Youthful long life, promises the heroic tradition, is given to those
who follow the rules, atone for their wrongs, and get clean.
It is especially important in the Heroic tradition to cleanse the body
inside and out: to purify the body with austerities and sweats, to clean
out toxins with fasts and purges, to clean the blood, clean the liver,
and above all, clean the colon.
A widespread belief in the Heroic traditions of health care, especially
for the past several hundred years in white-occupied North America,
and for several hundred more in Europe, is tht disease arises from filth
in the colon.
Many Heroic tradition practitioners recomment enemas and colonics as
the first line of defense against every problem from menstrual cramps
to cancer. Laxitives and cathartics and all kinds of intestinal cleansings
are recommended as daily fare for well-being and optimun health. To
some, it seems that the colon can never be too clean. An empty colon
is about as close to clean as a colon can be, so frequent or regular
periods of fasting are encouraged in most Heroic traditions.
Cures in the Heroic tradition are usually through dramatic and heroic
means. Purity is to be achieved at any cost. If the treatment is part
of the punishment, so much the better.
Above is a very small excerpt from Healing Wise by Susun S. Weed, in
which she covers the three traditions of healing (Wise Woman, Heroic,
and Scientific). We do hope that you will reconsider your view of your
body and that you will begin to approach health in the Wise Woman way
by loving yourself as you are.
To illustrate what we mean, following is an excerpt from Healing
Wise (page 14):
Nourish the new cells, optimally, says the Wise Woman tradition, and
the old cells and other waste willbe cleared away easily. The liver
is replaced, every cell of it, in six weeks. Nourish each new liver
cell optimally, and the liver will clean the blood. The kidneys are
replaced, every cell, in a month. Nourish each new cell optimally, let
the kidneys clean the blood. The blood volume itself is replaced, every
cell, in three weeks. What cleaner blood than new and optimally nourished
cells?
Partake of optimum nourishment, as understood by wise women through
the ages, and soon every cell of your body is healthy/whole/holy: the
nervous system functions more smoothly, the hormonal system fluctuates
more evenly, the liver and kidneys are more effective, the immune system
is better organized, and the digestive system makes better use of all
available nourishment.
Nourishment encourages expansion and growth. Nourishment includes. Nourishment
supports each being as unique, holy, individual. Nourishing our problems
encourages love for all parts of ourselves. All health occurs through
nourishment. A wonderful way of nourishing your body is to drink nourishing
herbal infusions.
Drink Nourishing Herbal Infusion
Nourishing herbal infusions are the second key to vibrant
elder years and an easier menopause. They provide protein, minerals,
phytoestrogens, and special fats needed by menopausal women. Many common
menopausal problems can be connected to a lack of one or more of these
nutrients.
Low protein leaves hair and skin dull, lifeless, and thin. Nourishing
herbal infusions, plain yogurt, lentils, and organic meats are excellent
sources.
Low levels of minerals leave the bones and heart deprived of calcium,
the immune system low in zinc, and the muscles prone to pain and spasms.
Nourishing herbal infusions, plain yogurt, seaweed, and organic chocolate
are magnificent sources.
Insufficient phytoestrogens in the diet increase breast cancer risk
and menopausal distress. Nourishing herbal infusions, lentils, roots
and seeds are the best sources.
Lack of high-quality fats, can lead to thyroid problems, immune system
stress, lack of energy, and blood vessel disease. Nourishing herbal
infusions, full-fat yogurt, organic chocolate, olive oil, organic butter,
nuts and seeds are superb sources.
How too make a nourishing herbal infusion
Buy (or gather and dry) at least one ounce of nettle leaf or oatstraw
or red clover blossoms or comfrey leaf. Place the ounce of dried herb
in a quart jar. (One ounce equals one full cup of dried herb.) Fill
jar to the top with boiling water. Cap tightly and allow to brew for
at least four hours. Overnight is fine. Strain and drink 2-4 cups a
day. Most menopausal women prefer their infusion iced, but you can drink
it hot or at room temperature. A little mint or sage may be added to
change the flavor.
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) builds energy, strengthens
the adrenals, and is said to restore youthful flexibility to blood vessels.
A cup of nettle infusion contains 500 milligrams of calcium plus generous
amounts of bone-building magnesium, potassium, silicon, boron, and zinc.
It is also an excellent source of vitamins A, D, E, and K. For flexible
bones, a healthy heart, thick hair, beautiful skin, and lots of energy,
make friends with sister stinging nettle. It may make you feel so good
you'll jump up and exercise.
Oatstraw (Avena sativa) reduces high cholesterol, increases
libido, and strengthens the nerves. A cup of oatstraw infusion contains
more than 300 milligrams of calcium plus generous amounts of many other
minerals. Its steroidal saponins nourish the pancreas and liver, improving
digestion and stabilizing moods. Oatstraw is best known however for
its ability to enhance libido and mellow the mood. Do be careful whom
you share it with, or you may find yourself sowing some wild oats. In
Auryuvedic medicine, oatstraw is considered the finest of all longevity
tonics.
Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is better in every way
than its cousin soy. It contains four phytoestrogens; soy has only one
(isoflavone). Red clover infusion has ten times more phytoestrogens
than soy "milk," fewer calories, more calcium, and no added
sugars. Red clover is the world's leading anti-cancer herb; soy isoflavone
encourages the growth of breast cancer cells in the lab. Red clover
improves the memory; Japanese men who ate tofu twice a week doubled
their risk of Alzheimer's disease. Soy beverage can contain up to 1000
times more aluminum than milk, according to Sally Fallon, lipid researcher
and fat specialist. She believes that "the highly processed soy
foods of today are perpetuating . . . nutrient deficiencies. . . ."
Comfrey (Symphytum) leaf is free of the compounds (PAs)
found in the root that can damage the liver. I have used comfrey leaf
infusion regularly for decades with no liver problems, ditto for the
group of people at the Henry Doubleday Research Foundation who have
eaten cooked comfrey leaves as a vegetable for four generations. Comfrey
is also known as "knitbone," and no better ally for the woman
with thin bones can be found. And, don't forget, comfrey contains special
proteins used in the formation of short-term memory cells. Its soothing
mucilage adds flexibility to joints, eyes, vagina, and lungs.
Menopause can change your life. Our Wise Woman grandmothers used nourishing
herbal infusions, fermented dairy products, healthy exercise, and simple
whole foods to weather their change naturally and live productively
another 50 years. You can too.
For further information on these herbs, and lots more, see New
Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way, available from www.ashtreepublishing.com
For permission to use contact us at: susunweed@herbshealing.com
top
If you liked this excerpt by Susun S.
Weed, you will want
NEW Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way:
Alternative Approaches for Women 30 - 90
by Susun S. Weed
Foreword by Juliette de Bairacli Levy.
304 pages, index, magical illustrations.
Completely revised with 100 new pages. All the remedies women know and trust plus hundreds of new ones. New sections on thyroid health, fibromyalgia, hairy problems, male menopause, and herbs for women taking hormones. Recommended by Susan Love MD and Christiane Northrup MD.
Retails for $16.95
Read Juliette de Levy-Bairacli's introduction:
This
book should be in the hands of every woman, of every race,
no matter
what age, worldwide.
Read some excerpts:
Building Better Bones
Kundalini Meditation
Order New Menopausal Years in our Bookshop
"If this book had not been given to me by a close friend, I would be experiencing menopause in an entirely different manner. The Wise Woman approach to the various and unexpected discomforts and joys of the Change has motivated me to seize this experience to transform my life for the better."
