Myrrh is the gum from a shrub native to northeastern Africa and southwestern Asia. The tree exudes from natural cracks or man-made increases in the bark. It leaves the tree as a pale yellow liquid, which yellowish-red or reddish-brown substance which is collected for use. This resin or gum has been used for thousands of years for its healing properties. In the Bible, myrrh is one of the gifts the wise men brought to the Christ child.
Properties:

• Myrrh is an alterative. It is a pain reliever, emmenagogic, rejuvenative, astringent, expectorant, antispasmodic, and antiseptic. Its tonic effects benefit all tissues of the body.

Myrrh is a treatment for:

• Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation)
• Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation)
• Menopause
• Coughs, asthma, bronchitis
• Arthritis and rheumatism
• Traumatic injuries
• Ulcerated surfaces
• Anemia
• Excessive weight
• Halitosis
• Gum disease

One of the most beneficial unknown actions of Myrrh is that it can quadruple white blood cell count for those going through cancer treatment such as chemotherapy. The beauty of the herb is that it does not interfere with cancer treatment. If the white blood cell count is low, Myrrh should be used immediately.

Myrrh is availble in its raw form, capsules, oil and herbal extracts. 
 

by Ward W. Bond, PhD

​In 4BC, Greek physician Hippocrates notes Chaste Tree’s use for menstrual conditions. It wasn’t until the 1950’s that German researchers developed a patent medicine containing chaste tree extract.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) involves a number of physical, psychological, and emotional symptoms occurring 5 to 10 days before a woman’s menstrual period. It is estimated that up to 90% of women experience occasional PMS. The dried fruits of chaste tree have repeatedly been shown to dramatically improve the symptoms of PMS. Germany’s health authorities recommend the herb for the treatment of PMS, menstrual irregularity, and mastalgia, or breast tenderness.

A three-month study published in the British Medical Journal evaluated the effectiveness of chaste tree in 178 women with PMS. Chaste tree users showed a significant improvement in PMS symptoms such as irritability, moodiness, anger, headaches, and breast fullness. Overall, the reduction in PMS symptoms was 52% for women taking chaste tree versus 24% for those taking a placebo.

Another randomized placebo-controlled study of chaste tree was conducted in Beijing, China, involving 208 women with PMS. Women taking a 40mg chaste tree extract had a significant reduction in PMS symptoms compared with those taking placebo.

When the psychological symptoms of PMS are more severe (premenstrual dysphoric disorder), the condition is typically treated with antidepressant medication. A randomized controlled trial found that chaste tree was roughly equivalent to fluoxetine (Prozac) for improving psychological and physical symptoms.

Chaste tree is sometimes recommended for women having difficulty conceiving. Chaste tree extracts used daily for at least 3 months, have been show to restore progesterone levels, which may improve female fertility. 

by Ward W. Bond, PhD

​Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) is a water-soluble vitamin and a member of the B-complex family. It is needed for the health of your nervous and immune systems. 

Evidence shows that vitamin B5 can lower cholesterol and protect against heart disease. It is useful in reducing the effects of stress on the body and is needed to convert choline into acetylcholine for better memory. 

Properties:

• Encourages the healing of wounds
• Reduces stress levels
• Helps in the production of bodily energy
• Controls the metabolism of fat
• Prevents fatigue
• Encourages functioning of the immune system
• Lowers cholesterol levels
• May prevent arthritis and treat it
• May prevent hair loss and the graying of hair

Your best food sources of Vitamin B5 are nutritional yeast, meats, eggs, brown rice, whole grains and molasses. 

Dosage:
500mg per day. 1000mg per day can be taken in divided doses. 

by Ward W. Bond, PhD 

​When we think of salad greens we think of kale, romaine, iceberg, green leaf and red leaf and others, but we don't think of watercress. This is a potent healing leafy green that should never be ignored. High in vitamin C, it has a pungent taste and should be more than just garnish on your plate. 

Healing Properties

• Provides good supplies of vitamins A, B1, B2 and C; minerals iron, potassium and calcium. 
• Encourages immune activity in the body. 
• Improves the health of the intestines. 
• Has anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antiseptic and expertorant action. 
• Watercress contains benzyl mustard oil, which is a very powerful natural antibiotic and will not harm the healthy gut bacteria.
• Kills cancer stem cells that are responsible for signalling cancerous tumors to grow. 

How to Use Watercress

• Can be recommended for anemia (natural iron content) and gallblader complaints. 
• Bruise the leaves and place them on the skin to remove acne and freckles. 
• Eaten daily may help in reducing migraines. 
• Can help reduce heartburn. 
• Its high levels of potassium can help reduce water weight and may help with some cases of insominia. 
• Good for chronic respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, cough and reducing phelgm. 

Watercress, one of nature's powerful healing greens. 

by Ward W. Bond, PhD

​Celery is a common vegetable that can be overlooked for its incredible healing properties. The seeds, leaves, and edible root is best eaten raw and let's not forget about its juice. The seeds are rich in iron, vitamin A, B and C. Let's take a look at how celery can bring healing to your body. 

• Celery helps to reduce high blood pressure. 
• Purifires the blood. 
• Celery seeds have anti-inflammatory properties.
• Stimulates the thyroid and pituitary glands.
• Digestive, reducing spasm in the muscle of the intestinal tract and acting as an anti-inflammatory agent. 
• Removes urice acid in those with gout problems.
• Mild diuretic action. 

How to Use Celery as a Healing Food

• Eat the seeds to treat arthritis pain and to relieve muscle spasms naturally. 
• Take the celery stalk and grate it. Apply to reduce swollen glands.
• Eating whole celery is known to lower blood pressure and tones the liver. 
• Drinking celery juice or an infusion of celery seeds may be drunk to reduce sciatica pain. 
• Drinking celery juice before meals will help to suppress the appetite. 

Don't overlook all the parts of celery as each area can help target specific areas of your body and produce the healing response you desire. 

by Ward W. Bond, PhD 

​The holidays are among us and yes all the stress that comes with it. The financial stresses, the shopping in stores and online hoping to find that special gift and of course the variety of Christmas plays, pageants and parties to attend. I feel stressed out just writing the last sentence! 

TIP 1: Tackle one task at a time. Multi-tasking is not recommended this time of year, so focus on one thing at a time. Learn to breathe and don't be afraid to ask for help. Don't try to be super woman or Superman to do it all yourself. Gather your elves and delegate like Santa and have fun doing it! 

TIP 2: Watch your diet. This time of year we rush and grab for the goodies, the sugary types. The high sugar foods will not give us energy, but actually cause fatigue and in some people lead to depression. Depression is at an all time high during the holidays, so don't feed the beast! If you want a Christmas treat, wait for the party or Christmas Eve and Day. Stick with nuts, fruits, vegetables, high quality protein and grab a smoothie. You'll have more energy and feel better and prevent added pounds that you don't want part of your New Year's resolution. 

TIP 3: Magnesium. Yes, the mineral magnesium can be of great help this time of year. Why? We all need it and it helps us to stay calm and stress free. Magnesium deficiency is between 70-80% in all Americans. During the hoiidays, the blood pressure can increase, the insulin resistance increases (bad food choices), we get all tensed up and we lose sleep. Supplementing with magnesium can help in all these areas naturally. I recommend Natural Vitality's Natural Calm as a daily supplement. Take once or twice a day. They also have an incredible cream available if you get those sore muscles from walking from mall to mall. And Natural Vitality has a Natural Calm Bath remedy you can add to make a soothing bath in the evening to release all your cares away and help improve sleep. 

TIP 4: Stressed and having a lack of focus can go hand in hand. I recommend L-Theanine 200mg up to 4 times a day during the holidays. Theanine is found in Green Tea and will help keep you calm and focused at the same time. It can help normalize blood pressure if elevated blood pressure is caused by stress. It can be a miracle worker in many people. Another remedy is the herb Mucuna. Mucuna helps to improve dopamine levels and can help people reduce stress and stay focused as well. Mucuna should only be used by adults. Herbal Ultra's Mucuna is the best on the market. One to two capsules a day is all that is needed. 

TIP 5: Learn to enjoy the holidays. This is the season of giving and give yourself and your family the best Christmas gift of all...you! This is the time of year we think of others, but don't forget about yourself while trying to get it all done. Christmas comes around once a year, so you have plenty of time to get ready for the next one...and don't let that stress you out either. Merry Christmas!