Red clover, a common perennial herb that grows wild in meadows through much of the world, is in the legume family, just as beans, peas and peanuts are. Its Latin name, Trifolium pretense, means “three leaves, found in the meadow”. Red clover is well-known by organic farmers as a cover crop, ideal for fixing nitrogen to increase soil fertility. Some of its other common names are purple clover, cow clover, meadow clover and wild clover.

There are hundreds of species, and many are grown for feeding livestock, but red clover is believed to be of great medicinal value. The flowering tops, on the one day when they are at the peak of perfection, are harvested for use in tinctures, teas, capsules and body care products. Because red clover, once dried, easily loses its medicinal value, it is important to choose products carefully so that we may enjoy their numerous benefits.

Red clover is considered to be a powerful alterative, meaning that it’s a remedy that restores good health. Well known for its ability to cleanse and purify the blood, red clover is believed to help prevent some of the plaque deposits that can lead to heart attacks or stroke, improving circulation and overall cardiovascular health.

Assisting the liver with the detoxification process, red clover has been reputed as a safe and useful remedy for a variety of health complaints associated with the liver or ‘dirty blood’. Over the last several centuries, one of red clover’s primary uses has been for dermal inflammations, including childhood and adult eczema, psoriasis, dandruff and various rashes. Red clover would often be added to the tea pot for daily consumption and detoxification when symptoms arose. Ointments or salves containing red clover would be applied topically to the affected area. More recently, red clover has been useful for teen, cystic or hormonally-activated acne.

Red clover is considered to be an excellent antispasmodic, meaning that it helps to relieve mild cramping or muscle spasm and it works as an expectorant, helping clear lungs of phlegm and toxins. Traditional health practitioners have used it as part of a program to calm bronchial spasms and coughs associated with the common cold, as well as some serious respiratory problems, including whooping cough, bronchitis, asthma and pneumonia.

Red clover is high in numerous nutrients, including the B vitamins, niacin (B3) and thiamine (B1); vitamin C; and several minerals, including calcium, chromium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. Nutritionally, red clover is most well known as a very rich source of isoflavones, a group of compounds found in many plants. These phyto-chemicals, also found in soy, look similar to the female hormone estrogen.

Red clover is often used in herbal formulations to help girls and young women with cramping, moodiness and breast tenderness associated with PMS. Red clover has become popular for helping women with menopause and peri-menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings. It is used by women of all ages to help protect the breasts and improve hormonal health.

There is a lot of confusion in the media and on health websites about how phyto-estrogens, such as isoflavones, work. When plant-based chemical compounds are naturally occurring in an herb such as red clover, these hormone-balancing little gems simply fill some of the estrogen receptors within the body. When isoflavones have been chemically isolated away from the complexity of the plant, they lose the checks and balances of the whole, natural, full-spectrum herb. They can then act more like hormone-replacement medications, providing potential results but with greater possibility for side-effects. Red clover in its whole form such as herbal tea or tincture has not been associated with any side effects.

Red clover has been used for cysts, cancerous tumors, and other growths in Europe, Asia and the Americas for centuries. Early test tube research shows that it may stop cancer cell growth or kill cancer cells altogether. Human research shows promising evidence that red clover interferes with the progression of endometrial cancer (the lining of the uterus) and may block enzymes believed to contribute to prostate cancer in men. Another study showed that red clover also may slow the development of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), the non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland.

Red clover has been a key ingredient in traditional remedies used by Ojibway and other native tribal healers. It has been an important part of several detoxifying herbal preparations in the past hundred years, as well. Rene Caisse, a nurse in the 1920’s in Canada, opened a cancer clinic using a formulation containing red clover. A portion of her formula is now marketed as Essiac, and for decades these herbs have been used to help people and their pets  with various types and stages of cancer and other blood disorders.

Also in the early 1900’s, the Hoxsey formula was used in 17 cancer clinics throughout Texas and the US. An excellent book called “When Healing Becomes a Crime” was written by Kenny Ausubel about Harry Hoxsey and his experiences with herbal and alternative cancer protocols.

The Eclectic doctors in the 1800’s used red clover often. A fomentation (hot, moist herbal compress), salve, liniment, infused oil, or poultice made with red clover and other cleansing herbs was applied topically to help reduce growths.

You’ll find several excellent red clover products available in the Wellness department and the tea aisle of your local co-op or health food store. Look for Herb Pharm’s tincture of red clover, as well as their wonderful detoxification formula, Red Clover – Stillingia Compound, for a daily or occassional blood purifying effect. And at least twice a year, we should all participate in a more therapeutic cleansing program, which might include one of my other favorite red clover products, such as:

• the detoxification formula called Flor-Essence Herbal Tea Blend, which is based on the original Ojibway formula passed along to Rene Caisse, offered in liquid or dry herb tea,

• Eclectic Institute’s Blood Support, which combines freeze-dried burdock with red clover, yellow dock, nettles and dandelion root to support liver and blood detoxification,

• Eclectic Institute also has a straight-up freeze-dried red clover. I prefer the combinations above, but this is an excellent choice for those who are looking for a high quality red clover capsule.

Happy cleansing on your path to wellness.

Vaccines are potentially dangerous in numerous ways, due to the quantities of vaccines given and chemical and heavy metal additives used in production and for preserving them. Both of my daughters had severe reactions to being vaccinated more than 20 years ago, causing years of difficulties for both children and parents, and there are so many more vaccines given to our babies and children today. Although there are many reasons for the sharp increases in autism in children, and Alzheimer’s and other dementia in elders, I firmly believe that immunizations, including annual flu shots, (which often contain mercury and other harmful chemicals and heavy metals).

I want to let people of all ages know how they may safely strengthen their immune health so as to help prevent illness, and recover quickly if sickness occurs. These are simple, often inexpensive solutions that are considered safe for people of all ages, unless otherwise noted in the text. If you prefer to have more personalized information, please consider a Wellness Consultation or the Six Months to Wellness Program. I’d be happy to support your wellness education in any way I am able.

First, and possibly most importantly, eating whole milk plain organic yogurt (or kefir) every day may be your best line of defense. Eating whole milk plain organic yogurt is shown in research to be one of the most powerful selective antimicrobials that we have on Earth. Astonishing, right? What this means is that it can help our bodies to fight the bad guys and support our good colonies of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract, assisting digestion, immune health, energy levels and a cheerful mood.

Notice I said ‘whole milk’, ‘organic’ and ‘plain’. This is because low fat and fat-free yogurt are no longer whole foods; they’ve had all that good fat removed, and most of the powerful immune boosting nutrients are bound to the fat. That good fat (the cream on the top) also supports good brain, skin, mood, heart and overall health.

I also stipulated that the yogurt should be ‘organic’. This is vital for immune health, as we want to avoid the hormones and antibiotics that are believed to compromise good immune system health. Non-organic yogurt, usually loaded with food additive chemicals, numerous forms of sugar, and ‘dead’ beneficial bacteria, should really be referred to as pudding, not yogurt. And ‘plain’ is implying ‘unsweetened’, as sweeteners also compromise the immune system.

Now, I often hear people say that that they don’t like plain yogurt, that it’s too sour or boring. For the numerous health benefits, we want to taste that sour flavor, but we need not always eat yogurt alone, although you’ll want to avoid fruits and other sweeteners. You may try mixing in some organic cinnamon, a thinly sliced cucumber, or finely chopped red pepper. These are all ways my daughters and I have loved eating plain yogurt over the years. I’ve found even finicky toddlers love these three simple recipes. Try them daily to strengthen your immune health or create your own sweetener-free yogurt snacks.

In my opinion, the most amazing immune strengthening herb is Elderberry. If you haven’t read my recent article about the benefits of Elderberry yet, please do so. Elderberry has been revered throughout much of Europe and with many Native American tribes for centuries for strengthening the immune system, providing the body with the ability to stay healthier, fighting illness and disease. The traditional use of Elderberry for prevention of cold and flu was to consume a small amount beginning just before the flu season begins and each morning and night until spring arrives.

Unlike many herbal immune remedies, Elderberry has been successfully used for prevention, the onset of symptoms and when cold and flu symptoms are full-blown. Traditionally, people experiencing illness would increase the frequency of taking Elderberry tincture, elixir or syrup from between four times a day to as often as every hour, and sometimes as often as every fifteen or twenty minutes. Since virus germs and bad bacteria can multiply every fifteen or twenty minutes, this may help get their numbers down quite quickly.

Raw local honey is another wonderful way to lift the immune system. The traditional use of raw local honey to prevent illness has a rich history going back thousands of years. Very small amounts, usually ¼ to ½ teaspoon each morning and night is believed to help the body fight potential pathogens, improve vitality and increase overall health. One of my favorite ways to use raw local honey is to mix it in a glass of slightly warm water with a tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice. Larger amounts of honey, because of the sweetness, may create an opposite effect, so please be sure not to overdo it.

Honey should NOT be given to babies less than one year old. All others, especially folks who suffer with allergies, will likely find a great improvement in immune health with the use of raw honey daily.

Eating more vegetables is well known to improve the immune system’s ability to fight illness, including the flu viruses. Include a wide variety of colorful cooked and raw vegetables in all three of your daily meals, and reach for a snack that includes vegetables when you need a between meal pick-me-up. Please don’t count potatoes as one of your vegetables, however. Their high starch content makes them an immune weakening food.

And you may want to reduce or eliminate the following foods (or food-like substances) to support your immune system:
sugar- white sugar, processed honey, etc.
flour (even whole wheat, soy, rice, and other whole grain flour). This includes most bread, pasta, pastry, rolled and instant oats and packaged cereals.
fried foods are quite harmful to our immune health
junk food
food additive chemicals
margarine, shortening and most vegetable oils, especially soy and canola
fruit juices- drink water or herbal teas instead.
fruits- people are often surprised by this. An apple each day, or an occasional piece of fruit is not bad for us, but the amount of fruit that most Americans eat is potentially damaging to our immune health.

To your health!

My introduction to Elderberries was making jam, wine and pies with my elder neighbor as a girl. I have appreciated this nutritious food and valuable herbal remedy ever since. My first sighting of the vibrant, deep purple umbels of berries each late summer brings feelings of euphoria and comfort to my entire being.

Numerous research studies have shown that Elderberry strengthens the immune system and helps fight viral and bacterial infections in people of virtually all ages and health conditions. One study shows that Elderberry can improve outcomes of cancer and AIDS patients as complimentary therapy with chemotherapy and other treatments.

Elderberries are nourishing and detoxifying. Very rich in vitamin C and flavonoids, including quercetin, as well as tannins, amino acids, carotenoids (pro-vitamin A) and much of the B complex, Elderberries help to alkalize and strengthen most of our organs and systems. They’re also known to benefit the eyes, skin, sinuses, tonsillitis, cholesterol levels, fevers, cardiovascular health, the genitourinary region and are calming for the nervous system.

Our local North American Elder (Sambucus canadensis) is a small bush, usually growing to about 8’ high and 6 – 10’ wide. The European variety, the Black Elder (Sambucus nigra), grows to be considerably bigger to the height of a small tree, usually no more than 30 feet high.

Elderberries are as important for the immune health of our local and migrating birds as they are for humans. Many invasive species, such as Japanese knotweed, have taken over regions where Elder used to grow, crowding it out and therefore likely weakening our bird populations’ ability to fight infections. Do you suppose that could be one of the reasons we need to worry more these days about viruses associated with birds, or birds and pigs?

So if you are interested in supporting your local bird populations and attracting migrating birds to your yard or wild area, please consider planting several Elder bushes next spring.

The red Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa), not common in our region, is considered to be slightly toxic, and the wood from this species is more significantly toxic, especially for children. But the berries and flowers of the two medicinal varieties are considered very safe and beneficial for our health.

Your local co-op or Mom-and-Pop health food store likely carries a fine selection of elderberry products in their wellness section. Here in Vermont, our local brand is Elderberry Syrup from Honey Gardens Apiaries of Vermont. Prevention never tasted so good! My other favorite Elderberry syrup, called Sambu (or Sambu Guard) from Flora Health, has been sold on the European market for more than 100 years. Look for the other excellent capsule and tincture products, as well, including Gaia, New Chapter and Herb Pharm.

The way Elderberry syrup was traditionally used over the centuries was one half to one teaspoon in the morning and again in the evening to keep the immune system strong throughout cold and flu season; smaller children would use about one fourth teaspoon morning and night.

Some products contain honey, so please use caution in this way if desiring to administer to babies less than one year old. (Check with her/his pediatrician for a better form. Herb Pharm makes a wonderful Black Elderberry Glycerite .) When people found themselves ill, they would take more frequent servings throughout the day, drink plenty of water and get lots of rest. In this way, they’d be feeling strong and vibrant in no time.

Here is a partial list of symptoms, conditions and degenerative diseases that have been shown to be helped over the centuries through safe, natural periodic cleansing and simple daily detoxification practices:

o Acne
o Allergies; sinus, tactile, digestive, hives, etc
o Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia syndromes
o Anxiety
o Arthritis
o Asthma attacks
o ADD /HD (attention deficit)
o Autism spectrum
o Body odor (foul)
o Brittle nails
o Chemical sensitivity
o Chronic constipation
o Chronic digestive disorders
o CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome)
o Chronic infections
o Chronic respiratory issues
o Chronic weakness
o Cirrhosis of the liver
o Crohn’s disease
o Depression
o Drug /food addiction
o Eczema
o Fibromyalgia
o Gallstones
o Gout
o Gum disease
o Hair loss
o Halitosis (bad breath)
o Headaches
o Hot flashes and night sweats
o Immune disorders
o Insomnia
o Irritability
o IBS (irritable bowel disorder)
o Kidney disease
o Kidney stones
o Low blood sugar
o Memory loss
o Migraines
o Mood swings
o Multiple sclerosis
o Muscle aches / pain
o Obesity
o PMS
o Parkinson’s disease
o Psoriasis
o Rashes, itching (chronic discomfort under skin)
o Sinus pain (drip, irritation, sinus headache, etc)
o Ulcerative colitis
o Ulcers
o Weak bones
o Weight gain (excess)
o Weight loss (excess)

Accumulating toxins may affect just about any region of the body or mind as the incomplete list above shows. Properly cleansing the debris from the body’s organs, tissues and cells allows the body to find its center, restart nutrient utilization and resume a better working order. Rejuvenated organs and cells offer us more energy and vitality as well as a sense of inner peace and calm. This can lead to more restful sleep, a lift in spirits and a release from chronic pain and discomfort.

Here are my top 10 favorite general cleansing herbs and foods. It is not good enough to purchase one or more, however, unless you pay close attention to the quality of the product you choose. Please buy organic/ local whenever possible.
For more info, read my article “Quality is Everything” .

Turmeric
Ginger
Holy basil (tulsi)
Red clover
Burdock
Hempseeds
Sea vegetables
Blessed thistle
Dark leafy green vegetables
Sprouts

“My friend, Shelley, suggested I call you. She said you helped her and her daughter learn how to stop getting chronic sinus infections, and you could probably help me, too,” he exclaimed. And then, in a timid voice, he asked me if he had to believe in these herbs and natural things, ‘cause he didn’t really think he did. I told him that I thought they would probably be able to help him, even if he didn’t believe in them yet. After all, he was willing to meet with me and purchase the herbs at our local co-op, so it seemed he did have a bit of faith.

“No,” he said. “I really don’t. I’m only doing this because Shelley won’t stop talking about you and how much better she feels. I just want to be able to talk about other things, and she doesn’t want to see me suffering all the time. I’m just doing it for her.”

We met that afternoon, and at the end of our session, he told me that he was only willing to take one thing; one product. This was a challenge, since I have found that herbal and nutritional programs seem to help more than the ‘one thing at a time’ method. But I understood that so many folks have had bad experiences with medications and such in the past, and need to feel comfortable with their herbal plan. I suggested that, in my opinion, the best products, if only one was going to be chosen, would probably be one the following:

Sambu Elderberry Concentrate (or Sambu Guard) by Flora
Elder Flower Glycerite by Avena Botanicals, and
Nasal Support by Eclectic Institute.

He decided to purchase the Sambu. We talked about the simplicity of the formula and the special qualities of the three ingredients; Elder flower, Elderberry and honey. Elder flower tincture or syrup helps to calm and restore the nervous system. It is a powerful herb for helping to settle the sinuses when they feel inflamed and over-reactive. It’s very high in bioflavonoids, including quercetin, helping to alkalize the sinus region.

Elderberry is an ancient remedy for cold and flu, and the latest research shows those vibrant purple berries that the birds love so much to be a powerful tool against viruses and for optimizing the entire immune system.

Honey has been used since the earliest recordings as a remedy for numerous ailments. Folk medicine has hailed honey a cure-all for centuries. Soothing and nurturing, Flora uses only the highest quality honey and the finest herbal ingredients in all of their superb products.

“In your grandmother’s time,” I said, “they would have offered someone with a chronic sinus problem just a teaspoon or so of their homemade Elderberry and flower syrup every time the pain and discomfort began to return.” And then I was sure to tell him that I couldn’t actually suggest that he do this and disregard the instructions required to be printed on the label. “It is not legal for me to do,” I explained.

Three days later, I got a call from Martin. He called to say that he was
“… guardedly optimistic about his sinuses.” He told me that this was the first time he had had three consecutive days where he was not in nearly constant discomfort. He had just visited the co-op for his second bottle of Sambu.

I heard from this sweet elder gentleman three more times. About seven and a half months after his first (and only) Wellness Consultation, Martin called me to say that he was finally a true believer in the herbs and in holistic healing! He hadn’t had a ‘bad day’ in those seven months! He told me that he once visited the co-op for his Sambu and they were out of it. He panicked! The girl there had told him that they couldn’t get it for him for at least a week. He said he drove almost an hour away to buy a bottle so he wouldn’t run out, and that from that day on, he would be buying them three at a time!

I asked Martin if he was ready to take the next step in helping his body to restore its overall health, integrity and harmony. His response surprised me. He told me that he loved taking the delicious Sambu Elderberry Concentrate every morning and evening. He said he had come to rely on it as his ‘vitality tonic’, reporting that the feeling he got from it was similar to when his Mom and Dad took Geritol [for the younger generation: this was an over-the-counter supplement advertised on early television for the relief of ‘iron poor blood’] when they were in their latter years! He said that “… if it’s not broken, why call the repairman. I don’t know how long I have on this Earth; years I hope! I think I’ll just stick with the Sambu.” He paused. “And if anything else ever breaks down in this old body, I think I’ll call you first!” We both chuckled.

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?

With cold and flu season with us again, it’s time to do all we can to keep ourselves and our family members strong and healthy. Eating nourishing whole foods is well known to improve our health, but there are many myths and misunderstandings regarding how we might eat so as to maintain and improve immune system strength. How’s your health this winter?

There’s been frequent mention in health and women’s magazines recently about adding more raw foods, fruits and vegetables, to the diet. While someone living in the heat of the tropics with descendants from a similar region may eat these foods yearround, it may be much less beneficial, and possibly harmful, for those of us in the far northern (and for southern hemisphere residents, far southern) climates.

In autumn and winter, we ideally want to consume fewer fruits and salads that we eat during spring and summer months. These foods tend to be cooling and ‘thin the blood’. When it gets colder, we should move into eating more long slow cooked foods like soups, stews, crock pot meals and baked dishes (lasagna, veggies, etc; not sweets). These warming foods help to stimulate and protect immune health.

When I mention reducing fruits (and fruit juices), I hear a lot of concern from people, especially when there are children in the equation. Fruits are good for us, right? The answer might actually be ‘not so much in the winter months’.

If we refer back to how our ancestors ate in the cooler months, we’d find that northern folk ate local fruits when they were in season and harvested fully ripe. A portion of each crop was canned or prepared into jams or sauces. A few types of hard fruit, things like apples and pears, were able to be stored whole for a few months in a cool, dry place.

So, when I suggest reducing fruits during cold weather, I am saying that, as much as is prudent in our busy lives, we should eat hard fruits like apples very occasionally rather than daily for a few months each year.

We may also want to monitor the amount of sugar and flour that we consume and reduce it if necessary. The case against sugar has been told for decades now. Most people are familiar with it. For optimal immune health through the winter months, we may do well to reduce flour as well, cutting down on the servings of pasta, breads, pastries and cereals. Replace these with whole grains, including rice, millet, buckwheat, quinoa and teff. Sprouted grain and sourdough breads are fine, on occassion.

Using spices to strengthen the immune system to fight and prevent colds is found in ancient writings from around the world. Try cooking with fresh (or dried) organic ginger, turmeric, oregano, thyme, sage, cinnamon, garlic and cardamom. You can add these delicious spices to your soups and stews, or you may want to make them into teas and sip them often.

My most favorite herb for helping the body with relief of cold and flu symptoms and the length of duration is Elder. Elder flower seems to support everything sinus related. It’s truly one of the most underrated, very miraculous herbs I know. I have yet to witness a person who suffers with sinus congestion, allergies, headache, post nasal drip, etc that did not find significant (and often long-term) relief from the use of a high quality elder flower product.

Traditional uses of Elder flower for sinus related discomfort include taking a very small amount of tincture or syrup every time symptoms began to return. This may have been every five or fifteen minutes at first, but as time went on, folks would find that the length of time before symptoms would return became longer and longer, until they needed only a maintenance usage of a half teaspoon or so in the morning and at night. Elder flower is also supportive of the nervous system, helping us feel calmer, peaceful and more relaxed.

Elderberry has a wealth of research behind it for supporting immune health. One study out of Norway showed that Elderberry helped reduce symptoms and shorten the duration of cold type illnesses by a whopping four days!

Elderberry syrup or tincture is tart and delicious! Elderberry was traditionally taken in half teaspoons morning and night for prevention. If someone was exposed to a number of folks who were ill, and they wanted to increase protection, they may have chosen to take a teaspoonful every hour or two. And when one felt they were coming down with a cold or was experiencing full-blown symptoms, they may have taken a half to one teaspoon of syrup or tincture as often as every fifteen or thirty minutes until they were feeling significantly better, (often in one to four hours). They would have also had attention to drinking plenty of fluids and getting lots of rest, of course.

Elderberry has also been shown in a study from the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition to support healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels! Such a bonus for supporting immune health!

Elderberries and Elder flower are both very rich in vitamins C and A, several powerful flavonoids, minerals and fatty acids, providing us with significant anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties. My most favorite Elder product is one that’s been on the European market for nearly a century and in the US for decades. It is distributed in the US by Flora, and is called Sambu. It’s ‘little sister’ Sambu Guard is also a wonderful, widely available Elder syrup. These delicious syrups contain both Elder flower and berries. If you prefer not to take it directly from the spoon, try mixing it into a bit of seltzer or naturally carbonated mineral water for a sensationally healthy Elder soda!

Thyme and Oregano are also powerful supplements or essential oils that we may choose to use when the common cold is running rampant through our communities. There are tinctures or herbs in capsules (please choose organic, of course, for best results). Gaia Herbs and New Chapter each provide some of the most potent Oregano capsules anywhere on the market.

Thyme oil is beneficial for prevention and to strengthen the immune system. Thyme is shown to possess the following therapeutic properties relating to the common cold: antiseptic, antispasmodic, bactericidal and expectorant. Thyme oil has been used for centuries to protect the sinuses and to fortify the lungs. Thyme has been shown to helps with coughs, asthma, laryngitis, sinusitis, catarrh, whooping cough, sore throats and tonsillitis.

Oregano possesses potent antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal abilities, able of to provide fast relief from cold and flu symptoms including runny nose, congestion, chills, sore throat, ear aches, cough, fever, fatigue, stuffiness and muscle aches. Several studies have shown the effectiveness of oregano oil to reduce the symptoms and shorten the duration of the common cold without side effects.

If you are not a fan of taking supplements orally or already take enough, you may want to try using Oregano or Thyme essential oil topically, either for prevention or when you feel cold symptoms coming on. Before going to bed, place a few drops of essential oil onto the ball of your right foot. Rub briskly in small circular motions for about one minute. Repeat on your left foot. If you’ve chosen a high quality essential oil, you will likely taste oregano on your palate within a few minutes. For superior quality essential oils, look for Oshadhi. It is truly the top of the line.

You may also drop the oil into the palm of your hand and rub both hands together as rapidly as you can. Put your hands loosely around your nose and breathe deeply. Exhale completely, and repeat three to six times.

Probiotics, those beneficial bacteria found in a healthy gut, support immune system health. Because the digestive tract is now considered to make up as much as 65-70% on the immune system, it makes sense that probiotics would be capable of immune system enhancement and protection. As I’ve previously stated, most probiotics on the US market are of very poor quality, and provide little benefit. For optimal results, we want to use strong healthy little microorganisms that will easily settle into our gut and reproduce. This means they should be contained in their own growth media. There are just a few products produced in this way. Look for any probiotic products from Natren, New Chapter or Bio K Plus. These are the best choices for optimum immune (and digestive) protection.

There are some very powerful mushroom extract products to support prevention of the common cold. There are about a dozen mushrooms that research has shown to be active for immune health. There are more than a dozen shown to fight viruses and several for lungs and respiratory health. To get all of these in one product, look for New Chapter’s Mycomedicinals line. Their product called Host Defense contains 16 mushrooms grown and processed by Paul Stamets, who has some of the most promising products in this category, with lots of research to back them. My other favorite mushroom product, also from the Mycomedicinals line, is called Lifeshield Throat Defense, a tasty spray directing the mushroom extracts directly into the throat.

If you tend to get swollen glands just before or with the common cold, there are great, safe herbs for moving the lymphatic system. Where the circulatory system has the heart to pump the blood, the lymphatic system has no physical pump. The human body has always relied on movement and daily activity to keep the lymph moving through the body, picking up and disposing of the potential pathogens that the immune system had captured. With such a sedentary society, lymph struggles to circulate properly.

My three favorite herbs for moving the lymph are Red root, Calendula and Cleavers. As little as three drops of tincture taken three times daily is considered enough for prevention and is traditionally believed safe in usages of up to a dropperful every hour or two for a few hours when we’re under the weather. Look for Herb Pharm or Gaia Herbs for very high quality certified organically grown herbal tinctures.

Note: You’ll rarely find me suggesting Echinacea or Goldenseal for cold or flu, as so many folks do. One reason for this is that they have been dreadfully over-harvested in the wild, and are both on the United Plant Savers ‘At Risk” list. If you are still relying on these two amazing herbs for your family’s cold and flu needs, please look at the dozens of other fine, effective herbal immune remedies. If you do choose to continue to purchase Echinacea and Goldenseal, be sure to buy a certified organic product, so that you won’t be supporting the wildcrafting of our precious wild stands of these species.

There are dozens of other great suggestions for prevention of cold and flu in my post: Immune Strength During the Changing Seasons, posted on October 12, 2006.

Wintertime, indoor and year-round allergies can contribute to loss of sleep, irritability, high stress levels, lack of energy and vitality, and interrupt our ability to think clearly. Medications can make us feel wired, drowsy or have other side effects, including increased risk of heart attacks. What we’re really searching for is long-term relief without the discomforts and potentially life-threatening side-effects the medicines offer.

Well, there’s good news! Choosing the right herbal program, learning effective breathing exercises and making prudent lifestyle changes can provide that much needed relief to help balance and harmonize the immune system, so that allergy triggers may no longer be a problem for you!

Indoor air quality can be much more harmful for us than outdoor air. Indoor air is estimated to be an average of seven times worse than the outdoor air that gets most of the attention. When we live in the city, the air in our homes, offices and schools can be significantly more harmful, in part because the outdoor air circulating into the building is of poor quality to begin with. The fact that most of us spend as much as 7/8 of our life indoors and about 1/3 of our day in the bedroom, it is easy to understand why indoor air would have such an impact on our health.

There are several triggers, or allergy activators, throughout our homes that may be adjusted or eliminated to improve the health of our families, so as to help prevent allergies and other respiratory concerns. Some of the top triggers include: mold, mildew, dust (mites), pet dander, and the off-gassing of hundreds of items throughout your home, school, and workplace. We may become sensitive to any of these triggers at any age. We will address food triggers and chemical sensitivities later.

We’ll first very briefly address mold. Mold is believed to be the cause of some very serious health concerns for many of us, directly or indirectly. Many homes and buildings have mold growing in the basement, carpet, bathroom walls and vents. It may grow seasonally or year-round, appear odorous or unnoticeable. Regardless, mold can have a very significant impact on our overall health and specifically on our respiratory and immune systems. Some of the black molds can even be life-threatening. Inhaling mold spores hour after hour, day after day, may also do to damage our mucosal tissue, the tissue that lines our lungs and respiratory system, digestive tract and the urinary region.

Dust alone is not usually a trigger; but rather it is the mites, or small bugs, that live within the dust that can activate our over-reactive immune systems. Dust mites can also damage our mucosal tissue when inhaled over long periods of time or in great quantities. Pet dander has a similar effect within the body.

The heating and air conditioning systems inside our homes and the buildings we frequent can circulate these airborne allergens throughout every region of the indoors. Our desire to save energy and conserve heat has created very airtight buildings, so there is less circulation of fresh air. The respiratory tract needs fresh air (from the outdoors) circulating indoors to keep healthy and functioning optimally.

The basement is a harbinger of potentially toxic chemicals, molds and dust mites. The mold found in the basement, when left unattended, can spread via the insides of walls, along pipes and in other out-of-site areas. When there has been a mold problem caused by a flood or chronic dampness, it is crucial that everything affected be removed completely.

Anything porous will take the mold in, so it will need to be removed and disposed of. Fabrics may be salvaged by washing or dry-cleaning, but carpets, particle board cabinets or furniture, sheetrock and wallboard need to be thrown away. (Please do not put carpet and sheetrock in a basement, regardless of whether it is considered to be dry. If it is a basement, there will be some dampness, and this will impact your family’s health.) There are some excellent companies and organizations that provide removal of mold and affected fixtures, but there are also many scammers out there, so be certain that any company you choose to work with is fully insured and has a good reputation in your community.

We’re all exposed to tens of thousands of chemical compounds in our modern-day lives. In commercially prepared clothing, appliances, walls, carpeting and furniture; practically everything in life contains chemicals and/or emits off-gassing. Glues, resins, chemicals and components in furniture, cabinetry, new cars, electronics and new construction can be detected by the average nose for a few days or months, but are believed to actually off-gas for an average of three years. This will likely have an effect on an already compromised immune system.

We are exposed to our clothing and bedding virtually every minute of the day. The chemicals in commercial laundry detergents and fabric softeners are believed by some experts contribute to the toxin overload that may lead to the immune system’s breakdown and subsequent overreactions to what we call common allergens. Television commercials lead us to believe that we’ll look dingy and grey if we don’t use the leading brands, but real research indicates that simpler, more natural cleaners do a comparable or better job. So try a natural laundry detergent and household spray for a few weeks and see how you feel!

Providing your family with these health-promoting changes may significantly improve their health, energy levels and prevention of symptoms. We’ll address food, herbs, chemical exposure and more prevention in future posts.

The statistics on smoking and the effect it has in relation to dozens of health conditions are well documented. That doesn’t make it any easier to quit when you’re a smoker, does it? The patch, gum and other devices are actually sending nicotine directly into the bloodstream, and nicotine is considered to be one of the most harmful chemicals found in cigarettes! But, for some, these methods can work.

There are, however, safer healthier ways to quit the butts habit forever. I have witnessed the following method(s) to work dozens, possibly even hundreds of times by now (including for my own cigarette smoking), and most of the people I’ve known to quit in this way never went back to smoking! Sounds good, doesn’t it? Here is how you, too, can become cig-free for life!

There are four main components to smoking addiction:

Chemical dependence- Cigarettes are well-known for their chemical load that is deposited into our lungs and into our bloodstream. Strangely as it seems, our bodies become dependent on this toxic load being there at fairly consistent levels. When we don’t have it coming in, we physiologically crave those toxins in our lungs and in our bloodstream. That is why so many smokers light up immediately upon awakening. Some brands of cigarettes are believed to contain as many as 300 or nearly 400 ingredients, many of which are chemical compounds! We think of cigarettes as rolled tobacco, but they are really so much more than that.

Emotional dependence/ Stress- Many people reach for a cigarette every time they feel stressed or anxious and feel that smoking takes the edge off. Initially, it does feel that way, but smoking is actually shown to significantly increase stress and anxiety levels over the long-term. So, if we don’t find other tools to handle our excess stress and anxiety, our smoking habit will likely increase with time.

Finger activity- Smokers tend toward fidgeting with things, including their cigarettes. When attempting to quit, they often report that having nothing to do with their hands can be very difficult.

Breathing deeply- An interesting fact is that smokers tend to breathe very shallowly, usually taking their deepest breaths as they take that first long drag from their cigarette each time they light up. That shallow breathing does not effectively deliver oxygen to the lungs so as to oxygenate the blood and cells, nor does it allow the necessary release of toxins and carbon dioxide through the exhale. Therefore, most smokers crave a deep breath, but the brain associates this with that first drag, and we then interpret the craving as a desire for another smoke.

If you know you are ready, or nearly ready, to give up those cigarettes for good, start now, right this very moment as you read this blog post, with taking deep, calm breaths often. If you get stuck in traffic, need to wait in line at the grocer or feel frustrated with the boss, breathe in, slowly and deeply, then calmly exhale. Before inhaling again, stop for a just a brief moment, and then exhale some more, preferably to a brisk count of five. This helps to release those toxins, calms the spirit so as to reduce the anxiety and stress levels, and leaves more room available in the lungs for the next inhale to deliver oxygen throughout the body. I have known several people who have, often unintentionally, used this technique alone to quit and have never gone back to their former stinky little habit.

Next, you’ll want to reduce your body’s toxicity load in a way that is safe and proven to work in scientific studies and won’t cause increased physiological cravings. Studies show that turmeric and green tea both work to detoxify the tar, nicotine and other toxins associated with cigarette smoking from the body. Further research has provided evidence that they work synergistically even greater than either herb does alone. Turmeric and green tea are also known to provide relief from excess inflammation, which can happen within our bodies more readily when we’re smokers.

Please note: Most of the turmeric and green tea supplement products on the US market are not very pure, to say the least. Please be sure to choose a product with certified organically grown turmeric and / or green tea, whenever possible, so that you will be provided the greatest results.

There is an amazing clinical study done in India with men that were heavy smokers. This study was done with a product formerly called Smokeshield, but now renamed Supercritical Antioxidants (produced by New Chapter, Inc.), available at most health food stores throughout the US and Europe.

A little background; the men who were chosen to be part of this study smoked for at least ten years, smoked at least one pack of cigarettes a day, agreed to continue smoking throughout the study and had the blood toxicity levels to put them in jeopardy for cancer.

They took one capsule in the morning and one capsule in the evening for 30 days. At the end of the study, their blood was tested again and their toxicity markers were down to a clinical zero! Remember, they kept smoking, so these results were no small feat!

A similar, very potent product that may also be chosen for this same detoxification purpose is made by a wonderful company called Organix South. Pavan Upper Respiratory Support contains the organic herbs: Holy basil, turmeric, neem and long pepper to support detoxification of the lungs, blood and cells, so as to help our bodies crave fewer toxins.

Once again, I have known several people to quit smoking during this 30 day detoxification process as they were preparing their bodies to take the big step to quit! Even though the clinical study lasted 30 days, I have always urged folks to continue to detoxify their bodies throughout the entire quitting process, and continue to do so for approximately one month for every year they have smoked in their lives. Some have reported back to me that they have continued to take the Supercritical Antioxidants, even to this day, because they appreciate the way they feel in their new, pure cleaner bodies! With the chemical exposure we are bombarded with through air, water and the food supply, this may, indeed, be a wise decision.

So, with a clean and purified body to work with, if you haven’t already, it’s time to smoke that last butt, for good! Pick the day, enjoy the last one if you want to, and don’t look back!

Now, many smokers say that the hardest part is the stress. Whether it’s accurate or not, smokers and former smokers report that, when times get really tough, the thing many want to do instinctively is to reach for a cig and take that first long drag. Well, what are you going to do instead?

Take a long deep breath, and instead of focusing on the inhale, let your attention be mainly on the completion of the exhale. Long, slow and relaxed, let it out, so that your next inhale may better nourish your nervous system’s oxygen needs.

If deep breathing helped, but was not enough for your needs, here is a powerful answer for those intense emotional cravings. You may use them to quit, especially in the first four days when it’s the most difficult to deal with the stress and anxiety, but you can also use this technique anytime in the future when life feels difficult, and you feel those cravings and desires coming on, so that you don’t ever light up again!

Again, a little background. Homeopathy is a medical system designed to stimulate the body’s inner healing processes to regain harmony and balance. Homeopathy is based upon the concept that very dilute amounts of plant (or mineral) medicines can alleviate the symptoms of illnesses that very high doses of the plant (or mineral) may actually cause. This is the theory called ‘like cures like’. In Germany, homeopathy is the most prescribed form of holistic medicine, being practiced by more than 80% of all medical doctors there.

We are a culture that firmly believes and practices ‘more is better’. In homeopathy, however, the less we have of the original substance, the more potent the homeopathic remedy becomes. The milder doses are considered so safe that they may even be administered to newborns and small children without concern.

Usually, homeopathic remedies are purchased as tiny simple sugar pellets that are placed under the tongue to dissolve and easily enter the bloodstream. It is best if we don’t touch them with our hands, so they are usually placed onto a folded piece of paper, then dropped into the mouth under the tongue.

So, now that you have a functional understanding of homeopathic remedies, we can discuss dealing with the emotional cravings for a smoke. There are several excellent homeopathic remedies that can immediately eliminate the urge for a cigarette, and they tend to work best on those emotional cravings that are so challenging to get through.

The following is a list of homeopathic remedies, in order from top to bottom according to how many people I have known to use them successfully to permanently eliminate the smoking habit from their lives. At least one or two of them are available at virtually every health food store in the US and Europe. There are others, as well, but these are the ones I have used and / or seen others successfully use.

Natra-Bio’s “Stop It!”
Natra-Bio’s “Smoking Withdrawal”
King Bio’s “Smoke Control”
B & T’s (Boericke & Tafel) “Smoke Free”
Homeo-Care Stop Smoking Formula
Boiron’s “Quit Smoking Care Kit”

Replace the fidgeting with flavored toothpicks (Thursday Plantation and … are excellent and available at most health food stores), a tongue depressor, a gum stimulator or even modeling clay such as Fimo or Sculpey. This will quickly replace the fumbling with a cigarette, especially when stress levels are high, and relieve the desire to return to your former unhealthy habit.

Now, let’s address the reason for weight gain when quitting. It may be somewhat obvious. When giving up cigarettes, we often replace the need for an emotional release and something to do with our hands with eating, especially snacking. This is a bad scene for the waistline! But, not to worry …, the program above has been the chosen method of quitters I’ve known and coached all over the northeast, and weight gain has never been an issue.

So, good luck with becoming a healthier, more vibrant you! Please, once you have successfully gotten over the hump and feel your energy levels returning, send us a donation that you can now afford, possibly the amount that you would have spent on cigarettes in a week, a month or even a year, so that we may continue to provide you, your loved ones and our world community with detailed information about herbs, supplements and healthy lifestyle choices that you will not find anywhere else. Thanks. Be well.