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Greetings! I know I was very skeptical about
herbs before I tried some for the first time as I didn't understand how they
could help with Endo after so many years of trying different prescription drugs
that did not help at all. But, I was very pleasantly surprised when they DID
start helping with a variety of health problems quite quickly, and from then on
I was hooked! I have since become an herbalist, and am studying to become a
Master herbalist as the field of natural remedies is endlessly fascinating to
me.
In this column, I will explore different
herbs that help with Endo and related health problems. Please feel free to send
me any questions that you may have about natural remedies (see addresses below),
as I would like to publish at least one question and answer in each column. I
will also try to answer each question I receive on an individual basis if I can
find the time to do so!
The first step in starting an herbal program
is cleansing. Herbs are used for cleansing and building systems, and it is
important to cleanse the system of toxins before you can begin to build and
strengthen your body systems. If you are in an extremely weakened condition then
it is best to do both cleansing and building at the same time. However, herbs
tend to work best in a "clean" environment which is as free of toxins
and mucus build-up as possible.
We all accumulate toxins in our bodies no
matter what kind of lifestyles we live. Our world is more polluted than it has
ever been, and we breathe in toxins from the air, ingest them from tap water and
foods that we eat, and absorb them through our skin. Toxins build up from
prescriptions and over the counter drugs, and also from drugs given in surgery.
Usually our eliminative organs, the liver, lungs, kidneys, intestines, and skin
are pretty good about getting these toxins out of our bodies, but if any of
these systems are weakened from illness or are over loaded, then they will begin
to break down and toxins will invade our bloodstream and start to weaken other
body systems. Therefore, it is important to do a total cleanse at least twice a
year, and more often if many toxins are being ingested or if the immune system
is weakened in any way.
There are many herbs which help with
cleansing the body systems. Burdock root, Red Clover, Pau D'Arco, Yellow Dock,
Dandelion root, and Milk Thistle are some of the most helpful. Essiac tea is a
combination of herbs which can be taken on a regular basis to continuously aid
in eliminating toxins and also helps in the prevention of cancer and tumors.
There is an excellent product from Nature's Sunshine Products brand that is
called "Tiao He" that is a 10 day cleansing program of Chinese herbs.
You can find all of the above herbs in supplement form or get bulk dried herbs
and make your own supplements or teas from them. A really good health food store
with knowledgeable sales people in Grand Rapids is Harvest Health, and they
carry just about everything!
Diet is extremely important when you are
starting a cleanse. Try to eat only organic fruits, vegetables, juices, and
whole unprocessed foods and grains while on the cleansing program.
"Heavy" foods, such as meats, dairy foods, white flour and sugar,
processed foods, food additives, caffeine and alcohol can actually stop the
cleansing process. Of course, it is best to stay away from these kinds of foods
as much as possible ALL of the time, as they tend to make any existing health
problems worse, and can also lead to creating new ones! Drink as much purified
water as possible, reverse osmosis is the best. This helps to flush toxins out
of your system, along with organic fruit juices. Boost your intake of
anti-oxidant vitamins such as A, C, and E. Take plenty of B vitamins, also, as
they aid with proper digestion and also help the nervous system.
It is normal to experience some unpleasant
symptoms the first few days of a cleanse, such as excess mucus, bad odors,
headaches, slight nausea and "grumbling" bowels as these are signs
that your body is ridding itself of the toxins. After a few days, these symptoms
should disappear and most people start to feel increased energy. The more you
start taking herbs on a regular basis after your initial cleanse, the fewer of
these symptoms you will experience with future cleanses. It is important to
remember that herbs alone can not help you to feel better as effectively as they
can when combined with other aspects of health. A good combination for attaining
total health is exercise, diet, rest, pure water, vitamins and minerals, herbs,
and most importantly, a positive attitude and spirit! I know this is difficult
when you are constantly in pain, but the more you can "practice"
positive thoughts and energy, the better at it you will become.
An excellent book to read on the subject of
cleansing and correct food combining is "Nutritional Guide with Food
Combining" by Louise Tenney, M.H. and it provides many tasty recipes, too!
Good luck and good health to all!
This information is not intended to prescribe or diagnose in any way. Please
consult a health care professional before using any of the herbs mentioned above.
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