How I Make A Natural Health Assessment (Part Three)

 In parts one and two, I wrote about the steps I take in making a natural health assessment but, after the assessment, suggestions have to be made about how to improve one's health. Just knowing what the body's imbalances are doesn't fix the problem, it just tells us what the problem is.

  

   First, let me clear up a couple of things. In most cases, herbs are not used in the same way allopathic medicine is used. We are not directly, in most cases, relieving symptoms, nor are we curing dis-ease. We are attempting to find imbalances, or weaknesses, in the various systems, and then strengthen them so that the body heals itself! Yes, we can take some Apple Cider Vinegar for acid indigestion and it will bring relief, BUT, we should be trying to balance and strengthen the digestive system so that indigestion doesn't occur. If you are over thirty years old, for instance, hydrochloric acid diminishes in your stomach and we need to rebuild there. Most people don't chew their food properly to get their natural enzyme production to work. Also, most people drink cold liquids with their meals which inhibits those enzymes from doing their work. It's like throwing water on a fire! By the way, if the digestive system is not working properly we cannot expect our herbs to work at full capacity as most of the constituants will pass through the body.

   The answer is then, that almost everyone will need digestive enzymes. So one of the first things I will do is suggest an enzyme supplement. I have had clients that had severe digestive issues that have been corrected through the use of digestive enzymes, properly chewing food, and cutting back on drinking at meals. Enzymes can be procured separately but I generally suggest one that includes all of the digestive enzymes, for fats (lipase), for protein (protease), for carbohydrates (amylase) and so on.   Take according to directions with meals.

   Another thing I will almost always suggest is an increase in fiber. Most of the time I encourage folks to use ground flax seed daily. This can be done by sprinkling it in your meals or you can put a tablespoon in a drink in the morning. Make sure you have plenty of liquids so that the flaxseed swells. It will help to pull particles from the walls of the intestine and correct intestinal constipation,etc. It also helps supply Omega 3 to your diet. You may prefer psyllium hulls. That's o.k. too! I prefer to buy whole flax seeds and then grind them daily or at least every couple of days. I use a coffee grinder. That way they won't spoil. I have bought ground flaxseed in a bag but they must have been on a shelf for awhile because they were already rank.

   Most people really don't lack the major vitamins to a large degree but we almost all lack necessary minerals so I will often encourage one to take a mineral supplement. There are several products that can supply the trace minerals we need but, generally speaking, things like Alfalfa, Kelp, and Dandelion together, can supply practically everything we need, as I understand it.

    Another thing that I often recommend is probriotics.Why? Because by the time someone comes to see me they've already swallowed a ton of pharmaceuticals including Nsaids, and antibiotics. I know then, that their intestinal system has been degraded to a large degree and needs to be rebuilt. Replacing the good flora in the intestinal system is absolutely necessary. In fact, many people suffer from leaky gut syndrome or yeast overgrowth which in turn results in things like chronic fatigue syndrom or fibromialgia. Both of which can be corrected. If the intestinal system is compromised many conditions can result.

   So now that I have recommended these steps we have to consider those things that affect the biological terrain that I spoke of in part one. If you are being exposed to toxins, if at all possible remove yourself from that evironment. If you are suffering from stress, then you need to take steps to  avoid stress (stress alone can cause a plethora of problems). Diet is important so suggestions will be made there. Exercise of some kind is necessary in most cases.

   Last of all, if it's necessary, I will suggest one or more herbal supplements, depending on the problem. By the way, all herbs contain varying degrees of action, and they have varying degrees of direction. Some herbs will have a propensity toward the nervous system. St. John's Wart, for instance has a propensity for the nervous system but it also can be used for other systems. In fact lots of things have to be taken into consideration including whether the problem is acute or chronic, hot or cold, wet or dry, etc.

 An herb like Capsicum has a propensity for the circulatory system, or Mullein for the Respiratory system, etc. So, depending on which system we are attempting to rebuild, herbs that target those systems will be chosen.

   Let me make an important point here: I have know lots of people who use herbs expecting them to help but they do so without any real understanding of the energetics of the herbs and without any real understanding of the CAUSE of their problem. So, they use the herbs to treat the symptoms and then they wonder why it doesn't help. You cannot use herbs like you use pharmaceuticals! Go to a Natural Health Practitioner and get some direction on the use of herbs.