One of the least spoken about challenges in a post petroleum age is wellness and healthcare. Our present-day pharmaceutical and medical technology is very much petroleum-based, and hence, much like food transportation and energy, our healthcare system is threatened by the decline of the oil supply.

Petrochemicals are used in the manufacture of hundreds of prescription and over-the-counter medications, and are the base for most commercial body and facial care products. Heart valves, IV tubing, hip and knee replacements, and other medical devices are produced with numerous plastics and other petrochemicals.

Throughout much of the world, plant-based medicine is still used for most chronic complaints with greater success reported than those choosing modern pharmaceutical medicine. And this is not just in developing countries. Throughout Europe, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), including acupuncture and herbal and homeopathic medicine, is used nearly as often as Western medicine for the treatment of disease. In Germany, 98 percent of all pharmacies now sell homeopathic medicines.

With a broad view of the whole person, including their diet, environment, and situation, CAM has a primary focus on the prevention of the disease in the first place, making detection and diagnosing, along with their often invasive and expensive practices, unnecessary. And the person need not suffer.

For example, if a woman has a severe mold problem festering in the basement of her apartment building, which begins to travel up through the walls, and settles into her cupboards and clothes closet, and she experiences daily headaches, her doctor might prescribe a medication without asking about her home environment, and order a battery of tests. After reviewing all the test results, they may or may not ever come to a conclusion about why she is having headaches. She may spend years taking the medication, experiencing low-grade side effects for which she may need a second medication, and her body may begin to have new symptoms caused by the mold in her walls.

On the other hand, a CAM practitioner, whether an acupuncturist, naturopathic physician, or herbalist, will first provide simple remedies, often plant-based, for her pain, and then begin to ask the woman a number of questions, and search for the root cause of her condition, and what changes may have taken place around the start of her symptoms. In this way, they will search together for the problem that has caused the headaches, the imbalance within her life, and be able to address that root cause, and thereby eliminate the headaches altogether.

In the United States, many believe that we have the greatest health care in the world. We certainly spend significantly more per capita than those in any other country. But the United Nations’ Healthy Life Expectancy Report (the HALE report), released in 1997, which measures how healthy we are during each year of life, showed that we were 24th in the world. The latest UN HALE report shows that we have fallen to approximately 33rd. And in June of this year, CNN reported that the U.S. has fallen to 38th in overall life expectancy.

We would likely spend less money and feel healthier throughout life if we moved toward a more integrated approach to wellness, choosing nourishing, mostly local food, safe herbal remedies, and other simple strategies to address nagging chronic complaints before they fester into greater imbalances and more serious disease.

Pharmaceutical medications have their place, but our modern medical approach is to hide symptoms, and not associate the small stuff with a growing health threat. We are a complex whole, and what we ignore or suppress can become a more complicated concern.

There is a growing body of research showing that community-based support for the ill, disabled and aged populations improves good health and longevity and costs far less. Loneliness and lack of social support have been linked to higher mortality rates, and increased risk of cancer, heart disease, and viral infections.

As we move toward a post oil society, we would be wise to learn about our local plants and other allies provided by the natural world. Regardless of where we live on the planet, we have an abundance of plants to support optimal health and well-being, and to treat most chronic disease. And this is especially true here in Vermont. Our natural world is alive with hundreds of plant medicines with a long, rich history of supporting people’s health and vitality. And we have an abundance of great teachers and practitioners of plant wisdom.

There is a saying in herbalism that whatever we need to restore good health and emotional harmony will come to our backyards. I once had a profound experience in this way. When my daughter turned sixteen and began to practice her independence, she acted out in ways that were extremely challenging for me.

On a warm spring evening during this difficult time, I went to our backyard to decompress. I lied down on the ground to feel the earth, and realized that I was lying in a bed of Star of Bethlehem flowers. There were thousands of them; they covered our entire yard. In herbalism, Star of Bethlehem flowers are used for comfort and reassurance of our spirit!

Now, I had lived there for more than seven years at that time, and had never seen a Star of Bethlehem flower in my yard, nor in our neighborhood. I lived there for two years more, and the following spring, I could only find about a dozen of these precious little flowers. They came to me when I needed them most, and seemed to have moved on when they were no longer needed.

Hippocrates told us “Let your medicine be your food, and your food be your medicine.” Using foods and herbs as medicine is safe, cost-effective, accessible to all, and our best first line of defense—both now and in the post petroleum world.

Many thanks to Leda for your wonderful editing expertise. You’re the best!

A cousin of the culinary European and Thai basils, holy basil has been the subject of numerous research studies. It is shown to help reduce stress, anxiety, over stimulation, excess inflammation and hypersensitivity by helping the body to regulate cortisol, a chemical released by the adrenals when we’re upset, deeply stressed, fearful and have repeated negative thoughts. Excess cortisol levels have been linked to conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, IBS, arthritis and numerous autoimmune disorders.

A wealth of information is known about this gentle, yet powerful adaptogenic herb. It first appeared in ancient texts on health nearly 8,000 years ago and has been widely consumed on a daily basis ever since.

Now grown and used throughout much of Asia, Central & South America, holy basil is beginning to catch on in North America and Europe, as well.

Traditionally used to support the digestive, immune and nervous systems, holy basil is now also recognized for helping the body toward healthy cholesterol levels, increased stamina, and slowing the aging process. According to the research, it is said to possess “potent antioxidant activities”.

Researchers state “Holy basil possesses both anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer activity” and is “comparable to ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin” for pain relief. Holy basil has also been the subject of numerous studies demonstrating a protective effect on the liver and support of liver detoxification. Because of these reports of safety and effectiveness, Holy basil is often used by people who experience ADD, ADHD, headaches, anxiety, poor sleep, a restless mind or the blues. According to the research, there are no known side effects or known contraindications.

Another powerful benefit involved exposure to radiation. The radio-protective effect of the leaf extract is noted in several studies. They confirmed “Pretreatment resulted in faster recovery”, and almost completely eliminated abnormal cells.

Another study cited “O. sanctum leaf extract blocks or suppresses the events associated with chemical carcinogenesis by inhibiting metabolic activation of the carcinogen”, meaning that it can likely prevent harm to the body when we are exposed to various cancer causing toxins.

My older daughter lived in Brooklyn, went to NYU and worked in Manhattan when the terrible tragedy took place in 2001. Unable to reach her for an excruciatingly long while here in Vermont, I found holy basil calmed my anxiety and fears remarkably well, more than anything I had previously experienced. It has also helped my daughter’s ‘test anxiety’ in school, helping her to receive the good grades she’s capable of but feared she could never achieve.

You will find the entire line of Tulsi Teas, made by Organic India, in the tea aisle of your local co-op or health food store. With delicious flavors such as ‘Sweet Rose Tulsi’, ‘Lemon Ginger Tulsi’ and ‘Red Chai Tulsi’, you may want to try them all. In the Wellness section, look for holy basil tincture from Herb Pharm, New Chapter’s supercritically extracted holy basil in gel caps or their extract in veggie caps. I have found the tincture and extract in veggie caps to work wonders for emotional difficulties, with the supercritical extract in gel caps to be most helpful for my excess inflammation issues.

For more information on Holy Basil, please visit: www.holy-basil.com and click on the “Maimes Report” or check out the book “Tulsi, the Mother Medicine of Nature” by Drs. Narendra Singh and Yamuna Hoette.

A peaceful sigh and a smiling heart to you all.

There is real help for allergies found throughout the globe and brought to us by Mother Nature to aid with these numerous discomforts. Mother Nature’s remedies often help us even when medications have been of little use. Some of these herbs and supplements support temporary relief; while others can actually help the body begin to reverse the overreaction to common substances, such as the pollen falling from trees.

Ads throughout the media lure allergy sufferers, desperate to find a solution to their discomforts, by promising bright, happy, colorful days filled with flowers, trees, pets and blissful contentment. Several over-the-counter medications, however, when taken for as little as two or three days, can cause a rebound effect; meaning that they actually worsen the original symptoms that a person took the medication for. Unwitting allergy sufferers take more medication, symptoms get worse, more medicine; with no end in sight.

Prescription and over-the-counter medications for allergies are making pharmaceutical companies billions of dollars every year. But the risks associated with many of these medications are very serious. Here are some of the side effects related with the most commonly used allergy medications:

Rash
Heartburn
Fever
Cough
Headaches
Drowsiness
Insomnia
Diabetes
Irritability
Weight gain
Cataracts
Elevated blood pressure
Osteoporosis
Muscle weakness
Dizziness
Loss of libido
Gastritis
Vomiting
Depression
Disturbed coordination
Mood disorders
Tremors
Excessive bleeding
Seizures
Death

These side effects are nothing to sneeze at! Thirty years ago, few people suffered allergies long-term. Forty or fifty years ago, allergies were quite rare. According to the National Institutes of Health, the proportion of children diagnosed by a MD general practitioner with hay fever or allergic rhinitis tripled between the early 1970s and early 1990s. Today in some cities, the number of children suffering with allergies and asthma can be as high as 90% in homes where one person already has asthma.

What’s changed? Why do so many of us now suffer with allergies? And why does it seem that once a person has developed one allergy, they increase in numbers over the years?

In short, our immune system health as a nation is plummeting. There are other various theories as to the answers to these and other questions regarding allergies. But for the moment, let us agree that the problem seems to be as out of control as the immune system is when the allergies occur.

For now, we’ll focus on how someone might prevent the necessity for medication that may cause mild, moderate or even very serious side effects.

Natra Bio’s line of homeopathic remedies that are formulated for various allergy concerns is called BioAllers. One of those products, Homeopathic Tree Pollen is available in a liquid form, and is specifically produced with very minute amounts of the very tree flowers that may be bothering our sinuses in the springtime. This is the same theory as immunizations, but without any known side effects.

Considered harmless enough for infants and even used with newborns, they’re likely safer, since they aren’t preserved with mercury and other potentially toxic heavy metals. Instead, they’re simple drops that may go in water or under the tongue. They have little or no flavor. In Germany and much of Europe, doctors prescribe homeopathic remedies for many chronic conditions such as allergies. Far fewer people there risk the potentially harmful side effects of the pharmaceutical preparations because so many folks find the homeopathic remedies very helpful in providing immediate temporary comfort.

Elder flower, the same bush that provides us with the elderberry in summer, has been used to help the body with inflammations of the skin, lungs, stomach and the sinuses for more than 2,500 years. I have witnessed the elder flower in helping with severe allergy symptoms, even when medications and other home remedies were of little or no use.

An example of this was a 73 year old man who came to me in Boston and stated that he didn’t believe in ‘any of this natural stuff’, but his allergies were so bad and nothing seemed to help. He had not had three days in a row where he was free of allergy symptoms in almost seven years, and just couldn’t take it much longer.

His friend suggested that he visit my office, and just follow what I might suggest, even though he did not believe in it. He told me that he would take only one product, so I suggested that, if it were me only taking one product, I would choose my most favorite elder syrup; Flora’s Sambu (or their newer version, Sambu Guard). These delicious syrups combine elder flower with elderberry, and Sambu has been on the European market for nearly 100 years. He jokingly asked if the reason I thought of this product was because he was an elder man. I told him that it as because he was a wise enough elder to ask me for my opinion!

He called a few days later to report that he was ‘marginally hopeful’; that he had not had any symptoms of his nasal allergies since about four hours after his visit to my office. I had taught him that when we suffer an acute situation, ancient herbal wisdom suggests taking a small amount of the herb as often as every hour or even every half hour.

Although the directions for the Sambu that he chose to use states to take one to two tablespoons, we discussed how our ancestors would more likely have used a half to one teaspoon frequently, and once the acute situation was past, they may have taken one to two teaspoons morning and night for prevention. They would have continued this preventive practice for about one month for each year that they had experienced the condition; in this gentleman’s situation, he took it for seven months. He called me again after nearly four months to say that I had made a true believer out of him. He said, “I guess this proves that you really can teach an old dog new tricks!”

Mrs. M. Grieve, author of A Modern Herbal, writes, “The flowers were used by our forefathers in bronchial and pulmonary affections, and in scarlet fever, measles and other eruptive diseases. An infusion of the dried flowers, Elder Flower Tea, is said to promote expectoration in pleurisy; … and is considered excellent for inducing free perspiration. It is a good old fashioned remedy for colds and throat trouble, taken hot on going to bed. An almost infallible cure for an attack of influenza in its first stage…”

We want to be sure to choose organically grown herbs, as many of the chemicals used in commercial farming are themselves allergens. To achieve immediate relief, we’ll need to moderate excess inflammation. Turmeric root, especially in a supercritical extract form found in two excellent products from Thera Veda called Ajay Aller Support and Pavan Respiratory Support and New Chapter’s Turmericforce will help the body to detoxify allergens from the liver and blood as it helps the body modulate the excess inflammation. Other excellent blood purifiers that may also provide detoxification support include red clover, burdock, yellow dock and dandelion root.

Nasal Support, organically grown, freeze-dried herbs in a vegetarian capsule, is produced by Eclectic Institute. This is my other most favorite herbal product (along with the Sambu) for any sort of sinus discomfort. Nasal Support contains nettles, eyebright, elder flower and horseradish. As you’ll see, this is a premier formulation in a high quality product.

Nettles, sometimes called stinging nettles, has been used in a variety of ways for inflammation associated with allergies and skin irritations for centuries. Nettles helps to purify the blood and balance the Ph, facilitating a release of the assumed toxin causing an excessive immune response called an allergy. Nettles may be used in tincture, tea, freeze-dried capsules, fresh and, my favorite, in pesto! (To make nettles pesto, use equal parts of nettles and basil, or nettles and cilantro.)

Nettles was researched for allergies and rhinitis and found to relieve all or most symptoms in most of the patients (58%). Now, they took the herbs at specific times, rather than the way our ancestors would have used them; as needed. There are not side effects associated with nettles. The side benefits are numerous, however, from glowing clear skin, healthy bones and good blood pressure rates, just to name a few.

My favorite ways to use nettles in supplemental form are the freeze-dried capsules and tincture. Just as our ancestors may have done when symptoms were acute, mentioned above with elder flower, a capsule or dropperful of tincture could have been taken every hour (or half hour in very acute situations), then morning and night (or morning, noon and night) for prevention once the acute symptoms had subsided.

Enzymes, specifically protein digesting enzymes called protease, can support the body with a reduction of allergy symptoms by digesting the proteins that cause excess inflammation. There are several excellent books on the market that explain the details and effectiveness of using enzyme therapy, but the short story is that there are always excess proteins present in the regions of the body where excess inflammation occurs, such as the sinuses or the skin of a person with allergies.

Having had arthritis since I was a child, I have experimented for decades with natural ways to deal with excess inflammation. In the early 1980’s a naturopathic doctor suggested I try enzyme therapy to reduce my pain. He suggested I take ten of the very best digestive enzyme capsules on the market at a time, between meals (at least two hours after a meal and thirty minutes before the next meal), five times per day for five days.

Because I had very significant hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), I usually ate five to six small meals every day. I bought the 250 capsules of the best digestive enzymes, and took the handful of ten at a time, over the course of seven or eight days’ time. My hand and knee pain was gone by the end of the first day. It did not return for several months. I did a follow-up enzyme therapy program every three months or so for three or four days for several years, keeping the arthritis pain at bay.

Sinus inflammation associated with allergies has been very responsive to enzyme therapy in several young people I’ve known to try it out over the years. I once knew a young man who was told by his alternative practitioner to use Renew Life’s Digest More enzymes, six at a time, before breakfast, before lunch, before dinner and before bed for eight days. He shared with me that he felt relief on the second day and didn’t have any allergy symptoms for several weeks.

Probiotics, the beneficial bacteria that reside in the intestinal tract, support our digestion and immune system in numerous ways. It is important to have a wide variety of these beneficial bacteria in the gut. There are trillions of probiotics in a healthy digestive tract. When they have been damaged or wiped out by antibiotics, steroids, birth control pills, excess stress, sugar, radiation, chemotherapy and a thousand other things, opportunistic microorganisms such as candida, harmful bacteria and parasites move in and wreck havoc.

When these potentially pathogenic microorganisms are in the majority, immune health suffers. It may become sluggish or reactive to normally occurring things, such as flower pollen (tree, grass, ragweed, etc) dust, pet dander, mold spores, etc. See the connection?

Remember, there are very few truly excellent probiotics on the market. The three brands I find most effective are Bio-K Plus, Natren and New Chapter.

Cellfood is an amazing product, formulated with 78 ionic minerals, 34 enzymes, 17 amino acids, electrolytes and dissolved oxygen. Helping to deliver oxygen to every cell in the body, Cellfood can support the lungs, heart, lymphatic, immune and digestive systems. Many people report increased energy, vitality, deeper sleep and a brighter outlook on life when they use Cellfood regularly. This may be due to the detoxification properties, the nutrient support, the nascent oxygen or all of the above.

Cellfood is easy to use. Simply drip eight drops into a glass of water three times daily and drink. Its lemony flavor is pleasant as it helps to balance our pH. I once had a friend who moved to Boston from the Midwest. Ginny’s allergies immediately went wild. She began to use her prescription medication frequently throughout the day. She got jittery, agitated and began losing sleep.

Not comfortable with this, she researched some herbs and supplements that might help her. Ginny asked me what I thought about Cellfood. I shared that I used it nearly every day and she smiled. A few minutes later, she returned with the small bottle of Cellfood she had purchased earlier in the day, dropping the first eight drops into her water bottle.

A few days later, she let me know that she only needed her medication one more time after that first use of Cellfood. Four years later, we were talking about the amazing benefits of Cellfood and Ginny shared with me that she had only ever used her medication three more times and that she still kept it on hand for emergencies, but she felt that she’d never be without her Cellfood again.

Eyebright is a small common weed found throughout much of the temperate regions of the world. People have used eyebright for allergies, sinusitis and the common cold. Eyebright help the body reduce mucus secretion, assisting in the relief of sinus irritation. For centuries, eyebright was the herb of choice when the eyes, and the face in general, appeared cloudy, dull and puffy; hence the need for brightening the eyes; eyebright!

A word or two about bee pollen. If you’re at all familiar with holistic remedies, you’ve probably heard that bee pollen provides effective relief for sinus issues. But we’re experiencing a national crisis with our bees. Bees, especially honey bees, some of the most important pollinators, are dying at record levels. And most recently a mystery has also been occurring; bees are simply disappearing. Hives are being found with no sign of life. The ‘experts’ say that they can’t understand what’s causing this massive problem.

Well, let’s consider this. For more than a half century, we’ve been harvesting everything that the bee produces to keep their communities healthy. We take their food, the honey; their medicine, the propolis; etc. In return, we give them some sugar water; SUGAR WATER! Anyone reading this blog has got to understand that refined white sugar is very, very bad for us. Who can’t figure out that if, for decades we steal the bees’ nourishment and protection, an opportunistic pest will come along and do damage. In this case, it’s a mite; a small bug that attaches itself to the bee’s back and literally sucks the life out of it. We need to change things here.

If you feel you must use honey, pollen, propolis, etc., please buy certified organic products. Unlike the unhealthy harvesting practices of commercial beekeepers, certified organic bee products are harvested much more ethically, leaving plenty of nourishment and propolis to protect the hive from danger. About the only organic bee products I really trust, available at most real health food stores are produced by Y.S. Organic Bee Farms.

Since there are so many high quality herbal products that are easily available in most regions and on the web, there is no longer a reason to suffer this spring; don’t you agree?

My shins and calves would itch so badly during the night that I would scratch them until they bled. I used both topical products and supplements that would help for awhile, but the pain and itching never fully left my body during all those years. I also found acupuncture to be fairly effective, having gotten treatments for several years. Although my skin improved, it never cleared completely. Wintertime was always the worst time of year, and summer was only marginally better. And then something wonderful happened!

For the past ten or twelve years, I have freed myself of the daily (and nightly) discomfort, irritation and pain that I’d experienced with my skin throughout most of my life. I will first share with you how I relieved the discomfort, and at a later date, I will explain how we can all find long-term relief from the distress of auto-immune conditions, including eczema and psoriasis.

Many holistic health practitioners believe that all skin imbalances are linked to the liver and often the colon, as well. The liver is the master detoxifier of the body, and with tens of thousands of new chemical compounds produced in these last few decades, our livers are overwhelmed with the burden of ridding our bodies of these toxins, to say the least.

The liver may literally work for weeks or months, attempting to produce an enzyme or agent to break down one of these chemical compounds. Meanwhile, it will store the assumed toxin in fatty tissue. The fatty tissue protects the toxin similarly to an egg carton protecting the fragile eggs. We would all do very well if the toxins were stored in our hips or behind, but fatty tissue may also be found in the brain, eyes, skin, etc. and the liver may choose one of these storage locations.

Once the liver has rendered the toxin harmless, it is sent to the colon for elimination. The problem here is that most people’s colons are a mess, and the structure of the intestinal lining is stressed and leaking. These unhealthy intestinal conditions are called by many names; IBS, constipation, leaky gut, Crohn’s, colitis, etc, but the bottom line is that those toxins that the liver sent to be expelled via the colon end up being reabsorbed into the bloodstream, where they can wreak havoc.

This pattern of imbalance is believed to be the underlying problem that leads to many, if not all, of the auto-immune conditions. The liver may use the skin (or eyes or brain) to dump or store excesses, leading to either dry or oily conditions.

So, you must be noticing by now that there is a great need for effective detoxification. Most cultures of people throughout the world have used the changing of the seasons to cleanse the body and mind of accumulated toxins. Today, we pollute our food, water, air, bodies and minds on an unfathomable scale, but many of us no longer take the time to reduce or eliminate the accumulated waste from our cells and organs with proper detoxification.

Before any liver detoxification is to take place, it is crucial to get the colon working effectively. Regardless of what doctors often tell patients these days, it is NOT NORMAL to only have a bowel movement two or three times per week! This could not be more wrong if we want to be healthy and prevent disease. For thousands of years ‘normal’ elimination has been a bowel movement at least once, and up to three times daily, (and at times, such as during detoxification periods, even more often).

If this is an issue for you, you may want to increase your consumption of vegetables (and not necessarily fruits, as they can feed candida, a story for another day). You may also want to add flax seeds. Please, don’t buy the flax meal that is already ground up for you. The oils are rancid in these products, and they’ll charge you four times as much for this inferior form of flax. And please be sure to buy organic! There are some silly scientists now messing with flax and genetic engineering.

Now, I’ll address the program that I’ve found most effective for very dry skin. There are probably two dozen other excellent products for these purposes, but for every great product on the market, there are 50 or more that are of very poor quality. Choose wisely if results are what you desire.

We need good fats for every cell in the body, and the omega 6’s and 9’s are the ones our skin desires. Don’t think that because you’re taking the omega 3’s in fish or flax oil, that you’re all set. Those fats are not what our skin needs, so you may want to find a product containing all three or add an oil such as black current seed oil.

My favorite combination of the omega 3’s, 6’s and 9’s is the Renew Life’s Oil Smart. It contains an abundance of lipase, the enzyme needed to break down fats in the digestive tract for much better absorption and utilization. In a liquid form, my favorite is Udo’s Choice Udo’s Choice Oil Blend from Flora. This is delicious on salads, in smoothies, etc and is sold in glass bottles, just as all good oils should be.

To address liver and blood detoxification, there are a few excellent choices. If you can find it, the product made with organic freeze-dried herbs by Eclectic Institute called Blood Support is superb. To this, one might choose to add a tincture of burdock seed. The one I often use is Herb Pharm’s Burdock Blend.

Neem, a tree found through much of the subcontinent of India, has been used for a wide range of skin conditions, including eczema and psoriasis. Dozens of studies have confirmed what the people of that region of the world have long known; the leaves and oil of the neem tree are rich in compounds that offer powerful and safe anti-inflammatory activity. Neem has been used both internally and externally for skin conditions for thousands of years.

The most therapeutic neem products in the US are from a company called Organix South, and go by the brand name Thera Neem. You may want to try their soaps, especially the maximum strength one with sweet orange and ylang ylang. They also make a rich, nourishing cream called Neem Leaf & Oil Cream, available in a soothing, almost unscented Vanilla as well as a gentle sweet orange and ylang ylang scent.

These luscious healing body creams contain a valuable amount of shae butter and neem leaf oil, and were voted as one of the top 10 creams in the world for dry skin by the Independent Newspaper in London.

I’ve long understood that issues of the skin must be addressed internally, and although I do have my favorite products to apply when my skin is dry and chapped, long-term real relief will come from within. The Thera Neem folks also offer some very potent organic neem capsules. Neem, taken internally, is quite bitter, and helps to neutralize some of the excess sugar that most of us have in our blood. This is believed to directly support healthy, beautiful skin.

If you have experienced rough, dry, irritated skin, it’s time to help your body heal itself so that the next time you pass the mirror, you will be looking at a more soft, supple, beautiful you!

My serious health issues, beginning in early childhood, led me to a lifetime of learning about what is truly natural, healthful, beneficial and free from side effects. Although it has often felt like an arduous road, I am ever grateful for my good health today and for the lessons I’ve learned, the journey I’ve traveled and the ability to pass this message I’ve been gifted with along to others.

I first began to realize that I had more pain than most children when I was turning six and had just begun first grade. My teacher, Mrs. Weeks, a beautiful woman who became my friend for several years, noticed that I gripped my pencil extraordinarily tightly, and that I complained that my knees were in pain much of the time. My knee pain became worse just before a storm or if I’d sat for an extended period, just as many elders experience.

I had other chronic aches and pains throughout those early years that seemed worse than other kids my age experienced. Mrs. Weeks and my Great Aunt Merle both wondered if I had Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, a condition that was not yet recognized by the mainstream medical doctors. A couple years later, Aunt Merle took me to one of her alternative practitioners who confirmed their suspicions.

Whenever I complained at home, my mother told me that it was all in my head, or maybe I had growing pains and to forget about it. My doctor suggested that I take baby aspirin as desired. It didn’t seem to help much. He told my parents that there was nothing wrong with me. I still had pain, but they told me to just go play and get over it.

Over the next few years, I began to develop more auto-immune conditions. At seven and a half, I realized that synthetic fibers, including acrylic stuffed animals, made me itch and gave me the feeling of ‘fingernails on the chalkboard’ all the way to my bones. My skin got red and blotchy. I started to feel sensitive to the smell of laundry detergents, dry cleaning and dozens of cleaning products and chemical smells constantly being generated in our home, school and throughout our lives. As time passed, I was beginning to react to dozens of things that we now know have an off-gas effect and that many very sensitive people react to. Today, this condition is referred to as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS).

I could taste those things that affected me negatively on the roof of my mouth. It felt as if I had a coating of something metallic there, and it didn’t go away easily. I also felt that the chemicals that I was sensitive to ‘pushed out my skin’ and left my skin with a dry, crusty feel and appearance. My exposure to these chemicals often gave me a light-headed feeling which began by eight years old or so to develop into chronic headaches.

By about twelve or thirteen years old, I was getting migraines, sometimes as often as two or three a week. My doctor again told us that there was nothing wrong with me, and that I was likely just complaining to get attention. To me, he suggested that I just take more aspirin, suggesting that I double or triple the dose on the label. I now understand how dangerous this recommendation could have been for me, and how it likely led to a worsening of my auto-immune issues.

I began to explore herbalism, whole foods and detoxification in my early teenage years, quite by accident. As I followed the advice of those who tried to help me, I found that my body even reacted negatively to many of the products labeled ‘natural’, leading me to further exploration. I learned that many products and most supplements found in the natural products industry are not truly ‘natural’ at all. Herbs and whole foods seemed to provide me with the greatest improvement.

I drank lots of herbal teas, moved toward more whole foods and took up the daily practice of yoga. My health continued to improve with these advances in my lifestyle. But it was still only symptomatic relief and I wanted to heal myself completely, so I searched on and explored more deeply. Stay tuned as I share with you those therapies that I found helped me to heal myself long-term, bringing me to true health, being virtually free of the decades of chronic pain I had experienced.

There are several interesting health myths that have their origins in medical and scientific journals. These myths trickle down to the articles that we read in news journals, alternative health and women’s magazines. These myths stem from the scientific reductionist viewpoint that looks at the isolated parts of the whole as if they were actually the whole itself.

Now, I certainly do not mean to imply that the study of the separate constituents has no value; this is exactly how many pharmaceutical medications originate. Instead, what I’m attempting to do is to dispel the confusion about several very different types of herbal products. When an herb is comprised of hundreds of complex constituents, a single one of those constituents cannot and should not be considered to be the same as the whole herb, being spoken about and used interchangeably.

Here is my favorite (or should I say ‘least favorite’) example of this; turmeric, according to research, has approximately 100 constituents. One of those constituents is called curcumin, and curcumin has been considered by some researchers to be the one ‘active constituent’ (or the curcuminoids are considered the ‘group of active constituents’). Research has shown that, although curcumin provides noted activity against excess inflammation, the extract of the whole turmeric, with all its other active and inert constituents, has significantly more activity. And although curcumin supports detoxification of the liver and blood, the full-spectrum turmeric extract has been shown to provide us much greater detoxification than the isolates alone.

In fact, isolated constituents have never been found to work more effectively than the whole herb, spice or mushroom without also having potentially harmful side effects. With virtually all herbs and fungi, the whole provides the benefits along with the checks and balances to prevent possible side effects.

Many of the turmeric products on the supplements market are not really turmeric at all. These products are labeled as turmeric on the front, but if you read the fine print on the ‘Supplement Facts Panel’ (the fine print box found on the back), you would see that there is 95% curcuminoids (including the curcumin). According to nature, 5-11% of the root is comprised of curcuminoids. This means that most of the turmeric root was disposed of and the capsule was filled with a small fraction of turmeric’s actual constituents. Personally, I would prefer these kinds of products be labeled as over-the-counter drugs with clever names than to mistakenly refer to them as herbal products.

Another concern with these altered products is that those curcuminoids were isolated from the whole root through one of the chemical extraction processes used by the pharmaceutical industry. Hexane, acetone or (my favorite) PERC (dry-cleaning fluid) may have been used to isolate the chosen constituents, and small amounts are usually left behind in the finished product. I think it ironic that dry-cleaning fluid might be contained in our daily detoxification product!

Green tea contains more than 500 constituents. Again, as a result of research, there is one special constituent that has been deemed by scientists to be the most active. This constituent is called EGCG, and the story is really quite similar. EGCG is in the family of catechins, which are potent antioxidants.

Green tea has been shown to support weight loss, reduce oxidative damage caused by free radicals, prevent cancer and heart disease and improve immune function. Products containing the isolated EGCG are often sold with claims of the same benefits as the whole, complex green tea.

Research was done on both green tea consumption and green tea extract usage. Just as with the whole turmeric root, the complex whole herb of green tea appears to support health and detoxification more effectively than the isolated EGCG. In fact, it seems that when you remove even one ingredient, caffeine for example, green tea has little, if any effect on detoxification and inflammation.

Saccharides, some of the important building blocks of our healthy cells, are found in several herbs and in all medicinal mushrooms. One of the most common sources for some of the Saccharides being isolated for products on health food store shelves is the Aloe vera plant. I repeat the running theme here; these Saccharides, so essential for our healthy cells, are not the same as the whole Aloe vera, Shiitake or Maitake. They cannot be; one is singular, simple; the other complex, multifarious.

Here is another important example, a nutrient that’s recently gotten a lot of press. Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant in the carotenoid family, is usually found in red fruits and vegetables. Lycopene has gotten quite a bit of publicity in the last few years for its potential to protect us from cancer, especially cancer of the prostate, diabetes and osteoporosis. Research showed that men who ate the greatest amount of tomatoes seemed to have fewer prostate issues. Researchers determined that the activity in the tomatoes was due to the Lycopene. Upon the release of this important new information, many new Lycopene products arrived in stores and were selling out in no time. But a funny thing happened when the researchers looked at the isolated Lycopene; it had no antioxidant activity. It didn’t work. Lycopene, it seems, must be present in the tomatoes, watermelon, papaya or avocado to help protect our health.

So, if it sounds like a chemical, it is most likely a chemical. If you can go out in nature and pick it or dig its root, then it’s really natural. And when it is isolated from something that formerly lived and grew in nature, it was probably separated with a chemical solvent, and is therefore no longer truly natural.

Most of the nutritional supplements on the market are called ‘natural’, but in reality, they aren’t even close. Please stay tuned for more on how vitamins and other supplement products are processed and made, and which supplements are truly the most natural, safe and effective.

We all deserve, at every age, to experience good health and emotional well-being. Women do so much for everyone else in their lives that we’re becoming a society of frazzled, worn out beings on the emotional rollercoaster. Women, it’s time to take better care of ourselves, nurture ourselves regularly and regain our vibrant health and vitality!

Please remember that when it comes to using herbs to support good health, Quality is Everything! Herbs may be purchased in a wide variety of forms and with various processing and extraction methods used. We should purchase organically grown herbs whenever possible, so as to avoid the potentially toxic chemicals that commercial crops are sprayed and fertilized with.

Supercritical extracts, tinctures, herb teas, standardized extracts and powdered herbs (loose or in capsules) containing the same herb can affect us quite differently. Taking herbal remedies consistently for a period of time, is believed to contribute to the effectiveness of many herbs and herbal combinations, while others may be more beneficial when used only for a brief period of time. If you have any questions or concerns about the usage of herbs, please email me or contact an herbalist or other holistic practitioner in your area.

Many of us have heard about using medicinal herbs for safer hormonal balance, and for maintaining or regaining optimal levels of energy and vitality. Here are just a few of the herbs that are considered to be very safe that have been used by women for centuries to support good health and emotional well-being.

Black cohosh is normalizing to the female (and often the male) hormonal system and has been shown to have inflammatory modulating (balancing) properties, used for centuries for arthritis and rheumatism. A gentle and effective muscle relaxant, Black cohosh may be an excellent choice on its own, or used in combination with Cramp bark for cramping or backache. Black cohosh has been safely used by the Native American people since long before Europeans began to arrive, likely for well more than a thousand years. Black cohosh has been widely used in Germany for over 50 years, prescribed by gynecologists for symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes, sweats, vertigo, nervousness, sleeplessness, irritability, depression and headaches.

It is important to choose a certified organic product, as many of the products on the market are extracted with chemical solvents, such as acetone, PERC (dry-cleaning fluid) or hexane. These chemical solvents, although approved by the FDA, may react with the delicate plant phytonutrients, creating a less pure and potentially less effective product.

Vitex helps a woman’s body to self-regulate, both physically and emotionally, when used consistently for 3 to 6 months or longer. Vitex is believed by many to be most beneficial when consumed first thing in the morning, before our feet touch the floor.

Dong quai, often referred to as the female ginseng, can help to regulate the menses and tone the uterus, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Dong quai is considered to be potent and safe for both short and long-term use. Purchasing an organic product is imperative; as roots such as Dong quai are prone to concentrations of potential toxins that commercial herb and vegetable crops are usually grown with.

Blessed thistle, a close cousin of the more popular milk thistle, is known to be an effective digestive bitter and a powerful, yet very gentle liver tonic. Blessed thistle increases and enriches the flow of mother’s milk, according to centuries of use. Best of all, for women who are dealing with the difficulties of hormonal imbalances, Blessed thistle helps to balance the emotions for people at all ages, in great part through the detoxification of the accumulating toxins in the liver and blood.

Cramp bark helps the body relax the uterine muscles to reduce menstrual cramps. Cramp bark has been used for centuries for back ache, leg cramps, chronic muscle pain and physical tension.

Dandelion root helps to detoxify the liver and gall bladder, and supports digestive health, while the Dandelion leaves are a superb diuretic, actually providing the body with surplus potassium, and supporting reduced swelling & bloating.

Nettles, considered the most nutritious land plant on Earth, offers us abundant minerals, vitamins, trace minerals and phytonutrients. Very invigorating and purifying, Nettles deep nourishment supports all of the body’s organs and systems. Nettles is an excellent herbal choice for when we feel exhausted and depleted.

Raspberry leaf, a safe, nutritive uterine tonic has been used throughout recorded history for pregnancy, as well as for girls and women of all ages to support hormonal wellness. Children love this herbal tea, either on its own or combined with peppermint or a fruity flavored tea!

Holy basil is a magnificent herb for women of all ages, supporting adrenal balance and soothing the emotions. Calming and centering, Holy basil is excellent for stress, irritability and anxiety, helping stabilize blood sugar balance and mood swings. Research has shown Holy basil to be a potent herb for helping the body to modulate (balance) excess inflammation, making it a wonderful herb to consume regularly for helping with the symptoms of PMS and menopause.

Motherwort, an excellent uterine tonic, has been used for centuries for anxiety and an irregular or skipped heartbeat, regardless of the cause.

These are just a few of the myriad possibilities to restore our vitality and emotional well-being. You may prefer a program more suited for your specific needs, but I’ve chosen to share these herbs with you as they are considered safe and very beneficial. Look for part three of Women’s Health at Any Age in the next month or so. Take good care!

Remember; the information above is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to take the place of a qualified healthcare practitioner.

Do you ever wake up feeling completely worn out? Did you then decide you just couldn’t face going into work or on with your plans? You are not alone. The statistics in America on work days lost to the effects of fatigue are staggering. People of all ages, from young children to the elderly, are finding that normal daily living these days is simply exhausting. Some find that they feel weary soon after awakening, while others need a nap after lunch or mid-afternoon. Whether or not we fall asleep easily and rest deeply, we are a nation of severely fatigued citizens.

Stimulants are more popular than ever. Coffee, soda, black tea, energy drinks and OTC or prescription medications are relied upon by millions just to make it through the day. Sugary sweets are devoured excessively, hoping to provide a much needed boost. But these are not real solutions, and we frequently find ourselves burning the candle at both ends, which can lead to physical or emotional burnout.

Memory loss and brain fog often accompany fatigue. The feelings of ‘fuzziness’ associated with brain fog are a daily part of life for many folks in today’s frantic society. Short term and sometimes long term memory loss are a nagging reality for most of us as we age and is now even considered normal.

Fortunately, the herbal world is rich with solutions. One of the world’s most revered herbs used to combat the effects of stress, fatigue and memory loss is virtually unknown in the United States. This herb is Rhodiola rosea, and if you haven’t heard of it yet, you will! There is a wealth of research showing the effectiveness of Rhodiola for literally dozens of symptoms and conditions.

Rhodiola is an herb that is definitely dose dependant. But regardless of the amount of Rhodiola taken, it appears to reduce fatigue and strengthen the immune system, helping to prevent cold and flu during times of stress. Rhodiola also improves resistance to the harmful effects of both physical and emotional stress and exertion throughout our bodies. And Rhodiola is shown to improve work productivity, regardless of what other benefits were desired.

At lower doses, Rhodiola is shown to stimulate the brain’s cognitive function and memory. Lower doses are considered 100 mgs. or less. Studies have shown that these low doses can be taken over time, usually twice a day for days, weeks or for months, to help prevent memory loss, poor thought processing or difficulty in learning. Researchers believe Rhodiola may even prevent or help improve some of the age-related memory loss in elders. Rhodiola, often taken at this low mg amount every hour or two, is a favorite for studying for exams, and for increased memory retention during exam week. School-aged children, nurses, lawyers or new drivers may benefit as the pressures of doing well on exams takes hold.

The action within the body seems to be caused in part by an increased permeability of the blood brain barrier to the building blocks of dopamine and serotonin, two important neurotransmitters within the brain and nervous system.

Physicians working the night shift were part of a double-blind crossover study using low doses of Rhodiola. A statistically significant improvement was shown within two weeks in all categories: concentration, calculation, short-term memory and associative thinking, leading to fewer mistakes and better care of their patients.

Lower doses, taken only short-term for the stress of taking exams, were shown to significantly raise test scores and reduce errors. This should be good news for students with mid-terms or final exams coming up.

Taken in medium doses, 200-300 mgs. once or twice daily, Rhodiola has been used in numerous studies and shown to significantly improve stamina, endurance and sexual vitality. Safe and legal for athletes, Rhodiola could improve anyone’s game without the side effects of stimulants or steroid-like preparations.

Rhodiola taken in larger doses has a sedative effect. Research has shown that the “Parkinsonian” symptoms of several serious health conditions, including tremors, stiffness and slowed movements, were appreciably reduced.

In conclusion, Rhodiola has been clinically shown to lift the spirits and increase memory and cognitive function while calming the adrenals and improving motor coordination. Be sure that you read the label of any Rhodiola products you consider trying, as only the Rhodiola rosea species has the research that shows such promising results. Other species are marketed, but don’t appear to offer the same physical, mental and emotional benefits.

And, as I always warn folks of, be sure to purchase only very high quality herbal products, as many brands of Rhodiola are extracted with chemical solvents, such as hexane, acetone and PERC (dry-cleaning fluid). Organically grown, naturally extracted herbs may be your best bet!

For additional information about the amazing virtues of Rhodiola rosea, please read The The Rhodiola Revolution: Transform Your Health with the Herbal Breakthrough of the 21st Century by Richard P. Brown, Patricia L. Gerbarg, and Barbara Graham.

Stay tuned; we will look at the benefits of other helpful herbs for focus, concentration, memory retention and reducing fatigue in the near future.

There have been hundreds of thousands of articles published about the use of herbs and nutritional supplements for achieving and maintaining good health. I would estimate that, of the thousands I have read over the last three decades, about 80% of them provide inaccurate information by containing these myths and half-truths. It is not likely due to the writers’ desire to throw their readers’ healing programs off-base. Instead, I’ve found it more likely due to the idea that research is often manipulated and interpreted in a variety of ways, depending on the desired outcome of those funding that research, even with the scientific standards that currently exist. In the US (and several other countries,as well), a writer or advertiser may quote information from a study, leaving out the very details that make the quote honest and truthful, to promote their products, services, ideas or concepts.

There are so many examples of this, but few get under my skin as powerfully as the issue of soy. Many articles and ads regarding soy state that it’s heart healthy or it’s not good for the heart whatsoever. Some say it will protect the breasts and cells from cancers, while others warn that it may cause or contribute to cancers. others say soy can either prevent or increase PMS or menopause symptoms. It goes on and on…

How is a person to determine what is best for them when those on both sides of the issue feel very strongly that they are right, and the other is somehow lesser informed? For many folks, the choice is difficult, and regardless of which advice they decide to follow, they find themselves second-guessing and feeling concerned about their decision.

For the first couple decades I studied natural health, I was one of them. I believed in trial and error, and didn’t trust research, preferring the empirical evidence of the generations before me. I tried one thing, and then another, desperately attempting to heal myself from the chronic pain and discomfort I endured as I dealt with several ambiguous auto-immune disorders. I was a high-functioning type-A personality gal, determined to be free of it all and finally get to experience the long-term vibrant health that we all deserve to enjoy.

Soy played a big role in this seesaw game of learning to heal myself. Eventually, I became enlightened by one of my greatest teachers as to the importance of tracing back what was stated or implied in an article, book or ad by checking the references until I got to the actual research being quoted, or more often misquoted or half-quoted, and then to find out who funded the research. (This is something I technically knew how to do since grade school, but had always thought that if someone referenced a statement, they surely would have gotten it right. Wrong!)

Soy is probably one of the most misunderstood topics in the natural health industry. Many people tell me that their doctors have told them to stay absolutely clear of all soy products and soy derivatives, especially when there is a history of breast cancer (and sometimes other cancers) in the family. Others state that they were told by their healthcare practitioner to eat as much soy as possible to avoid cancer, alleviate symptoms of menopause or improve bone health. Both of these opinions, however, are unfortunately incorrect, according to the most reliable independent research. See how confusing things can be?

The real story is not about whether soy is good or bad, but rather, according to thousands of years of evidence and the latest independent research, as well, is that fully cultured (fermented) soy (and properly sprouted soy) are healthful, protective and beneficial, while uncultured soy, most of what’s on the US market, is at best, not beneficial, and at worst, may contribute to several discomforts and disease conditions mentioned above and likely others, too.

Very few folks that attend my classes or receive consultations have ever heard of these distinguishing factors regarding soy. Most of them just felt confused by the numerous health claims and health warnings that they had heard or read about over the years. You have probably felt similarly. The following will likely help you to further understand, so that you will be better informed and able to make wiser choices in the future.

The original source of incorrect information regarding soy and its health benefits or potential harm seems to have been intentionally spread to promote the budding soy industry back in the ‘70’s. Whenever I first mention soy in the classes, one can immediately observe the changes in facial expressions throughout the room, and then the hands begin to go up, oftenly urgently. Many share that they have been very confused by the opposing viewpoints about soy, so they have either chosen to avoid it altogether or to eat lots of it daily in hopes that it’s the magic bullet they seek.

Most of the health benefits associated with soy have been found through research that has been done using miso (fermented soy paste used primarily for making miso soup) or natto (a strange fermented soy condiment rarely consumed in America). There have been a few studies done using fermented soymilk (what we may call soy yogurt), tempeh (a fermented soybean cake) or fermented soy sauce (called shoyu or tamari). Many of these fermented soy foods take years to make, and are traditionally consumed in small amounts each day in Japan and other East Asian countries. The Japanese people, until recently, have rarely consumed uncultured soy foods, but these myths in marketing have had an impact on their younger generation, too.

Miso has been associated with many health benefits, including but not limited to the protection from breast, stomach and overall cancers. One large study conducted by National Cancer Center Research Institute in Tokyo that followed 21,000 middle-aged Japanese women for 10 years showed that only 179 developed breast cancer. The women who consumed ½ to one teaspoon of miso mixed into a bowl of soup or broth three times daily had significantly less chance of developing beast cancer than those who ate miso one or fewer times each day. This is far fewer diagnoses than would be found in a comparable number of American women.

Miso, when combined traditionally with sea vegetables (edible seaweeds) in miso soup or other Japanese dishes, is believed to be even more chemoprotective than either one alone. The folks from Okinawa who follow their ancestors’ traditions begin their day with this type of miso soup, and then have it again with lunch and often dinner, as well.

Natto, a sticky soybean condiment often eaten with brown rice, has been shown to provide noteworthy benefits to the cardiovascular system, better blood lipid profiles (triglyceride numbers), cholesterol levels, reduced cancers and lower incidence of osteoporosis.

Many conflicting studies have been done with soy protein isolates and isoflavones, one of the groups of active constituents found in soy. The studies that have been financially backed by various soy interests have shown ‘promise’, but the independently funded have shown that uncultured soy may be unhelpful or possibly even harmful. Please don’t be fooled by this quagmire of paradoxical information The Japanese are considered to be the healthiest people on Earth, but as soon as their diets become ‘westernized’, adding American foods and uncultured soy, their healthy life expectancy drops significantly.

As you can see by reading the labels of packaged foods in nearly any health food store and more recently, in the regular grocery stores, too, American food companies have ignored the real research and traditional usage of soy foods in the healthiest country in the world, probably because these foods take too long to manufacture. Instead, they have misguided us with deceptive advertising and press releases, quoting scientific studies, but leaving out the very fact that the research had been done with cultured soy instead of the isolated and uncultured soy products that they attempt to promote.

Here is the list of healthful cultured soy foods that we may choose to consume so as to protect our cardiovascular and cellular health:

Miso
Natto
Tempeh
Tamari (fully fermented soy sauce)
Shoyu (fermented soy sauce)
Soy yogurt

Here is the list of soy foods that may not be beneficial and may be harmful to our health:

Soy protein powders
Soy milk
Soy nuts
Soy oil
Soy nut butter
Soy flour
Soy pasta
Texturized vegetable protein
Meat and cheese alternatives
Soy ice cream alternatives
Tofu
Soy pills

I hope that this, the first in a long series of Myths in Nutrition, has begun to help you to recognize and understand the differences between the myths, misunderstandings, half-truths and the truths that you may read or hear about soy going forward.

For additional information on the topic of soy, you may want to check out:
the Weston A Price Foundation’s Soy Alert!
and the best article I’ve found to date on soy published by Mothering Magazine in the May/June 2004 issue:
Whole Soy Story: The Dark Side of America’s Favorite Health Food.

We are certainly a culture of people that like to have lots of ‘things’. But some of the best things in life aren’t things at all. Take, for example, good health. Many people have lots and lots of very nice items like cars, boats and homes, but they experience poor health. Did you ever wish you could give your loved one a gift of vibrant health, energy and vitality? Now you can! Here’s how…

I’m a Community Herbalist with more than thirty years of study and practice using healing foods, herbs and supplements to heal myself from several serious chronic health conditions that the medical community often says cannot be recovered from. I have raised my daughters, now bright, vibrant young adults, using organic whole foods and holistic practices (with the exception of medical emergencies). Over the last twenty-five years, I have taught whole foods cooking classes and health promoting practices so that the participants could also learn to heal themselves from chronic health conditions or life-threatening illnesses.

I currently provide this instruction through Wellness Consultations. A Wellness Consultation is an educational service where the recipient is taught how to use safe healing foods, herbs and supplements to regain health and vitality, find freedom from chronic or acute pain, lift the spirits and be released from the grips of anxiety, mood swings and irritability.

Wellness Consultations may be received in person in the New England area or by telephone from anywhere in the world. They do not interfere with medication, but I urge consultation recipients to check with your healthcare provider(s) before starting any new health regimen. If you are on prescription medications, this might be even more important to follow, and please be sure to visit your doctor about two months after beginning to make the healthier choices as outlined in your Wellness Consultation, as your doctor may find it prudent to reduce or eliminate your medication at that time. (I do not discuss reduction or elimination of medication with consultation recipients, as this is a conversation between you and your healthcare provider.)

Wellness Consultations are usually about one hour long, but may be shorter or extended in increments of fifteen minutes, if desired. Wellness Consultations may be experienced by individuals, couples, sisters or brothers, entire families or a pet’s person.

Too often, when a person becomes ill or experiences chronic pain, their doctor puts them on a medication or two, and pretty soon, they have a few minor side effects, and they need more medication for that. Although there are certainly instances where medication is necessary, too often it is used to mask the symptoms rather than getting to the root cause of the problem.

An example of this scenario is described in the following story. My friend’s uncle had a bit of a heart problem, nothing serious according to his doctor. He went on one medication, then two, and a few months later he needed another. Now, ten years later, he takes thirty-one prescription medications every day!

I recently spoke to a local pharmacist about this who stated that, after three or four medications, it is impossible to know what the interactions are going to be and how those combined medications are really affecting the body. He felt it may be unsafe for doctors to place a person on more than three or four medications at one time, and certainly not a senior citizen on thirty-one! Unfortunately, this is more often the norm than the exception for our elders in this society. But it certainly doesn’t have to be this way!

Using healing foods and herbs is a gentle healthful way for us to address the cause of the imbalance that often leads to illness, chronic conditions and serious disease. Many of the greatest health concerns that plague our society today are considered to be caused by nutritional deficiency or toxin overload or both. When we detoxify the organs, cells and tissues, then supply the body with easily absorbed and utilized whole food nutrients to repair the damage, we regain our health, vitality and happiness. Life begins to feel good again!

If you know someone that deserves to find their path back to good health from illness; vitality from exhaustion; happiness from despair, then it is the time to give them the greatest gift of all; the Gift of Health. Why wait? Contact Cindy today to set up an appointment for a Wellness Consultation, and see your loved one(s) feeling fantastic again!

Cindy