Herbal Medicines

I was first introduced to herbal medicines in 1973 on a trip to Detroit, Michigan to visit my brother. My sister-in-law took my mother and I to an herb shop as part of the site seeing. It's been a on-going love affair with herbal medicines ever since. I remember lovng the smell of the shop and all of bins of loose granuales and flakes. It was totally new to me. Up until then as everyone in my family was always prety healthy, the only real foray I had into medications was St. Joseph's Children's aspirin. Sometimes we took a spooonful of vaseline or cod liver oil, but that was pretty much the extent of it. So the idea of healing and healing with plants and herbs was incredible to me. It was like the show Marcus Garvey or something but using only natural healing.

We brought home the basics like Slippery Elm; very useful for inflammation, Goldenseal; a great antibiotic, and Catnip; great for quieting the nerves. We also brought home the book Back to Eden by Jethro Kloss and served as unofficial consultants to friends and neighbors on various vitamins and herbs. As an adult I studied Coounseling Psychology and became very interested in treating not just physical, but mental illness, with herbs.

Herbs, Vitamins and Minerals can be useful in the reatment of mental health conditions. For instance, for Depression Nature's Sunshine offers Mood Elevator, which is compsed of Perilla leaves, Saussurea root, Aurantium peel, Baboo sap, Bupleuru;m root, Cyperus rhionm, etc... Also, recommended is Flax Seed Oil, Multi Vitamin/Mineral; B-Complex (which is generally good for all nervous conditionsI and Calcium/Magnesuim. Nothing here addictive or over stimulating. Everything mentioned above is available online at www.mynsp.com/theherbcounselor.

Actually Mood Elevator and the aforementioned drugs can be useful for Bi-Polar (Manic Depression), Schizophrenia, ADD, ADHD, etc... Remember all Nature's Sunshine Products are satifaction guaranteed, do not require a prescription and are non habit forming.

Nature's Sunshine has furthered the acceptance of Herbal Medicines by adding technology. On my Nature's Sunshine website you can take a Health Analysis which will determine what herbs, vitamins and minerals will best assist you in maximizing your health. Also complete descriptions of the herbs and other nutritionals are accessible 24/7. Everything is Guaranteed. Satisfaction Guaranteed and everything is reasonably priced. Visit www.mynsp.com/theherbcounselor.com and see for yourself. As always, here's to your health: physically, mentally and spiritually.

In Praise of Lecithin

When I had my second child sixteen years ago, I watched a television program called The Frugal Gourmet. It was on that prograam that I was first introduced to Lecithin. The host took a bottle of granulated Lecithin and poured some of it into whatever he was creating. I can't remember what it was at this point. He explained that he poured it in dishes in which he was using a lot of butter in that it was useful in nullyfying the negative effects of the grease. I immediately looked into Lechitin and how it might be helpful to my family and myself. I found that Lecithin is a fat-like substance called a phospholipid that is indeed helpful when consuming fatty foods. However, I am not presenting that fact as an excuse to overindulge.

Here are some of the benefits of Lecithin:

*Soothing for both the Nervous and Circulatory Systems;

*A phospholipid (fat-like sutbstance) and fat emulsifier that is produced by the liver, in adequate diets;

*Necessary for every cell in the body. It is a key building block of cell membranes;

*Protects cells from oxidation and comprises a large portion of the protective sheaths surrounding the nerves in the brain; and last but not least

*It actually has a buttery or nutty taste in the granulated or softgel forms and either can be poured into soups and stews. (This is not an exhaustive list but is intended just to stimulate an interest and appreciation).

I hope this article has raised enough curiosity so that you will give Lecithin a try. I honestly swear by it and personally, I like the taste. Nature's Sunshine sells Lecithin in the softgel form. It is derived from Soybeans and hermetically sealed. Your satisfaction is also guaranteed. You can access Nature's Sunshine at http://www.mynsp.com/theherbcounselor. While you're there, take the Health Analyzer. This allows you to personalize your vitamin and herbal program to your particular needs. And I repeat, your satisfaction is guaranteed.

Well, so long for now, but here's to your health: physical, emotional and spiritual.

Wicker Park

I admit it. I love the movie Wicker Park. I know it is totally unrealistic that people could lose each other in this age of email, cell phones and generally computerized communication and tracking, but still it is so romantic to see people who are so affected by each other; People who actually feel that I guess I kind of overlook some of the impossibilities of the movie. I love the line that one of the characters says after being caught stalking, lying and engaging in various other sundry activies, "Love makes you do crazy things." Well some people are crazy all ready, but still it is a nice thought. In any case, I am very romantic.

If I held you gently
balancing you birdlike on
an erect index finger
walking gingerly
so as not to disturb
your equilibrium,
would you stay?

If I held you with strength
binding you with chains:
economic and emotional,
if I wouldn't let you go
but I faltered and my chains broke,
would you stay?

If I held you sensitively,
acknowledging your strength
the vital strength of...
of weeds pushing up through concrete,
would you stay?

Let me know
why you would stay.
I wish so much to hold you.

I wrote this in 2002 and my opinion has not changed. To me one of the ultimate goals of humankind is to love and then to be concerned over maintaining that love. And I'm not talking about stalking because I believe true love is always reciprical. However, I also believe that if a person is not important to you, then it's not really love and you're wasting your own and someone else's time.

My book, I wish So Much to Hold You, is available at www.bbotw.com. As always, check out www.mynsp.com/theherbcounselor.com. Here's to your health: mental, physical and romantic.