The Complete Home Guide to Herbs, Natural Healing, and Nutrition

inherited genetic patterns. Thyroid function, amino acid performance,

metabolism in general, liver function, and the well-being of the stomach

and pancreas all have great bearing on how well or badly we store or use

our fat supplies.

We would all love to be just the right weight, but few of us are. Those

who are underweight would love to be more formed, muscular, “ﬁlled-

out,” or simply warmer and having more energy; those who are

overweight know only too well that it is unhealthy and slows us down.

Obviously a whole-body tuning using cleanses and organic foods will help

to compensate. Taking plenty of water helps remove excess toxins, which

are always stored in fatty tissue. Eat less, but eat well.

Desired weight loss is aided by spirulina algae, kelp, evening primrose

oil, chickweed leaf, dandelion root and leaf, and burdock root, whereas

desired weight gain is aided by fenugreek seed tea or decoction,

marshmallow root, and slippery elm inner bark.

Weight can plunge during cleanses in those with chronic diseases, and

when switching to new food programs. This can be unavoidable, but olive

oil massages will help “feed” the body. Slippery elm inner bark, fenugreek

seed tea or decoction, and miso gruel will help to feed and nourish and

keep undesirable weight loss at bay. Superfoods like algae or wheat or

barley grasses will ensure proper nutrition while (or if) weight loss is

occurring. Eventually the weight will creep back on and metabolism will

be optimal, as all organs and systems ﬁnd a greater harmony and well-

being.

Young women heading toward anorexia, or indeed those already ano-

rexic, may be unnecessarily force-fed stodgy food in an attempt to fatten

them up when, in fact, good nutritious juices, broths, and superfoods

would keep them feeling light and slim until more solid food is

introduced, while herbs can help immensely.

toxic fat stores

Weight loss can also be achieved by bearing in mind your possible need

for particular herbs for hormone balancing, relieving constipation, and

treating a sluggish liver. Fat holds onto toxins even if you are not

overweight. Fatty tissues attract toxic substances from gas, chlorobenzene,

tap water, herbicides, and car exhaust residues. We also take in toxins

from paints and lacquers. These can cause fatigue, headaches, tiredness,

reproductive problems, immune deﬁciency problems, dizziness, eye

discharge, and many other conditions.

twenty-first-century reasons to cleanse

Toxic bioaccumulation isn’t just a steady buildup in the fat stores of the

Home Guide to Herbs - davies