Tag Archive for: holistic health

Health happens when the mind, body and spirit are connected and clean. Health is accessible to everyone through God-given natural means, but requires far more intense and continuous efforts than most people realize. Disease is a warning that the conditions for health are missing. Disease is not the sign of a missing surgery, medicine or pharmaceutical product. Health can be achieved through low tech natural means, that create freedom and independence. Humans do not have to depend on corporations, large businesses or pharmaceutical companies to enjoy health. In fact, if one is dependent on such entities they can be sure that they are only suppressing the root cause of the disease, not actually curing it. Even in the cases where a medicine resolves the original illness, the deeper emotional and spiritual root cause remains untouched. Success is only superficial and suffering will return in some form or another at a later date. The body will continue to warn the individual that health is missing.

Understanding the law of karma and it’s logical solution, unconditional love, is the first step towards re-establishing holistic health. Practices that help connect the mind, body and spirit will stimulate an emotional and spiritual cleansing. Some of the most important practices that have helped me are: regular meditation, positive affirmations, fasting, physical exercise, exposure to nature, a fresh whole foods diet, meaningful hard work, random acts of kindness, forgiveness and investing in high quality relationships (by being selective with my friends and maintaining personal integrity in my life).

When I realized the importance of these practices, I immediately stopped using alcohol and did my best to limit my exposure to any chemicals, such as pharmaceuticals and agro-toxins present in food. I also realized that it’s important to embrace the symptoms of an illness when they manifest (they are just a messenger) and invest more energy in the previously mentioned holistic health practices as opposed to focusing on the messenger. As a result, illnesses happen much less often (I have stopped getting my seasonal sore throat and occasional migraines) and when the do happen, they pass much faster.

Occasionally I have been challenged by severe symptoms, such as a 3 month episode of intense, exploding right leg and buttocks pain that made it impossible for me to stand up straight and tormented me through out every activity I performed, including limiting my sleep to just 2-3 hours. Even in that case I recognized it was futile to fight with the symptoms or try to suppress them with pain medications. I carried on life as usual, just much slower and focused only on my most critical daily activities. I asked God if there was anything I needed to change in my life and the answer in this case was: no, everything is okay. This was an intense spiritual cleanse and all I needed to do was stay strong and allow it to pass. Indeed that was what happened and the benefits that followed in the wake of that storm permeated through all of my life. I may write more details about this in another article.

I’m writing this now because I see so many people confused about what it means when we get an illness or disease. I see many who intuitively know that everything happens on purpose. I see many people who are hesitant to use modern medicines and vaccines, but they are missing strength in their conviction. They have forgotten the big picture. Now more than ever there is an intense social pressure to convince us that we must rely on these man-made chemicals (and the companies that make them) in hopes to achieve health. It’s easy to forget that our body’s are highly intelligent and the symptoms are simply a “messenger” that something inside is out of balance. Now more than ever, it’s important to remain strong.

When people are suffering, it’s tempting to reach for the “quick fix” that yields some sort of immediate results, but with unknown long-term consequences. It’s easy to fight with the disease or suppress the symptoms, but at best this leaves the root cause unaddressed and leaves the individual with a false sense of security. At worst it intensifies the illness. All diseases are an attempted spiritual cleanse, if not interfered with they will pass and leave life better than before. And I believe deeply that death (no matter how it comes) is the final most sacred cleanse, where spiritual freedom can be experienced.

In a culture where death is treated as a mistake. Where we are taught to fear death, illness and suffering. Where we treat our bodies as our identity, instead of a temporary home. It’s easy to get convinced to fight with illnesses. It’s easy to count death tolls and point fingers. It’s easy to waste energy trying to “stop the spread” of disease. It’s easy to find ourselves fighting with others, even our friends and loved ones, as long as we wrongly perceive that our health is a result of other people’s actions. It’s easy to get caught up in the superficial events and leave the inner work unaddressed.

I challenge everyone to see through this illusion. Remember that health is a personal responsibility. Remember to be mindful of your thoughts, words and actions and orient them in a loving way, no matter what happens. Remember to take time to care for yourself. Take time to be alone with God and nature. Honor the sacredness of the mind, body and spirit and allow the spirit to change you for the better. Help others learn this truth, not by preaching, but instead through your actions. Health speaks for itself.

Clove Tincture

Clove Tincture

Clove tincture has multiple therapeutic purposes.  I take it along with black walnut hull tincture and wormwood tincture as an antiparasitic.  In this article, I share how to make your own clove tincture by hand.

Basic Recipe

Mix ground cloves with 80-100 proof alcohol.  Let the mix sit for 6 weeks, strain and reserve the alcohol.

In Depth Tutorial

Getting Fresh Organic Cloves

The quality of dried cloves can vary.  After sampling 3 different organic clove brands, I choose Organic World Spice Market.  The aroma of these cloves hit my face when I smelled them.  They really stood out compared to other brands I tried.

Grinding the Cloves

To ensure freshness, I purchased whole cloves and then ground them the day I made the tincture.  If you do the same, make sure you clean your coffee grinder well before you use it again.

Grinding Whole Cloves

Grinding Whole Cloves

Basic Recipe Plus

I used 2.5 tbl of ground cloves for every 2 oz of alcohol.  For this particular batch, 8 oz of whole cloves ground down to 32 tbl, which calls for 26 oz of alcohol.  The whole concoction fit perfectly into a 1 quart glass jar.  If using a metal lid be sure to put a piece of plastic wrap down first.  Store the tincture in a cool, dry place for 6 weeks.

Ground Cloves in Alcohol

Ground Cloves in Alcohol

Finished Product

Next strain the mix through a coffee filter and bottle it.  Take 20 drops three times a day for 2 weeks, along with the black walnut hull tincture and clove tincture.  On the mornings you take the 3 tinctures, take the clove tincture first, about 20 minutes before the other two.  The amount of tincture for a 2 week treatment fits perfectly into a 2 ounce remedy bottle.  Store in a cool, dry place.

Wormwood Tincture

Wormwood Tincture

Wormwood, when taken along with cloves and black walnut hull, is an excellent antiparasitic remedy.  Dr. Hulda Clark advocated this triad of herbs.  Although she suggested taking the wormwood in a dried capsule form, I love to use herbs in tincture form.  If made from fresh herb, I feel more of the essence is retained in a tincture then a dried preparation.  You may wish to make your own tincture so that you know it is fresh and organic.  If done right, it will be higher quality than any store bought version.

Basic Recipe

Soak wormwood leaves and flowers in 80 – 100 proof alcohol, being sure all the herb parts are covered.  After 6 weeks strain the organic matter from the alcohol and bottle your tincture.

In Depth Tutorial

Getting Wormwood

I choose to grow wormwood in my organic herb garden.  I was lucky to find someone locally who gave me a starter plant.  My second choice would have been to cultivate the plant from seed.  I love Annie’s Heirloom Seeds.  As a last resort I would have used a good quality organic dried wormwood for the tincture.

Basic Recipe Plus

Fresh Wormwood

Fresh Wormwood

One freezer bag of loosely packed wormwood, once chopped, fit nicely into a 1/2 quart glass jar and required about 16 oz alcohol. It is important that all the herb is submerged.  If you have a metal lid, place a plastic wrap on the glass jar first.

Fresh Wormwood Soaking

Fresh Wormwood Soaking

Finished Product

Let the mix sit for 6 weeks, then strain it, reserving the alcohol and discarding the wormwood plant matter.  Store in a glass jar, in a cool and dry place.  Take 20 drops three times daily for 2 weeks, along with clove tincture and black walnut hull tincture.  A 2 ounce remedy bottle is exactly the right size to hold this 2 week regimen.