Better Health Naturally

What is a virus?  Virus is the Latin word for poison.  Since the beginning of time, people have been plagued with viruses.   They seem to come and go causing epidemics and outbreaks that make many people sick and in some instances cause death.  A virus is simply a clump of DNA material contained within a protein coating.   And, unlike bacteria, they can only become active inside a live host.

Viruses are smaller than bacteria and have the bad habit of going dormant, to reappear later causing worse symptoms with each outbreak.  Some examples of viruses are rhinovirus (common cold), hepatitis, Epstein-bar, ebola, HIV, influenza(flu). 

Timing seems to be very important in treating viruses.  They go through several stages, including the dormant stage, and can morph into stronger strains with each generation.  They are difficult to diagnose and are a challenge to fight.

They all attack the immune system.  So, to naturally fight these viruses, prevention is the best course.  If your immune system is strong, there is a very good chance that you will kill the virus in your system before it causes any symptoms or at the very least, the symptoms will be mild.  A doctor on the Discovery channel was lecturing on this very topic one day and said that the human immune system has all of the DNA codes to all of the viruses.  If every individual would strengthen their immune system, that would be the best way to prevent sicknesses caused by viruses.

Your first line of defense includes skin and mucus membranes, sweat glands, hyaloronic acid, saliva and mucus, stomach acid, gut flora (pro-biotics such as acidophilus), and your bio-electric field.

Our space is limited, but don’t put your fingers in your eyes, nose or ears, wash your hands often, use a dry sauna or do aerobic exercise to sweat, take enzymes (they can break down that protein coating), take a quality pro-biotics with several of the good bacteria and get plenty of rest.  Also, keep in mind there are many wonderful herbs and supplements that build the immune system. All of these things work together to give you Better Health, Naturally.

I just received a phone call from a chiropractor in Colorado and we were discussing the epidemic that we both are seeing.  More and more people are suffering from allergy symptoms such as sinus infection/drainage, itching, dry skin, blotchy, red skin, headaches, brain fog and aching, sore joints.  We both had in the past just treated the symptoms with allergy treatments using a method called NAET.  NAET uses muscle response testing using hundreds of vials, determining the specific allergies, and then using a low level laser on acupuncture points while holding the vials to desensitize the person to the allergens.

            Even though we both have seen amazing results with this proven method, we have realized that we are only treating the symptoms and not the underlying cause of these allergies.  I no longer lead with this treatment, but test to see what infections are in the body.  It is amazing how many people I see with mold, mildew, fungus or yeast infections.  These infections can migrate to any inherent weakness in the body and cause inflammation and pain.

            In chronic cases the immune system is so over worked that the person is experiencing fatigue at a very deep level.  If you add to this a low thyroid function, you have someone who feels sick and tired all of the time, with many seemingly unconnected symptoms.

            The good news is that this can all be reversed, because we are created to be self-healing machines.  As always, food is your first medicine.  I believe that part of the reason for this epidemic is the standard American diet that feeds this infection like pouring gasoline on a fire.  You must start by eating only real food, not the processed facsimile, drink enough good, clean water, take the right herbs or homeopathics to destroy the infection, and find a strong pro-biotic to replace the good bacteria that helps to rebuild your immune system and to rediscover Better Health, Naturally. 

Are herb safe and what exactly are they?  In Ezekial 47:12 the Bible tells us that the leaves of the trees and plants are for our healing.  Some plants are too strong to use for food, such as rosemary, but can be used for seasoning in small amounts.  Many can also be used for natural medicine.

            Most drugs are simply synthetic copies of the natural chemicals in the plants.  The chemicals in the plants are in the colors and the essential oils.  That is why essential oils must be used with caution and with knowledge of the chemicals they contain and what affect they have on the body.  Along with the natural chemicals in plants that stimulate healing, God also place natural buffers that keep us from taking too much.

            One such herb is lobelia.  Lobelia is what is known as a “thinking” herb.  It simply “knows” where it is needed in the body.  It’s major function is to open tubes in the body.  It may help open bronchials in one person and arteries and veins in another.  If you accidentally take too much, you will automatically throw up and rid your body of the excess.  This would be considered a side effect, but a good one and certainly not dangerous.

            One herb that was given a bad reputation through mis-information is ephedra.  Ephedra is a plant that contains chemicals that stimulate bronchial dilation.  Taken as an herb or as a tea (the tea was never taken off of the market) it is perfectly safe.  The products that were proven dangerous were the weight loss products.  The companies would extract about 40 times the amount of stimulant found in one dose of ephedra and put it in one pill along with caffeine and others herbal stimulants.  If taken along with a poor diet and extreme exercise it was very dangerous.  Also, Sudafed and other cold medicines were put behind the pharmaceutical counters.  Instead of banning the processed products that were dangerous, the court banned the herb ephedra, which had never killed anyone.  Fortunately, a later court overturned that decision.

            Plants in nature that are poison are not harvested and sold to the public.  That would be insane, wouldn’t it?  Those that are available promote Better Health, Naturally.

Is salt good for you?  First you need to understand the difference between table salt, sodium chloride, and sodium salts found in vegetables and fruits. 

            Sodium chloride is an inorganic material, basically rock, that is not found in any cell of the body.  It causes high blood pressure and should be strictly limited if someone has heart, kidney or liver disease.  Because it is an irritant to the body and in some circumstances, even a poison, the body will store it in solution in the outer extremities of the body, to protect the major organs and the blood.  That is why you tend to retain water when you eat too much salt. 

            Natural sodium on the other hand is necessary for life and is found in every cell of the body.  It is found in abundance in many foods such as tomatoes, asparagus, celery, spinach, kale, radishes, turnips, carrots, lettuce, strawberries and many others.  The word salt comes from the Latin word “salus” , meaning health.

            The sodium in our diet comes from three main sources, 1. Salt naturally present in food, 2. Salt added to processed and restaurant food, and 3. The salt we add to our own food during cooking or at the table.

            To reduce the amount of sodium chloride you are eating, 1. Remove the salt shaker from the table, 2. Cut by at least ½ the amount of salt you are adding when cooking, 3. Omit salty processed foods, 4. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables instead of canned, 5. Avoid MSG (monosodium glutamate).

            Also, remember to read labels.  You will be amazed at how much sodium chloride you are actually eating.  One of my family members (80 years old) totally got off of her high blood pressure medication doing two things, eliminating salt from her diet and exercise. If she can do it, you too can achieve Better Health, Naturally.

Do lemons make your stomach acid?  Many people think that lemons are very acidic.  What you have to understand is that during digestion lemons have an alkaline affect on the body.

            Lemons are a tremendous antiseptic, preventing infection and putrefaction. Not only will a lemon clean your cutting board of any impurity, it will also clean your digestive tract of all infection.  Lemon juice (fresh squeezed) is also a great liver cleanser and works as a solvent for uric acid and other poisons.

            The average size lemon contains 16 mg phosphorus, 2 mg sodium, 26 mg calcium, 138 mg potassium, 53 mg Vit C, .6 grm iron.  This makes them good for asthma, gas, colds, cough, sore throat, flu, heartburn, liver complaints, scurvy, fevers, rheumatism.

            Lemons build bones and teeth and nourish the brain and nerve cells.  To aid digestion about 1 tablespoon of juice in a cup of hot water will stimulate the stomach and liver.  A teaspoon of lemon juice in 4 oz of water might relieve heartburn.  A lemonade fast is very healing, helping the lungs, liver, stomach and pancreas.

In one quart container add the juice from 6 lemons (about 1 cup) and ¼ cup of honey then fill with distilled water.  Drink two quarts of the lemonade and 2 quarts of distilled water by bedtime. This will give you about 1200 calories, enough to do light work in a normal day.  Do this for three days.  It will balance your system and help your body to detox.

            Remember, lemons are a great way to stay healthy, naturally.

When I was in high school, stress was a physics term.  In today’s world, everyone from grandmother to grandchild knows what being stressed out means.  Excessive stress can mimic all diseases.  Just as physical stress applied to a building can cause that building to crack or collapse at the points of structural weakness, emotional stress trapped in the body can cause physical damage at the points of inherent weakness.     

            We all have many weaknesses that have been passed down to us from our predecessors.  These are not curses, merely warnings to compensate for those inherent weaknesses.  For example, let’s say that you have inherited weak lungs.  That might mean that when you are under unusual stress your breathing becomes labored.  You could take a drug to open those airways, or you could take preventive measures and learn to prevent that kind of stress.

            Some symptoms of being over stressed are headaches, tightness in neck, loss of appetite, excessive eating, pounding heartbeat, forgetfulness, depression, trouble sleeping, anger, hostility, feeling preoccupied.  I am sure there are more.

            How do you bring that stress level down?  I believe the first step is gratitude.  We are made for praising the Lord.  If you start to thank Him for the challenges in your life, instead of struggling against them, that is the beginning of real stress relief.  Second is to meditate on scriptures.  Psalms one is a good beginning.  Picture yourself as the tree.  Third is to eliminate all caffeine and sugar from your diet.  These two drugs will magnify the stress level you are feeling.  The fourth natural remedy for stress is exercise.  We are designed to do work.  This natural process stimulates the production of hormones that make us feel better and release excess stress.  The fifth thing is to get enough sleep.  If you do the first four steps, the fifth will come naturally. 

            The Bible calls it peace that passes all understanding.  I call it your natural remedy for stress and all of the disease it brings with it. 

What can you do to prepare for a disaster?  It could be a natural disaster or a man-made disaster.  Many people are wondering, what can I do to be more prepared?

            1.  Every member of your family should have a 72 hour kit in a pack that can be easily carried.  This would contain necessities that are necessary for your survival if you could not get to a store or into your home.

            2. You should have in you home a 3 week supply of everything you would need, including clean water, to survive if you couldn’t get to a store.

3. FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) – Call 1-800-480-2520 to request their free book,  ”Are You Ready?”

            3. Have a three month supply of a powdered food supply that is made from fruits, vegetables and protein powder to supplement you diet if necessary.

            4. Have a good supply of herbal teas such as Essiac Tea, Pau d Arco tea, etc. to help with fighting infections and to keep your immune system healthy.

            5. The Anti-Plague formula is a must.  You should have 8oz for each person in your household.  The Lord gave this formula to John Christopher in the early 1900’s when he kept getting the question, what herbal remedy can we use to fight the plagues that the Bible predicts are going to come.  My people that use this formula testify that one swig is all you need to stop any flu or cold that you feel coming on.

            6. It would be good to have an herbal formula for the lungs. Something with Lobelia would be good.

            In these uncertain times, the one thing you can do to help yourself, is to be prepared.

What does it mean to be a wholistic health practitioner?  The word wholistic is used quite a lot now.  Very simply it means we treat the whole person.  Humans are created in God’s image and are three in one, body, mind and spirit.  Sometimes, in order to truly heal from the inside out, you have to treat all three and not just the body.

            The body is the physical.  We treat the body with herbs, homeopathics, essential oils, vitamins, minerals, and of course our food.  The medical world treats the physical with drugs, surgery and physical therapy.

            The spirit is the part of us that longs for God.  As a Christian I believe that when we accept Jesus as our Savior that is the beginning or birth of our spiritual healing and will continue throughout this physical life.  The answer for continuing to grow in peace and health is to associate with other people of like faith and teaching and essential oils (as mentioned in the Bible) help us heal on a spiritual level.

            The mind includes the will and emotions.  This, I believe, is where much of our physical illness begins.  We choose, through our will, to eat the things that make us sick or “choose” not to eat the things that heal us. We choose to use mind altering substances that open our minds to outside control.  Our emotions can become very “toxic” because of our experiences and exposure to the sin and evil in this world.  The remedies for these mental and emotional problems include homeopathics, Bach flower remedies and essential oils.  These heal not only on a physical level, but also on an emotional level.  I also use a form of acupuncture that helps to release these “emotional” hot potatoes that overload the mind and the senses and eventually cause physical disease.

            Sometimes it is necessary to treat the “whole” person in order to have “Better Health, Naturally”. 

The lymphatic system is a very important, and I believe very misunderstood system.  It can seem to be a very confusing system sometimes, because it is constantly working and producing “symptoms”.  The lymphatic or immune system consists of the lymph vessels, lymph fluid, lymph nodes, spleen, thymus gland, tonsils, the peyer’s patches in the small intestine and more

            Your body has three times as much lymph fluid (the clear fluid that appears from superficial cuts) as it does blood, and it travels all over the body.  The heart is the pump for the blood.  The pump for the lymph consists of your muscles and the diaphragm.  With every step you take and every deep breath you take you are pumping lymph fluid.   Just another important reason for exercise.

            Now, why is this fluid so important?  Throughout the lymph system the fluid is collecting the trash of the body.  Think of your body as a large city.  The lymph controls the trash collectors and the police department.  The lymph nodes are the trash dumpsters.  As the lymph cleans the blood of dead blood vessels, cancer cells (that the policeman have either killed or captured), bacteria, viruses, etc, they are deposited in the trash cans for later pick-up and disposal.   If your lymph nodes swell and become sore, that is one of the first indicators that your system is fighting some kind of infection.

            Most of the “trash” will be drained into the large intestine or colon (sewer pipe) for disposal.  However, if the “sewer pipe” is sluggish or even inactive, can you see how this will cause a back-up of this system and make the city very polluted and miserable?  The trash cans will become full to overflowing.  This is just a simple analogy of a very complex and vital system that is necessary for better health, naturally.

This time of year almost everyone becomes concerned about weight gain.  With all of the parties, dinners and treats that good hearted friends and relatives drop off, how do you keep your weight under control?

            The first thing you have to do is make the decision to have a good time and enjoy the season.  If you are stressed about eating, that in and of itself can cause you to not digest your food properly and therefore gain weight.  We are supposed to bless our food, and eat it for the nourishment of our bodies. 

            Try to not to nibble on sweets all day long.  Confine your eating to regular meal times and drink plenty of water in between meals.  Sweets and sugary drinks will continually stimulate your appetite and make you feel like you want to eat all day long.  Give your digestion a chance to catch up and even rest in between meals.

            At meal time eat some of anything you want.  Holidays are a special time to celebrate and if you feel deprived and sorry for yourself, you will sabotage yourself and your resolutions to stay fit and healthy.  The trick is to eat smaller amounts.  Keep in mind, while you are creating a mountain of food on your plate, that your stomach should only be about the size of your fist and you are about to stretch it beyond its limits, making digestion almost impossible and ensuring you will have gas and bloating.

            Have a great holiday, remember to bless your food and thank our Great Provider for it, eat smaller portions of anything you want, and drink lots of water in between to maintain Better Health, Naturally.