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most polluted places. They are manifesting in those places to heal the environment as well as each of us. In their simplicity, herbs offer us so muchfood, comfort, and healing when we are sick. It is often the healing weedsthe ones we spend so much time, effort, and money attempting to eradicate from our lawns that have the most to give. I keep these thoughts in mind as I prepare herbal compounds for my clients; I give God thanks, asking in my heart that those who take them be blessed and healed by them.
Charged with sunlight and alive with life, herbs have healing powers that synthetic drugs do not possess. In their humble way, they can contribute so much to the health and healing of those afflicted with cancer, stimulating the body's internal healing response and restoring equilibrium on all levels.
Herbs differ from drugs in that they work harmoniously with the body's innate capacity to heal, supporting the immune system rather than suppressing it as many drags tend to do. When using herbs, however, certain cautions apply; for example, a few herbs can be toxic and should only be used with extreme care under the guidance of an experienced practitioner. Certain herbs should not be used during pregnancy, by those with high blood pressure, or when taking specific medications.
This being said, herbs given in proper dosage, as prescribed by a qualified professional, generally have fewer and less harmful side effects than many drugs, especially those drugs used in the treatment of cancer. When a drug company labels a particular herb toxic, it may only be partially true. The company's lab may have isolated one of the plant's components and found it to have harmful effects. However, what is not understood is the synergistic inter-play among the plant's various components that tends to modify an isolated component's toxic effects and render the whole plant not only safe, but often healing. When reading information about herbs, it is important to be aware of the source. Some information can be misleading because it is written by people who do not have expertise in the medical use of plants.
Just as the healing potency of an herb depends on the interplay of its components, so too the potency of an herbal compound, consisting of various herbs, depends on the synergy among the herbs used. The purpose of prescribing a compound is to provide a protocol or formula that possesses entirely new capabilities beyond those of any individual herb the formula contains. Every protocol I prepare is unique to the individual client. It is also sub-

 
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