Bathing: Now You’re Not So Hot!

Moms and herbalists alike use two good home remedies to break fevers:

1. A sweat bath: The sweat bath is the typical way an herbalist would handle a fever, knowing that the fever is doing the body a favor by killing infection. A sweat bath will assist your body and speed up the process.
2. A tepid sponge bath: It is a way to bring down a fever, but not necessarily to help the body rid itself of the cause of the fever. If you are worried about a child with a raging fever and cannot get medical care, this would be your safest home treatment.

The sweat bath will help break a fever in a similar way that the yarrow works, by opening the pores and sweat glands and pushing out wastes through the skin. For use and description of a sweat bath. The other remedy, a tepid sponge bath, involves putting yourself or a child in tepid water to eliminate a fever by conduction.
Traditionally, many moms have used rubbing alcohol in the tub to help break a fever. This is because of the quick evaporating action of alcohol. However, the alcohol’s fumes can be toxic. A better way to go for a tepid sponge bath is to add peppermint oil to the water. Peppermint oil also brings blood to the surface of the skin and has a cooling effect on the body. What’s more, the fumes are not dangerous, and the oil leaves you feeling more refreshed. Also the bath water does not need to be cold! A more pleasing temperature (approximately 70F) will still do the trick and can be tolerated for a longer time than colder water. A sponge bath would be a better choice than a sweat bath for very high fevers.
Either way you go, take your yarrow to help push out the inner heat and toxins through the skin.

Me and My Yarrow

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium, L.) is an herb traditionally used for many medicinal purposes, including lowering fevers. It is a diaphoretic herb and will clear even the most deep-seated fever. Yarrow has an affinity for the skin and will diffuse the blood to the surface of the skin and open up pores, letting out the inner heat and eliminating waste products that could be causing the fever. For treating fevers with yarrow, a tea or decoction is best. It is also useful in any combination of herbs used to treat colds, the flu, and respiratory ailments.
Children respond well to yarrow used to break a fever, especially when the herb is mixed with elderberry and peppermint. Childhood illnesses that have been treated with yarrow include chicken pox, smallpox, measles, colds, and influenza.
Other herbs, such as an extract of catnip and fennel, can be used to break a fever. This is also a good remedy for children. And, of course, you can always take garlic, which contains anti-bacterial agents that help your body kill off an infection that may be causing the fever. Beta carotene will convert to vitamin A in the body as needed and is safer for feverish children. Vitamin E also will help protect the liver during a fever.

Cure for Fever

A fever occurs when the body temperature is abnormally high. Most of the time, the body temperature rises in an attempt to burn off some type of bug or toxin. Fevers can be triggered by viral or bacterial infections of many kinds. You can think of a fever as your friend, helping you to burn off foreign invaders. Herbs will help you assist your fever and can fast-forward you to recovery.
The body temperature rises and falls an average of 1.5F during the course of a day, based on a person’s activity level, diet, anxiety, and clothing. As a guideline, you can consider the possibility of fever when your temperature reaches between 99F and 100F. If your temperature is 100F or over, you can be sure it’s a fever. If you have any of the following conditions characterizing a fever, consult your physician immediately:

• Fever persisting more than five days could indicate a persistent or severe infection that is beyond home treatment.
• Fever in a child less than four months old: They are more susceptible to seizures.
• Fever accompanied by a sore, stiff neck could be a sign of meningitis, where an infection has entered the brain—a life-threatening condition.
• Fever of more than 105F: If home treatments fail to bring down a temperature something serious may be going on that your body cannot handle without intervention.
• Any fever above 105F can lead to brain damage.

I Can See! A Testimonial to Herbs and Eyesight

When poor eyesight is caused by a lack of nutrients, herbs can restore eyesight safely and sometimes very quickly. My husband is a good testimonial for this wonderful herbal “side effect.” When I met him he wore glasses, he had chronic sinusitis that was long standing, and he was getting shots in his nose by his allergist, which didn’t seem to alleviate his suffering much. He suffered from stress because of his high-pressure job and other circumstances at the time. He also had mild digestive and intestinal distress and symptoms of fluctuating blood sugar.
The last thing I was concerned about for him was his eyesight. But I think it’s interesting to note how these other problems may tie in with vision.
Here’s the herbal program I put him on:
A combination for stress that included: chamomile flowers, passion flowers, hops flowers, fennel seeds, marshmallow root, and feverfew herb. A combination for his allergies that included: burdock root, ephedra, golden seal, capsicum, parsley, horehound, althea, and yerba santa. Bifidophilus to improve his digestion and absorption of nutrients. A fiber supplement for his bowel that included a mixture of psyllium, oat, and apple fibers.
A soothing combo for his digestive tract that contained: slippery elm bark, marshmallow
root, plantain herb, chamomile flowers, rose hips, and bugleweed herb.
Licorice root to help his body produce natural cortisone (he was getting cortisone shots in
his nose, and so he thought he’d try this natural alternative). Licorice root also balances
the blood sugar levels, which can have an effect on eyesight.
An enzyme designed to help him break down proteins. The enzyme also included hydrochloric acid.
And a combination to support his blood sugar levels and nourish the prostate that included:
golden seal, juniper berries, uva ursi leaves, cedar berries, mullein leaves, garlic bulb,
yarrow flowers, slippery elm bark, capsicum fruit, dandelion root, marshmallow root,
nettle herb, white oak bark, and licorice root. Within two weeks on this program, he was absolutely amazed to find that his sinuses cleared up almost entirely. Within two months he was completely Kleenex-free! His digestion improved dramatically, his stress level eased, and he became even more grateful he met me! However, after about four months using the herbs he began to get headaches. We finally came to the conclusion that his prescription glasses probably needed an update.
They sure did! A trip to see his eye doctor resulted in the recycling of his glasses because his vision had returned to 20/20! It’s nice to know that herbs can fill in nutritional voids and that your body will begin to restore the undernourished areas whether you “focus” on a particular ailment or not. That was over four years ago, my husband still takes his daily herbal supplements and continues to be sinusitis- and eyeglass-free!

Bilberry: Focusing on the Problem

Bilberry fruit (Vaccinium myrtillus) is a potent herbal antioxidant source. Its ability to neutralize free radicals in the brain and the eyes makes it a powerful protector for the eyes. The part used historically is the fruit, sometimes also called huckleberry or blueberry.
British pilots during World War II used bilberry to improve their vision for night flying. Some reported improved vision within two weeks of using bilberry, and longterm use of this safe herb will prove most beneficial. Bilberry’s ability to strengthen blood capillaries also makes it an excellent tonic for people who bruise easily. Bilberry used with eyebright and beta carotene makes a powerful combination to nourish and protect the eyes and to strengthen vision. It also works well for lightsensitive individuals. Bilberry is also used for diabetes, diarrhea, and mild inflammation.
Zinc and vitamins E, A, and C all work well to protect our vision and are all contained in eyebright and bilberry. Another practice you can choose to help tone the eyes is a cold water splash every morning and each night. Simply fill your sink with some cold water, cup the water in your hands, and splash your eyes. The cold will help muscles retract, will tighten capillaries, and will tone your eyes. Many find this very refreshing and strengthening to their eyes.

Eyebright: A Sight for Sore Eyes

Appropriately named, eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis) is an herb used to nourish, cleanse, tone, and strengthen the eyes. It contains a component that strengthens the blood capillaries, which improves circulation to the eyes. Eyebright has been used internally and externally for eye problems of all sorts. For better vision take internally. Eyebright usually comes in capsules and is many times found with other astringent herbs. Its antibacterial effects make it an excellent tea to be used as an eyewash for conjunctivitis (pink eye) or sore, irritated, or itchy eyes.
To use eyebright as an external eyewash, you have two options. If you have the herb in a capsule, empty one capsule per cup of water (one cup at a time should be more than sufficient). If you are using the herb in bulk form, four heaping teaspoons equals about one capsule of powder. Then follow these steps:

1. Put herb in a cup of water, and bring to a boil.
2. Boil 10 minutes.
3. Let cool, and strain mixture well. (That’s better than a sharp stick in the eye!)
4. Use a glass dropper to administer to eyes as needed. Do not touch the glass dropper to the eye, however; this will contaminate the mixture with the dropper, unless you sterilize it first.
5. Store the mixture in a glass container in the refrigerator. Do not keep mixture longer than three to four days.

Eyes Got an Herb for You

The eyes are the windows to the soul, and sight is one of our most valued senses, however sometimes we take it for granted until we begin to lose our perfect vision. Most often it is some type of malnourishment that causes our eyes to loose focus. Sometimes it is a symptom of another progressive disease. But for the common eyesight degeneration, I have seen people reclaim their good vision several months after incorporating an herbal program into their life. I have also seen people who have worked on their core problem with herbs improve their eyesight as a side effect of taking herbs and supplements.
You can use herbs to tone the eye muscles, relieve and nourish stressed or irritated eyes, and bring circulation to the eyes. All this can help restore better vision and increase the general health of your eyes.

Pau D’Arco for Endometriosis

Pau d’arco is utilized by many women as a blood cleanser and to dissolve cysts. Use pau d’arco to help in all ailments that are related to abnormal growths, such as cysts, cancer, tumors, and endometriosis.
As always, combinations of herbs—and sometimes supplements—can speed your recovery. Use sarsaparilla and pau d’arco at the same time. Pau d’arco aids in dissolving cysts and tissue overgrowth while sarsaparilla aids your body in progesterone production—which will help balance estrogen levels sometimes related to endometriosis.
For extra benefit, and more hormonal balancing effects, add the following combination along with your pau d’arco and sarsaparilla: golden seal, capsicum, ginger, uva ursi, crampbark, squawvine, blessed thistle, red raspberry, and false unicorn. Extra vitamin C can enhance this herbal program. Soy estrogens from plant sources are known as phyto-estrogens and offer a very mild form of estrogen. They bind the estrogen receptors, making it difficult for “bad” estrogen to be effective. This makes soy valuable in helping to balance estrogen levels, especially when those levels are in excess.

Endometriosis: A Growing Concern

Endometriosis is a female concern involving the presence of tissue similar to the lining of the uterus located (and usually growing) at other sites in the pelvis. Symptoms include painful menstruation, infertility, and, if left untreated, adhesions which attach themselves to other pelvic areas, such as the fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterine muscles, colon, and bladder. These adhesions pull pelvic organs out of alignment and cause other painful problems. Many women have hysterectomies for relief of this problem. Possible causes of this overgrowing tissue may be linked to hormonal imbalance, especially excess estrogen production, that cause tissue to grow wildly.
Estrogen dominance can be caused by an improper diet, prescription medications, xenoestrogens (plastics and petroleum products), and dioxins (herbicides and pesticides).

The Beauty of Herbs: Not Just Skin-Deep

Combinations used together to cleanse the blood and feed the skin include burdock root, Oregon grape, pau d’arco, vitamins A and E, and zinc. Because you will either make or purchase Oregon grape in a liquid form, it will be easy to apply to affected areas on the skin. Apply to a test area, such as the back of your hand, for several days each day, and watch how it works for you. You may want to apply it straight, or you can add it to your natural shampoo for eczema in the scalp. Externally, you can also add the herb calendula (from marigold flowers), known for its soothing effects on the skin. Mix it with some aloe vera, and apply as a paste to affected areas. If you do not yet know the source of your eczema, eliminate any possible causes of skin irritants, such as toxic and industrialized chemicals. Make a note if you have changed any of your soaps or laundry detergents.
Some eczema can be triggered by allergies, so make a food diary and eliminate all things that show up on your food list more than every four days. Eliminate red meat, citrus fruits, and sugar from your diet, and see if your problem clears. This will help you learn what might be triggering this condition, too. Cleanse the bowel for quicker relief of all skin ailments.

Oregon Grape: A Grape Remedy for Eczema

Oregon grape (Berberis Aquifolium) is probably the most widely used and accepted herbal remedy for chronic skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis, all skin inflammation diseases. Its best use for helping eczema is in a liquid extract or tea, and it can be used internally as well as externally.
Oregon grape goes to the liver and lymphatics, helps purify blood, and serves as a mild laxative. It contains a powerful natural antibiotic similar to golden seal and has been used to clear up skin conditions of all kinds.
Oregon grape is also used for acne, dandruff, and detoxification. It gets to the source of skin problems because it helps regulate bile flow, decreases liver congestion, promotes the digestion of fats, and helps relieve constipation, all of which contribute to skin ailments.

Eczema: Getting Under Your Skin

Eczema is described as a superficial inflammation of the skin, an itchy red rash often accompanied by small blisters that weep and become encrusted. Typically, eczema will be treated medically with locally applied steroid hormones to help reduce inflammation; however, since drugs can do damage to the body, try these safe herbal remedies first.
To help yourself get the best treatment possible you will need to understand which type of eczema you are exhibiting. Knowing this will help you better understand what your cause might be and will govern the approach to your treatment. Like I say over and over, finding your cause is a big part of finding your cure. Some eczema is caused by allergy, some by lack of circulation, and some by something from the outside that your skin is contacting.
For the sake of simplicity, we will work with an herb or two that serves to cleanse the blood via the liver and the lymphatics. Remember that the skin is always as clean as the blood is.
Some of these herbs will work to help your body chemistry balance, which will eventually cause your symptom to disappear. Once you find out the root of this problem, you can add herbs or make lifestyle changes to help you with the cause. For instance, if you have eczema related to a lack of circulation in the legs, incorporating an invigorating exercise program along with taking herbs that stimulate circulation will get to the core of your problem.

Herbal Ear Drops and Other Home Remedies

Going right to the source with herbal infection fighters and pain relievers can speed up the healing process. Two to three drops directly into the earusing lobelia, garlic, mullein, or tea tree oil has been used with success for earaches for adults and children alike. However, please avoid placing any drops in ears that have had tubes surgically inserted. Warm the oil up slightly by placing the oil bottle in a hot pan of water for a minute or so first. This makes it feel better and makes the oil less viscous, helping it slide easily into the ear canal. These will all serve to soothe the canal and fight infection locally. Another home remedy helpful for ear pain involves a large onion. Here’s the remedy:

1. Bake the onion until soft.
2. Cut the onion in half.
3. Let the onion cool until you can stand to place your finger into the center.
4. Lay the flat side of each half on each ear, and wrap the onion snugly around your head (you can do one at a time if you keep the other half of the onion warm).
5. Keep on until the onion cools.

Not only does this help to relieve pain, but it can clear mucus congestion, too.
Eliminate toxins from the body with bowel cleansing to help any ailment. Enemas for both children and adults can bring relief fairly quickly. Add some garlic to the enema water to give an extra bacterial-fighting boost to the body and speed recovery time. Ear coning is used by some to get sinus and ear ache relief. Do not attempt ear coning alone, however. It is wise to have an experienced practitioner do this for you, or have someone teach you and your partner how to do it for each other.

Herbal Synergy and Supplemental Support

Other herbal combinations you can take with your echinacea to help fight infection include garlic and a mixture of parthenium, yarrow, myrrh, and capsicum. These all work synergistically to kill infection and lessen mucus; the capsicum acts as a stimulator to increase the effectiveness of all herbs.
After infection is over, an herbal calcium supplement will aid your body in rebuilding tissues that need healing. Think of calcium as the “knitter” in the body; it helps wounds heal by supplying the ingredients your body needs to rebuild. Herbs rich in calcium and silicon (silicon is also food for the structural system) include oatstraw, horsetail, dulse, and rosemary.

Cure for Earaches

Oh, your aching head! Earaches are painful ailments usually brought on by an infection and can not only be painful but also cause dizziness. Many times earaches are a common childhood complaint caused by allergies; make sure that there are no foreign objects in the ear before using herbs topically.

Some ear infections start with the growth of fungus on the ear drum. This can happen especially in warm, moist climates or when a person swims frequently. The following remedies will help you or your child fight the infection causing the earache and also help fight the fungus or infection locally.

Some infections can be aggravated by excess mucus production, and testing for food allergies is a good idea. Common food allergies involve wheat and sugar, so it will be helpful to eliminate these foods completely from your diet while fighting an infection. Mucus and ear wax can harden in the ear canal, leaving you vulnerable to earaches, infections, and dizziness. Sometimes a lack of essential fatty acids is the culprit in the excess production of ear wax. Consider supplementing with an Omega-3 oil, lecithin, or flax seed oil supplement to help emulsify some of that wax build-up. A capsule or two daily of any of these is useful.

We have already talked about echinacea being a great remedy for colds, allergies, and other ailments. This is just one of those all-around safe herbs that is helpful for all types of infections. Echinacea can dry up excess mucus and can serve to heal earaches that are due to excess mucus in the sinus cavities.

Other Herbs on the Run

For the prevention of diarrhea caused by food poisoning, bacterial infections, or parasites, food enzymes with hydrochloric acid supplements should be used before every meal, especially when dining out or traveling. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is an acid normally produced by the stomach to kill off parasites when we consume foods that are contaminated. As we age, our stomach produces less and less of this acid, which can leave us more vulnerable to infections caused by ingested foods, drinks, or anything that enters through the mouth. Supplementing with these can help protect us from getting diarrhea in the first place.
Acidophilus is the good bacteria normally present in our digestive tract. These bacteria keep other harmful bacteria and viruses in our body at bay. They also eat up other foreign substances that enter through our digestive tract and serve as another form of protection against invaders. Substances such as caffeine, carbonated beverages, and antibiotics can kill off these good bacteria temporarily, leaving us vulnerable to infections. Acidophilus or bifidophilus supplementation can help replenish our body with these helpful bacteria. Take four to six capsules on an empty stomach every day for best protection against picking up bugs and to stop diarrhea. Acidophilus will fight against any existing bacterial infection going on in your system.
Other herbs that can help slow things down include psyllium hulls or oat bran. Psyllium acts like a bulking agent in the colon and will help absorb excess water. For children suffering from diarrhea, red raspberry in a liquid extract is an excellent remedy.

Bayberry: Berry Good for Diarrhea

For diarrhea caused by any condition, an astringent herb can be used to contract tissues and slow things down. A good single herb used to combat the problem is bayberry (Myrica cerifera), not to be confused with barberry (Berberis vulgaris). For its best use against diarrhea, bayberry should be made into a decoction or tea. If bayberry cannot be found, blackberry tea also works very well. Taking either of these herbs in a capsule form is helpful as well; however, the results may take longer in a pill form because the capsules require digestion.
Bayberry has special properties that act as germicides and that can destroy harmful bacteria and help the body get rid of mucus and toxins. It contains a rich amount of vitamin C and calcium, which makes it a very nourishing herb.
Bayberry has also been used to stop profuse menstruation and bleeding gums, and it has been useful in helping fight infections, cholera, colitis, dysentery, hemorrhoids, and jaundice.

Diarrhea: Some Gripping Advice

Diarrhea can be caused by different factors, which may include:

• A parasite infestation. A parasite is any organism that lives as a guest in your body and that contributes nothing to your well-being. Parasites can include fungus, bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and worms. Any of these can be contracted through contaminated food, commonly referred to as food poisoning. . Stress and anxiety. The bowel is intimately connected with your nervous system and can react negatively to nervousness.
• Intestinal infections or inflammation can be brought on by other diseases, such as Chrone’s disease. Knowing what might be causing your diarrhea will help you to treat it with the best remedy and to eliminate the source of your irritation. If you catch a bug (whether a parasite or bacteria) foreign to your body, your body reacts to eliminate the invader by stimulating peristaltic action of the bowel. This creates a forceful movement of the bowels, which can manifest itself as diarrhea. In this case, diarrhea is really a protective mechanism your body is activating to rid itself of a toxin.

Due to the loss of fluid, salts, and nutrients that accompany diarrhea, dehydration is a concern—severe dehydration can cause brain damage or death if not treated.
Therefore, it is important—especially for the elderly and children—to counteract the dehydrating effects of diarrhea through the intake of plenty of liquids. Make sure that the water supplied is filtered water and is not the source of possible contamination that could be causing the problem.
If you or someone you are responsible for has a bad bout of diarrhea, you can utilize the herbs and supplements described to stop the diarrhea. If diarrhea persists, however,
you should contact your physician to make sure that the person does not suffer the complications associated with dehydration.

Sport and Diabetes

Exercise lowers blood sugar levels as well. Incorporating a regular exercise program into your life is important whether you are diabetic or not, but it’s especially important if you have high blood sugar. Work with a specialist who can help design a program for your needs. If you can’t do that, take a walk. Walking is the most natural and comfortable form of exercise; it gets the circulation moving, cleanses the lymph nodes, increases the heart rate, gets the lungs pumping, and is a wonderful and safe exercise that everyone can enjoy.

Golden Seal: The Golden Healer

One herb that would most benefit the management of diabetes (of any type) alone would be the herb golden seal (Hydrastis canadensis). Golden seal is a bitter herb that has an antibiotic effect on the body and is used by many to fight infections. Its use for diabetics may have been overlooked, as this herb also lowers blood sugar levels.

In fact, some borderline diabetics have tried golden seal with success before using insulin to lower their blood sugar levels. Insulin is a substance produced by the pancreas to lower our blood sugar level. This substance is insufficient in diabetics. When using golden seal to lower the blood sugar, you will decrease your insulin requirement, so please work with your doctor to have your insulin requirement checked regularly. I have seen many utilize golden seal and other herbs in combination to make it possible for my clients to eliminate the need for insulin. This is just another wonderful benefit of using herbs for health. A combination of any of the following herbs will help to bring down and regulate your blood sugar: cedar berries, burdock, horseradish, golden seal, and Siberian ginseng. Psyllium hulls are also an excellent bulk fiber to use when suffering from diabetes. The fiber swells in the digestive tract and slows the absorption of sugars, which helps keep blood sugar from spiking up and down rapidly. Taken before each meal, psyllium hulls are a positive addition for diabetics, especially those who lack fibrous foods in their diet.

Trace minerals and zinc are other helpful supplements for diabetics of either type. With more advanced diabetes, circulatory herbs such as cayenne pepper are useful; the glands need to be balanced, the circulation improved, and the kidneys strengthened in someone with diabetes

Diabetes: How Sweet It Isn’t

Diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to as diabetes, is another serious illness and should be supervised by your medical doctor. It is an illness where the body loses its ability to utilize insulin, a chemical our pancreas makes to control the level of glucose in the blood. There are actually four types of diabetes, but we will discuss the two main types, Type I and II, in more detail.
Type I diabetes tends to run in families and is the more serious form of the disease. Type I diabetes is also called insulin-dependent diabetes, juvenile onset diabetes, brittle diabetes, or ketosis-prone diabetes. This type most often develops during childhood, although young adults also can develop this form. In childhood and in Type I diabetes, coma from not enough insulin is a constant danger. Type II diabetes is also called non-insulin-dependent diabetes, adult-onset diabetes, ketosis-resistant diabetes, or stable diabetes. Type II often develops in overweight adults. Insulin tablets are sometimes used for Type II diabetes, although insulin is given in injections in more severe cases. The kind and amount of insulin given varies with the person’s condition, and stress of any kind may require a change in the dose. Type II diabetes is a condition usually brought on by lifestyle factors such as lack of exercise and too much sugar or carbohydrates in the diet. Because it is lifestyle-related, this condition is easier to control and may even be reversible with natural remedies. Let’s see how we can work to reverse this problem by using nutritious herbs.

Other Things to Cheer You Up

A wonderful combination of Chinese herbs used to beat mild depression that seems to linger over your head like a dark cloud is a combination containing perilla, saussurea, gambir, bamboo, bupleurum, pinellia, aurantium, zhishi, ophiopogon, cyprerus, platycodon, ligusticum dang gui, panax ginseng, hoelen, coptis, ginger, and licorice. This combination will work on decongesting the liver which can help lift depression.
Another good single herb to use along with this Chinese combination is milk thistle. Besides stemming from a burdened liver, depression can be brought about by other physical factors, including nervous system or chemical imbalances, thyroid problems, or circulatory problems.
The B-complex vitamins can help combat stress and should always be considered when depressed. Zinc is another mineral crucial to mental health, and a zinc deficiency should not be overlooked with serious depression.
You might want to consider some extra steps as well if you cannot seem to snap out of depression:

• Find yourself a good counselor/psychiatrist/psychologist.
• Get some exercise.
• Temporarily change your environment to help stimulate a change in your mood.
• Act happy! The saying goes that if you act happy, you will eventually be happy.
• Smile and tell me you’re cranky, try it!
• Remember the big picture, and get philosophical. Things don’t seem so glum when you realize that there is a universal order and that everything happens for a reason.
• Try helping someone else who’s worse off than yourself. Remember that we all have something to offer the world. So don’t be sad—be glad you have something to offer!
• Give your cat some catnip and watch her play!

St. John’s Wort: A Saint for the Depressed

St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a pleasinglooking yellow flowering herb used by many as a mood enhancer and a stress reliever. This herb has become very popular in the media and among consumers in the United States lately. Of course, Germans have known about its positive effects on depression for some time, and doctors there write more prescriptions for St. John’s wort than for antidepressant drugs. (Maybe they are on to something there.)

What is a mind depression?

Depression can be a serious illness—as with all these ailments in this blog, see your health care provider for any medical problem. For the purposes of mild to occasional depression, we will discuss some herbs used to give a temporary mental lift; however, you should also concentrate on what is causing your depression if it seems to be ongoing.
If your goal is to wean yourself from your depression medication while your nervous system responds to your consistent use of herbal remedies and other supplements, you can work toward that goal. However, this should ONLY be attempted under supervision! Do not base your efforts solely on the suggestions given to you here! Do yourself a favor and work with your physician and a qualified herbalist to guide you in your goals.
Otherwise, for occasional “down times” and if you are not already on antidepressants, try the suggestions given here to lift your sagging spirits.

Jojoba’s Witness to Cleaning Up Dandruff

Topically, jojoba oil is one of the best herbal remedies to help your dandruff problem. When applied to the scalp at night and shampooed out the next day, the oil of the jojoba plant will nourish your skin and eliminate dandruff. Some people like to add a drop or two to styled hair for extra shine.
Sometimes dandruff is just your scalp’s way of telling you that your skin needs nourishment. A great combination of herbs to feed the skin, hair, and nails includes dulse, horsetail, sage, and rosemary. Dulse supports the thyroid, and horsetail is rich in silicon to nourish hair, skin, nails, and even teeth. Sage contains zinc and B vitamins that nourish the brain. And we already talked about rosemary’s usefulness for treating dandruff. When combined, these herbs make a great combination for dandruff. Your blood carries nutrients to all parts of your body, and an excellent herb to increase blood supply to the head area is ginkgo biloba. This herb is great for memory loss, too If your dandruff is caused by stress, a B-complex vitamin can help you with that. Other nutrients include beta carotene, vitamin A, and lecithin. Lecithin is a good brain food as well and is used to help the circulatory system.
With any problems affecting the hair, you also might want to have your thyroid checked. The thyroid takes part in regulating the metabolism, and problems with the thyroid can cause hair loss and other symptoms. Also make sure that you do not have high cholesterol, which could interfere with proper circulation.

Rosemary: Dealing with Flakes

Rosemary (Rosarinus officinalis) is an herb used topically for dandruff, but it may also be taken internally. Rosemary should be taken in small doses for internal use to help improve circulation and aid in digestion. Rosemary leaves are rich in minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, and potassium, all of which are needed by the nerves and the circulatory system. Rosemary has a mild sedating effect on the body and can calm frazzled nerves.
Rosemary oil also can be rubbed into the scalp and rubbed onto the temples for relief of tension headaches. You can also make rosemary leaves and flowers into a tea and use it as a hair rinse for treating dandruff.

Dandruff: Not Too Tough

Have you been accused of being flaky? Do your co-workers wonder if it’s snowing outside when they first see you arrive? Do you get asked where the parade was or what celebration you just came from? If so, you could be suffering from dandruff. Dandruff is a common problem characterized by small flakes of dead skin that fall from the scalp and tend to accumulate on a person’s shoulders. This can be quite embarrassing when wearing dark garments. Well, before you go wearing all white, let’s take a look at what can cause dandruff in the first place. You’ll see how herbs used topically and internally have helped many get rid of their dandruff right away.
Poor circulation, nervous disorders, or a combination of both may cause dandruff. When there is poor circulation to the scalp, the skin cells die from lack of nourishment and shed in large flakes. You should improve circulation to help bring nutrients to the top of the head, and you also should decrease stress. Herbs can assist in both of these areas.

In–Cyst on Blood Cleansers

Other blood-cleansing herbs include red clover tops and burdock root; when taken together, these make a great blood-cleansing tonic. Other useful supplements include reishi mushroom, shark cartilage, Essiac formula (especially for cancerous cysts), and vitamins A, D, and E.
Working from the outside in, the external application of an ointment or poultice made from chaparral herb, lobelia, comfrey leaf, golden seal root, plantain root, red clover herb, mullein herb, marshmallow root, chickweed herb, and myrrh gum in a base of olive oil, beeswax, pine tar, and vitamin E oil has proven helpful.
Because most cysts are the result of stagnant energy, moving energy with therapies such as reflexology, acupuncture, or acupressure may help get your energy un-stuck and flowing smoothly again. Daily dry skin brushing will also improve circulation and stimulate lymph flow. Use a natural bristle skin brush and brush your body (avoid your face) before you get in the shower each morning. Lymphatic massages will help move stagnate lymphs also.

Pau D’Arco to Dissolve the Problem

Pau d’arco (Tabebuia avellanedae) (pronounced paw dee-arc-oh) and also commonly referred to as Taheebo tea, is the bark of a tropical tree found mostly in Brazil and Argentina. The tree is known for its ability to resist fungus growth even though it exists in a tropical (and, thus, ideal for fungus) area. Used by the Inca Indians as an immunity tonic, pau d’arco has served many well in fighting cancer and melting tumors.
Pau d’arco also has antioxidant properties that work to fight free radical scavengers in the body. It has been used to fight lung, prostate, and colon cancer, and is believed to increase red blood cell production and decrease blood sugar. One particular client of mine had a cyst on her right leg for 14 years. In fact, she had it for so long that it was like a cyst-ter to her (groan). Anyway, after only one week on an herbal program that included two cups of pau d’arco tea daily, four burdock root capsules, six red clover capsules, and two cascara sagrada at bedtime, she claimed her cyst completely disappeared. It has been several years now and the cyst has not returned.

Understanding Cysts

Cysts usually result from stagnant energy where toxins in the blood build. Blood cleansing is the best remedy for cysts: I have seen plenty of tumors and cysts disappear with the use of herbal blood cleansers.
Cysts are benign growths caused by an excess growth of fat cells created by internal toxicity and infection. You should not only use herbs to help melt the cysts, but also use digestive herbs and enzymes to assist your body in breaking down fats. Let’s take a look at a well-known herb that has a reputation as a cyst dissolver.

Fiber: Moving Right Along

For some, cascara is too harsh. Other wonderful herbs with laxative effects on the bowel include flax seed, psyllium hulls, chlorophyll, and aloe vera juice. A wonderful combination to cleanse the bowel, blood, and entire digestive tract includes cascara sagrada bark, barberry bark, buckthorn bark, turkey rhubarb root, licorice root, couch grass herb, capsicum fruit, red clover tops, and ginger root.
Of course, we already mentioned that a lack of certain things can cause constipation,
such as lack of water, fiber, and exercise. Other things besides herbs that can get things moving for you include reflexology treatments, acupuncture, figs, and prune juice. Go
lightly on the prune juice, as some can have explosions of relief! But it is always something to consider in an emergency if you cannot obtain herbs.

Cascara Sagrada to Cure Constipation

Cascara sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana) is Spanish meaning “sacred bark.” Its medicinal value comes from the dried and aged bark of the herb rhamnus purshiana. This bitter herb has been used for centuries and is one of the best and safest herbs to stimulate a laxative effect for chronic constipation (bitter-tasting herbs are notorious for their bowel-stimulating properties). Cascara is so bitter, in fact, that some have used a cascara sagrada tincture applied to their fingernails to help break the habit of chewing on their nails!
Cascara has also been used to restore tone to a relaxed bowel. Remember that the bowel is a muscle and needs strength for proper function; a lazy bowel is a constipated bowel. Cascara is also useful for the stomach, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas, and can be used to help expel worms from the bowel. It stimulates bile flow, which in turn stimulates bowel peristalsis.
A few capsules given to an herbal non-believer before bed will make a true believer out of him by the next morning!

Understanding Constipation

Constipation is a problem that most everyone suffers from at some time or another, whether they know it or not. Indeed, most of us are not as bowel-conscious as we ought to be. But how could we be constipated without knowing it? Well, the bowel is a tube that can stretch to many times its normal size. We can harbor old fecal matter, undigested foods, parasites, and other things that are compacted on the sides of the colon walls. I consider this condition of the bowel to be constipated because the feces is still compacted in the bowel, even though there may be a tunnel of space through the middle allowing the person to pass some waste material through. This means that a person can still be eliminating daily wastes through the bowel, however, not all the waste is being dislodged.
To illustrate, when a client comes to me and they don’t believe that they are constipated, although my assessment shows that they are, I will discuss with them a cleansing diet and herbs designed to eliminate the backed-up wastes. Some will even take colonics or enemas to speed the process. When they follow the program and see that they are actually eating less than normal, and evacuating up to six times their normal amount of waste, they are absolutely amazed. Not to mention, usually lighter! The point is that the bowel can store up material on the sides of the colon walls and in bowel pockets, although you might be eliminating daily. See Chapter 4 for information on bowel cleansing and Ivy’s daily cleansing drink recipe.
So what is the profile for the ideal bowel function? Ideally, you should eliminate once for every meal eaten. (That’s thrice daily for you three-meal-a-day people!) The stool should be approximately 2” in diameter, a light brown color, soft in consistency (but formed), usually remaining in one piece from 6”–12” in length, and should come out without strain. The total evacuation time should require no longer than one minute, and should not leave a foul odor (really!).
So how do you match up? If you are one of those who needs to take a novel to the pot with you, then you are probably constipated! (Note: As a general rule, while on a cleansing program, you will eliminate more than once for each meal eaten.)
Some factors that contribute to constipation include these:

• Lack of water
• Ignoring the call of nature (not going when you feel the need)
• Nervous tension that keeps the bowel tense
• Lack of exercise can help the bowel get lazy
• Side effects of many medications that make constipation a problem
• The five white enemies: white flour, sugar, milk, salt, and rice It’s best to learn the cause of your constipation and correct that first. For cleansing purposes and to stimulate things into action, though, herbs make a great remedy.

Great Herbal Combinations to Beat Herpes Simplex-Complex

White oak bark has astringent qualities that help contract tissues and that may help the swelling associated with cold sores. L-lysine or a combination of amino acids containing lysine have helped many not only during time of break-out, but also daily as a preventative measure. Acidophilus is important in the intestinal system because this good bacteria will help keep viruses at bay. Finally, zinc boosts the immune system and aids in skin healing.
A mixture of Chinese and western herbs designed by Chinese herbalist, Sabudi Darmandanda, has been used successfully by many for both cold sores (herpes simplex) and genital herpes (herpes complex). The mixture includes: dandelion root, scute root, purslane herb, pinellia rhizome, indigo herb and root, ginseng root, thlaspi herb, cinnamon twig, bupleurum root, and licorice root. Begin taking this combo at the first sign of an outbreak. Tea tree oil, vitamin E oil, colloidal silver, and a topical cream called Super Lysine Plus+®, which contains lysine and other healing ingredients for the lips, have all been useful for arresting an outbreak and helping the area heal. (Lysine Plus+ is manufactured by a company in Eugene, Oregon, and is found in most health food stores.)

Evening Primrose Oil: Fighting from Within

If I were stuck on a desert island with my choice of one herb to fight cold sores, I would have to choose evening primrose oil. Among its many healing properties, evening primrose oil contains essential fatty acids similar to essential amino acids that cannot be manufactured by the body. Evening primrose supports the immune system and helps reduce inflammation.
Evening primrose may help fight the progression of the herpes virus by boosting the immune system. It has been helpful for a variety of other diseases as well, including allergies, asthma, hormone imbalance, multiple sclerosis, obesity, skin and hair problems, eczema, and hyperactivity in children.

Cold Sore No More (Herpes Simplex)

Cold sores, otherwise known as fever blisters, are the result of the herpes virus, known as herpes simplex. Cold sores usually show up on or around the lips, and can even show up on the nose or face. The ailment is painful and unsightly—and is highly contagious. The virus lives in the body and manifests itself only when we are under stress and have a lowered immune system. Fighting the herpes virus needs to be approached from the inside, although external application will help the area heal after the virus has been fought.
Prevention is the best remedy for this ailment. Many factors can trigger cold sores, including an imbalance of amino acids or a lack of l-lysine (an essential amino acid provided in foods), too much stress, and overexposure to sun. To protect yourself, always wear a sunscreen on your face and lips when outdoors, and keep it on continuously. Some trigger foods that can cause an outbreak include almonds, peanuts, citrus fruits, and chocolate. Also keep your immune system up by getting rest. If cold sores are reoccurring, find out why your immune system is so low, and deal with that problem.

Cold Combinations

Fighting a cold using combinations will show quicker results. Echinacea mixed with golden seal makes an excellent formula, and rose hips contain vitamin C, known for its power to boost the immune system. A good synergistic combination to fight off cold symptoms includes rose hips, chamomile (calms), yarrow, golden seal, myrrh, peppermint, sage, slippery elm (also eases sore throat), lemon grass, capsicum (stimulates), yerba santa, mullein, and astragalus.
Of course, good old garlic is always a good remedy anytime your immune needs a boost. Throat lozenges with zinc, licorice root, vitamin C, and slippery elm also are helpful for coughs and sore throats.
Begin using any or all of these remedies after exposure to anyone contagious. Drink plenty of water to help your body flush out the cold, stay warm, and try a sweat bath.

Echinacea: The Cold Remedy

Echinacea (Echinacea augustifolia, or Echinacea purpurea) is a flower that has been discovered to be a mild healer and an excellent support herb for cold and flu symptoms.
Different types of echinacea are available, and some are not useful in fighting a cold. Try to obtain echinacea purpurea, which is more effective than Echinacea angustifolia. Echinacea helps boost your body’s white blood cells, which are important in fighting infection. Echinacea works somewhat mildly in the body, so you might have to take it often. You can take two capsules every two to four hours when fighting off a cold. Echinacea also has an affinity for the respiratory system and helps to dry up a runny nose. This herb is safe for both adults and children.

Herbs for a Serious Cholesterol Situation

A good way to support eliminating dissolved cholesterol from the body is by taking a fiber supplement daily with your guggul. Psyllium hulls, apple pectin, and oat bran are all excellent fiber supplements alone or in combinations to help absorb fat and remove it from the body via the intestinal tract. Then speed up the process with a couple capsules of cascara sagrada at bed time each night. This will increase the bowel’s peristaltic action and help to push out all that grabbed fat by morning. Furthermore, capsicum sprinkled on foods in place of salt will boost circulation and encourage arterial cleansing. Some osteopathic doctors will offer chelation therapy or can provide a good reference for you. Chelation therapy is a practice administered intravenously to strip built-up fat from arterial walls. Keeping the bowel clear to make room for the harmful fat to leave the body will speed recovery; the use of fiber supplements will help this along.

The Guggul Advantage

Guggul (Commiphora mukul) is a plant resin extract found in India that contains properties similar to niacin and fish oils—it supports and cleans the circulatory system. Some have described guggul lipid as the most powerful cholesterol-lowering herb known. It is best to try to find a standardized product to ensure that the beneficial part of the plant (guggulsterones) are present in each pill. Once the guggul cleanses the fat from your arteries, you will need to help your body eliminate the fat. Let’s see what other herbs you can use to support this process.

High Cholesterol: Cutting Through the Fat

Basically, having a high cholesterol level means that you have a lot of fat in the blood. When the fat begins to adhere to the walls of your arteries, this can lead to hardening of the arteries, or coronary artery disease—and that can give you a heart attack. The good news is that plenty of great herbs can help emulsify that blood fat and protect you from heart diseases.
Eating too much saturated fat, such as deep fried foods, fatty meats, cheeses, and other dairy products, can sometimes cause high cholesterol. The liver is responsible for synthesizing all this fat and can use some support and cleansing. Stress also has been found to be a factor in raising blood cholesterol levels, too.

Recovery: Pumping You Up for Prevention

Once the battle is over, the healing can begin. You will need to rebuild your body after the destruction so that you can maintain your health and live preventatively. Hopefully you will have added the good things to your diet and lifestyle that have helped you win and recover, and it will serve you to keep those good habits for prevention for the rest of your life.
Maintaining your health with nutrients such as alfalfa (rich in minerals), bee pollen (nourishment for the body), antioxidants, acidophilus, enzymes, and red clover will keep your good cells strong and will serve as your preventative program.

Coping with Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a radical chemical therapy that kills cancer cells in the body. The bad news is that it kills good cells, too—you can think of it as a big bomb being dropped on the battlefield. Chemotherapy can make some people very ill and can even make hair fall out. Consider using herbs to do your best to protect your body from the side effects of chemotherapy, and discuss these things with your doctor also. Some controversy has arisen about antioxidants during chemotherapy.

Some believe that the antioxidants will lessen the effect of the chemo by removing it from the body. I believe that anything that you can do to protect the good cells that you have will strengthen you. You will have to discuss this with the health care professionals you work with and must make up your own mind. Bee pollen and coenzyme Q10, have also been used to help combat the side effects of chemotherapy treatment. Talk to some folks who have gone through chemotherapy using antioxidants with success, and see what you think.

Feeding Your Body During Cancer Attack

Eating 10 raw almonds a day has also been recommended for folks with cancer. Eat them between meals to help balance blood sugar level. Because the cancer-fighting battle is a serious one, you are going to have to use more than just one herb or supplement to boost your immunity, cleanse the body, bring oxygen into the cells and balance the hormones. Best combinations are listed in the chart at the end of this chapter and include other blood cleansers such as pau d’arco, a bowel stimulator such as cascara sagrada, and a combination called Essiac formula or tea. Essiac formula is a Native American formula used to fight cancer. It was passed down from the Cherokee tribe to a Canadian nurse in the early 1920s and was used successfully by hundreds over the years. (“Essiac” is the nurse’s name spelled backward.) Some refer to this tea as “E tea.”

Other supplements that can aid you in your fight include all the antioxidant vitamins that help fight free radical damage. Some antioxidant vitamins and supplements include vitamins E and C, beta carotene, grape seed, pine bark extract, zinc, shark cartilage, reishi mushroom, germanium, food enzymes, acidophilus, and fish oil lipids known as Omega-3 oils or Omega-3 fatty acids. These are designed to help your body digest proteins (many people with cancer have poor protein assimilation), cleanse the bowel, and build immunity. In addition, it is imperative to eat primarily organic fruits, vegetables, and animal products. Pesticides and chemical fertilizers found on non-organic foods can only add to your enemy cells. Take the energy required for digesting solid foods, and juice your organic fruits and veggies. Your body can utilize the extra energy to get well.

If your cancer is hormonally induced (involving the reproductive organs), it is a good idea to stay away from animal products unless they are organic. The hormones given to non-organic cows and chickens can be passed on to you through their flesh or products, and this can unbalance your own hormones. That’s not to mention that the pesticides put in the feed for these animals could be lingering in the animal products you ingest. Soy products contain substances that block receptor sites for hormones and may help balance your own hormonal levels. See your physician or holistic practitioner before you begin a soy supplement.
Complementary help includes bowel cleansing. You can administer your own enemas at home or see a colonic irrigation specialist. Laughter also is good medicine. Watch uplifting movies and read inspirational books, and avoid negative situations while you are battling cancer—or at any time, for that matter!

The thymus gland, a butterfly shaped gland that sits at about the top of the breastbone at the bottom of the throat, is responsible for making immunity cells.
Tapping this area with your fingers is called thymus thumping and may help stimulate T-cell production.

Boosting immune system with Red Clover

A myriad of herbs and supplements exist to boost your immune system and detoxify the system. For simplicity’s sake, I have had to choose a best single herb for each ailment. In this case, it would have to be red clover.
The purplish flowers of this common clover plant have been used medicinally to cleanse the blood, liver, and lymphatic system. Red clover is a tonic and is believed to help cancer patients because of its ability to aid protein assimilation. Red clover is rich in calcium, potassium, vitamin C, and magnesium.
Red clover is an excellent blood cleanser and is used for a host of ailments, including acne, athlete’s foot, bronchitis, leukemia, psoriasis, skin cancer, skin diseases, and whooping cough.

What to do if you have cancer?

This list details some helpful things you can do to deal with the panic factor that comes when diagnosed with cancer. Engrain these thoughts in your heart and mind; they will help you understand the situation you are in and will empower you to make a choice.
Some thoughts for cancer patients:

• Do not take your doctor’s diagnosis as a voodoo curse. Think of all the hundreds—and maybe thousands—of people who have been given a certain amount of time to live and have contradicted the doctor’s diagnosis by beating the cancer and living cancer-free beyond their doctor’s allotted time.
• Decide whether you are going to beat the cancer or whether you will let it beat you. You have a choice to make.
• Remember that your body works to keep you healthy and that you just need to provide the opportunity. Cancer did not fall out of the sky and attack you—you harbored it by lifestyle. Avoid blame, and just get prepared to make some changes.
• Remember that you are in control. Stay focused. We all have inherent intelligence when it comes to nutrition and nature’s laws. If you are getting advice from a natural health practitioner that doesn’t make sense to you, do not follow it; seek someone else. (Word-of-mouth referrals are usually the best.)
• Do not jump from practitioner to practitioner—you will confuse yourself. Find a good holistic nutritionist or herbalist and a good medical doctor, and use their skills and caring to help you heal yourself. Sometimes your medical doctor will be open and willing to write a prescription to see your natural health care provider. This prescription might help you get reimbursed by your medical insurance for your natural health care.
• Your body is constantly being rebuilt, cell by cell. In fact, you have a whole new body every seven years. Give your body what it needs to start rebuilding the good cells today!
• If you are spiritually connected (or want to be), pray. God answers prayers; pray for the right help to come to you, and pray that you will recognize it when it does.
• ➤ Read inspiring books by people who have fought cancer naturally and won:
• Sir Jason Winters Story: From Deadly Cancer to Perfect Health by Benjamin Roth Smythe and Jason Winters, 1997

• Beating Cancer with Nutrition: Clinically Proven and Easy-to-Follow Strategies to Dramatically Improve Quality and Quantity of Life by Patrick Quillin and Noreen Quillin (Contributor), 1998

• You Can Heal Your Life by Louise L. Hay, 1987
• Remember that attitude is 90 percent of anything. Enhance your attitude of gratitude for the good things you have in your life.
• Have faith. Don’t worry about money, time, or anything else. Focus on healing yourself, and the universe will provide you with what you need.
• Be open to learning a whole bunch about yourself in a short period of time. Old thought patterns that do not serve you will be busted up during your true healing process. Many times we realize we are harboring negative emotions that fester as a cancer in the body. This is your opportunity to make your peace with yourself and others.

All these things might sound naive, but, this is how most people overcome any potentially life-threatening disease. Once you are on the other side of the battle, you will be a whole new person—literally cell by cell!

Cancer Answer: Some Philosophical Support

The greatest challenge I have in working with anyone who has had cancer is the panic factor. Most people who find out they have cancer are, understandably, in shock. On top of that, the medical treatments are usually initiated immediately, which can also put someone in a state of shock or trauma. When I see people who decide to investigate natural therapies, I see them bombarded with information from helpful friends and family members suggesting what they should and shouldn’t do. They’re routinely offered all sorts of suggestions for some miracle remedy or therapy. As if you weren’t already in a state of shock, this overwhelming information—mixed with the urgency factor that cancer brings because of its typical aggressive nature—can put a person over the top, so to speak. Motivated by fear, a person may jump from practitioner to practitioner, each one offering a different program, contradicting each other, and making the patient feel lost and helpless. Stop! I’ll try to take away some of that panic by explaining a few things that I believe will help you see cancer a little differently and empower you to truly help yourself.

First of all, you are in charge of your body. If you are diagnosed with cancer, go home, sit down, and think. Do not panic immediately (yeah, sure). Realize that you were not born with this disease—you walked into it by doing something over a long period of time, or perhaps not doing something over a long period of time. In most cases, it is very possible to walk back out of the disease by figuring out what those things were and then correcting them. That’s not to say that the walk will be a walk in the park, of course, and it’s not to say that surgery won’t be required in many cases, but surgery is not the total answer to a cancer-free rest of your life. In other words, consider more than just surgery to treat cancer.
You need to understand how you wound up with cancer in the first place—and then don’t repeat your mistakes. Remember that you are in control of the choices that you make. You can choose health, or you can choose to do things that have negative consequences.

Herbal Remedies for Common Ailments

Bad Breath (Halitosis)
Best Single Herb: Liquid chlorophyll
Best Combinations: Liquid chlorophyll, spearmint
Other Helpful Supplements: Activated charcoal; food enzymes; zinc Possible Causes: Sour stomach; constipation; gum disease (gingivitis)
Complementary Help: Dental check-up; peppermint oil; extra liquids; bowel
Cleansing

Bites and Stings
Best Single Herb: Black cohosh
Best Combinations: Black cohosh; alfalfa, marshmallow, plantain, horsetail,
oatstraw, wheat grass, hops; blessed thistle, pleurisy root, skullcap, yerba santa
Other Helpful Supplements: Activated charcoal; pantothenic acid; vitamin C
Possible Causes: Sweet-smelling blood from sugar consumption
Complementary Help: Using a compress made from charcoal and aloe vera to draw
out poisons; taking a charcoal bath; placing ice on the area to control spread and
swelling; removing the stinger; preventing stings through external use of essential
oil of citronella to keep mosquitoes and flies away

Bladder Infection (Cystitis)
Best Single Herb: Cranberries
Best Combinations: Cranberry and buchu root; golden seal; uva ursi; cornsilk
Other Helpful Supplements: Acidophilus
Possible Causes: Constipation; improper toilet habits; not emptying the bladder
when you have the urge; unresolved anger and frustration
Complementary Help: Bowel cleansing; tea tree oil applied to entrance of the
Urethra

Blood Pressure, High
Best Single Herb: Garlic
Best Combinations: Hawthorne, capsicum, garlic; cornsilk (kidney support); chamomile (to calm nerves); milk thistle or dandelion (for liver)
Other Helpful Supplements: CoQ10, trace mineral supplement; vitamin C; Omega-3
fatty acids; B-complex vitamins with extra niacin
Possible Causes: Stress; high cholesterol or hardening of arteries; abuse of caffeine;
mineral imbalance; kidney problems; constipation
Complementary Help: Stress management; bowel cleansing; drinking more water

Blood Pressure, Low
Best Single Herb: Capsicum
Best Combinations: Ginkgo and hawthorn; kelp (if thyroid-related); licorice root
Other Helpful Supplements: Trace minerals
Possible Causes: Glandular imbalance; thyroid problems; weak heart
Complementary Help: Physical exercise; deep-breathing exercises

Bronchitis
Best Single Herb: Fenugreek
Best Combinations: Fenugreek and thyme; lobelia; mullein
Other Helpful Supplements: Beta carotene; magnesium; zinc; vitamin E
Possible Causes: Pollution; constipation
Complementary Help: Cleanse bowel; avoid dairy, wheat, fruit juices, and other
sugary foods and drinks; use an onion-and-honey compress; diffuse eucalyptus oil
in the room

Burns, Minor
Best Single Herb: Aloe vera
Best Combinations: Slippery elm; aloe vera (whole leaf is best)
Other Helpful Supplements: Vitamins A, E, and C; zinc
Possible Causes: Lack of attention to self or care for well-being; distracted manner
Complementary Help: External applications: honey; pure vanilla extract; essential
oil of lavender; vitamin E capsule, punctured and squeezed onto area

Dr. Jensen’s Honey Facial

1. Wash your face.
2. Lay a hot washcloth on your face to open up pores.
3. Splash your face with cold water to close pores and increase circulation.
4. Apply raw honey to your face.
5. Let the honey cool down a bit, and gently pat the honey all over your face and neck.
6. Rinse.
7. Splash your face with cold water and pat dry.

Your skin will look renewed and glowing!

Other Great Home Remedies for Your Skin

Always protect your skin from sun exposure with sunscreens and hats to keep sun off your face when outside. Air pollution is causing our earth’s atmosphere to break down, which also breaks down our protection from the sun’s damaging rays. Honey has been used as a beauty aid applied to the skin.
Honey (as well as pure vanilla) is also useful as an external application for burns—if nothing else, you will smell edible! Vitamin E oil can be used externally to prevent scarring from burns; a capsule may be punctured with a needle and squeezed onto the burnt or scarred area.

Aloe Vera: Nice to See You!

The best remedy for burns of all types is aloe vera (Aloe vera). Aloe can be taken internally as well as externally to soothe and heal tissues. It contains special ingredients that work together when applied directly to burns to produce a pain-relieving effect. In addition, vitamin A feeds the skin, and vitamin E taken internally and also applied directly to skin can reduce scaring. Zinc helps in wound healing, and vitamin C strengthens collagen, which is helpful in all skin healing. Calendula (usually found added to a cream) has been helpful in soothing skin irritations when applied externally.

Burns: Now You’re Cookin’

Burns can result from chemicals, electrical accidents, or fire—including the fire from too much sun! For best results, take care of the burn immediately. Sometimes getting burned is a careless accident because you weren’t paying attention or were lackadaisical about safety. Burns can serve as a wake-up call to pay more attention to your wellbeing and make you more aware of your movements and actions.