How did you begin to see the light?

I became interested  in common foods and plants that make people feel better back in the early 70s when I started leaning towards the whole earthy crunchy granola type movement. I read different herbalists' books, tried making various teas and poultices and even got some gelatin capsules at the natural foods store to fill with my own formulas. (there were no capsulated herbs for sale then) I grew a few herbs even and read all I could find. I  discovered this whole history of people out there who had been using herbs for everything for a long time. My only complaint was, there did not seem to be any one way to learn about all the great remedies. One book would tell you one method or herb that you should use and the next one I read said never use that herb and this is a better way to do that. Almost became as confusing as looking stuff up on the internet today!

In the early 80s I met Bill Fage, a sort of wandering herbal hour entertainer who came to my house and gave a great talk on about a dozen or more herbs and their uses. I asked different people over and had him come again and again. It was always the same talk but I learned so much and took lots of notes.
I realized then that Nature's Sunshine Products, which is what he used, were the answer to my problems. They had a massive research and development department as well as an incredible quality control department. It impressed me that they spent no money on ads but lots on quality control. And they had a solid educational program with live seminars taught by herbalists and natural practitioners  that I could ask questions of.
After using their products and actually getting excellent results over and over I was hooked. And so it all began: I studied more and more, went to lots of seminars and conventions all over the country where I could learn from the top leaders in the natural health field and earned several certifications and course completions.

Now after nearly 40 years of using herbs personally, I see herbs being used by all kinds of people in all kinds of settings. Sadly though, many of the products on the shelf are totally JUNK ( there is no regulation of herbal products)  so many people  do not know the power that real herbs can bring to your health.  How long will it take to get the message through that you must have the quality to see results?

Probiotics keep you healthy AND happy

As we blast into the winter months everyone starts worrying about getting sick. SO quit worrying and start preparing to be well. Being harassed to get the flu shot? Read about the pros and cons at www.NVIC.org . If you are not interested in the shot and people continue to try to lay a guilt trip on you because “You endanger everyone by not getting it”. Simply ask these people “Did you get the shot? If it’s so effective than you should be protected, so why are you worried that you will catch something from ME?”

Then let them know you ARE strengthening your immune system by feeding it the things this important body system needs. Science now tells us 75-80% of the immune system is the good bacteria (also known as  probiotics) in your intestines. These powerful living bacteria can be weakened by antibiotics, birth control pills, steroid use, and many other  medications as well as coffee and a poor diet high in processed foods.

Along with lots of raw foods eat foods that have good bacteria in them: some yogurts(look at label), miso soup,kefir, sauerkraut, kim chi, some olives and pickles, tempeh, even high quality dark chocolate! These help replace probiotics on a daily basis.

But if you have been prone to illness, yeast infections, mood problems or in an environment that puts you in touch with lots of sick people (attention school teachers and nurses,etc!) or if you consume things that deplete your probiotics (see list above) than you really should take CAPSULES of Probiotic 11 or Bifidophilous. Start with 2 capsules once a day. If ill or at first signs do as many as you can afford! At a lecture by a holistic MD, Dr. Rodier, he was asked, how many? He replied “If my patient NEEDS it I have them take 20 capsules twice a day” So take plenty! 

Have you heard the latest studies that show there is a nerve that runs from the gut to the brain? It showed how the amount of probiotics in the gut affected the brain and mood! They found taking more probiotics may be helpful for those with depression as well. Check out  http://mercola.com and search for “probiotics, the new prozac”

Also consider adding one of the formulas that further supports the immune function in your body. Seasonal D3fense (with vitamin D3), is a great daily formula that gets rave reviews from people who tell me “It’s the first winter I did not get sick at all!!” Immune Stimulator is powerful help to take when you feel that first sign of illness and to continue till you feel 100%. A common mistake is not taking the herbs and vitamins for long enough. Usually people feel results with in hours if using the right dose, but do not stop right away! Use the program another day or two then start tapering down over the next few days. Be prepared to ramp it up if anything comes back. Keep a big supply in the freezer- order $40 worth at my site and be eligible to get them at wholesale prices. www.herbalanswersonline.com 

Fleas! In you house, on your dog

THINGS TO USE ON THE DOG

-Flea shampoo

1 cup castile soap ( dr. Bronners peppermint)

1/8 oz pine and 1/8 oz rose oil

-Comb out fleas with metal nit comb OUTSIDE  then rinse dog with strong Rosemary infusion: 

BOil 1 qt water , turn off add 1 cup rosemary fresh or dry cover and steep till cool  

-combine 1 cup water and 40 drops citrus essential oils ( lemon, grapefruit, red mandarin, neroli) saturate dog well. can rinse off after an hour or two

-pulverize dry herbs in food processor:  wormwood fennel rue peppermint- Rub in herb powder all over dog

-Rub in Brewers yeast

-score lemon and orange peels to bring out oil and rub them on animal 

-give dog B supplement daily. 

-Add any of following to food: brewers yeast, apple cider vinegar, garlic, fennel, rue, rosemary

-make flea collar- sew long tube and stuff with rosemary and oregano herbs OR fill with Pyretheum ( this NOT ever on cats) 

OR soak a strip of fabric in lemon oil, let dry some and put on neck

ON its BED

lavender oil on bedding OR add powdered dry herbs of pennyroyal thyme wormwood rosemary inside dogs bed cover

For the House

FLOOR WASH

1 tbs liquid dish soap 

20 drops lemon oil

5 drops pennyroyal oil

1 gallon water

allow to dry then rinse with clear water

get trap at hardware that is a light with sticky stuff 

OR make your own with a shallow dish of water with a little Ivory soapy  liquid and out a light close above it 

carpet 

1 lb diatomaceous earth at nursery

8 oz table salt

2 oz peppermint leaves pulverized to powder

sprinkle on carpet let stand 1 hour then vacuum- DO NOT BREATH THE DIAT> EARTH

Drag a piece of flannel around on the floor OR yard - it will pick up fleas- wash in washer in hot water immediately