body systems 189 189 The Complete Home Guide to Herbs, Natural Healing, and Nutrition
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Diseases
When treating any illness holistically, you need to employ more than just
one or two therapies in order to treat the whole person. It goes without
saying that herbs will form a major part of any suggestions, and that their
incredible range of plant constituents will be instrumental in honing,
healing, and revitalizing. Good food and drink are vital requirements
because these are the daily input on which the body thrives. Regular
internal whole-body cleansing is also important, especially as we get
older. Just as a car needs regular servicing, so do we. Seasonal food
cleanses can be an excellent way to achieve this. If you are sick, you must
take appropriate steps according to the severity of the problem.
It is important to ensure that all your organs and systems are working
freely and effectively, so one by one they will need special support,
nourishing, aligning, and cleansing. Massage provides a loving touch and
encourages blood and lymph fl ow, all of which will help organs to pump,
squeeze, and relax more effi ciently. Acupuncture can tune, direct,
stimulate, or placate organs and systems — an acupuncture pulse-taking
gives a good idea of exactly what needs attention. Iridology can also
provide a health assessment, giving clues to one’s constitution, strengths,
and weaknesses. If any part of your spinal column is damaged (it may be
eroded, a disk may be trapped, the hips may be out of alignment), any
resulting misalignment can affect other systems, from bowel function to
menstruation, liver function, or digestion.
Note: There are many herbs suitable for treating diseases; however,
there are too many to list for each disease. Therefore, a small selection of
the most suitable herbs is given. Any reference to dosage indicates adult
dosage — age 16 years to 60 years.
In “An A to Z of Diseases and Treatments” on the following pages,
- refers to diet
f refers to herbs
~ refers to natural healing
In general, this chapter does not specify exact doses for herbs or herbal
formulas; neither have the contraindications of herbs been included, as
they are numerous and specifi c (contraindications and recommended dos-
ages for these herbs are available at http://www.herbshandshealing.co.uk)..) Those
who are pregnant are in the highest category for avoiding certain herbs.