21st Century Herbal Health & Wellness

By Robert Buchanan

1. Discover the true benefits of health and wellness through vitamins, supplements and herbs.
2. Over 210 herbs and 95 vitamins and supplements discussed inside.
3. A total health and nutrition library from A to Z.
4. Learn about detoxifying the body, eating the proper foods to maintain a healthy weight.
5. Learn about digestion and why it causes obesity and continued weight disorders.
6. Inside is a 3 step to move forward to great health.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robert Buchanan
• Release date: Jan 23, 2023
• ISBN: 9780989222815

Book preview

CHAPTER #1:

UNDERSTANDING HUMAN BODY FUNCTIONS

THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM

Heart disease is the number one killer of adults in the United States. Nearly one million people die each year of heart disease and related cardiovascular illness. Each year, younger and younger people are being affected by heart disease and it is often fatal, also known as the silent killer, it frequently strikes without common warning symptoms of heart disease such as chest pain, shortness of breath, etc. Cholesterol collects around the heart first then accumulates in the veins and arteries. This is why the heart suffers damage first without symptoms. These are related to poor diet, alcohol, smoking and lack of exercise. Lifestyle and diet change should be considered in order to protect the circulatory system. A typical American diet of meat and potatoes, sugar, and white flour products paves the way to heart disease. A proper diet of whole grains high in fiber, fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs nourishes and cleans the arteries.

Poor bowel function is another major cause of accumulation of fats and other toxins on the artery walls. It creates stagnation in the bowels, which create bacteria that produces toxic waste. If the toxic wastes are not properly eliminated after each meal, these toxins circulate in the blood stream and are deposited in the organs and other parts of the body.

THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

Digestive disorders are one of the most common health problems that plague people today. Both the young and the old are having more and more digestive difficulties. Improper digestion can cause poor assimilation, especially essential minerals. Lack of minerals and essential fatty acids can produce unhealthy cells. Digestive system upsets are mainly caused by stress, constipation, poor diet, drugs, alcohol and tobacco. Eating wholesome all natural foods, nourishes the digestive system and strengthens the whole body.

THE GLANDULAR SYSTEM

The glandular, or endocrine system, consists of the pituitary gland, the thyroid gland, the parathyroid gland, the thymus gland, the sex glands (ovaries and testes), the pancreas, the hypothalamus and the adrenal glands. Along with the nervous system and hormones, the secretions of the glands of the glandular system are the major means of controlling the body’s activities. The glandular system has a direct effect upon mood, mind, behavior, immune defense, memory, control of metabolic rate and control of blood sugar, to name a few.

All the glands depend upon one another and work together. The glandular system is necessary for survival, a healthy system is essential for good health. An imbalance in any gland of the glandular system will cause enormous problems for the entire body. There are many problems that can happen because of glandular imbalance. Vitamins, minerals and herbs nourish and restore glandular health.

THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

The immune system is a network of mechanisms and processes that keep us safe from bacteria, viruses, yeast and fungus infections, as well as any other toxins that may invade our tissues. The immune system accumulates damage, and gradually becomes defective over many years and is implicated in the autoimmune diseases that are common today. Diet and lifestyle have a profound effect on the immune system. The evidence has proven that stress and how we cope with stress is the main causes of illness.

Stress affects the body by depleting the adrenal glands. This causes a depressed immune system due to the immune system requiring large amounts of nutrients. The body also requires large amounts of nutrients and the average American diet does not supply the body’s needs. Most of the food purchased in stores today is processed with added chemicals, food colorings, preservatives and taste enhancers. Natural food is processed and depleted of the vital vitamins such as B – vitamins and minerals that are essential for a healthy immune system. Viruses are composed of living and nonliving material, they can be dormant for years and if the immune system is weak, they can come to life. The virus inserts its genetic material through the cell wall. It then dissolves the wall and fuses with the contents of the cell and thus multiplies and begins to do its damage.

THE INTESTINAL SYSTEM

The colon is the body’s sewer system, and if not treated properly can accumulate toxic poisons, which are absorbed into the bloodstream. This will then cause many diseases, due to lack of fiber in the diet, which is the main cause of intestinal diseases and years of poor diet will cause bowel problems.

The small intestine is where most nutrition is absorbed. Stress can affect the nutrient’s absorption and cause irritation of the small intestine. The large intestine absorbs minerals and water. When the membrane of the large intestine is unhealthy, it cannot absorb the minerals and will cause deficiency diseases. The health of the entire body is maintained when the intestinal system is working properly.

THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

The nervous system is a very delicate and important part of the body and needs to be treated properly. The nervous system and the immune system are closely connected. When one system fails the other is affected. The brain has the job of transmitting information back and forth from the immune system. It is vital to nourish and strengthen the nervous system in order to protect the immune system.

THE STRUCTURAL SYSTEM

The structural system consists of bones, muscles and connective tissue. Poor nutrition and the inability to assimilate minerals contribute to bone loss. High protein sugar diets, smoking, alcohol, caffeinated drinks and lack of exercise all contribute to bone loss and pave the way for other diseases.

Bone loss in women after menopause is a big concern, which happens when decreased secretion of the hormone estrogen is greatest. This is not necessary if a balanced diet is followed with an ample supply of minerals.

THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Respiratory infections are the most frequent single cause of illness; one-third to one-half of industrial absenteeism from sickness is caused by acute respiratory illness. The lungs have the responsibility of supplying oxygen necessary for body energy. Toxins present in the atmosphere such as nitrogen and ozone dioxide are increasing as a major cause of respiratory problems. Pollutants can attack the body repeatedly over a long period before symptoms appear. The respiratory system consists of the lungs, the nose, the throat and the trachea. Herbs, vitamins, minerals and a proper diet will help keep the respiratory system strong and healthy, and a colon cleanse is essential for a healthy respiratory system.

THE URINARY SYSTEM

The urinary system consists of the kidneys, the bladder, the ureter and the urethra. Keeping this system in good working condition helps prevent the body from poisoning itself. The proper function of this system is vital to our inner health. The kidneys help maintain a balance of body fluids. The kidneys have the ability to filter out harmful toxic material while retaining the vital vitamins, proteins, sugars, fats and minerals. But if this system is overloaded with more toxins than it can eliminate, diseases will invade the body. It will cause protein in the blood to be lost in the urine. Potassium, calcium, magnesium, and zinc will also be lost; this causes nutritional depletion and illness.

Diseases associated with kidney failure are high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, and heart disease. It is important to protect the urinary system and nourish it with the proper foods, vitamins, minerals, herbs and supplements that strengthen these vital organs.

CHAPTER #2:

UNDERSTANDING THE 3-STEP PLAN TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY LIFE

STEP #1

Detoxify your body from years of a poor diet.

1) Take 10 ounces of magnesium citrate oral solution as directed (effervescent saline laxative). If you are a person taking medications, always consult with your primary healthcare provider before starting any detoxification program.

This product will clean the intestinal tract. Drink plenty of natural spring water, one-half your body weight in ounces each day to eliminate dehydration (except people who retain water only drink one-fourth your body weight in ounces each day). Eat nothing but soft foods for the next 48 hours, preferably soups, to allow the digestive system to maintain its balanced function.

2) Use a colon cleanse regimen to properly clear out the colon of dangerous toxic buildup from many years of having a poor diet.

An over-toxic colon can cause many serious health issues in several parts of the body. This is where most health problems begin with the major breakdown of essential body functions such as the digestive system, the circulatory system, the immune system, the intestinal system, the nervous system, the respiratory system, and the glandular system.

3) Take one Epsom Salt bath daily for one week, continue Epsom Salt baths two to three times more weekly for three more weeks. Make bath water as hot and tolerable as you can stand and add 2 cups of Epsom Salt. Bathe at least 20 to 30 minutes.

4) Take the colon cleanse supplements daily for ongoing cleansing of the colon (preferably for life); take in between meals.

5) Take a multi-enzyme vitamin supplement daily before each meal to help strengthen enzyme function which aids in the proper digestion of foods.

STEP #2

Strengthen the immune system by taking vitamins, supplements and herbs daily. If you are taking medications always consult with your primary healthcare provider before starting a vitamin and supplement program.

Recommended vitamins and supplements:

1) Multi vitamin (iron free for men and with iron for women under 50 or before menopause).

2) Vitamin C (men and women should consume 1,000 mg 2 times daily before meals).

3) Vitamin E (men and women should consume 400 to 800 mg daily, preferably d– alpha which is all natural, take before meals).

4) Garlic (men and women should consume 2 times daily, take before meals).

5) Beta carotene (men and women should consume 25,000 iu daily, take before meals).

6) Coenzyme Q10 (men and women should consume 100 mg daily, take before meals).

7) B-Complex (men and women 1 time daily, take before meals).

8) Multi-mineral (men and women daily, take before meals).

9) Selenium (men and women 200 mcg daily, take before meals).

*To aid with digestion take fiber supplements and herbs.

Recommended vitamin fiber supplements: Take all fiber supplements in between meals.

1) Saw palmetto (men and women 450 mg daily, take in between meals).

2) Ginkgo Biloba (men and women 120 mg daily, take in between meals).

3) Grape seed extract (men and women 50 mg daily, take in between meals).

4) Colon cleanser (men and women 1 time daily, take 3 capsules in between meals).

5) Flaxseed oil (men and women 1,000 mg daily, take in between meals).

6) Omega–3 fish oil (men and women 1,200 mg daily, take in between meals).

Strengthen Intestinal Enzymes and Pancreatic Enzymes:

1) By taking a multi-enzyme and pancreatic enzyme supplements 2 times daily before meals.

2) By adding herbs and spices to foods (after cooked) for best results, so cooking temperature does not deplete nutrients from herbs and spices although adding herbs and spices to foods when cooking will add great taste and nutritional value.

Recommended herbs and spices:

STEP #3

1) Follow a healthy diet plan by adding organic vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, beans, and legumes daily, preferably 5 to 7 servings of natural whole fruits and vegetables daily for added essential fiber to help maintain an healthy digestive tract as well as an healthy heart.

To achieve a healthy weight follow the steps below:

1) Detoxify the body.

2) Strengthen the immune system by taking vitamins, supplements and herbs.

3) Strengthen intestinal enzymes by using herbs and spices with food to aid with digestion, take enzyme supplements daily, just before meals as well as non fortified apple cider vinegar capsules, which is all natural source.

4) Follow a healthy diet plan by adding organic whole fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, and legumes to your daily diet.

5) Drink plenty of water daily, ½ the bodies weight in ounces, and avoid caffeinated beverages such as coffee or sodas.

6) Exercise at least 4 to 5 days a week, 30 minutes to 1 hour each day. Increasing exercise will strengthen the heart, joints and muscles. It will also strengthen the digestive system, as well as the immune system. Most importantly, exercise burns fat which rids the body of unwanted toxins through the sweat glands.

CHAPTER #3:

UNDERSTANDING THE DIGESTIVE TRACT

If you want to eat according to GOD’S plan or His Holy Word to live a long, healthy life, I suggest that you read Leviticus Chapter 11 and Deuteronomy Chapter 14. It’s GOD’S plan that we walk in His perfect will for our lives; if we are sick all the time with little or no energy how can we as His children be an effective witness for His Kingdom or even seek to find His perfect will for our life. By living in sickness and poor health we are not pleasing GOD.

When eating your food you should try not to eat fast. You should always chew your food at least 25 times per bite swallowed; by doing this you are allowing the saliva in your mouth to help the digestive enzymes in the intestinal tract to break down the food particles. Food that has been chewed up properly into smaller particles helps the intestinal enzymes not have to work as hard, thus, keeping the digestive enzymes much stronger throughout your life. Weak enzymes will cause poor digestion and cause many problems in the small and large intestine. This will also cause unwanted weight gain, your digestive tract is a very important part of the body’s distribution process. It distributes nutrients after food is broken down through the bloodstream to all vital organs of the body, including the heart and brain. This is why it is so important to eat healthy foods and stay away from saturated fats that clog artery walls, which will eventually cause a stroke or even heart attacks.

Chewing gum is one of the worst ways to weaken digestive enzymes. By chewing gum you are wasting the all-important saliva that GOD created to break down food in your digestive tract. The saliva in your mouth works with the enzymes in the digestive tract to break down food particles. Also, when you chew gum you are adding unwanted and harmful sugars into your digestive tract, which leads to many digestive problems. This will also lead to wait gain and to poor digestion.

The bottom line with poor digestion is the body stores this poorly broken down food as fat in many areas of the body such as the stomach, hips, thighs, buttocks, legs and arms. All fat that is stored in the body is nothing more than toxic waste the body could not recognize and digest properly. This is why chemicals in processed foods must be avoided at all cost, such as additives, preservatives (chemical compound added to canned, jarred, and boxed foods to preserve shelf life) and food colorings.

GOD did not create our bodies to digest these manmade chemicals in our bodies. In the beginning GOD created Adam and Eve and placed them in a perfect environment. GOD created us to eat all natural foods and herbs, that is why people from all nations are finally catching on and realizing whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and herbs are such a great source of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that GOD created for our bodies to function normal, so that we can live a long, healthy, and vibrant life. There is no reason in this world why we should not be living life spans of 120 years as GOD’S word declares, as long as we follow GOD’S Holy Word, it is his Owner’s manual to a victorious life, spiritually, physically, emotionally, and financially.

Herbs and spices are another excellent way to strengthen enzymes in your digestive tract (small and large intestine). There are many herbs and spices that will strengthen enzyme function such as cumin, curry, turmeric, cardamom, basil, oregano, cinnamon and pepper, to name a few, all of which I use to cook with, which add wonderful new flavors to your food.

It’s exciting to experiment with combinations of herbs and spices to put in your salads. These combinations also taste wonderful when applied to your food just before enjoying your favorite meals at breakfast, lunch and dinner. What a great way to strengthen your digestive system at the same time adding exciting new flavors to your favorite meals. This can make a chef out of you in no time.

CHAPTER #4:

UNDERSTANDING FASTING

Fasting is a wonderful way to accomplish many goals in life. First and foremost, to walk closer to our Heavenly Father the creator of heaven and earth. When I fast my heart’s desire is to move closer to GOD by obeying His Word the Holy Bible, and for spiritual strength. Nothing pleases GOD more than sacrificing our pleasure of food for obedience of prayer so others’ needs can be met, along with our own needs. Fasting also helps you break food cravings that you are having a difficult time taking out of your diet such as sweets (cupcakes, donuts, candy bars, snack cakes and ice cream), chips, dairy products, pizza and fast-food cravings. All of these foods need to be taken out of your diet completely, if at all possible, if you want to maintain a healthy weight.

Fasting also helps diminish food allergies in the digestive tract, which reeks havoc on your digestive system, and the very important organs of your body such as your pancreas, kidneys, liver and colon, which all play a very important role in the body. If you are taking any medications always consult with your primary healthcare provider before starting a fast.

The best way I have found to be successful with fasting is to start gradually; GOD does not expect you to be able to go cold turkey on everything when you do your first fast. I recommend starting out skipping one meal a day for the first week, based on someone eating three meals a day. Your second week have one meal and one salad each day (each week drink one-half of your body weight in ounces of water each day).

Week three, have a fresh salad two times a day with one-half your body weight in ounces of water each day. Week four, one fresh salad a day and one-half your body weight in ounces of water each day. If you drink herbal tea, this works great during a fast; herbal teas are healthy for you to drink any time. For your final week, drink nothing but water and herbal tea, if desired. Never drink soda during a fast. Sodas are full of sugars and diet sodas are full of artificial sweeteners, which are even worse for your body than the sugar in regular sodas. Soda has no nutritional value. For the first 24 hours after completing a fast, always introduce into your diet soft foods such as soups to help your digestive system slowly ease back into solid foods, such as meats, fruits, and vegetables.

The Bible speaks of fasting in different ways. You can practice fasting one day a week. In Isaiah Chapter 58, verses 6-8 (58:6) he-speaks of fasting for the purpose of setting the oppressed free and breaking every yoke of bondage, and your light will break forth like the dawn, and healing will come quickly.

In the book of Esther, Esther fasts for three days with nothing to eat or drink, which is considered a total fast. Esther and a few of her Jewish family and friends fasted for all the Jewish people so that King Xerxes would spare the lives of the Jewish people. GOD honored their fast and gave Esther the position of queen and favor with King Xerxes, which saved all the Jewish people. This was a great example of how much GOD honors fasting and prayer.

In the book of Daniel Chapter 10, Daniel is going through a three week fast (21 days). He did not eat any fancy food or meat, or drink any wine. This was after GOD had given him a vision of a great war, and Daniel understood this vision and was very troubled. On the 24th day after his fast GOD gave Daniel another vision of the future. Daniel was an amazing man that prayed three times a day and fasted often. Daniel had a personal relationship with GOD; the kind of relationship Jesus wants to have with every person on the face of this earth. We are all created by Him and for Him, Daniel ate very healthy. This is shown in Chapter 1 of Daniel when he is captured from his home city of Judah and taken to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon, along with his three Hebrew friends Hannah, Misheal, and Azariah.

GOD had given Daniel and