Brothers and sisters, herbs are a gift from the Lord and should be utilized more by our people as we involve ourselves in the true methods of healing.
Indeed Inspiration points out: "The true method of healing the sick is to tell them of the herbs that grow for the benefit of man." --MS:105, 1898.
Sr. White continues: "If every family were educated in how to use these herbs in case of sickness, much suffering might be prevented." --Letter 81, 1897. And in Letter 100, 1903, she admonishes us to "always study and teach the use of simple remedies."
The drug industry would have us believe that herbal remedies are untested and therefore "dangerous," but herbs have been used for centuries. And many of them have been rigorously tested in other countries. Indeed the German Commission E, similar to our Food and Drug Administration, has done extensive research on many of the most common herbs and found them safe and efficacious when used as directed. It's instructive to note that in Germany herbal science is state of the art and natural remedies are taught in medical school.
Let's take a closer look at herbs as a viable healing modality.
* Herbs, which are in tune with our biological make-up, were part of the first system of healing that the world has ever known...yes, even from Bible times. They contain great healing benefits and are really a class of foods and therefore an extension of nutrition.
* The World Health Organization informs us that 80 percent of the more than 6 billion world population rely on herbal medicines. 30 to 50 percent of all medical doctors in France and Germany rely exclusively on herbal preparations as their primary medicines.
* Andrew Weil, MD., who teaches at the Univ. of Arizona Medical School and is the author of "Spontaneous Healing," has prescribed herbs for everything from asthma to immune deficiency and has never seen plants cause serious side effects. He says he prescribes forty times more botanical and herbal medicines than synthetic drugs.
* The herbal medicine chest has a centuries old history of effectiveness and solid scientific research confirms their traditional use. Indeed, respected herbal practitioners around the world recommend them to their patients...Varro E. Tyler, PhD, ScD, America's foremost expert on herbs and plant derived medicine, and dean emeritus of the Purdue Univ. School of Pharmacy and Pharmacal sciences, points out that herbs are part of the antioxidant army so crucial for good health. Indeed, in many cases they are as much as 50 times more powerful than the antioxidant vitamins.
* Herbs (plants), work by assisting the body's normal self-healing mechanism...Drugs work by suppressing symptoms. Herbs are the new focus of reputable experts and labs across the country. From Rockefeller Univ. to the National Institute of Health, studies are underway looking into the benefits of these healing wonders.
* For every drug there is an herbal alternative.
* A major "pain" that herbs can prevent: regular doctors' visits.
* "Time" the weekly news magazine pointed out that in 1998 sixty million Americans took herbal supplements, spending nearly $5 billion.
* Lynn Walker, PhD., writing in "Nature's Pharmacy, points out that herbs are nature's gentle yet effective medicines. Many medical drugs are developed by isolating or imitating plant ingredients. But only the whole herb contains nature's wisdom and safety.
Important Note: Ask the Lord for wisdom and guidance as you utilize the healing power of herbs. And study, study, study--this subject is indeed worthy of our time and concern as we explore God's method of healing.
Good health to all
Sr. Suzanne
