Every year millions of dollars are spent on digestive aids by people who have forgotten how to eat properly. These are enzymes guaranteed to break down hard-to-digest substances. When you look through the Physician's Desk Reference for digestive aids, you will find one that even helps you digest wood pulp. During one of the Russian Revolutions, the soldiers were fed bread made from wood pulp, so they wouldn't starve. One of the modern bread companies today uses wood cellulose for the fiber in their bread. They use lard as the oil in baking. Wood chips and lard! Shades of the dark ages, the depression and making a buck anyway you can. Folks, let's know where our food comes from. Let it be wholesome, but not in name only.
In this newsletter, we will discuss some of the common digestive disorders and the easy to find natural digestive aids. Let's start with indigestion. If you pour all the hundreds of thousands of gallons of aluminum digestive compounds down the sewer system, the pipes just may spew forth in protest.

Later, we will give Dr. Christopher's simple formula for perfect digestion, but now here are a few remedies. Once indigestion has begun, the quickest way to quell the burning sensation from indigestion is with the simple fruit, papaya. The juice will help almost immediately, as will the raw or dried fruit. Papaya contains an enzyme called papain, which can digest nine times its weight in protein. People suffering from indigestion who are taking the usual over-the-counter preparations for indigestion, are killing themselves with aluminum poisoning. Non-toxic papaya tablets or fruit or juice can be used without fear. Jethro Kloss spoke of the stomach and bowel problems caused by using aluminum cookware. Think of how much more damage a person can do to their digestive tract by pouring a straight inorganic aluminum compound "down the hatch" every time they belch up the burning gas. These findings are not only Jethro Kloss's, but they are on record in United States Government Findings, since the 1930's. Not too many people (especially the aluminum cookware industry) have taken the time to research this material.

A simple cup of peppermint, ginger, chamomile, spearmint, or angelica root tea can quiet the acidic replay of fermenting food trying to escape through the esophagus. Licorice root has been used as a digestive aid for ages. Although it does not afford immediate relief, it can help prevent digestive disorders over a period of time. A bit of pineapple eaten with meals will afford more digestive enzymes than a carload of "alka-smelters." When you ingest a sodium bicarbonate into the system in an inorganic (and that is unassimilable) form, you have taken away one of the pancreas' functions: that is, to neutralize excess stomach acids.

You Are What You Assimilate

During an iridological examination, Dr. Christopher would look into the iris of the eye and tell whether or not a person "inhaled" their food. By studying the assimilation ring and the stomach zone (nearest the pupil) he could determine a person's ability to absorb nutriments into the body. many people who "wolfed" or "bolted" down their meals were often left with an excess' or an insufficient amount of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. This acid is a great digestive aid and is produced in the lower third of the stomach. As mentioned in our last newsletter, the procedure is the same to correct either disorder:

1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp. raw honey (local preferable)
Dissolve in one glass of distilled water
Drink mixture half hour before meals.

Both the apple cider vinegar and the honey are necessary for the efficacy of the formula. Some patients who have suffered for years from indigestion, have been relieved by this simple formula.

It is necessary in addition to the formula, to chew every mouthful of food (even juices) and mix the food with the saliva. Eat in an unhurried manner. The Earl of Sandwich invented America's most popular lunch, the sandwich, because he was too busy to take time and eat more slowly. Nowadays many people follow suit. How often do you hear, "I'm late, or behind schedule, so I'll just grab a quick bite to eat!" It is no wonder that so many fast food chains have sprung up all over the world. we do not take the time to sit down, relax, and savor our meals. If you need to grab a quick snack, an apple or a glass of juice would do better in your innards than a lump of fermenting, undigested, denatured food that will eventually turn sour and acid.

The Function of the Pancreas in Digestion

Almost everyone suffers from some sort of pancreatic disorder. Eating processed foods is one of the main causes of degeneration of the pancreas. In addition to producing insulin, the pancreas also produces its own natural bicarbonate of soda which is sent into the digestive tract to neutralize excess acids. Both "hypo" and "hyper" glycemia stem from the breakdown of the pancreas. This overactive or underactive pancreas affects the amount of bicarbonate of soda the pancreas produces. When there is not enough, the digestive tract can become overacid, thus leading to ulcerations. Dr. Christopher suggested his Pancreas Formula which included cedar berries to correct this disorder. other herbs in the formula are golden seal, uva ursi, cayenne, mullein, and licorice root.

Yarrow Helps Digestion and Gall Bladder

One of Dr. Christopher's favorite herbs, yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is reported on by Howard H. Hirschhorn in his 1982 publication, The Home Herbal Doctor. Dr Christopher has always used it as a diaphoretic, that is, an herb that promotes sweating. It is an important part of the Cold Sheet Treatment; hot yarrow tea is given to the patient while he is in the ginger. mustard, and cayenne bath. The tea will usually "break" a fever and open the pores of the skin in order to release toxins from the body. Hirschhorn reports that yarrow will help digestion because of its "antiseptic ethereal oil, astringent tannins, digestion stimulating bitters, insulin, ascorbic acid, antibiotic substances, flavonoids, aspein-like salicylic acid, resin, amino acids, orussic acid, alkaloids, and other substances (which) account for the plant' usefulness." In addition to the above therapeutic properties, yarrow aids in healthy gall bladder function.

One of the most harmful methods of tripping the gall bladder reflex is the coffee enema. It is used by so-called "holistic" practitioner without respect to its ill effects on the body.

Coffee contains a high amount of caffeine which can be habit-forming. Over the years, Dr. Christopher has treated patients who could not take food orally or intravenously. There was once a baby who had to be fed rectally until his health improved. Nutriments were actually absorbed through the rectum. Likewise, with the toxic substances. A young lady who was trying to stimulate her gall bladder into functioning properly, administered to herself at least one coffee enema a day for several months. During this time she became addicted to caffeine and began to experience severe withdrawal symptoms once the enemas were stopped. She would never think of taking even a sip of coffee, but here she was getting high doses of caffeine rectally!

There are safer ways to stimulate the gall bladder. One is by taking cayenne pepper orally. This has been reported in medical journals to trip the gall bladder reflex and promote the flow of bile naturally. As we mentioned before, bile is concentrated toxic material recycled by the liver. It acts like a natural laxative. The gall bladder (known in certain surgical circles as "the gold bladder", as we mentioned in an earlier newsletter, because of the tremendous amount of money spent on yearly gall bladder operations), is a reservoir which stores the bile for timed release into the digestive tract where it mixes with other digestive aids. When this organ is removed, the caustic bile drips directly into the duodenum and can cause duodenal ulcers. Dr. Christopher's Liver and Gall Bladder Formula, composed of barberry, wild yam, cramp bark, fennel seed, ginger, catnip and peppermint, can safely rebuild the diseased liver and gall bladder and help them to function normally because this formula is a specific food for these organs. The liver is recognized by medical science as a highly regenerative organ. it can rebuild itself even if there is only one-tenth of it functioning.

A good formula for people who already have ulcers is:

1 part comfrey root powder
1 part slippery elm powder
1 part licorice root powder
Taken as a tea three times a day (one teaspoon of the combined herbs to a cup of hot water, let steep until room temperature.)

In a previous issue of this newsletter, the effectiveness of licorice root in ulcers has been studied. In addition to being a traditional digestive aid since antiquity, licorice root for ulcers was "rediscovered" by a Dutch physician in the 1940's. Comfrey and slippery elm have been proven aids for ulcers by herbalists for years.

The best cure for ulcers of the stomach is cayenne pepper. The cayenne goes into the stomach and intestines and cauterizes any bleeding sores or open wounds quickly. Dr. Nowell of Dominion Herbal College, one of Dr. Christopher's professors, took Dr. Christopher around as a student and showed him his many cases of ulcer patients that had been healed with the use of cayenne. As the cayenne heals, there may be an uncomfortable burning sensation which will subside with subsequent doses of the pepper. We always start out with 1/4 teaspoon of the cayenne three times a day in water or juice. Increase gradually to one teaspoon three times a day. Use plenty of water with the cayenne to lessen the burning sensation. Cayenne will heal ulcers all through the digestive tract. The herb also promotes the flow of saliva, which is necessary to start the entire digestive process.

Here are a few more commonly experienced digestive disorders, some organically serious, others brought on by circumstances such as stress and poor dietary habits.
In alphabetical order, everything from acne to Venereal Disease can be attributed to malnutrition, that is; poor nutrition, poor absorption, poor digestion, poor elimination and stress.

Celiac Disease: The "victims" of this disorder often have the lining of their intestines irritated by proteins in grains. According to The Nutritional Almanac by John D. Kirschmann (McGraw-Hill, 1973), symptoms of the disease are weight loss, diarrhea, gas, abdominal pain, and anemia. Absorption of nutriments is lowered, thus malnutrition may arise. We recommend the lower bowel tonic, slippery elm tea, and the mucusless diet as well as the three day cleanses. Fresh fruit and vegetable juices are highly recommended, especially carrot, celery and spinach. Nutriments can be obtained through alfalfa, yellow dock and other herbs without the stress of denatured grains. Grains should be presoaked and low heated.

Colitis: In this disorder, the lower bowel is inflamed. There is often a connection between colitis and stress. We see diarrhea, pain, cramps, and even in the later stages, bleeding and dehydration. Calcium deficiency is common. Treatment include the mucusless diet, the lower bowel tonic, slippery elm and comfrey tea and plenty of distilled water. An herbal calcium and nervine supplement will be beneficial.

Cystic Fibrosis: This is a wasting, often heredity disorder, which affects the digestive organs. The pancreas and gall bladder often need to be reconditioned. Mucus is excessive in the body. Digestive juices are not being normally produced.

Here is a case where Dr. Christopher's 'Incurables' program can be used to advantage. One doctor determined that nutriments, especially fat-soluble vitamins are not being absorbed. Dr. Christopher's motto was K.I.S.S. "Keep It Simple, Student". We cannot treat the organism known as the human being as parts of a whole; missing this isolated element and that. We must treat the entire person. This is why he provided the three day cleanse and mucusless diet.

Diabetes: Let's just say that the pancreas is one of the most important digestive organs in the system. When this goes out, all sorts of problems will ensue. It only comes about because of dietary indiscretion. Heredity is a factor, but this tendency can be changed by dietary changes.

Diverticulitis: This comes about because the colon is weakened. Stagnation occurs because pockets are formed in the colon, trapped food particles (old fecal matter) and bacteria have their heyday, causing the victim pain, gas, constriction, cramps and even infection and fever. The bowel needs to be cleaned out, not only with colonics as many people try to do (the colonics won't even touch the pockets) but the lower bowel tonic and a total program of mucusless diet, distilled water, cleansing and exercise. In any of these digestive diseases, distilled water cannot be emphasized too much. At least one gallon a day (for average people) is not outrageous and will do more than all the colonics combined.

Gastritis: Wholesome foods, lower bowel formula, plenty of distilled water, apple cider vinegar, distilled water and honey. in all the gastro-intestinal disorders, slippery elm tea and good elimination (three times a day) is necessary. We refer you here to Dr. Christopher's book Rejuvenation Through Elimination, which explains the bowel function perfectly.

Ulcers: Please see first portion of newsletter. In all digestive disorders, there is a lack of nutriments absorbed by the body. Fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, pre-soaked and low-heated grains, nuts and seeds, can help if a person will change their diet.

Dick Gregory has written an interesting book called "Cookin' With Mother Nature, For Folks Who Eat." He has gone through many evolutions in his dietary habits; from a kid who lived the ghetto, trying to get "somethin' to eat," to a successful comedian who washed down his steaks with a quart of bourbon, to a vegetarian who ate the local soul food restaurant out of anything that didn't walk, crawl, swim or fly, to the sensible "wholesome state" eater and faster he is now. He went through a lot before he came to the conclusion Dr. Christopher always taught: eat foods in their wholesome state. Dick Gregory's advice to those going supermarket shopping is:

1) by-pass the meat section
2) by-pass the canned vegetable section
3) by-pass the frozen vegetable section

Ditto for all the bottled and canned juices, breads, and all 'dead food'. If you can find any ripe fruits and vegetables, you are O.K. This is the next best advice to growing your own food or sprouting seeds and making your own juices. It is rare for a person who has gone to these precautions to have any sort of digestive problems.

Meat and Colon Disease

Everyone is familiar with the stench of putrefying cooked meat that has been left out of the refrigerator in a warm place for many hours. This same fetid phenomenon occurs in the human intestine as digestion of meat takes place. Meat requires many more hours than fruits, vegetables, or grains to digest. During this time, the meat decomposes and harmful acids and other toxic compounds are released into the intestine. There is a high incidence of colon cancer among meat eaters. There are 57,000 deaths a year from colon and rectal cancer yearly in the United States. Most of these occur in the left (or descending) section of the large intestine. Studies have shown that a lower incidence of colon and rectal cancer occurs among Mormons of Utah because they are advised by their Prophet, Joseph Smith, that meat is to be used sparingly only in times of cold and famine. The Seventh-Day Adventists, who are vegetarians, also have a very low incidence of colon cancer. Studies done at Weber State College in Utah have shown that people who have a diet high in pectin are not as subject to colon cancer than those who are on a diet without much pectin-containing foods. Pectin occurs naturally in some fruits, and it is especially plentiful in the apple, one of the foods that Dr. Christopher always praised. He recommended apple juice as both a food and a detoxifier. The apple contains oxygen, an element that is necessary for the life of every cell in the body. The apple only takes 45 minutes to digest before the nutriments are released into the blood stream. Compare this with the hours that it takes meat to digest. If one will stay with wholesome foods, chew these thoroughly, and eat slowly and without stress, problems with the digestive tract will become nonexistent. Dr. Christopher often cited the example of the gorilla. The big ape cannot read, and he therefore does not see all the signs on the passing trucks that say, "Milk is good for you," nor does he go down to the food shop to buy his pork chops and hot dogs and hamburgers. He lives on the fruit and vegetation that nature has provided for him. He stays under his own fig tree. And he has the strength of ten strong men. He also has his own hair and his own teeth when he dies.

Okra For Ulcers

The little known okra plant is helpful in healing ulcers. It contains a large amount of vegetable gelatin which can coat the lining of the stomach and digestive tract. The vegetable is often used in soups and stews. It can also be eaten alone, slightly steamed. It is quite slimy and some people object to this texture, so someone in the southern United States, where okra is more popular, had the idea to dry the vegetable, grind it to powder, and make it into capsules or tablets. It has helped many. Okra can also be found in the frozen food section of the supermarket or better than that, it can be grown in your own garden from seed.

Food Combining

Dr. Christopher told the story of when he heard of a popular natural food restaurant in Arizona. After one of his lectures, he drove several miles out of his way to eat there. When he arrived, the first thing that caught his eye was a great big sign which read: FOOD COMBINATION CHART. With all the information presented on the chart, he spent about 10 minutes reading it. It suggested, in detail, that you don't combine avocados with papayas, nuts with pumpkins, oranges with bananas, peaches with loquats, and the like. By the time he read all of this, he had lost his appetite. The sign was enough to deter anyone from their appointed meal.

It is true that there are preferred food combinations, but these can be stated in a few simple rules. In addition, if the food you eat is chewed thoroughly, mixed with the saliva and not "wolfed" down, many heretofore uncombinable foods can be assimilated together if they are properly masticated. The following chart was adapted from Dr. Herbert Sheltons' work, Food Combining Made Easy. It demonstrates the food categories best suited to combine with each other. The reason for keeping food in separate categories is that all foods have a different digestive time.

The Basic Rules of Proper Food Combining:

1.Eat acids and starches at separate meals. Acids neutralize the alkaline medium required for starch digestion and the result is fermentation and indigestion.

2. Eat protein foods and carbohydrate foods at separate meals. Protein foods require an acid medium for digestion.

3. Eat but one kind of protein food at a meal.

4. Eat proteins and acid foods at separate meals. The acids of acid foods inhibit the secretion of the digestive acids required for protein digestion. Undigested protein putrefies in bacterial decomposition and produces some potent poisons.

5. Eat fats and proteins at separate meals. Some foods, especially nuts, are over 50% fat and require hours for digestion.

6. Eat sugars (fruits) and proteins at separate meals.

7. Eat sugars (fruits) and starchy foods at separate meals. Fruits undergo no digestion in the stomach and are held up if eaten with foods that require digestion in the stomach.

8. Eat melons alone. They combine with almost no other food.

9. Desert the desserts. Eaten on top of meals they lie heavy on the stomach, requiring no digestion there, and ferment. Bacteria turn them into alcohols and vinegars and acetic acids.

(From the book Food Combining Made Easy by Dr. Herbert Shelton.)