Ancient Herbal Formulas, Secret Recipes and Natural Remedies

Transcription

1 Ancient Herbal Remedies and Formulas Discover Hidden Health Secrets Found in Nature By Mickey Ann Thienes Herbalist Learn How to Use Natural Herbs and Tonics to Relieve Symptoms and Protect Your Health Ancient Herbal Formulas, Secret Recipes and Natural Remedies

2 Ancient Herbal Remedies and Formulas By Mickey Ann Thienes Herbalist This is a brief list of the many natural remedies available to you and I hope you enjoy it as a reference guide. One of the reasons that herbs and food based supplements are so effective is that they are plants and like the other plants we eat, our bodies accept them and use them quickly. You probably don t think of much of the food you eat as plants, unless you have a garden, but the lettuce, carrots, and apple you eat are plants. So are herbs. We hope you enjoy reading about herbs and their many benefits. This catalog contains information about herbs and nutritional supplements that may benefit you. The items are arranged in alphabetical order by item name. We offer a short summary of benefits on many herbal products and on supplements, especially those that have become vital nutrients, i.e. no longer available in our food supply. If you are pregnant, nursing, on medication and under the care of a physician, consult your doctor before using herbs or any other product we tell you about. If you are a first time reader of this booklet, we hope you enjoy the information on natural remedies and are inspired to read more books about herbs and plants and how they may help you. May God, richly bless you and your family with vibrant health and great prosperity in everything you do. Mickey Ann Thienes P.S. I encourage you to share this FREE ebook with your friends. You can download this FREE ebook on my website, in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. It is designed for double-sided printing for easy book binding at Staples, Office Depot, FedEx Kinko s, or any professional printer.

3 ACIDOPHILUS: (Dairy Free) and other probiotic cultures. This is the friendly bacteria that live in your lower digestive tract, the colon. When would you want to consider using this product? If you are on antibiotics, these medicines destroy the friendly bacteria, as well as the unfriendly. If you don t replace the good bacteria (even during the time you re taking medication), you can get a yeast overgrowth and have other problems such as diarrhea. Symptoms that might alert you to the fact that you need a probiotic such as acidophilus: Yeast overgrowths, a coated tongue, canker sores, nail fungus, cloudy eye color, and digestive problems. Note: Some digestive enzymes can destroy friendly bacteria in your colon so if you are a regular enzyme user, you may want to supplement with a probiotic. Probiotics come in different strengths. Some people need the big whammy and some don t. If you re someone who doesn t need a high culture probiotic, you would probably do well with a cultured yogurt or kefir, both available dairy free. ACTIVATED CHARCOAL: This all natural product is the best remedy for any digestive problems whether it be too much acid, indigestion, or gas and bloating. It takes about 15 minutes to become effective but the longer it is in your system the better you feel. It has the added advantage of binding toxic material and carrying it out of your body without further damage to you, thus if you accidentally ingest dairy when you re lactose intolerant, or think you have food poisoning, activated charcoal will help to prevent a severe reaction. Activated charcoal is not a cure for chronic problems but it is an excellent aid to control discomfort. ALFALFA LEAF: Alfalfa is a tonic herb and like other herbs in this class it helps to cleanse your system; that is it promotes the elimination of waste material. It is high in vitamins and minerals and quickly alkalizes your body and helps to detoxify the liver. It has been proven to reduce blood cholesterol and cholesterol deposits on artery walls. It is high in chlorophyll and thus a natural deodorizer for bad breath, body and foot odor, and that garlic you love so dearly. ASTRAGALUS ROOT: This is a tonic herb and is good in any condition where you want to increase immunity such as a cold, cancer, or HIV. I ve listed simple ailments such as a cold, and very serious ailments, such as HIV, so you will realize how valuable this herb is. Astragalus root promotes immunity and resistance to disease, it aids in healing by helping to speed tissue regeneration, Page #1

4 it aids the elimination of pus and other infectious material, and it is especially beneficial to the kidneys and adrenal glands. This herb will also increase your overall energy level. If fighting a viral infection, use in combination with other anti-viral herbs such as Echinacea, Pau D Arco, Goldenseal and Elderberry. BEE POLLEN: Our friends the bees produce many wonderful products for our use. Bee Pollen is an energizer and healer. Bees collect the most nutritive pollen from flowering plants then mix it with a small amount of nectar for storage. This collected pollen is high in many essential amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and essential amino acids are those that we cannot manufacture in our bodies we must get them from outside food sources. Pollen contains many B vitamins and is rich in niacin (B3), a natural cholesterol fighter. BILBERRY LEAF: Bilberry is a wild blueberry plant and is loaded with antioxidants. I gave bilberry tea (the fruit) a test drive and very quickly I noticed an improvement in my night vision. When driving at night, headlights would appear with a large halo around them, making it difficult to see because of the glare. After taking the bilberry tea, the halo and glare disappeared. Sheila reported that she read the paper one morning without her magnifying reading glasses and hadn t noticed it until she was well into the paper. Bilberry also has a strengthening effect on capillaries and veins and thus may also help with bruising and varicose veins. BLACK WALNUT HULL: Black walnut hull is anti-fungal and is effective against thrush, Candida, athlete s foot, nail fungus, dandruff and ringworm. High in manganese, this herb has a very mild laxative action, much like a stool softener, and has blood cleansing properties. It is also effective against internal worms and other body parasites. BLACK COHOSH ROOT: This herb is a phyto (plant) estrogen thus it helps increase the production of estrogen and is useful for women with menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness and mood swings. This herb is mildly sedative because of its muscle relaxant and anti-spasmodic properties. Because of its sedative action, you may want to take this herb at night. Black Cohosh helps to balance female hormones and younger women, wishing to conceive, may find it helpful especially if their cycles are irregular and conception difficult. Page #2

5 BURDOCK ROOT: You may already have come across this healing herb if you ve taken a walk in the wild and come home with a burr or two stuck to your clothing. That s right, this is the common burr. This herb is an excellent blood cleanser and one I like for acne, psoriasis and other itchy skin conditions. It is also an excellent antihistamine so if you think you have had an allergic reaction to something, try burdock root to help you get over it. Burdock is also used in cooking, particularly in Japanese dishes. CASCARA SAGRADA BARK: The bark of this Native American tree provides a very gentle and thorough laxative that not only promotes good bowel movement, but also strengthens the colon. This is not a solution to chronic constipation problems that may come from changing your diet, but cascara sagrada will gently solve occasional constipation or serve as a gentle colon cleanse. Take one in the evening with a glass of water and if you do not have results the next morning, take another in the morning with water. CAT S CLAW INNER BARK: This herb has been touted as a cure-all and rightfully so. Cats claw is naturally high in iodine which can do two important things for your body: 1) it feeds your thyroid, which requires iodine to function; and 2) that same iodine helps fight infection. Note: People with Crohn s disease, celiac, diverticuloses or any colon problem that can cause an intestinal infection, can benefit from regular use of cats claw to help control infection. CAYENNE: Cayenne pepper, or any hot red chile, has many benefits including pain relief, specifically for shingles, diabetic foot and leg pain, and cluster headaches. You ve also seen topical creams with cayenne using the term Capsicum the botanical name of the plant. It can kill diarrhea causing bacteria and is a good reason hot climates usually have hot cuisine (chile hot, that is). Poor or no refrigeration in hot climates can cause meat and other foods to spoil quickly but the hot spices usually take care of any problem. Cayenne is very warming and increases your circulation. If you have poor circulation, if you work in a cold environment, if your hands and feet tend to get numb, cayenne may help you. Cayenne also has been shown to reduce cholesterol. Note: If you take cayenne, take it with food and don t take it before you lie down. Can you take cayenne? If you like hot foods anyway, you can tolerate cayenne. Page #3

6 CHAMOMILE FLOWER: Chamomile is an herb that has benefits for young and old alike and is very gentle. It has the ability to relax and calm and can relieve nervous tension, stress, and serve as a sleep aid. Its effect on the digestive system is equally good because of its healing properties. It can calm ulcers and gastritis and relieve gas. Chamomile is a genuine healing herb with great soothing properties that work both inside and out. That is why you see chamomile in many beauty, hair and skin preparations. Here s a hint if you have diverticulitis: Chamomile tea is a soothing balm and helps relieve the tenderness and pain without adding any bulk to your colon. CHICKWEED: This is a springtime cool weather weed that probably shows up in your lawn each year (unless you use herbicides to kill weeds) It s actually a valuable tool in natural healing and can be eaten raw or lightly steamed; or take a capsule. Here s what it can do for you. Chickweed has a variety of soothing properties. It helps relieve gas, soothes softer membranes (such as the tissue in the mouth, lungs and colon); it is a gentle expectorant and a mild laxative. It is useful for cystitis (chronic bladder irritation), bladder infections, pleurisy, and bronchitis. CRANBERRY: Cranberry is excellent for the bladder because it creates an environment where bacteria cannot flourish. If you are dealing with a bladder infection, cranberry will be one of the foods/herbs you will want to use and cranberry capsules are a good way to get unsweetened, whole cranberry. Your usual sweetened cranberry juice may aggravate a bladder condition since sugar is like fuel for the bacteria. Other herbs soothing for the bladder are chickweed, marshmallow root, and slippery elm; these herbs all provide a soothing coating over soft internal tissue Do you have a leaky bladder? A kidney or bladder infection can cause a leaky bladder because your bladder doesn t want to hold infectious material. If you sneeze, you splatter. You can have this type infection without any obvious symptoms such as pain when urinating. What symptoms might you have? Sore lower back, urine with an odor, dark urine, very cloudy urine, puffy under-eyes, especially when getting up in the morning, and overall fatigue. See Yucca Root Capsules. Page #4

7 DAMIANA LEAF: Damiana is considered by many to be an aphrodisiac and it may have that effect since it acts as a tonic and energizer and hormone balancer for both men and women. A tonic makes you feel better and have more energy. Damiana Leaf achieves this in a gentle way. It also has a mild laxative action as it is a gentle stimulant to the colon. Caution: Damiana may interfere with the absorption of iron. DANDELION ROOT: Dandelion is another herb you ll find growing in your lawn if you have a natural yard that is don t use chemicals. Don t fight it, join it it has wonderful properties and appears at the right time in early spring to be useful. As a spring tonic, dandelion acts as a natural diuretic helping to you expel toxic waste and to stimulate the production of bile, useful in fat digestion. If you want to use the dandelion in your yard, pick the tender greens during the cool spring and fall months and add them to a fresh salad or to other greens you are cooking. Or you can use our dandelion root capsules as they are an excellent natural diuretic that is also high in potassium. A diuretic will relieve your body of toxic fluid so this herb is useful for water retention and high blood pressure. Dandelion seems to help prevent gallstones since it stimulates the production of bile and is a general tissue and blood cleanser. If you have a chronic condition, dandelion is a useful supplement in your overall healing program. DEVIL S CLAW TUBER: This plant has anti-inflammatory properties and blood cleansing properties. It is useful for joint pain from arthritis, rheumatism, abscess and even injury because it removes mineral deposits in the joints. It aids in the elimination of uric acid-thus relieving gout and gouty arthritis (the kind of gout that travels beyond the foot). This herb is also used in many formulas to relieve inflammatory liver and gall bladder problems and it appears to stimulate the gall bladder, making it a useful herb for gallstones. I particularly like to use this herb when I have any lymph gland swelling as it quickly opens the glad to permit drainage and to reduce swelling. DONG QUAI ROOT: This herb balances the female hormone system thus it can help relieve symptoms of either overproduction of estrogen (endometriosis, heavy or painful periods), or underproduction of estrogen (menopause symptoms). It is a blood purifier and tonic and improves blood circulation. I like to combine DONG QUAI ROOT with kelp capsules for full body balance. CAUTION: Do not take during pregnancy or during menstruation. Page #5

8 ECHINACEA ROOT: This herb is a natural, broad spectrum antibiotic effective against viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoa (protozoa is an organism that can cause diarrhea and dysentery). It is a blood cleanser and immune stimulant. If you are sick with cold, flu, bronchitis or whatever is going around, you will find Echinacea a wonderful, healing herb. People ask if taking Echinacea long term can reduce its effectiveness such as can happen with prescription antibiotics, and the answer is no, because Echinacea doesn t actually kill the germs, it increases your body s ability to produce white blood cells and T cells which fight infection. Thus, bacteria and viruses don t develop an immunity to Echinacea. EYEBRIGHT LEAF: This herb acts like a tonic for the eyes. It not only has healing properties, such as for conjunctivitis and sties, but also has preventative qualities with problems such as cataracts or glaucoma. Eyebright has antibacterial and astringent action and its effect on the eye/head area means that this herb also has some benefits for relieving sinus and head cold problems. It may be hard to believe that this herb can relieve eye infections, but it does and quickly. FENNEL SEED: This licorice flavored herb has mild estrogenic properties and may ease the discomfort associated with menopause, the most prominent of which may be hot flashes. With its estrogenic properties, it will help relieve PMS and may help promote regularity where menstrual periods are erratic. Fennel is also a good digestive aid and can help relieve gas, so if you eat a bowl of beans and think you re going to pay for it, take 2 fennel seed capsules for relief. Fennel seed has also been used successfully as an appetite suppressant. FENUGREEK SEED: This herb is a useful healer for mucous membranes, those soft tissues inside your body such as mouth, throat, lungs, bladder and colon. Fenugreek soothes inflammation and acts as a mild expectorant, aiding in the cleansing and healing of inflamed membranes. It is high in fiber which makes it a good colon cleanse and stimulant. Fiber also helps to reduce cholesterol. Lung congestion and bronchitis will both be helped by fenugreek. FEVERFEW LEAF: Feverfew is nature s remedy for the migraine headache because it acts as a vasodilator it expands the arteries and veins. It is most useful as a preventative and taking 1 capsule daily helps many people prevent the onset of a migraine headache. Once a migraine has started, feverfew may Page #6

9 reduce the severity of the headache. Feverfew has other benefits, too. It functions as a digestive aid and relieves menstrual cramps. Note: Many migraines are triggered by food sensitivities to dairy, wheat or peanuts. (These are merely the most common food allergens) If you have frequent migraines, keep a journal listing the foods you ve eaten prior to your migraine. This may help you to identify a food that triggers your migraines. FO-TI ROOT: This Chinese herb has wonderful, healthful properties as it appears to lower cholesterol and prevent cholesterol from clinging to artery walls. This is the traditional Chinese use of this herb. We started taking the herb to see for ourselves what benefits we might derive from it. We (3 women) all agreed after a few weeks on the results. This herb makes your hair and fingernails grow and it tightens your skin. Two of us have short hair so the rapid hair growth was really noticeable. I have my short hair cut every 4 weeks; after 2 weeks of Fo-Ti, I really needed a trim. The effect on the nails and skin was just as dramatic. I can t explain how a cholesterol lowering herb can encourage hair growth but I m still taking it and look real shaggy between hair cuts. GARLIC: Garlic is another of nature s powerful antibiotics and is a superb herb for the heart. As an antibiotic, garlic oil was used extensively to treat wounds and is still called the Russian penicillin. It is an effective antibiotic especially where other antibiotics are proving ineffective against infections. If you find the flavor too strong, take with 2 alfalfa capsules. As a heart herb, garlic will reduce your blood pressure and cholesterol and reduce the likelihood of blood clots. Garlic also reduces blood sugar levels. Garlic is one of the herbs that will help reduce heavy metal in your system, such as from lead, radiation, and chemical exposure. Note: We do try to learn from our customers and have found that people who are sensitive to sulfa and penicillin drugs cannot tolerate garlic so if you are sensitive you may want to bypass using garlic. GARLIC ODORLESS: We offer Kyolic odorless garlic in our store. This wonderful product is combined with Hawthorn berry, cayenne, and vitamin E. The herbal combination makes this an excellent heart herb; Hawthorne berry strengthens the heartbeat and garlic is excellent for blood pressure and cholesterol control; cayenne is a mild circulation stimulant and can help prevent blood clots. Page #7

10 GINGER ROOT: Ginger is the #1 motion sickness and nausea fighter and may help with the nausea associated with chemotherapy. If you are too sick to swallow a capsule, open the capsule and put a little bit of the ground ginger on your tongue. This is all it takes to control the nausea. It is safe for pregnant women to use for morning sickness and safe for children. This remarkable herb is an immune stimulant with anti-viral properties. It helps reduce cholesterol and blood pressure and prevents internal blood clots. It is a digestive aid and relieves PMS type cramps. Ginger is warming and if you find you need a circulation boost (and cayenne is too hot for you) ginger will do it for you. I like to study the food habits of healthy cultures because food is where real health starts. It was interesting to me that in studying Chinese use of medicinal herbs, ginger was not overly stressed. However, when I examined my 1000 recipe Chinese cookbook, ginger was an ingredient in all 1000 recipes. This is a wonderful herb whether you take it in capsule form, as a tea or in cooking. GINKGO LEAF: Ginkgo leaf is from a tree that has survived intact for 200 million years. I m glad it did because ginkgo has some wonderful properties. Ginkgo improves circulation to the head, thus helps to dry up sinus drainage. In addition, ginkgo can stop ear ringing (tinnitus), macular degeneration, cochlear deafness, and vertigo. Ginkgo can control coughing brought about by sinus drainage, too. In addition, it interferes with a substance the body produces called platelet activation factor which is involved in conditions ranging from asthma attacks to blood clots. Ginkgo is a wonderful herb to help with some of the problems of aging such as memory loss, stroke, heart attack, leg pain and impotence from narrowed arteries. GINSENG ROOT: See Siberian Ginseng. GOLDENSEAL ROOT: Goldenseal is a good antibiotic but the characteristic that sets it off from other herbs is the fact that it is an excellent hemostat; it can control or stop bleeding internally such as from excessive menstrual flow, ulcers and other internal bleeding conditions. In addition, goldenseal is a source of natural insulin which would aid a person with diabetes. As an antibiotic, it is especially effective where infection and bleeding are occurring such as with infected gums. It is useful for infectious diarrhea and even cholera. CAUTION: Do not take during pregnancy. With some herbs, you will see the whole plant used. Goldenseal is an example as both the leaf and root have similar properties. The root of any plant Page #8

11 will always have the strongest properties as compared to the leaf or stem. With some herbs, only the leaf is used. Ginkgo is an example of this type herb. The ginkgo leaf is actually the leaf of a tree and that is the only part used herbally. GOTU KOLA LEAF: Gotu Kola has the reputation of promoting longevity. One reason it may have this reputation is that it improves circulation to the head, acts as a brain tonic, thus improving memory and other brain functions. This herb is useful when better brain function is needed whether it is memory, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD and ADHD), or Alzheimer s disease. Note: Always adhere to the manufacturer s recommended amount. HAWTHORN BERRY: This herb offers support for healthy heart function. It is an antispasmodic (stops muscle spasms), and vasodilator (relaxes and expands the blood vessels). It helps strengthen the heart and helps to control high blood pressure, toning the entire circulatory system. HORSETAIL GRASS: (Also called Shavegrass). This plant is naturally high in silica, a mineral that strengthens hair, skin and nails. Horsetail is also a very mild diuretic and is astringent and cooling making it a gentle healer for such conditions as cystitis or an irritated bladder. It also has the ability to dissolve sediments such as stones in the kidneys. KAVA KAVA ROOT: This herb is strongly sedative inducing physical and mental relaxation, thus it is useful for anxiety and panic attacks, insomnia, depression, and stress related disorders. It has some pain relieving properties, too, and is useful in recovery from injury. This is a wonderful herb to use in fear situations, such as if you fear flying. Do start at a lower amount to see how you react as this her can make you sleepy. Caution: May cause drowsiness and impair driving. Do not use if pregnant or nursing. KELP: Kelp is seaweed and is loaded with minerals, especially iodine. Our diets are iodine poor because iodine is not available in our food supply. You need iodine for normal thyroid function and we cannot get it from our food so supplementing with an iodine rich sea vegetable such as kelp is extremely important to you. What are the symptoms of low thyroid function? There are lots of them. Dry hair, cold hands and feet, low body temperature (normal is 98.6 degrees), low energy, hormone imbalance, mood swings Page #9

12 this names just a few. What we see most often as an indicator of low thyroid function is the start of a goiter. This looks like a fat neck in everyday terms. The thyroid, which sits on each side of your wind pipe in your neck, swells when it doesn t get enough iodine. This swelling may also cause difficulty swallowing. Take kelp, watch your neck get thinner, feel better, have more energy and be in a great mood. LICORICE ROOT: Licorice is anti-inflammatory (good for bronchitis), antifungal (Candida and thrush), anti-spasmodic (cough), and anti-bacterial (strep infections). It is a natural hormone balancer giving adrenal nourishment and endocrine support. It contains natural cortisone and is a blood sugar regulator for both high and low blood sugar. Licorice can raise your blood pressure slightly and can be used if you have a problem with low blood pressure. CAUTION: Do not use licorice if you have high blood pressure. DGL Licorice can be used as this does not stimulate high blood pressure. MARSHMALLOW ROOT: This mucilaginous herb is healing and soothing to external skin and internal mucous membranes. The mucilage it forms is actually a slimy coating, but this slime is very healing and includes some pain relieving properties. We particularly like to recommend Marshmallow Root and Vitamin B6 for people with urinary incontinence. It works for us, it may work for you. MILK THISTLE SEED: This plant has a long, safe history of use in liver ailments because it helps to detoxify the liver. Its stimulating effect also helps the gall bladder to function better. Its traditional use is in such liver ailments as hepatitis and cirrhosis, but any liver problem (sometimes showing up as digestive problems), can benefit from this herb as it seems to help the liver regenerate. It s a protectant for the liver, too, because of its antioxidant properties. If drugs or alcohol are being used, it can help protect the liver from damage. This herb is usually found as an extract with a guaranteed potency. The standard for milk thistle is 80% silybum. NETTLE HERB: Nettle is high in vitamin C and is a mineral rich herb; the young plant is eaten in many parts of the world for its nutrient properties and as a spring tonic. It is astringent, making it helpful for diarrhea, cystitis, and kidney infections. It has an alkalizing effect on your body which helps in any over acid situation. Page #10

13 Wild greens such as nettle, plantain, dandelion and many others are rich sources of minerals, especially those that have a salty taste, such as nettle, because the minerals are in the form of mineral salts. PASSION FLOWER HERB: This herb has pain relieving and sedative properties and has long been used to help relieve nervousness, unrest, exhaustion, and insomnia. It has some anti-spasmodic properties making it useful in helping to control minor convulsions such as those evidenced by minor muscular twitching. It will help provide rest and relief in the case of Parkinson s disease, epilepsy, shingles, neuralgia, anxiety and depression and help to relieve asthma symptoms. PAU D ARCO INNER BARK: This herb is antifungal, antiviral, and antibiotic. It is effective against virally caused cancers because it inhibits tumor growth. It is an immune enhancer and very good against opportunistic diseases such as candida a yeast overgrowth. It is an effective blood purifier and useful against dermatitis and psoriases. It is not a new healing herb; people of the ancient Inca civilization used it extensively as a healer. PSYLLIUM SEED: This herb provides fiber and bulk to promote regular bowel movements. Psyllium is a soluble fiber, that is, it absorbs and holds moisture in your digestive tract, so drink plenty of water if you use this herb. What are some of the ailments that a good, soluble fiber can help? They are constipation, diabetes, hemorrhoids, high cholesterol and triglycerides, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and weight loss. You may have this plant growing in your lawn if you don t use chemical herbicides. It s called plantain. The seed of the plantain plant is psyllium and the leaf, plantain, has different healing properties. RED CLOVER FLOWERS: This herb has anti-tumor properties and is used in many countries as part of an anti-cancer treatment. Red clover is a blood purifier and is good in any program where blood cleansing is desirable, such as with acne, a spider bite, even psoriasis. Red clover is also a phyto-estrogen (a plant that acts like estrogen) and can be used in a menopause or hormone balancing regimen. RED RASPBERRY LEAF: This herb is a young woman s best friend helping not only with painful menstruation, but also and especially with pregnancy and childbirth. It is a female tonic that tones tissues and muscles to Page #11

14 prepare for childbirth. It may also relieve nausea, help to check hemorrhage, increase milk, and balance glandular activity. If you decide to make your own red raspberry concoction (tea), be sure to dry the leaves thoroughly before brewing. Note: If you are interested in brewing your own teas from leaves and flowers in your yard be sure to check for cautions such as the one above about drying the leaves before using. Sweet Woodruff (used to smooth spring wine) is another herb that can only be used after it is dried. The drying process eliminates some irritating components of the plant. SARSPARILLA ROOT: If you ve ever watched old western movies (really old in black and white), you may see a grizzled cowboy enter the saloon, go to the bar and ask for sarsaparilla. He knew what was good for him especially after being in the saddle for the past three weeks. Sarsaparilla can best be described as a blood purifier and thus is good for skin problems such as eczema or psoriasis; it helps gout, arthritis and rheumatism, too. It is a toner for the male and female hormone system, and a gentle liver cleanser with antifungal properties. Sarsaparilla is a natural source of steroids and is a soothing cortisone substitute. Sarsaparilla has the unique ability to bind bacterial toxins in the digestive track making them unabsorbable. This would make sarsaparilla a good remedy for side effects from mosquito and tick bites. SAW PALMETTO BERRY: This herb can reduce and prevent inflammation and swelling in an enlarged prostate gland. It is a tissue builder and gland stimulant for the male reproductive system. Saw Palmetto also will help rid the lungs of excess mucous in respiratory problems. As a tissue builder, it is useful in any wasting disease that leaves you weakened, such as pneumonia. Saw Palmetto helps to build stamina and endurance. SIBERIAN GINSENG ROOT: Siberian Ginseng is the number one herb for relieving stress and here s how you can test its effectiveness. Think of something that has been stressful for you. Your body reacts just as if the stress were real, now. Siberian Ginseng Effectiveness Test: Take 2 Siberian Ginseng. Wait 10 minutes and think about the same stressful situation. Most people report that after taking the ginseng, the stressful thought does not bother them as much. This ginseng has other wonderful properties, too. It is an immune stimulant, Page #12

15 it reduces bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol, it protects the liver from the harmful effects of alcohol, drugs and chemicals. CAUTION: Do not use this drug if you are taking psychotherapeutic drugs. SLIPPERY ELM BARK: This herb has a long history of soothing and healing. It absorbs liquid and forms mucilage (a soothing, slippery coating) which helps to heal any part of the body it comes in contact with. It is soothing and healing for ulcers, an irritated colon including Crohn s disease, kidney or bladder inflammation, and for sore throat. It is healing for lesions, such as in stomach or lung cancer. SPIRULINA: Spirulina is freshwater blue green algae high in chlorophyll and rich in natural minerals, vitamins, and enzymes. Spirulina is a complete protein, meaning our bodies can use it by itself as a source of protein. If you are a vegan and need protein or if you do not get enough greens in your diet, spirulina is a good resource for either purpose. ST. JOHN S WORT: This herb has calming properties and more since it helps to both soothe nerves and to heal and strengthen them. It can be used as a nerve tonic and as a sleep aid for insomnia. This herb has more to offer, too. It is anti-viral and, like many anti-depressants, it has pain relieving properties. Anyone with chronic pain or chronic stress may find this herb beneficial. CAUTION: Prolonged use may make you sensitive to the sun. VALERIAN ROOT: Valerian root was part of the official pharmacopoeia and as such was grown by pharmacists and prescribed by doctors. This was all a long time ago when pharmacies consisted of a small building and a large garden, where plants were grown to be processed into prescriptions. Valerian root rightly belongs in our history as it has strong sedative properties making it useful as a sleep aid in cases of anxiety, insomnia or depression. It also has pain relieving properties, thus it is useful to combat sleeplessness caused by pain such as from arthritis. Chronic pain is stressful to people and valerian is a good herb for stress and pain. You will learn to recognize this herb by its distinctive odor it stinks. However, if you grow it in your garden, you will be enjoying the beautiful flower heliotrope. CAUTION: Use this herb moderately as excess use may cause morning grogginess. Page #13

16 WHITE OAK BARK: This herb has strong astringent and antiseptic properties making it useful for inflammation, swelling and bleeding problems such as hemorrhoids, varicose veins, and bleeding kidney and bladder problems. It helps to dissolve and pass kidney and gallstones and will help bring diarrhea under control. It is also useful to control a heavy menstrual flow. It strengthens capillaries which will strengthen your ability to resist bruising and varicose veins. WHITE WILLOW BARK: This natural pain reliever has been used since before the time of Christ and is effective for pain, fever, inflammation and menstrual cramps. It contains natural salicin which is the active ingredient upon which aspirin was based many years ago. White willow bark is a good, natural pain reliever plus it has the advantage of stopping inflammation. WILD YAM ROOT: Wild Yam root is a source of natural testosterone and steroids and acts as a female hormone balancer, especially where you have menstrual pain during your monthly cycle. It is a progesterone precursor and thus is useful during menopause. Wild Yam Root can relax muscle spasms and ease inflammation. It is traditionally used for female problems from menstrual cramps to menopause. YUCCA ROOT: This herb has the ability to break up inorganic mineral deposits such as are associated with arthritis, gout, rheumatism, kidney and gall stones. It is anti-inflammatory making it doubly effective with these ailments. Many people find that chronic back pain can be relieved using yucca and many people with arthritis report immediate pain relief with this herb. Page #14

17 EAT RIGHT 4 YOUR (BLOOD) TYPE The book Eat Right 4 Your Type by Dr. Peter J. D Adamo is the most important health book in the last 30 years. Why? It answers all those questions I ve had over the years about nutrition and why a food plan that worked so well for me didn t for someone else. The book is the result of years of research into diet and how people respond to foods literally by reactions in their blood. The book categorizes food for each blood type: O, A, B, or AB, into good, neutral, and avoid. Good food is like medicine in your body; Neutral food is like food, it s okay for you; Avoid foods are like poison to you really harmful. Eating the wrong foods can affect your blood type with results such as obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, asthma, arthritis, cancer, and many other illnesses that have become so common today. Have you known several people who ve followed the Atkins or South Beach Diets and some did well, and some didn t? That high protein, low carb diet was made for Blood Type O; other blood types don t do well and don t feel good when they follow such a diet. Did you know there is one blood type that is the natural vegetarian? Type A does well as a vegetarian or a vegan (no animal products whatsoever). Other blood types have a harder time being vegetarians because they need more protein. If you re Blood Type B and eating lots of chicken because it s a lean meat, you re hurting yourself. Chicken is like poison to type B s. Type AB? You do need some meat but both chicken and beef are bad for you. Do you like turkey? It s okay. Surprised at some of the foods that may be bad for you and hard on your body? I was. I was also resentful. I didn t want to give up tomatoes, peppers and chilies (all on my avoid list). I d just planted my garden and these foods were a big part of it. How could they be bad for me? So, I experimented on myself since no one else would let me do it to them. I didn t eat tomatoes, peppers or chilies for 1 week. Then I fixed a delicious enchilada (vegetarian style-no meat no cheese). 20 minutes after I ate I had a very full feeling, to the point that I couldn t breathe deeply. I also didn t feel like doing anything so retired to my chair and the TV. The next morning, I had an excess of sinus drainage and mucous. I ve had that full feeling before after a meal and always assumed it was because I ate too much. I repeated the experiment, however, this time fixing spaghetti after a week with no tomatoes, chilies or peppers. Page #15

18 Same results: a full feeling, difficulty breathing, sinus problems and lots of mucous. I m not dense; there was a real connection between the avoid foods for my blood type and how I reacted when I ate them. I am stubborn, however, and tested tomatoes again and again, hoping just once I wouldn t have a reaction. I tested tomatoes 15 times in all before giving up and agreeing that tomatoes were not right for my blood type. What s in this book for you? An eating plan that may save your life; one that will certainly help you to loose weight and to keep it off if you are overweight; a guide to food that may eliminate allergies, digestive problems, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), arthritis and many other ailments. The book Eat Right 4 Your Type by Dr. Peter J. D Adamo is probably at your library; but we also sell the book in our store. Don t know your blood type? We have a blood type kit that you can use to find out your blood type. Visit Mickey s Blog For More Information We have a good selection of natural supplements. There are no synthetic vitamins or chemicals in our products. Since we review each product carefully before we carry it, you will not see a full line of any one manufacturer. We ve picked the best quality (and price) for the product we want to carry. You won t be overwhelmed, for example, by trying to decide which manufacturer has the best quality Vitamin B. If we do have more than one selection, it is because they do different things and we ll be glad to explain the difference to you. Our emphasis is on chemical free products, organically produced whenever possible, no genetically engineered ingredients, and tastes good. In addition to herbs, vitamins and other supplements, we carry fun things like gemstones and jewelry, essential oils, flower waters and aromatherapy burners. Page #16

19 Asthma Modern Day Epidemic Asthma is a modern ailment; not to say it wasn t around in older times it was but not in the pandemic proportions seen today. If you re 20 years old and half your friends have asthma, that s not unusual to you you have asthma, too. But if you re my age, you lived at a time when in a 40 year span, you knew of only one person who had asthma. That s what I mean by a modern ailment. So what have we done to change our world so much that such a large part of our population I m talking about you, your friends and family have asthma? I call asthma the ultimate allergy and truly believe we ve become allergic to our food, not only because of the poor quality and nutrition in it but also because of the many chemicals used to manipulate it. Those chemicals make the food taste good, last longer on the shelf, and be consistent; but are they killing you? Robbing you of your breath? This is Mickey s story reprinted from the Earth Magic brochure: I was forced to become responsible for my own health! You probably thought I was a volunteer. No way. I lost my real job and tried to sustain my health insurance and couldn t. I was frightened because I didn t feel good and I didn t know what to do about it. I know there are millions of people out there in the same spot because my situation was not unique. I ve learned how difficult it is to understand food. As an example, you buy 100% pure corn oil. That sounds like a perfectly clean food. However, the corn was genetically modified and was grown with 4 to 6 chemicals, none of which added nutritive value. After harvest, it was processed with another 5 to 8 chemicals so that it would endure high heat without smoking, would not go rancid on the shelf, and so that it looked clear, not cloudy. The ingredients, however, say 100% pure corn oil. Your 100% pure corn oil may have up to 18 chemicals in it. Why doesn t the label say so? The FDA (You think they re looking out for you?) does not require that any chemical used in the processing be listed as an ingredient. We have no idea what s actually in the food we buy or how it affects our health. Don t think the food manufacturers are looking out for your health; they re not. If they re adding a chemical to the food you re eating, it s because they ll make more money, not because it will improve your health. How do you clean up your fuel (food)? Foods labeled as 100% organic have not been grown or processed with chemicals. You can also control what you grow yourself. Consider a garden, even a small one for your favorite summer foods. Page #17

20 How do you clean up your body? After realizing I had been polluting my body for the last 25 or more years, I realized why I was so sickly. I was overloaded with toxins. I thought that the human body had to be a remarkable piece of equipment to go on running (even though it was running rough) even after so many years of toxic buildup. I thought that if I got rid of the toxic buildup, my body ought to run better. Sure enough, I was right. In studying how our ancestors and other older cultures handled body cleansing, it became apparent that this was a regular process done several time a year, usually in conjunction with the change of the season. In my 50 s at the time, I figured I had quite a few cleanses to do in order to get a healthy body. It worked. After several years of regular, gentle cleanses, I think my body is now it its 40 s well, maybe 45. The best part, I no longer have arthritis, no pain, no dyslexia, and no aches. I feel wonderful. How do you ensure real health? Improve the quality of your food. Do not eat junk food, quit sugar use honey instead, make as many food items from scratch as you can, buy organic ingredients whenever possible, grow a garden without chemicals and to ensure you are eating the right food for you, read and follow your blood type diet in the book Eat Right 4 Your Type. Cleanse to get rid of toxic buildup. There are other things you can do. Drink bottled distilled water don t drink tap water. You know if you aren t drinking enough water so gradually increase the amount you drink. Eight 8 oz. glasses daily is still a good guideline. Fruits cleanse so add some fresh fruit to your diet, at least once daily. Increase gradually. Avoid chemical pollution from unsuspected sources. That new carpet, for instance, is giving off chemical fumes which you are absorbing. Do you know why medical patches work? Your skin is a sponge. If you touch it, you absorb it. If you use harsh cleaners (and they re all harsh) either wear gloves or change to gentler cleaners. Real soap (the old fashioned kind made from oil also called castile soap) is still a good cleaner, is naturally antibacterial, and doesn t contain chemicals. Understand that every ache and pain is a symptom. Do something about it whether it s with a natural remedy or a visit to your doctor. Pay attention to your body. When your body is not working right, find out why not. It s a lot of work but you re worth it. Page #18

21 LACTOSE INTOLERANCE Of course you re lactose intolerant. After all, we were designed to drink mother s milk for a few years until enough teeth came along for us to start chewing. We weren t designed to drink cow s milk at all unless it s your goal to become a 300 lb. heifer in about 6 months. It s really hard for us to admit that we can t tolerate milk products because, let s face it, they do taste good and that means they are addictive. Using milk products can cause real health problems. Acne, ADD and ADHD, allergies, Alzheimer s disease, asthma, constipation, diabetes, dyslexia, fever blisters, gray hair, hair loss, headache, herpes outbreak, indigestion, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), memory loss, migraine headache, osteoporosis, weight gain, sinus infection, and more. In spite of the fact that the American Dairy Association says milk is good for you, it is not. It contains steroids that convert to estrogen in your body, and antibiotics (such as penicillin) that you may be allergic to, and infectious material from the sick cow that gave the milk. I ve talked to many people who ve assured me that milk does not bother them but they are thinking only in terms of their digestive tract. The lady who loves her cheese and eats a grilled cheese sandwich daily with a glass of milk is also the lady who has estrogen sensitive breast cancer (remember the steroid that converts to estrogen in our body?). When I gave up dairy, it was a real struggle with temptation because I loved milk, I never met a cheese I didn t like, sour cream was essential to a baked potato, I really liked buttermilk and yogurt, and cream cheese and butter were natural toppings for bagels and toast. But I stuck to it. After about a year and a half, I had lost a few pounds and a lot of inches; specifically 8 inches around my middle. My nearly white hair had grown in with color unfortunately my natural color is mouse brown; where my hair had gotten thin and had receded, it was now thick and grown back to my youthful hair line. My memory was now perfect, I no longer had dyslexia, my allergies were gone, I had tons of energy, and I wasn t constipated any more. Great results for one dietary change! Page #19

22 HEALTH TIPS We ve learned a lot from our customers over the years and have put together a few tips to alert you to possible health hazards. Here they are: Water out of the tap has gotten to the point of being harmful. The chlorine used in tap water actually binds to iodine and other essential nutrients your body needs and prevents you from using it. Lack of iodine causes low thyroid function. If you don t feel good, drink bottled water (we suggest distilled) for a week and see if you improve. If your thyroid is low, you can take kelp capsules (kelp is seaweed and is fairly high in iodine and other minerals). Many water departments now combine ammonia and chlorine in their mix of chemicals to disinfect the water. This is a deadly combination and, in fact, water customers on kidney dialysis are warned not to drink the water. I think the same goes for the rest of us, too. Dairy, specifically milk products such as milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt, cream cheese, buttermilk, sour cream, and others, is hard on everyone. I didn t say it doesn t taste good or that you don t crave it, but think about the steroids given to the dairy cow to improve their milk production; this steroid converts to estrogen in your body. No one needs more estrogen than their body would naturally produce. Excess estrogen can cause (estrogen related) breast cancer, endometriosis (painful, flooding periods), hormone imbalance, impotency and a long list of other problems. Maybe the biggest problem with this chemical estrogen is that it is given to promote rapid weight gain in cattle and it s doing that to you, too. In addition, cows (both beef and dairy) are given penicillin. If you are a person with an allergy to penicillin or sulpha drugs, you would especially want to avoid dairy and beef or better yet, buy organic. No antibiotics in organic meat and dairy. Genetically Modified Organisms, GMO S, (they make it sound like an alien creature) is actually the food you re eating and it indeed may be alien to your digestive tract. You have been eating genetically modified food for a long time (years) and don t know it. Have digestive problems? The main GMO foods we re exposed to are wheat, soy, and corn. Page #20

23 Genetically modified products have been on the grocery shelves for a long time and you have no right to know if the products you are selecting are GMO S. Nowadays, the list of genetically modified food extends to fruits, vegetables, beef and other animal products. I made the mistake of eating a corn product a few years ago even though I knew I shouldn t because it was a GMO. Won t ever happen again! I don t have digestive problems but I did then. For a week it felt like someone was inside twisting my guts. I ll never forget that experience. Essential Nutrients are no longer in the food chain because farmers are paid by volume bushels per acre not by how nutritious the food is. Every penny spent on farming goes toward increasing volume, not vitamin and mineral content. Even the government admits our food today lacks nutrition. Take a good multi-vitamin mineral to ensure your health. Plant a garden, too, if you can; buy organic food, if possible; all these measures will help insure you get real nutrition. What s so special about organic? It s old fashioned gardening and hard work. You actually don t use any chemicals and you do put nutrients back into the soil, thus the food is nutrient rich. Growing your own garden has other benefits, too. Flavor is one of them. The food grown for grocery stores is grown for its ability to last for weeks and weeks in storage and on the shelves. If you grow your own garden, you can select varieties from seed catalogs that are loaded with flavor. You can grow more than a vegetable garden. Fruit and berries are easy to grow and can be blended in with your landscape. Dwarf fruit trees don t require a lot of room and offer loads of benefits. That peach off your own tree will taste 100 times better than the one you buy at the grocery store. Page #21