Healer: Vol. 1 – May 2020 A Free on-line newsletter
The Healer
But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5
The Healer is a free publication devoted to Original Medicine. Drs. Duane and Nancy are naturopathic doctors who have worked as medical missionaries for almost 30 years. They are Christian writers, published authors, radio personalities, and co-authors of The Body Temple book and founders of the International Institute of Original Medicine, a distance educational naturopathic college that trains practitioners of naturopathy in original medicine. It is now owned and operated by Drs. Jim and Elisa Sharps, N.D.s and Ph.D.’s. Drs. Duane and Nancy are recognized as nationwide speakers, lecturers, and lifestyle counselors. They presently live in Zephyrhills, Florida.
Hello, Dear Friends! May I ask you some serious questions? Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Are you sick and tired of paying high medical bills? Are you sick and tired of thinking about or presently living in an enfeebled retirement? Do you prefer to live longer, look younger, and have more energy? Do you want to cut your medical and food bills dramatically? If you have answered yes to these questions, I think you may want to read what we have to say! We have used this health plan for our personal lives, and we have shared this plan with our clients for almost thirty years. Now I am not going to lie to you and tell you that if you are 70 years old (or older like I am) that you are going to look 30 and have the energy of a 30-year-old. Come on now; that just wouldn’t be true! And for those of us who must take drugs to stay alive, I am not going to tell you that no longer do you have to take those drugs; that just wouldn’t be true either. BUT I am going to share with you, how we, and many of our clients, have opted to live a healthier and more energized life. We call this plan, God’s Plan for Health and Happiness. This plan will show you how to naturally accomplish your health goals naturally. Every month in our publication we will address holistic components of this Health Plan. This month we will give a general overview of what this plan incorporates and what you can expect in future Healers.
We can maintain optimal health by taking care of the twelve systems of the body.
These systems are: Integumentary (skin), Circulatory, Digestive, Respiratory, Immune, Reproductive, Urinary, Endocrine, Nervous, Cardiovascular, Muscular, and Skeletal systems. Literally everything we do effects one or more of these systems. God’s Plan for Health and Happiness is a lifestyle program that will enable you to maintain optimal health by taking care of each of these systems.
The components for God’s Plan for Health and Happiness are:
NUTRITION – The good food we eat powers the vital life force of the body. This vital life force must be renewed every day by means of the foods we ingest and assimilate. When that vital life force is depleted, we die! It is crucial that we consume foods that will renew our vital life force and avoid junk food and chemical additives that will delete our vital life force. We will be writing much more about nutrition in future Healers.
EXERCISE – Did I hear a groan, Dear Reader? The fact is that our body will never be healthy if we don’t have exercise. The lymphatic system which flushes waste products from the body and provides oxygen for the bloodstream and brain will not function properly without exercise. Exercise also improves the efficiency of the respiratory, circulatory, muscular, nervous, digestive, and endocrine systems. It also slows the aging process.
WATER – Clean pure water, devoid of fluoride and other purifications and chemicals, is necessary for proper waste disposal, preventing buildup of toxic concentrations in the organs and aiding the digestive system deliver nutrients to the body. More on this in future Healers – The body’s many cries for water.
SUNSHINE – Sunshine is necessary for life. There are very few organisms that can live in darkness. Sunlight increases red blood cells in the body and is necessary for the proper assimilation of calcium, potassium and phosphorus. It also lowers blood pressure by up to 8 points. Wonderful, Heavenly sunshine will be featured in future Healers.
TEMPERANCE – We must be temperate in all things, right? Wrong! This is a trick question. We must not indulge or be temperate in bad things i.e. cigarette smoking. It is important to not overdo the good things, and avoid the bad things if we want optimal health. Some of the good things that shouldn’t be overdone are eating, marital sex, exercise, sunshine, and rest. Some of the bad things that should be completely avoided are alcohol, tobacco, sugar, street drugs, and other substance’s that damage or destroy the body. Temperance will be investigated in future Healers.
AIR – Everyone needs about 3,000 cubic feet of fresh air every hour of the day to eliminate the waste products given off by the skin and lungs and to keep our cells alive. When we live in deforested and polluted cities, we have a big problem. See future Healers about the Clean Air Problem.
REST – During sleep, the cells in the body are repaired. When we don’t get enough restful deep REM sleep, we are sliding into a dis-ease state. Also, believe it or not, not getting enough REM sleep can be a causative effect of obesity. More on this later. See future Healers.
TRUST IN GOD – Just as there is a negative reaction in the body from stress, there is a positive reaction from trusting in God. The circulatory, digestive immune and nervous systems viability are greatly improved when we have a personal, trusting relationship with Him. God designed and created the Human Body. If we do not follow His advice as found in Holy Writ, we can never be healthy and truly happy. See future Healers.
Hills of Gold – “My Father’s Legacy”
A true story from the childhood annals of Dr. Duane for the young and young at heart.
“Duanie Boy! “It’s time to get up NOW!” My father called me from my dreams. As I sleepily rubbed my eyes and rolled over, I couldn’t remember why my father was waking me up while it was still dark outside our home in Boaz, Wisconsin. Then, I remembered! THIS WAS THE DAY! My father had promised to take me with him, and I had waited a long time for this promised outing! I was six and a half years old. The year was 1943. The Wisconsin weather had turned from bitter cold into the scenic greens of Spring. Birds were already singing their songs outside my window as I struggled to put on my overalls, heavy Denham shirt, and work boots.
The smell of pancakes and maple syrup was filling my nostrils, and I knew my mother would have a heaping stack of those delicious cakes waiting for me. I rushed into the kitchen and discovered my plate had already been filled, and I wasted no time devouring the savory cakes covered with my favorite maple syrup.
Life had been hard for us in the post-depression years. Often our family subsisted on a very meager fare, and yet there always seemed to be enough food to go around for our family of six. My father had seen to that, even though at times he had to work ten to twelve hours a day for which he would receive only 50 cents for his hard work.
My father, Lewis Robert (Bob) McEndree, was born in Belmont county, Ohio on January 3, 1908 to Calvin Agustus and Violet Azneth (Myers) McEndree. He had dropped out of school after completing his third grade in order to help his father work on their small farm. Even though he had received a very limited education, he often told me he had come through “the School of Hard Knocks”. He had learned that life was precious, and over his early years in order to survive, he developed a stern and exacting nature. My father had taken the Earl Lederman muscle building course and consequently developed a heavily muscled body. During his early twenties, he had acquired a taste for alcoholic beverages, smoking, chewing tobacco and fighting. When he was 34 years old and had returned home after a “night on the town”, he found me walking around the house in his size 12 boots. Upon seeing me mirroring him, he determined to change his life and become a Christian. He did not want his son to follow in his footsteps of drinking and smoking tobacco. The following week, he quit the smoking and drinking and other bad habits, and he started going to church determined to be a better example to his son.
In order to spend more time with me, he decided to take me with him on his next trip to hunt ginseng and goldenseal. I longed to spend this time with him, and after eating a hearty breakfast, my mother gave me the satchel she had made for me that looked exactly like my father’s satchel. It would be used to carry our lunch and bottle of water. Later it would be used to bring the ginseng and goldenseal roots home. After saying a simple prayer for our protection, my father and I started walking on the 10 to 15 mile trip that would last all day and into the evening hours.
As I trudged along behind my father, trying to make my feet go along in his footsteps, he explained how we would be working, as he told me the secrets of woodlore.
As we walked, he said, “Duane, these hills are full of gold”. “If you learn how to find these plants, you will never have to go hungry because there is a ready market in the big cities.” He explained that ginseng begins its life as a single stem with three leaves of a dark green color. As the plant matures, the single stem becomes forked and each year it grows another fork even up to five forks. In the fall of the year, it is the first of the woodland plants that turns it’s leaves into a golden yellow. The root has a crown and is of a spindle shaped design. Later, the root is often forked resembling the form of a human body. My father had learned as a child to recognize ginseng by its color and shape of leaf so he was able to hunt the precious herbs all summer long even when it was surrounded by other foliage. He said, “learn these characteristics well and they will help you to find the plants as we get into the deep woods.” He told me that many people have used ginseng to promote appetite, as a remedy for colds, chest troubles and coughs. He also said that others say that it is an aphrodisiac. At six and a half I didn’t know what that word meant but it sounded good!
The next herb he described was goldenseal. He told me all about this precious herb. He said that goldenseal has a thick, yellow knotted rootstock. The stem is purplish and hairy above ground and yellow below ground where it connects to the yellow rhizome. Goldenseal mostly reproduces clonally through the rhizome. In the spring the plant bears two palmate, hairy leaves with 5–7 double-toothed lobes and single, small, inconspicuous flowers with greenish white stamens. In summer it bears a single berry like a large raspberry with 10–30 seeds. “Goldenseal”, he continued, “is one of the plants used as a remedy for many ailments. Similar to quinine, many have used it for colds, sore thought, and intestinal problems. It exerts a special influence on all the mucous membranes and tissues and is excellent for sores, eczema, ringworm, inflammations and skin problems. Goldenseal is also used for upper respiratory tract infections, as well as stuffy nose and hay fever. Some people use goldenseal for digestive disorders including stomach pain and swelling, peptic ulcers, colitis, diarrhea, constipation, and hemorrhoids. Goldenseal is often used for urinary tract infections, internal bleeding, liver disorders, cancer, chronic fatigue, pneumonia, and whooping cough.
Goldenseal can even be used topically when it is applied to the skin for rashes, ulcers, wound infections, eczema, acne, dandruff, ringworm, and cold sores. It is also used by some people as a mouthwash for sore gums and mouth.” I knew I was learning a lot, and I really was amazed at what my Daddy was telling me about these valuable herbs.
Note: The uses of the above herbs and the remedies my father told me about is of an historical nature only and the writer takes no responsibility for the use or misuse of these herbs for any disease or condition they may have. Always check with your health practitioner when using herbal remedies for possible contra-actions with medications.
Just before entering the timber where we would start our hunt, we stopped and my father prepared our digging sticks from some young trees that we would use for digging the plants and clearing spider webs from our path. My digger was about three feet long and sharp on one end. Unknown to me at the time, Daddy had scouted these particular woodlands on a previous trip. He knew exactly the location of some of the largest of the ginseng plants. After telling me again what to look for, he suggested that I should go over on the North slope under a grove of young maple trees and see if I could find some of the plants. I followed his suggestion, and it wasn’t long before I discovered a large four-pronged stalk of ginseng and several three-pronged stalks. “Dad!” “I found some!”, I screamed. Daddy smiled and said, “Quiet down son; you will scare all the woodland animals.” He then showed me how to loosen the soil around each plant and get the roots out using our digger sticks but being careful not to damage the precious roots. After shaking the fine particles of soil off each root, I placed the roots carefully in my satchel to carry home. Throughout the day we discovered several more patches of ginseng and harvested several more roots.
Just before departing for our long trip home, we discovered another large patch of goldenseal. Even though we were tired, we couldn’t resist filling the remaining room in our satchels with this precious root.
During the weeks and months of that Summer, I was privileged to hunt in the woods with my father and learn many survival techniques. On one of these trips as we were going through a particularly heavy patch of underbrush, we ran into a large nest of yellow jacket hornets. We were immediately surrounded with a swarm of angry bees. I jerked off my cap and beat wildly at the bees while I ran as fast as my young legs could carry me through the dense woods. In the process I broke through a patch of brush and fell off a ten-foot embankment onto a country road. Picking myself up, I discovered I had escaped the swarm of bees. The results of this indignity, was nothing more than a sprained ankle. Daddy found me in a few minutes later limping along the road nursing my injured ankle. After Daddy massaged my ankle, we continued hunting some more plants.
My mother always prepared delicious sandwiches for our lunches. In addition to our sandwiches, we supplemented our meals with a fresh supply of wild berries, apples and cherries. Occasionally, in the fall of the year, we were able to find nut trees which supplied us with much needed protein. Nature always seemed to provide us with an ample supply of pure, fresh water to drink from the many springs in the area. As the Summer turned into Fall, God ripened the bright red berries of the ginseng plants and the goldenseal produced the single berry resembling a raspberry. This made finding the plants much easier for us. As we harvested the mature plants, we saved the berries to seed more plants on future hunts. My father had been taught as a child to be conservative and he became a very wise environmentalist.
My father is now resting in his grave waiting for our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ to take him home. He lived to be 101 years of age in his Little Green Valley he called home in Western Tennessee. My wife, Nancy and I have moved to the State of Florida. We have dedicated our lives to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ by writing books about God’s ministry of love and saving grace. We are presently holding health seminars on God’s remedies and wonderful weeds and health healing herbs. My experience with my father has prepared Nancy and me in many ways to carry on our work as Medical Missionaries and Naturopathic Doctors.
As I recently celebrated my 81st birthday, I reflected upon what my father taught me as a child. I more and more appreciate the wisdom he shared with me. Soon, I hope, I too, will go home to meet my Maker and the home He has prepared for me. My father left me his Bible, and in it he circled a text in Revelation 18:16 saying that when we get to Heaven that great city, the New Jerusalem, will be “clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! My father and I will sit down together beside the River of Life and eat the delicious fruit that God will provide and admire the beautiful flowers and fauna there. I am sure that my father and I will follow in our HEAVENLY FATHER’S footsteps as we walk, talk and rejoice with all our loved ones. Again, the Hills will be FULL OF GOLD the plants will never die and will endure forever and ever and beyond!
Blue Light – What is it? What does it do?
Disclaimer: Meduna Health International Naturopathic Doctors and Lifestyle Counselors do not diagnose, cure, or treat anything. We acknowledge that only God, Who, is the Great Physician and the ONLY HEALER, can transform a person to wholeness. The communication found within this manuscript is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to serve as a substitute for professional medical advice. The authors, publishers and associates of Meduna Health International specifically disclaim any and all liability arising directly or indirectly from the use of any information contained in this writing. A health care professional should be consulted regarding any product or procedure mentioned in this manuscript and it does not imply endorsement of that product or procedure by the authors, publishers, and/or associates of Meduna Health International.
The pineal gland in the brain produces melatonin, a hormone that regulates the body’s circadian rhythm or internal clock. When it becomes dark at night, the body naturally releases the hormone melatonin preparing and enabling one to sleep. The normal output of melatonin is between 2:00 A.M. and 4:00 A.M. When the day hours begin, the body resets the clock which begins a new 24-hour day. When people work or play into the night time hours and are exposed to artificial blue light, the light signals the body through the hypothalamus and eye cells, that it is daytime not nighttime. This disrupts the circadian rhythm. It is important to get sun-light in the morning and avoid artificial blue light at night. Blue light suppresses melatonin production. When one uses a little night light, it can inhibit melatonin. Who knew!
Blue light, even at a dim moonlight level can suppress melatonin. It is also noteworthy to relate that scientists have discovered that people with light-colored eyes (blue or green) who carry recessive genes are more susceptible to melatonin suppression by blue light than those who carry the dominant genes of darker eyes.
Some noteworthy information:
- It has been reported that exposure to blue light may increase cortisol levels at night. Cortisol has many functions. Cortisol is a hormone that supports adrenal function and can reduce stress. It is critical for the regulation of metabolism and the bodies use of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, regulation of blood pressure, and cardiovascular function.
- It may suppress alpha-MSM release which scientists have discovered in animals. This may cause them to gain weight.
- Blue light exposure has shown in clinical trials to increase the time it takes to fall asleep and to cause many sleep disfunctions.
- Too much blue light at night can cause worsening metabolic health. Weight gain, BMI, waist-hip ratio, waist-height ratio, and waist circumference were shown to be accelerated by blue light at night. It was noted that the hypothalamus contains high amounts of receptors for Leptin (the appetite satiating hormone) and ghrelin (the appetite stimulating hormone). Blue light can alter and imbalance these hormones thus causing people to gain weight by increasing night-time hunger and decreasing the feeling of fullness and satiety.
- Blue light at night may increase the risk for diabetes. Night time workers, it is recorded, tend to have higher rates of obesity and triglycerides. Simply put, triglycerides are fats found in the blood. High levels of triglycerides are linked to heart disease. Triglycerides are the end product of digesting and breaking down fats in food. When scientists used mice in their experimentation for metabolic syndrome, they found that blue light at night disrupted the circadian body clock thus increasing the risk of diabetes type-2. This was reversed by returning the mice to complete darkness at night.
- Blue light at night, scientists say, may increase the overall risk for cardiovascular disease. They (the scientists) say that blue light disrupts the circadian rhythm in the heart muscle cells possibly increasing high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease.
- Blue light is reported by scientists to possible causation damage to the eyes, in particular the retina. Studies have shown in mice that suppression of melatonin by blue light may also cause glaucoma.
- Doctors and scientists also reported that other physical impairments including: cancer, acne, sleep quality, seasonal active disorder and many other problems may be caused by blue light suppression of melatonin at night.
Blue Light is essential for use by animals and plants during day light hours.
How can we incorporate the good effects of blue light during the day time hours? Blue wavelength during the day boosts attention, reaction time, and productive moods. Get plenty of sunlight during the day – natural sunlight.
After sunset: If you have a problem with blue light at night by working on a cell phone, computer, or viewing TV, perhaps red or amber colored glasses will block blue light from entering your eyes. UVEX glasses, experts say, will only block out blue light. Manufacturers recommend wearing these glasses 4 hours before going to bed.
It is recommended for people using computers, I-pads, smartphones, and other blue light friendly devices to install a blue light filter on these devices where possible. You may also use blue-blocking and red sheets to cover these screens.
It is very important especially now, during this world wide pandemic, to have a super-duper immune system. Poor sleep due to blue light toxicity can lead to a compromised immune system. Remember; sunshine is an essential component for God’s Health and Happiness Lifestyle Program.
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For more information on blue light read: HEALTH AND LIGHT by John N. Ott, published by
Ariel Press, Columbus, Ohio – Atlanta Georgia – The Extraordinary Study that shows how light affects your health and emotional well-being.
Informational Credits: Carlos Tello M.S. (Molecular Biology) University de Sevilla Harvard Health Publishing – May 2012
The Cook’s Corner
Grandie’s Easy Quinoa Salad
Quinoa (pronounced as Keen-wah) was known to the Incas as “the mother of all grains”. It was first cultivated over 5,000 years ago. Whole grains such as quinoa, provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. These helps regulate the digestive system and keep the consumer full and more satisfied.
Ingredients:
1 c Uncooked quinoa, rinsed in a fine mesh colander
2 c Water
2 c Frozen peas (left out to thaw)
1 ½ c Bubba’s natural dill pickles (cut up fine – can be purchased at Publics.)
¾ c Chopped red onions (cut up fine)
1 c Celery (cut up fine)
2/3 c Stick carrots
1 Jar (32 FL oz.) Veganaze (Non-soy, egg free, gluten free, vegetarian mayonnaise)
Dill weed garnish for decoration.
Sherpa pink Himalayan salt to taste (Usually no additional salt is needed – the Bubba pickles have salt in them.
Instructions: Combine the rinsed quinoa and water in a medium saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat. Decrease the heat to maintain gentle simmer. Cook until quinoa has absorbed all the water, (about 15 minutes) continually reducing heat as time goes on to maintain gentle simmer. Remove from heat, cover, and let rest for 5 minutes to give it time to fluff up – fluff with fork if needed. Once the quinoa is cool, add the remaining ingredients. Put in lovely serving bowl. Add a pinch of salt if necessary. Add the soy-free Vegenaise a little at a time until the salad mixture is thoroughly combined and covered with vegenaise, and in accord with taste. Dill weed garnish for decoration.
Let the quinoa salad rest for 5 – 10 minutes before serving.
This salad keeps well in the refrigerator for about 4-5 days. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Yield: Approximately 5 medium salads or 8 side salads.
Enjoy! Nancy McEndree
MEDUNA Health International 