masterherbalist

By popular demand (Chas U Farley),

I am starting this topic for information and exchange of ideas.

I mentioned in one of my posts that our German Shepherd had gotten some fleas and ticks. I don't believe that I have to discuss how much of a health threat this is. But some of the treatment sprays and the like are just as bad. We added garlic to the food and used a paraben free herbal spray containing lavender, patchouli, tea tree. lemon peel, and citronella oil. This spray is actually sold under Kiss My Face brand and is called Swy Flotter. That's right, made for humans. It actually stopped the ticks before they could move from the fur into the skin.

Or you can make your own:

Making Your Own Natural Insect Repellent

Herbalist Debra Nuzzi-St. Claire suggests combining the following essential oils to make a natural insect repellent:

1/2 ounce citronella oil

1/4 ounce lavender oil

1/8 ounce pennyroyal oil

1/8 ounce tea tree oil

1/8 ounce jojoba oil

Do not use this blend undiluted on your skin. Follow these instructions for diluting:

To make an insect repellent oil that can be used on your body, add 16 ounces of jojoba or almond oil to the base oil mixture and blend thoroughly. For an insect repellent spray, add 16 ounces of vodka to the base oil mixture, pour into a spray bottle, and shake before using.

As a schooled herbalist, I was taught it was important to treat internally and externally.

If you have any specific questions or ideas, please respond in this topic and we can all contribute to ideas.

The Masterherbalist

I have done some research recently and found that even Louis Pasteur, though during his lifetime proclaimed that germs caused disease, upon his deathbed, he proclaimed that "the seed is nothing, the soil is everything!"

Look, the reason why a viral infection can take root in a person and then spread is because of the state of health of the person and population.

The short answer is make yourself as healthy as you can and the infection will not bother you.

The great plague was so epidemic because the environment was rich-poor sanitary conditions, poor nutrition.

Make sure that you are making nutrient rich food choices. Eliminate soft drinks and processed food. Get lots of fresh water, fresh air, exercise. Vitamin C needs to be replenished daily and the RDA is 1000 mg. Orange juice is rich in Vitamin C and has the right combination of other nutrients so that your body can use the Vitamin C. Make sure the bowels move daily. We had roasted garlic last night with our spaghetti. Yum. And a good anti-bacterial, anti-fungal. Like our dog, she was attracting fleas and ticks. We give her garlic tablets and the pests have disappeared. Not only was there no bad chemicals to worry about in using sprays, but it disinfects her insides and therefore takes care of stray parasites that she might ingest. Get enough sleep. The body needs it or becomes weak and suseptible because the immune sys tem is compromised.

Herbs I like as multi-vitamins are alfalfa and kelp. Between the two, most of the vitamins and minerals your body needs can be found. Now puts out Alfajuice which is a super product -alfalfa has calcium, copper, folate, iron, magnesium, manganeses, phosphorus, poteassium, silicon, zinc, Vitamines A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, C, D, E and K. Alfalfa sprouts are excellent in high nutrition.

If you come down with flu-like symptoms, stop eating. Your body needs all its energy to fight the invader. Lots of fluids. Yarrow tea is good to get the body to sweat in order to multiply the immune system response.

Dr. Christopher and Dr. Schulze put out a Plague Formula/Super Tonic which has horseradish, onion, ginger, garlic and cayenne in it which taken once a day helps to stop any invader dead in its tracks. All of these foods are anti-infectants.

The Masterherbalist

I spent three years in-residence (one at Emporia in the College Division, and two at HQ in the Corps). Each year we were told to "set aside" whatever it was that we were good at: music, art, whatever... to put aside our own egos and focus primarily on the Word. And most of us obeyed, thinking this was our chance to really FOCUS on God. To learn to better rely on HIM and not ourselves. --- No question, twi was very, very good at stripping away what made each of us UNIQUE individuals and converting us into generic, mind-numbed twibots.

As for WayProd, I wasn't involved until the 80s and beyond, when the control was already firmly in place. I have no knowledge of what happened in the early days but I can't help but wonder if Ted's experience was different from so many other peoples' because Ted was, well, TED. He was talented and spiritual and Vic knew it. I think he knew he absolutely couldn't get away with ever treating Ted the way he got away with treating other folks. So he didn't do it. Vic was nothing if not a chameleon! And in my experience, bullies usually know who they can and cannot mess with.

Thanks for sharing that any art was set aside. Too bad.

Yes, I was a part of a major recording act. There was an attempt to potentially capitalize on the celebrity and all, but there was too much focus on the NFL players and politicians.

I agree that Ted may have been treated differently, well, because he was Ted. At least that was my perception.

My point being that the Hdqrtrs Way Productions was supposted to be carried in through the limbs and into the twigs. But, unfortunately it was my experience that the arts weren't encouraged for whatever reason. And when those of us who made a living on the road were gone from attending our "home" twig, I found I was questioned as to why I didn't seek out a twig in the area I traveled. The chasm between say, the Rolling Stones and Joyful Noise lifestyles was just too wide. At least it was taught that way. Working on the road made my own personal time with the Great Spirit even more valuable. But in some Way legalism, without fellowshipping and sacrificing my art to show my love for God, I was somehow coming up short.

I play everyday. Sing, write. Hang out with my heathen (non-way-green-card grads) friends. Continue to walk with my Heavenly Father. Having a blast.

My children include Les Paul, Leo Fender, Taylor(s), Takamine, Martin. Madonna may go to foreign countries to adopt children, but I travel hither and thither to find my new family members.

Masterherbalist

I don't mean to be callous here, but

WHO CARES?

I mean I don't live with any of these people. They don't sign my paycheck or anything. They moved on (sort of) and I moved on much further down the road.

I worry about me. If someone is impressionable and wants to follow these folks, that is their business. I figure if they have eyes to see and ears to hear, God will ensure that they know the score. If they don't. they won't.

Sorry.

Whew, glad I rebelled.

I am a musician and was in a "worldly" top band.

Got to TWI and was told that I was putting something before God.

I thought, huh? Musician is a doing thing, you are a musician. Part of that wonderful and awesomely made thing.

Tried to pursue some contribution but was flat out told by a leader that "we have enough musicians in the ministry. why don't you look for what God wants you to do in the body?"

On the off chance I did play, I felt wrong for doing it.

After the "fellowship" I went home and played my face off. Never felt repentent.

Told I should go Corps.

I responded that I disagreed with musicians putting down their instruments.

It is a God-given talent and like the running thing, you have to do it every day. It is a muscle (albeit to the casual observer, not a spiritual muscle, though it is).

It is my prayer; my form of communicating back to the Great Musician. It is like the blood in the veins.

I also wondered why the other "arts" weren't told to put down their hammers and the like. Why were musicians singled out?

Then, at the Rock in the Chris Geer visit, a "leader" told me that it was something I was, not something I did. Duh.

I take this agreement with a grain of salt because this leader did something in the mark and avoid witch hunt that told me, according to Timothy, was not the mark of a true leader.

I still subscribe to the thinking that a day not playing is a day dishonoring the Great Musician.

My buddy Delaney is gone.

He was a very, very sweet soul.

Him and Duane were inseperable, to the point where management thought Delaney was trying to steal Duane from the ABB.

Along with King Curtis.

Seems like only yesterday, the two of them just playing anything and everything they could think of. Delaney, particularly was quite the encyclopedia of music.

Talk about someone who never met a stranger.

Prayers to his family.

If there's anything I can do, let me know.

In my professional life, I do insurance claims.

While you are on this journey to determine what is wrong, it is important to ensure that you are drinking enough water and taking in highly nutritional foods.

These foods can be taken as teas.

Wheatgrass, spirulina, alfalfa, barley, chlorella. All excellent sources of vitamins, minerals, protein.

Supporting the body with sufficient water and nutrition can only help the recovery.

Antibiotics eliminate the good elements in your intestinal tract, so multidophilis is a good supplement to help replace what you are losing and build up the immune system.

Hugs and love to you!

The Masterherbalist

Delaney Bramlett-a good friend, a music lover and teacher, and someone who made a huge impact on popular music.

After his mom died in March, his spirit just ached at her loss.

Prayers have been non-stop for his wife and family.

My old friend Delaney has been going through some health struggles.

He underwent surgery and has a long recovery ahead.

He had a 50-50 shot to even survive the surgery. So we're already ahead.

Thanks.

Him and Tim Conway.....classic.

Blazing Saddles put him beyond classic.

I remember hearing that in the Advanced Class too.

Funny, in my mind, while I am sitting there listening to this stuff, I immediately went to the teachings of Grace Bliss and Ira Hearn.

I also went to my Jethro Kloss Back to Eden Book.

Migranes became one of the dis-eases of the body that I studied. Being a "leader", I was frustrated by seeing my fellowship folks go through such a painful episode. I wanted "the eyes of my understanding" to be enlightened. So I read up on everything.

Ultimately I came up with several ideas. First was to keep a diary of all activities, diet, sleep, etc. to see what pattern may appear prior to the onset. I also found a natural therapist who was an MD who found there is a pattern to migranes. The pain and symptoms can assist the diagnosis in the trigger mechanism. I used various herbal formula combinations.

The best story that I have on this issue is when my then eight year old son and I went to the movies. Suddenly there arose from the back of the theatre the type of cry that any parent would recognize as a child in pain. You know the cry types: cranky, sleepy, attention demanding, etc. This wasn't one of those. I felt inspired to get up from the movie with my son to see if I could help the child. I located the child, who was about five and his thirteen year old brother at the refreshment stand. I heard the thirteen year old ask the seventeen year old behind the counter for some Excedrin. In my mind, I was aghast. First, because a thirteen year old is asking for a drug, and an adult strength drug at that for a five year old. Second, because not only was there Excedrin available at the refreshment stand, but a seventeen year old was going to dispense however many the thirteen year old requested.

So I walk over to the kids who had sat down and the five year old is wailing in pain. I asked the thirteen year old if there was anything I could do. He said, "No, I've called our mother and she is coming to pick us up." I asked if I could touch his brother. I asked where the pain in the head seemed to be coming from and I prayed in my mind for God's help. Instantly I got my answer. I looked at my son and said " take this child to the men's room". There was a pause and I repeated more sternly, "Take this child to the men's room, he has a sick stomach and is going to throw up". My son got the five year old to the restroom where the child emptied his stomach. Upon emerging from the bathroom, the child's color had returned to his face and the visible relief told me the headache was gone.

I am not surprised by posts which suggest that once the stressor triggering the migrane was removed, the migranes no longer came.

In short, migranes being caused by devil spirits is bunk. There are principles upon which the human body functions and violation of any of those principles can cause dis-ease. Reversing the cause= restored health. We are wonderfully and awesomely made.

The Masterherbalist

A great example of how you can do anything if you dream.....

Jerry, you were much more than the Snowman.

What a joyful heart.

Like a really hip Uncle.

Thanks, Jerry. You taught me alot.

As someone who knew a great guitar player when they heard and saw one, let me put in my thoughts.

Jeff Healy-what an incredible talent. What an ear and a passion with distinguished playing style. Unbelieveable.

Truely a temporary loss to us all. He had been living a hard life treating the cancer, and no way to really live.

We will hear Jeff again. I'm sure.

the masterherbalist

Thank goodness, someone saw this was posted in the wrong spot. My bad. Happens when you are doing two things at one time.

Memo to self: Do one thing at a time.

Thanks for the words and prayers. Particularly like the last comment. Can't make a grown up do. Heh, heh. Back in the day I was considered the "little kid" and no one would really listen to me because, uh, what did I know? Now, compared to my brother, I'm still the younger one and what do I know? I would like to see better for him. But, to tell you the truth you could always tell Gregg, you just couldn't tell him much.

I've got a million or so memories. We used to do herbs and the like-back in the day. Not really for any medicinal value, just recreational.

Regarding the rough recovery, I am more concerned with a secondary problem. Happens with modern medicine. Treat the "disease" and the treatment causes something else. Many times fatal. And the papers list the original issue as the cause of death.

Makes the ole masterherbalist think....... for just a bit, and then off to the herb garden and farmacy. And then to the Les Pauls for a little pickin' of some Statesboro Blues. Whoo-hoo.

Prayers and positive thoughts to brother Gregg. He was diagnosed some time ago with Hep C. Finally forced him to get off the road and seek treatment. He and wife Stacey chose the drug therapies offered to erradicate the virus. It is a tough 6 month treatment, after which, it takes such a toll on recovery time. He had tried to get back from all this in order to make the infamous Beacon dates, but he needs more time to get his strength.

I had been reluctant to post this because some of my students wondered why I just couldn't suggest he go with herbs and other natural therapies. Over the years, I have learned to work with people "where they live". Gregg is one of them. Although he does utililze some natural therapies, and eats organic food, he made another choice. I support him and love him.

the Masterherbalist

You, my sister, are clothed in the words of our prayers.

Our Father knows your needs better than anyone and He is tenderly, quietly encouraging the troubled heart.

Your mind and emotions, which are true tools most times in life, can turn the most "balanced soul" into a prisoner of pain and confusion.

It is hard, going through change. As humans, we want safe. We want sure. We want things to be "forever".

But life makes us gypsies in this life. The only constant is change. As we fight to hold back the change, we injure ourselves.

Sometimes we want to hold our breath and swim through the trouble, hoping that when we pop up for air that the struggle has passed.

This year I am studying about what is the learning afforded in these events. How to harness the emotional power and have the mind examine those emotions. And to give its blessing that those emotions are human and good. And then how to use those emotions and understanding of them to devise the next hour, day, month of my life. What building blocks are there? Asking the Great Spirit to speak to my heart and teach me. Then making myself as blank a page as possible so that I can hear that still small voice.

Reminds me of the Byrds' song, Turn, Turn, Turn. There is a time for every season. So there is a time to cry and get the pain and hurt vocalized. But then there is a time to reflect. A time to build. A time to restore. A time for change. Doing so does not change or minimize the pain, but it acts as a compass for our vessel. It gives us purpose though we know not where the sailing will take us. We will sail. Our heavenly Father knows the waters well.

Our heartfelt love and prayers continue for you. YOU are the glory of the Lord; everywhere you walk, every action you take, the glory of the Lord is manifested. Like our big brother, Jesus, there is nothing we can't do. We limit the power by our own minds and limitations. Our foot is on the hose and the water trickles out. Our foot is off the hose and the water springs abundant. He abides within you. The reflection in the mirror is not the dead man nature, but the glory of the Lord.

You are AWESOME! Continued love and healing to you, from the masterherbalist.

That Jimi Hendrix clip is AWESOME. Not many people realize that beyond all that guitar-fire setting and feedback beat the heart of a bluesman. Better breakfast than Wheaties, uh, granola.

Ah-h-h-h. A man's sound that really portrays what rock 'n roll is really all about. Simple lyrics, saying alot. That stand up bass. Basic drum shuffle. That unmistakeable Fender sound. And a unique look. Real rockabilly.

Bye, bye, miss american pie.

Dot, again, you amaze me with your writing ability. Everything that you wrote about your better half is something anyone with any amount of living time can relate to. Does that surprise you? I know that sometimes we feel alone in our feelings. We hear those thoughts in our hearts and our minds and wonder if we are the only ones who feel this way. Does anyone else have these emotions? These thoughts of looking back and see the benefits to this ride together with this person? The answer is everyone else does! So we are not alone.

I myself have looked back at some of the people who I spent some time with and admired, and who added to my life. I liken the experience in each one to the old west where a lone horseman comes upon another and says, "can I ride with you a while?" And they traverse the praries talking and riding, and looking into a starry night sky with the bright illumination of a camp fire that the two built. Sharing some grub, drinking some coffee. Hanging out. Eventually the riders part with a waive of their hands and again rider and horse are off to other lands.

Sounds like your experience. Are there good reasons for why the ride ends? Sometimes. Sometimes ones that you know. Some that you will come to know in time. As a songwriter, I have been working on just this idea. I met a certain someone; and, at that time of my life, this person was everything I was looking for and thought I needed. I was on the highest high because the energy was so high and so inspiring. Then, without warning, within minutes of talking to this person, the accident occurred and it didn't look good. I was stunned. Alarmed. What happened? This isn't happening. Wake up, wake up. THe long wait at the hospital creating my making bargains with God. Puleez, I will take this person whole, broken, whatever, just puleez make them open their eyes. To no avail. Pronounced dead. And I was eighteen. I cried so hard, I felt pain in my chest and I thought, "this is what being heartbroke means". My tear ducts ran dry. My mouth just moaned the word "why'? I couldn't get a sound out anymore. So the whole cycle began. Disbelief. Shock. Denial. Reasons why it happened.

And in a self-exploration course of artistry, I found my reasons why from that age of eighteen were not the reasons I can state today. I was idealistic back in the day and searching for.. oh, hell, I don't know what I was searching for.

Then I met another person who really impacted my life. God had a real sense of humour there. Take the raw material of personality, talent, likes and dislikes and put them in a package that the ole MH will find attractive. And I tried to find ways to say, no one will ever replace my best friend. No, no. Not now, not ever. Well, we met. Then we talked. Then we talked and played music. Sometimes breaking out the Les Pauls; sometimes breaking out our albums and 45s. Music was our common bond. I thought, well, I am always interested in someone who has the passion for music. Then oh-oh. Slowly but surely the friendship grew. I struggled to surpress the disloyalty feelings. I struggled with my own poor self-image feelings. And here was a bottle of sunshine. Always more positive than I was. Then the attraction turned more serious. I actually fell "in love".

My rational mind could not understand the butterflies emotions. After some time, it was evident to both of us that being friends is what we did best together. And it was as smooth a transition as anything I had ever encountered. No problems. And it really worked. A couple years later, I am summoned to their bedside in a hospital. I took one look and became overwhelmed with the feelings I had when I was 17. The pain I felt then came back and I realized that I still hadn't "really" gotten over anything.

I just put it away. But under the right set of circumstances, there it was as raw as the day of the accident. I left. I felt bad. I felt like I should have done something different. But the friend, who at one point was near death, understood and reached out to say that they could see in my face the pain. And they knew I had to leave. This friend did pull through and today we are still friends.

Then I met another person, a lady who was very self-less, passionate, and animated. This warm fire beckoned my attention. And the conversation began. There were several more after and after each time, I walked away slightly changed. I had come from a hard upbringing; cold and distant people in emotion. And here was this person who was very open and vulnerable. Somehow, by her shear presence, I was able to soften up a little; be a little less cynical; curb my sarcasm defense. She was light-hearted and sweet, strong and fiery, and in all those things: magnetic. The life journey with this person was incredibly short, and our paths split very abruptly. In my "adult" mind, I figured that this lady would go on to be very creative and find the ying partner to her yang personality. I knew that I would go on the road and be the musician and road dog where I was most happy. I had no plans to have any life partner. I was too much a maverick.

And I found you, that lady, twenty years later here. I wasn't really looking. But I knew early on. Probably before you knew who the the ole Masterherbalist was. I couldn't believe that those memories and impressions of you came flooding back. I read your heart in these posts and found the heart hasn't changed a bit. I found in the posts incidents of pain and my heart saddened as if no time at all had passed and we were still hanging out together. I wanted to come to your aid; I wanted to comfort your soul; I wanted to put my arms around you and tell you how much your life has meant to me. I wanted to tell you that your impact goes far beyond what you imagine in your mind. I wanted to tell you that I am a better person for meeting you. I wanted to tell you that you have a place in my heart-always. And though, back in the day, we think we knew the reasons why we met, I can sit here today and tell you they don't come close to the many reasons I can think of today.

Your post simply inspired me to share with you. Hopefully there are some tidbits of benefit here. The parting of riders can be hard because over time, our lives entwine and we tend to forget what being single riders feels like. But if your journey takes you "this way", I would be proud to ride with you.

Much love,

The Masterherbalist

While on the waiting list, read everything you can get your hands on.

There may be natural therapies available to bring health and healing.

We are wonderfully and awesomely made. Praying with you for God's guidance.

This book looks interesting:

Conquering Autism: Reclaiming Your Child Through Natural Therapies by Stephen B. Edelson, MD Twin Stream Books, Kensington Publishing Corp., 850 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022 USA Hardcover, ISBN 0-7582-0183-4, 2003, 246 pp., $23.00 ($33.00 Can.)

In his book, Conquering Autism: Reclaiming Your Child Through Natural Therapies, Stephen D. Edelson, MD, quotes Kenneth Olden, PhD, director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, as saying, "Genetics loads the gun, but environment pulls the trigger." And it is through this perspective that Dr. Edelson writes about therapies that offer real hope to children with autism. For it is his goal to find the cause of autism rather than just treat the symptoms.

As founding director of the Edelson Center for Environmental and Preventive Medicine in Atlanta, Dr. Edelson came to his approach naturally when in 1994 he started research of children with autism that would demonstrate a relationship between exposure to toxic chemicals and autism. In these studies, he found that the bodies of these children had very high levels of toxic chemicals and heavy metals such as mercury, lead and tin. Some of his other findings included abnormal liver detoxification, activated immune systems, nutritional deficiencies and abnormal neurotransmitter levels.

Eventually, Dr. Edelson came to the conclusion that a combination of "xenobiotic damage to the nervous system, a genetic predisposition to liver abnormalities, and an immune system compromised by toxic overload, together produce the disorder called autism." What we see manifested as autism and have interpreted as strictly brain dysfunction, is actually a disorder involving many causes, involving many parts of the body. The first goal of treatment then is to rid the child's body of the toxins as soon as possible.

A patient at the Edelson Clinic begins with a thorough assessment that includes many specific lab tests and an historical questionnaire for the parents. In an attempt to identify as many of the chemical and metal exposures as possible, the child's toxic exposures are discovered as well as those of the parents, since the child is exposed to the activities of the parents as a fetus. Then, after careful evaluation, an individualized treatment plan is prepared that would include: removal of chemicals and metals; healing of the gastrointestinal tract; liver detoxification up-regulation; nutritional supplementation, and more. The average rate of improvement from this program is about 65% over a two-year period, according to Dr. Edelson.

To have arrived at this treatment of addressing autism at the cell level rather than treating just the behavioral symptoms, there had to have been an integration of disciplines, which is what has occurred. Called clinical molecular medicine, it integrates environmental medicine, applied immunology, applied toxicology and clinical nutritional biochemistry to get to the root cause of autism and other illnesses as well.

The discussion of the role each of these factors play in autism broadens the appeal of this book beyond those intimately involved with autism, to everyone concerned with public health and our vulnerability to an increasingly toxic environment. As we learn in this book, autism was once considered a rare disease, but recent statistics have the incidence at one in 500 children now. Clues can be gleaned from the fact that clusters of autism have occurred in heavily polluted communities. Chemical safety testing has largely focused on cancer and only recently have they come under scrutiny for their neurological and immunological effects. Some of the chemicals and metals found in these children are now known to have neurotoxic effects. We are now learning that a fetus is exposed to many of these chemicals through the mother's blood and breast milk as a baby. We are also learning that interference by some toxic chemicals at critical stages of development can have devastating effects.

Interspersed throughout the book are stories of some of Dr. Edelson's patients. The stories not only demonstrate the improvements possible through his protocol, but they also provide the reader with insight into the nature of autism and remind us of the human cost of this illness. These are babies who appear to be developing normally but all of a sudden lose their verbal and motor skills and retreat into a world cut off from others. The sadness of it will not be lost on any reader of this book.

This informative and well-referenced book will be a valuable resource for anyone with an autistic loved one. For the rest of us, it can serve as an alarm for a world that is failing to provide a safe and clean environment for the next generation. For the child, who I am convinced after reading this book has been robbed by a world careless with its chemical technology--this book offers some hope for a chance at life outside the prison of autism.

Thanks, GeorgeStGeorge;

That IS what I meant.

Sorry for the confusion.

It's a condition which occurs when the fingers hit the keys and the brain thinks it sees what the will wanted to write.

Geez. Gotta get an herb for that......

Much love, thoughts and prayers to you and yours, Raf.

Raf:

I found an interesting website: sciencedaily.com. Had some interesting things and studies going on.

I have been reading just about everything I can on ALS. I am seeing "scientific" writings stating such things as "immune system may be involved" and "possible causes include viruses/neurotoxins, heavy metals, DNA effects, immune system abnormalities and enzyme abnormalities."

Viruses hide in your DNA and makes it hard for your immune system to realize there is a problem until the cells burst with waste. Neurotoxins and heavy metals need a healthy body and fully functioning immune system to get rid of the waste. There are herbal formulas that will cleanse the bowels and contain charcoal which binds metals and safely eliminates those inorganics that the body doesn't know what to do with. This build up of metals can cause all kinds of problems. They have found high levels of aluminum in the brains of Alhzeimer patients, for example. Though the brain does need aluminum-it needs organic aluminum, but when the body is unable to locate what it needs, it tries to use what is available. It is thought that inorganic aluminum comes from cookware and drinking soda from cans.

Cleansing the liver will help it get rid of things it has been storing, sometimes for years. If the liver is not "fed" bitters, it cannot cleanse. Funny how the children of Israel ate unleaven bread and bitter herbs before wandering in the desert and not one sick one among the bunch.

THe immune system likes astragalus and marshmallow. The former feeds the immune system and helps to build it and the later soothes an overactive immune system. Dry brushing the skin

and stimulating the lymph is good. Most of all, the immune system listens to thoughts. Jokes

and laughter are invaluable in keeping the healing in progress.

I would also look into consuming lots of green stuff. Wheatgrass, spirulina, barley grass particularly. Wheatgrass chemically is the same as our blood with the exception of an additional element of copper. Lots of oxygen for the blood.

The brain loves ginko, rosemary and some cayenne-all of these herbs bring circulation to the head. I also love doing head and shoulder stands in my yoga practice.

My continued love, and prayers and thoughts are with Raf's sister.

the Masterherbalist