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Independent Distributor
Nature's Sunshine Products
December '99 Newsletter


Research Reports

Men should eat more oatmeal. It contains the complex carbohydrates needed to sustain energy and the soluble fiber to lower cholesterol, which clogs blood vessels and contributes to heart disease and erectile dysfunction (impotence).
- James J. Kenney, PH.D., R.D., a nutrition research specialist at the Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa in Los Angeles.

Recent research has found that oriental teas may play an important role in helping to prevent heart disease and cancer. Tea contains a variety of phytochemicals, including polyphenols and flavonoids, which act as antioxidants killing free radicals that might otherwise damage the body's cell membranes and genetic components and lead to a variety of chronic diseases.
- Jeffrey Blumberg, Ph.D., chief of the Antioxidants Research Laboratory at Tufts University in Boston.

Tomatoes and tomato products offer hefty doses of lycopene, a combatant against prostate and other cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. Some research indicates that lycopene's bio-availability is greater in tomato sauce, pizza sauce, etc., than the tomato by itself.
- A recent study at Harvard Medical School.

One good way to boost your immunity is by pampering yourself. The skin is the body's largest organ. It serves as your first line of defense against environmental assaults and also has an important detoxifying function. Dry brush your skin with a thistle brush, then soak in a bath of sea salt and/or essential oil to exfoliate and stimulate circulation.
- Margi Flint, instructor at Tufts Medical School in Boston.

The spices garlic, cinnamon and clove have been researched and tests show they have antimicrobial properties that can suppress the growth of the deadly E. coli bacteria in raw meat. Adding the spice mix to tainted salami killed off 99% of the bacteria.
- Researchers at Kansas State University.

A clinical trial found that the oil in evening primrose relieved symptoms associated with endometriosis in 90 percent of subjects. For PMS and endometriosis, take 400 to 600 mg. daily in divided doses. Keep in mind, in rare cases the oil can cause nausea or headache.
- Herb Research Foundation, Boulder, CO.

Studies have shown that people who take valerian before bedtime fall asleep more quickly and sleep better overall. In addition, it does not cause morning drowsiness. Take 150 to 300 mg. of capsules or one dropper of liquid extracts one half hour before bedtime.
- Michael Cirigliano, M.D., assistant professor of medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical School.

A fruit we shouldn't forget. The fig! Sustainer of ancients, enjoyed by royalty and commoners alike. Roman Author Pliny the Elder said, "Figs are a restorative. They increase the strength of young people, preserve the elderly in better health and make them look younger with fewer wrinkles." Lately it has been used as a substitute for fat in baked goods. One-quarter cup of dried figs has 112 calories but no fat, and contains calcium, iron and potassium. Figs have a higher fiber content than any other fruit.
A study of 139 patients who underwent an angioplasty (the procedure that removes plaque in the arteries) found that those who received a combination of oral and intravenous magnesium experienced less narrowing of the arteries in the six months after the procedure. The group not receiving the magnesium showed a 40 percent narrowing of the arteries, while those who took it had only 25 percent. It also decreased the chest pain in patients with heart disease. Take 500 mg. a day with meals.
- Swiss researchers published the study in Magnesium Research.

The next time you get a headache, eat an apple. The scent of green apples can reduce headache pain by simply eating one (inhale often while biting). This puts the unique scent of the apple right under the nose. Don't peel it or slice it, just dive right in and eat it.
- Alan R. Hirsch, M.D., neurological director of the Chicago-based Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation.

Want to live longer? Sleep More! An evaluation of 25,000 scientific studies conducted to find out why some people age fast and others slow was recently conducted. Among the suggestions to reduce the speed of aging was to sleep at least eight hours a night. Some of the recommendations for getting more sleep include eliminating caffeine, eliminating other stimulants (cigarettes, ephedra, ginger, cayenne, sugar, etc.), drinking less alcohol, not eating or drinking for two hours before bedtime, eating an evening meal, exercising for 20 to 30 min., a day, going to sleep the same time every night and getting up the same time each morning, and making love before bedtime (which can improve sleep).
- Chicago internist Michael F. Roizen, M.D. (Cliff Street Books, 1999)

Changing the diet is essential to maintaining colon health. Fiber is absolutely essential to bowel function. It adds bulk to the stool, preventing constipation, and helps us to control weight by helping us feel full without adding too many calories to the diet.  The average American consumes only about half the recommended amount of 25 grams per day. Soluble fiber helps to stabilize blood glucose, lower cholesterol and enhance nutrient absorption. It is in oats, beans, barley, and many fruits and vegetables. Insoluble fiber acts like a stimulating scrubber to the digestive system, creating a soft, flaky stool bulk. Foods that contain insoluble fiber are corn, wheat bran, fruit skins, root vegetables, and leafy greens. Adding greater amounts of these fibers to the diet is necessary for recapturing and maintaining bowel health.
- Sunshine Sharing Vol. 10  No. 6

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You and Your Healthy Colon

Colon problems are very common in our society. Many people do not recognize their bowel is not functioning properly because they don't know what healthy bowel eliminations are like. The rule of thumb concerning healthy (as opposed to "normal") bowel activity is that waste products are expelled comfortably and without straining. The stool itself should be a semi-flaky mass that's anywhere from 6 to 12 inches long. Bowel eliminations should take place from one to three times daily, depending on diet, fluid intake and life-style activity. Anything varying from this picture is a departure from health.
Bowel disorders tend to fall into three categories; constipation, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome. Emotional stress often plays into all three to one degree or another.
Constipation. Our colon is responsible for the last step in the digestive process. Water and electrolytes are absorbed in the colon making the waste denser. If the waste doesn't pass quickly enough, too much water is absorbed into the body, resulting in constipation. Constipation often is associated with inadequate consumption of dietary fiber and/or fluid intake. Lack of exercise greatly contributes to "sluggish" bowel activity. Straining to get rid of a hard, dry stool can cause the rectum to develop hemorrhoids. Drinking more water, eating more dietary fiber, and taking mucilant herbs can soften the stool and aid in healing hemorrhoids.
Diarrhea. Digested food that passes too fast prevents water from being absorbed from the stool and can result in diarrhea. Diarrhea can also be related to some of the same dietary and activity factors involved in constipation. If diarrhea continues beyond a day or two, it's more likely that a disease process is to blame. Diarrhea that persists beyond a week or two, even with treatment, may indicate inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome. This condition may involve constipation, diarrhea, or alternating episodes of the two sicknesses. Bloating, cramping and stabbing abdominal pain often accompany the altered bowel habits. Fatigue, sleep disturbance, and emotional distress are common.
One myth that many people believe is that if they have one bowel movement a day they are regular. For some this is true, however, consider the following: Healthy babies, animals, and native peoples have one bowel movement for each meal they consume. The time it takes to completely digest food is also necessary to consider. The normal amount of time for most Americans is 72 hours. For many people it takes a lot longer. For Native people who's diet is primarily plants it takes only 24 hours to digest and pass their food.
Cleansing the body is an important step in natural healing. For our body to stay healthy, it needs to burn fuel like a new, clean engine that efficiently produces heat or energy. If the body is fed empty calorie foods it blows off heat reserves and lacks energy, and excess waste accumulates. When the body tries to get rid of the accumulated toxic waste, it manifests as symptoms of disease.
Body odor can be an early sign that a colon cleanse is necessary. Illness is the body's way of removing the waste. The digestive system is the first line of immune defense because it alone accounts for stopping over 99 percent of all illness causing agents that come in contact with the body on a daily basis. When this process is overwhelmed, it becomes a "healing crisis." When dealing with the colon we want to open the bowels by using herbs, enemas (or colon boards), and incorporate dietary changes.
When a toxified stool stays in the system due to constipation, it incubates, changes, putrefies, and the neutralized nature of the toxins become active and poisonous to the body.
Hence, everyone needs to do a periodic cleanse. We recommend two major cleanses a year, once in the Springtime and once in the Fall.

Spring Cleaning with Tiao He

Chinese Tiao He Cleanse is our preferred springtime cleanse. It's a convenient cleanse with herbs in packets. Each packet contains one capsule of the Chinese formula LIV-C (also known as Tiao He). The packet also contains one Special Formula#1, one psyllium hulls capsule, one burdock capsule, and one black walnut hulls capsule.
LIV-C helps to detoxify the liver while Special Formula is a general cleansing formula for the bowels, kidneys and liver. Psyllium is a bulk forming laxative that absorbs toxins. Burdock is a blood purifier and black walnut is used for parasites.
Taking a fourteen day course of the Tiao He Cleanse each Spring helps to "thin the blood" from toxins accumulated from a heavier diet and more sedentary life-style in winter. It can also help to minimize Springtime allergies.

Para Cleanse for the Fall

For the fall we recommend Chinese Para-Cleanse. Like the Tiao He Cleanse, this two week cleanse comes in convenient packets. The program features the Herbal Pumpkin combination and the Elecampane combination, both antiparasitic formulas. Each packet also contains two capsules of caprylic acid (an antifungal substance).
While we don't think that Americans have problems with parasites, they are very common and a once-a-year cleanse acts as good health insurance against infestation. The herbs in this formula also fight infection and aid the function of the respiratory system.
We also recommend colon hydrotherapy when needed. Enemas are one of the simplest ways of keeping the colon clean. Another option is a colonic board. L. Carl Robinson highly recommends this process and details information about its use in his book The Roots of Health - You and Your Happy Colon. Colon Boards are much more effective and less messy than enemas, and also clean the full length of the colon whereas an enema is only effective on the rectum and descending colon.

Bulking Laxatives

Bulk laxatives are herbs that contain mucilage (water soluble fiber that soothes colon tissue). These herbs help reduce intestinal inflammation, fight diarrhea and bulk the stool. They also absorb intestinal irritants.
Chickweed is a mild laxative. It breaks down fats and is used for blood poisoning, Cellulite, fatty tumors, hemorrhoids, and obesity among other ailments. Two to four capsules two to three times a day with water is the recommended dosage.
Marshmallow has historically been used for diarrhea, kidney problems, hemorrhoids, intestinal inflammation, and urinary tract inflammation. When taken internally swallow one to three capsules up to four times a day. It can also be used with Slippery Elm as a suppository for hemorrhoids and rectal colitis.
Psyllium is a bulk forming laxative, safe for children, the elderly, and pregnant women. It is recommended for body odor, cholesterol, constipation, diarrhea, diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, toxic bowel, and weight loss. It's best when taken first think in the morning and just before be or a half hour before meals. Take one to two teaspoons mixed in water one to three times daily,. If you do not drink enough water when taking psyllium it can dry out the colon and make constipation worse.
Slippery elm is known for its ability to alleviate colitis, constipation (safe for children), diaper rash, diarrhea (again, safe for children), diverticulitis, dysentery hemorrhoids, hiatal hernia, indigestion, intestinal inflammation, and irritable bowel syndrome. A porridge of slippery elm kept George Washington's soldiers alive at Valley Forge. Take two to four capsules three to six times a day with plenty of water. The tea can be used in an enema or rectal injection for hemorrhoids or bowel inflammation.
Bowel Build is a formula that soothes irritations and acts as a bulking agent for the colon. It contains psyllium hulls, algin, cascara sagrada, bentonite, apple pectin, marshmallow, parthenium, charcoal, ginger, sodium copper chlorophylln. It is recommended for bloating, high cholesterol, Crohn's disease, colitis, diarrhea, diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome, prolapsed colon, and toxic bowel. It is known for its ability to absorb various types of toxins and irritants. Take two to six capsules per day (one to two capsules two to three times daily). Drink a large glass of water with each dose. Best when taken upon awakening in the morning and when retiring at night and 30 minutes before midday meal. Six to eight glasses of water daily should be consumed when taking bowel build.
Marshmallow & Pepsin have been used for heartburn, indigestion, to break up mucus, and for the small intestines. It breaks up undigested proteins which may be clogging the small and large intestines. It can be used as part of a colon cleanse. Take Two capsules three times a day with water.
Nature's Three has psyllium hulls, apple pectin, and oat bran in its formulation. It is helpful for constipation, high cholesterol, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome, and weight control. Put one teaspoon to one tablespoon in a small glass of water or juice. Drink immediately,. Take one to three times a day. Be sure to drink six to eight glasses of water a day while taking Nature's Three.
Psyllium Hulls Combination has psyllium hulls, licorice root, and hibiscus in its formulation. It is a bulk laxative. Mix one teaspoon to one tablespoon in water one to three times daily. Drink right away. Again, drink at least six glasses of water a day when taking this combination. Not drinking enough water can result in further constipation. Activated Charcoal is not an herb but is recommended where gas accompanies diarrhea. It should be taken alone with water only.

Stimulant Laxatives

The colon can also expand and lose muscular tone resulting in a slow or atonic bowel. Stimulant laxatives irritate the colon wall causing it to eliminate any stagnant matter while strengthening muscle tone at the same time.
Cascara Sagrada is perhaps the most well known, powerful, and effective natural laxative. It increases bile flow and stimulates natural peristalsis of the colon. However, it should be periodically interchanged with a bulk forming herb so the colon does not habituate to Cascara sagrada usage. It is used for general congestion, constipation, sluggish gall bladder, gall stones, gas, hemorrhoids, jaundice, toxic bowel, and worms/parasites. It is not recommended for use during pregnancy or for people who are weak or have irritable bowel syndrome. It's best used for no more than four days at a time.
LB Extract has cascara sagrada, senna, buckthorn, alfalfa, psyllium seed hulls, licorice, rhubarb, barberry, ginger, and slippery elm bark in it. It is recommended for constipation in children, liver problems, toxic bowel, and weight loss. To cleanse and tone the colon take one half to one teaspoon in water once a day.
LBS II combines cascara sagrada, buckthorn, licorice, capsicum fruit, ginger, barberry, turkey rhubarb, couch grass, and red clover tops. It is good for body odor, colitic, constipation, diverticulitis, jaundice, obesity and worms/parasites. This mixture is similar to LB extract. Drink plenty of water and take two to four capsules before bedtime or one to two capsules with meals. Bulking herbs like psyllium can be taken with it.
LB-X treats colitis, constipation, poor digestion, diverticulitis, liver imbalance, and worms/parasites. It has dong quai, cascara sagrada bark, turkey rhubarb, golden seal, capsicum fruit, ginger, barberry bark, fennel seeds, and red raspberry in its formulation. It is a lot like LBS II only milder. Therefore, it is safer for pregnancy. Take one to two capsules with meals or two to four capsules before bed.
Senna Combination is used for severe constipation. It combines senna, fennel seed, ginger, and catnip. It is a very strong purgative. When taken alone senna can cause vital cramping. The other herbs help soothe this effect. Take two to four capsules with water and late evening snack for occasional relief from relentless constipation.
Special Formula #1 contains Gentian, Irish moss, cascara sagrada, golden seal, slippery elm bark, fenugreek seeds, safflower, myrrh gum, yellow dock, echinacea, black walnut hulls, barberry,m dandelion, chickweed, catnip, and cyani. It is taken for arthritis, body odor, breast lumps, cancer, mild constipation, cysts, fibroid cysts, parasites, polyps, toxemia, tumors or fatty tumors. It is a general cleansing formula and works best when taken with psyllium hulls or Nature's Three. Take two capsules with each meal.

Spastic vs Atonic Colons

There are two types of colon, the spastic and the atonic. A spastic colon is uptight and bowel movements are irregular and uncomfortable but relieving when done. An atonic, or lazy colon is sluggish and bowel movements may be somewhat regular and non-eventful, but the feeling of a full colon still persists.
A spastic colon is easily irritated by stimulating laxative herbs and coarse fiber, whereas an atonic colon is further complicated by mucilant herbs and soft fiber. Gentle non-stimulating laxatives herbs and soft bulk forming fiber are best for a spastic colon. Stimulating laxative herbs and coarse scrubbing fiber is best for an atonic colon.
Magnesium is best for a spastic bowel because of its relaxing effect on soft muscles, whereas Calcium is best for an atonic bowel due to its toning effect on soft muscle tissue.

Sources:
Sunshine Sharing Vol. 10  No. 6
"The Body System's Approach to Natural Healing" by Steven Horne, (Provo, UT 1996).
"The Roots of Health" by L. Carl Robinson, (Salt Lake City, UT 1996).

Important Notice:

The information in this Newsletter is for educational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose and treat diseases. If you have a health problem we recommend you consult a competent health practitioner before embarking on any course of treatment. Your comments, questions and personal experiences are welcome. Just e-mail them to us via:  E-Mail Form

If you haven't mailed in your membership application yet, now would be a good time to do so or if you don't have an application, please ask us to mail you an application packet. The packet contains an Application, Order Form, Price List, Product Catalog, Lifestyle Analysis brochure and an Introduction to NSP brochure. And, don't forget to renew your Membership when it comes due right away. NSP will send out a reminder. This Membership will allow you to purchase NSP's great products at direct cost. You are not obligated in any way to sell products or sign-up other members if you don't want to. This membership is good for 1 full year, then it will cost $20.00 to renew each year. Check out our distributor page at  http://www.djherb.com/distrib.htm

Be sure to check out the NSP training schedules due this month and next month at: http://www.naturessunshine.com and then click on "Member Services" button at the top of the page and then click on "Events" and follow the links. Knowledge is Power!

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Sincerely,

Dennis & Jean Dunning
DJs Herbs & Nutrition
Nature's Sunshine Managers (402)-680-2642
http://www.djherbs.com


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