The Healing Power of Herbs

By Candace Booth, ND, PhD, CNC, SHC

When I began the course work to complete my degrees in alternative medicine, I was required to study herbs -- their actions and the healing power they can exert on the body. I was amazed to learn there is something in nature for almost any malady that mankind might suffer.

In addition, when you correct wrong living habits, add a nutritious whole foods diet along with cleansing and building herbs, you would be surprised how fast your body can heal from most chronic diseases.

Let me list a host of reasons why herbal remedies work both effectively and efficiently for chronic disease states -- and in many instances, over time, will allow you to come off some, if not all, prescription drugs:

• Herbs support living cells offering the body nourishment it does not always receive.
• Plants are not static inorganic objects, but living, breathing evolving beings like we are.
• The healing constituent of plants can come from the leaf, fruit, bark, flower or root.
• As medicine, herbs are balancers that work with body functions so the body can heal and regulate itself.
• The body will always try to work toward homeostasis (balance) as long as there are living cells and proper nutrients provided.
• Herbal medicines can be broad based for overall support of a specific problem -- not just going to the symptom, but addressing the cause of a particular problem.
• Herbs provide a variety of healing agents with almost no side effects. However, like food, they should be used in moderation.
• Herbs in their whole form ARE NOT DRUGS! Herbal medicines work differently. They are foundation nutrients, working to normalize, balance and support. This means that results can take longer -- but even so, improvements from herbal treatments can be felt in 3-6 days.
• Herbal combinations (2 or more herbs blended together synergistically) are not addictive, but they are powerful nutritional agents. A combination remedy allows inclusion of herbs that can work at different stages of need.
• All herbs have several actions -- they don't do just one thing.
• Herbs are food. They have their own source of enzymes and work with the body's natural enzyme activity. Herbs let your body do its own work.

You may not be aware that two thirds of the drugs on the US market today are based on medicinal plants. But, herb-based drugs are NOT herbs by the time the pharmaceutical companies get through with them. They are chemicals! Even when a drug is derived from an herb, it is so refined, isolated and purified that only a chemical formula remains.

If you are interested in beginning a program of herbal remedies, it is important to speak with a professional in the field of natural health. He or she can guide you on which herbs should be used for certain conditions, how much to take and for how long, and whether they will interact with any prescription drug.

Just as with prescription drugs, alternative treatments are highly individual. But all herbs work better when combined with a healthy whole foods diet. Subtle healing activity is more effective when it doesn't have to labor through excess waste material, mucus, or junk food accumulation.

[Ed. Note: Candace Booth holds a Doctor of Naturopathy degree and a PhD in nutrition. She has a natural health consulting practice In Mt. Dora, Florida. Contact her at 352-735-2966 or link to www.naturalhealthplus.biz.]

Cutting Edge Fitness: Brief Is Best By Jon Benson

So here's the million-dollar question:

What's the number one reason people do not exercise?

Is it lack of money? Lack of motivation? Perhaps they lack the ideal workout plan?
Nope. It's TIME. Or rather, the lack thereof.

"We know that 50 percent of the population doesn't [exercise] and the most commonly cited barrier to exercise is lack of time." This quote comes from exercise researcher Martin Gibala, a kinesiology professor at McMaster University in Hamilton.

Gibala put his theory to the test in a study that was published in the Journal of Physiology.¹ In it, he compared a group who exercised "traditionally" -- 90 to 120 minutes per day -- with another group exercising far less: only 20 minutes per day and only three days per week. That's a whopping one hour per week folks.

My plan calls for five workouts with resistance five days per week plus 9 minutes of a specific cardio protocol two to three days per week. If you do the math, that's about an hour per week as well. There are three levels in the 7 Minute Muscle plan depending on your goals and exercise tolerance. This is the "Level 1" workout.

Back to Gibala's study:

In just two weeks both groups showed improvement in both exercise performance and oxygen uptake. (Remember, fat burns in the presence of oxygen.)

The kicker is that both groups were almost identical in their improvement. Why? Because the brief exercise group trained with greater focus and more intensity -- exactly how I suggest you train.

This is just one of dozens of studies that confirm the benefits of shorter but more intense workouts. However, there is a catch -- train too hard and you will shut down your fat-burning furnace.

Why? Your body perceives overexertion done for an extended period of time as a sign of pursuit. It can trigger an ancient hormonal sequence that says, "I'm being chased by a tiger! Horde the fat!"

The body literally shuts down what it considers to be unnecessary activity in favor of self-preservation. And guess what? Burning off those hips and love handles is not a biological necessity.

You have to learn when to hit it hard AND when to rest and recover.

Finally, you have to put yourself into the proper mental state in order to see greater results in the shortest period of time. I devote an entire chapter to that in my book, 7 Minute Muscle.

Just remember these three key points:

1. Time is the greatest barrier to fitness.
2. Workouts can be short and very effective
3. The body goes where the mind directs.

Reference

1. http://jp.physoc.org/cgi/content/short/575/3/901.

[Ed. Note: Jon Benson is a lifecoach and nutrition counselor who specializes in helping individuals discover a life-altering mind/body connection. His work in the field of fitness and mental empowerment has helped thousands rediscover their youthful body and positive outlook. ]

Healthy Recipes: Eggs and Sausage Breakfast Casserole By Laura LaValle, RD, LD

Breakfast casseroles are handy for a make ahead low carb breakfast. Just cook at the beginning of the week and eat a slice or two each morning until it's gone. Many casserole recipes call for wheat and cow's milk dairy. Here's a wheat and dairy free version for those who need to avoid either of those two allergens.

Serves: 8
Time to Table: 30 minutes

Healing Nutrient Spotlight
Excellent source of vitamin A, phosphorus
Good source of vitamin C, calcium, iron, riboflavin, folate, vitamin B-12, pantothenic acid, selenium

Ingredients*
1 pound nitrate-free organic turkey or chicken sausage, cooked and crumbled
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 4-ounce can diced green chili peppers, drained
1 4-ounce can mushroom stems and pieces, drained
8 oz. goat's milk or sheep's milk feta cheese
12 eggs
1/2 cup unsweetened plain rice milk
2 T. rice flour
1/4 tsp. xanthan gum
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

*Select organic ingredients for optimum nutrition.

Preparation
In large glass bowl, beat eggs until thick and then stir in sausage, cheese, peppers, mushrooms, onions, rice milk, salt and pepper. Cover bowl and place in refrigerator overnight. In the morning, whisk in rice flour, baking powder and xanthan gum until well-blended. Pour into large casserole dish and bake at 350° for about 45 minutes or until eggs are set and casserole is golden-brown.

Nutrition
290 calories, 20 g total fat, 8 g saturated fat, 3 g monounsaturated fat, 1 g polyunsaturated fat, 380 mg cholesterol, 8 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 2 g sugar, 20 g protein, 1120 IU vitamin A, .2 mg riboflavin, .4 mg niacin, 1 mg pantothenic acid, .12 mg vitamin B6, .9 mcg vitamin B-12, 45 mcg folate, 7 mg vitamin C, 45 IU vitamin D, 140 mg calcium, 200 mg phosphorus, 820 mg sodium, 2.2 mg iron, 12 mcg selenium

[Ed. Note: Laura B. LaValle, RD, LD is presently the director of dietetics nutrition at LaValle Metabolic Institute (formerly part of Living Longer Institute). She offers personal nutritional counseling at LMI for clients who need help with their diet in relation to illness or disease. Laura also provides educational services in the areas of health promotion, wellness, and disease prevention.]

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These articles appear courtesy of Early to Rise’s Total Health Breakthroughs [Issue 08-19-08] which offers alternative solutions for mind, body and soul. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.totalhealthbreakthroughs.com/