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Medicine for the People
Top Ten Herbals to Use for Fasting and Detoxification
by Kirk Patrick, citizen journalist
(NaturalNews)
Spring has traditionally been the season for
detoxification and cleansing. Throughout the ages,
humans and animals have emerged from their winter
dormancy to find themselves malnourished. Having gone
months without any vegetables they needed to seek
remedies provided by nature, many of which blossom in
spring. Certain plants and compounds greatly increase
the productivity of the internal organs and thus help to
restore optimal health. This article will summarize the
top 10 products that assist the body`s natural healing
processes.
The Top Ten
1) Milk Thistle (seed) - Silybum marianum (Compositae)
Milk Thistle is a thorny, purple flower that is commonly
found growing by the roadside. Used as a liver tonic for
centuries, milk thistle seeds contain the active
ingredient Silymarin. By exerting a protective
effect on the liver, silymarin prevents damage from
compounds that are normally highly toxic such as
Poison Death Cap Mushrooms. Milk thistle flowers can
be boiled and eaten like artichokes. A mild laxative and
natural antidepressant, milk thistle is used to treat
cirrhosis and hepatitis. Milk thistle both increases
breast milk production and stimulates bile production.
2) Cascara Sagrada (bark) - Rhamnus purshiana
(Rhamnacea)
Cascara sagrada is one of the safest laxatives and
normally induces peristaltic action within 8-12 hours.
The "sacred bark" has been used for over 1000 years.
During a fast, cascara sagrada is essential as it
assists detoxification by helping the body to remove
large amounts of impurities from the intestine and
colon.
3) Psyllium (seed husks) - Plantago (Plantaginaceae)
Psyllium seed husks contain fiber and can absorb
remarkable amounts of water. One Tablespoon of psyllium
will make a cup of water become as thick as pudding
within one minute. Psyllium acts as a bulk laxative and
provides moisture to areas commonly chapped due to
digestive acids. Psyllium has soothing properties and is
used to treat stomach ulcers and hemorrhoids.
4) Bentonite (clay) - Aluminium Phyllosilicate
(Montmorillonite)
Bentonite clay is available in two forms: sodium
bentonite and calcium bentonite. Bentonite clay is a
form of volcanic ash that has the ability to physically
remove 25 times its weight in impurities from the body
through a process called adsorbtion. Bentonite
has laxative properties and contains high levels of
iron, magnesium and silicon. Bentonite is used in
cement, ceramics, acne medication, facial clay, cat
litter and to clarify wine.
5) Burdock (root) - Arctium lappa (Compositae)
You are likely to have once found Burdock burrs stuck to
your clothing after walking through a field. A potent
blood purifier, burdock root removes heavy metals such
as Mercury and Aluminum along with other toxins.
Containing up to 45% inulin along with arctiopicrin,
arctiin, tannins and volatile oil, burdock is used to
treat skin conditions such as acne. Burdock helps to
purify the liver and is used as a natural cancer
treatment. Burdock has antibacterial, anti-fungal and
anti-tumor properties.
6) Licorice (root) - Glycyrrhiza glabra (Leguminosae)
Licorice contains glycyrrhizic acid which is 50 times
sweeter than sugar. Licorice is used to treat discomfort
and arthritis. Licorice is an expectorant, demulcent,
adrenal agent, and has powerful anti-inflammatory
properties. Note that some black licorice candy still
contains real licorice extract.
7) Yellow Dock (root) - Rumex crispus (Polygonaceae)
A powerful cleansing herb and safe laxative, yellow dock
is a bitter herb that contains anthraquinones. While the
leaves of yellow dock contain oxalates (which can cause
kidney stones in high doses), the oxalate level in the
root is safe for consumption. Yellow dock is used to
treat many conditions of toxicity including acne,
eczema, constipation and arthritis. Yellow dock is a
bile stimulant that has purgative effects on the colon.
8) Sarsparilla (root) - Similax (Liliaceae)
Sarsparilla contains 1-3% steroidal saponins,
phytosterols, and starch. Sarsparilla has
anti-inflammatory and cleansing properties. Sarsparilla
is used to relieve skin problems such as eczema,
psoriasis, rheumatism, and gout. An aphrodisiac,
sarsparilla helps produce testosterone and increases
muscle mass. Used to treat impotence as well as
premenstrual problems and menopause, sarsparilla is a
natural antidepressant and a key component of (real)
Root Beer.
9) Dandelion (leaves and root) - Taraxacum
officinale (Compositae)
A bitter herb with diuretic properties, dandelion
contains sequiterpene, lacotones, coumarins,
taraxacoside, potassium and calcium. Dandelion is used
to alleviate fasting symptoms such as headaches, and to
treat hangovers, high blood pressure, coughing,
constipation, and gallbladder problems. Most consider it
to be a weed, but dandelion greens can be added to salad
and are best picked before they flower.
10) Blue Green Algae (cyanobacteria) -
Anabaena sphaerica (Cyanophata)
Blue green algae contain chlorophyll, a deep green
antioxidant. "Bad" bacteria such as Fecal Coli
cannot coexist with chlorophyll, which helps keep fresh
water clear. Algae not only contain nearly every
required vitamin and mineral, but also have the effect
of increasing oxygen while reducing nitrogen and carbon.
Summary
While these natural products have powerful effects they
rarely cause unpleasant side effects. Some are available
in seed form, and many can be found growing in the wild.
Most are recommended to relieve the symptoms of (or
provide an alternative to) chemotherapy. Herbal
supplements are highly concentrated, have a long shelf
life, and most will provide several months worth of
doses in one container.
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References
The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants - Dorling
Kindersley and Andrew Chevallier
Using Milk Thistle for Treatment of Poison Death Cap
Mushrooms
http://content.herbalgram.org/iherb/herbalgram/articleview.asp?a=979
Burdock Root Benefits the Body
http://www.bulkherbbenefits.com/burdock-roots-benefit-the-body/
Info on HR 759 and HR 875
http://breakthematrix.com/node/35674
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