Natural Health and Herbal Remedies Blog – information on herbal medicine

Those who suffer from stomach and intestinal problems and those with circulatory disturbances have a splendid food supplement in yeast extract. In fact, yeast fulfils the requirements the ancient medical researchers looked for in food: that food should be remedy and a remedy should be food.

At one time barm or beer yeast was used to produce yeast extract, but its bitter taste, which cannot be completely eliminated without altering its health value, led to this method being replaced by a precultured and special control method, usually using molasses as a base. So, if possible, obtain the cultured extract.

Herbaforce and Plantaforce are yeast extracts enriched with juices from organically grown herbs and vegetables. Their taste and flavour are superb. Herbaforce is especially suitable for use as a sandwich spread.

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However intensively one may campaign against the use of white flour and other refined foods, there is still far too little attention given to the fact that cereal deprived of its germ and bran is no longer a health food. Vitamins, minerals, highly valuable oils and other substances are no longer present in refined flour. As a result, it is not the least bit surprising that the general standard of nutrition is decreasing despite the abundance of other varieties of food. Even though many may not want to see that the health and physical strength of the people are drastically reduced when white flour, white sugar and other refined products are the common fare, the facts cannot be denied. Modern nutritionists and researchers tell us clearly that minerals and vitamins are essential to good health, yet what do we do? Most of us simply ignore such clear-cut statements based on scientific research.

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One kilogram (2.2 lb) of carrots contains approximately 2.5 g potassium, about 300 mg calcium, 6 mg iron and 0.6 mg copper. If you consider the importance to our blood of iron and copper in organic form, that is, from plants, you will have every reason to give your children plenty of carrots or Biocarottin. Moreover, it is good to know that there are about 300 mg of phosphorus in every kilogram of carrots, and we all appreciate the significance of phosphorus for the brain, particularly our memory. Carrots are also good for the glands because of their content of iodine. Furthermore, they are a source of magnesium and cobalt, as well as carotene (provitamin A) at the rate of 70 mg per kilogram of carrots.

Carotene is extremely important in our effort to keep the cellular system healthy and the digestive organs functioning efficiently. It promotes healthy growth and the development of strong, resistant teeth. In fact, vitamin A, that is, carotene, together with calcium and vitamin D, contributes considerably to good teeth.

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As already stated, fasting is an excellent means of resting the pancreas. Moreover, whatever the patient eats, it is important to ingest small quantities, chew everything thoroughly and insalivate well before swallowing. These are inexpensive ways and means of supporting the pancreas in the healing process. If you feel a slight pain after eating, you have probably had something that did not agree with you, did not chew your food well enough, drank too fast or ate too much. The answer to the problem is in the patient himself; he should watch himself carefully to avoid unpleasant reactions.

Regular deep-breathing exercises, with diaphragm-breathing, practised in the open air are also effective and promote the healing process at the same time. In conclusion, then, breathing exercises, together with a proper diet, warm water therapy and moist hot herbal packs, will help to rectify any condition where the pancreas is weak or upset. Many a serious, chronic ailment can be prevented if its proper function is restored. All it needs is a little understanding and perseverance with the treatment.

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Even more dangerous than the cattle tapeworm, which can reach a length of several metres, is the dog tapeworm, of the genus Echinococcus. It is only about 5-6 mm (lA inch) long but its size bears no relationship to its danger, for this little worm is capable of causing greater damage than the much longer cattle tapeworm. Although called the dog tapeworm, it has been known to infest sheep, goats, pigs and even cattle. When this happens, blisters the size of a walnut form in the lungs of cattle, and in the case of swine, these formations are found in the liver. The Swiss Information Service to Physicians reported that in 1963, for example, 508 cattle and 62 swine brought into the Zurich abattoir were infested with the Echinococcus. As far as domestic animals and pets are concerned, extreme precautions need to be taken, especially with dogs and cats. Adults who are otherwise meticulously clean, are often offended when reminded to be careful when handling pets. They think nothing of patting their pets while eating. But it is unwise to do this. Neither should we allow a dog or cat to lick the hand or the face, because of the danger attached to it. What is more, young animals, puppies and kittens, should be trained not to do so. To minimise the risk of infection, dog owners would be wise to abstain from feeding raw lungs or liver to their dogs. After a long journey, perhaps abroad, check your dog’s faeces, since 7-8 weeks after infection small flecks with thousands of eggs may be seen. You certainly cannot be called over-fussy for taking such proper care and precautions in the interest of your health.

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In the past it was thought that being underweight was caused by an insufficient intake of food and that eating too much resulted in obesity. However, there are some people who eat a lot and remain extraordinarily thin, and others who eat very little and still put on weight. Everything, they say, turns to fat!

Meanwhile, research has shown that dysfunction of the endocrine glands, the glands with internal secretions, is largely responsible for both excessive corpulence and thinness. These glands are, primarily, the pituitary, the ovaries, the testicles and the thyroid. Their overactivity or imbalance usually leads to thinness, while their insufficiency (or underactivity) leads to corpulence. It has been observed that removal of the ovaries, or a disease causing ovarian insufficiency, causes a person to put on weight. Obesity following the menopause confirms the truth of this statement. Typical examples are the inhabitants of southern climates. How slim and supple the Italian or the Latin and South American girls are in the early prime of life. But as soon as the glandular secretions diminish, which is usually at a much earlier age in hot countries, they become plump. If the older generation is stout, stolid and comfortable, the reason for this can be traced to the insufficient functioning of the endocrine glands and, more than anything else, the sluggishness of the ovaries. In such cases sitz baths and other therapies which stimulate the ovaries (see below) would be of immense help towards reducing corpulence.

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Being a bed-wetter is always upsetting for the healthy, intelligent child, as well as for the handicapped one. Hence, no effort should be spared to cure the child’s problem. A child whose health leaves much to be desired and who may not be so quick mentally has enough to put up with and will feel even more helpless when nothing seems to go right. Bed-wetting also means an added burden to a child suffering from cerebral palsy. So there are sufficient reasons to make use of all available natural remedies to strengthen the bladder and kidneys. In addition to these, the child must be given biological calcium and silica, but only from plants.

In order to treat the various factors involved in bed-wetting, the following remedies are recommended: kidney tea, Cystoforce Bladder Drops, Galeopsis, Usneasan and Urticalcin. The treatment must be supported by an appropriate diet, low in salt and fat. The diet should consist of brown rice and millet, together with vegetables and salads. At the same time a glass of fresh carrot juice should be taken daily. As with all types of liquid, it should be sipped slowly and well insalivated. Train the child to chew well so that the food becomes properly mixed with saliva so as to promote good digestion. No fluids should be given to the child after 4 p.m.

Considerable improvement can be brought about in time through physical therapy. A warm and moist compress of hay flowers placed daily on the lower abdomen stimulates the blood circulation of the urinary organs. From time to time the child should be given a sitz bath with a decoction of hay flowers or horsetail added to the water. But make sure that the child does not start shivering or even get cold. His whole body should be kept warm by covering the tub with large towels, protecting the parts of the body that are not under the water, or by heating the bathroom.

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The ever-increasing pace that characterises our modern way of life is one of the worst poisons for our heart. Even though, for the most part, individual productivity has not exceeded that of former times, it has become the custom to cram too many activities, especially those connected with our job, into a short space of time. Related to this, of course, is the shortened working week which has become so popular. The resulting free time is hardly ever used in a wholesome recreational or relaxing way such as pursuing a hobby, say working on an arts and crafts project, listening to good music, acquiring more knowledge through a study course or some other favourite subject or activity. Instead, we continue at the same hectic pace we use for work and seem to find enjoyment at weekends in the midst of the mad world of crowded motorways.

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Sweet Basil Ocymum basilicum

Bush Basil Ocymum minimum LABIATAE

Basil has been called the king of all the herbs. Its name has been attributed to two different origins, some writers saying it comes from basileus, Greek for “king”, but basilicus—basilisk, the old name for serpent—could refer to its reputation for counteracting poison from the bite or sting of a venomous creature.

The plant originally came from India, where it was sacred to Vishnu and Shiva, and a pot grew in every courtyard. By some, it was called the “herb of poverty”, giving its protection to those poor and in want.

As its use spread into the Mediterranean countries, its legends grew and changed. In Italy, it stood for “love”, and was called “Kiss me, Nicholas”; while in Greece it meant “hate”, and a sprig given to a man meant “Be wary, someone is plotting against you.” The Greeks and Romans very seldom agreed about anything. It also figured in Jewish lore, sprigs of basil being held in the hand to give strength when fasting. All its legendary users agreed that it was its strength that was so impressive.

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Food for the young plants is best put into the soil before they are set out, particularly with a perennial bed, which will not be disturbed again for several years. I have found the only fertilizers to use are the natural organic manures and compost. All my own herbs are organically grown, with no chemical or synthetic fertilizers and no dangerous sprays, so their feeding is completely natural and their flavour and aroma unchanged.

Blood and bone, in my opinion, is still the best concentrated food to be deeply dug into the soil when preparing the bed, for its nutriment is released more slowly, and is available to the plants over a longer period. Dig down or break up the soil to a depth of 18 inches or 2 feet if possible. It will repay you in allowing strong, free-ranging root systems to penetrate the soil freely. Into this loosened bed dig blood and bone at the rate of about 5 pounds to a circular bed 12 to 15 feet in diameter. A smaller bed should have about 4 or 5 handfuls per square yard well dug into the loosened top 8 to 12 inches of soil. This is fairly heavy feeding, and if your soil is rich and full of humus already, less blood and bone will suffice. Do not overfeed: this is the worst possible treatment for herbs. You will have abundant growth, yes, but less flavour and aroma, more susceptibility to insect pests and diseases, and in many cases no flowering at all. The best herb plants for any use whatsoever are those with good bbasic feeding to start with. Then do not disturb them, but let their flavour and oil content mature slowly as they grow. The most flavourful thymes and marjoram are the little woody plants, not the leggy, overfed giants which the caterpillars will love as much as you do.

When the plants are set out, spread a layer of coarse compost material (peat-moss will pinch-hit for compost if you don’t have a bin ready) and fork it loosely into the top few inches of soil. This will stop the soil caking and crusting when watered, and will give the roots near the surface some loose material in which to spread.

If possible, give herbs only natural foods, and avoid the instant dissolvable fertilizers: they tend to upset the powerful little mineral and vitamin factories of the herb plants themselves, and can even be fatal. Regular dressings of organic compost, forked lightly into the top-soil, duplicate the natural conditions under which all the plants grow best.

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