The Kitchen Medicine Book - [PDF Document] (2024)

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TheKITCHEN

MEDICINEBOOK

A Brother Rabbit publication

KELLY JOYCE NEFF

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To William Morris

and all my teachers, past and present

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INGREDIENTS

INTRODUCTION.......4One: RAW HONEY.......6

Two: APPLE CIDER VINEGAR.......13

Three: BICARBONATE OF SODA.......20

Four: SALT.......23

Five: WATER.......36

Six: CAYENNE.......49Seven: GARLIC.......53

Eight: GINGER.......64

Nine: OREGANO.......68

Ten: TURMERIC.......73

Eleven: ROSEMARY.......77

Twelve: SAGE.......84

Thirteen: THYME.......89

Fourteen: PARSLEY.......94

Fifteen: BASIL.......100

Sixteen: RYE.......104

Seventeen: OATS.......117

Eighteen: HERB LORE.......120

Nineteen: HERBAL PREPARATIONS.......143

Twenty: OTHER REMEDIES, GREAT AND SMALL.......151

ABOUT THE AUTHOR.......162

BROTHER RABBIT.......165

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INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this book is twofold. The first is to impart abody of useful

knowledge of the medicinal and nutritional benefits of commonkitchen items for

the maintenance and recovery of health in this day and age whenwe have moved

far away from such common knowledge in our fast paced andinorganic lifestyles.

The urgency of recovery of such knowledge cannot be more acute,when health

insurance costs are spiraling ever upwards, companies arerestricting health

benefits coverage to employees, and often peoples only recourseto health care isa very expensive trip to the hospital emergencyroom. While the information

contained here is not intended as a substitute for propermedical attention, it may,

I hope, be seen as an adjunct to it.

Doctors have been touting partnership with the patient andself-care for years

now, as their own insurance costs and patient load restrict theamount of time and

care they can spent with and give to each patient. Complimentarymedicine as

herbal and other remedies are coming to be called, is the latestfrontier in medical

science. This book is not intended as a treatise on medicalherbalism or nutrition,

for that would require a volume many times larger than the scopeof this little

book can afford. Anyone interested in further study of herbal ornutritional

therapies is invited to seek out any of the works listed here,or to make a study at

the local public library or on the internet (which itself hasbeen a source of most

of the references herein). Do discuss what you find with yourdoctor or

naturopath; theres much food for thought here, which can open upnew areas of

inquiry between you and foster a relationship such as there usedto be between

doctor and patient.

The second purpose of this book is to give the reader some ideaof the vast store

of knowledge about these simple remedies which our human culturehas accrued

over the millennia, and thus in a small way to help preserve it.It is, then, as much a

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folklore study as a piece of self-help. The benefit of suchfolklore is that it puts

us directly in touch with our human family through time weremember that we are

part of the earth and of each other, that we are not in factsolitary units all alone

out there in the world, or the universe, but deeply connected,indeed inseparably,

from each other. If the thought from a mind three millennia agocan touch us,

move us, help us, how much more so the thoughts we project orreceive from

others near to us in space and time? We are all onetogether.

May you be peace.

Kelly Joyce Neff

Pacifica, California

August 2005

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ONE

RAW HONEY

Raw honey which has not been pasteurized or filtered, andideally taken directly

from the hive is a treasure chest of nutritional value andmedicinal remedies. It

contains an abundance of vitamins and minerals, and is a naturaland powerful

medicine, both internally and externally.

What can it do for us?

The list of Honeys beneficial functions is a long one. Honeyincreases calcium

absorption; can increase hemoglobin count and treat or preventanemia caused by

nutritional factors; can help arthritic joints, when combinedwith apple cider

vinegar; fights colds and respiratory infections of all kinds;can help to boost

gastrointestinal ulcer healing; works as a natural and gentlelaxative; aids

constipation, allergies and obesity; provides an array ofvitamins and minerals; and

supplies instant energy without the insulin surge caused bywhite sugar. Many have

found raw honey helpful for its positive affects againstallergies and hay fever,

and one or two teaspoons last thing at night can help withinsomnia. As an

antiseptic, honey is also a drawing agent for poisons from bitesor stings or

infected wounds, and has outperformed antibiotics in treatmentsfor stomach

ulcerations, gangrene, surgical wound infections, surgicalincisions, and the

protection of skin grafts, corneas, blood vessels, and bonesduring storage and

shipment.

Raw honey is exceptionally effective internally against bacteriaand parasites.

Plus, raw honey contains natural antibiotics which help killmicrobes directly. Rawhoney, when applied topically, speeds thehealing of tissues damaged by infection

and/or trauma. It contains vitamins, minerals and enzymes, aswell as sugars, all of

which aid in the healing of wounds.

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So writes Dr. Cass Igram, D.O. in The

Survivor's Nutritional Pharmacy. In a

fascinating modern development, scien-

tists and doctors are beginning to re-

discover the effectiveness of honey asa wound treatment. Inrecent years,

honey has been used effectively in

clinical settings for the treatment of

fist-sized ulcers extending to the bone,

as well as for first, second, and third

degree burns. Complete healing has been reported without theneed for skin grafts

and with no infection or muscle loss. It can be applied fullstrength to such condi-

tions, covered with a sterile bandage, and changed daily. Whenthe wounds areclean, honey acts as a healer. This also is the sameprocedure for infected wounds,

ulcerations, and impetigo. Garlic honey can also be applieddirectly to infected

wounds which will help clean up the area of infection.

Dr. Peter Molan, Professor of Biochemistry at WaikatoUniversity, New Zealand,

has been at the forefront of honey research for twenty years. Heheads the

universitys Honey Research Unit, which is internationallyrecognized for its

expertise in the antimicrobial properties of honey. Clinicalobservations and

experimental studies have established that honey has effectiveantibacterial and

anti-inflammatory properties. Astonishingly, it painlesslyremoves pus, scabs and

dead tissue from wounds and stimulates new tissue growth.Randomized trials have

shown that honey is more effective in controlling infection inburn wounds than

silver sulfadiazine, the antibacterial ointment most widely usedon burns in

hospitals, explains Dr. Molan.

Dr. Molan believes that if honey were used from the start incases of septicemia,

there would be far less tissue damage resulting. The remarkableability of honeyto reduce inflammation and mop up free radicalsshould halt the progress of the

skin damage like it does in burns, as well as protecting frominfection setting in,

says Dr. Molan. At present, people are turning to honey whennothing else works.

But there are very good grounds for using honey as a therapeuticagent of first

choice.

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Researchers believe that the therapeutic potential of honey isgrossly

underutilized. With increasing interest in the use ofalternative therapies and as

the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria spreads, honeymay finally receive

its due recognition as a wound healer.

Indeed, it works: raw honey makes a sterile, painless

and effective wound dressing. Apply it directly to

open cuts, abrasions and burns, and cover it with a

piece of gauze. The results will occur quicker than

with conventional alternatives, such as salves and

creams.

Honey is exceptionally effective for respiratory

ailments. One Bulgarian study of almost 18,000

patients found that it improved chronic bronchitis,

asthmatic bronchitis, chronic and allergic rhinitis, and

sinusitis. Its an effective treatment for colds, flu,respiratory infections, and a

generally depressed immune system. Whereas sugar shuts down theimmune

system, a good quality honey will stimulate it into action.

Here are some more ways to utilize the healing power ofhoney:

BURNS - Apply freely over burns. It cools, removes pain, andaids fast healing

without scarring. Apart from being a salve and an antibiotic,bacteria simply cannot

survive in honey.

BED WETTING - A teaspoon of honey before bed aids waterretention and calms

fears in children.

INSOMNIA - A dessertspoon of honey in a mug of warm milk aidssleep and works

wonders.

HYPERACTIVITY - Replace all use of white sugar with honey. Whitesugar is highly

stimulating with no food qualifies. Honey provides the energywithout the spike!

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NASAL CONGESTION - Place a dessertspoon of honey in a basin ofwater and

inhale fumes after covering your head with a towel over thebasin. Very effective!

FATIGUE - Dissolve a dessert spoon of honey in warm water orquarter honey

balance of water in a jug and keep in the fridge. Honey isprimarily fructose and

glucose, and so its quickly absorbed by the digestive system.Honey is a unique

natural stabilizer: ancient Greek athletes took honey forstamina before

competing, and as a reviver after competition.

FACIAL DEEP CLEANSER - Mix honey with an equal quantity ofoatmeal, and apply

as a face pack. Leave on for half an hour then wash it off.Great as a deep cleanserfor acne and other unwanted blemishes.

POOR DIGESTION - Mix honey with an equal quantity of apple cidervinegar and

dilute to taste with water. This is also wonderful for thejoints and promotes

weight loss.

HAIR CONDITIONER - Mix honey with an equal quantity of oliveoil, cover head

with a warm tower for half an hour then shampoo off. Feeds hairand scalp. Your

hair will never look or feel better!

SORE THROATS - Let a teaspoon of honey melt in the back of themouth and

trickle down the throat. Eases inflamed raw tissues.

FOR STRESS - Honey in water is a stabilizer, calming highs andraising lows. Use

approx. 25 percent honey to water.

ANEMIA - Honey is the best blood enricher by raising corpusclecontent. Thedarker the honey, the more minerals it contains.

FOOD PRESERVATIVE If you replace the sugar in cake and cookierecipes with

honey, theyll stay fresher for longer due to honeys naturalantibacterial

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properties. Reduce liquids in the mixture by about one-fifth toallow for the

moisture present in the in honey.

BABY'S BOTTLE - Four teaspoons of honey to a baby's bottle ofwater is an

excellent pacifier and multivitamin additive. If the baby'smotions are too liquid,then reduce the honey by half a teaspoon; iftoo solid increase by half a teaspoon.

(Caution: Dont give raw honey to babies under 1 year old; itsjust too rich.) For

teething, honey rubbed on a baby's gums is also a mild sedativeand anesthetic.

OSTEOPOROSIS Research has shown that a teaspoon of honey per dayaids

calcium utilization and prevents osteoporosis probably not a badidea for anyone

over 50.

LONGEVITY - The most long-lived people in the world are allregular users of

honey. An interesting fact, yet to be explained, is thatbeekeepers suffer less

from cancer and arthritis than any other occupational groupworldwide.

MIGRAINE - Use a dessert spoon of honey dissolved in half aglass of warm water.

Sip at the start of a migraine attack, and, if necessary, repeatafter a further 20

minutes.

CONJUNCTIVITIS - Dissolve honey in an equal quantity of warmwater. When

cooled, apply as a lotion or eye bath.

COUGH MIXTURE Combine 6 oz. (170 g) liquid honey, 2 oz. (55 g)glycerin, and

the juice of two lemons. Mix well. Bottle and cork firmly, anduse as required.

Raw honey may become granulated, as some does after a week andanother maybe

only after several years. If the granulations bother you, simplyplace the honey

into a pan of hot water (not boiling) and let it stand untilbecoming liquid again.

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History and Lore

Honey is collected and used worldwide and is one of the oldestand most revered of

foods. The use of honey as medicine is mentioned in the mostancient written

records.

Sugar was unknown in the ancient world, and the Romans andGreeks had no word

for it; honey was universally used as the sweetener of choice.Physicians in ancient

Rome used honey to help their patients fall asleep whileHippocrates, the famous

5th Century B.C. Greek physician hailed as the Father ofMedicine praised

honeys healing powers and formulated many honey-based cures forailments such

as skin disorders, ulcers and sores; meanwhile, the ancientEgyptians used honey to

treat cataracts, open wounds, cuts and burns.

In World War I, German doctors used honey mixed with cod liveroil to surgically

dress soldiers wounds sustained in battle, and for years,singers have used honey

to boost their energy and soothe their throats

before performances.

How does it work?

Raw honey contains glucose and fructose, which

are easily assimilated monosaccharides (simple

sugars), vitamins A, beta-carotene, all the B-

complex vitamins, and vitamins C, D, E and K.

Theres also an abundance of trace minerals:

magnesium, sulfur, phosphorus, iron, calcium,

chlorine, potassium, and iodine. Refined sugar,

on the other hand, offers empty calories(disaccharides whichhave to be broken down in

the small intestine before entering the bloodstream) isman-made, and has no

nutritional value, containing no vitamins, minerals or traceelements whatsoever.

Which would you choose?

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Raw honey also contains a rich supply of live enzymes which arerequired for the

proper functioning of all body systems. Like royal jelly, beepollen and propolis,

some active substances in honey have not yet been identified;hence they cannot

be chemically reproduced.

A recent issue of Nursing Times reported on the significant caseof a British

teenager, the first instance in which honey was used on multiplemeningococcal skin

lesions. The antibacterial action was evident, as the mixedinfection of

Pseudomonas and Enterococcus cleared from the lesions in a fewweeks and the

number of colonizing staphylococci diminished to a harmlesslevel. Meanwhile, Dr.

Peter Molans important research in New Zealand has beendescribed above.

Raw honey is a tonic (a beneficial, supportive stimulant) to allsystems. Itsantibiotic, antiviral, and has been scientificallyproven to be hygroscopic (i.e. it

absorbs water). It also contains the enzyme glucose oxidase,which converts to

hydrogen peroxide when exposed to water. Add this to the factthat no bacteria

can live in raw honey, and it becomes a clear and natural choicefor health-

conscious individuals, whether its in your cookies or in yourfirst-aid kit.

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TWO

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

The well-known saying An apple a day keeps the

doctor away is actually derived from the old English

saying:

To eat an apple before going to bed

will make the doctor beg for his bread.

The undisputed benefits of eating apples, however, can

be further multiplied many fold by the consumption of

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV). A veritable host of

vitamins, minerals and other nutrients and substances

is available in ACV to improve and reinforce health.

What can it do for us?

The Bragg family, who make the famous Braggs Apple CiderVinegar, like to tell the

following story. Farmer Bragg had an old hen prepared fordinner. The old hen's

meat was tough and didn't taste good (this being what happens topoultry and beef

when its deficient in potassium; human flesh suffers the sameproblems). To prove

to the children that ACV and raw honey needed to be an importantpart of their

daily nutrition, he would then select another old hen for thedinner table. But this

time he fed that old hen ACV twice a day. For a week to ten dayshe gave the hen

the ACV mixture. When the hen was prepared for the dinner table,the children

saw the difference in the old hen's meat. They tasted how tenderit was. It wasjust like eating a young hen.

When acid crystals harden in the joints and tissues of anyanimal, the joints

become stiff and the tissues become hardened. The meat becomestough and

tasteless. But, when the animals are given ACV regularly, theprecipitated acid

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crystals enter into a solution and pass out of the body, thusmaking the body

tissues healthier and tender. This applies to human fleshalso.

Now, when body tissues hold all the precipitated acid crystalsthey can, the

crystals next appear in the bursae and the joints of the body,resulting in arthritisand bursitis. 1 to 2 teaspoons of ACV with 1to 2 teaspoons of raw honey in a glass

of water daily will help relieve the stiff aching andprematurely old joints. You be

the judge. See how elastic and well oiled your joints willbecome!

Even the very healthiest people must continually fight thebuild-up of acid crystals

in the body. The strongest solvent of acid crystals is a simpledrink made up of

ACV, raw honey and water. This powerful daily mixture puts theacid crystals in

solution so they can be flushed out of the body by the kidneysand other organs ofelimination. The malic acid content of the ACVdissolves calcium deposits in joints,

while ACV acts to balance the acid-alkaline pH levels in thebody and helps to

oxygenate the blood.

Animal proteins and fats have a tendency to thicken the blood.Blood has to

circulate all over the body through the arteries, blood vesselsand tiny capillaries,

and its impossible for blood to circulate freely through theseincredibly thin pipes

when its thickened with too much protein. However, the naturalacids in ACV help

keep the blood healthier and thinner. Its been reported thatsoaring blood

pressure can be dramatically reduced by a 48 hour fastingprogram with only ACV,

raw honey and water (five glasses a day plus additional water)being taken; a longer

program, without the fasting, is said to work just as well.

ACV also prevents the growth of

bacteria and mold. The acid content of

ACV helps reduce the chance of bacterial

or fungal growth on fresh foods. If youuse conventionally grownproduce, you can

remove pesticide residues by spraying

fruit and vegetables with ACV, then wait

five minutes and rinse. Similarly, to

eliminate bacteria (from either organic

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or conventional produce), spray with ACV, wait five minutes andrinse. ACV can also

be sprayed on seeds during the sprouting period to prevent thegrowth of bacteria

or fungi: simply place ACV in a mister bottle and spray yourseeds thoroughly with

ACV after each rinse with fresh water until the seeds aresprouted. You can rinse

the ACV from the sprouts before serving if you dislike thetaste!

ACV has been helpful as an aid for digestion, helping to breakdown minerals,

protein and fats. It also inhibits the growth of unfriendlybacteria in the digestive

tract. ACV has detoxifying properties, strengthens the immunesystem and may

ameliorate viral, bacterial and fungal infections. Its used asan antibacterial and

anti-inflammatory medicine and has a natural antibioticeffect.

Its benefits also include alleviating respiratory infections andmay reducesymptoms such as watery eyes and nasal discharge withcomplete relief of pollen,

food and pet allergies. If you live in a highly polluted areawhere allergies and sinus

infections are rampant, your system may

better balance itself with a small dose of ACV

each day. ACV has also been reported to cure

sinus infections, acne, high cholesterol,

chronic fatigue, Candida, acid reflux, sore

throats, contact dermatitis, arthritis, and

gout; many find it to be a general energy

tonic. It can be used to sooth sunburns and

insect bites, to make your hair shine, and to

treat dandruff. A wonderful side effect of drinking ACV everyday is that it brings

a healthy, rosy glow to ones complexion. This is great news ifyou suffer from a

pale countenance! And, whats more although no-one is quite surehow ACV also

seems to break down fat and is widely reported to be a gradual,yet permanent and

effective aid to losing weight.

Many commercial ACVs have been pasteurized, filtered, refined ordistilled in

order to make the product look good, and thereby more appealingto the general

public. Unfortunately this extra processing destroys much of thehealthy goodness

of the product. The best type of ACV to use is one made fromcold pressed,

organically grown whole apples, to which no chemicals orpreservatives have been

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added, which contains the mother of vinegar, and is notpasteurized. This

mother, as its affectionately known, is a natural gelatinoussubstance formed

during the final fermentation step. This type of especiallywholesome ACV can be

found readily in most health food stores and even in somegeneral grocery stores.

History and Lore

The benefits of ACV have been recognized for a long time; forover 10,000 years

people have used vinegar in one form or another as both a foodand a medicine for

themselves and their animals. Its intriguing to think that intodays computerized,

sophisticated world, were still using one product which wasdiscovered quite by

chance so many millennia ago, when it was discovered that a caskof wine gone

past its time had turned into a wonderful new product.

The ancients were quick to explore the remarkable versatility ofvinegar. In 5,000

B.C. the Babylonians were fermenting in commercial productionthe fruit of date

palms to make date vinegar, and besides consuming it also usedit as a preservative.

The Ancient Egyptians sang the praises of vinegar as far back as3,000 B.C.; one

Egyptian jar dating back to 8,000 B.C. was used to containvinegar. Records show

that the Egyptians were using ACV in particular not just as anantiseptic, but as a

weight loss agent as well. And in later times, Cleopatrademonstrated vinegars sol-

vent property by dissolving precious pearls in it to win a wagerthat she could con-

sume a fortune in a single meal.

In ancient Greece, Hippocrates strongly advocated drinkingvinegar for his pa-

tients as an energizing tonic and a healing elixir. Oxymel, amedicine he often pre-

scribed, was a combination of honey and vinegar; he instructedhis students that

they would find the drink very useful for expelling phlegm andpromoting freedom

of breathing. Hippocrates also used vinegar externally, forcleaning ulcerations and

to treat swellings, inflammations and burns. Meanwhile, theRomans made vinegarfrom grapes, dates, figs and rye. (The wordvinegar comes from the French vin ai-

gre; it was actually called aceto, meaning acid, by the Romans.)Caesars armies

used sweetened diluted vinegar called posca (poor mans wine) asa preventative

medicine much as we take vitamins today, to cook with, for itsantiseptic properties

against insect and snake bites, and to clean their wounds afterbattle (a life-saving

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practice emulated as recently as in World War I). In the 2ndCentury A.D., the

great physician Galen prescribed the combination of honey andvinegar for coughs.

Its also recorded that Hannibal used vinegar to remove bouldersin his path across

the Alps by heating the boulders, and then dousing them withcold vinegar which

cracked into smaller moveable stones; and when faced withslippery snow, he usedvinegar to dissolve it.

During the Sung dynasty in ancient China, vinegar was listed byTzu-Mu as one of

the seven necessities that even the poorest people couldnt dowithout. Ancient

Japanese documentation has vinegar reaching an art form in theHeian Period with

the addition of vinegar from fruits and flowers. In the 17thCentury, Europeans

discovered the medicinal value of vinegar and preparedantiseptic vinegar, vinegar

syrups and a variety of medical types of vinegar. In 1703, B.Boyles, a fellow of theRoyal Society of London, recommended vinegaras a gargle.

Vinegar was a common food preservation method for vegetables aswell as for

fruits and meats since ancient times. Salting, pickling anddehydrating were the

only ways to preserve food for thousands of years and a numberof such recipes

were developed by trial and error.

How does it work?

Its suggested that ACV has such curative abilities because itcauses the pH

(acidity) levels to become more alkaline or, in the case of toomuch alkalinity, more

acidic. Urinalysis studies done in the 1950s by D. C. Jarvis(author of Folk

Medicine) showed that pH levels in the body become highlyalkaline before and

during an allergy attack (contrary to what you would normallyread on the subject).

If youre going to try ACV for allergies, or even to preventsickness, we suggest

you do some investigation of your own by buying a pH test kit ata local pharmacy,

garden nursery, or even pool supply store. You can use thesekits or pH strips totest your urine to see if you are more alkalineor acid during an allergy attack, virus

or bacterial infection. Once you ascertain your pH levels, youcan adjust your

dosage of ACV accordingly. Experiment to find the pH balance atwhich your body

functions optimally.

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ACV in itself is alkaline because of its ash

content; this means if the ACV is burned, whats

left over becomes ash. When you check for the

pH of that ash and dissolve it with water, the

content is alkaline. Whenever our body digestsanything itundergoes oxidation, which is similar

to burning. The end result is that you can

determine whether the end product is alkaline or

acid.

ACV has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-

viral properties, primarily coming from the malic

acid and acetic acid portion of the vinegar. ACVacts as a bufferin the body because the acetic

acid reacts with base or acid compounds to form

an acetate, therefore rendering them chemically bioavailable forthe bodys

utilization. Additionally, ACV can reduce the toxicity ofcertain compounds by

converting the toxin into an acetate compound which is lesstoxic. This is why ACV

works so well for insect bites and certain skin allergies.

Scientists have measured ninety different bioactive substancesin ACV, such as

thirteen types of carbolic acids, four aldehydes, twentyketones, eighteen types of

alcohols, and eight ethyl acetates. ACV provides enzymes andimportant minerals

and trace elements such as potassium, calcium, magnesium,phosphorous, chlorine,

sodium, sulfur, copper, iron, silicon, fluorine and other traceminerals. ACVs vitamin

content includes Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Vitamin B1,Vitamin B2, Vitamin

B6, beta-carotene, and Vitamin P (bioflavonoids). ACV alsocontains malic acid,

acetic acid, tartaric acid, propionic acid, lactic acid,numerous enzymes, and amino

acids, as well as roughage in the form of potash and applepectin.

The secret of ACVs amazing nutritional value goes beyond thenutritious apples

which form its basis, and comes from the fermentation of applejuice to hard apple

cider, followed by a second fermentation to ACV itself. Thisnatural product

retains all the nutritional goodness of the apples from which itwas made, and its

also fortified with the extra acids and enzymes produced duringthe two

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fermentation steps. It's the sum of all these ingredients thatgive ACV its amazing

health benefits. Be aware that if you choose to buy whitedistilled vinegar, it has

none of these beneficial constituents!

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THREE

BICARBONATE OF SODA (BAKING SODA)

Many components of the modern western diet

meats, fish, dairy products, most grains, sugars,

alcohol and caffeinated drinks (in fact, almost

everything except vegetables, millet, most fruits

and, as we have just seen, Apple Cider Vinegar)

contribute to ones body becoming too acidic. This in

turn can open the door to a variety of problems,some of them(including arthritic complaints)

potentially serious if this acidic condition persists

for many years.

This is because your body will attempt to compensate byretaining alkaline salts in

the bloodstream to offset the increase of tissue acidity. Sinceyour body can only

tolerate a small imbalance in blood pH (the acid-alkalibalance), it will rob alkaline

components from other places including your bodys preciousalkaline reserves in

an effort to restore a proper pH equilibrium. This can result inheartburn,

digestive distress, stomach upset, fatigue, and a multitude ofother symptoms.

Simple, inexpensive kitchen baking soda can fix this.

What can it do for us?

Very useful in keeping the body healthily alkalized is half toone teaspoon a day of

baking soda in water. Dont take it with or within an hour ofmeals, though, as the

stomach needs to retain its acidity in order to perform itsdigestive functionseffectively. A great deal of tap water (or evenstore-bought spring water) is

surprisingly acidic; filtration will remove toxins but will notaffect the pH balance

of the water. (Baking soda can be used to reduce the corrosionof acidic drinking

water in municipal water supplies, therefore reducing thetoxicity of the lead and

copper which are dissolved from the pipes.) You can purchase apH testing kit for

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home use very cheaply, and if the water you usually drink isacidic (i.e. with a pH of

less than 7.0), you could remedy this cheaply and easily byadding a pinch of baking

soda to all the water you consume.

Baking soda is also effective for polishing teeth (withoutscratching the toothsurface) and fighting bad breath (sprinkle alittle on the toothbrush bristles). It

can even be tried for exfoliating skin when acne is a problem(add a little to a

facial cleanser in place of using a commercial facialscrub).

When baking soda is added to bath water, sunburn sufferers oftenexperience a

notable reduction in pain. Place a cup (8 ounces) of baking sodaunder the running

bath tap so it dissolves completely, and soak in a lukewarm tubfor about half an

hour. Such a bath will soothe the pain and you wont have toendure the stingingsensation of a shower. Adding baking soda to ahot bath at any time also helps wash

acid wastes out of the body.

In addition, baking soda can be used in cool (but not cold) bathwater to soothe

other skin irritations and alleviate itching from prickly heat,bee stings, insect

bites, and other minor skin ailments. A paste (made with justenough water to get

the desired sticky consistency) placed on an insect bite orsting and allowed to dry

is a time-tested approach for drawing out and neutralizingpoisons.

People with skin allergies who tend to react to commerciallaundry detergents

might find that washing their clothing and bedding in bakingsoda is less irritating.

Simple baking soda may also weaken the desire for a cigarette aswell as reducing

the desire for sugar and sweets. Its used in kidney dialysis toreduce the level of

acids in the bloodstream, and acts to prevent bacterial growthin food products.

For general purposes of alkalinizing the body, quarter to half ateaspoon twice a

day in water is usually enough.

History and Lore

The medicinal and self-care uses of baking soda were recognizedby the United

States Pharmacopoeia (USP) more than 150 years ago. For years,baking soda has

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been recommended because of its antacid effects, mainly toneutralize stomach

acids that can cause heartburn, acid indigestion, and relateddiscomforts.

How does it work?

As it mixes with the hydrochloric acid in the stomach, bakingsoda triggers a

chemical reaction, and its end products are salt (NaCl, orsodium chloride), carbon

dioxide (CO2), and water. The water is harmless, and the carbondioxide gets

released as a gas, producing a familiar burp once the acid isneutralized.

However, commercial antacid products only lessen symptoms ofover-acidity by

blocking the production of acid and can often produce unwantedside effects. They

alter your bodys ability to absorb protein and calcium which canthen create theneed for a calcium supplement to compensate.

If it were not for the presence of sodium which makes the tissuein the stomach

highly alkaline the lining would be destroyed by thehydrochloric acid in the

stomach. The stomach, intestines, joints, and ligaments are inconstant need of

natural food-source sodium. Naturally occurring sodium is nottobe confused with

the sodium from common commercial table salt, which is processedwith extreme

heat using many chemical and bleaching agents (see the chapteron Salt which

follows).

Potassium neutralizes acid wastes, and in combination withsodium, maintains a

healthy acid/alkaline balance. Potassium and sodium are nearlyalways found

together in the body and perform many of the same functions.Second only to

breathing and maintaining a heartbeat the most importantmetabolic function our

body performs is to maintain a balanced pH. Baking soda, insmall amounts,

performs this function.

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FOUR

SALT

Salt is not your enemy. The phrase Salt of the

earth is not a compliment for nothing! Salt is a

vital substance for the survival of all living

creatures, particularly humans.

Water and Salt regulate the water content of

the body, and water itself regulates the watercontent of theinterior of the cell by working its

way into all of the cells it reaches. It has to get there tocleanse and extract the

toxic wastes of cell metabolisms; Salt forces some water toremain outside the

cells, and balances the amount which stays outside. So there aretwo reservoirs of

water in the body; one reservoir is held inside the cells of thebody, and the other

reservoir is held outside the cells. Good health depends on themost delicate

balance between the volumes of these two reservoirs. Thisbalance is achieved by

Salt unrefined Salt. When organic, unrefined Salt is lacking inyour diet,

weakness and sickness often follow.

The problem with Salt is not the Salt itself but the conditionof the Salt we eat.

Our regular table Salt no longer has anything in common withnatural crystal Salt

from rocks or the sea. Table Salt nowadays is mainly the purechemical sodium

chloride and not Salt as it occurs in nature. With the advent ofindustrial

development, our natural Salt was chemically cleaned and reducedto simple

sodium chloride. Major producing companies dry their Salt inhuge kilns with

temperatures reaching 1200F, changing the Salts chemicalstructure which inturn adversely affects the human body. The commontable Salt we use for cooking

has only two or three chemical elements. Seawater, in contrast,has 84 chemical

elements. For our body to be healthy we need all those minerals.When we use

common Salt, we are in deficit of 81 of these naturalconstituents, which means

were inadvertently causing ourselves to grow weaker, imbalancedand more

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susceptible to diseases. Use sea Salt always or rock Salt, whichin most cases is

almost as rich in nutrients. The phrase unrefined Salt will beused in the rest of

this chapter to cover both varieties of rich, natural Salt.

What can it do for us?

When water and unrefined Salt are combined, they form a newsubstance, Sole

(so-lay). Sole is the fundamental mineral infusion for yourbody. You can replace

electrolytes and balance your energy

simply and naturally by drinking a

Sole solution each day. The Sole is

an excellent product for balancing

the pH of your body. With the Sole,one can also get rid oftoxic,

accumulating heavy metals such as

lead, mercury, arsenic, nickel and

cadmium because unrefined Salt is

able to break up their molecular

structures.

Sole drinking therapy

Everyone knows that Salt dissolves in water, right? But it wontdissolve forever.

Did you know that if you keep adding Salt to a glass of wateryou get to a point

where the water becomes super-salty and saturated with Salt? Didyou also know

that when the water becomes super-saturated in this way that thesurplus Salt

will just sit on the bottom of the glass without dissolving?This is exactly what

Sole is: super-saturated, super-salty water as salty as it canpossibly get. Heres

how to make it:

Place one inch of unrefined Salt in a glass jar, preferably onewith a lid. Add two to

three inches of good quality spring water to the Salt,completely covering the

crystals with water, and let it sit overnight.

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If all the Salt crystals seem to have dissolved, gradually addsome more unrefined

Salt to the water. Your Sole is ready when the water becomesfully saturated with

Salt and just cannot hold any more. At this stage the Salt willno longer dissolve.

There should always be undissolved Salt crystals visible in thejar. As you start to

use up the Sole, add more water and more Salt until the water isagain saturated inthe same way. Remember, there should always beundissolved Salt crystals on the

bottom of the jar. This is your visual proof that the water istotally saturated with

Salt.

Each morning, before eating or drinking anything, add oneteaspoon of the Sole to a

glass of spring water and drink it all. Your grateful body willbenefit from the

considerable value of the unrefined Salt until the nextmorning..

Keep the lid on the jar to prevent the water from evaporating.Otherwise, no

special storage is needed. The fully saturated Sole will keepforever. Salt is

naturally anti-bacterial and a natural fungicide. It can neverspoil or go bad.

Besides drinking a glass of the Sole each morning, the Sole canalso be used

undiluted for tooth brushing. As a

mouthwash, it helps reduce gum

bleeding.

Body Peeling

Do you feel tired and without energy?

Make some time and treat yourself to

a full Body Peeling. First take a

shower with warm water to open the

pores. A Body Peeling made from a

mixture of unrefined Salt and oil isideal for detoxing. Youllachieve the

same purifying effect as going on a

several day fast. At the same time,

youll receive an energy boost due to

the high concentrated minerals in the

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Salt mixture, which will be absorbed through the skin a powerfulorgan of

absorption and elimination which is easy to forget about. ThePeeling will also

enhance the blood circulation in your skin.

Directions for Use

In a little bowl, mix 3.5 Tbs. of unrefined Salt with 1 Tbs. ofcold-pressed oil

(organic is best) and a quarter tsp. of 100% pure Lavender oil.Stir the mixture

until smooth. Lie down on a large beach towel and rub your wholebody with this

mixture. (You can relax even more deeply if somebody else doesthis for you!) Wrap

yourself in the towel, then cover yourself with a blanket. Keepthe Peeling on your

skin for about half an hour. Youll experience a warm flowthroughout your body,

which tells you that the body cells are doing their work. Rinseoff the Peeling withwarm water and gently pat dry your skin.Dontrub it dry. The oil will remain on

your skin and make it soft and velvety.

Arthritis and Gout

o On an empty stomach, drink 1 tsp. of Sole with good qualitywater.o Continue drinking good quality water throughout the day, atleast 2 to 3

quarts.o Make a cold Sole poultice of pure Sole solution andapply it to the affected

areas. Wrap with a dry cloth bandage.

Osteoporosis

o On an empty stomach, drink 1 tsp. of Sole with good qualitywater.o Continue drinking good quality water throughout the day, atleast 2 to 3

quarts.o Fill a linen or cotton bag with unrefined Salt crystalsand heat it in the oven to

125140F. Put the heated bag directly on your aching joint orother sore body

area for twenty minutes. If you have joint pains in your handsand feet, you

can also bath them in a Sole solution. Water at body temperature(98.4F) is

ideal for this.

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Asthma/Bronchitis

o On an empty stomach, drink 1 tsp. of Sole with good qualitywater.o Continue drinking good quality water throughout the day, atleast 2 to 3

quarts.

o Give yourself inhalation therapy once or twice a day with a 3%brine solutionfor 1015 minutes. Heat 4-8 quarts of water untilboiling. Add the Salt (1 oz,

or 30 g, for each quart of water) and let it dissolve. Coveryour head with a

towel and inhale the vapors, keeping your face far enough awayfrom the hot

steam so as not to scald yourself.

Open Wounds: a poultice made of Sole

Open wound injuries can be treated effectively with a solutionof half an oz. (15 g)

of unrefined Salt diluted in half a cup of water. Unrefined Saltis a natural anti-

bacterial agent, and its not necessary to use a moreconcentrated solution than

this (if you use a higher ratio of Salt to water the injury maygive you an

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unpleasant burning feeling). Use only high quality,non-carbonated spring water to

treat open wounds. Take sterile gauze, soak it in the Solesolution, rinse it and

apply it on the wound. Then wrap a dry cloth around it.

A Brine Shirt for Detox and Flu or Fever Relief

Dip a clean cotton shirt in a 3% Sole solution 2 Tbs. of crystalSalt diluted in 1

quart of water. Rinse the shirt thoroughly and put it on. Wrapyourself in a dry

towel and lay in bed, covered with a blanket. After about halfan hour youll start

sweating (you can support the effect by drinking a cup of Lindenblossom tea). Stay

in bed for an hour to an hour and a half. Then take off yourshirt and shower, and

treat yourself to an hours rest.

This Brine Shirt is an excellent detox, and stimulates themetabolism; its very

helpful if youre suffering from flu with a high temperature, andis usually better

than a brine bath.

Brine Soaked Socks

This has a similar effect as the Brine Shirt, but is especiallyhelpful if youre

suffering from cold feet or gout. Soak a pair of clean cottonsocks in a 3-5% Sole

solution (2-4 Tbs. of unrefined Salt diluted in a quart ofwater). Wring the socks

thoroughly and put them on, then wrap your feet in a dry towel.Leave them on for

about an hour, then treat yourself to an hours rest.

Dental Hygiene

Healthy teeth and gums are not only visually attractive but arealso most important

for our overall health. Unrefined Salt

is very valuable for dental hygiene.Most dental problems derivefrom an

over-acidic condition in the mouth

and throat. Unrefined Salt creates

pH-neutral (pH-balanced) mouth

flora and helps protect your tooth

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enamel.Brush your teeth every morning with concentrated Sole.Press the Sole

through your teeth with the help of your tongue. Gargle withSole for about three

minutes, and then spit it out again.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is usually inherited and appears mostly at adulthood.However, the disease

does not have to be lifelong. An alkaline, vegetarian diet isthe basis of every

effective treatment: fresh vegetables (but not brussel sproutsor artichokes),

salads, fresh fruits, cold pressed virgin olive oil, freshlysqueezed fruit and

vegetable juices, non-carbonated water and herb teas.

Added to this, Salt therapy can work wonders. Many patients havereported thatswimming or floating in the Dead Sea, which containsthe highest natural Salt

concentration in the world, relieves symptoms magically althoughsymptoms are

likely to return without home treatment as well.

Treating Psoriasis at home

Every morning, on an empty stomach, drink a glass of water with1 tsp. of

concentrated Sole. Drink 2-3 quarts of spring water during theday. Take an

unrefined Salt bath twice a week for 10-20 minutes. Start with a3% Sole solution

concentration (6 lbs of unrefined Salt diluted in a full bath ofwater). Gradually

increase the concentration up to 8% for subsequent baths. TheSole bath will not

only moisturize your skin but also help stop inflammation. Ahighly concentrated

Sole bath is detoxing, and becomes more so the hotter it is: usea temperature

that feels comfortable for you, but no more than bodytemperature (98.4 F). This

works even better if you can let the sun dry you off naturally(five to ten minutes

are sufficient if youre lucky enough to live in sunny climes!).Parts of the body that

may be more infected than others, such as elbows and knees, canbe massaged withconcentrated Sole solution.

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Herpes

Herpes sores can be painful, annoying and persistent. The herpesvirus is always

present in our systems, but if were healthy its naturally heldin check. However, if

our immune system becomes weakened, the virus can multiply at anexplosive rateand herpes blisters develop. If they appear, tryusing Sole. Sole always

strengthens your immune system.

o On an empty stomach, drink 1 tsp. of Sole with good qualitywater.o Continue drinking good quality water throughout the day, atleast 2 to 3

quarts.

o Apply some pure, concentrated Sole solution (25%) directly tothe infectedherpes blister with a cotton swab every hour.

History and Lore

Both sea Salt and rock Salt were well known to the

ancient Greeks, who observed that eating salty

food affected basic body functions such as

digestion and excretion; this led to Salt being used

medically. Hippocrates strongly advocated Salt in

the 5th Century B.C. Salt-based remedies were

thought to have expectorant powers. A mixture of

water, Salt, and vinegar was employed as an

emetic. Drinking a mixture of two-thirds cows milk

and one-third Salt water, in the mornings, on an

empty stomach was recommended as a cure for

diseases of the spleen. A mixture of Salt and

honey was applied topically to clean bad ulcers andSalt waterwas used externally against skin diseases and freckles. Hippocratesalso

mentions inhalation of steam from Salt water. So, two millenniaago, Greek

medicine had already discovered topical use of Salt for skinlesions, drinking Salty,

mineralized waters for digestive problems, and inhaling Salt forrespiratory

diseases.

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The doctor and alchemist Paracelsus (14931541 A.D.) introducedan entirely new

medical concept. He believed that external factors createdisease and conceived a

chemically oriented medical system, contrasting strongly withthe philosophy of

the herbal medicine that was prevalent at the time. However, healso advocatedSalt. Only salted food could be digested properly,Paracelsus wrote: The human

being must have salt. He cannot be without salt. Where there isno salt, nothing will

remain, but everything will tend to rot. He recommended Saltwater for the

treatment of wounds and for use against intestinal worms. Heclaimed that a hip-

bath in Salt water was a superb remedy for skin diseases anditching: This brine,

he said, is better than all the health spas arising out ofnature. He described the

diuretic effect of Salt consumption and prescribed Saltpreparations of different

strengths that were used for instance against constipation.

How does it work?

When water is available to get inside the cells freely, itsfiltered from the salty

reservoir outside the cells and is injected into the cells thatare being stressed

because of their water shortage. The design of our bodies issuch that the extent

of the reservoir of water outside the cells is expanded to makethe extra water

available for filtration and emergency injection into vitalcells. The brain commandsan increase in Salt, and water retentionby the kidneys. This is how we can

sometimes get an oedema when we dont drink enough water. Wemight be retaining

it instead!

Initially, the process of water filtration and its delivery intothe cells is more

efficient at night when the body is horizontal. The collectedwater, which mostly

pools in the legs, no longer has to fight the force of gravity.If reliance on this

emergency cell hydration continues for long, the lungs start tobecome waterlogged

at night and breathing becomes difficult; more pillows areneeded at night to prop

the body upright to sleep. This condition is the consequence ofdehydration.

However, its possible to overload the system by drinking toomuch water at the

start of a remedial program. Increases in water intake must beslow and spread

out, until urine volume begins to increase at the same rate thatwater is consumed.

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When we drink enough water to pass clear urine, we also pass outa lot of the Salt

that was held back. This is how we can get rid of oedema fluidin the body: by

drinking more water. Not diuretics but more water! This seems sonon-intuitive

that many people dont even believe this: but its neverthelesstrue. Try it and find

out for yourself!

If you have an extensive oedema with symptoms of your heartbeginning to beat

irregularly or rapidly after little physical effort yourincrease in water intake

should be gradual and spaced out, but not withheld from yourbody. Salt intake

should be limited for two or three days because your body isstill in a kind of

overdrive mode to retain it. Once the oedema has cleared up,Salt should no longer

be withheld.

Salt i.e. sodium is an electrolyte that your body needs.Electrolytes are minerals

that dissolve in water and can carry electrical charges. Purewater does not

conduct electricity, but water containing Salt does.

The three major electrolytes are

sodium, potassium and chloride.

Other body electrolytes are

magnesium, calcium, zinc, and many

others in very small amounts; these

are the so-called trace minerals.

Theyre electrically charged so

they can carry nutrients into and

out of your cells, and also carry

messages along your nerves and

help control your heartbeat.

Since your body is made mostly of water, these minerals can befound everywherein your body. Theyre inside your cells, in thespaces between your cells, in your

blood, your lymph, and everywhere else. Since they hold anelectrical charge they

can move through your cell membranes and thus carry othernutrients with them

into the cells, and transport waste products and excess waterout.

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In recent years there has been much publicity about the need toreduce Salt

consumption in societies where Salt is added to many processedfoods. Whats been

forgotten is that some Salt intake is absolutely necessary;people need Salt,

sodium chloride, to survive. The chemical requirements of thehuman body demand

that the Salt concentration in the blood be kept constant. Ifthe body does not getenough Salt, a hormonal mechanismcompensates

by reducing the excretion of Salt in the urine and

sweat. But it cannot reduce this output to zero. On

a completely Salt-free diet the body steadily loses

small amounts of Salt via the kidneys and sweat

glands. It then attempts to adjust this by

accelerating its secretion of water, so that the

bloods Salt concentration can be maintained atthe vital level.The result is a gradual dehydration

of the entire body, and finally death.

An eight-year study of a New York City hypertensive populationstratified for

sodium intake levels found those on low-Salt diets had more thanfour times as

many heart attacks as those on normal-sodium diets the exactopposite of what

the salt hypothesis would have predicted.

The past president of the American Heart Association, Dr.Suzanne Oparil of the

University of Alabama, Birmingham, said her personal view isthat the government

may have been too quick to recommend Salt restriction as asolitary

recommendation for the population for the prevention or thetreatment of

hypertension and therefore that everyone should reduce theirsalt intake. In

1995 Dr. Jeffrey Cutler documented no health benefits oflow-sodium diets.

Potassium and sodium are very closely linked. To keep your bodyhealthy, your cells

need to have a lot of potassium inside and a lot of sodium inthe fluid outside. Tokeep the balance, potassium and sodiumconstantly move back and forth through

the cell membrane.

Cells need the correct balance of sodium and potassium. Theratio that your body

maintains is about three parts potassium and one part sodium.Thus, the problem of

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too much sodium (Salt) cannot be overstated. If the body becomesoversupplied

with sodium compared to the amount of available potassium, thebody excretes

more of it to try to maintain the balance. If the kidneys cannotexcrete it, this

causes the vascular system to constrict, and then the bodydilutes the

extracellular sodium in the body by increasing the fluid volumein the body. Thus,you get fluid retention.

The solution here is to increase the potassium intake anddecrease the sodium.

How? Bananas, pumpkin seeds, apples, apple cider vinegar (a richsource), oranges

and other fruits... and natural, unrefined sea or rock Salt(which contains

potassium anyway).

We need less than 500 mg of sodium a day to stay healthy. Thisis enough toaccomplish all the vital functions that sodium performsin the body helping

maintain normal fluid levels, healthy muscle function, stomachand nerve function,

and proper acid-alkaline balance (pH) of the blood.

Taking diuretics may lead to a Salt deficiency. Symptoms of

sodium deficiency can be serious enough to include abdominal

cramps, anorexia, confusion, dehydration, depression,dizziness,

fatigue, flatulence, hallucinations, headache, heartpalpitations,

and impaired sense of taste, lethargy, low blood pressure,

memory impairment, muscular weakness, nausea and vomiting, poorcoordination,

recurrent infections, seizures and weight loss.

Diarrhea or vomiting can also cause you to quickly loseelectrolytes (especially

potassium) with the fluid. If stricken, you need to replace thefluids and

electrolytes quickly.

A good way to do this is to make an 8 ounces glass of a mixtureof apple, orangeand other fruit juices freshly squeezed if at allpossible with half a teaspoon of

raw honey and a pinch of unrefined Salt. In another glass,combine 8 ounces of

water and a pinch of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). Take afew sips from one

glass and then a few sips from the other until youve drunk themboth. The fruit

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juice contains the potassium you need, while the Salt and bakingsoda provide

sodium. The sugar from the juice and honey helps you absorb theelectrolytes.

The best advice: throw away your refined common Salt (whichdidnt cost you much

anyway), buy some good quality unrefined Salt instead, and useit freely!

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FIVE

WATER

This may seem obvious. Everyone knows we should drink

water. But could you actually be chronically dehydrated?

Many people are, and never realize it. Contrary to popular

belief, a dry mouth or feeling thirsty is by no means

the first sign of dehydration. Our bodies require at least

eight glasses of water per day more during exercise,illness, andhot weather. People often think that even if

they dont actually drink water, theyre getting enough by

drinking coffee, tea, soft drinks, juice or beer. The truth

is that many of these drinks have a diuretic effect,

encouraging the body to excrete water through urination,

rather than retaining it.

Think about a grape versus a raisin. The one is plump and fulland juicy, containing

all its natural water. The other is small, dry, shriveled, itswater gone. Although a

grape in dehydrated condition is still a valuable and nutritiousfruit, the human

body when dehydrated does not function at its best and may be atrisk from many

ailments.

What can it do for us?

The body is composed of about 70% water, and water is requiredfor many of its

essential functions. Water is utilized as a solvent, and alsoprovides the means totransport nutrients, hormones and other vitalsupplies. Its used to produce

hydroelectric energy, especially in the brain. Its essential formaintaining cell

structure. Water is also necessary to enable proteins andenzymes to function

more efficiently. Chronic dehydration can lead to a loss ordecease in all these

functions and may ultimately result in disease or can worsen anexisting condition.

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Most of the bodys water is found within the cells, and the nextlargest amount is

in the fluid surrounding the cells. If water is not replacedfrequently, this

surrounding fluid may continue to accumulate waste material andother

contaminates. The pumps in your cellmembranes may not work asefficiently because

allowing dirty water into the cell can cause

cellular damage or cell death. You wouldnt

bathe in the same bath water without first

cleaning the tub and adding fresh water. Why

would you allow your cells to be surrounded by

an accumulation of waste material?

Life on this planet began in water; even the

developing fetus is surrounded by water. When

the body is deprived of water, a water rationing

system takes effect. Histamine, a

neurotransmitter, becomes active and

redistributes water throughout the body. The

order of circulatory priority is the brain, lungs, liver,kidneys, and glands, and then

come the muscles, bones and skin. During periods of dehydration,histamine insures

that these vital organs have enough water to function properly.If enough water is

not supplied, it must be taken from within the body. Chronicdehydration can cause

histamine to become excessively active. This may result insymptoms that may be

mistaken for other disorders such as allergies, asthma,dyspepsia, colitis,

constipation, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic pains in variousparts of the body

such as migraine headaches. Here are some details of whyincreasing ones water

intake can help:

Angina

Heart pain angina is a sign of water shortage in the heart-lungaxis. It should be

treated with increased water intake until the patient is free ofpain and

independent of medications. Medical supervision is prudent;however, increased

water intake is anginas cure.

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Arthritis

Another possible complication of dehydration is joint pain. Thecartilage in your

body, including your joints, is composed mainly of water. Ascartilage surfaces glideover one another, some exposed cells becomeworn and peel away. New cartilage is

normally produced to replace the damaged cells. But due to thelack of blood

vessels in cartilage, water is needed to transport the nutrientsrequired for

maintenance and repair. Dehydration may increase the abrasivedamage and delay

its repair, resulting in joint pain.

Asthma and Allergies

Asthma and allergies can be another indication that the body hasincreased its

production of histamine. Asthma, which also affects tens ofmillions of children in

the western world and kills several thousand of them every year,is a complication

of dehydration in the body; its caused by the drought managementprograms of

the body. A large amount of water is normally lost from thelungs as water vapor

through expired air. Histamine, which also controls bronchialmuscle contractions,

may attempt to restrict water loss through expiration byconstricting the

bronchial muscles. Increased water intake will prevent asthmaattacks. Asthmatics

need also to take more salt to break the

mucus plugs in the lungs that obstruct the

free flow of air in and out of the air sacs.

Not recognizing asthma as an indicator of

dehydration in the body of a growing child

not only will sentence many thousands of

children to die every year, but also will

permit irreversible genetic damage toestablish in the remainingmillions of

asthmatic children.

Cholesterol

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High cholesterol levels are an early indicator of droughtmanagement by the body.

Cholesterol is a clay-like material thats poured in the gaps ofsome cell membranes

to safeguard them against losing their vital water content tothe osmotically more

powerful blood circulating in their vicinity. Cholesterol, apartfrom being used to

manufacture nerve cell membranes and hormones, is also used as ashield againstwater depletion of other vital cells that wouldnormally exchange water through

their cell membranes.

Colitis

Colitis pain is a sign of water shortage in the large intestine.Its associated with

constipation because the large intestine constricts to try tosqueeze the last drop

of water from the excrements thus the lack ofwaterlubrication.

Not recognizing colitis pain as a sign of dehydration

will cause persistent constipation. Later in life, it will

cause fecal impacting: it can cause diverticulitis,

hemorrhoids and polyps, and appreciably increases the

possibility of developing cancer of the colon and

rectum.

Constipation

Dehydration causes constipation. When water is in short supplyin the body, the

colon will act to restrict unnecessary water loss through thestools. Colon muscles

will contract to squeeze out and subsequently reabsorb waterback into circulation.

This can result in harder stools that are not only moredifficult to pass, but may

also irritate and weaken the walls of the colon, resulting insmall pockets known as

diverticuli. Since the water that the colon reabsorbs back intocirculation is notfiltered water, but wastewater that wasoriginally due to be excreted, the liver

and the kidneys must then filter it. This may place additionalstrain on these

overworked organs.

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Diabetes

Diabetes is also another disease thats strongly influenced bywater consumption.

Adult-onset diabetes is another condition which is brought on bysevere

dehydration of the human body. In order to have adequate waterin circulation andto meet the brains priority water needs, therelease of insulin is inhibited to

prevent insulin from pushing water into all the body cells. Indiabetes, only some

cells get survival rations of water. Water and salt will reverseadult-onset diabetes

in its early stages before it becomes an autoimmune disease witha destruction of

insulin-producing cells. Not recognizing adult-onset diabetes asa complication of

dehydration will, in time, cause massive damage to the bloodvessels all over the

body. It can cause eye damage, even blindness. Its capable ofcausing loss of the

toes, feet and legs from gangrene. And the diabetes industry isa multi-billiondollar industry of sickness treatment andprescription drugs. Why would that

industry want to tell people that all they need to do is drinkmore water, avoid soft

drinks, and cut down on caffeine in order to greatly improvetheir health?

The answer is that theres no

motivation whatsoever for any

medical industry or group or drug

company to educate people with

the truth about water and human

health. Theyre not only unwilling

to tell the truth, theyre also

intellectually unwilling to accept

the truth about the importance of

adequate hydration because it runs

counter to their profitable

paradigms of disease treatment. In other words, an executiveworking at a

pharmaceutical company, making millions of dollars a year frompharmaceuticalsales, is unlikely to accept psychologically the ideathat diseases could be

prevented or reversed by drinking something freely available tothe public. The

thought will not penetrate that persons belief system.

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Depression

Depression can be another symptom of chronic dehydration. Theamino acid

tryptophan is required by the brain to produce theneurotransmitter serotonin,

which in turn is needed to make melatonin. An adequate amount ofwater isrequired for tryptophan to be transported into the brain.Dehydration may limit

the amount of tryptophan available to the brain and to worsenthings, high

histamine levels (also triggered by dehydration) may actuallystimulate

tryptophans breakdown in the liver.

Dyspepsia

Dyspeptic pain, which can range from simple heartburn togastro-oesophagealreflux disorder (GERD), may be one of the earlysigns of dehydration. During the

early digestive process when food enters the stomach,hydrochloric acid (HCl) is

secreted to activate the enzymes to breakdown the proteins foundin meat and

dairy. The acidic contents of the stomach, called chyme, arethen pumped into the

small intestine by passing through a valve, called the pyloricsphincter. This acidic

chyme must be neutralized before it damages the intestinallining. The pancreas is

responsible for secreting the bicarbonate ions which neutralizethe acid. A large

amount of water is required to produce this bicarbonatesolution. If sufficient

water is not available, the digestive process may be delayed andfood may remain in

the stomach longer than necessary. Over a period of time, thestomach acid may

rise and if allowed to enter the oesophagus, will produce thesensation known as

heartburn. Ideally, water should be drunk half an hour beforemeals, during meals,

and again a couple of hours afterwards.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension,is a state ofadaptation of the body to a

generalized drought when theres just not

enough water to fill all the blood vessels that

diffuse water into vital cells. As part of the

mechanism of reverse osmosis, when water from

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the blood serum is filtered and injected into important cellsthrough minute holes

in their membranes, extra pressure is needed for the injectionprocess. Just as

we inject intravenous water in hospitals, so the body injectswater into tens of

trillions of cells all at the same time. Water, with balanced,unrefined salt intake,

will often bring high blood pressure back to normal.

Not recognizing hypertension as one of the major indicators ofdehydration in the

human body, and treating it with diuretics that furtherdehydrate the body, will in

time cause blockage by cholesterol of the heart arteries and thearteries that go

to the brain. It will cause heart attacks and small or massivestrokes that paralyze.

It will eventually cause kidney disease. It will cause braindamage and may give rise

to neurological disorders such as Alzheimers disease.

Migraines

Migraine headache is a sign of water need by the brain and theeyes. It will totally

clear up if dehydration is prevented from becoming establishedin the body. The

type of dehydration that brings on migraines might eventuallycause inflammation

of the back of the eye and possibly loss of eyesight.

Weight gain and loss

Theres another fascinating point about

chronic dehydration and weight loss thats

worth mentioning here, too: many people

who are attempting to lose weight end up

in a state of chronic dehydration because

they dont want to drink water for fear

that it will add water weight to their

bodies. Consequently, they actually impairtheir bodys ability tometabolize fat

because theyre afraid to drink enough

water on a regular basis. In reality, being

fully hydrated is a prerequisite to weight

loss. If you want to lose weight, you have

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to give your body enough water so that its no

longer in a state of emergency. When the body

is in a state of chronic dehydration, it will not

let go of fat supplies easily: it wants to hold on

to everything it can eat or drink. The only way toconvince yourbody to let go of and start

metabolizing body fat is to drink a lot of water

enough water so that your body feels safe in

letting go of unneeded calories. Remember:

water has zero calories, is low-carb, and has zero grams of fat,so drink up!

Its also interesting to note that many people who go on shortterm diets and who

think theyre losing five or ten pounds over a couple of days arereally only losingwater weight. They havent lost any body fat atall but theyve managed to put

themselves in a state of chronic dehydration that willinevitably lead to weight gain

once they return to normal habits of eating and drinking.

How does it work?

The foremost authority on the relationship between theconsumption of water and

states of health or disease in the human body is Dr. F.Batmanghelidj, who has

written a number of compelling books including: The Water Cure,Water: for

Health, for Healing, for Life: Youre Not Sick, Youre Thirsty,and Your Bodys

Many Cries for Water.

As he explains in great detail in his writing, most commondiseases (for which there

are a variety of names such as asthma, arthritis, hypertensionand so on) are really

just names given to patterns of symptoms created by the bodysdrought

management system. When the human body begins to get dehydrated,it initiates a

drought management system that seeks to conserve water. Thesymptomscharacterized by this drought management effort are givendisease names by

conventional medicine and then treated with toxic prescriptiondrugs.

Heres a straightforward example: the brain must be kept hydratedat all times. So

the body, when its short of water, will do everything possibleto continue supplying

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adequate amounts of water to the brain. This involves limitingthe loss of water in

other areas of the body. As Dr. Batmanghelidj points out, simplybreathing causes

the loss of a significant quantity of water each and every day,depending on the

climate in which you live and your level of physicalexercise.

If youre experiencing chronic dehydration from not drinkingenough water, or

from consuming water-depleting drinks such as coffee, beer orbeverages

containing sugar, your body tries to prevent respiratory waterloss by producing

histamines which close off the capillaries in your lungs.Through the constriction of

these capillaries, water loss is reduced, but of coursebreathing is made far more

difficult. Its important to understand that the body is doingthis on purpose. The

body is producing histamines as a strategy, not as a disease orsomething gone

awry. The body wants to constrict the capillaries in your lungsbecause its tryingto save your brain.

What is conventional medicines answer to this production ofhistamines by the

body? Well, of course, its the prescription of antihistamines,drugs that are

designed to counteract the histamines produced deliberately bythe body in order

to conserve water. These antihistamines then open up thecapillaries in the lungs,

making breathing seem easier. This conventional medical approachtreats nothing

but the symptoms, and in doing so it combats the bodys ownintentions and

strategies in trying to conserve water. What patients withasthma really need is

lots of water on a regular basis, not antihistamine prescriptiondrugs.

As Dr. Batmanghelidj explains, the same sort of destructivecycle of medical

treatment occurs with other diseases as well most notablyhypertension and

arthritis. Many of the prescription

drugs profitably marketed to doctors

and patients today are, in effect,

various forms of antihistamines,which all counteract thebodys

efforts to conserve water.

This is an important point: theres no

money in the treatment of disease

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with water, so theres no motivation for any profit-centeredorganization to reveal

the truth about the role of water in preventing chronic diseasein human beings.

Why would a pharmaceutical company, doctor or hospital tell youthat you can

prevent arthritis, asthma, hypertension and other diseases bysimply drinking

water? They wouldnt, and they dont. Medical schools dont eventeach it.

What to Do

What we need to be doing as a population, of course, is simplydrinking more water.

But theres more to it than just that we also need to stopconsuming drinks that

deplete our water supplies. Most beverages drunk by Americanconsumers today

actually dont offer hydration at all; soft drinks bring about aloss of water in your

body, not a gain in water, because of the sugar content even ifits in the form ofhigh fructose corn syrup. Once you drink one canof a soft drink beverage, you feel

like you still need more, and thus the body is trapped in anever-ending cycle of

craving for hydration that simply cannot be met by consumingsoft drinks. Why

would soft drinks manufacturers sell you a product that causesyou to want no

more afterwards? The same is true of fruit juices at fullstrength, especially for

small children. What your body truly craves is simple water.

Caffeine is also another water-depleting drug. Consumingcaffeine in any form,

whether soft drinks, tea, coffee or in over-the-counterstimulant pills, creates a

diuretic effect in your body. Sadly, most westerners continue todrink alarming

quantities of soft drinks, coffee and other beverages thatactually deplete water

from their systems.

Its helpful, when drinking water, for most people to add a verysmall amount of

salt to it (see the chapter on Salt) or Apple Cider Vinegar.Either of these will help

keep the water in your body and not simply rush to flush itthrough without

benefit. Most people are deficient in electrolytes the mineralsand cell salts thatmove electrical energy through your body withoutknowing it.

As for vinegar, its use in water as a hydrant goes back toancient times. The Roman

army issued its soldiers with a ration of vinegar to take dailyfor general health,

and Roman citizens drank vinegar and water as a thirst quencher.The amount

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needed in either case is small: 1/8 teaspoon of salt per literof water, or a

teaspoon of vinegar per liter.

However, years of chronic dehydration can not be reversedovernight by simply

drinking a couple of glasses of water, and you shouldnt floodyour body withsudden massive amounts of water either. Rather, waterintake should be gradually

increased. How do you know if youre drinking enough water? Yoururine should be

clear or lightly colored. Darker colored, orange urine is anindication that your

kidneys are working hard to concentrate the urine and that youare actually

dehydrated at that time.

Heres a valuable note of advice. Many people used to drinkingsparkling

(carbonated) water find plain water comparatively unpalatable.Sparkling water isbetter than none, but it leaches the valuabletrace mineral phosphorus from the

body and the consumption in sparkling water of quantities ofcarbon dioxide is not

that good for you: it can cause bloating and flatulence andthink of it like this.

Carbon dioxide is a poison that the body exhales in each breath.Why should we

want to consume it in our drinks? Try plain mineral water for awhile youll get

used to it after a surprisingly short time and thereafter wontwant anything else

to alleviate your thirst.

This chapter on the remarkable powers of water cannot becomplete without

referencing the extraordinary pioneering work of Dr. MasaruEmoto, who published

The Messages of Water in Japan in 1999. The book became aninternational

bestseller, and a second volume ensued, followed by thesimilarly bestselling The

Hidden Messages in Waterin 2004.

Dr. Emotos scientific work began with an interest in homeopathy,and the startling

notion that water can copy and store subtle yet detailedinformation changed his

life. (Homeopathic preparations are dilutions of a substance sorefined that noneof the original molecules remain yet the waterremembers the pattern of the

substance.) He was curious about this ability, recognizing thathomeopathy worked

most effectively as a curative, and began studying watercrystals (in the form of

ice) and the patterns they made when the water was exposed tovarious substances

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and toxins and even music, words, symbols and emotions. Theresult was

fascinating.

Pure water was exposed to words written on paper and wrappedaround the bottle

in which the water was put, with the printing facing in.Incredible as it may sound,in repeated experiments wordsconsistently affected the structure of the water.

The most beautiful crystals were formed by the words Love,Gratitude, and

Thank You. In a number of carefully controlled trials, thesewere written in many

different languages, yet all those phrases pertaining to Lovebore a striking

resemblance to one another; the same was found with other wordsor phrases, no

matter in which language they were translated. The samephenomenon occurred

with the spoken word also: children were brought in to thelaboratory and were

asked to tell the water that it was beautiful. Lovely crystalsformed. Conversely,when the water was exposed to aggressive wordsYou Fool! or I hate you! no

crystals formed: only a mass of disruption which bears adisturbing resemblance to

cancer cells seen under a microscope. The most startling ofthese was from a

Japanese anime cartoon: You make me sick. I will kill you. Alongwith the chaotic

disruption could be perceived a tiny figure of

a man, holding a gun.

When the water was exposed to music,

beautiful crystals were again formed to

Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, Chopin and

Tchaikovsky. When it was exposed to heavy

metal music, however, the result was the

same as with You fool! When the water was

shown a picture of the earth from space, the

crystals formed were similar to those of

Thank you but were slightly deformed as

if to indicate that matters here are out ofbalance.

Dr. Emotos work was given a prominent place

in the acclaimed and independently produced

2004 film What the Bleep do We Know?

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Seeing Dr. Emotos photographs displayed in a subway station whenshe is late and

harried, the anxiety-ridden main character, played by MarleeMatlin, has a

transformative experience. If words can do that to water, theman beside her

muses aloud, imagine what they can do to us?

Imagine what words can do to us. Words, thoughts, vibes. We havelong heard

that thoughts create and words have a much more powerful effecton the psyche

than actions, but here at last is physical evidence.

For our bodies, on average, are 70% water. When in utero, theyre99% water. By

the time we are born theyre 90%. If we live to old age, theyreabout 50% water.

As Dr. Emoto says: In other words, throughout our lives we existmostly as water.

Weve seen here in this book that water is the conduit for allinformationthroughout the body, an electrical conductor. If ouremotions, other peoples

emotions and what we hear in the world can affect physiologicalprocesses as

science has found with the relation between stress and heartdisease, for instance

why not do what we can to create peace and well-being at acellular level? We

have the power to affect our health and wellness by charging allthe water we take

into our bodies in a simple and powerful way.

As an experiment, take or make up a bottle of water; eitherpurchased spring

water or home filtered water. On a piece of paper, write thewords, Love,

Gratitude, Thank You or whatever positive words you like. Drinksome of this

water every day for a week and observe the result. I guaranteethere will be a

difference in the way you feel.

No wonder, then, that throughout the ages, in all cultures,water blessed by priests

and shamans, water occurring naturally from springs associatedwith saints and

gods and visions of divine persons has been viewed as holy. Folkwisdom has long

recognized the capacity of water to convey blessings, healingand prosperity to us.Now we have scientific proof for our owntime.

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SIX

CAYENNE

Used widely in hot climates as a

condiment, Cayenne (known also in the

culinary world as chili or red pepper) is a

powerful local stimulant, with no narcotic

effects. Cayenne is the greatest herbal

aid to circulation and can be used on aregular basis. If youmaster only one herb

in your life, master Cayenne pepper. Its

more powerful than any other.

Theres no other herb which increases your blood flow faster thanCayenne.

Cayenne moves blood. Of the ten most important herbs to have inthe home, at the

top of the list is Cayenne pepper, because it will make theother nine work better.

For this reason its mentioned before we get to the other herbsin this book.

Medicinal Action and Uses

Cayenne is used worldwide to treat a variety of health

conditions, including poor circulation, weak digestion,

heart disease, chronic pain, sore throats, headaches and

toothache.

When taken internally, Cayenne soothes the digestive

tract and stimulates the flow of stomach secretions and

saliva. These secretions contain substances which help

digest food.

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Cayenne is the greatest blood circulation stimulant known. Youcan take all the milk

thistle you want, but if you have bad circulation to your liver,its not going to do

you any good. Cayenne increases your blood circulationimmediately within seconds

and to a greater extent than any other herb.