HERBAL
REMEDIES
December 2001
Food in your poison
by Brooke Wagenheim
Disease is an unnatural condition and it is increasing at an alarming rate! Due to poor
eating habits, over processed, overcooked food, laden with pesticides, chemicals and
bacteria, it has become increasingly clear that almost every person in this country over
six years old has developed serious problems in the intestinal tract which eventually will
contribute to the development of various acute, chronic and degenerative diseases such as
cancer, heart trouble and diabetes; as well as lack of energy, digestive ailments, poor
eyesight, memory loss, movement difficulties and sexual dysfunction.
Many diseases can be attributed directly or indirectly to an unhealthy digestive system.
People suffer from malnutrition and auto-intoxication, (self-poisoning) which result in
disease, parasites and filth, all because of a gradual buildup of many layers of impacted
mucoid plaque.
The body takes many protective actions against harmful substances. When cooked food,
processed food, or a regular diet of meat, dairy and poultry is regularly consumed, the
entire digestive tract becomes coated with a film of mucous. The more harmful the food
substances are to the body, the more this mucous film builds up. As the years go by it
becomes thicker and harder until finally it reaches the stage of being recognized as
“mucoid plaque.” This is how the body protects itself from even the relatively
milder polluting effects of a diet largely comprised of cooked grains, beans and
vegetables.
This layered mucous barrier sees to it that the blood does not get contaminated too
heavily with polluting substances. At the same time, though, the barrier impedes all the
important nutrients from getting past into the blood stream for utilization by the body.
Disease is caused by nutritional deficiencies, and what we expose our bodies to, that
retard its absorption of vitamins and minerals.
Therefore, after a person has eaten cooked and processed food for a number of years, they
have developed severe nutritional deficiencies. Eat a strict raw food diet for three to
six months, while at the same time cleansing accumulated waste in the organs with great
amounts of purified water daily and detoxifying herbal preparations; the body will
steadily give up this mucous protection until finally the original, fully functioning
digestive tissue is restored.
PLaQue Blocks Nutrients
The mucoid plaque may accumulate until it is an inch thick in spots and runs the entire
length of the stomach, small intestines and colon. It can become so hard and stiff that it
is difficult to cut with a knife. Few people realize that the same mucoid layers found in
the colon also abound in the stomach, duodenum and small intestine. This thoroughly
polluted substance may be loaded with parasites, drugs, free radicals, dead tissue and
old, decaying food. When cleansing the body, these toxic substances get dissolved and may
flow from all channels of elimination, including the kidneys, skin, lungs, mouth, nose and
ears.
A Toxic Intestinal Tract means dirty blood, poor digestion and malnutrition. Once the
first layer of mucous matter forms and hardens, further layers develop more easily as the
peristaltic action becomes slower. Herein lies the beginning of diverticulitis, colitis,
colon cancer, constipation and a host of other bodily malfunctions. Any buildup of this
old matter produces fermentation, putrefaction and stagnant packets of poisons and harmful
bacteria (a condition of auto-intoxication). These toxins constantly seep into the
bloodstream. They eventually settle into the weakest areas of the body where various
symptoms develop and are given names according to those areas and the degree of cell
degeneration. Unfortunately the symptoms resulting from the toxic overload in the bowel
are generally “managed” rather than addressing the cause. Even if one succeeds
in strengthening the weak area or suppressing the symptom, the toxic flow from the bowel
will simply find another weak area to break through. The blood feeds every tissue in the
body. Its water content is supplied by the bowel. When the bowel is dirty, the blood is
dirty and so on to the organs and tissues. Disease can only be permanently overcome when
the cause is addressed and effectively handled, rather than simply treating the symptom.
Herbal Remedies and proper dietary nutrition and movement can cleanse and sustain the
body, while healing it from within; getting to the source of the problem, not masking it
with a drug which takes away the side effects. The relationship between health and the
practice of conventional medicine versus herbal remedies reminds me of a quote from a
book, “Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind,” where Shunryu Suzuki states, “In
the beginner’s mind, there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s there are
few.
Proper Bacteria Fight Disease
The Parasites Dream is a dirty, unhealthy intestinal tract. This is the ideal environment
for worms and parasites. There are over 300 varieties that can live in the human body.
Internationally, worms outrank cancer as our deadliest enemy. It has been estimated that
150 million people in America have intestinal parasite infestation. Parasite infestation
is growing rapidly, due to a lack of raw fruits and vegetables in the diet and an
increased consumption of cooked and acid-forming foods. Once in the intestinal tract,
parasites have easy access to other parts of the body where they imitate various symptoms
and diseases.
People may get infected from flies, mites, food, pets, fingers, feces and from the air.
They may have no symptoms, or there may be abdominal discomfort, diarrhea alternating with
constipation, or, if acute, bloody dysentery, general discomfort, chills and fever. Even
worse, it can enlarge the liver, invade the lungs, brain and skin, and can cause grave
complications. Lack of energy and bowel problems are the most common symptoms. It is
vitally important to remove unhealthy bacteria and mold build-up from the intestinal tract
and re-establish beneficial bacteria. The proper bacteria are essential to a strong immune
system, assimilation of vitamins, proteins, fats, carbohydrates and the manufacturing of
Vitamin B-12, K and amino acids. It helps reduce cholesterol in the blood, control the pH
in the intestines and detoxify the poisonous materials in our diets, while producing
cancer-suppressing compounds that strengthen the immune system, increase calcium
assimilation and help retard candida, gas and bad breath. When unhealthy bacteria overrun
the healthy bacteria, outside pathogens penetrate the immune barriers and contaminate the
blood and lymph with further toxic substance. Proper implantation of healthy bacteria
begins with cleansing and removing the harmful bacteria from the alimentary canal. The
water, the herbal cleansers and increasing the quantity of live fruits and vegetables
overall, is still a super-detoxifyng activity for all those who are determined to create
better health.
Digestive Aids
Digestive stress is one of the most common reasons people go to the hospital emergency
rooms. Bad digestion can cause discomfort, ill health and pain. If left untreated, it can
even become life threatening. Disease such as ulcers, colitis, intestinal bleeding and
acid reflux all stem from a severe lack of nutrient assimilation. If you are over weight,
under weight or afflicted with any chronically poor health condition, your digestive
system is not providing you the nutrients necessary to maintain proper weight and keep you
free from illness. The solution is two-fold; present the body food that it can easily
extract nutrients from, and rehabilitate the ability of the digestive system to function
strongly again.
There are three herbs that are commonly found in health food stores to aid with digestion
on an immediate basis: ginger root, peppermint leaf and fennel seed. Each can be used
individually in tea form or combined together. Papaya enzymes are also good.
When preparing teas, use 16 ounces of water and add one of the following herbs.
Individually, use the following amounts:
Ginger Root:
1 tablespoon, minced or 1 teaspoon dried root, simmer 15 minutes
Fennel Seed:
1 tablespoon of seed and simmer 15 minutes
Peppermint leaf:
1 heaping tablespoon of dried leaf or 2 tablespoons of fresh leaf
If you find yourself in a restaurant and having digestive difficulty (not altogether
surprising) order some peppermint tea and make sure to use 3 bags in order to make a cup
sufficiently strong.
Fiber is found in many foods and comes in different forms. It helps lower blood
cholesterol level and stabilize blood sugar levels. It aids in preventing many disorders
such as colon cancer, hemorrhoids, constipation and obesity. The American diet is lacking
in fiber because of all the processing of our foods.
Forms of fiber:
Pectin—removes unwanted metals and toxins, slows the absorption of food after meals
and reduces the risk of high cholesterol, heart disease and gallstones. It is found in
apples, carrots, beets, bananas, cabbage, citrus fruits, okra and peas.
Cellulose—a non-digestible carbohydrate found in the outer skins of fruits and
veggies. It can be used for removing cancer-causing agents along the walls of the colon,
colitis, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, and constipation. It is found naturally in apples,
pears, lima beans, carrots, broccoli, peas, beets, whole grains, Brazil nuts and green
beans.
Hemicellulose—an indigestible complex carbohydrate that absorbs water, making it
ideal for weight loss, constipation and controlling carcinogens in the intestines; it is
available in greens, corn, apples, beets, whole grain cereals, cabbage, bananas, beans,
peppers and pears.
Lignin—beneficial with those who have diabetes or colon cancer, this form of fiber
binds with bile acids, lowering cholesterol and preventing gallstones. It is found in
carrots, green beans, whole grains, peas, peaches, potatoes, tomatoes and strawberries.
Gums and Mucilages—helpful in removing toxins, regulate blood glucose levels and
lowers cholesterol. They are present in oatmeal, oat bran, sesame seeds and dried beans.
Activated Charcoal is another great remedy to have on hand. It absorbs poison very readily
especially in cases of food poisoning. It can also be used with pets who have swallowed
poisonous substances. Activated charcoal absorbs up to 2,000 different poisons. Take one
to six rounded tablespoons in an 8 to 16 ounce glass of water or tablets may be swallowed.
If you are in the wilderness and can’t reach a store to buy charcoal, scrape it off
half-burnt logs of wood. You can use the same charcoal off of logs as a filtering medium
to make contaminated water drinkable.
Since it is finally wintertime, it is too cold for some to do a raw food cleanse, here are
some other fibrous natural herbs and foods that can aid in cleansing the body, even during
winter months. Flax seed, apple fruit pectin, pharmaceutical grade bentonite clay,
psyllium seeds and husks, slippery elm inner bark.
From Best to Worst
The following is the hierarchy of food preparation starting at the top with no preparation
leaving the food with its full nutrient content, ending at the bottom with the most
processing, rendering the food dead and useless to the body—little or no nutrient
value retained:
RAW and WHOLE JUICED and consumed immediately. Once the skin of fruits or vegetables is
broken, oxygen combines with the enzymes and kills them (this process is called
“oxidation”).
DEHYDRATED or DRIED without chemicals or additives loses 2-5 percent of nutrient value.
Commercial brands of dried fruit contain sulfur dioxide. (The Wedge and other local co-ops
carry non sulphur dried fruit, or you can dehydrate your own)
FROZEN, freshly picked and frozen immediately loses 5-30 percent of nutritional value.
STEAMED loses 15 - 60 percent of nutrient value; steamed means the green bean is still a
bit crispy (if it’s limp, it’s cooked).
COOKED baked, broiled, boiled, grilled, steamed too long, home canned loses 40 -100
percent of nutrient value, depending on how long it is cooked.
COOKED LEFTOVERS MICRO WAVED loses 90 - 99 percent of nutrient value.
COMMERCIALLY CANNED FOODS
FRIED FOODS
FOODS with ADDITIVES these not only lose 100 percent of their nutrient value, but have
toxins added to them.
Namaste