Natural Health Care Basics

Manual prepared Tamara J. Hulse

This guide is not meant to represent definitive guidelines for the treatment of illness or injury. As with any injury or health concern competent professional treatment is recommended.

The information in this manual is provided for informational and educational purposed only. It is intended to be used as a guide for consumers who are investigating Natural Health Care products and practitioners. These discussions do not constitute labeling for any products, and no claims of cure or treatment are implied beyond the hypothetical discussion of natural health care philosophies.

The information in this manual is given in the context of a natural health care discussion. It identifies common treatments used by natural health practitioners for health care challenges. It may not be construed as a health-care diagnosis, treatment regimen, or any other prescribed health-care or instruction.

Readers of this manual are encouraged to seek out professional health care consultants for their personal challenges.

Natural Health Care Basics

Basic Five Elements of Health

Air

Air quality – use air filters in your home.

Diffuse essential oils to kill airborne bacteria and viruses

Deep breathing exercises will increase oxygen to the cells and tissues of the body

Sunshine

Go outside and enjoy the morning and evening sunshine

Necessary for the synthesis of Vitamin D

Reduces the risk of cancer - Vitamin D is an anti-cancer vitamin

Mid-day – protect yourself - AVOID SUNBURNS

Water

Pure water essential for life

Avoid tap water for drinking and cooking

Use filtered water

Drink ½ body weight in oz. per day

Food

Plant based diet is best

Fresh foods, in season are the most nutritious

Avoid unnecessary processing, additives, and sugar

People/Relationships

The quality of our relationships with family and friends WILL affect health

Emotional processing is essential for health

Natural Health Care Basics

Triangle of Health

Natural Health Care Basics

Medical Philosophies

Allopathic: The treatment of a disease by using remedies whose effects differ from those produced by that disease. This is the principle of mainstream medical practice, as opposed to that of homeopathy. Treating with opposites.

Problems: 1) Seldom seeks the cause, treats the symptoms

2) Stops the body’s natural healing progression

Homeopathic: a complementary disease treatment system in which a patient is given minute doses of natural remedies that in larger doses would produce symptoms of the disease itself. The remedies being administered are in extremely minute (infinitesimal) doses. The system was created by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann (1755–1843) on the assumption that like can be cured by like. The approach stimulates the immune system and the vital force to encourage the body to heal itself.

Balance Principle: Herbal and nutrient combinations that have been energetically and bio-chemically balanced to support a specific tissue. This approach is compatible with both allopathic and homeopathic philosophy. By providing the tissues of the body with the appropriate tools, the body can heal itself of many maladies. When using the balance principle, practitioners will ask WHY? Why was the tissue susceptible to disease? Why did the immune system not defeat this disease? Is there an inherited weakness or allergy that allows ongoing infections? Natural health practitioners will consider and seek to correct the causative factors rather than treating and suppressing the symptoms.

Natural Health Care Basics

Common Remedies

Essential Oils: Essential oils are the oldest and some of the most powerful therapeutic agents known to man. They are the life blood of the plant and carry essential nutrients to the plant tissues. When carefully extracted from the plant, they have been used medicinally to kill bacteria, fungi, and viruses. They can stimulate the regeneration of tissue or stimulate nerves. They can even act to oxygenate the carry nutrients into the cell. The fragrances are also used to balance mood, lift spirits and dispel negative emotions.

Vitamin and Mineral Supplements: A well-balanced diet that is based on the plant kingdom should provide the vitamins and minerals that are required for health. Unfortunately, in today’s world, with the amount of food processing that occurs and the nutrient depletion in our soils, it is difficult to obtain all the required nutrients for good health. A high quality nutritional supplement will contain a balanced combination of essential vitamins and minerals from a natural source. Nutrition supplements should be taken with meals as the body is accustomed to receiving it’s nutrients from food.

Single herbs and herbal combinations: Fresh herbs have many health promoting qualities. The medicinal qualities of the herb can be preserved by using low heat and low pressure during preparation. Herbs can be used in teas, powders, capsules, enemas, compresses, extracts, ointments, and bath water. Herbalists have also combined herbs together to improve results. These herbal blends are usually named for the tissue that will benefit most from the combination. Herbal blends can also be used to help the body get rid of bacteria, virus, fungus, parasites, toxins, and heavy metals. Herbs taken on an empty stomach will have a more potent effect than herbs taken with food.

Herbal delivery systems: Herbs can be delivered into the body through a variety of methods. Choose the one that works best for you.

Capsules: Encapsulated to avoid the taste of some herbs

Ointments: Use on broken bones, scraped knees, insect bites

Alcohol Extracts (Tinctures): These are more concentrated that teas. One

dropperful is usually considered a dose and is equivalent to a cup of tea.

Finely ground herbs placed in organic grain alcohol, the alcohol

functions as a natural preservative, giving the products a 2-3 year shelf

life. Alcohol is also the most power agent to draw the phytochemicals

from the plant.

Glycerine-based formulas: Herbs combined with glycerine instead of alcohol

To provide fast acting, gentle, safe and effective herbal remedies. Ideal

for children and those who do not want alcohol in their remedies.

Syrups: Better tasting, convenient and safe to use. Should be percolated

At very low temperature to ensure the highest quality

Bulk Herbs: Single herbs purchased in bulk to make your own teas, decoction,

or formentation

Intra-oral sprays: Sprayed under the tongue and absorbed through the mouth.

Very effective in delivering herbs directly to the cells as they bypass the

digestive system

Natural Health Care Basics

Nutrition Supplements

Enzymes: Many people choose enzymes to help with the digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Enzymes are identified on the label by words ending in –ase. Amylase digests carbohydrates, lipase digests fat, lactase breaks down milk sugar and protease digests protein. Enzymes are also used to improve the immune system, assist with bacterial and viral infections, and help with pain management. When taken with food, they assist with the digestion of food. When taken between meals, enzymes can go into the blood stream to clean up the carbohydrate sludge that acts as feeding ground for bacteria and viruses.

Probiotics: These supplements are taken to increase the amount of healthy bacteria in the digestive tract. “Friendly flora” in the gut is a critical part of a healthy immune system. Antibiotics, birth control pills, and NSAIDs all kill the good bacteria in the gut. Supplementing with a good probiotic with help to replace the good bacteria. A high quality supplement will include a variety of flora – lactobacillus acidipohilus, bifido bacterium bifidum, lactobacillus bulgaricus. When fructooligosaccharydes are added, the effectiveness of the formula are increased.

Silver or Colloidal Silver: Silver has been used as a natural anti-biotic by many people. It has been successfully used on some of the deadliest bacteria on the planet. Silver can be used both externally and internally to fight infections. Quality is critical when taking silver internally. I have found two sources of silver that have been tested by university laboratories as being safe and effective. They are Smart Silver from Deseret Biologicals (available from health professionals) and Colloidal Silver Plus from www.solutionsie.com.

Aloe Vera: The innermost part of the gel of the aloe vera plant provides potent, natural healing factors. Quality supplements avoid using the outer portion of the plant as it contains toxic elements. Aloe Vera has been used as a cosmetic agent as well as a healing agent and is the most ancient of herbal extracts. It can be used to promote healing both externally and internally.

Essential Fatty Acids: Many people use supplements to increase the amount of Omega 3 (DHA and EPA) fatty acids in their diet. DHA is important in brain function. EPA regulates inflammation, the immune system, and blood clotting. Fish, flaxseed oil, flax seeds and chia seeds are also high in Omega 3.

Lecithin: Lecithin is a source of phospholipids needed by the brain, the heart, the nerves, the liver and the joints. It is used in nutritional programs to support these areas of the body. Lecithin enables fats, such as cholesterol and other lipids to be dispersed in water and removed from the body. Lecithin is a wise addition to anyone’s diet, but especially valuable for older adults. Lecithin can go rancid so it is important to store in a cool, dry place.

Chlorophyll: The chemical make-up of chlorophyll resembles the chemical make-up of the blood and thus becomes a good supplement to use in blood building and balancing programs. It supports a healthy stomach, colon, mucous membranes, allergies, and blood coagulation properties.

Chlorella: Chlorella is one of the few edible species of water-grown algae. It has enormous amounts of chlorophyll. It also contains protein, all of the B vitamins, Vitamins C and E and rare trace minerals. It is considered a complete food. It has a strong cell wall which makes it difficult to access the nutrients; therefore it requires factory processing to be effective. It is typically used during a body cleansing program and is especially helpful in heavy metal detoxification programs.

Antioxidants: Antioxidants are natural compounds that help protect the body from harmful free radicals. Free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms that cause damage to cells, impairing the immune system and leading to infections and various degenerative diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Many antioxidants are obtained from food sources such as sprouted grains and fresh fruits and vegetables. The need for antioxidants has increased in today’s world because of the exposure to radiation, toxic chemicals from polluted air, household chemicals and the prevalence of fast foods that have been deep fat fried. Natural antioxidants include Vitamins A, C, E, and the minerals zinc and selenium.

Calcium: Calcium is recommended for the prevention of osteoporosis. Strong bones require a balance of magnesium and calcium. Magnesium is found in abundance in the vegetable kingdom and should be a focus in the diet for strong bones. Not only is calcium needed for strong bones, but is also used for critical cellular functions. When inadequate amounts of calcium are consumed, the body withdraws needed calcium from its own skeletal structure. Beginning at age 40 in both sexes, the body will absorb up to 300 mg of calcium from its own bones each day. Adequate intakes of calcium will prevent this bone loss from occurring. A high quality calcium supplement will contain several sources of calcium – coral calcium, calcium citrate, calcium phosphate, calcium ascorbate. It may also include Vitamin D and phosphorus. A lower quality calcium will use calcium carbonate from limestone because it adds strength to the tablet.

Natural Health Care Basics

Therapeutic Priorities

Where to begin? If you are looking to improve your health through natural health care methods, it is important to establish priorities. Moving through the health issues in the proper sequence will help the individual limit some uncomfortable side effects associated with herbal remedies.

Acute infections need to be addressed first, before undergoing a program to improve overall health.

Step 1: Begin by examining the Basic Five Elements of Health. Air, sunshine, water, food, and relationships are simple elements that can be examined without a lot of expense.

Step 2: Identify food allergies and eliminate these items from your diet. If food allergies have created inflammation and irritation to the bowel, assist the bowel with a healing program before progressing further. (Sometimes the bowel can become so irritated that it is sensitive to nutritional supplements. Aloe vera taken internally can assist with healing)

Healers for the bowel: Remove allergic foods

Aloe Vera internally

Drink plenty of clean water

Pro-biotics

Well-balanced diet of healthy, natural foods

Avoid processed, refined foods

Step 3: Build and support the Digestive system. If a person does not have good digestion, they cannot have good health. The liver, the stomach and the colon create a triad of organs that are essential for good digestion and elimination.

Digestive evaluation: Do you experience unpleasant symptoms after eating?

Do you have 1-3 bowel movements per day?

Digestive Support: Digestive enzymes

Balance formulas: Stomach, Liver and Colon

Step 4: Become a master of your pH: Obtain pH strips and take a urine pH about four times per day. Become aware of how different foods are affecting your pH. Strive to achieve an internal pH of 6.5 – 7.5 to maintain health. A higher pH of 7.0 – 8.5 is very beneficial during a therapeutic stage.

Step 5: Herbal cleansing Programs - Engage in an herbal cleansing program only after evaluating the first four steps. These first four steps will help to eliminate several health challenges and will reduce the number of herbal products needed. Also, a “healing crisis” can be minimized or even eliminated by ensuring good drainage, building, and a slower approach with the cleansing herbs.

Natural Health Care Basics

Healing Crisis

Supplements Can Trigger a Detoxification Cleanse: As the body becomes properly nourished and cells begin to function more normally and begins to eliminate toxins held within. As the body purifies itself, the individual may experience discomfort.

The body will attempt to remove toxins through various organs. Improved health to these body systems will increase the body’s capacity to cleanse and detoxify itself. It may be both wise and necessary to build before cleansing. Fasting to promote cleansing may cut off the very nutrients required to detoxify. Without proper drainage, some toxins may be driven more deeply into the tissue or move from one tissue to another. Providing nutritional support to drainage systems of the body will promote a healthier, natural cleanse. Drainage systems include:

· Colon

· Liver

· Kidney

· Lungs

· Lymph

· Spleen

Sometimes, the body will purge toxins more rapidly than what is comfortable. Some people experience detoxification gradually without notice; other experience a significant elimination of “stored” toxins. For a few days, they may feel worse than before taking the supplement. If you experience frail health, start slowly. Listen to your body – pace yourself.

Symptoms that may occur while the body “cleans house” are:

· Headaches, backaches, abdominal pain

· Chills, aches and pains, especially in the muscles and joins

· Nausea, flu-like symptoms, constipation, diarrhea, gas

· Fatigue, offensive breath, depression, mood swings

· Pimples, blisters, heavy mucus production

· Symptoms associated with past health ailments

If you experience a detoxifying cleanse:

Recognize that the supplements have generated a positive change that might otherwise not have occurred
Recognize that only after a good “house cleaning” can you enjoy more abundant health
Some may choose to push through the cleanse and get it over with, but this is not necessary – you can choose a slower, more comfortable cleanse
You can lessen the discomfort by reducing the use of the supplements to half, or one fourth, or less. Listen to your body and estimate what works best for you

Dietary Recommendations to assist with cleansing:

Eat fresh fruits, vegetables, and juices
Consume adequate protein
Drink lots of pure water
Avoid junk foods
Avoid white rice, pasta, and things made with white flour and sugar
Distilled water may also help flush toxins and waste from the system over the short term

Other therapies that help with cleansing:

Exercise
Sauna Sweats (infra-red sauna – drink plenty of water with electrolytes)
Rebounding (bouncing on a mini trampoline)
Massage Therapy
Foot Baths
Lymphatic massage

Natural Health Care Basics

Essential Oil Favorites

Single Essential Oils:

· Basil: Antispasmodic, anti-infectious, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, decongestant. Relaxing to muscles, soothes insect bites. May help bronchitis and chest infections.

· Lavender: Antiseptic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, sedative. It is beneficial for cleansing cuts and wounds. It also speeds up wound healing. Use for burns, dandruff, headaches, insomnia, indigestion, and bronchitis. Lavender is a universal oil and has many applications. Safe for use on small children.

· Lemon: Anti-infectious, disinfectant, antiseptic. It serves as an effective insect repellent and works well in removing gum, wood stain, oil, and grease spots. Diffuse or add a few drops to a spray bottle to deodorize and sterilize the air.

· Melaleuca: Anti-infectious, antibacterial for large spectrum action of gram positive: staph and gram negative: e.coli, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, Use for athlete’s foot, fungal infections, bronchitis, respiratory infections, sore throat, viral infections, warts and wounds.

· Oregano: Powerful anti-infectious agent (for respiratory, intestines, genital, nerves, blood and lymphatics) with large spectrum action against bacteria, fungus, virus, and parasites. It is a general tonic and immune stimulant. Helps with respiratory infections, viral and bacterial pneumonia, and respiratory system problems. Apply to bottom of feet. Mix with massage oil if applying anywhere else

· Peppermint: Supports digestion, antibacterial, anti-fungal. It is one of the oldest and most highly regarded herbs for soothing digestion. Use for indigestion, motion sickness, nausea. It can also be used as a fever reducer. Massage on the stomach or add to water or tea. Add to food as a flavoring

Essential Oil Blends:

· Di-Tone (YL) or Tummy Rub (Fierra’s): Blended to assist in relieving digestive irregularities and disturbances, such as an upset stomach, belching, heartburn, and bloating.

· Pan-Away (YL) or Anastasia (Fierra’s): This blend works well on muscle aches and pains. Many people have found relief from arthritis symptoms, sports injuries, sprains, muscle spasms, bumps and bruises

· Purification (YL) or Purify (Fierra’s): Antiseptic blend to diffuse in the home to purify the air, neutralize mildew, cigarette smoke, and disagreeable odors. May also be used to cleanse cuts and scrapes and neutralize the poison of insect bites.

· R.C. (YL) or Aura (Fierra’s): The blend helps to give relief from colds, bronchitis, sore throats, sinusitis and respiratory congestion.

· Thieves (YL) or Spice Traders (Fierra’s): This is a potent anti-microbial blend. It was tested at Weber State University where it was found to have a 99.96% kill rate against airborne bacteria. It helps protect the body against such illnesses as flu, colds, sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, sore throats, etc.

· Valor (YL) or Valerie (Fierra’s): Valor helps balance electrical energies within the body, giving courage, confidence, and self-esteem.

· WO (Systemic Formulas): This blend is a Chinese Healing Oil and has earned the nick-name of “First Aid Kit in a Bottle” It has multiple uses. It works well on insect bites and wound healing. A few drops can be put in a gel-cap and swallowed to help with food poisoning. It can be rubbed on the neck for a sore throat. It can also be placed inside the mouth at the back of the throat.

Intra-Oral Sprays (From Solutionsie.com)

· Allergy Season Plus: Natural decongestant. Promotes better health during all seasons and conditions of allergic response.

· Flu and Cold Spray: Immunity formula to prevent flu and cold as well as replenishing the body with increased energy and proper nutrients during bouts of flu and cold.

· Complexion Clear: My daughters love this! Offers nutritional support against acne. Cleanses from within to unclog pores

For Children:

· Intra-oral sprays (above) - Simple to use for children and taste’s great too

· Dr. Christopher’s Kid-Immune to strengthen the immune system and prevent bouts of cold and flu

· Dr. Christopher’s Kid-e-Well has Echinacea to boost the child’s immune systems during bouts of cold and flu

· Colloidal Silver: Tastes like water and works as a powerful anti-bacterial product. Can also be sprayed on wounds to disinfect and promote better wound healing.

Natural Health Care Basics

Classification of Herbs

All plants are herbs in the broadest definition of the term. Herbs can be classified into four categories based on their ability to produce symptoms in healthy people.

Pot Herbs

Low toxicity and low therapeutic effects

Vegetables – provide foundational health but are not actively therapeutic unless used in large quantities.

The more out of balance a body is, the more therapeutic a pot herb will be. They can be used to bring the body back into balance but do not cause dramatic changes when changes are not needed.

Tonic Herbs

Not very toxic and may be used safely, in fairly large quantities and fairly frequently.

More therapeutic than daily herbs, and can be used for long periods of time to build or cleanse the blood, lymph or an organ.

Mild, gentle, sustaining and tonifying. A tonic herb can be used for a long period of time (3-6 months)

Included in this category is Irish moss, dandelion, parsley, kelp, and many of the ingredients used in herbal teas.

Therapeutic Herbs

Toxicity is more pronounced and they can cause side effects if used in too large of a dose or use for too long of a period of time.

Considered medicinal so they are used widely in herbal formulas. These are to be used with “judgment and skill.” An herbalist learns how to give the right herb or combination, for the right reason, at the right amount, and for the right amount of time.

These are used to balance conditions that are out of balance. If there is not an imbalance, there is no reason to use the herb, but if it were a little would do no harm but a lot may cause undesirable side effects.

There are hundreds of herbs in this category. A few of these include golden seal, Echinacea, leptotaenia (lomatium), mountain mahogany, chamomile, burdock, Oregon grape root, and comfrey

Drastic Herbs

These herbs are considered poisonous because of the drastic side effects.

They contain wonderful healing properties but MUST be used in dilutions to infinitestimal amounts which makes them uncommonly safe. These types of herbs are used in homeopathy.

Homeopathy is founded upon the principle the “like cures like”.

This category includes herbs like poison ivy, poison hemlock, poison nut, deadly nightshade, Peruvian bark or quinine, ipecac and hundreds of others.

*Herbal classification explained Dr. Jack Tips in “The Healing Triad – Your Liver, Your

Lifeline”, Apple-a-day Press, Austin, Texas.

Natural Health Care Basics

Herbal Preparations

Use only the finest ingredients. By selecting organic, fresh, and disease free herbs, you will improve the quality of your final preparation.

Infusion or Tea: Teas are made from the flowers and/or leaves of fresh or dried herbs. Herbs may be whole, cut or powdered. Use 1 tsp of cut herb per cup of distilled water. Bring water to a boil, remove from the heat source, then add the applicable amount of herb to the water. Cover and allow to steep for at least 20 minutes, longer for stronger tea. Strain the herb and let stand until cool enough to drink. You may add honey, pure maple syrup or stevia for sweetener if desired. Never boil an infusion.

Decoctions: A decoction is made from the bark, inner bark or roots of trees and herbs. Cover roots, barks and other hard herbal material with water, an ounce of the herb to a pint and a half of water. Gently boil for 5-10 minutes, then remove from heat and let steep for 25-35 minutes. Strain and repeat the process with the same herbs. Add both liquids together and sweeten if desired. A stronger decoction is made by gently simmering the tea/decoction until you have reduced the volume to you’re your starting volume. Decoctions are strong: take as directed.

Powdered herbs: Some herbs can be taken as powders that are simply mixed with juice or water. This method is good because you get the whole herb and it is easily digested. Several herbal drink powders use this method.

Herbal enemas: An enema bag should always be included in any survival kit. Pour 1-2 quarts of luke warm herbal tea into a clean enema bag. Retain the liquid as long as possible while massaging the bowel area through the abdomen. Evacuate the liquid when pressure or discomfort occurs.

Fomentation (Herbal compress): Soak a piece of gauze or a Turkish towel or similar porous material in the infusion or decoction needed. Sometimes hot apple cider vinegar is used. Cool until the material is just bearable for the patient. Cover with plastic or oilcloth to prevent the liquid from soaking bedclothes, etc. Keep damp and change periodically.

Poultice: A poultice can be made by heating fresh or dried herbs in some water and straining, placing the herbs in a natural cloth and securing with a piece of plastic and tape over the desired area. Or a poultice can be made by chewing, bruising or chopping fresh herbs and placing them directly on the skin or placing in a wet, natural cloth and securing with a piece of plastic and tape over the desired area.

Bolus: A bolus is used internally as a poultice for the vagina or rectal area. Mix enough powdered herb with olive or coconut oil until it is the consistence of bread dough. Roll into a long roll the diameter of our smallest finger. Cut into one inch lengths and freeze until ready to use. Insert one or two at night before going to bed. Rinse out with douche or enema in the morning.

Herbal Baths: The skin eliminates at least 2 pounds of toxins today. It is important to keep the skin open as a channel of elimination and respiration. Herbal baths help to open up skin pores and promote perspiration which assists the body during fever, eliminating heavy metals and poisons from the body. Open pores also allow herbs to be absorbed directly into the body without passing through the digestive tract.

Directions: Before bathing, brush your skin with a natural bristle brush. And

And drink herbal teas.

Ginger bath: And 2-4 TB powdered ginger to warm bath water. Use for fevers,

Cold/flu, sore muscles.

Essential oil bath: Add a few drops essential oil into a bath gel base and add to

bath water. Anastasia for muscle aches, Spice Traders for immunity

enhancement, Aura for congestion.

Mineral Bath: Use this for radiation or heavy metal poisoning. Add 2 pounds of

Epsom Salts to bath water. Soak for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Add 2 pounds

of baking soda to bath water and soak for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Drink yarrow tea

while in the bath.

Herbal Sitz Bath: Soak 4-8 oz. of dried herbs or a gallon size container of fresh

herbs in cold water for at least 12 hours. (Use nettles, yarrow, horsetail, etc)

Heat up without boiling. Strain and add to bath water. Soak in it for 20-30

minutes. This is great for pregnancy and to speed recovery of any illness.

Herbal Footbath: Same as herbal baths but use half as much herbs. Soak feet

in a large tub.

Information on herbal preparations is from “Herbal First Aid and Health Care”, written by Kyle D. Christensen, D.C., M.H., 2000. Lotus Press, Wisconsin.