ENERGY AND STAMINA

I could not help thinking about this protein theory and how it could have gained a foothold among sportsmen. It reminded me of a Remkon conference in London. In questions of nutrition England had been lagging behind and was now to be conquered by the awakening business world. A Mr. Hofmann from the United States spoke• as though protein as a muscle builder and energizer was an athletic be-all and end-all. This gave the impression that success depended on the intake of protein. The views the speaker advocated were perhaps not absolutely wrong as far as muscle building is concerned. When I was in Japan I was able to study the nutrition of wrestlers. Other more or less brutal sports demanded the same nutrition. From childhood some of these athletes had been on a protein-rich fattening diet, making them muscular athletes of the colossal type as found in Japan. Such a fattening diet is not in harmony with my way of thinking, although I know that momentarily a fattened bull can be powerful, strong and dangerous. However, if its powers are compared with an animal that was not fattened, and is therefore not as heavy, but truly leaner, it will come as a surprise to see that the fattened animal is no match in stamina for the one fed a normal diet.

A muscular giant from Japan would find it difficult to keep up with me on a skiing trip. Going constantly uphill on skis is too much for an overweight person to reach a height of 4,000 meters (12,000 feet). It will be difficult for him to arrive at the top with a normal heart beat, whereas a man of my build can do so without any special effort, reaching the summit before the muscular giant does. Weight and overdeveloped muscular strength are no guarantee for stamina and endurance, the decisive factors in many sports. Each person can find out what is best for himself in the way of nutrition. Experience can usually benefit the athlete, and he should change his way of thinking if he would attain his goal more easily.

THE MIRACLE OF GERMINATION

Spilanthes, in appearance an insignificant but nevertheless interesting little plant. Upon first setting eyes on it you would think it to be a worthless weed rather than a plant with a strong antibiotic quality. It can kill insects and cold-blooded creatures, as well as fungi and lichen. For warm-blooded animals and man it is, however, not only nonpoisonous and harmless but serves as an excellent remedy for those lichen, fungi and parasites that can be reached by contact poison.

This plant’s effect was important enough for me to bring home, although with some difficulty, intent upon growing i using it here. I knew of course that it only grows in a hot dir but still I attempted the experiment and planted it in my plant garden in acid marshy soil. It proved to be the right tion of soil for Spilanthes, and since the summer was hot the tropical plant, to my delight, grew almost as well as native habitat. Unfortunately, in early autumn a considerable c wave set in and although the plant had developed well, it cumbed to the first frost. This circumstantial failure nature made me sad. However, it turned out to my advantage that I 1 the dried-out, partly rotten plants lying on the ground all winter.

In the spring, in early May, I noticed some small shoots tha were quite different from weeds. How great my surprise when found that it was in fact a nice number of my African medicine plant. in the autumn, when the frost came, some of the plant’s rip seeds had evidently already fallen onto the ground where the patiently waited out the cold of winter. They did not serve as food for the birds during this time, and were thus able to germinate the warmth of spring. This was to me striking miracle ol germination, and a second miracle was to be seen in the resistance shown by the seeds which were after all not used to our harst winter weather. The seedlings, replanted in acid marshy soil, c now grow and by dropping their seed produce new plants ea year, until they finally get used to our less favorable climate, wi our tropical plant will then yield the desired crop without fail. It is amazing how extremely great the resistance of seeds can be. Wheat grains were found in the tomb of Osiris, and although they were 3,000 years old, they germinated when sown. They produced a strain of wheat entirely unknown in our region and in neighboring countries. One grain resulted in many stalks with about 2,300 grains. The arrangement of the grains was extraordinarily beautiful, like an open fan. It is no wonder that in the ancient world the Nile valley produced rich grain crops. But that seeds are capable of retaining their power to germinate over such a long time — from the ancient world to the present — is an eloquent miracle of creative ability and wisdom. In South American forests I also found confirmation for the 1vIstance offered by various kinds of seeds. On a spot completely i1nrcd of trees, where the full force of the sun could reach the gipuiid, various seeds had found their way and in time could p1 in mate and sprout. All kinds of strange trees and shrubs, even pnjnya plants, were growing in place of the usual forest trees, ghhough no seed-bearing tree or bush of that species was anywhere to be seen. They must have been dropped by birds that had iflen the fruit and all kinds of seeds, and that flying hither and lbiihcr had left undigested seeds on their short stops on the jungle floor. Since the seeds do not lose their germinating power, even

when they lie dormant in the ground perhaps for decades, when aforest is cleared allowing the sun to warm the earth these seeds ornc to life. This certainly proves that nature’s germinating power 1* ii providential miracle. In the deserts and semi deserts the seeds of many annual grasses begin to germinate after a rainfall and develop before the dry period comes. The grasses die, but their seeds ensure that in the rainy period of the following year, by the process of germination, They will grow again, turning everything green and colorful and blossoming two or three weeks later. But if such areas are overgrazed there is no seed-bearing vegetation left, and the following year’s rain falls in vain, because there is no seed anywhere to germinate and sprout. There will be no grass there and the growing cattle herds will lack food, spelling famine for them.Cutting down all the trees is a disadvantage in many ways. This lack of any possibility to produce and spread the seed can contribute to bringing inestimable damage and hardship upon the primitive peoples. They often do not recognize the basic causes for their plight and are inclined to ascribe it to evil spirits. They may also place the blame on the white race, rather than recognizing that it is only their own short-sightedness that has given rise to the disaster.People used to thinking and drawing right conclusions will appreciate the miracle of germination and propagation of life. The inconceivable variety of life presents unexpected surprises to botanists, zoologists and researchers of human life. It is certainly stimulating to explore nature’s manifold mysteries, for its treasure trove is inexhaustible for the studious .spirit of grateful men.

THE VALUE OF FEVER

 It is now known that fever stimulates the production of interferon in the body. Interferon is the substance the body itself produces to fight viruses. It is thus not wrong to artificially induce fever in cases of bad viral infections, in order to cause the body to produce interferon, because the viruses will then be faced by active fighters. If in the case of a bad and serious infection there is no fever, the body is at the mercy of the virulent viruses. In such instances baths warmer than the body temperature slowly being brought up to 40 degrees Centigrade or more if the patient can stand it (Uberwarmungsbäder), are recommended. Done the right way, they are able to induce fever with all the benefits it can bring.

Professor Lampert was able to prove that these baths (Uberwarmungsbader) are beneficial even in cases of cancer, because cancer cells can be destroyed at the high temperatures reached. A healthy cell can stand more heat than a cancerous one or other pathological cells. So when a therapist skillfully takes advantage of this fact he can assist the body in curing severe illnesses without harming itself, which is not the case when strong medication is taken. Fever should be appreciated and made the most of as being the body’s best, most effective and cheapest healing reaction. Years ago people always helped a fever along by applying hot packs, but nowadays many see an advantage in suppressing it. They would do well to change their views.

Radio activity

I communicated my observations to doctors in Japan and they were able to confirm my findings. Because of their greater sensitivity some Japanese developed leukemia after a very short time while others who were subjected to the same intensity of radiation fell victim to the disease only many years later. And there are some cases on record of persons who were subjected to the same exposure and intensity of radiation through the powerful atom bomb, but with whom no symptoms of leukemia have ever been found. The effects of radiation from nuclear power plants are similar to the harm done by other environmental damage. Taken individually, everyone exposed to it will doubtlessly be harmed, but not every one will get sick at the same time. So if we take all these damaging agents together, the pollution in the air, in our food and through radiation, it can be said without exaggeration that not only weaker individuals but also strong and healthy people are under attack and can fall sick. For this reason we must find a solution, or else the sum total of all these harmful influences will destroy us. Four thousand years ago, the Deluge wiped out mankind, except eight survivors, faster than our struggle for survival today does. Scientists who are not materialistically inclined but are sincerely concerned about the welfare of suffering mankind, time and again have added support by appropriate signals to the warning already given. However, it is considerably easier to discover what to us in today’s world may be harmful than it is, despite earnest endeavors, to find a way to prevent or remedy the situation. In spite of all efforts, unfortunately we have to reckon with detrimental influences based upon vested interests. Each one of us should therefore follow sensible advice in order to benefit from the reasonable protection that is still possible nowadays.

The poor water Rhine

I once read an anecdote about a university professor and his young son, a clever little boy. They were standing on a bridge over the River Rhine and the child wanted to know what the river was called. His father told him that it was the Rhine. (In German, Rhine is pronounced like the word “rein” which means “clean.”) Now the boy asked whether it was called Rhine because it was “reining” (clean). His father had to answer “no,” since in fact the river was not “rein” (clean) at all, but was named after its source in the Rhine valley. The boy was not satisfied with this explanation, however, and repeated his question why the river was not “rein” (clean). Now his father put him off, saying that he would explain the whole matter to him when he was older.

The journal of the World Health Organization for January 1977 published an article entitled “Water, the Key to Health.” The Germans, it said, spent three thousand million dollars just on various purification systems alone in the course of four years. This was for no other reason than to prevent increasing pollution of the river from getting worse. France was said not to have contributed as much, but rather added hundreds of thousands of tons of waste salts to the river.

weed

While I was away for a while visiting England, Scotland and Ireland, my garden in Switzerland was without supervision. Ground ivy took advantage of ny absence by taking rweedoot on the compost heap, from where it spread undisturbed, an aromatic, fast-growing weed. It enmeshed the entire compost heap like a green net, and when it was removed eventually, it was too late to prevent the dreaded evil of seeding, since the plant had already shed its seeds. This meant I would now have the unwanted pleasure of pulling out all the germinated seeds from among the medicinal plants, like Echinacea and others. So I learned my lesson that even if one is busy, to be on the safe side, at least the compost heap should be covered with straw, hay or some other protective material, so that weeds will not spread and go to seed. When this happens we have unnecessary trouble and it is time- wasting because we must pull out each little weed. Seeds carried by the wind can be dealt with effectively by using the right ground cover. It cam be seed-free grass, peat, chaff, or some other decomposable organic material. It is very difficult for seeds blown in by the wind to germinate and grow roots in such a ground cover.

SOIL & FERTILIZER

I found from experience that it is best for my plants when I plough the ground only in the autumn, and no more. I use a mixture of new, sieved compost with about 5 percent seaweed meal as fertilizer for the seedlings of my vegetables and my medicinal plants. The mixture is put in the hole made for the plant, which must be a little deeper than usual because after the seedling has been planted in the mixture, there should still be a hollow of 2 to 3 cms to catch rain water or water from yoar watering can. Immediately after planting, surround each seedling with a layer of about 5 cms of freshly cut grass, covering the: entire bed, leaving no bare earth visible, only the seedlings.

 Of course, you must not plant them too shallow or too deep. They must be quite happy, in a way of speaking. After planting, water plentifully, and then leave the seedling to itself even in sunny weather, because by having planted it in this caring way, it is not likely to wither, the green manure protecting it from drying up, and the moist compost giving it a good start to grow. Having gotten this far, the seedling will be almost out of danger, unless it is very hot for a few days, in which case the plants will have to be ‘watered again late in the evening. It may be advantageous to use a sprinkler system.

After two to three months most of the grass will have disappeared, in which process small organisms have had a hand, mainly worms that have pulled it into the earth. Next we put on a further top dressing of calcified seaweed, spreading it around the plant. Bone meal can also be used. At the same time, everything is covered once again with freshly cut grass that has not yet gone to seed. This care may seem involved, but it is very advantageous because the plant will grow excellently without any further effort, as a rule, within two to three months.

Besides, time-consuirting weed control is virtually nonexistent. Treating strawberries this way, by covering the ground with grass or straw, you can expect a bigger crop. In heavy rain the fruits will remain clean and will not go bad so easily. Regular manuring with calcified seaweed meal, spread around the plants, has the additional advantage of making the fruits sweeter and tastier. At the same time it will keep slugs and snails away, so that one will have less work and bother with them.

Organic planting as here described is good for the ground bacteria and will therefore provide a fine biological balance. The result is healthy soil, which in turn makes for healthy growth, and only by means of healthy plants will food become a remedy, and remedy, food.

REGULAR FARE OR FOOD ORGANICALLY GROWN

It is easy to say that no disadvantage comes from eating the usual, generally accepted food rather than organically pure produce. Such dubious assertions have caused a stir for some time now. To crown it all, in May 1976 the “Gesundheitspolitische Umschau” (Health Policy Review) published an article entitled “Organically Grown Food: No Better than Regular Fare.” This article created much excitement and protest in certain circles. If we look at the matter from the opposing side, we can understand that they do not want to stand idly by, while more and more people start showing a preference for organically grown fruit and vegetables. Their interest was not the result of advertising but came from a conclusion of their own experience. An acquaintance asked me why my unsprayed cherries did not cause her any trouble, whereas she suffers fermentations, gases and stomach ache every time she eats cherries bought at the greengrocer’s, having of course no guarantee that they had not been sprayed. When Professor Buser’s boarding school for girls was still in operation in Tauten, I was called in one day to examine a strailge occurrence. After eating some cherries, all the girls, with only one exception, came down with diarrhea and vomiting. On examining the evidence, it was found that tliis one girl had not eaten any of the fruit. It was clear then that the trouble came from the- cherries. Besides, those that was left showed evidence of milky white spots from the spray. In. dozens of cases I have been able to identify disorders and mild poisoning caused by sprayed fruit and salad vegetables.

Carrots and berries, above all strawberries, if organically grown, are sweeter and have a stronger aroma. This important difference in quality over that the assistance giving aroma and flavor are coupled with active ingredients. From experience it can be shown quite easily that organically grown fruit keeps better and longer than that grown with chemical fertilizers. Anyone can examine this for himself. E[he above-mentioned article admitted that organically grown produce was free from insecticide and fungicide residues, which was riot the case with produce not grown this way, for it ‘contained residue of Linda, a chlorinated hydrocarbon similar to IJDT. Fond. This we can see at once that the controversial subject was treated and judged un Objectively.

Question of protein

I found the same conditions among the African Bantus. As soon as they are given the right kind of nourishment, tuberculosis is usually overcome. South American Indians eat very little meat. When they keep to traditional ways of living and eating, they are generally quite tough. An exception is those who are undernourished because of economic hardship and who fall ill for this reason. It spells disaster for them when they accept our nutritional fads and follies. Even years ago I was astonished to observe the confidence South American Indians put in our refined foods.

In Cuzco I watched how people from distant mountain areas bought bags of white flour and white sugar, carrying them home on their backs, believing they had acquired wholesome food items. I felt equally displeased when I saw children eating white bread rolls. If this becomes a habit, how long will their healthy teeth stand for it? Imagine, this goes on in a mountain valley where the best vegetables grow and potatoes are indigenous! The precious ground produces what is good for health. But the natural foods that have proved their worth for centuries are forced to give way to white flour, white sugar and white rice.

Health is on the decline among the Maya Indians in Guatemala too. People there were brought to the hospital suffering from lack of vitamins and protein only shortly before they were to die. It was then usually too late to render successful help. In India, Indonesia and other Far Eastern countries, I met with similar conditions. The greatest thing was the difficulty in getting people to see the real problem, so that they could escape troubles. They simply do not have the necessary knowledge, and cannot understand why white rice carries the heavy blame for the whole nutritional problem. They do not comprehend that the dreaded beriberi with its serious symptoms is because of their one-sided eating of polished rice. But even amongst us vision is often lacking, or else devalued rice would not be preferred above the natural brown kind. It is understandable that ignorant people lacking the power of discernment may think that it does not matter whether rice is nice and white or a little darker. These people simply will not recognize that the old-fashioned, tried and tested eating habits based on natural foods should be better than the attractive but devalued food of civilization.

SENSIBLE CLOTHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN FASHION

The old proverb “Pride goes before a fall” is still true today. There has always been vanity or pride and it still causes many women to disregard their health, preferring to suffer permanent damage rather than to appear old-fashioned. The bladder and ovaries are very sensitive to cold, especially damp coldness. Only those whose health is robust, and who have good circulation are somewhat immune to colds and chills. But most women are very sensitive and suffer abdominal and kidney trouble. Clothes made of synthetic fibers, such as nylon and the like, can cause health problems. Although synthetics became first known in the United States, it is still easier to buy clothes made from natural fibers there than it is here in Europe. There is a commercial reason for this. We produce neither silk nor enough wool, and our cold climate is not suitable for cotton plantations. Besides, land for growing it would be too expensive. But we can produce synthetic fibers, and our possibilities and facilities for doing so continue to expand. The demand for these began during the Second World War because of existing shortages. In the meantime, great strides have been made in the production of man-made fibers. No wonder their advantages are widely extolled. They are sometimes mixed with natural fibers. Although we are not all equally susceptible, yet everyone should recognize the difference between natural and synthetic fibers and thus be able to use this knowledge to benefit his health. Even as a child man is exposed to many unnatural influences. He should not be surprised; therefore, if without any visible reason he feels indisposed, suffers pain or is listless. Trying to adapt to today’s conditions can get even those with a strong genetic makeup down. Anyone who wears synthetic fibers and, in addition, lives in a concrete building, and perhaps has to inhale the fumes of traffic or those from a nearby factory, will have to reckon with youth. Even if he has a healthy body. These unnatural influences responsible for the loss of rosy cheeks that make the use of inakcup necessary. Figuratively speaking, man is charged with electromagnetic cnergy. While some materials and external influences have a neutral effect, natural fibers charge us, as it were, with energy. this is the case with silk, cotton, wool and linen, and is a proved tact. Man-made fibers discharge, the same as concrete in a buildmg does. Many years ago, anyone visiting Dr. Lahmann’s fine sanatorium in l) resden, had an opportunity to learn about clothing conducive to health. Professor Jager’s book about clothing also showed how important the type of clothing is for good health. Whatever we wear, wool, cotton, silk or linen, influences our well-being. From our physics lessons at school we should remember that electricity can he produced by friction. If you owe a raw silk shirt, you can observe that when you take it off at night in the dark it crackles, sparks and may even light up a little. This phenomenon is not the same when you take linen or cotton shirts, since touch and friction produces in each material a different electrostatic charge. It may be exactly this static that is responsible for our feeling comfortable in one material and not in another. It is interesting to note that different fabrics are mentioned in ancient writings and that some mixtures were considered unfavorably. The simultaneous wearing of different fibers was spoken against. In the past, the view prevailed that close-woven material was not as healthy as an open weave. Those who cared about healthy clothing wore coarsely woven shirts and underwear. The coarse materials, hand-woven in Scotland, were preferred.

UNHEALTHY CHANGES

If we compare old experiences with modern views, we must ask ourselves whether modern man’s ways and needs are so fundamentally different that what he has available today would not harm him. On close examination we see that things based on nature’s laws never change. But the best knowledge in this field is useless if the necessary materials are no longer available or only obtained with difficulty or at a price beyond our means. The electrostatic reaction caused by synthetic material is very different from that caused by natural fibers. This is also the reason why many people simply cannot wear clothes, underwear and socks or stockings made of nylon and similar material. If they do, they suffer rheumatic-type pains, which can lead to typical nerve pains, the dreaded neuralgias. Persons who are sensitive anyway, will in time notice from where these troubles stem. If you feel any indisposition or inconvenience, excessive nervousness or a burning, stinging sensation, excessive heat or a slight chill when wearing certain types of underwear, you should simply• experiment by going back to wearing clothing made of natural fibers. If the unpleasant sensations disappear, then you have a clue 1 as to what has caused them. But to be absolutely sure, wear clothing made of synthetics for a little while again. If the trouble returns, then you can be definitely sure. This change for the purpose of testing can be repeated several times, just to make sure that the troublesome symptoms are really caused by the use of modern fibers. Whether the harm is of an electromagnetic or electrostatic nature does not really matter. Well-sounding scientific names are not important; what causes the trouble is. It is appropriate that we talk about these unpleasant conditions, because it is surprising how many people trust in all kinds of Synthetics, from nylon to plastics. Ski pants and jackets are made of glossy, nonporous synthetics, and this raises the question whether wearers can actually feel comfortable in them. Anyone who wears such clothing and does not complain of disturbances and pains is not a sensitive person,. Although even with their certain hardiness they may still feel, uncomfortable. However, anyone wearing a piece of synthetic clothing who becomes aware of something serious should realize that such fibers are not practical for him. Rather than spend a lot of time searching for other causes, it would be better for him to purchase clothing made of natural fibers. Soon he will have difficulty, however, finding what he wants in sports and clothes shops. As regards health we have become poor, as it were. But another aspect merits clarification. A businessman may be enthusiastic about natural fibers, but if he continues to use synthetic lining in his clothing, he is still harming health instead of improving it.

PLANT ASHES FOR HEALING PURPOSES

When we burn wood or plants and the fire dies down, only ashes remain. The carbohydrates in the form of sugar, starch and cellulose are burnt. What remains are mineral substances, above all alkaline elements. In the past, wood ashes were used as lye for washing clothes. The woods around the communities supplied enough beech wood for heating in winter. Central heating was unknown then. Since beech wood ashes were used to prepare lye for washing, the wash-house was usually called “beech house” in Switzerland, because hot water was poured over the carefully collected wood ashes, then filtered through a coarse cloth or left to settle as a sediment in a wooden washtub or some other large vessel. This produced strong lye that made the hands feel quite silky. The insoluble elements settled to the bottom as sediment. This lye was a substitute for soap, which was not available everywhere, and which at that time was not at all cheap.

The lye varied in mineral composition according to the wood ashes used in its preparation. Dependent upon its being made from pine, beech or birch wood or any other kind of wood, an analysis reveals a different mineral content in each case. Since in northern lands birch wood predominates, for years tests were made with birch wood ashes, since it was believed that these contain alkaline substances. They were considered valuable in binding certain acids in the body.

The Scandinavians claim that birch wood ashes play a part in cancer therapy too, since they are said to be ant carcinogenic. All substances that work against cancer are useful in its suppression, on the whole, while all carcinogenic substances and influences are to be avoided.

But wood ashes are not only good for this purpose, they actually neutralize an excess of acidity in the body. They are excellent for hyperacidity, the troublesome stomach acidity known as dyspepsia. To treat constant fermentation and flatulence wood ashes can replace expensive remedies. For meat and food poisoning they are detoxifying. Wood ashes, then, have many applications as a remedy in eliminating certain disorders.

For centuries the Bantus in Africa have benefited from this knowledge, having discovered the same effects from experience.

In East Africa the use of plant ashes amazed me. The natives there do not only boil herbs as tea or crush them to make compresses, but the ashes of burnt herbs are also important for internal and external use. For internal use the ash powder is stirred in cooled boiled water, and for external application it is mixed with oil. It is made into an ointment, mainly with castor oil, and then put on the sore place. Whitlow in the finger (panaritium) is treated with a steppe grass (Terracrostis ciliaris) that grows some one meter high (about 3 feet). After cutting the grass with a sickle, the native sets fire to it and mixes the ashes into a paste with castor oil. Next it is applied on the finger, which is then bandaged. At the same time, the ashes are taken internally. This gets rid of the whitlow in a short time, while in our regions a lengthy and bothersome treatment is often involved. The Indians suck a puff adder bite until blood appears. Then they spit out the poison and let the blood flow to eliminate more poison. To complete the healing process, the Sioux Indians apply chewed Echinacea leaves to the bite. To detoxify the body generally, the unfortunate person will swallow some of the pulp as well. For treatment after a bite, the Bantu uses a plant belonging to the Polycara family. Againhe uses its ashes, mixes them with castor oil, puts them on the wound and bandages it. For general detoxification he swallows some of them at the same time. The medicine man always keeps some of the different plant ashes in stock for any emergency.

Eczema and skin rashes and even leprosy have also been treated with plant ashes mixed with castor oil. The paste has a soothing effect on the sore area. A cure is definitely possible in cases of more common rashes and eczema.

By using medicinal plant ashes, we can, in a sense, expect a biochemical effect, since all minerals are transmitted to the body in easily dissolved form, the same as biochemistry has them individually available in the appropriate potency. If preferred, one can also pour hot water over the ashes, strain them and then drink the liquid. In this way too, the patient can take in minerals that are assimilable, in accordance with biochemistry. This method also holds promise of a cure. It would not be a waste of time to more carefully examine this method. Plant ashes have been serving the primitive peoples for hundreds of years, so it would be good to test them scientifically and find out more about their effects. Each

plant has its own complex of mineral substances that we may or may not yet know. By burning and producing ashes, or by leaching, many indigestible ballast substances, such as cellulose and others, are eliminated. What remains is easily soluble lye that can supply the body, under circumstances, with the substances that are lacking but needed for the healing process.

About fifty years ago, health food manufacturers tried to use grape vine wood in a similar way. Since it was cut off in the autumn pruning anyway, it could be burnt and the ashes were sold as an alkaline remedy, intended to neutralize body acid. The idea was evidently based on experience similar to that already described, but grape vine wood cannot be used any more nowadays, since too much dangerous copper is left on the vines from the common practice of spraying.

Our body adaptdivity

I was also able to make interesting observations among Indians living in the Andes. The mountain Indians on the Altiplano were born at an altitude of 4,000 to 5,000 meters. They are tough, hardy and able to carry heavy loads while walking with quick short steps over the green plateau. Many work in copper mines where even today the ore is quarried as high up as 5,000 meters. Only Indians who were born there and have known nothing else all their life are capable of working at this elevation. They have chests that are much more expanded than those of people living in lower regions and at the same time they have good lungs. These people are bound to this way of life and work and are satisfied with little. They weave their own woolen clothes, using a poncho for protection against winter weather. They wear only sandals the year round, unless perhaps going barefoot in the warmer season. These mountain Indians cannot simply move and resettle in the lowlands without running the risk of contracting tuberculosis or dying from a decline in strength. In spite of these bad prospects, resettling does occur from time to time. In the mountains they were never exposed to TB bacilli and they therefore have no resistance in the lowlands with its different living conditions and unaccustomed atmospheric pressures. And adults are sometimes unable to adjust to the new demands. For the most part these otherwise tough and strong people decline noticeably when living in the lowlands, in fact, in a relatively short time.

Our body adaptdivity

I once met a German lady on the Curvets cable railway, who had just come from the lowlands. Nevertheless, she had the courage to go up to an elevation of 3,300 meters without giving it a second thought. While pointing out things of interest to see, I watched her unobtrusively. The different trees and plants below us seemed to interest her. I mentioned how old the beautiful Swiss pines and larches were and at the same time mentioned the purpose served by the forest and the mountain pine. On the second stage of our journey we went beyond the forest region, reaching a section where there was nothing but snow and ice.

In my opinion the woman was a little over 50, and I told her I thought it unwise, judging from experience, that she should go up to such a high elevation on the same day that she had come from the lowlands. Although she suffered from high blood pressure, she never had had any trouble when going up in a cable car. In itself that was amazing. I advised the lady to be a little more careful in the future and on the first day to preferably stay at an elevation of 1,800 meters. This is definitely advisable, since by moving to an elevation of 3,300 meters so fast, the body has little chance of adapting to the different pressure, it actually needing a certain time to do this. Fortunately on that day there was an atmospheric high. The Engadine sky was deep blue and it was sunny and exhilarating. That was a definite boon, because a depression, or even the possibility of foehn coming, could have caused the woman trouble. Even people used to the mountains, depending on their health, cannot cope with a fast change in altitude, especially during a period of low pressure. I have seen such people suddenly succumb to a critical weak spell. There is always the danger of the heart or the brain faltering.

Although I am used to the mountains myself I do not dare to go from the bottom to an altitude of 3,300 meters in one day. The blood vessels, and with them the whole body, need an adequate time to adapt to different elevations. The older we get, the more we must take external and climatic conditions into consideration. Not that one has to think immediately of dying, or having a heart attack or a stroke, for we can suffer damages to our health that are less tragic. Since by being sensible, a person can avoid suffering such damage, however, he should know what the situation is and act accordingly. Conversely, it is not easy for people who have always lived at a high altitude to move to the lowlands when they are old. Such demands usually cause difficulties. If someone living in the lowlands moves and settles in the mountains, he may discover that with increasing age he will be unable to cope indefinitely. I know of a rich elderly gentleman who bought a house in the Engadine, had it renovated but then found that for health.

OBSERVATIONS AND EXPERIMENTS

As already indicated, different conditions which must be taken into consideration, demand a different approach to the cultivation of plants not native to one’s own area. The varied properties of the plants play an important part. Some require acid soil and others more neutral ground, while there are plants that grow best or only in alkaline or chalky soil. As a guideline for the desired curative effect, the plant’s mineral content is taken into account. But this does not always help us. If specialist publications do not give any detailed information, we must rely on experiments. In accordance with our success we can then see whether we are on the right track. So it was perfectly logical to me that Siberian comfrey (Symphyturn peregrinum) would survive a cold winter without any problerns. But how astonished I was to find that this variety of comfrey grows noticeably better in the Engadine at a height of 1,750 meters (over 5,250 feet) than in the relatively milder climate of Aesch in the Basle district, where I also cultivate it. In this low lying area, lady’s thistle (St. Mary’s thistle) grows well, and so does Echinacea purpurea. But strangely enough, Echinacea angustifolia, which has a taproot and narrow leaves almost like ribwort, does not grow well at all in Aesch. The leaves are a treat for snails and the roots for mole crickets and voles - Of about 100 seedlings almost 70 percent were lost, whereas the Echinacea purpurea plants suffered a loss of only about 5 percent, which can be considered quite normal.

In spite of all the difficulties involved, I would not like to stop cultivating the valuable Echinacea plant, not least of all because it is one of the most interesting medicinal plants there is. In fact, it matches in quality the anticarcinogenic Petasites plant, although this grows wild and causes no cultivation problems. On the other hand, the roots are not so easy to dig up. If we use Echinaforce, the fresh plant tincture of the Echinacea plant, we will find it to be reliable for external use in inflammations, suppurating wounds and bacterial infections, and also as an excellent remedy for internal use. It increases our resistance to germs and viruses. We thus become much more immune to colds and other viral infections. But if we do get an infection anyway, Echinaforce is a remedy that weakens the strength of the bacteria and viruses: In times of greater danger from infection we simply have to take this preventative medicine daily, since regular use will increase our resistance and immunity. This is especially important for children, since their bodies must get used to fighting germs and viruses.

But wherein lies the secret of the healing effect of all thes’e different plants? So far it has been impossible to discover it in all of them, although chemists, and biologists have found the actual specific substances in many plants. For example, in Petasites they found petasin and in arnica, arnicin. But they have not been successful in isolating them in all cases. It would be a great pity if for this reason these plants were not used in treating the sick, even though their efficacy has been proved. The cure is th,e more important thing, even if it is not yet known what the substance is that must be credited for success.

NATURAL BALANCE IN THE GARDEN

COLLECTED EXPERIENCES IN CONFIRMATION

 I experienced this some time ago on my plot of land at Lake Geneva. I laid out a garden and began to work it organically. I began growing medicinal plants as well as vegetables, berries and fruit. As the land was sandwiched in by woods, I could see how prolific the insect pests became. All kinds of green fly settled in it, black, green and others. I sought to combat them with a tobacco extract. My apple, plum and cherry trees and particularly the blackberry bushes were all full of aphid. Since I had to travel abroad I had no alternative but to leave the garden to its own devices. How astonished I was upon returning a few weeks later to find everything cleaned up. What had happened? Very quickly I discovered that the green fly had been replaced by hundreds of little beetles with red wings and black dots. They are usually called lady birds. The greenfly multiplied as long as they had no enemies. But then the busy little beetles arrived, since in an• organically treated garden they can settle and begin to work, and they were able ‘to remove the nuisance. They may be small but they are nevertheless very useful and welcome helpers!

The newly planted espalier trees grew well, branched out and reached a nice height. This pleased the birds that began nesting in them. Every year a pair of house robins settled in the boiler room, feeling protected and safe there. They regularly built their nest high up in the room on top of the heating pipes. There they hatched their eggs and reared their young until they were able to fly away. More and more birds settled in my garden and them regularly did away with all the caterpillars. Although I kept seeing cabbage whites flying around that laid their eggs on my land, I never had to fight the caterpillars because the busy little birds relieved me of this task.

The nearness of the woods was responsible for a mice plague. Although the garden was surrounded by a strong wall and hedges, the bands of mice found their way in under the wall, climbed up about a meter and caused considerable damage by eating the roots. I fought them with the best organic means but all in vain. So how astonished I was when I began to notice that the rodents were diminishing. One day almost all of them were gone. How was this possible, so quickly and without any effort on my part? But now I had reason to complain about a certain untidiness in the garden. Wherever I had done green manuring, the grass, which served as a cover, was no longer orderly but lay either buried or strewn around on the path. I presumed that perhaps the blackbirds had been up to mischief, although I saw no reason for such behavior. Then one night I had to turn on the large floodlight I had in the garden, and lo and behold the riddle’s solution toddled along the garden path a young hedgehog! This little hedgehog, no doubt together with other family members, had finished off the mice. And of course it was these hedgehogs that had disarranged all the green manure around the trees. They had done so while chasing the mice and looking for insects under the green cover. I had never seen them during daylight. Most likely they stayed hidden in the bushes. If I had not turned on the floodlight, I would probably never have met the spiny brownie.

MEDICINAL HERBS IN THE MOUNTAINS

On a morning walk over alpine meadows and ridges, far from motor traffic, and even though we may not meet anybody we still do not feel alone, for we are in good company if we are interested in botany. Everywhere we see our friends from the plant world, and although silent, they greet us like old acquaintances. Along the narrow winding path we find a variety of medicinal plants growing, such as St. John’s wort, intermingled with bright goldenrod, whereas not far away on a lonely mountain pasture we see yarrow. Here and there we see a larch, and nearby the orange- colored flowers of arnica. On a narrow path we approach silvery green juniper bushes, in between which the proud foxglove with its purple or yellow flowers raises its head, and not far off, in the midst of dense-growing ferns, we spot the dark blue flowers of monkshood, its deep blue even outshining the sky. We also know it by the name Aeonitum napellus. On the stony ground of the mountainside, iva prefers to grow huddled up alongside boulders flanked by rhododendron. This is the small mountain yarrow from which people who live there make a wholesome liqueur. We too can gather the finely dissected leaves and clusters of white flower heads and prepare our own. For this purpose we steep the fresh herb in alcohol, getting after four weeks a greenish tincture. We filter it through cotton wool, add two thirds of sugar syrup and the fine liqueur is ready. During our walk we may have eaten some leaves and a few flower heads, since this is actually the purest and, at the same time, cheapest natural medicine available for our stomach lining. Its effect is so good that before long we get a pleasant feeling of hunger. This is of special benefit to overtired persons who have lost their appetite. But this inconspicuous little plant has even more good in store for us, because it also stimulates circulation. When veins in the legs begin to show, it is high time to give this mountain herb due honor by taking it, because even with this problem it can prove helpful.

IMPORTANT FORGOTTEN NATURAL FORCES

Returning to my rented chalet after a hike in the Bernese Overland that had taken me up to a height of over 2,000 meters, I felt really exhilarated. It made me wonders why the mountains always induce this feeling of well-being, aiding me to shake off and forget the cares of life. This reflection was worthwhile, for I came to the realization that it is the things of nature that help me attain to such a pleasant state of mental balance. Especially responsible for this are the pure, oxygen-rich air, the glorious mountain sun and the peacefulness with its uplifting tranquility.

But there is something else that imparts strength, something modern man hardly knows anything about any more. People seeing me walking barefoot watch in amazement. This may not be considered out of place on grass. On pine needles in a forest, too, some gingerly walk barefoot, but on scree and loose chippings hardly anyone goes without shoes.

I feel comfortable doing so, having been used to it since childhood. I can hardly wait for winter to end, so that I can work barefoot in the garden and go on walks. As a result I soon feel refreshed, mental and physical tiredness disappearing incredibly fast. It definitely cannot be just imagination that leads me to the conclusion that the earth gives off energy waves. Bare feet directly touching the earth can use these to refresh the body more readily than feet stuck in shoes. Many a time I have come home tired from a lecture trip, my head aching from necessary concentration. Then the best relief was always a walk in the garden without constricting footwear. A quarter of an hour later the agonizing tiredness had already gone. Sometimes I have the impression that walking barefoot on ground warmed by the sun is just like plugging an almost empty car battery into the charger.

My inherent attachment to nature demands that I have frequent close contact with it. In this way I can remain more cheerful and efficient than if I were one-sided and did only mental work. From my plantations of herbs also emanates an aura capable of strengthening me visibly.

HINTS ON APPROACHING SEWING TIME

The year 1980 brought us an early winter. Even in the lowlands it set in at least one month earlier than usual. In the highlands the snow abruptly cut short the work still left to do in the garden. And even in low-lying areas where there is seldom or ever any snow, there was a white blanket by November. Normally there is sufficient time left in late autumn to do all the work in the garden, and there is no need to hurry with preparing the beds for sowing. The walnut trees usually have shed their leaves and these are used to cover the beds. Walnut leaves, we would like to say, are good to keep mice away. But this year the leaves were still on the trees when the first snow came. 1y the way, small pine branches and twigs of arbor vitae also serve to keep the mice at bay from our gardens.

CARROTS

The original German word “vtoorrübe” indicates that carrots like marshy soil, for which reason the beds intended for them should not only be given compost but also peat, and these should be mixed well with the soil using a rake. A person should sow the seed while there is still winter moisture in the ground, first removing the cover of leaves, pine and arbor vitae twigs that was put on in the autumn, and then throwing what is left on the new compost heap.

ALTERNATING WITH LEEKS

We divide up a bed of 1.2 meters (4 feet) width as follows: Using a string as a guideline, make a groove about 2 cms deep and 5 cms wide with a tool handle; the first groove is 10 ems from the edge of the bed, then at a distance of every 25 ems, make ftiur more groc)ves, leaving another 10 cm margin from the edge of the other side.. In the first groove we sow leeks, then alternatingly carrot seed and leeks again, giving us three rows of leeks and two of carrots. The more sparingly, that is, thinner we sow the seed the less work we will have later on thinning out the plants. If you overlook this fact the crop will suffer considerably, because carrots require plenty of room to develop. As a rule, we like to grow leek seedlings first, planting these in alternate rows along with carrots. This helps to keep carrot flies away.

WEED CONTROL

Beds being prepared for sowing should be free of weed seed. This means to say that weeding should be done diligently throughout the year before the weeds go to seed. The farmland thus remains free from weed seed, and you save yourself the annoyance of constantly having to bend down. The soil is best kept free from weeds by loosening it regularly around the plants with a push-pull hoe and then covering the ground with new grass or peat. Weeds will seldom grow then, and the few that do can easily be pulled out. Following this pattern, we can plant all our seeds and care for them. Of course, we must expect the wind to bring us some weeds. But the above suggested chore is worthwhile because it will save a lot of time and energy in the long run. After being away for some tinie and coming back to a garden overgrown with weeds, you should take great care that the ones with ripe seeds are not thrown on the compost heap, because the seeds will not die but will be sewn the following year when the compost is spread over the ground, and this, of course, will cause even more work. Weeds with ripe seeds should be buried very deep. This is especially recommended for the kinds of weeds that sprout even when only a small piece of root remains.

Herb Tea Vs Tincture

I began my early experiments with organically grown spice herbs, which! used fresh and combined with sea salt. The outcome of these experiments culminated in the production of the well-known herb seasoning salts Herb mare and Broodmare. These products became a success, because all the vital and active substances in the two seasoning salts are from fresh plants, and they have the appealing taste of herbs fresh from the garden. Other mixtures of herb powders and salt do not have this advantage, since no organically grown fresh plants are used in their manufacture. To put it in a farmer’s words, they taste more like hay and do not appeal to everybody! Since active and aromatic rashes or slow healing wounds.

The correctly selected herb tea was also an excellent help for neuralgias, rheumatism and many other complaints. Sometimes it was necessary to prepare a well selected mixture of herbs according to old and traditional recipes. This well-tried method enabled the people to benefit from the alterative mineral substances of each herb in the mixture. Tinctures from dried herbs were also made in those days. The results were good, since the alcohol was able to dissolve resins, oils and other active substances, besides the minerals, for which reason tinctures are still made today. However, experience has shown that some minerals, such as silica, and various medicinal mucilage’s, do not dissolve easily in alcohol, but do in water. This proves that a tincture cannot in every instance replace an infusion. Encouraged by the example of my parents and forefathers, I learned as a child the beneficial effects of eating medicinal plants fresh, that is to say raw, and I often still use them this way. When! was still young I found out about the efficacy of these plants, especially diuretic herbs and those that stimulate the appetite. I also learned that fresh fruit has an entirely different influence on the body than it does if it is eaten dried.

These observations and the resulting conclusions convinced me that preparations made from fresh plants contain more active suj,stances than those made from dried ones. We call such products correctly fresh plant or fresh herb preparations. By using fresh plants the preparation incorporates enzymes and vitamins, besides the active minerals; also the aromatic substances are unchanged, and these themselves are coupled with active substances.

I began my early experiments with organically grown spice herbs, which! used fresh and combined with sea salt. The final outcome of these experiments culminated in the production of the well-known herb seasoning salts Herbamare and Trocomare. These products became a success, because all the vital and active substances in the two seasoning salts are from fresh plants, and they have the appealing taste of herbs fresh from the garden. Other mixtures of herb powders and salt do not have this advantage, since no organically grown fresh plants are used in their manufacture. To put it in a farmer’s words, they taste more like hay and do not appeal to everybody! Since active and aromatic

HEDGES

On the other hand, his children used to play around the dear old green hedge fencing off the entire farmstead and which gave shade and protection from the wind and, besides, was a wonderful place to hide in. All this was gone once the farmer had cut it down, and with it was also gone the friendly warm feeling of homeliness and security. There was nothing to hold back the wind now, it was free to rage in all its fury. With the wind breaker gone, there was no protection left for soil and plants. And in winter there was no hedge to stop a heavy snowfall from forming snow cornices, that is, dangerous overhanging ledges.

The children were not the only ones to miss the hedges. In Switzerland these hedges were called “living fences,” because that is what they really were. They provided shelter for other living creatures, so when the border hedges were uprooted, many of the small creatures that had benefited from them disappeared also. There were no young fir trees, no horn beam trees, no hawthorn bushes to live in, breed in and to enjoy life in. The little garden creatures were forced to move elsewhere. Hedgehogs, weasels, frogs, lizards, slow worms and salamanders left and nothing was left to control the garden pests. It was now that the fight to control them by means of poison spraying began. Not only the pests but whatever the pesticides fell on was poisoned. Eating anything contaminated would mean death. Robbed of their natural nesting places and having to feed on poisoned food, the birds suffered great losses. Nature’s course had been tampered with. No one had given any thought to the tireless daily activity of our feathered friends. If we consider the great quantity of insects a few hundred birds living in the hedges can gobble up day by day, we will marvel and begin to understand why years ago it was possible to reap fine seed and stone fruit without having to use dangerous insecticides.

On both the forest floor and under the hedges, millions of beneficial bacteria grow, forming a virtual laboratory, supplying the land with a constant flow of invaluable microorganisms. The hedges have always helped to maintain this biological balance, and have been of special importance to adjoining fields and beds. Orchards also benefited greatly, even if the grower may not always have been fully aware of it.

Hedges have always played an important part in the lands proper cultivation. When they disappear, field mice and voles can take over, since their natural enemies are no longer around. Where neither frogs nor lizards, salamanders, hedgehogs or weasels find a place to live, rodents enter, causing considerable damage to our orchards by their burrowing and voracious activity. With the sad disappearance of the hedges, the busiest enemies of the troublesome rodents, hawks and buzzards, withdraw and also decrease.

The same function that the hedges had around gardens and farmland, bushes and shrubs had alongside our rivers and streams. Their roots fortified the river banks and the bushes accommodated a host of smaller creatures. Here too, birds, weasels, hedgehogs, frogs, salamanders, lizards, slow worms and many other animals, found shelter and food.

Despite all these invaluable advantages, hedges were forced to give way to lifeless concrete fences.

HEALTHY ON 2000 CALORIES A DAY

On my strenuous lecture tours in Belgium, England, Holland, and above all in Australia, I always had to put up a fight, for my friends were of the opinion that you must live and eat like the local people in order to stand the strain of traveling and of the climate. At our hotels they looked at me somewhat curiously when I would put a packet of whole food muesli on the breakfast table and ask for sour milk, buttermilk, yoghurt or fruit juice, to prepare it. In Queensland I stayed at a very good hotel in Brisbane. For breakfast, besides my usual muesli, I ordered a fruit salad made of local tropical fruits. But the staff stood around my breakfast table, not knowing what to do. So I went to a nearby greengrocer’s, bought papaya, mangos and other fruits, and then asked one of the girls to cut them up and add some fruit juice and cream. The result was a delicious fruit salad! Mixed in with the muesli, and together with “Bamboo Coffee” and Vogel-bread, I had a nutritious whole food breakfast. A newspaper reporter who interviewed me had much to say about the royal meal with which I started the day. With a little effort, a little understanding and friendliness, and a little appreciate too nut can be achieved even though at first it may seem UN attained.

Less than revisal, but enough

Daring in’ whole trip I enraged exceeding1y well on 2,000 to 2,500 cal rise a day. Some 80—90% of this came from fruits, vegetables. , honey, wheelman bread, cottage cheese, and yoghurt. The peptic in these countries normally live on 3,500—3,800 calories a clay, eat mg chiefly meat, egg s and cheese, a few vegetables and a little start, but also a lot of sweets. This is one of the reasons why they gene rally showed less vitality and endurance than I did. Berthing... we eat in excess f what our body really needs becomes bal1at and will slow us down

In spite of the strenuous and extensive program I had to cope with ever day — flights, radio and television broadcasts, interviews at tunes -%vita 15 to 20 reporters — I succeeded in holding out without becoming too fatigued. No doubt I owed this in the main to ray natural way of eating. Nowadays, however, I have been of crud to refrain more and more fact such demands, since mass tourism his made traveling moiré difficult and it is also not as safe as it was... And one is getting older too.

biograph

Fifty or sixty years ago, when harmful influences hat not come to the fore as much as today, one of America’s best known gynecologists, Professor J. Wood, already highlighted the fine properties of Echinacea. He called it a remedy “par excellence,” to be used when a blood test, particularly of th white blood corpuscles, pointed to a possible suppuration. By building up the body’s own resistance, Echinacea slows down the penetrating action and multiplication of infection carriers. It is by no means surprising that the preparation called Echinaforce, made from Echinacea purpurea and angustifolia, has proved to be successful in the treatment of all forms of blood poisoning. In the case of any septic condition, one should not be without Echinaforce. When taken with other specific treatments, Echinaforce will certainly intensify the healing process.

I am convinced that during my many travels through the jungles I was often saved from falling ill because of taking a daily dose of Echinaforce. Some specialists in tropical diseases have told me that it was a miracle that I did not come down with malaria when traveling in areas most noted for it, and where I was often bitten by mosquitoes. I had no protection and I took no quinine or any other preventive medicine. I slept in Indian huts, surrounded by malaria sufferers. Every day children around me died from it, so it is truly amazing that I survived without falling victim to it myself. Although I am unable to present direct proof, yet my own experience has convinced me that a daily dose of Echinaforce gave me necessary resistance against the disease. There is no evidence yet of any natural or inherited immunity against malaria existing. Such could be possible, but then if it is, no one has yet found out how a person can go about gaining such an advantage. Indian women used Echinacea for all the wounds and injuries their families sustained,crushing and chewing the plant before applying it. The men often hurt themselves while at work or while hunting, even as did the children when playing, and the girls and women while doing their work. They did not take Echinacea regularly to prevent malaria, however. That surprised me, for it surely would have been beneficial on that score, in fact, a real necessity for them. In every other respect, however, Echinacea served as their most important remedy and it was given preference over other plants.

Whereas we like to apply St. John’s wort oil to burns, the Indians use crushed Echinacea leaves. Pain subsides quickly and often disappears altogether. The Indian always reaches out for Echinacea when healing, either internally or externally, is needed.

Galeopsis A GREAT REMEDY

Galeopsis A GREAT REMEDY

Years ago, this field of disease interested me particularly, and I took every opportunity to discuss it with renowned surgeons. I learned from them that on cutting through tuberculous tissue they encountered hard spots that chemical analysis showed to be calcium and silica combinations. This taught me how nature proceeds to block in and encapsule a focus, and in this way help render it inactive. It does this with minerals, particularly calcium and silica. We can assume that this is the reaction that makes hemp nettle, horsetail and knotgrass effective. Popular tea blends of those early days were usually composed of Galeopsis, Equisetum and Polygonum.

Galeopsis is also invaluable in supplying minerals for the teeth, bones and hair. That is to say, wherever we need silica as a raw material to build up and maintain good health. This silica can be given as a tea or in the form of a tincture, since the form itself is of no importance. When making tea, remember that it must be boiled longer than when other aromatic herbs are infused by pouring boiling water over them. The minerals are properly extracted only when Galeopsis is boiled for a while.

Rademacher indicated another use for Galeopsis. It is said that long ago the plant was considered a noted spleen remedy. Other authors in the field of physiotherapy, for example Bohn, relate that the mineral salt composition in Galeopsis comes closest to that of the human blood. Since Galeopsis is good for coughs, this may be due to other minerals, and presumably due to its containing saponins and tannin. In any case, Galeopsis proves to be an excellent remedy, one we should not fail to make use of.

FRUIT SPRAYED WITH PESTICIDES

Years ago no one had to worry about sprayed fruit because there were no chemical pesticides around. Nowadays we usually peel the fruit since we fear the poisonous effects of various sprays, which are normally now the accepted practice. However, we may well ask ourselves whether peeling is really enough to protect us or whether the poison may not actually penetrate the skin and enter the flesh of the fruit. At the same time, there are farmers who do not agree with these thoughts, being of the opinion that storing the fruit until it is ripe will slowly make the poison ineffective. But this view is not valid, for if the poison can force its way through the skin it will certainly not disappear when the fruit is stored. The same thing was noticed in the case of potatoes which were sprayed with chemicals against Colorado beetles and other pests. However thoroughly they are washed and peeled, the penetrate taste from the poison remains and lingers on, so that they are unfit for consumption.

FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

I planted a row of pine trees to serve as a fence around one of my large fields of medicinal plants. To surround the entire area of 5,000 square meters I needed 500 seedlings, which I planted in late autumn when they were 50 centimeters high. Dependent upon the area, these trees should not grow more than two meters (six feet) high, which means they will have to be cut back every year. But since we use the green spring shoots in the pine bud syrup “Santasapina,” nothing is wasted and the trees need hardly any further pruning. Not only pine trees can be used for such a fence, but horn beam trees are equally suitable. Hawthorn hedges are popular, and arbor vitae (Thuja) are ideal as a natural fence in gardens, shutting out the neighbor’s prying eyes. A hedge fence is not only beautiful, it is beneficial. Almost everywhere it is a regulation that the trees be planted 60 centimeters (about 2 feet) from the boundary of one’s property, which means that about 1.2 meters of land are lost. But the benefits derived from the hedge far surpass this loss. Especially if you grow things organically the advantages cannot be minimized. A natural, growing border around the plantation is of definite benefit. The little creatures, above all birds, are the best voluntary garden helpers you could wish for, provided you make such a provision for their nesting and shelter.

FOOD SUPPLIES FOR TIMES OF word

WHEN IN NEED...

We should be more interested in utilizing -vegetable. S to the full. If the outer leaves of lettuce are a bit tough, we caii use them to make soup, together with whit cabbage leaves and kohlrabi leaves. Boil and strain them, acid potato. grain flakes or whole rice, and you have a really tasty soup. Basically it is of no disadvantage if food shortages teach us to appreciate and use everything the earth produces. Je would then never find half- eaten apples in the gutter and is half loaves 0W’ bread in the dustbin. Wild vegetables of all kinds should be used too, for example stinging nettles, dandelion leaves and which spinach, since these are rich in calcium,, iron, potassium, magnesium, and other important minerals. But we shon11 make sure to pick these plants on fallow fields and clean meadows, in other words, on unfertilized land.

TO SATISFY OUR SWEET TOOTH

The situation is different if ire sweeten with 1zoney or grape sugar, there being nothing wrong -with them health-wise. So we will not forget to stock them. Both will Keep indefinitely and can be called the 1,est and most coricentratd carbohydrates. We know this to be true of honey, and since gripe sugar (dextrose) is made from concInsed grape juice, this evaluation rightly refers to it too. Dire & fruits are an excellent means c3f satisfying our sweet tooth, bin it is not recommended to. Keep tame very long, because they crystallize and are liable to get mites.. It could happen that at the end of a yarn, instead of raisins or apricots, you find nothing but powder in the box. Besides, a repulsive sour smell would indicate that the rites had done away with o.ir entire stock of dried fruit.

Problems with storing

Almonds could also be part of our eirnergency stock, because they keep lager than hazelnuts - But i.infortunately there are some ir sect pests that love almonds. So if ve do not regularly check our stocks we may discover an invasion of these pests, despite tightly closed jar. The white larvae that prefer almonds are about 1 cm I’m, and we have to thank the pests. for them. On the other hand, this how that almonds mist be god for us, for insects are not attracted to food with no niitritiona.1 value. learn to live with contentment in spite of having less. Following through on the foregoing advice cn only do us the utmost good.

So as t derive full benefit, we flush think carefully and take appropriate precautions with our stipples. It is best to keep our stocks in -drums of hard “Pavatex” cr plywood. They must have a lil that can be clamped down-n, so firmly closed that rats, mice and cheeps is -will be prevented from enjoying themselves. Those of u who live lived through the food shortages of two world wars a.3e less fearful than those who have only known prosperity with its affiance Nevertheless, it is good at to be absolutely unprepared and take ty surprise.

Flourine Use

Like any acid, fluorine combines, well with a base substance, and in nature it is often bound to r found in combination with potassium, calcium or sodium. In this way fluorine compounds are formed which in medicine, active all in biochemistry and homeopathy have long been used.  Since calcium fk.ride is especially important for the - developrnent and health of teeth and bores, the position of doctors and dentists regarding the fluoride problem is understandable. Sodium fluoride is added to drinking water, altiriough it is 2’/z tines mc’ re poisonous than arsenic, according to Doctor of Dentistry J. 0. Schnitzel.

Evolves in the serious increase of tooth decay is the controversial fairing .acting of both water and cc’ moon salt. In theory it may be correct -to add fluorine to ‘water art salt, since in most areas of oyster civilized world over 9O3 of all schoolchildren already hawed bad teeth. Zeus the problem of how to remedy this evil is not solved by flu Orin acting the water, if only for the reason that our drinking w a teralready contains all kinds of undesirable impurities. Also the amount of fluorine added to the water is too high.

Dangerous amount of fluorine e

SoInoc1chilcJren are additionally supplied with fluoride tablets, and all of this together can result in their getting too much. This applies especially 1n families with the custom of using salt liberally, which in turn creates thirst and indices a person to drink more fluorinated water. So when the children receive fluoride tablets in scfloc’1 the limit of toleration is certainly overstepped.

The tragedy and danger of such an excess is only recognized once consi.clerable damage has already been done.

Alas doctor prescribes 1 pant (D6) as the strongest dose of claimant flay oride, that means 1 millio’rith of a gram to 1 liter (2.2 pints) of water. The normal dose prescribed by a biochemist is D12, that is a one trillion: rah time weaker close that used in fluorinated water. Flow ever,. This figure constitutes slash a very small dose that all Empathic -doctors raise at moist a weak smile of disbelief –

don the ‘ether hand, biochemists arid homeopaths basing the.nscives on experience with patients, claim that they have achieved good results especially with sensitive people. It is strange that the government, even in a democracy, ft as the right to add chemicals to the drinking water, so forcing every citizen to use this water wtiether b e wants to or not the attrition being a million tines stronger titan the normal dace’s prescribed by a biochemical doctor.

That on c is compelled to accept without choice things having to do with oiae’s health is worn, because the individual cannot act in accordance with his own con-dictions.. The better and more correct approach would be to advocate the voluntary taking of fluo:xide tablets, an approach that is recommended by allopathic doctors. In this way both doctor and patient could avoid harm.

The same consideration applies to iodized salt, which is most helpful to people who are subject to goiters and those who suiffer from myxoedema, but which create s trouble for those who have a hyperactive thyroid and which can even trigger Graves’ disease.

Had the individuals been prescribed iodized salt the results would have been just as successful, although it would have meant more work for the doctors. ‘While unsightly goitres hawe more or less disappeared since the introduction of iodized salt, the number of cases of hyperactive thyroid troubles, including to some extent Graves’ disease,, have considerably increased. This serious side effect could have been prevented through individual medical consultation and prescription.

This shows that it is not at all advisable to make a general use of chemicals, adding them to the waterr , salt, food and even specialty foods, because they can only help part of the population while at the same time harming the rest.

Genetic-Mutation Risks

The individual risk from the medical use of X-rays must be evaluated against the potential seriousness of the conditions for which they are properly indicated. There is, however, another major danger from ionizing radiation that of damaging the gonads (testes and ovaries) and creating harmful mutations of the genes that transmit hereditary characteristics. Geneticists strongly advise against provoking any gene mutations beyond those produced by natural background radiation.

While some geneticists would still argue the point, the present consensus is that the risk of any given individual having a child with inborn defects is not significantly increased above normal by submitting to the use of safely shielded X-rays for properly indicated medical or dental needs. The amount of theoretical harm done by correctly administered X-ray dosages is so small that it has never actually been detected or measured. Properly given dental X-rays involve such a limited area of the body that they contribute negligibly to whole body or gonadal radiation.

Nuclear Weapons Atomic fallout risk

The third source of radiation hazards to which the human race is now exposed came into existence in 1945 with the first atomic bomb. Since then there has been great scientific, popular, and political furor over the legitimacy of testing or using such weapons. The explosion of an atomic weapon above the surface of the earth creates an atomic fall out, creating dangers that by their very nature are beyond the control of exposed persons. A particular problem is posed by the long lived isotope strontium 90, chemically similar fit to calcium. Blown into the atmosphere and   later descending to earth, this isotope could be absorbed by plants and passed on to man in meat, milk, and other foods. In the human body it would tend, like calcium, to lodge in the bones and might therefore damage the blood-forming organs and produce leukemia especially in children. The reality of this the cortical risk is constantly being evaluated For example, the U. S. Public Health Service has expanded to every state its program measuring the kinds and amounts of radioactivity in the meals of selected school children. These regular diet studies permit more accurate estimates of the daily intake of radio active substances by children and young adults.The Federal Radiation Council, in a report      issued in May, 1963, stated:

Liodine 131 doses from weapons testing conducted through 1962 have not caused undue risk to health. "Health risks from present and anticipates levels of strontium 90 and from fallout due to      testing through 1962 are too small to justify measures to limit the intake by modification of the diet or altering the normal distribution and use of food." In May 1964, John D. Harley, Ph. D., of the U. S. Atomic Energy Commission pointed out that natural radioactive isotopes (background radiation) give Americans a bigger dose of radiation every year than arrives through radioactive fallout, although the dose from fallout is a "significant fraction" of the natural dose.

The greatest potential problem of radioactive contamination, if the problem goes uncontrolled, lies in the continuing development of atomic energy. A U. S. Public Health Service committee estimated that the accumulated volume of radioactive wastes will increase from about 1.5 million gallons in 1965 to 2 billion gallons in 1995.

ENERGY FOOD FOR ATHLETES WORD

ENERGY FOOD FOR ATHLETES WORD

“The more protein the more muscular strength!” That is what a well-known athlete told me, asking me at the same time about the best form of protein, or rather concentrated protein food. At that time, STUDY ALSO told that experiments with top athletes who used natural fruit sugar and dextrose, as well as following a well thought-out diet based can fruit and a moderate protein intake, achieved the best results. I was able to make a personal experiment in the Swiss Alps, together with an athletic partner who lived predominantly on protein, while my diet consisted of dried grapes, dates, figs, almonds, pine kernels, whole food muesli and “Reopen,” most valuable wholegrain crisp bread. Good water from a clear mountain stream served as my drink. With this nutritious and light food I reached the summit faster than my test companion, and I had a normal heart beat. Athletes can try this simple experiment for themselves. Under the same conditions the described results can be achieved again and confirmed.

INCREASING ONE’S EFFICIENCY

This will also confirm that athletes with a body weight of 70 to 80

Kilos (11-42.5 stone) need no more than a daily portion of 50 to O

Grams (1.75—2.1 ounces) of protein, even when under the exertion of training. More would unnecessarily overload the metabolic mechanism and produce an excess of urea. The increased production of enzymes puts a greater strain on the pancreas and the kidneys, and both the circulation and the heart are overtaxed.

In Finland I found a deficiency of iron and hemoglobin in the blood of athletes, which I found to be interesting. I advised the manager of a Finnish sports team to give his athletes stinging nettle powder or to recommend to them Altadena tablets. The latter contain alfalfa, stinging nettles and organically grown green oats. The trouble could also be dealt with by eating more green salads, as well as sufficient vegetables and fruit.

It is always better if we know what to do, for years ago the opinion was that muscular strength could really be increased by eating more protein, but experience has proved that a certain and sensible reduction is better for us, whereas the intake of vitamins and minerals demands full consideration, for best efficiency.

EFFORTS TO FIND A REMEDY against food poisions

A radio program outlined what public health authorities should do to protect people from poisonous foods. It was believed that it would be a conscientious action on the part of governments if they would authorize their inspection and make spot checks on imported vegetables and fruit, submitting the obtained samples to laboratory examination. However, by the time a harmful amount of poisonous insecticides or fungicides is found in these samples, the bulk of the produce has already entered the retail market and is in the hands of the customer. Of what use is it to examine perishable food if the analysis results usually arrive too late to protect the consumer.

Perhaps another recommendation might serve to give more reliable information. The supplier should be required to submit a certificate of origin with exact details as to the substances used in spraying and treating. Moreover, these details should include the amounts of poison still on the produce. Such a procedure would make the authorities’ job of protecting the customer very much easier, and the wholesalers and producers would be trained. If a spot check brought to light any violation, a heavy fine could be imposed. The public health authorities should be much stricter when it comes to contaminated foods. This would be more effective than their efforts in chasing after some little old herb sellers, to see whether they have a license to peddle their wares.