General Info

**Nightmare** · 03-24-2006, 08:32 PM

Bananas, containing three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose,
combined with fiber, give an instant, sustained and substantial boost of
energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy
for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a
banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a
substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to
our daily diet.

Depression:
According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering
from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is
because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body
converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and
generally make you feel happier.

PMS:
Forget the pills -- eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates
blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia:
High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the
blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure:
This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt,
making it the perfect way to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food
and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make
official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood
pressure and stroke.

Brain Power:
200 students at a Twickenham (Middle) school were helped through their
exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid
to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed
fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation:
High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel
action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers:
One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana
milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk
soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn:
Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from
heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness:
Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and
avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites:
Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area
with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful
at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves:
Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight and stressed at work?
Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work
leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at
5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely
to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid
panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by
snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers:
The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders
because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that
can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also
neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of
the stomach.

Temperature control:
Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both
the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand,
for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with
a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):
Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood
enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking:
Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they
contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the
body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress:
Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends
oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are
stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels.
These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes:
According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine," eating
bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by
as much as 40%!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it
to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrates, three
times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the
other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of
the best value foods around. So maybe its time to change that well-known
phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

**Nightmare** · 03-26-2006, 08:34 PM

Until recently, research on the heart-protective benefits of grapes has focused mainly on wine and grape juice. But what about grapes eaten fresh, known as table grapes?

A growing body of research suggests that the polyphenols found in table grapes are largely responsible for the benefits.

In a study published in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, researchers at the University of Connecticut tested whether grapes and their component polyphenols are also heart-protective.

In this new study, researchers confirmed that grape polyphenols are effective antioxidants.
Table grape consumption improved blood flow and heart pumping capacity, and reduced the area of tissue death after a heart attack. Researchers attributed these effects mainly to the antioxidant effect of grapes.
For years, researchers have told us that drinking wine is good for the heart. More recently, grape juice was shown to help reduce susceptibility of LDL to oxidation and bloodÃ‚.´s tendency to form dots. This latest research shows that fresh grapes also provide antioxidant protection.

(Shanghai Star January 7, 2003 )
One cup of grapes contains
one gram of protein and 1.6 grams of dietary fiber.
Potassium - 176 mg
Calcium - 13 mg
Phosphorus - 9 mg
Magnesium - 4.6 mg
Iron - 0.4 mg
Selenium - 0.3 mg
Also contains trace amounts of zinc , manganese and copper
Vitamin A - 92 IU
Vitamin C - 3.7 mg
Folate (important during pregnancy) - 3.6 mcg
Vitamin B6 - 0.1 mg

**Nightmare** · 03-28-2006, 05:28 AM

Not drinking enough water can be the cause of many
different health problems
The human body is about 75% water and 25% solid
matter. The brain is said to be 85% water and is
extremely sensitive to any dehydration or depletion of
its water content. It is water that regulates all the
functions of the body, including the action of all the
solids that water carries around.
There has been a groundbreaking medical breakthrough
that is very significant. Simply put, it is the "new
scientific understanding" that chronic unintentional
dehydration can manifest itself in many ways--as many
as we in medicine have invented diseases. Tragically,
this medical breakthrough is not reaching the public
through the health maintenance systems.
It is estimated that more than 110 million people in
America are prone to suffer from various pains; in
some cases with crippling intensity. "Pain of
dehydration" afflicts Americans in various ways not
usually associated with dehydration. They are:
1) Arthritis
The largest sector of our society manifests their
chronic unintentional dehydration in the form of
arthritic pains.
2) Heartburn
Reflecting dehydration, heartburn destroys many a
nightÃ‚.´s rest or a dayÃ‚.´s peace of mind for millions of
people.
3) Back Pain
This devastating pain is a periodic yearly affliction
for over 30 million people.
4) Migraines
The debilitating pain of migraine headaches devastates
the lives many.
5) Colitis
This pain is associated with constipation and
digestion and affects a large sector of our society.
6) Fibromyalgia
The pain felt in the muscles and joints all over the
body is a crippling problem.
7) Angina
Since angina (chest pain) is an ominous sign of
impending heart attacks and possible death, it is the
most feared of all body pains.
To relieve these devastating pains, a variety of pain
medications have been produced and prescribed by
doctors who never realized the physiologic
significance of why the human body possesses a pain
alarm system at all, and what is the common factor and
trigger mechanism for these pains. Since these pains
are felt in different locations, obviously they meant
different diseases, or so it seemed! Because pain
research has until now focused entirely on its solid
composition, the common factor of water shortage in
the interior of the body had not been apparent.
The new scientific understanding since 1987 is that
localized or regional dehydration is the primary
common factor and pain-producing problem of the human
body. It becomes established when there is persistent
regional water shortage, including in the interior of
the pain-sensing nerve cells in the human body. This
is the common factor to all body pains. In drought
management mode, and when there is not enough "fresh
water" to go around and wash out the toxic by-products
of metabolism from the areas that are engaged in
continuous activity, the nerve endings in those areas
sense the increased toxicity, sound the alarm of pain
and force the person to stop doing whatever is
increasing toxic waste production--hence the loss of
function in painful areas.
For example, when the heart muscle itself is short of
"fresh water" and yet has to beat faster and
forcefully to cope with any strenuous physical
undertaking, pain is produced. In that instance, pain
means thirst for "fresh water," even if it is believed
that the blood flow to the heart muscle is reduced
because of narrowing of its blood vessels.
Interestingly, even cholesterol plaque formations in
the heart arteries are caused by the same dehydration.
In treatment of chronic pains of the body, simple
water has natural medicinal effects far superior to
any pain medication. Pain medications shut down the
crisis calls of the body for water, but do not correct
the "fresh water" shortage in the interior of the
body. On the other hand, water intake corrects the
basic pain-producing drought and saves the body from
further danger.
F. Batmanghelidj, M.D.

**Nightmare** · 03-28-2006, 05:50 AM

Do you Know the Difference?
By Tabania Crockett
"And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there
will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their fruit will be
for food and their leaves for healing." Ezekiel 47:12
When I first became interested in essential oils, I
thought they were a novelty with a charming smell, like
incense. I had no idea I was about to embark on a life changing
experience. This article concerns the aspect of
essential oils that has become most significant to me, their
purity. Pick up any book on aromatherapy and you can read
about the effect of pure essential oils on one's
physical, emotional, and spiritual well being. One of the causes
of disease is the inability of nutrients to penetrate
the cell walls. By penetrating the cell walls, pure essential
oils transport nutrients and oxygen to the cells --
nourishing, cleansing, detoxifying, increasing blood circulation,
mobilizing the body's own self-healing powers. But
only PURE essential oils effectively start the body on this
health enhancing journey.
Many with whom I discuss essential oils comment that
"everyone says their oils are pure." This skepticism
caused me to question what "pure" means to essential
oil producers. I got some pretty shocking answers
while researching this article. Few of the above mentioned
aromatherapy books discuss purity in more than a
cursory manner. Some define "pure" essential oils as
those oils without carrier oils or other essential
oils added. Another source warned of "adulterated" oils,
but it, too, did nothing more than imply that
"adulteration" simply means other essential oils have been added.
With so much emphasis on the addition of oils, I was
more than a little surprised to find these books
barely discussed the effect of chemical additives, which
DESTROY the therapeutic properties of essential oils.
Pure essential oils have very complex molecular
structures; at present, more than 200 natural chemical
constituents have been identified. A very few of the
naturally occurring chemical constituents found in
essential oils include flavonoids, which increase
blood flow and cellular oxygenation; terpenes, which help
detoxify the body; phenols, which are antibacterial
and antiseptic; and ketones, which stimulate cell and
tissue regeneration. Their unique molecular structure gives
essential oils the ability to penetrate cell walls to
transport oxygen, nutrients, and the above mentioned
chemical constituents, and so much more. Chemical
additives fracture the molecular structure of
essential oils, altering their chemical constituents, thus
destroying their therapeutic properties. And, of course, the
chemicals themselves may present a health risk.
If authors of "alternative health" books don't
consider chemical additives, no wonder most producers feel
justified in calling their essential oils pure. I
flatly reject any suggestion that "pure" essential oils can possibly
contain chemical additives. Webster's Desk Dictionary
of the English Language, 1990, defines pure as "free from
ANYTHING of a different, inferior, or contaminating
kind." (Emphasis added.) The American Heritage Dictionary,
Third Edition, defines pure as "free from adulterants
or impurities." So to me pure, unadulterated essential
oils are essential oils containing NO chemical additives.
Period. Using that standard, few essential oils sold
in the world qualify. In fact many essential oils on the
market - yes, including those sold in health food stores - are
chemical-laden, highly adulterated, and, therefore,
have no therapeutic properties. Indeed, according to an
independent laboratory in California, Flora Research,
MOST essential oils sold are either synthetic or
adulterated with chemical additives.
How Chemicals Get Into Essential Oils:
Chemicals get into essential oils in several different
ways. Most commonly producers extend the oils by
simply adding alcohol, propylene glycol, or acetate to
the distilled essential oil.
Some oil producers do not actually add chemicals to
their oils. Instead, they inject chemical solvents into the
water in their boilers during the distillation process,
increasing output by about 18%. Imagine what happens to essential
oils when chemicals are added to water, which is
boiled into steam and then forced into plants to extract
their oil.
The very process of forcing chemically-treated steam
into the plants fractures the molecular structure of
the essential oils. It also seems impossible for an
essential
oil extracted through this method to avoid containing
at least SOME of these chemical additives.
Most surprising was the notion of purity implicit in a
book authored by the Research Chair of the
International
Federation of Aroma therapists in London. She
acknowledges that "for effective therapeutic use it is
crucial that only pure essential oils be used." Yet,
this author expressly included oils produced by solvent
extraction on her list of acceptable "pure" essential
oils. With the solvent extraction process essential oils are
extracted by immersing plants in chemical solvents,
such as hexane, petroleum benzene, ether, or carbon
tetrachloride. These solvents are later removed by
vacuum distillation. But . . . like the solvent
injection steam distillation process, do you think it is
possible to completely eliminate all toxic residue from oils
extracted by immersing plants in toxic chemicals?
These extraction processes both destroy essential
oils' therapeutic properties and bring their own health
risks from the residual chemical additives which remain in
the essential oils they produce.
Why would anyone add chemicals to nature's oldest
therapeutic substance? Probably a combination of
ignorance and profit. Depending on the plant, it takes
from 250 pounds to several tons of plants to produce a
SINGLE pound of essential oil. It takes about 250
pounds of lavender to produce a pound of pure lavender
oil, 1,000 pounds of jasmine for 1 pound of pure
jasmine oil, and several TONS of rose petals to produce a
pound of pure rose oil. As you might imagine, producers can
dramatically extend their profit margin by extending
the oils. The volume of lavender oil shipped from France
is 100 TIMES the volume grown and distilled there! This
suggests that 99% of all lavender oil coming from
France has been extended, adulterated with chemical
additives.
I am not suggesting these oil producers deliberately
put profit above health considerations. I seriously doubt
most producers have given it much thought, and consumers
have given them no reason to. The common feature
of each extraction method described above is that it
reduces cost and produces a greater volume of oils.
Essential oils are profitable in this "new age" era,
so they need to produce as much volume as possible. Few
essential oil consumers know enough to question the
source and purity of the oils. This is particularly
true in the United States, where we tend to consider price
above any other consideration. In this environment,
most producers simply need not concern themselves
with producing chemical free oils.
Other Factors Effect The Therapeutic Value Of
Essential Oils Temperature, pressure and time must be precisely
monitored to produce a complete essential oil, one
retaining its natural chemical constituents.
Distillation at lower temperatures and low pressure is the preferred
method for producing high quality, pure essential
oils. Nutritionists tell us not to boil our vegetables
because the hot water removes the vitamins and nutrients.
Similarly, "boiling" plants to extract their essence destroys
many of a plant's fragile constituents, which gives essential
oils their therapeutic properties. So keeping the
distiller's temperature low is a must.
Essential oils MUST be distilled for the proper length
of time to release all their active constituents. For
example, cypress must be distilled for 24 hours to release all
the chemical constituents. Most distilling operations,
throughout the world, only distill cypress one hour
and 15 minutes. Similarly, lavender does not produce all
its therapeutically effective substances unless it is
distilled for one hour and 30 minutes; but most lavender is
distilled for only 15 minutes! Three-quarters of the
volume is extracted during the first quarter of the
distillation process. Many producers end the process
there because the increased time does not
significantly increase the volume. Time is "only" a crucial factor
to extracting the plant's therapeutic properties.
Another factor in the purity of the oils is the land
on which the plants are grown. Inexpensive essential oils
are usually produced by large farm operations that use
chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Pesticides are
oil-soluble and their residue remains in essential
oils extracted from pesticide-treated plants. Some of the
lavendin grown in Russia and China (used to make much
of the so-called lavender oil sold around the world)
actually contains radioactive isotopes because of the
nuclear fallout from Chernobyl. Imagine using an
essential oil extracted from plants containing
radioactive isotopes AND to which chemicals have been added to
extend the oil -- synthetic linolol acetate to improve
the fragrance, and propylene glycol to increase the
volume!
According to Bio/Tech News, Young Living Essential
Oils, Inc. is the only MAJOR essential oil producer in
the entire United States whose products are steam
distilled, at low temperatures and low pressure, and extracted
without chemicals of any kind.
The very nature of the words "essential oils" speak
volumes. They are the vitality, the essence, the
energy of plants. Pure essential oils will penetrate cell walls,
affecting not just the skin, but the whole person -
both physically and psychologically. They nourish, cleanse,
detoxify, increase blood circulation, and support many
bodily functions. Please do not be afraid to ask
questions about the origins, extraction process, and quality of
any essential oil you purchase. Insist on essential
oils extracted from organically grown plants, with no
chemicals in the extraction process, at the proper
temperature and pressure, for the appropriate length
of time. If we remain ignorant and continue to emphasize
price instead of quality, essential oils will indeed
be nothing more than a charming novelty item.

**Nightmare** · 03-28-2006, 10:21 AM

Mushrooms are valuable health food - low in calories, high in
vegetable proteins, chitin, iron, zinc, fiber, essential amino acids,
vitamins & minerals.
Mushrooms also have a long history of use in Traditional Chinese
Medicine. Their legendary effects on promoting good health and
vitality and increasing your body's adaptive abilities have been
supported by recent studies. These studies suggest that Mushrooms are
probiotic - they help our body strengthen itself and fight off
illness by maintaining physiological homeostasis - restoring our
bodies balance and natural resistance to disease.

Agaricus Mushroom
Agaricus is the most widely consumed mushroom in many countries,
where it is regarded as a health food, due to its medicinal
properties. Agaricus is traditionally known as "God's Mushroom"
because of its near miraculous curative benefits to a wide range of
disorders. People have used it to overcome numerous diseases and
disorders relating to the immune system, cardiovascular system,
digestion, and for weight management, diabetes, chronic and acute
allergies, cataracts, hearing difficulties, stress syndrome, chronic
fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, and disorders of the liver.

Cordyceps Mushroom
Cordyceps can be a powerful stimulant for macrophage activity,
strengthening your immune system's ability to fight against bacterial
and viral infection.
Human clinical studies indicate that Cordyceps can be effective for
treatment of high cholesterol, poor libido/impotence, arrhythmia,
lung cancer, and chronic kidney failure. It is also reported that
Cordyceps causes smooth muscle relaxation. This can make it
especially helpful for treating chronic coughs, asthma, and other
bronchial conditions.

Maitake Mushroom
Maitake is also known by the name Dancing Mushroom, famous for its
taste and health benefits. In Japan, Maitake Mushroom is called "King
of Mushroom". The fruiting body and the mycelium of Maitake are used
medicinally. In China and Japan, Maitake Mushrooms have been consumed
for 3000 years. Years ago in Japan, the Maitake had monetary value
and was worth its weight in silver.
Historically, Maitake has been used as a tonic and adaptogen. It was
used as a food to help promote wellness and vitality. Traditionally,
consumption of the mushroom was thought to prevent high blood
pressure and cancer - two applications that have been the focal
point of modern research. Clinical research with Maitake Mushroom
has increased dramatically in the past several years.
Laboratory studies have shown that Maitake Mushroom extract can
inhibit the growth of tumors and stimulate the immune system of
cancerous mice.

Reishi Mushroom
Reishi has been called an ?immune potentiator.? Recent studies
have indicated that Reishi can have a number of other effects:
Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Antiviral through inducing
interferon production, Lowers blood pressure, Cardiotonic action
through lowering serum cholesterol, Expectorant & Antitussive, Liver
(Hepatitis)-protecting and detoxifying, protection against ionizing
radiation, Antibacterial, and Anti-HIV activity. Reishi contains
calcium, iron and phosphorus as well as vitamins C, D, and B -
including pantothenic acid, which is essential to nerve function and
the adrenal glands.

Shiitake Mushroom
Shiitake (for centuries called "Elixir of Life" ) has been licensed
as a anti-cancer drug by the Japanese FDA. Lentinan has shown some
effect on bowel cancer, liver cancer, stomach cancer, ovarian cancer
and lung cancer. Lentinan stimulates the production of T lymphocytes
and natural killer cells and can potentiate the effect of AZT in the
anti-viral treatment of A.I.D.S. Shiitake is rich in several anti-
oxidants (Selenium, Uric acid & Vitamin A, E, & C) as well as Vitamin
D. Shiitake mushrooms may also lower blood pressure in those with
hypertension, lower serum cholesterol levels, increase libido,
stimulate the production of Interferon which has anti-viral effects,
and has proven effective against Hepatitis in some cases.

Yun Zhi Mushroom
Yun Zhi, or the Cloud Mushroom, has been used to dispel dampness,
reduce phlegm, treat pulmonary infections, to strengthen the tendons
and bones, for vital energy, and to support liver health.
Benefits
? assists with immune function
? high in vegetable proteins
? promotes good health and vitality
Chester Ku-Lea is a health nutrition consultant

**Nightmare** · 04-05-2006, 09:38 PM

Margarine was originally manufactured to fatten turkeys. When
it killed the turkeys, the people who had put all the money into the
research wanted a payback so they put their heads together to figure out what
to do with this product to get their money back. It was a white substance
with no food appeal so they added the yellow coloring and sold it to people
to use in place of butter. How do you like it? They have come out with
some clever new flavorings.
DO YOU KNOW...the difference between margarine and butter?
Read on to the end...gets very interesting! Both have the same
amount of calories. Butter is slightly higher in saturated fats at 8 grams
compared to 5 grams.
Eating margarine can increase heart disease in women by 53%
over eating the same amount of butter, according to a recent
Harvard Medical Study.
Eating butter increases the absorption of many other nutrients
in othe foods.
Butter has many nutritional benefits where margarine has a
few only because they are added!
Butter tastes much better than margarine and it can enhance
the flavors of other foods.
Butter has been around for centuries where margarine has been
around for less than 100 years
And now, for Margarine..
Very high in trans fatty acids.
Triple risk of coronary heart disease.
Increases total cholesterol and LDL (this is the bad
cholesterol) and lowers HDL cholesterol, (the good cholesterol)
Increases the risk of cancers up to five fold.
Lowers quality of breast milk.
Decreases immune response.
Decreases insulin response.
And here's the most disturbing fact....
Margarine is but ONE MOLECULE away from being PLASTIC...
This fact alone was enough to have me avoiding margarine for
life and anything else that is hydrogenated (this means hydrogen is
added, changing the molecular structure of the substance).
You can try this yourself:
Purchase a tub of margarine and leave it in your garage or
shaded area.
Within a couple of days you will note a couple of things:
* no flies, not even those pesky fruit flies will go near it
(that should tell you something)
* it does not rot or smell differently because it has no nutritional value;
nothing will grow on it Even those teeny weeny microorganisms
will not find a home to grow. Why? Because it is nearly plastic.
Would you melt your Tupperware and spread that on your toast?

**Nightmare** · 04-23-2006, 11:50 AM

The garlic plant (Allium sativum) is an onion variety and therefore is a distant 'relative' of the lily family. Originating in central Asia, the herbal and culinary properties of the garlic plant were known to both the Egyptians and the Romans. Garlic was worshipped by the ancient Egyptians, chewed by Greek Olympian athletes and thought to be essential for keeping vampires at bay! It was the colonisation of northern Europe by the Romans which established garlic's centres of cultivation (Spain, France, and Italy) as well as its adoption as an essential ingredient of so many traditional Mediterranean dishes. Garlic is also good for zapping bacteria, keeping your heart healthy, warding off coughs and colds - and don't worry it needn't give you bad breath! There are many benefits associated with taking garlic regularly and more information is available from The Garlic Information Centre at www.mistral.co.uk/garlic

( This is a really informative site on the benifits of garlic )

**Nightmare** · 04-30-2006, 07:51 PM

"Cayenne pepper - prized for thousands of years for its healing power. Folklore from around the world recounts amazing results using cayenne pepper in simple healing and in baffling health problems. But cayenne pepper is not just a healer from ancient history. Recent clinical studies have been conducted on many of the old-time health applications for this miracle herb. Again and again, the therapeutic value of cayenne pepper has been medically validated."Dr. Patrick Quillin

In a recent letter to the editors of the New England Journal of Medicine, three Italian doctors describe how they were able to reduce patients' reported dyspepsia symptoms by more than half - by prescribing red pepper powder. In a study of 30 patients with functional dyspepsia, half of the participants received a placebo, while the other half took 2.5 grams of red pepper powder each day (divided into capsules taken before each of three meals). Both groups took their respective treatments for five weeks, and rated their symptoms each day on a scale of zero to three (higher scores indicated more severe symptoms). By the third week, the red pepper group showed a significant advantage over the control group. And by week five, the pepper group's symptoms had declined 60 percent from their baseline scores - while the control group's scores had only decreased about half as much. The symptom scores included ratings for pain, a feeling of fullness, nausea, and an overall score. The red pepper powder produced significant gains in all four areas.
Many herbalists believe that Cayenne is the most useful and valuable herb in the herb kingdom, not only for the entire digestive system, but also for the heart and circulatory system. It acts as a catalyst and increases the effectiveness of other herbs when used with them.

Cayenne is a medicinal and nutritional herb. It is a very high source of Vitamins A and C, has the complete B complexes, and is very rich in organic calcium and potassium, which is one of the reasons it is good for the heart.
Digestion
Cayenne can rebuild the tissue in the stomach and the peristaltic action in the intestines. It aids elimination and assimilation, and helps the body to create hydrochloric acid, which is so necessary for good digestion and assimilation, especially of proteins. All this becomes very significant when we realize that the digestive system plays the most important role in mental, emotional and physical health, as it is through the digestive system that the brain, glands, muscles and every other part of the body are fed.
Heart
Cayenne has been known to stop heart attacks within 30 seconds. For example, when a 90-year-old man in Oregon had a severe heart attack, his daughter was able to get Cayenne extract into his mouth. He was pronounced dead by the medics, but within a few minutes, he regained consciousness. On the way to the hospital, he remained in a semi-conscious state, but the daughter kept giving him the Cayenne extract. By the time they got to the hospital, he had fully recovered and wanted to go home and mow the lawn. The doctor asked what she had given him, as he said it was the closest thing to a miracle he had ever seen.
If a heart attack should occur, it is suggested that a teaspoon of extract be given every 15 minutes or a teaspoon of Cayenne in a glass of hot water be taken until the crisis has passed. Dr. Anderson also knew of a doctor who rushed out into the parking lot and put cayenne tincture into the mouth of a man who had died of a heart attack while he was parking his car. Within a few minutes, the manÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s heart starting beating again.
According to Dr. Richard Anderson, using cayenne and hawthorn berries together has a most incredible effect upon the heart. He believes that a regimen of cayenne and hawthorn berries for several months will greatly strengthen the heart, and possibly prevent heart attacks. He states further that if an attack were to occur in someone who had followed this regimen, chances are very good that no damage would occur. He tells the following story about his mother:
Ã¢â‚¬Å“I had her taking hawthorn berries and cayenne when she had a heart attack at the age of 79. Her diet had not been the best, and she was in an extremely stressful situation. While in the hospital, they found three blocked arteries and wanted to operate immediately. They did not think that she could survive for more than a few weeks if they didnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t operate. (How many have heard that story!) The doctors thought it would be very risky to operate, but they had her there, and there was a lot of money to be made. So they decided to take some tests in the hopes that they could find an excuse to operate. In spite of the fact that she had been taking lots of aspirin for her arthritis, smoked like she was the reincarnation of a boiler factory, and had just had a heart attack, they found that her heart was incredibly strong. In fact, they felt that her heart was stronger than most people in their 30Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s! The good news was that not only did she survive the operation, but also she stopped smoking! Well worth the operation, donÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t you think? In my opinion, that was the best thing the doctors ever did for her. Well, that is what hawthorn and cayenne can do for the heart, and every good herbalist knows it; every good doctor should also know it, but very few do.Ã¢â‚¬.?
Emergencies
It is a good idea to always have some Cayenne extract on hand for emergencies. Dr. Anderson carries capsules of cayenne with him in the car and whenever he goes hiking, backpacking or mountain climbing. He says, Ã¢â‚¬Å“You never know when you may find someone having a heart attack or some other emergency.Ã¢â‚¬.?
The following stories demonstrate only a few of the remarkable emergency uses of cayenne.
If a hemorrhage occurs in the lungs, stomach, uterus or nose, it is suggested that a teaspoon of extract (or a teaspoon of cayenne powder in a cup of hot water) be given every 15 minutes until the crisis has passed. The bleeding should stop in 10-30 seconds. The reason for this is that rather than the blood pressure being centralized, it is equalized by the Cayenne, and the clotting action of the blood becomes more rapid. For external bleeding, take cayenne internally and pour cayenne directly on the wound.

Dr. Anderson, author of Cleanse and Purify Thyself, tells of one time when he was on the beach and a man began passing a kidney stone . The man took some cayenne, which relieved his pain almost immediately.
A person known to Dr. Anderson had a severe toothache in the middle of the night on a weekend. He tried many things to relieve the pain. Cayenne was the only thing that helped.
One of the youngest persons to take cayenne was a six-week old baby who was born with chronic asthma. Dr. John Christopher administered the cayenne using an eyedropper, and it then became possible for the baby to breathe normally.
Dr. Christopher has used cayenne to eliminate allergies, varicose veins, cramps, constipation, and to increase energy.
Dr. Anderson recommends cayenne to help cleanse the body, increase body heat, improve circulation, and strengthen the eyes. But above all, Dr. Anderson feels that cayenne is exceptionally beneficial for the heart.
Rich Anderson published the first Cleanse and Purify Thyself in 1988. It became one of the most popular books on cleansing ever written. With almost no advertising, this book spread around the world and was translated into several languages.

Historical or traditional use The potent, hot fruit of cayenne has been used as medicine for centuries. It was considered helpful for various conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, including stomachaches, cramping pains, and gas. Cayenne was frequently used to treat diseases of the circulatory system. It is still traditionally used in herbal medicine as a circulatory tonic (a substance believed to improve circulation). Rubbed on the skin, cayenne is a traditional, as well as modern, remedy for rheumatic pains and arthritis due to what is termed a counterirritant effect. A counterirritant is something which causes irritation to a tissue to which it is applied, thus distracting from the original irritation (such as joint pain in the case of arthritis).

**Nightmare** · 05-27-2006, 10:07 AM

The two ways to extract medicinal properties from herbs to make teas are
infusing and decoction. Which process youÃ‚.´ll want to try will be determined by
the part of the plant used to make the tea. When working with the delicate
parts of an herb-the leaves and flowers-youÃ‚.´ll want to make an infusion.
Making an infusion involves pouring hot water over the herbs and then steeping the
herb in the water. If you are using the tough parts of the plant-the roots,
bark, twigs, seeds or berries-youÃ‚.´ll want to make a decoction, simmer the
tough parts of the herbs in boiling water. The process can also be used to
reduce or boil own herbs to make a stronger preparation, for example, the base of
cough syrup. If a remedy combines leaves or flowers with bark or roots,
make a mixed decoction/infusion for best results.
Macerations:
Boiling diminishes the active ingredients of some herbs, such as valerian
root of dill. It is possible to process delicate herbs without heat by making
a cold maceration: Place 2 tsp. of dried herbs in a glass dish. Pour 2 cups
of cold water over the herb and let stand overnight. Strain. Add honey to
taste; drink 3 times daily.
Therapeutic Effect:
Infusions and decoctions allow you to release the healing properties of
herbs into water. The value of many medicinal herbs lies chiefly in their
volatile oils; in order to keep these valuable oils from being evaporated while
healing, keep the heat low and cover the pot when preparing.
For dosage and safety:
An average dose is about a teacup full, three times a day of an infusion or
decoction. Use smaller doses for children or the elderly. Some herbs, such
as feverfew, are so strong tasting that they are not always suitable for
infusions or decoctions. Note: Always verify the safety and check toxicity
warnings of the herbs you are planning to use, or check with an herbalist.
Utensils:
You can refrigerate infusions and decoctions for about 48 hours. Always use
glass or enamel containers or stainless steel and wooden spoons or steel
knives. Sieves should be plastic or nylon. Never use aluminum as this element
can be toxic and easily absorbed by the herbs.
Extra Tip:
When preparing a decoction or infusion from plants from the wild, make sure
they are correctly identified. If there is any doubt, do not use the herb.
Types of Infusions:
The process to extract the medicinal virtues of an herb need not be
complicated. Just make sure you are familiar with the many different preparations.
Pot infusion:
For a pot infusion, add the herbs to a teapot and pour in boiling water.
Cover and let it set for 10 min. Strain..
Solar infusion:
Try a solar infusion for very delicate herbs, such as chamomile or mint, to
keep in essential oils. Place the herbs in a glass container and add water
that is room temperature; cover. Let it stand in direct sunlight for several
hours..
Cold extract:
Add 2 tsp. of the herb to 2 cup of cold water. Let the mixture stand for
8-12 hr.; strain. Take it as you would an infusion.
Cold compress:
Soak a cloth in an infusion of decoction that has been cooled. Wring out
the cloth and apply it directly to injuries, swollen joints and inflammations.
Fomentation:
Soak a cloth or towel in an infusion or decoction. Wring it out and apply
hot if you need to bring heat to an area.
Techniques:
Infusion:
Herb leaves or flowers
Purified water
Warm the pot, then add 1 tsp. of herbs per cup. Pour boiling water into
the pot, cover and let steep for 10 min.; strain. Sweeten the tea with honey,
if desired.
Decoction:
Roots, bark, twigs, and berries
Cold purified water
Break herb material into small pieces and put 1 tsp. of herbs per cup into a
saucepan. Cover with water ad bring to a boil. Simmer gently for about
10-20 min. or until the water is slightly reduced; strain through a sieve.
Mixed decoction/infusion:
Fresh or dried herbs
Cold purified water
Mix the bark, berries or roots in a saucepan and add water. Bring to a boil
and gently simmer 10-20 min. Place the flowers and leaves in a teapot.
Strain the hot decoction into the teapot and infuse for 15 min. Strain the
mixture into a glass container.
Before undertaking the advice contained here, you should consult with a
health care professional, who can better assess your individual needs, symptoms
and treatments.
~The Complete Guide to Natural Healing~
Ã‚.©MCMXCIX International Masters Publishing AB

**Nightmare** · 05-27-2006, 10:09 AM

Almost everyone has experienced pain at some time or another. Chronic
pain can interfere with life's normal processes. Occasional pain can
cause one to recognize and cherish good health!
Pain is caused by pressure on special nerve receptors throughout the
body. These receptors are sensitive to pressure, temperature and
chemical changes, and when they are stimulated they send signals to
the brain.
Pain is a self-protective mechanism of the body that acts as an alarm
system to let you know that something is wrong and that a specific
area requires attention.
There are many kinds of pain, caused by different reactions. Acute,
sharp pain is often due to Injury often causes acute, sharp pain.
Muscle spasms stimulate pain nerves, sometimes causing back pain and
some types of headaches. Arthritis pain is often long term and chronic.
In Natural Medicine, the first step is to honor the old saying tolle
causum, find the cause. When looking for the cause of pain, if the
cause is not injury, it may be incorrect diet, body mechanics that are
physically out of balance, not enough sleep or too much stress. A
program addressing all these issues is often needed to permanently get
rid of pain.
Along with changes in lifestyle, other natural healing methods can be
used to help pain. These include hydrotherapy (the use of hot and cold
water), acupuncture, reflexology and massage. Nutritional supplements,
including calcium, magnesium, bromelain and Glucosamine sulfate, can help.
Herbs have been used throughout history as effective medicine for pain
relief and the physical and emotional disturbances that often
accompany it.
Since pain is such a common human affliction, societies around the
globe have experimented with various plants for pain throughout
history, and many herbs have been found to have analgesic, sedative
and anti-inflammatory effects, all of which help to reduce pain.
# An analgesic decreases pain yet allows full consciousness.
# A sedative calms a person.
# An anti-inflammatory reduces inflammation. Inflammation causes pain,
heat, swelling and redness.
Herbs that have become standards for pain relief:
White Willow
Native Americans, as well as early European herbalists used the inner
bark of the white willow tree to treat pain. It contains salicin which
has been called "nature's aspirin." Supplements of Lactobacillus
acidophilus can help make white willow more effective.
Kava kava
When Captain James Cook arrived in the South Pacific in 1768, he found
that the Kava kava root was being pounded and made into a thick tea by
the native people. This herb induces a tranquil state, enhances
sociability and friendliness, is a powerful skeletal muscle relaxant
and eases pain. Kava has been documented in scientific studies to be
useful for depression and anxiety, which often accompanies pain and
makes it worse.
Ginger
Ginger is a delicious flavoring spice with warming effects. It
increases circulation of the blood and lymph fluid. In traditional
Chinese medicine, it is used as a pain killer, due to its ability to
move "qi," or energy. Ginger contains several chemical constituents
which make it useful for pain, including zingabain. Ginger can help by
taking it internally or using it externally as a compress on the
painful area. Scientific studies have found that ginger is an
extremely useful herb to ease pain and reduce swelling.
Licorice
Licorice has a distinctive flavor used in condiments and candies. In
Chinese medicine, licorice root is one of the most widely used herbs
because it helps substances to combine and it has a long list of
healing qualities. Licorice is used for pain due to its ability to
block a key enzyme which degrades cortisone, which then allows natural
steroids produced by the adrenal glands to reduce inflammation. In
Japan, a drug used to protect the liver, Neo-minophagen-C, is made
from licorice root. CAUTION: Do not use in large amounts if you have
severe hypertension.
Feverfew
Feverfew has been used in western herbology since the times of the
Greek and the Roman empires. The active compound Parthenolide was
isolated by scientists in the 1960's and was thought to give Feverfew
its painkilling effects, although other chemical constituents may also
be involved in this action. Feverfew blocks the production of
inflammatory chemicals and helps decrease inflammation and pain. It is
gaining popularity as an herb that can help migraine headaches, if
taken regularly. However, it is also useful for other kinds of pain.
Copyright Discovery Hospital 1998-2003. All Rights Reserved. Ellen
Kamhi, RN, PhD, HCN

**Nightmare** · 05-27-2006, 05:42 PM

by Annie Berthold-Bond
But there is much more benefit to beeswax candles compared to
paraffin candles that are made from polluted petroleum sludge, or
even vegetable-based candles that are a big improvement over
paraffin: When beeswax candles burn, they clean the air like a
great, natural, air purifier, and they are a link to a deep
spiritual belief system.
For each pound of beeswax provided by a honey bee, the bee visits 33
million flowers. It eats 10 pounds of honey. It secretes the beeswax
from its abdomen, and then uses the wax to construct a honeycomb.
Beekeepers recover the wax from the comb by heating it in water
where the melted wax rises to the surface and can be removed.
Many have written about the wisdom of the beehive, and how burning
beeswax puts a person in a special mood of reverence. It is easy to
imagine why, given that millions of flowers have been visited and
pollinated to make any one beeswax candle!
Healing and spiritual powers have been attributed to all products of
the beehive. Honey has always been considered holy, a gift from God,
and endowed with esoteric and mystical qualities. The Path of
Pollen, or bee shamanism, is a calling into the secrets of healing,
longevity, and spiritual powers of bee products, including honey,
wax, and pollen. The Hebrew word for bee is dbure, meaning word,
with the message being that the bee brings the Divine word.
Specifically beeswax candles are designated for the Christian Roman
Mass.
To burn a beeswax candle is to enter into the wisdom world of the
bee, and you enter, too, into a world of benefits from the bee.
Compare this to breathing toxic fumes from paraffin candles! (For
more on toxic candles, see Candle Soot.
Cleaning the Air By Burning Beeswax Candles
Air contains billions of electrically charged particles called ions.
Ions act upon our capacity to absorb and utilize oxygen, and
therefore cause powerful effects on our lives and well being. The
ions in the air can affect our mood, energy and health. Negative
ions actually feel good. Too many positive ions make us feel bad and
they are loaded down with pollution and allergens that are drawn to
them and suspended in the air.. Negative ions, on the other hand,
remove the pollution and allergens from positive ions, allowing them
to drop harmlessly to the ground.
Beeswax candle fuel is the only fuel that actually produces negative
ions, which not only helps remove pollution from the air but
increases the ratio of negative ions to positive ions, the ideal and
necessary scenario for clean air.
Beeswax Candle Buyer's Resource Guide
Make sure to only buy 100 percent pure beeswax candles. Choose
yellow beeswax (it is lightly refined)and not white beeswax is often
bleached with chemicals and is best avoided