Herbal Legacy Articles

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 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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Contributed by School of Natural Healing Community Member Ivygreen

Recently on the forum, there was discussion about what to do for snake bites, and I thought I might add what we have used over the years when we have experienced these “nature” emergencies.

First, I would like to point out that, according to statistics from a year ago, there was reported to be a national shortage of the supply of anti-venom, considering the expected demand.  I have not stayed abreast with the updates to see if that still applies.  However, I am firmly convinced that we need to be equipped to deal with these kinds of emergencies on our own.
It is also possible to be bitten by a poisonous snake which does not inject any venom into its victim.  However, in cases of both poisonous and non-poisonous snake bites, there is always the possibility of infection developing.

Below is what we have used successfully in treating snake bites.

(DISCLAIMER: What I have written is based on my own knowledge and first-hand experience.  It is not meant to be taken as an authority on what to do in the event of snakebite, diagnostics or treatment of disease. I list it merely as my contribution in preservation of future antiquity.)
 
A. Herbal Poultices

1. For immediate first aid, we mixed dry mustard powder with finely grated, raw potato (white), and bound over the site where the fangs penetrated.  In this case, the patient was a dog which had been bitten in three places by a water moccasin (cotton mouth).  Never under-estimate the speed with which these guys can strike!!!

2. After this poultice was in place, we heated water to stew down Shepherd’s Purse, Sage, and Plantain, until they were soft.  With this, we made a fomentation which was applied comfortably warm (we did not wait for the herbs to steep 30 minutes, we used them as soon as they were soft from heating, and cooled enough for comfort.  It is important not to delay!!!).  You can speed the cooling process by placing the pot in a sink filled with icy water; just be sure the pot doesn’t tip over. If we had Plantain Tincture, or fresh Plantain, we would have added it to the Potato poultice.  Crush or blend up the fresh plantain* with the potato.

3. Liberally apply poultices all over swell site, and replace with fresh poultices every 10-15 minutes.  Use your own judgment as to alternate between the poultices, or to stick with just the herbs.  I cannot recall whether or not we would actually apply the herb fomentation (leaves, liquid and all) over the potato poultice, or if we removed the first poultice.

Case Study:   We used this procedure on more than 3 separate occasions with our dogs.  Most often they were bitten in the leg, with 2-3 different sets of fang punctures.  This means the snake struck them more than once!  The leg would triple or quadruple in size from the swellings. The dog would scarcely make it to the house; would be extremely lethargic, and gums would be whitening, an indication that they were going into shock.**

(Incidentally, if you do take a snake-bitten dog to the vet, they wouldn’t treat him with anti-venom: typical veterinary procedure is to give steroids.)
   
We would bring him into the house and lay him on the floor, beginning treatment with the raw potato.  His eyes would be glazing over; he would be very feverish, and not very responsive.  For the next hour and a half, we would be applying and reapplying the poultices.  We would watch the swelling begin to gradually come down, and slowly he would gain responsiveness as the fever reduced.

We also used this treatment when a bite was received in the head.

B.  Activated Charcoal Powder

At risk of sounding like a broken record on the benefits of charcoal, I have to acknowledge, it does work!

1. Neighbor; bitten in the hand by unseen snake - very likely from a young copperhead, judging from the distance between the fang marks, and the fact that numerous copperheads had been found in the immediate area.  And, the next day, a snake “skin” was discovered in the shed where she had been.

All she did was soak her hand in a bowl of water with lots of charcoal added to it; and maybe later apply plantain tincture with a band-aid.  Had no other negative side effects: we can’t be sure whether or not she was injected with venom.

2. Dog; bitten in the corner of the mouth by a copperhead (again, very likely - it was in a brush pile).  We used Lavender essential oil and Activated Charcoal.

I had read in my aromatherapy book that lavender oil was indicated for snakebites, so I decided to give it a try.  She took off running like she had been shot and hid under the house.  It took a long time to coax her out; and even then she wouldn’t let me get near her with the oil.

But she did allow us to use the charcoal water.  Due to its location in the proximity of her mouth, we couldn’t directly soak it, but had to dip cotton cloths in the charcoal water and place them over the swelling area.  These we reapplied often with fresh charcoal water.  After a day, the swelling had gone down, and she’d returned to normal.

* Plantain is best used fresh, as opposed to the dried herb.  What works very well for us, is to take the plantain, right after being picked, place it in a blender with only enough water as needed to blend it until smooth.  Fill individual dividers in ice trays with this blended plantain, and freeze.  When frozen completely, remove to plastic freezer-safe bags, label, and store in freezer.  When bitten by a snake, spider, or in the case of an insect sting, simply remove one of those frozen cubes, thaw, and apply to the affected area, holding in place with a cotton gauze, or some other bandage.

**Please be aware that, while a dog might survive the 1/2-mile limp home after being bit by a snake, a human may not.  A dog’s composition differs from humans in that they react differently to snakebites.  My understanding is that when a human is the victim, you don’t have much time.  Also, be aware that after the immediate recovery, humans can begin to have problems in the circulatory or nervous systems.  Heart attacks have even been associated to being a reaction to the venom in victims who had prior been recently bitten by a snake.

The following is from notes my mom had taken out of a book she once borrowed.  Sorry, I couldn’t trace it for reference: Use according to your own risk and discretion:

Immediately, apply a very large charcoal compress covering almost an entire extremity, centering over the bite, using large quantities of activated charcoal, wet with water and kept moist with plastic wrap.  A new compress should be placed over the immediate vicinity of the snake bite every 10-15 minutes.

Activated Charcoal should also be taken by mouth, in the quantity of approx. 2 Tbsp. every 2 hours, for 3 doses, and 1 tsp. every hour for 24 hours.  Each dose should be followed by 2 glasses of water.

Swelling & pain are evidences of the envenomation in a snake bite.  The swelling should be evident within 10 minutes of being bitten, or one should question whether there has been envenomation.  It is recommended to carry a container of charcoal for first-aid when hiking in snake infested woods.  Once the swelling begins, the venom may not be able to transfer to the charcoal as easily as at first.  As long as pain and swelling are being controlled by the compresses, we would continue with this treatment and expect the venom was being attracted to the charcoal.  If pain & swelling should progress, add ice packs to the extremity, if available.

One case of a venomous snake bite: the lady (bitten by a Water Moccasin) treated herself with 6 hours of continuous charcoal soaks to the affected foot.  She took Charcoal by mouth.  After that, she made a poultice of crushed cabbage leaves for overnight use, and slept fairly comfortably. The next day, it was still swollen but not very painful.  She continued daily soaks.  The swelling was not completely gone until after 5 weeks, but eventually she completely recovered.

Printable Version: http://www.herballegacy.com/Snake_Bites.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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Jo Francks MH

While working as a scout leader I was in the outdoors a lot with others.  Once while at a day camp in the mountains, one of the other leaders got stung by a bee and it started swelling and was very painful.  They were getting ready to take him home when they drove up to me and told me what was happening.

We were in a meadow and I looked at the ground and found exactly what he needed; plantain, that miracle eraser that has helped so many people.  I picked a couple of the leaves and handed them to him and told him to chew it and put it over the bee sting and cover it with a bandage or piece of tape.  Within seconds the pain stopped and the swelling started to diminish.  He ended up staying and enjoying the rest of the day.

The man who was with him never forgot about plantain and the miraculous healing he witnessed that day.  He had a similar experience one day when a man was on his way to the hospital because he had been stung by a bee on the face and was allergic to bee stings.  His face was swelling and very painful. They had to make a stop at this man’s house on their way to the hospital and when he found out what had happened he got the plantain out of his yard and showed them how to apply it to the bee sting.  They did not go the hospital that day, nor have they had to since because he uses plantain any time he gets a bee sting.

This same man was able to help his granddaughters when they were stung by bees on the foot.  The crying stopped within one minute and they were happy and up running around again.  My own children have used this remedy countless times and it works every time.

Plantain is an excellent remedy for kidney and bladder troubles. It is an effective remedy for poisonous bites and stings, since the poison of fresh stings is extracted rapidly often within an hour’s time.

It is the best herb for blood poisoning: reducing the swelling and completely healing a limb where poisoning has made amputation imminent.  Finally, it is very useful for easing pain and healing problems in the lower intestinal tract.  This valuable “weed” is often found in soils close to most habitations, in parks, sports fields, etc. (School of Natural Healing, Dr. John R. Christopher)

There are two types of plantain, the broad leaf Plantago major, and the narrow or lance leaf, Plantago lanceolata.  The leaves of the broad-leaf are ovate, blunt, abruptly contracted at the base long and channeled petiole, blade is four to eight inches long, three to four inches broad, five to eleven strong fibrous ribs, entire or coarse and unequally dentate-serrate margins, dark green.  Lance-leaf is identified as lanceolate, sharp-pointed, on ling and tough stems, strongly ribbed length-wise, dark green.

NOTE: To see pictures see the Printable Version.

Printable Version: http://www.herballegacy.com/Plantain.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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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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Daniela asks:

“I have three ribs out of alignment in my back and my spine is generally out as well. Would it help to take Dr Christopher’s BF&C (now known as Complete Tissue & Bone) while I am getting chiropractic adjustments to realign my ribs and spine? I also have beginning osteoarthritis in my neck with small bone spurs. Will BF&C help my condition?”
Daniela,

We’ve actually had patients take the Complete Tissue & Bone Formula under the direction of a chiropractor for both of these conditions.

This formula is the formula people get the best results with when they deal with bone spurs and arthritis. In fact, we have seen arthritis totally reversed with this formula.

If you drink a lot of soda or sugary beverages, though, expect to keep your bone spurs and the arthritis. Refined foods such as white flour, white bread, excessive milk and soda all leech calcium from the body as well.

If these foods are out of the diet, then we work with the Complete Tissue and Bone formula as well as 2-3 TBS of apple cider vinegar to dissolve the inorganic calcium build up.  Also, provide organic calcium with either herbs or good diet, and then we fully expect results.  You can get good organic calcium from Dr. Christopher’s Calcium Formula.

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

Printable Version: http://www.herballegacy.com/CTB_III.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 David Christopher, MH

Endometriosis is a result of the migration of uterine endometrium cells, into other parts of the body.  This results in variant body pain that is cyclic.

This condition is manifest during menstruation through steady, dull or severe pain and cramps, not only in the pelvis area but anywhere in the body.  Some women can also suffer for weeks prior to menstruation.  Some women feel pain during bowel movements and intercourse.

In order to properly treat this condition it is important to ask why this uterine tissue ends up in unrelated parts of the body, far removed from the uterus.  It could back up through the fallopian tubes as a result of blockage from a closed hymen or perhaps from improper use of tampons.  Another possible scenario would be yeast or parasites drilling through the uterine lining.  These lesions could conduct endometrial cells, loosened during menstruation, into other areas of the body.

Treatments

Stop the use of tampons to see if that is the cause. See a midwife or other health care professional to resolve a closed hymen.

If yeast or parasites are the cause, then it is imperative to heal the uterine lining after removing the yeast colonies or parasites.  This is accomplished by using a decoction of Black Walnut and Pau d’ arco (see therapy for yeast overgrowth).  One quart should be taken orally on a daily basis.  One pint should be used as a retention @#!*% also daily.  After one week of therapy use Dr. Christopher’s bolus routine.  Also take his Female Reproductive formula in combination with an equal amount of his Complete Tissue and Bone formula.  These procedures will work better if you follow the directions for the Extended Herbal Cleanse.

Other aids: 

• Hormonal Changease formula: This formula will provide phyto-sterols that replace your own body’s estrogen resulting in reduced pain
• Wheat Germ Oil: This oil is high in Vitamin E and will help the body break down excess estrogen.  It also prevents endometrial adhesions from forming and helps break down adhesions that have already formed.
• Flax Seed Oil and Evening Primrose Oil: help regulate inflammation causing prostaglandins
• Eliminate animal foods that contain high estrogen levels
• Eat a mucusless diet

Resources mentioned in this newsletter:

• Therapy for yeast overgrowth: http://articles.herballegacy.com/natural-protocol-for-systemic-yeast-overgrowth-and-leaky-gut-syndrome/
• To purchase the herbal formulas mentioned in this article (Dr. Christopher’s Vaginal Bolus, Female Reproductive formula, Complete Tissue and Bone formula, and Hormonal Changease formula) visit an herb shop that sells Dr. Christopher products or go to http://www.christopherwebsites.com to find an online herb shop we recommend.
• Extended Herbal Cleanse: http://articles.herballegacy.com/extended-herbal-cleanse/
• Mucusless diet: http://www.herballegacy.com/Mucusless_Diet.html

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

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

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