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This newsletter changes weekly so be sure to keep coming back for information on current health topics that can help you maintain and regain health. You can read a year's worth of past messages!
Keep informed--Keep Healthy.
Dr. Mary
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Herbal eGram #728 I Am
Good Morning!
If you were to point to yourself, your finger would probably point at the middle of your chest. You wouldn’t point at your head or your shoulder. When you think “me” and point to yourself you are pointing at your Thymus gland which is located behind the sternum and in between your lungs.
Before birth and throughout childhood, the thymus is instrumental in the production and maturation of T-lymphocytes or T cells, a specific type of white blood cell that protects the body from certain threats, including viruses and infections. The thymus produces and secretes thymosin, a hormone necessary for T cell development and production. When T-lymphocytes are given the wrong information (not sure if it is through poor nutrition, genetic code or something to do with our energetic field) these lymphocytes can become cancerous.
Most scientists believe the Thymus to be of non-importance after puberty because it begins to shrink in most people. This gland is very important in protecting against auto immunity. Auto immune conditions are when the body gets the message to attack itself. Where it attacks will determine what label the condition gets. Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto immune condition that affects the small bones of the hands and feet due to inflammatory processes. These processes are signaled by the immune system.
Bone marrow will make immature T-cells and then go to the Thymus for instruction and maturity. In our early twenties we have an abundance of well-trained, functioning T-cells that regulate the immune system and help the body fight off pathogens and disease. After about age 20, the thymus begins to shrink (atrophy) as dying thymic cells are progressively replaced by fat and connective tissue.
According to “Nutrition Review”, By about age 40, output of thymic hormones has dropped significantly and T-cells have begun to lose their effectiveness. It is this gradual loss of functioning T-cells that is believed to be responsible for many of the age-related changes in the immune system that gradually rob the body of its ability to fight off infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders and cancer.
So, to me it just makes sense to protect the immune system daily to have it continue to keep us healthy and safe from harm. Since there now seems to be a huge relationship between poor immunity and aging, I think this is something most people should do to slow the aging process. How one protects the immune system varies. The variables are determined by what you presently do to stay healthy. Do you smoke or use drugs, drink alcohol, get proper sleep, exercise, drink adequate water, and of course feed your body healthy nutrition? How well do you handle your stress? Do you find joy?
Protecting your immune system will go a long way in keeping you healthy during the challenges of stressful times and in times of bad weather. The supplement I depend on most is Elderberry D3Fence. This product has a wonderful base of herbs and adds vitamin D3 for additional immune support for the time of year where sunshine is a luxury. In its base is also Olive Leaf Extract.
Olive leaf is the leaf of the olive tree (Olea europaea) and was first used medicinally in Ancient Egypt. It is gaining recognition as a powerful defender against sickness and numerous scientific studies have been conducted to investigate the extracts beneficial properties. The reported benefits of olive leaf extract range from promoting increased energy and healthy blood pressure, to supporting the cardiovascular system and the immune system
I use Olive Leaf during the summer when I am able to get some sun and will take a D3 supplement when we have rainy or cloudy days or when I know I won’t be getting enough sunlight for my D needs. It helps to keep my blood pressure within normal range along with Blood Pressurex and Urinary Maintenance (as my diuretic). I prefer to use the combination of Elderberry D3Fence during the winter because with two capsules I can be getting the D I need and protect my immune system.
Essential Shield is a wonderful blend of essential oils that can be diffused to protect your whole house from microbes that carry harmful viruses and bacteria. It smells cheerful with its blend of citrus, clove, cinnamon and lavender. All of these oils are antimicrobial and can help keep your home safe from disease contributing microbes. Place it in our new Ultrasonic Diffuser and then plug it in for an hour while you are getting ready for work. You can just set the timer and forget it. Once you get home you can set it again. The oils will retain their strength and last for hours protecting your home environment.
Most of us want to stay active and feeling good. Protecting your immune system on a daily basis can help your stay younger because it is less stressful to keep healthy than try to get healthy.
Spread the good word!
Dr. Mary
Yours, For The Health Of It!
Mary Born, ND CNHP CNC
Mary@bornforhealth.com
For more info on other products, and how to get them at wholesale direct (member cost) click:
http://www.mynsp.com/born; and then go to Products A-Z. If already a member, click on www.naturessunshine.com. If you want to get member prices and you need to be sponsored use account 204150.
If you have any questions or comments, please email me, or for an appointment Call: 248-559-6763.
If you do not wish to get this e-brief, let me know by clicking reply.
If you find it valuable—send it on. This email is for information only. It is not intended to diagnose nor prescribe as that is the realm of a medical doctor. If you have specific symptoms, see an appropriate health professional. Please seek the advice of a health practitioner for specific ailments.
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Herbal eGram #727 Deficiencies
Good Morning!
Want, Shortage of, or inadequacy, are some of the words used to describe deficiency. In this day and age most of us have grown up with sufficient food and a roof over our head. In our home we had food to eat. It may not have been the best quality but it was food and we never went hungry. My mother used to bake bread—white bread. We loved it hot and fresh. Most of the goodness from that bread was the love my mother put into it.
Most of us grew up with someone who loves us and the ability to go to school and learn. In general our basic needs were met. To love and be loved is a basic need. Not everyone gets all the love they need to flourish. But, in general, we understand that someone cares about us and if we are lucky we are shown love. The ability to have an education is a constitutional right. We do not have to have our children work at an early age where their education suffers. They learn to read and write which gives way to understanding how big a world we live in. We hear about those people who do not have enough to eat and will see homeless people but these aren’t the deficiencies this message is about.
People on well-known diets like Vegan, South Beach and many more, in fact most people, do not have the ability to get all they need from the food they eat. Very few of us are dedicated to eating the food that will give the body nutrients to flourish. We eat food we like and often that food isn’t nutritious enough to provide all the nutrients and micronutrients needed for a healthy body.
So, most of us have deficiencies that need to be met, or the body begins to breakdown and show symptoms of malnourishment. We may not even recognize that these signs are trying to tell us nutrients aren’t available for repair and replenishing. One example is that when we have brittle hair and nails we are lacking in nutrients that support building those cells that turn into healthy tissue. It is also a well-known fact that most of us are deficient in Vitamin D. Many people who are tested show low levels of Vitamin D and the way to get it is through the sun. However, when you live in an area where for most of the year you don’t have adequate exposure to the proper sunlight, it just makes sense to supplement.
We’ve been told for many years that fat is bad but in fact, it is necessary for many functions in the body. The wrong fats are bad. If our brain doesn’t get enough good fat we can’t think properly. Food such as avocados, coconut oil, nuts and seeds are all very important. Fat helps food taste better. I love grass fed butter—Kerrygold is my favorite. I also get butter from local farmers when I can. Egg yolks are another source of good fat and many people eat egg white omelets omitting the richness of the yolk.
Eggs are a great source of a complete high quality protein with few calories. One whole egg has 5.5 grams of protein in only 68 calories. Eggs contain choline, which is important, especially since our bodies cannot produce enough of it. Without enough choline, you can also become deficient in another essential nutrient, folic acid. Choline is part of the Methylation process and most of us are deficient in this important nutrient. More so than magnesium and this mineral deficiency is coming more to light recently in Dr. Carolyn Dean’s book, The Magnesium Miracle.
Doctors know potassium deficiency is a danger for people on diuretics but they don’t acknowledge that magnesium is also flushed out in equal measure. Magnesium deficiency goes undiagnosed and unrecognized because until recently there was no accurate blood test for magnesium. Patients are warned to take potassium supplements or eat oranges and bananas, but no advice is given about magnesium. Magnesium is not as readily available as potassium; it’s deficient in the soil and most fertilizers don’t contain magnesium, so most foods are lacking. Also cooking and processing foods depletes magnesium. It’s found in whole grains, greens, nuts and seeds, but most people don’t eat much, if any, of those foods.
I feel that most people who eat plenty of green leafy vegetables and a few servings of broccoli each week can be okay with calcium, but most of us need a magnesium supplement if we have muscle cramping, constipation, difficulty swallowing, tics or tremors, irregular heartbeat and much more. Every muscle needs magnesium to relax before contracting when involved in usage. If you drink soda pop; take calcium supplements without enough magnesium; or other medications (such as antibiotics) that rob the body of magnesium you will need to take extra magnesium. Depression, migraines, PMS and even ADHD are related to low magnesium levels. To insure you are getting enough, I usually recommend Magnesium Complex.
Sugar and fake sweeteners are bad but nobody wants to address that. It just makes sense to support the body with supplements. But, not just any supplements. If you are depending on these to keep you disease free, you want the best you can get. You want quality that is backed by research and testing. That is why I depend on NSP for all my supplement needs. Most supplements sold are not tested for quality even if they guarantee it. Most, when tested, are found they don’t contain what the label says they contain—not NSP! They test every lot, at every step, every time! Money back guaranteed.
You deserve the best; you deserve Nature’s Sunshine!
Spread the good word!
Dr. Mary
Yours, For The Health Of It!
Mary Born, ND CNHP CNC
Mary@bornforhealth.com
For more info on other products, and how to get them at wholesale direct (member cost) click:
http://www.mynsp.com/born; and then go to Products A-Z. If already a member, click on www.naturessunshine.com. If you want to get member prices and you need to be sponsored use account 204150.
If you have any questions or comments, please email me, or for an appointment Call: 248-559-6763.
If you do not wish to get this e-brief, let me know by clicking reply.
If you find it valuable—send it on. This email is for information only. It is not intended to diagnose nor prescribe as that is the realm of a medical doctor. If you have specific symptoms, see an appropriate health professional. Please seek the advice of a health practitioner for specific ailments
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Herbal eGram #726 Toxicant
Good Morning!
The dictionary defines a toxicant as a poison. Basically it is a substance that our body cannot use for health. Sometimes it takes a while for us to recognize what we eat makes us sick. We may have a lack of energy. We may get moody. We may get a tummy ache. If we continue to eat the food, or a variety of unhealthy food, we get more serious symptoms. Many times these symptoms are not recognized as a sign we are eating the wrong food. A medical doctor may prescribe a medicine that will inhibit the symptoms but it does nothing to help with the real cause.
Many foods are toxicants and are anti-health. When we are young our body can handle a certain amount of bad food but eventually it catches up with us. Some people who aren’t healthy to begin with feel the effect much earlier than those who had a healthy beginning. Our attitude can be a deciding point as well. Do you remember your first bite of pizza? I can. I looked at that flat disgusting gooey mess and thought, “why is everyone so excited about this”? For the most part pizza is not a healthy food. There is a ton of sugar in it, bad fats and wheat. It can be made more healthy, but let’s face it... there are healthier foods.
Why do we eat food that isn’t healthy? Most of the time we are introduced to the food by media, friends etc. Many people have “food intolerances”. Whether you have slight or severe symptoms, it is best to not eat that food. But, that isn’t the whole thing if you want to regain health you need to heal your gut.
When someone ends up with a stomach ache shortly after eating a food it should give them pause. Start taking stock and figuring out when was the last time you felt really good? Food Diaries are very helpful in determining a relationship between not feeling good and the food you recently ate. Sometimes it isn’t a stomach ache or acid indigestion. It could be gas or nausea or even weight gain! The food could also affect our mood or energy. Just as alcohol can make some people angry or depressed so can some food. So, when you are entering things in your diary include how you felt within 24 hours of certain meals or snacks. Were you happy; tired; moody?
We once had neighbors that we would play cards with. We made popcorn one night and the husband of our neighbor said, “Oh, I can’t eat popcorn because I’m allergic to corn”. (We noticed that when he did eat corn his thinking would go haywire but we had forgotten). Since he lived next door he decided to run home and grab a snack that he could eat. He came back with a bag of corn chips! Apparently he didn’t recognize that popcorn and corn chips are both made with corn! There are many things made with corn: corn syrup, cornstarch and corn syrup solids are added to many foods. So, you need to make sure you read labels once you do find out you have a food intolerance or allergy.
Since what you eat must be digested and then assimilated, the gut is an integral part of reactions to food. What scientists have found is that the environment of the intestines has a big role in whether a food is perceived as healthy or not. Even food one would assume healthy in the past may not be tolerated by some people. When I was a kid there was no such thing as peanut allergies. Now, this is such a concern that peanut butter is banned in most schools. One of our staple lunches was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. What has changed?
The gut biome is a hot topic for scientists now. Gut genes out number human genes 10 to one! So, it used to be that your genes determined who you are, but it turns out the gut biome is far more important. So, improving your gut health is now a primary concern as it can determine how fast you get old; whether you succumb to chronic disease and even how happy you are! Part of keeping your gut healthy is giving it good bacteria to build better health.
I love Probiotic Eleven because from those eleven bacteria more strains can be manufactured by the gut. This product should be taken on an empty stomach to help improve the environment of the gut. So, bedtime and upon rising is the best. These bacteria are fragile and die quickly so refrigeration is best. In addition to this is a new bacteria (well it’s old but the information about it is new!). Its name is Bacillus Coagulans and it has been used in veterinary medicine for decades. It now is considered the new hope in helping the gut heal in many ways.
The findings are showing that with Clostridium diffiicile (C-diff is an antibiotic resistant infection) and some other difficult viral strains, Bacillus Coagulans is very hopeful in quickly eliminating these toxicants from the body. Rebalancing the gut is primary for helping the body regain health. The best part is that this particular probiotic strain can even be cooked with and doesn’t lose its stability! So, go ahead and mix it with your applesauce, sweet potatoes, pancakes and of course put it in your smoothie!
I see more and more people dealing with food intolerances and having to cut out specific foods from their diet. Perhaps looking into correcting your gut Biome will help and our new probiotic may just be another answer! Adding Bacillus Coagulans to your daily routine will go a long way in helping your perforated intestinal lining heal. Adding Slippery Elm in a combination such as Intestinal Soothe and Build to your mealtimes will give the mucus lining the tools it needs to start healing so that real food is no longer an irritant.
Keep your gut healthy!
Spread the good word!
Dr. Mary
Yours, For The Health Of It!
Mary Born, ND CNHP CNC
Mary@bornforhealth.com
For more info on other products, and how to get them at wholesale direct (member cost) click:
http://www.mynsp.com/born; and then go to Products A-Z. If already a member, click on www.naturessunshine.com. If you want to get member prices and you need to be sponsored use account 204150.
If you have any questions or comments, please email me, or for an appointment Call: 248-559-6763.
If you do not wish to get this e-brief, let me know by clicking reply.
If you find it valuable—send it on. This email is for information only. It is not intended to diagnose nor prescribe as that is the realm of a medical doctor. If you have specific symptoms, see an appropriate health professional. Please seek the advice of a health practitioner for specific ailments
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Herbal eGram #725 Something has changed!
Good Morning!
Since 1997 there has been an estimated 50% more children suffering from food allergies. The reasons explaining this rise are not clearly known, although some previous studies have hinted that our 21st century lifestyle and diet may play a role. In fact, by eliminating the reactive foods one can begin to feel better almost immediately.
Those people who cannot tolerate gluten know for a fact that when they eliminate gluten foods, their digestive system feels better. They no longer experience the bloating or headaches or intestinal discomfort they used to have. Debilitating diarrhea and fatigue can be two of the symptoms people with gluten allergies deal with. I have worked with people who have been house-bound due to their symptoms. I’ve also seen these people turn their lives around by healing their gut.
The protective lining of the gut has been compromised allowing undigested food to enter the bloodstream without the proper coding. This creates an alert signal in the immune system that an invader is present. The gut reacts in several ways. The first response to having a foreign invader is to quickly remove it. It does this by increasing fluid in the form of diarrhea. Unfortunately once this signal is given there isn’t a counter signal that says—okay invader is gone you can stop now!
Histamines also flood the system to kill the invader and at the same time fluids either flow rapidly or congest depending on whether previous incidences have occurred and been identified as foreign. So, watery itchy eyes, swollen sinuses, drippy nose are efforts to remove the toxins from the blood stream by forcing the offenders into the lymphatic system and irrigating the system with acidic mucus. This burns the tissues making for red eyes and nose.
Most people who suffer with allergies take antihistamines because the response the immune system is creating is not comfortable and if you have to meet with people…not your best look. The body tends to “know what you are doing” by trying to control the natural responses so it produces more and more acidic liquid making it a vicious cycle of immune response and higher doses of antihistamines. Because you are dealing only with the response and not the cause, your body will always try to assert balance the best way it knows how. You must address the cause.
In less than 20 years we’ve seen more and more allergies pop up. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were a staple when I went to school. Now, it could be fatal to another child’s health. What has changed? Is it the food or is it us? I would say it is both. The wheat we eat now is not the wheat that was available 20 years ago. Most of our food is laden with pesticides and herbicides. These chemicals permeate the food and then we eat it. So, perhaps we aren’t really allergic to the food as much as the chemicals those foods are laden with.
The second thing is that our gut linings have been compromised. We no longer have the plethora of bacteria residing in our gut that signals a chain of events that make digestion and absorption the natural process it should be. The small intestine is designed to absorb. So, whether it is food or chemicals—it absorbs. The digestive process has also been compromised.
The stomach should be filled with acidic juices to help break down the food that has been chewed. Due to eating the wrong food and over-eating this acid is coming up into the esophagus causing burning. Most people will take antacids and this destroys the balance of pH in the stomach making digestion slow and instead of the food being broken down quickly it sits there and ferments causing more acid. The next step is taking medication that stops the cells from producing Hydro-choric acid and slowing digestion even further.
When this undigested food passes into the small intestine it permeates the mucosal lining flooding the bloodstream. This alerts the immune system that foreign matter is now in the blood stream and must be eliminated. Years of this imbalanced condition leads to a compromised colon. The reversing of this cascade must first be to eliminate the food that is causing the irritation and at the same time repair the gut and digestive system.
I always take enzymes with my meals and occasionally in between meals to assist with digestion. I take probiotics away from meals to assist with proper balance of the small and large intestines. I don’t have allergies but I do notice that if I eat a lot of wheat I put on weight around my middle. Most restaurants do not have organic pasta or breads. We all have ingested pesticide and herbicide residue. Some of us can tolerate a small amount and some of us can’t. Know your body and keep a food diary so that you can see what food bothers you. Remember to also chart your moods as your emotions can also be affected by the food you eat.
Let the change be you and let it be for the better.
Spread the good word!
Dr. Mary
Yours, For The Health Of It!
Mary Born, ND CNHP CNC
Mary@bornforhealth.com
For more info on other products, and how to get them at wholesale direct (member cost) click:
http://www.mynsp.com/born; and then go to Products A-Z. If already a member, click on www.naturessunshine.com. If you want to get member prices and you need to be sponsored use account 204150.
If you have any questions or comments, please email me, or for an appointment Call: 248-559-6763.
If you do not wish to get this e-brief, let me know by clicking reply.
If you find it valuable—send it on. This email is for information only. It is not intended to diagnose nor prescribe as that is the realm of a medical doctor. If you have specific symptoms, see an appropriate health professional. Please seek the advice of a health practitioner for specific ailments
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Herbal eGram #724 Mercury Rising
Good Morning!
If you’re into astrology you’re probably thinking I’m going somewhere else on this. Or, you might be thinking about the movie with Bruce Willis, but that’s not the mercury I want to discuss. The Mercury I want to talk about is the heavy metal that can accumulate in the blood, tissues and liver of the body. Some of it can also accumulate in the fat cells. So, it is a bit tricky to eliminate. If you have amalgam fillings each time you chew, floss or do anything that disturbs the surface with amalgam (silver fillings) you are subject to vapors that rise off of the fillings.
The brain is the closest to your mouth and the saliva can deliver it directly to the brain. The saliva also is acidic and can erode the fillings over time. The older the fillings are the worse it is. However, removal of the fillings should be done by a specialist who knows how to safely remove the fillings. There are tons of websites that can give you information on different dentists who can remove amalgam fillings or give you options for safe fillings. Here is one: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/08/25/biological-dentistry.aspx The main thing is that you feel you can trust your dentist to do what you want. Some dentists are very conservative and will only do what the ADA has instructed and others are more advanced and know the harm mercury presents.
There are various views of how to detox from mercury. I’ve heard many specialists speak about the importance of first removing the cause. The cause may also be the food you eat and so you need to pay attention to diet if you plan on recovering from mercury poisoning. Experts agree that Mercury is one of the biggest contributing factors to illnesses of the brain and nervous system. So, of course, the first step would be to stop eating anything that may contain mercury.
The second would be to align your diet with creating better health and that would be to do the sensible things like eliminate sugar, processed foods and eat plenty of cruciferous veggies as they help in the detoxification of heavy metals. So, lots of organic or farm grown broccoli, cabbage, Brussel sprouts, kale, kohlrabi and cauliflower. Eat them raw, steamed or fermented but eat them on a daily basis. The main reason is cysteine which is a powerful antioxidant in the form of an amino acid that is necessary for protein synthesis and in the formation of glutathione for methylation (one of the ways the liver detoxifies).
Cysteine is considered a “non-essential” amino acid because most of us make it or convert it. But babies with “malabsorption syndrome” lack this ability. Many elderly people do too. When the gut becomes compromised this is one of the processes it either finds difficult or impossible to do. Through years of doing things that erodes the health of the gut we lose the ability to convert cysteine and our detoxification pathways become slower or less efficient. We become (as one of my teacher’s, Dr. Bernard Jensen used to say) auto-intoxicated; Full of toxins because we can’t eliminate them.
Without the proper detoxification processes going on, your body becomes fair territory for auto immune and allergy symptoms. When a person is young they don’t see how eating a bunch of French fries and drinking Mountain Dew can have an effect on health because you don’t see it right away. Allergic responses and auto immune conditions rarely appear overnight. They generally take a while of the body trying to deal with the bad influences and adjusting as best it can without the nutrients necessary for repair and detoxification. The gut becomes compromised and then you start getting symptoms which you ignore at first. After a while you can’t ignore the symptoms so you may take something over the counter or see a doctor and he/she treats the symptoms but doesn’t discuss your bad diet because you probably don’t want to hear it anyway.
The small intestines absorb. If you give it poison, it will absorb it! So, if you are truly going to heal from allergies or auto immune conditions you must address the gut and there are plenty of views on how to accomplish healing that but of course it does mean you need to change. You need to stop putting the poisons in and start putting healing food in. You need to stop thinking negative thoughts and start healing your life. Get rid of negative people and fill yourself with upbeat and positive energy. You can find a coach to help you. My friend Kathy Peltier is trained in helping people find the positive and giving her a call might be of help: 248-390-7737 and tell her you are interested in Life Coaching support.
While doing these suggestions you need to strengthen your body’s ability to detoxify along with supporting your liver. I find that Milk Thistle Combination to be a really great product in doing both strengthening and encouraging detoxification safely. You may also need to do more N-Acetyl Cysteine than what is included in this remedy and you can add that slowly as you correct your diet and lifestyle. Improving the liver’s ability to detoxify will support better energy and help decrease inflammation. I like also to add some antioxidants either in drink form like Thai Go or in capsule like Curcumin (I take all of them).
It really depends on how good do you want to feel? Mercury is a growing concern both for our environment and for our body. Do your best to help defend against it taking hold by improving detoxification and correct eating and thinking. Don’t let Mercury rise.
Spread the good word!
Dr. Mary
Yours, For The Health Of It!
Mary Born, ND CNHP CNC
Mary@bornforhealth.com
For more info on other products, and how to get them at wholesale direct (member cost) click:
http://www.mynsp.com/born; and then go to Products A-Z. If already a member, click on www.naturessunshine.com. If you want to get member prices and you need to be sponsored use account 204150.
If you have any questions or comments, please email me, or for an appointment Call: 248-559-6763.
If you do not wish to get this e-brief, let me know by clicking reply.
If you find it valuable—send it on. This email is for information only. It is not intended to diagnose nor prescribe as that is the realm of a medical doctor. If you have specific symptoms, see an appropriate health professional. Please seek the advice of a health practitioner for specific ailments
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Herbal eGram #723 D-lightful
Good Morning!
Years of using sunscreens and repeated warnings about how dangerous being in the sun has created a deficiency of vitamin D in epic proportions. Along with blocking the sun many of our children don’t get enough outdoor activity. Video games and cell phones are mostly inside activities. In order to get enough vitamin D from the sun one must have skin exposure to it. It should be in the middle of the day according to The Vitamin D Council. The darker your skin the longer you need to stay in the sun. Light skin takes only about 15-20 minutes (depending on how much skin is exposed).
Since I live in Michigan, exposing my skin to the sun is not a consistent thing I can do. The better option is taking the most absorbable supplement I can and that is Vitamin D3 from Nature’s Sunshine. You can get tested for how much D3 is in the blood. You can ask your doctor to be tested. Most doctors believe that around 30nl/mg is normal however some experts believe that if you want to prevent cancer and heart disease your test numbers should be between 80-100. Toxic levels of D are above 150 nl/mg. Most people do not even come close to that especially if you are taking an absorbable, natural source of vitamin D3.
This very important chemical initiates cell expression. This means that without it, proper communication between the cells can’t occur. Weak, or even wrong signals, can result in many chronic diseases. Could there be a relationship to sky rocketing cancer rates and the dedication to sunscreen use? You do not want to burn your skin and it makes sense that if you are going to be out in the sun for a long time you should use protection either with clothing or sunscreen. Be very careful that the sunscreen you use is not full of toxic chemicals as the skin is a great way to uptake anything put on it.
Having a deficiency of D is very prominent even in young children. Taking a supplement to make sure you have enough vitamin D to support all of its needs just makes good sense. Delicious chewable vitamins that have no coloring or artificial anything is a good option. I love the Sunshine Heroes brand and taking Elderberry Immune is a great way to protect the immune system. It includes Elderberry Extract and Astragalus. These herbs help to support immune function and keep it ready to fight microbes that may enter the body. It also has D3 and vitamin C.
Some experts have said that due to the immune boosting effect vitamin D has and the fact that many of us are deficient could be the reason why so many people have allergies and are sick during the fall season. I like adding Elderberry to my D supplement as this antioxidant seems to activate the signaling processes that require vitamin D. Capsules of Elderberry D3fense are what I start taking in September through April to make sure I get enough D3 and to support my immune system during the fall and winter months. Dr. Mercola says that this is better than a flu shot as this can protect against a wide range of viruses and bacteria.
There is a sizable amount of research that shows how having adequate levels of vitamin D3 in the body has an effect on the body’s immune system’s ability to fight cancer. The research is demonstrating that it is the ability of vitamin D3 to assist cell communication and determine healthy cells from unhealthy cells so that the immune system can then send out the proper protocol to eliminate the unhealthy cells.
This is really the tough part in dealing with viruses—cell communication. The virus actually hijacks part of the DNA and hides within the cell and the immune system thinks it is part of the body and therefore doesn’t attack it. If vitamin D3 plays a role in making viruses more visible to immune sensors, then it can more effectively destroy viruses and other harmful microbes.
Of course it is ridiculous to think that taking one supplement will keep you healthy. You must have a many pronged approach to keeping your body healthy which includes adequate water, rest, exercise and keeping a healthy attitude along with eating food that is packed with nutrition. Supplements are just that: supplementing healthy lifestyles.
Spread the good word!
Dr. Mary
Yours, For The Health Of It!
Mary Born, ND CNHP CNC
Mary@bornforhealth.com
For more info on other products, and how to get them at wholesale direct (member cost) click:
http://www.mynsp.com/born; and then go to Products A-Z. If already a member, click on www.naturessunshine.com. If you want to get member prices and you need to be sponsored use account 204150.
If you have any questions or comments, please email me, or for an appointment Call: 248-559-6763.
If you do not wish to get this e-brief, let me know by clicking reply.
If you find it valuable—send it on. This email is for information only. It is not intended to diagnose nor prescribe as that is the realm of a medical doctor. If you have specific symptoms, see an appropriate health professional. Please seek the advice of a health practitioner for specific ailments
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Herbal eGram #722 Brain Fog
Good Morning!
This is a feeling that your thinking isn’t quite as sharp as it should be. The Chinese refer to it as “muddled thinking”. It’s much like the feeling of your brain in quicksand. Most of us at some point in our life have experienced this feeling. Even if it is just forgetting where you last put your keys or glasses. It is frustrating! When your brain clears it is quite a blessing.
There are many reasons for brain fog. Medications can “numb” the brain. In fact, this is the desired effects of most anti-anxiety drugs. It’s probably the primary reason people don’t like taking these types of medication long term. Medication can be necessary at times because dealing with reality is too hurtful. But eventually one must deal with the circumstances. Finding a good therapist to guide you is very important. I’ve also found great benefit in energy medicine such as Essential oils and Flower essences. Nutritional support for the nervous system is also important.
Other reasons may be diet related. There is some evidence that eating sugar feeds yeast and that systemic yeast can be a contributing factor in brain fog. A diet that emphasizes lean organic meats, vegetables, some fruits, nuts, seeds and free range chicken eggs will go a long way in supporting better nutrition. Some people can also eat a few specific dairy products, like non sweetened yogurt, and grass-fed butter. Sugar, grains, corn, potatoes, peanuts, pistachios, alcohol and other carb-laden and starchy foods are eliminated, as are most processed foods. You may be surprised at what simply changing your diet will do for your mental clarity and any other issues you might be experiencing. The key is eliminating sugar and sugar substitutes as these feed yeast.
Brain fog can even be the result of an imbalance in neurotransmitters not getting the nutrients needed to function properly. It is a symptom associated with PTSD, anxiety and other stress related conditions. Some women even experience this to some degree during pregnancy. Eating healthy and taking supplements that support nervous system health such as B vitamins like those found in Nutri-Calm have been shown to be quite supportive in eliminating these uncomfortable issues.
This past Saturday we explored some of the ways we can support our neurotransmitters more effectively through diet and nutrition. Watch for the link to the recorded class, or send me an email if you would like to have the handout pdf. Neurotransmitters are messengers that may signal incorrectly and the message received is skewed. We can misunderstand what a person is trying to communicate and instead of searching for clarity, we may jump to the wrong conclusion.
There is a great little movie out called: Inside Out that explores how our emotions affect our actions. The one thing it doesn’t relate is that you do have control over response. Emotions come to us from a triggering mechanism. We often cannot control how we feel but we can control how we respond to our feelings. This is developing the Pause. Whenever you feel angry, anxious, depressed and you feel that a response is necessary…take a few deep breaths. Ask yourself is this really what is happening or am I basing this feeling on past issues? Often times the trigger is digging up how we felt about an incident that happened in the past and not what is really happening now.
When we feel anxious about something it is helpful to initiate the pause by taking a deep breath and telling ourselves that we need to remain calm. When anxiety takes hold the thought process is hampered. So, it is important to reason with ourselves while thinking is still an option. Once emotions take hold it is like a vortex and it is much more difficult to push through a vortex to get to reasoning. Practicing the pause by taking a deep breath and perhaps removing yourself from the situation can get you to a place that helps you regain reason.
You cannot reason out fear. The scary monster in the closet knows when adults are present and it won’t show itself until the lights are out and you’re alone. The way the monster disappears is when you laugh at it. Laughter is the enemy of fear. Sometimes fear is important because it helps us be safe but sometimes it can override reason and that is when we need to examine whether it is real or perceived.
90 percent of serotonin receptor sites are in the gut. If one feeds the gut properly and encourages good gut health, the brain will also be fed properly giving you the thoughts you need to experience joy and all the good things of life. Junk food encourages a “junk life”.
Spread the good word!
Dr. Mary
Yours, For The Health Of It!
Mary Born, ND CNHP CNC
Mary@bornforhealth.com
For more info on other products, and how to get them at wholesale direct (member cost) click:
http://www.mynsp.com/born; and then go to Products A-Z. If already a member, click on www.naturessunshine.com. If you want to get member prices and you need to be sponsored use account 204150.
If you have any questions or comments, please email me, or for an appointment Call: 248-559-6763.
If you do not wish to get this e-brief, let me know by clicking reply.
If you find it valuable—send it on. This email is for information only. It is not intended to diagnose nor prescribe as that is the realm of a medical doctor. If you have specific symptoms, see an appropriate health professional. Please seek the advice of a health practitioner for specific ailments
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Herbal eGram #721 Wisdom
Good Morning!
In many cultures older people are looked at as the “wise ones”. They are sometimes called sage. I love sage. I like growing it and cooking with it. Before there was refrigeration, people used herbs like sage to preserve meat and keep it from spoiling. Sage is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and astringent. Medicinally it has been used for centuries to improve circulation and facilitate healing. Perhaps using sage will help preserve us.
When you’ve achieved 7 decades, as I have, you tend to see history repeat itself. Yes, in styles but also in mistakes. If you’re smart you learn not to make the same mistake twice. If you are really smart you seek council so that you don’t make a mistake to begin with. Whenever I resource something I will always try to look at several different sites to make sure that they aren’t just repeating the same source. There is a lot of information available on the internet and not all of it is reliable. Most of it is slanted in some way. And experts can be bought to “prove” the advantage of certain ideas. Even experts make mistakes. The weather forecasted 0% chance of rain today and as I am writing this it is pouring outside! So, sometimes after you seek council you need to check with your inner knowing.
Medical mistakes are often life changing. Once you remove something you can’t “regrow” it. When something damages our nervous system, it is difficult (and maybe impossible) to correct it. When you’re young you think yourself invincible and you try all sorts of things. Sometimes they have negative effects and sometimes (if you’re lucky) there are no known effects. Sometimes it takes years before the effect actually shows up as symptoms. There is that feeling of, “it won’t happen to me”. But, if you are wise you think about something before you just act on it.
Those of you who know me know that I am not in favor of vaccines. When something is injected into the body there is no time for the immune system to prepare; it must act immediately. There is no vaccine made that doesn’t have additives and adjuvants (accelerators). These chemicals can disrupt the nervous system and create lasting and long term changes. Some people are more susceptible to these chemicals than others. It is like Russian Roulette. I’m just not willing to subject my body to this kind of exposure especially when I’m not convinced it is for my good health.
The fact that there are vaccine injuries to the nervous system should cause us to question their safety. Most vaccines come in multiples such as the MMR and nobody ever gets all of those at once in a natural setting. A child might get the measles but when did you ever hear of someone getting mumps and measles? And yet we expect our immune system to know what to do with that vaccine.
I feel that building the immune system and keeping your nervous system as healthy as possible is much more proactive than getting a vaccine. If you look at the history of where vaccines were made mandatory, there were still outbreaks. If the vaccine were totally effective, how could that happen? And what about boosters? If you get the measles naturally, you never have to get a booster, you are immune for life. When you are vaccinated it only lasts for a short time and then you need to be re-vaccinated.
This is making someone very rich! Look at how many vaccines a child needs to be eligible to enter school. 49 doses of 14 vaccines before the age of 6! An epidemic of chronic disease and disability is plaguing America’s children, who are the most highly vaccinated children in the world and also among the most chronically ill and disabled. Today, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that 1 child in 6 in America suffers with learning disabilities while millions more suffer with asthma, diabetes and other chronic allergic and autoimmune diseases. The epidemic of chronic disease and disability among children has increased dramatically in the past five decades.
When my boys were growing up one in 27 children had asthma; now one child in 9 are diagnosed with asthma. Learning disabilities were rare but now: one child in 50 develops autism (and more have nervous system related conditions such as OCD, Panic Disorder, ADHD, Sensory perceptive disorder and many more). It isn’t because diagnostic techniques have become more sophisticated. Something is affecting our children’s nervous systems.
John F Welch, Jr. (GE Leader) wrote: “Either control your own destiny, or someone else will!”
Spread the good word!
Dr. Mary
Yours, For The Health Of It!
Mary Born, ND CNHP CNC
Mary@bornforhealth.com
For more info on other products, and how to get them at wholesale direct (member cost) click:
http://www.mynsp.com/born; and then go to Products A-Z. If already a member, click on www.naturessunshine.com. If you want to get member prices and you need to be sponsored use account 204150.
If you have any questions or comments, please email me, or for an appointment Call: 248-559-6763.
If you do not wish to get this e-brief, let me know by clicking reply.
If you find it valuable—send it on. This email is for information only. It is not intended to diagnose nor prescribe as that is the realm of a medical doctor. If you have specific symptoms, see an appropriate health professional. Please seek the advice of a health practitioner for specific ailments
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Herbal eGram #720 Purse lane
Good Morning!
Many women love purses. I tend to keep to small bags and don’t change to a different one unless it is a really special occasion. Large purses are much in fashion, but for me, they just fill up with junk and weigh heavily on my shoulder. The pulling down on one shoulder can throw off your posture creating a cascade of problems. I also don’t wear ridiculous high heels. So, I’m probably not what one would call a slave to fashion. I also don’t have back pain and bunions.
Purslane is a weed but it is also a valuable herb. I have a picture of it below. If you find this growing in your yard, or some place that hasn’t been sprayed with chemicals be sure to pick a leaf and munch on it. I think you might be pleased at the succulent taste that explodes in your mouth.
This little plant is loaded with nutrition. It is one of the few land sources that is high in Omega 3 essential fatty acids. It is also rich in minerals, vitamins such as the antioxidants ones of A, C and E. It is very cooling and soothing—something to cherish during this hot time of year. Most weeds are packed with valuable nutrition because they seem to be able to suck nutrition out of whatever environment they grow in. Some weeds grow in the worst environments and can have great value to those who also live in that environment.
Many people spend lots of money buying organic when they could be getting some of their nutrition for free! It would be difficult to get all your food from weeds, but if you added some of the ones I’ve talked about recently to your salads you would be adding a source of high dense nutrition without draining your budget. You could pick some dandelion leaves and throw them in your smoothie before you blend it up. The interesting thing is: you don’t need a lot to increase the food value.
Chinese medicine includes this in formulas for treating infections or bleeding of the genito-urinary tract. It is great in salads or just picking some and snacking. Purslane is one of the herbs found in the remedy: VS-C for viral infections of all kind. Dandelion root is also included in this formula. When the root is used the intensity of the food is generally multiplied. The root of dandelion encourages beneficial strains of bacteria to grow in the gut. This increased health of the gut has been shown to discourage cancer from taking hold (according to the World Journal of Gastroenterology, 2005).
Munch on some of the weeds like dandelion leaves, Purslane, Chamomile, garlic (the flower heads are particularly wonderful in salads and stir fry), Rosemary, Sage and Thyme. Some of these are considered “kitchen herbs” but they generally are medicinal as well.
Spread the good word!
Dr. Mary
Yours, For The Health Of It!
Mary Born, ND CNHP CNC
Mary@bornforhealth.com
For more info on other products, and how to get them at wholesale direct (member cost) click:
http://www.mynsp.com/born; and then go to Products A-Z. If already a member, click on www.naturessunshine.com. If you want to get member prices and you need to be sponsored use account 204150.
If you have any questions or comments, please email me, or for an appointment Call: 248-559-6763.
If you do not wish to get this e-brief, let me know by clicking reply.
If you find it valuable—send it on. This email is for information only. It is not intended to diagnose nor prescribe as that is the realm of a medical doctor. If you have specific symptoms, see an appropriate health professional. Please seek the advice of a health practitioner for specific ailments
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Herbal eGram #719 Bite me!
Good Morning!
One of the things about summer most people dislike is bug bites. The worst one can do is scratch or rub them as this further spreads the toxins the bug has injected. Trying to ignore it doesn’t work well. Ice will sometimes help calm the inflammatory response. But, what I have found works extremely well is Tei Fu Oil. This ancient Chinese remedy works wonders on bug bites. Most websites state you should wash the bite but if you aren’t near water, tapping Tei Fu onto the spot works as an antiseptic as well as calms inflammation.
The lotion works well for achy muscles and has a pain relieving element that is very effective. You can also add a drop of clove oil to the cream (it contains some but I like to add more) and make it even more effective as a pain reliever. It has been used on sunburn and cuts. Clove has a numbing effect. Historically clove was used as a treatment in dental offices.
The bottle is very small and you only need a drop or two for amazing benefits. I usually have one of the oil bottles in my purse, medicine chest and car. It fits well into a pocket or briefcase. Rub some Tei Fu into the palms of your hands and then cup your hands around your nose –take a deep breath. Be careful as the menthol can also make your eyes water (which if you have dry eyes might be a welcome side benefit). and open those clogged sinuses!
Placing the palm of your essential oil blended hand on the back of your neck or hairline can relieve achy necks and/or headache. It can increase circulation and that can help with conditions that are inflamed. People with arthritis have noticed a huge improvement when massaging the cream into their hands, knees, shoulders etc. Since it helps to improve circulation it may also be of benefit in moving fluids out of tissue spaces.
Whenever I fly I use peppermint oil or Tei fu (a dab or two) on my ankles to prevent swelling. I will generally re-apply after a couple of hours and this has worked very well for me. My husband has a challenge with Deep Vein Thrombosis and it works well to keep circulation going during flights or extended car rides.
Although it is generally used as a topical I know several people who have been able to tap some onto the back of their throat and relieve sore throat and laryngitis. It really soothes and calms inflammation of skin and the throat is skin. It is sort of like a cough drop without all the sugar and calories.
Other bug bites can be quite serious as their venom can be toxic and impair the immune system such as ticks and others that can shut down the liver as in the brown recluse spider. Making sure your body is healthy is a good way to minimize the effects of any bug bite. If you are allergic and you notice trouble breathing make sure you call 911 or have appropriate medicine on hand for those types of emergencies.
My neighbor was stung by several bees and she is very sensitive to bee stings. She usually uses Benadryl but she decided to try opening a Histablock capsule, empty the contents onto her tongue and then swallow 4 more capsules and she never had the throat closure she usual gets when stung. She never ended up using the Benadryl even though she clutched it all the way to the emergency room. She also didn’t need further treatment but went just in case. Histablock is an herbal antihistamine supplement that works fast to stop the mast cells from over producing histamines.
Some weeds are also good for bug bites. Chewing on a leaf of the plantain plant and then putting it on a bite also works well if you are in the woods and have no other application handy. Here is a link for other uses: http://wellnessmama.com/4638/plantain-herb-profile/
Eating weeds in salads and cooking is a good way to get dense nutrition. Taking a course on which weeds are beneficial is easy as there are many on line that you can view. I love finding out the gifts mother nature has bestowed upon us and how they can be a part of our daily nutritional intake. I use violet flowers, purslane, dandelion and many other weeds as part of my food. You can blend them into smoothies and even the pickiest eater won’t know they are there. The best part of these is the fact they are free. You need to make sure nobody has sprayed them and that they are safe (which most of the garden weeds are).
Yours, For The Health of It,
Dr. Mary
Mary Born, ND CNHP CNC
Mary@bornforhealth.com
For more info on other products, and how to get them at wholesale direct (member cost) click: http://www.mynsp.com/born; and then go to Products A-Z. If already a member, click on www.naturessunshine.com.
If you want to get member prices you need to be Sponsored with account 204150 If you have any questions or comments, please email me: DrMary@BornForHealth.com, or for an appointment Call: 248-559-6763.
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose nor prescribe as that is the realm of a medical doctor. If you have specific symptoms, see an appropriate health professional.
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Herbal eGram #718 Plantain
Good Morning!
Plantain weed shares its name with a banana like fruit that is usually cooked. The Herb or “weed” Plantago major was named one of the 5 healthiest backyard herbs by LiveScience. It is a broad leaf plant that shoots up stalks loaded with tiny seeds.
It is nutritionally dense in iron and other vitamins and minerals. The young leaves can be torn and put into salads. It is comparable to dandelion leaf in both nutrition and in taste.
Plantain herb can be cooked and eaten as any other green. These greens can provide the body with a wonderful source of rich nutrients that help in repair and building healthy cells. Plantain is used medicinally for a variety of internal ailments including chronic urinary tract infections, nervous tension gastric ulcers, and sinusitis. It has a bowel clearing effect which means it can either soothe diarrhea or aid in constipation. It actually works to help balance bacteria in the gut.
The leaves can be juiced by itself with a little apple for taste, or other veggies like carrot or beet. It can be added to smoothies by first chopping fine and then blended with your favorite smoothie mix such as Nature’s Harvest or Love and Peas. This will really kick up the nutritional value of your drink!
It is frequently used medicinally as a topical agent. The leaves are astringent and anti-inflammatory. If you are stung by a bee or mosquito, pick a leaf and (after dusting it off and making sure nobody has sprayed it) put it in your mouth; chew it and then place the masticated leaf on the wound. Within minutes it will calm the inflammation and begin healing. Some people have reported that when they took the leaf off after 10-15 minutes they saw the stinger from the bee.
You can chop the leaves fine with a bit of water and aloe to make a poultice and apply it to shingles rash or even poison ivy and the itching will be relieved. In fact, some herbalists say that wherever poison ivy grows you will also find some Plantain. (Isn’t’ nature marvelous?)
Plantain is found in Bone/Skin Poultice and taken internally this recipe will help the body heal from broken bones mending the bones twice as fast and deterring inflammation and pain in the process. I like to recommend this product to be one you keep on your medicine shelf because you can easily open a capsule and use it for any of the above topical applications as well as taking the capsule internally. It can soothe the digestive tract; relieve muscle aches and strain and even help calm nervous tension.
This herb is also found as part of the recipe for Intestinal Soothe and Build which is a very popular and effective intestinal soothing product. Many people have benefitted by taking this 15 minutes before eating to stop spasms that occur with irritated intestines. I love Intestinal Soothe and Build and recommend it often to help the body’s intestinal system heal. The best way to use it is as above before 3 meals each day. You also want to put back the healthy bacteria and that should happen upon rising and before bed (away from food). Most people do well with Probiotic Eleven or Bifidophilus Flora Force.
Plantain grows a stalk of tightly packed seeds and these seeds when matured are Psyllium. Most Psyllium comes from a specific type of plantain and it is used as a bulking agent to assist with constipation. The trick in using Psyllium is that you drink enough water as the seed and hulls can absorb many times their weight in water. If you don’t drink enough water the Psyllium powder it will bind up in the bowel. It is recommended that you mix the Psyllium in water but if you prefer taking the capsule make sure you are drinking at least 8 ounces when taking the capsule and then follow it with another 8 ounces of water.
Taking Psyllium every day can have several health benefits. It is taken on an empty stomach and if you take it 15-20 minutes before a meal can help you feel full and therefore is a great dietary aid. There have been studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showing that Psyllium can slow down the release of insulin and therefore support healthy blood glucose levels. Psyllium also helps to absorb toxic fat and therefore some people have reported reduced cholesterol levels when taking this fiber before meals or in between meals. It can interfere with absorbing good fats so don’t take your Omega oil supplements at the same time as taking Psyllium.
Let me know your story about either Plantain or Psyllium!
Yours, For The Health of It,
Dr. Mary
Mary Born, ND CNHP CNC
Mary@bornforhealth.com
For more info on other products, and how to get them at wholesale direct (member cost) click: http://www.mynsp.com/born; and then go to Products A-Z. If already a member, click on www.naturessunshine.com.
If you want to get member prices you need to be Sponsored with account 204150 If you have any questions or comments, please email me: DrMary@BornForHealth.com, or for an appointment Call: 248-559-6763.
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose nor prescribe as that is the realm of a medical doctor. If you have specific symptoms, see an appropriate health professional.
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Herbal eGram #717 Eat your weeds
Good Morning!
We don’t kill our weeds. Much of my lawn is made up of weeds. Some are very annoying. Creeping Charlie is a round leafed vine that creeps along the grass getting into flower beds and when you pull it the vine can be as long as a yard. It leaves hair like roots that eventually grow more plants. Although I find it frustrating, I’ve learned that it was brought into this country as a medicinal herb. For several thousand years (that’s right—thousands!), it was one of the most popular remedies for coughs and nervous headaches. At one time, it was used as a blood purifier. However, other herbs took its place in that department.
Self-Heal is another herb that grows profusely in my lawn. It has little delicate purple flowers. It is actually called, Prunella Vulgarus and we also have it at our Southfield office. I think many of you may have it as well. Self-heal is edible: the young leaves and stems can be eaten raw in salads; the whole plant can be boiled and eaten as a potherb; and the aerial parts of the plant can be powdered and brewed in a cold infusion to make a beverage. Medicinally it is used as a tea for sore throat, fever, diarrhea, internal bleeding, and to alleviate liver and heart maladies. Topically, a poultice of the plant is applied to irritated skin, as from stinging nettle toxins.
I also intentionally grow herbal plants that I use mostly for culinary purposes but comfrey is one that I have used medicinally. It is known as “bone-knitter” because used as a tea or compress it can help heal tissue faster and when used as a tea can help broken bones “knit” together quicker. It is anti-inflammatory and the leaves are very high in Calcium. I don’t particularly like the taste of the tea alone so I usually mix it with red raspberry leaves and mint. I generally dry them and then blend them all together. It is wonderful cold or hot.
I’ve used comfrey in compresses and it has helped in many situations where tissue has been damaged. I’ve used it for sprains (hips, ankles etc.) and it is especially helpful to heal after birthing a baby. I generally will blend the fresh leaves with aloe gel and make a poultice that has the consistency of chopped cooked spinach. I drop a tablespoon of this mixture onto an opened sterilized square gauze pad and then fold it until it is about 3 inches square. I then flatten it out and freeze them in individual plastic zip lock bags. It then is easy to remove them from the freezer. Take them out of the bag and place them on the wounded area. As it warms it may leak so you can wrap it with plastic wrap or place a larger gauze pad over it and tape it in place. (For after birth you can just use a sanitary napkin). The coldness of it immediately calms the inflammation and then the comfrey continues to help heal.
One of the herbs I grow and love is called Melissa or lemon balm. It smells just like lemons and I use it to wrap around fish and then wrap with parchment and finally aluminum foil. I never let aluminum foil close to my food. I always use a parchment barrier. Aluminum is not something you want in your body and some does go into the food when you cook with it.
Back to Lemon Balm: Lemon Balm was dedicated to the goddess Diana, and used medicinally by the Greeks some 2,000 years ago. In the Middles Ages lemon balm was used to soothe tension, to dress wounds, and as a cure for toothache, skin eruptions, mad dog bites, crooked necks, and sickness during pregnancy. It was even said to prevent baldness. As a medicinal plant, lemon balm has traditionally been employed against bronchial inflammation, earache, fever, flatulence, headaches, high blood pressure, influenza, mood disorders, palpitations, toothache and vomiting. A tea made from Lemon balm leaves is said to soothe menstrual cramps and helps relieve PMS.
I love herbs! I generally only use Nature’s Sunshine’s when looking for consistent results as I can count on the quality being the same and dosage is easier when you have exactly the same value each time. Many weeds are herbs that we just don’t know the value of and so we try to get rid of them instead of understanding them and using them. Many herbs have a history of use that date back thousands of years. Most pharmaceutical medicines do not have a history of safety such as that. In fact, fifty percent of the medicines used are recalled after only 5 years of use. The reason for this is when you use a pharmaceutical it is not time tested on humans! It is generally used on humans for a brief period of time and safety cannot be tested in just a couple of targeted tests.
I don’t use drugs. I try very hard to use only natural remedies when I need them, even for pain. I would much rather used Silver shield than an antibiotic but occasionally something is so drastic that one has to use a pharmaceutical. I don’t believe in treating the symptom but addressing the cause. If you treat the symptom the cause may just give you a bigger symptom because you aren’t listening to what your body is trying to tell you.
I think one of the memories my granddaughter, Sarah will recall about me is munching on my weeds, especially lemon balm and mint. Both Sarah and Jessica learned to eat weeds and still enjoy violet flowers in their salads and dropping mint leaves in their tea.
Learn about the health benefits of weeds. They are cheap nutritious food.
Yours, For The Health of It,
Dr. Mary
Mary Born, ND CNHP CNC
Mary@bornforhealth.com
For more info on other products, and how to get them at wholesale direct (member cost) click: http://www.mynsp.com/born; and then go to Products A-Z. If already a member, click on www.naturessunshine.com.
If you want to get member prices you need to be Sponsored with account 204150 If you have any questions or comments, please email me: DrMary@BornForHealth.com, or for an appointment Call: 248-559-6763.
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose nor prescribe as that is the realm of a medical doctor. If you have specific symptoms, see an appropriate health professional.
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