Lesson 13 – Herbs and Rational Remedies

The great remedial properties of herbs and juices of fruits and vegetables have been recognized and appreciated since time immemorial. Only since Theophratus Van Hohemhein started using chemicals, have people been looking for medicines chemically and artificially prepared. People have been diverted from the true healing remedies by superfluous advertising, and false science has succeeded, as chemical poisons are quick-acting, and people have been deceived for a time. But in this day, and for some time previous, people are seeing the effects of drugs, radical remedies and the evil after-effects, and are looking for something better.

When the Saxon invaders entered Great Britain they took with them much knowledge concerning herbal healing. It is well known that they made frequent use of the dandelion, comfrey, nettle, burdock, and other common wayside herbs in treating the sick. The Saxon girls were taken into the fields by their parents and taught names and healing virtues of the plants, and so a knowledge was planted that grew until it became customary to have an ‘herb garden’ in England. What a blessing it would be to the homes of this land if our children were taught the value of raspberry leaves, thyme, sage, peppermint, yarrow, and dozens of other wayside herbs. More than half the sickness and deaths in early life would be unknown, and chronic sufferers would be a curiosity. Only those who know the value of herbal remedies can appreciate the wonderful effects of the herbs, we tread underfoot daily, would produce.

With all our boasted knowledge, we have to admit that the North American Indian, and the natives of other countries unskilled in the ways of “modern medicine,” prevent and cure with simple herbs, many diseases which baffle the best efforts of the medical schools.

Why Use Herbs?

Even modern 20th century medical science, after being contemptuous of herbal medicine for decades, is now turning “back to nature” and is engaged in world-wide research of old-time herbal remedies….There is not a single disease in man that does not have a corresponding remedy or cure in some herb, root, bark or other botanical medicine. As it is said, “for every disease there is a cure”, and this cure was given to man by a wise and loving Creator right in his own environment – in the plant kingdom. It behooves us to learn about and use these God-given herbal remedies to cure our ills.

Herbs can be taken in tea, capsules from the health food store, or in salves (an extract of herbs in a base that will keep them in contact with your skin). When taking herbs you may add a little honey but never sugar, and never take drugs when taking herbs. The two do not work together.

The Bible on Herbs

The first thing Moses taught the Israelites was to clean their premises, wash their clothes and their bodies, and to leave all the harmful articles and the diet of flesh which they were eating in Egypt. He taught them to live on simple, nourishing food, and use herbs for their medicine. He taught them that the grass was caused to grow for the cattle, and herbs for the service of man. – Psalms 104:14.

The Prophet Ezekiel said that the fruit of the tree was for man’s meat (food), and the leaves for man’s medicine. Ezekiel 47:12

The Great Apostle Paul said that if you are weak, eat herbs. – Romans 14:2. Further he said: “If any man defile the temple of God, (our bodies), him shall God destroy.” – 1 Corinthians 3:17

Isaiah laid a lump (poultice) of figs on the boil of Hezekiah and he recovered. Isaiah 38:21

The wisest man that ever lived said: “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.” – Proverbs 15:17

Jesus healed a man born blind with clay and water – John 9:1,6,7.

“And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat (food).” Genesis 1:29

When we study the herbs, flowers, roots, barks and the leaves of the trees, and see the wonderful medical properties they contain, and the marvelous benefits that are derived from their use, we feel that the word “wonderful” is inadequate to express the real truth. The phrase, “the mighty miracle working power of God” is none too strong. If you had seen the things that have actually been done by the use of these herbs in connection with hygienic measures, you would not think for one moment that this is an overstatement.

Herbal Treatments

History of Water Cure

Water has been used from time immemorial for remedial purposes. It is not a modern discovery. The books of the oldest medical authors make numerous references to the use of the bath in combating disease, and to its good effect. The learned Greek, Hippocrates, who lived about five hundred years before Christ, was the first man who wrote much on the healing of disease with water. He is referred to as the “Father of medical literature”. He used water extensively, both internally and externally, in combating disease.

Sebastian Kneipp, who was a Catholic priest of Bohemia, Europe, gained a high reputation because of his success with the water cure, and he also had his patients return in so far as was possible to nature. He used the herbal and natural remedies and his success was great.

The watchwords of any natural therapy are circulation and elimination; if you cleanse and nourish the body properly, and leave nature to itself, it will renovate and heal the body.

Recently, people have come to believe that there are remarkable virtues in certain spring waters. The claims that these waters are possessed of a wonderful healing virtue is not true. The healing virtue is in the moist heat that is gotten from it. The whole thing in a nutshell is that the use of water, combined with abundance of fresh air, sunshine, exercise, rest, recreation and trust in God, effects a cure.

Unfortunately, in the early days, the reputation of water as a remedy was injured because some people used it to extremes, did not understand the body, or the uses of hot and cold water, and the useful and powerful reaction that can be brought about when it is properly used in this way. People were led to believe that it was a cure-all, and that cold water was the only remedy no matter what the condition or disease. In all cases, rest, pure air, nourishing and simple food, sunlight, and exercise are of equal importance. Water is not a specific, but is one of the most valuable of many excellent remedies. This is true, not only of water, but of other natural remedies. There may be a specific remedy for a specific disease, but not one, and one alone for all diseases. Several remedial agents must be combined, to suit the conditions, and not one used to the exclusion of all others.

Uses of Water

Water is the only substance which really quenches thirst. Other beverages quench thirst in proportion to the amount of water they contain, and are unwholesome to the extent of the injurious elements that are added. The average person does not drink enough pure water. At least eight 10 ounce glasses must be taken daily. More is better depending upon the kind of food eaten. When one drinks an abundance of pure, fresh water, the blood and tissues are bathed and purified, thereby being cleansed of all poisons and waste matter. Water dissolves nutritive material in the course of digestion, so that it can be absorbed into the blood, which carries it to various parts of the body to repair and remove waste. Water aids in regulating body temperature, and body processes.

a) Therapeutic Baths.

A hot, full bath is a specific aid against colds, if taken as soon as they are contracted, making sure that the person does not become exposed or chilled afterwards. For rheumatism, gout, colic, sciatic pain, gallstones, etc., the bath must be taken very hot, so that the person perspires. Do not make the water hot to start with, but keep increasing the heat. For comfort and good results, when the person becomes too warm he can stand up and rub the body with a washcloth that has been dipped into cold water, (this will stimulate the immune system to produce white blood cells). If the person has heart trouble keep an icebag over the heart. Keeping a cold compress on the head or around the neck will do much to avoid faintness.

In sickness, it is best to take the bath just before retiring (or perhaps at nightfall if there is much discomfort). Baths have a tonic effect. The temperature must be determined by the individual, and should be suited to the case. Of course, when there is heart trouble, or palpitation of the heart, great care must be taken when beginning the bath not to have it too hot, or leave the patient in the tub too long.

i) Hot & Cold Shower. Alternating hot and cold showers have a great stimulating effect on all body functions, but particularly the adrenal and endocrine glands, and these showers also reactivate their functions. They are an excellent means of revitalizing skin activity and improving circulation.

ii) Sitz Bath. HOT: The hot sitz bath is beneficial for relieving pain and inflammation in the reproductive organs and other organs of the pelvic region. The water should be as hot as can be borne comfortably and the duration of the bath should be 10 to 15 minutes.

COLD: The cold sitz bath has a stimulating and invigorating effect on the reproductive organs and spine. It has a rejuvenative effect which results in increasing the blood circulation in the vital centers. The water should be about 50-65 degrees F. and the duration of the bath from about 3-5 minutes. After the bath, rub yourself warm with a coarse bath towel.

ALTERNATE HOT AND COLD: The alternate hot and cold sitz bath has a great therapeutic value in most internal disorders. Not only organs and glands of the pelvic region are stimulated and revitalized, but practically all body functions are beneficially affected. This bath is especially beneficial for all who have lowered vitality.

You can use your regular tub at home for a hot or cold sitz bath. Fill the tub about 8 inches or a little less than half full and sit in it with you knees drawn up. For an alternate hot and cold sitz bath, two tubs are required.

iii) Cold Shower. A cold shower treatment has a special tonic-like magic of exerting a rejuvenative and healing effect on the entire system. It stimulates circulation and increases muscle and nerve force. It stimulates the entire glandular system. It improves digestion and speeds up general metabolism. It will increase resistance to infections and colds, if used regularly. It has a powerful influence on the central nervous system, on the brain and on all the vital organs of the body. It increases the white blood cells, as shown in actual studies. It has an electromagnetic effect on the body, stimulating the flow of life energies and increasing the intake of oxygen.

iv) Sauna. The specific purpose of the sauna bath is to induce profuse therapeutic sweating. The skin is our largest eliminative organ – the third kidney. It is generally considered that the skin should eliminate 30 percent of the body wastes by way of perspiration. Due to lack of physical work and overly sedentary life, the skin of most people today has degenerated as an eliminative organ, since it is hardly ever subjected to sweating. If health is to be restored, it is of vital importance that the eliminative activity of the skin is revitalized. Taking sauna or steam baths regularly, once or twice a week, will help to restore and revitalize the cleansing activity of the skin.

v) Mineral Baths. Hot mineral baths have a curative effect on virtually every disease in the medical book but particularly rheumatic and arthritic conditions, diseases of the heart and circulation, nervous disorders, skin conditions and diseases of old age and senility. Sea water is extremely rich in all the beneficial minerals. It has the greatest curative power of all living waters. Minerals are absorbed through the skin and while ocean bathing you can receive many important minerals even by inhaling the mineral rich air by the seashore.

vi) Miscellaneous. You can give therapeutic baths to certain parts of the body: like knee, ankle, arm, eye, ear, nose, etc. Just remember that cold water is used to decrease swelling and the resultant pain and hot water is used to soothe sore and inflamed organs of the body, and these two therapies can be combined to decrease inflammation and increase circulation at the same time. When there has been any injury to a body part, the first 24-48 hours one should use cold applications to reduce swelling, inflammation and pain. After this, hot applications or alternating hot and cold applications can be used to good effect .

b) Compresses & Fomentations

Compresses and fomentations are local applications of heat or cold, or both, to relieve pain and increase circulation to specific areas of the body. A compress is much smaller than a fomentation, consisting of several folds of cloth to heal and soothe small parts of the body whereas a fomentation covers larger areas such as the chest or spine.

c) Poultice

A poultice consists of several folds of cloth saturated with different herbs (in tea form or granulated form) and then applied to the wound. It must be warm.

d) Enema

Our bodies have only the kidneys, bowels, skin and lungs with which to eliminate waste. But the alimentary canal, the bowels are the main road by which these toxins are thrown out of the body. Especially during a prolonged fast (more than 3 days) when natural bowel movements cease to take place, the toxic wastes would have no way of leaving the system, except with the help of enemas. If you fast without enemas, these toxins remain in your colon and are re-absorbed into the system, poisoning your whole body. Your body will try to get them out through other eliminative organs, particularly through the kidneys, which as a result, will often be overloaded and even damaged.

During sickness, many people have taken enemas and found that they received much needed relief. Many times when the wrong combinations are eaten the problems occur in the colon; the fecal matter becomes hard and dry and the colon is unable to eliminate it properly. While these toxins are longer in your colon than they are supposed to be, some of them will be re-absorbed into your body, causing illness. At these times, an enema would supply much relief. Even if constipated for a couple of days, it is advisable to take an enema before disease sets in.

Taking frequent enemas will wash out the “friendly” bacteria in your colon which is needed in order for your colon to eliminate wastes effectively. In this case, it is advisable to take some ACIDOPHILUS ( which can be obtained at a good health food store) to restore this intestinal flora. (It is best to take Acidophilus after meals).

e) Massage

Massage is a systematic rubbing and manipulation of the body. Massage prevents stiffness, promotes circulation, and brings health and tone. By massage the muscles are exercised as fully as possible without exhaustion, and the blood is propelled to greater activity. Massage is one of the most valuable of remedial measures. When used in combination with water treatments, it accomplishes amazing results. It assists in building of the blood and rebuilding of the tissues in general.

A self-massage or stimulation of the skin can be given with a loofah or natural bristle brush, always moving toward the heart (this is especially beneficial before a shower).

Conclusion

Of course, all of these rational remedies that God has given us in nature are the best things to use for providing an ounce of prevention – the best form of cure. But if disease should overtake us, then God is still in the business of working miracles on our account. God’s miracles do not always bear the outward semblance of miracles. Often they are brought about in a way which looks like the natural course of events. When we pray for the sick, we also work for them. Sometimes, we answer our own prayers by using the remedies within our reach. God has given us intelligence, and He desires us to make the most of His health-giving blessings. Natural means, used in accordance with God’s will, bring about supernatural results. We ask for a miracle, and the Lord directs the mind to some simple remedy. We ask to be kept from the pestilence that walks in darkness, that is stalking with such power through the world; we are to cooperate with God, observing the laws of health and life. Having done all that we possibly can, we are to keep asking in faith for health and strength. God gives us no encouragement that He will do for us what we can do for ourselves. Therefore, pray, believe, and work.