Cliff's Weekly Papers Archives

Cliff's holistic health papers---Week of 6-26

Hi,
Dr. Stoll has suggested I post each week 2 of my holistic health papers. This week (posted
below): Paper 17D, Naturopathy; Chinese medicine; acupuncture; Paper 18D, Miscellaneous
health items (“Smorg-1")—there is no 16D. Cliff

Health Musings (Paper 17D, Naturopathy, Chinese medicine, acupuncture)

by Clifford S. Garner, Ph.D.

From time to time we discuss various systems of healing, aside from the orthodox
allopathic medical system which is gradually falling into disfavor as people in the USA
increasingly turn from its “cut-burn-poison” approach.
So far we have discussed the use of light and color (paper 8D), flower essences and
aromatherapy (paper 11D), chiropractic and osteopathy (paper 12D), and prayer (paper 13D).
We now consider several other healing systems, starting with naturopathy.
Naturopathic (nah-choo-roh-pahʹ-thick, or nay-.....) medicine, or naturopathy (nah-choo-
rahʹ-pah-thee, or nay-.....), from the Latin natura: nature, and the Greek pathos: suffering or its
treatment, had its beginnings early in the history of mankind. Philosophically, its roots can be
traced back at least to the Hippocratic school of medicine (ca. 400 B.C.E.). Hippocrates was the
first naturalistic-thinking doctor of recorded non-esoteric history, viewing disease as an effect and
its cause in such natural phenomena as food, water, air, weather, etc. He used the term “vis
medicatrix naturae,” the healing power of nature, to denote the physical body’s ability to heal
itself. In more modern times, naturopathy grew out of the natural health movements of the 18th
and 19th centuries, especially in Europe, where it was traditional to “take the cure” at natural
springs and health spas (these are still in favor, especially in the Germanic and Scandinavian
countries). In those times, naturopathy employed mainly hygiene and hydrotherapy (the latter
uses cold and hot water as ice, water, and steam in such forms as baths, douches, showers,
saunas, whirlpools, wraps, poultices, foot baths, colonic irrigations, etc., and was much used by
the Assyrians, Egyptians, Persians, Greeks, Hebrews, Chinese, Hindus, and American Indians).
The term “naturopathy” was apparently first coined in 1845 by a Dr. John Scheel of New
York to apply to such techniques. However, it was Dr. Benedict Lust who was mainly
responsible for introducing naturopathy to the United States in ca.1902, and who visualized
naturopathy as including such modalities as natural diet and nutritional therapy, hydrotherapy,
electrotherapy, physical exercise, spinal and joint manipulation, etc., and drawing from the healing
methods of various cultures, including Indian (Ayurveda), Chinese (traditional oriental medicine,
acupuncture, etc.), Greek (Hippocratic school), and Native American (herbs, sweat lodge, etc.).
There are now generally acknowledged to be six main principles of naturopathy: 1. The
healing power of nature is powerful: The body has the ability to heal itself; 2. First, do no harm:
This was the Hippocratic approach, and it is ironical that most modern MDs, who take the
Hippocratic Oath on receiving their degree, routinely violate this principle; the naturopathic
physician (N.D. is their degree designation) accomplishes this “doing no harm” by using only safe
and effective natural therapies; 3. Treat the cause rather than the effect: The ND seeks the cause
of a “disease,” rather than simply suppressing the symptoms as is commonly done by MDs; 4.
Treat the whole person: Naturopathy views the whole person as a physical, mental, emotional,
social, and spiritual being, for whom no disease is seen as necessarily incurable; 5. The best cure
is prevention: The ND works with the patient to inform them how they can take measures to
prevent ill health and restore themselves to good health if they are ill; 6. The naturopathic
physician is foremost a teacher: The ND’s emphasis is on motivating and educating the patient to
accept responsibility for their health, to adopt healthy lifestyles, diets, attitudes, etc.
Typically an initial office visit with a naturopath might take an hour or two, beginning with
a thorough health history and interview to elicit factors of your lifestyle, diet, concerns, etc., in an
endeavor to understand you as an individual. A physical exam is performed and lab tests
arranged. The results are discussed and explained at some length, unlike the usual “5-minute”
visit with many MDs, who tell you what disease you have, maybe write a prescription, and rush
on to the next patient.
Most NDs are licensed primary care/general practice family physicians, with their
strengths in treating chronic, functional, and degenerative “diseases,” just what the allopathic
medical system does so poorly. Severe, acute traumas, like auto accident injuries, heart attacks,
problems requiring corrective surgery, etc., are commonly referred to MDs, although the ND can
give considerable help in the recovery stage. Some NDs take training in minor surgical
techniques. NDs are disinclined to use drugs and rarely prescribe them, and in some states may
not legally do so.
There are about 1,500 licensed or licensable NDs practicing in the USA, and thousands
more who have had insufficient training to be licensable. At present there are only 11 states in the
USA where NDs are licensed (Alaska, Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New
Hampshire, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, and Washington) and 5 provinces in Canada (Alberta,
British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan). Efforts are underway in 8 other USA
states to create ND licensing; no such effort is underway in New Mexico because there are only 3
licensable NDs, not enough to set up a licensing board. In 1983 the World Health Organization
recommended the integration of naturopathy into the conventional health care system. Many
people are turning to NDs for family health care.
In most licensing states the services of an ND are not covered by medical insurance. The
state of Washington has recently approved insurance coverage for ND care, and some HMOs
cover care by NDs.
Licensed NDs normally hold an undergraduate degree including typical premedical
courses, and graduate from a 4-year naturopathic college which includes specific therapies such as
acupuncture, nutrition, botanical medicine, psychological counseling, etc. There are currently 3
accredited naturopathic colleges in the USA and one in Canada.
The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians in Seattle, WA, (206)-298-0126,
provides a brochure and a directory of licensed NDs for $5, as well as a quarterly newsletter for
professionals and the public. A free health newsletter, The Source, is available from the John
Bastyr University, (425)-602-3051.
We turn now to traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, both often used by NDs
as well as a small minority of MDs.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), sometimes called oriental medicine, and
acupuncture go back at least 3,000 years. Chinese immigrants brought acupuncture and TCM to
the USA in the mid-1800s, but their use here was largely confined to the Chinese until 1972,
when New York Times columnist James Reston reported on the emergency appendectomy he
underwent while in China and the to-him amazing relief he experienced from postsurgical pain
after placement of a few acupuncture needles in his body. By the late 1970s TCM and
acupuncture schools and practitioners were found throughout the USA.
One fourth of the people on the planet use one or more of these therapies. In both, illness
is considered to arise from an improper flow of ch’i or qi, the vital life force flowing through the
acupuncture meridians, with a proper flow depending on a balance between the yang and yin
condition of the body. Yang energy, the heaven or solar energy, the masculine, active, creative,
dynamic, positive polarity aspect of energy refers in the body to its surface and the surface of
internal organs, the “hollow” organs (such as stomach, bladder, small and large intestines, where
things just pass through, i.e., the digestive and eliminative organs), and the spine. Yin energy, the
earth energy, the feminine, passive, receptive, static, negative polarity aspect of energy refers to
the interior of the body and of organs, the “solid” organs (such as heart, liver, spleen, where
substantial processes and transformations occur), and the chest, abdomen and blood. Excess yang
tends to result in acute or virulent “dis-eases,” with the person feeling hot or having a fever,
whereas yin in excess tends toward chronic, weak, decaying “dis-eases,” with the person feeling
cold or running a subnormal temperature. Yang organs work part-time (masculine energy: “a
man’s work is from sun to sun”); yin organs work all the time (feminine energy: “a woman’s work
is never done”). The interrelationships of the organs with one another is considered through what
is know as the “Five Element Theory” or “Five Phase Theory,” in which the ten organs heart,
spleen, lungs, kidneys, and liver (all yin) and small intestine, stomach, large intestine, bladder, and
gall bladder (all yang) are arranged among the five elements, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and
Wood, all familiar to practitioners of “Touch for Health.” Each organ is considered to nourish or
inhibit the functioning of another organ according to the Five Element arrangement.
.An initial office visit with a TCM practitioner or acupuncturist commonly includes a case
history, a visual inspection of the complexion, general body characteristics, and the tongue and
eyes, listening to the tone and strength of the voice, noting any breath or body odor, and most
importantly making a “pulse diagnosis.” In the latter, a skilled practitioner feels with three fingers
the nature of six, or sometimes nine, pulses taken along the radial artery of each wrist, allowing
him or her to assess the quality of qi in each organ, etc. Personal, lifestyle, and environmental
factors are also considered. Lab test, x-rays, etc., are often not involved. Patients with different
symptoms, but the same pattern of disharmony, are often treated with the same herbs or therapies.
Therapies used include herbal medicines, often specifically Chinese, and often consisting of
six to nineteen different substances, sometimes from animal and mineral sources in addition to
herbs, acupuncture (see below), massage and manipulation (including Tui Na, a combination of
massage, manipulation and acupuncture), and various therapeutic and preventive measures such
as calisthenics, internal energy exercises, meditative relaxation, and the use of systems such as
Qigong.
In acupuncture, needles (usually hair-thin presterilized stainless steel) are placed in the
appropriate acupuncture points along meridians, using usually no more than 10 to 12 needles in a
treatment. Their placement may feel like a faint pinprick or be totally painless, and many patients
go to sleep from relaxation during the 15 to 30 minutes the needles are in place (I usually do). In
some cases tiny special needles are placed in the ears, often covered with tape, and left in place
for days or even weeks (auriculoacupuncture, taking advantage of the fact that the ear has a
holographic representation of all the body organs). Sometimes electroacupuncture is used, in
which wires are clipped onto some of the needles and a small electrical voltage applied. In other
cases moxibustion may be employed, in which mugwort or some other herb is placed on top of
the needle and burnt. Acupuncture points can also be stimulated by rubbing, pressing, tapping,
lasering, shining colored light on them, focusing sound on them, injecting water or medications
into them, etc., although few acupuncturists use anything but needles. Various systems of
acupressure exist, including shiatsu, jin-shin, do-in, etc. Incidentally, galvanic skin response
measurements have demonstrated the physical existence of the acupuncture meridians (as has
microdissection and the use of radioisotopes) as fine ductlike tubes carrying a slow-moving clear
colorless fluid, independent of the blood and lymph systems; the acupoints have a greater
electrical conductance than their adjacent skin, and electrical currents were shown in the 1970s to
flow along the meridians.
A wide range of both chronic and acute illnesses and injuries may be treated by TCM and
acupuncture. The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed 104 different conditions for which
acupuncture and/or TCM have been found beneficial, including pain relief, migraines, sinusitis,
stroke-induced paralysis, addictions, osteoarthritis, etc., and WHO has selected TCM, including
acupuncture, for worldwide propagation to meet the health care needs of the next century. In
November 1997 the National Institutes of Health endorsed acupuncture as a useful option for
treating various medical conditions, including nausea and pain.
An estimated 17,000 TCM/acupuncture practitioners are certified and licensed to practice
in the USA. Thirty-six states license them, with varying requirements. Non-licensing states allow
MDs and DOs to practice TCM, but few do, although some do use acupuncture.
TCM/acupuncture practitioners normally will have completed at least two years of science study
and three or four years of schooling in Chinese medicine and/or acupuncture. Degree
designations are D.O.M. or O.M.D., doctor of oriental medicine, and L.Ac., licensed
acupuncturist. Some health plans and insurance cover acupuncture; few cover TCM.
For further information, including referrals, contact The American Association of
Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, 4101 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 201, Raleigh, NC 27607,
(919) 787-5181.
We close with offering you 4 sets of acupoints to rub firmly for ½-1 minute each
daily–these help to reset the flow of ch’i in a way that favors good physical health: 1) CV12
(conception vessel 12), on front midline of body, half way between your belly button and bottom
tip of breast bone; 2) ST12 (stomach 12, the stomach “alarm point”), feel along the upper side of
the collarbone outwardly, right and left, until the finger finds a small depression (typically 2.5-3"
out from midline) and rub immediately above; 3) K27 (kidney 27), with forefinger and thumb
about 3" apart, move them down front of neck until they contact the collarbone, continue over the
collarbone into the first deep depression, which is the space between ribs 1 and 2, and rub there;
4) GV14 (governing vessel 14), on midline of spine, between the 7th cervical vertebra (C7) and the
first thoracic vertebra (T1)-- feel spine at back of neck where it joins shoulders to locate largest
“bump” there, the spinous process of T1, with C7 immediately above– in a few people the largest
“bump” is C7, so best to rub both above and below the prominent “bump.” No harm if rub
“wrong” acupoints. ST12 and K27 are bilateral, i.e., on both right and left sides of body; can rub
both sides at same time.

DISCLAIMER:
Information and procedures described in this and other "Health Musings" are reported
solely for educational purposes. The author is not directly or indirectly dispensing medical
advice. Although the author believes this information and these procedures to be valuable,
persons using them do so entirely at their own risk.

Cliff Garner, Ph.D., is a holistic health facilitator and a professional kinesiology practitioner. He
may be reached by telephone or fax at (505) 525-1089 or by e-mail at kosmik@totacc.com.

Health Musings (Paper 18D, Miscellaneous health items–“Smorg-1")

by Clifford S. Garner, Ph.D.

Step right up to the buffet, folks! Again we offer you a delicatessen of tidbits of health
information. Do enjoy!
According to the “1992 Top Ten Almanac,” the top ten items purchased then in
supermarkets were, in decreasing cost order: 1) Marlboro cigarets, 2) Classic Coke, 3) Pepsi
Coke, 4) Kraft processed cheese, 5) Diet Coke, 6) Campbell’s soups, 7) Budweiser beer, 8) Tide
detergent, 9) Folger’s coffee, and 10) Winston cigarets. Although I rarely purchase foods in
supermarkets, and therefore seldom go in a supermarket, I see similar items in today’s baskets at
the check-out stands, namely, lots of soft drinks, cigarets, and junk foods. I bring this up not only
because it suggests one reason why people in the USA are getting increasingly sicker, but because
few realize how detrimental this great consumption of soft drinks is (50 gal. per person each year,
exceeding the drinking of water in the 1980s and since). Let us look at the bad health effects of
soft drinks.
Typically a 12-oz. soft drink contains 50 mg. of phosphorus, in addition to lots of sugar
or harmful sugar substitute (phosphorus is also found in substantial amounts in fast foods to help
retain moisture and act as anticaking additives). Phosphorus has many metabolic functions. An
important one is the mediation of calcium levels by the parathyroid glands (see July 1997 ETR).
Calcium levels in the blood and tissues are largely controlled by the parathyroid hormone PTH in
conjunction with vitamin D. Additional PTH is produced when calcium levels are too low as a
result of 1) poor calcium absorption, 2) insufficient calcium in the diet, and/or 3) excess
phosphorus in the diet. Each of these three factors has become very common in the general
population. Blood calcium levels are raised by taking calcium directly out of the bones, leading in
time to osteoporosis, which in turn leads to hip fractures, collapsing of the spinal vertebrae, etc.
Other consequences of a high phosphorus/low calcium diet are muscle cramps, periodontal
disease and tooth loss, high blood pressure, kidney stones, atherosclerosis, chronic hoarseness
(President Clinton may have this problem because he eats junk foods and consumes soft drinks;
others say it is all the cocaine he allegedly snorts), a factor in Parkinson’s disease (at least treating
the parathyroids and balancing the phosphorus and calcium levels reduce trembling in Parkinson’s
patients), and a factor in mini-strokes (TIAs, transient ischemic attacks, which may produce one
or more of such things as paralysis, confusion, memory loss, slurred speech, dizziness, double
vision or temporary blindness). All of these sickness conditions associated at least in part with
increased phosphorus intake are on the increase. The other very bad ingredient of most “diet”
soft drinks is aspartame used as a sweetener–see below. What to do about this?
Cut back or eliminate soft drinks from your diet. Drink more high-quality water. Eat
fewer prepared foods (processed and frozen foods usually are loaded with phosphates, not listed
on food labels). Use a wider variety of fresh foods; the typical meat and potato diet is high in
phosphorus. Eat calcium-rich foods, such as unhulled sesame seeds, cheeses such as mozzarella
and ricotta, kelp, sardines, parsley, brazil nuts, salmon, garbanzos, kale, eggs, many beans,
sunflower seeds, etc.(milk is highly overrated as a calcium source and is a common allergen and
not handled well by people with blood types O, A and AB; fermented milks such as yogurt, kefir,
buttermilk and acidophilus milk are handled better and are good calcium sources). Calcium
supplementation is advisable, with vitamin D (best as D3), magnesium, and betaine hydrochloride
to help its assimilation; 1000-1500 mg. calcium per day. Balance the parathyroids by rubbing daily
two points next to the breastbone just under the first rib (which in front is buried under the
collarbone) and, if possible, two points on the back at the outside lower edge of the shoulder
blades, and consider the use of a good parathyroid glandular.
The annual consumption of sugar has been on the increase for decades. Partly because of
the fear of obesity, a huge market has been created for artificial sweeteners. Let’s look into them.
The early artificial sweeteners were cyclamate and saccharin (the latter is still common in
“Sweet N’Low”). With some people these leave a bitter after-taste. Rats fed relatively large
amounts developed cancerous tumors. Next came aspartame (“NutraSweet,” “Equal,” “Spoonful,”
etc.), which now accounts for more than 75% of all adverse reactions from food additives reported
to the FDA, and about 100 different symptoms attributed to its use. Aspartame used has wood
alcohol (methanol) in it, which when heated above 88°F is partly converted to formaldehyde and
formic acid, both bad toxins. The widespread use of aspartame appears to be linked to the rise in
multiple sclerosis (MS), systemic lupus, memory loss, increased numbers of brain tumors, and
fibromyalgia, and several books have been written on the dangers of aspartame. Victims of both
MS and systemic lupus, e.g., are more common in those who drink 3 to 4 12-oz cans of Diet Coke,
Diet Pepsi, and the like, a day, and both often respond to lessening of MS or lupus symptoms, or
even their disappearance, after cessation of aspartame intake. Aspartame is especially bad for
diabetics, and can take them into a coma. An excellent substitute for sugar and artificial
sweeteners is “Sweet Balance,” a calorie-free low glycemic index sweetener made wholly from
organic kiwi fruit (distributed by Nature Sweet, 1-877-997-9338). Another substitute often used is
the natural herb stevia (stevia rebaudiana), which is 30-100 times sweeter than sugar, nontoxic,
water soluble, and without after-taste. It is not consistently available in the USA (thanks to FDA
interference), but is available by order from Allergy Resource, (800) 873-3529. Another safe
natural sweetener is xylitol, found in certain vegetables, plums, strawberries, raspberries, and in
birch trees. Unlike table sugar, xylitol does not trigger insulin release, making it an ideal sweetener
for diabetics. Also, unlike table sugar and fructose, xylitol does not create an acid environment in
the mouth, thus reducing tooth enamel erosion and formation of plaque-forming bacteria in the
mouth. For this reason xylitol-laced chewing gum helps knock out infections that start in the
mouth (chew the gum for 5-10 minutes several times a day). The incidence of middle ear infections
(otitis media) in children is increasing greatly, and is usually addressed by MDs with massive
antibiotic use, which is harmful and leads to return of the malady in an increased intensity, or by
harmful surgical use of ear tubes. In contrast, research in Finland showed a 40% decrease in these
infections in children after two months of chewing xylitol-laced gum; these results have been
largely ignored in the USA (the number one reason for children’s visits to MDs is recurrent middle
ear infections!). Most gum manufacturers in the USA use sorbitol as sweetener to lower costs;
sorbitol is better than table sugar, but xylitol is far more effective (sold in the USA as “Xylifresh”
chewing gum).
Over 40 million people in the USA suffer from tinnitus, a ringing in the ears, or other
abnormal ear sounds such as hissing, chirping, roaring, buzzing, whistling, etc. Five million of these
people have tinnitus so bad it incapacitates them. The greatest single cause is prescription drug use
(The American Tinnitus Association, POB 5, Portland, OR 97207, will send you a list of known
drugs that can cause tinnitus; send them a SASE). Even aspirin can cause tinnitus. Perhaps the
second most common cause is allergy from foods (common food allergens include milk, cheeses,
wheat, egg, tomato, peanut, corn, soy, orange, chocolate, coffee, aspartame). Other tinnitus causes
include high blood pressure, anemia, thyroid problems, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems,
impacted ear wax, ear infection, hearing loss, and nutritional deficiencies especially of vitamin B12
and zinc. Remedies are self-suggested by rereading this list of causes. Other sources of help include
the Tomatis Sound Therapy (over half of tinnitus sufferers get some relief; contact Sound Therapy,
POB E237, St. James, N.S.W. 2000, Australia, for USA practitioners), acupuncture, homeopathy,
and supplementation with Ginkgo Biloba.
Ten percent of the USA population suffers daily from heartburn (many MDs now refer to
this as “gastroesophageal reflux, GERD). Complications can be serious, including bleeding of the
esophageal lining, constriction of the esophagus making swallowing difficult, asthma, pneumonitis,
bronchitis, etc. Chronic heartburn almost always occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (at
the junction of the stomach and esophagus) weakens, allowing the highly acidic gastric juices to
flow into the esophagus (acid reflux). Much of the time such relaxing or weakening of the
sphincter comes from prescription drugs, especially antidepressants and sedatives, and/or from
food allergies especially from tomato, chocolate, coffee, carbonated drinks, alcohol, and some
spices. Other causes include ulcers, parasites especially intestinal worms, and gallbladder
dysfunction. Gorging at the dinner table tends to give heartburn temporarily because the overfilled
stomach forces gastric juices up the esophagus. TV commercials for antacids do a great deal of
harm in encouraging the use of antacids for heartburn sufferers. Antacids not only produce a
“rebound effect,” i.e., a worsening of symptoms from frequent use, but also affect even in low
doses the body’s ability to metabolize calcium and phosphorus, leading ultimately to weakness,
pain, loss of appetite, constipation or diarrhea, and weakening of the bones. Moreover, many
popular antacids contain aluminum salts—aluminum is toxic and has been linked to Alzheimer’s
disease. Again, remedies suggest themselves, mainly getting off medical drugs, watching your diet,
avoiding over-eating, and having your allergies determined and eliminated. Other possibilities
include herbal remedies such as drinking fenugreek tea three times a day, taking 2 or more capsules
of ginger root before eating, or using capsules or extracts of gentian root, goldenseal, wormwood
or activated charcoal; drinking before each meal and at bedtime the fresh juice of a finely grated
raw potato strained through clean cheesecloth and diluted with 2-3 parts of water to each part of
juice. Of course, these herbal and other remedies are palliative, not curative.
Get ready for this next one! Urine often alleviates pain from burns, cuts, rashes, and insect
stings, and can hasten recovery. Actually, our urine is sterile unless we have a bladder or urethral
infection, and an effective Ayurvedic practice for many health problems is drinking small amounts
of your own urine (I tried this once some years ago for about a month and it seemed to help)--we
may cover this therapy in detail in a future “Health Musings.” Right now we are discussing
applying urine topically to the affected skin area. I have heard of old-timers applying baby’s wet
diapers to their rashes, etc., with success, but that’s too much for me, thank you.
Many people suffer from fingernails that are brittle and crack or chip easily; many times the
nails are ridged vertically. More than 90% of people with such fingernails when lab tested have
insufficient stomach acid, which leads to poor digestion and absorption of food (one may have low
stomach acid without fingernail involvement). The two main nutrients for fingernails appear to be
calcium and protein, the assimilation of which is poor when stomach acid is deficient. Low
stomach acid is common among the elderly, and even for some in their 20s and 30s. One simple
way to get an idea if you have low stomach acid is to take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar after
each meal for a few days and see if it reduces heartburn, burping, bloating and the like--if it does
reduce these your stomach acid probably is low, and you could probably benefit from taking
betaine hydrochloride at the start of each meal (health food store source; follow directions on
bottle, and consider gradually increasing the dose until you get relief, but avoid betaine
hydrochloride if you have an ulcer, and don’t take aspirin or other antiinflammatory drugs if you
take betaine hydrochloride). On the other hand, if taking the apple cider vinegar after meals tends
to give you a burning sensation in the stomach, you probably have sufficient stomach acid. If this
procedure does not clear up the fingernail problem, consider adding a calcium supplement, and
maybe some evening primrose oil and 6X homeopathic silica.
How was that last kiss you received? Bad breath? Yuck! Aside from smoking and the
eating of certain odoriferous foods, common causes include poor health, poor digestion, and
especially poor oral hygiene; occasionally bad breath (halitosis) comes from internal yeast
infections. Louise Hay includes anger, thoughts of revenge, foul thinking, vile gossip, and hanging
on to old unpleasant experiences as emotional causes (of course we Light Workers are free of
these!). Daily tooth and tongue brushing and flossing after breakfast and dinner often goes a long
way in eliminating halitosis (please avoid toothpastes containing fluoride, and use simply a little
salt or baking soda, or if you prefer a toothpaste, use Auromère Ayurvedic Toothpaste, fluoride-
free Tom’s Toothpaste or another of the healthful toothpastes; Glide is an especially easy-to-use
dental floss). Recently I came across a product called “YOW!” with good ingredients that whitens
teeth and freshens the breath (2 tablets chewed and swished in the mouth, then spit out) that works
well, although not a substitute for brushing and flossing. Our Las Cruces Co-op health food store
stocks “YOW!.” [I get no stock options or free trips to Bermuda for these commercials--darn!]
Aside from the improved dental hygiene, helpful practices include reducing sugar consumption
(aside from all the other bad effects, sugar tends to foster dental plaque and bacterial infection in
the mouth), alcohol, smoking, and coffee, chewing parsley or cardamom seeds, drinking
peppermint, hyssop or fenugreek tea after meals, eating a good live yogurt, and using 12X
homeopathic nux vomica.
Since writing the color therapy paper (8D) I have come across research from the
Netherlands indicating that the color of pills people take can influence their action. Obviously,
chemicals used in the coloring could be a factor, but this effect appears to be largely a
psychological one. E.g., sedative drugs appear to be more effective if in blue or green tablets, and
stimulant drugs in red, orange, or yellow tablets. Drugs in red or black capsules or tablets seem to
act as if stronger, whereas they act more weakly if white, although white seems to be a good color
for general use drugs. Red or scarlet work better for drugs for the blood, lymph, or cardiovascular
systems, and burnt orange or beige seem to make drugs used for skin conditions more effective.
All this is really no surprise to one familiar with the effects of colors in advertising, cosmetics, and
choice of clothing.
Thanks for patronizing Chez Cleef! Do come again!

DISCLAIMER:
Information and procedures described in this and future "Health Musings" are reported
solely for educational purposes. The author is not directly or indirectly dispensing medical
advice. Although the author believes this information and these procedures to be valuable, persons
using them do so entirely at their own risk.

Cliff Garner, Ph.D., is a holistic health facilitator and a professional kinesiology practitioner. He
may be reached by telephone or fax at (505) 525-1089 or by e-mail at kosmik@totacc.com.

Follow Ups:

• Re: Cliff's holistic health papers---Week of 6-26 Walt Stoll 09:15:44 6/28/00 (0)

In Reply to: Cliff's holistic health papers---Week of 6-26 posted by Cliff Garner, PhD on June 26, 2000 at 11:10:11:

Thanks, Cliff.

Hope we can get it right this time.

Namaste`

Walt