritis, FM does not cause pain or swelling in the joints.  Rather, it produces pain in the soft tissues located around joints and in skin and organs throughout the body. 

Because FM has few symptoms that are outwardly visible, it has been nicknamed “the invisible disability” or the “irritable everything” syndrome.  The pain of FM usually consists of diffuse aching or burning described as “head to toe”, and it is often accompanied by muscle spasm.  Pain can vary in severity from day to day and change location, becoming more severe in parts of the body that are used the most (i.e., neck, shoulders, and feet).  In some people, it can be so intense that it interferes with the performance of even simple tasks, while in others it may cause only moderate discomfort.  Likewise, the fatigue of FM also varies from person to person ranging from a mild, tired feeling to the exhaustion of a flu like illness.

Although the exact prevalence of FM in the U.S. population has not been thoroughly studied, conservative estimates place the total between 4 and 6 million.  Other experts believe the true number is closer to 10 million.  An estimated 80% of sufferers are women, most of them working age.
 
Symptoms and syndromes associated with FM:
Pain, fatigue, stiffness, headaches, facial pain, sleep disturbances, cognitive disorders, digestive complaints, genito urinary problems, paresthesia (numbness or tingling), disequilibrium, restless leg syndrome, sensory sensitivity/allergic symptoms, itchy, dry, or blotchy skin, depression, and anxiety

Causes:
The causes of FM are so far unknown by the medical community.  There are several factors that may play a role in FM and other related diseases (chronic fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity, and Lymes disease).

Contributing factors may include:
• Increased use of chemicals in foods
• Home and personal products
• Decreased nutrients in food or lack of good food in diet
• Acidic body chemistry caused by poor diet
• Lack of exercise
• Exposure to environmental toxins
• Exposure to vaccinations
• Yeast infections
• Exposure to pharmaceutical drugs including antibiotics
• Lack of sleep

Herbal Therapy:
• Vitalerbs:  multivitamin to provide the body with increased nutrients
• Jurassic Green:  alkanalizes the body creating a healing internal environment
• Immuncalm: Strengthens the immune system but does not over-stimulate it.
• Skullcap: the best nerve food available
• Lower Bowel Formula: helps the body cleanse the lower bowel
• Kidney Formula: aids in eliminating wastes from the kidney and urinary tract
• Liver & Gallbladder Formula: helps cleanse the liver and gall bladder
• Blood Stream Formula: helps the body cleanse the blood

Other Therapies:
• Massage is effective against some muscle and tendon pain, relieves tension and stress
• Hydrotherapy is effective against pain
Remember, you can find herb shops we recommend on http://www.christopherwebsites.com.

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