"The next time you sit down to a plate of vegetables consider the important healing virtues they have - for they are more than just a tasty food. We will consider using mint or comfrey or some other herb for healing purposes not realizing that our vegetables are also herbs and have their value in helping the body to heal itself. Let's review briefly some of the valuable medicinal properties of some of the common vegetables.
A Dr. Blanc in 1881 wrote the following: "About 1880, a cart driver in a small French village fell off his wagon and - a frequent accident in those times - one wheel rolled over his leg. Two physicians agreed that amputation was necessary; a surgeon was called into consultation, he concurred, and the operation was booked for the next morning. But at 5 p.m. that day the parish priest, Loviat of Saint-Claude, advised the patient's mother to cover the injured leg with cabbage leaves. Under the influence of this simple dressing, the man slept all night. When he awoke, the family and one of the physicians who arrived to prepare the patient for surgery saw that he could move his leg. The cabbage leaves were removed to reveal a leg without swelling and with improved color. Eight days later, completely well, the man returned to work."

The common cabbage has been of vital importance to mankind over the 4,000 years of its cultivation. The medical use of cabbage, empirical for centuries, is based upon precise scientific considerations. Hippocrates once remarked that physicians shouldn't hesitate to borrow from folklore that which can be useful in medicine. We now know, with sound proof, that the folklore of cabbage has stood the test of time and scientific experimentation.

Two other accounts of the medicinal use of cabbage might be of interest: A watchmaker suffered for a year with a painful eczema of both hands, preventing him from working. The lesions were acutely inflamed, and the fingernails were separating, about to fall off. Applications of cabbage leaves twice daily for a few days brought relief from pain, as clear fluid drained onto the dressing. With continued treatment healing took place within two months.

In 1875 a 75 year old man suffered arteriosclerotic gangrene of the lower right leg and foot. The skin was black and the front of the lower leg was decayed. Following the local application of cabbage leaf dressings, the skin changed from black to brown to red, and then returned to its normal healthy color. Three weeks later, writes doctor Blanc, there was a considerable improvement.

It has not yet been discovered why the cabbage leaf has such remarkable healing properties. We only know that the cabbage leaf has a particular affinity for disease-causing fluids, forcing them from the tissues. It even seems that treating small areas of extensive disease benefits the whole, as distant toxins are removed, the cabbage promotes healing and scar tissue, thus preventing complications.

The long history of cures obtained with cabbage, concern many different diseases, including simple and complicated injuries, rheumatic pains, facial neuralgia, headaches, leg ulcer, anthrax, and many others. Cabbage - raw in salads, juiced, or steamed - has incomparable virtues in the most diverse maladies.

Hippocrates had a peculiar affection for this vegetable. Should one of his patients be seized with a violent colic, he at once prescribed a dish of boiled cabbage with salt. Erasistratus looked upon it as a sovereign remedy against paralysis. Pythagoras, and other learned philosophers, composed books in which they celebrated the marvelous virtues of the cabbage. Cato claimed that this plant infallibly cures all diseases; and that he used it as a panacea to preserve his family from the plague, which, otherwise, would not have failed to reach them. It is to the use the Romans made of it, he adds, that they were able during six hundred years to do without the assistance of physicians, whom they had expelled from their territories.

The Romans used cabbage externally and internally for various illnesses, as a purgative, disinfectant, and poultice; Roman soldiers applied cabbage leaves to their wounds.

Rembert Dodens, Dutch physician to the Emperors Maximilian II and Rudolph, wrote in 1557 in his 'History of Plants':

"The juice of the cabbage softens the belly and makes one go to stool. It cleans and cures old ulcers. Cabbage juice mixed with honey makes a syrup that heals hoarseness and coughing. The leaves, when cooked and applied to chronic ulcers, modify and heal them, and aid the resolution of tumors and wounds."

Doctors Merat and Lens of the Faculty of Medicine of Paris wrote in 1829 (Universal Dictionary of Materia Medica): "The cabbage is one of the most valuable acquisitions of man. It combats scurvy, it prevents gout, the tender leaves are applied to wounds, and seeds are indicated for worms."

A Doctor Roques of the eighteen hundreds protected himself and his family for many years against the epidemic winter diseases by eating a daily salad of cooked cabbage. He recommended the following treatment for cold and laryngitis; One pound of strained red cabbage juice, 3 grams of saffron, 1/2 pound of honey and sugar, the whole boiled to a syrup; 1 tablespoonful is taken in a cup of tea 3 or 4 times daily.

A Doctor Blanc wrote: "Cabbage is the bread and butter of therapeutics. It is the doctor of the poor - the providential physician. Let the incredulous experiment, nothing is simpler (than cabbage); the application is external and easy, the action is prompt and innocuous. One can see it with the naked eye. The virtues of this plant are numerous, and I defy anyone to present a good reason why cabbage should not be used therapeutically."

The preparation of cabbage for various disorders is as follows: Wash the leaves or soak them for a few minutes in water to which lemon juice has been added. Wipe dry, then use a knife or scissors to remove the central rib and, if the application is planned for an ulcer or sensitive wound, the secondary ribs. Crush the leaves, one by one - with a rolling pin or bottle. The juice appears at the surface of the leaves, ready for application. One, two, or three applications will be required according to the severity of the disease. Cover with a thick cloth and continue the application for several hours, generally overnight, or during the day if pain prevents sleep.

For a very sensitive wound, plunge the leaves for one or two seconds into boiling water, softening them, and reducing the possibility of irritation,

If cabbage leaves are applied to ulcers with swollen irritated margins, soak the leaves first for one-half hour in olive oil. The resulting preparation will soothe inflamed tissues as well as combating infection and aiding healing.

Cabbage leaves applied to an infected wound, ulcer, or oozing eczema should be layered like roof shingles, allowing secretions to drain between the layers. When treating lumbago, joint pain, or various afflictions of the nerve or bladder, poultices of cabbage leaves bring rapid relief. A poultice is prepared as follows: Boil for 20 minutes 2 to 4 cabbage leaves and two whole chopped onions with 3 or 4 handfuls of bran and a little water. After evaporation of the water, place the poultice on gauze and apply hot for one or two hours, or even for the whole night. (Never apply heat to a painful abdomen. Only the physician can properly diagnose the cause of abdominal pain, and the application of heat to appendicitis or infection of the ovary may be harmful.)

Doctor Garnett-Cheney, Professor at the Medical School of Stanford, published a report concerning the use of cabbage juice in the treatment of gastric ulcers. Of 65 cases reported in his series, 62 were cured at the end of three weeks. Cabbage has been recommended to correct anemia of experimental animals induced by an all-milk diet.

In research at the University of Texas. Dr. W. Shive extracted from cabbage a substance he calls Glutamine, useful in the treatment of alcoholism and peptic ulcer.

Cabbage has been found to be of infinite value for pregnant women, and for patients with anemia, fatigue, infections, intestinal parasites, stones, and arthritis.

We list now some of the afflictions for which the cabbage has been used over the centuries to bring relief:

Acne: Apply a lotion of freshly prepared cabbage juice preceded, if desired, by the application of leaves. The eating of cabbage leaves or juice is also helpful.

Alcoholism: Eat cabbage, steamed or raw and drink the juice.

Anemia: Drink one or two glasses of cabbage juice daily.

Burns: Apply mashed cabbage leaves to the burn area to relieve pain and speed healing.

Cirrhosis of the liver: Drink cabbage juice and eat raw or steamed cabbage.

Colitis: Apply 3 or 4 layers of cabbage leaves over the abdomen each evening and secure in place to be left on overnight. Drink also the juice between meals.

Constipation: Several glasses a day of cabbage broth.

Diarrhea: Apply cabbage leaves to the abdominal region during the day and a fresh application for overnight and drink a cabbage broth.

Headache: Apply cabbage leaves to the forehead and nape of the neck and leave on overnight. Applications of the leaves over the liver may also be necessary.

Insect Bites: Rub a crushed cabbage leaf over the bite.

Kidney disease: Apply cabbage leaves over the kidney areas and leave on overnight and also for a few hours during the day

Menses, painful: Apply cabbage leaves over the lower abdomen for several hours.

Sprains: Tie three or four thicknesses of cabbage leaves around the sprained area and leave on over night. Next time you see the lowly cabbage plant consider that over the centuries many people have derived much relief from physical ailments through using it.

The Red Beet

Our common red beet is a highly nutritious plant, The root is an excellent appetite stimulant and is easily digested. The root has been used to treat constipation, liver ailments, dysentery, skin disorders, anemia, menstruation problems, obesity, and nervousness. One therapy for leukemia and tumors is to consume a couple of pounds of raw, mashed beets daily.

About ten percent of the beet root consists of a sugar that is more easily handled by the body than cane sugar and about a third of the root consists of starch and gum. The special value of the root is its effect on the liver and spleen. Some consume beets during an attack of the flu.

Fresh Chard has been suggested as an aid in cases of constipation to stimulate the peristaltic action of the intestines.

The tuber of the Jerusalem artichoke is used in cases of gas, constipation and biliousness and as a substitute for potatoes. As it is considered starchless it is used by diabetics who must watch their starch intake.

To remove toxins from the kidney apparatus as well as kidney stones the parsnip has been used. It seems to be useful in cases of inflammation of the joints, colon, and nerves.

The green bell-shaped pepper is especially good for liver disorders, obesity, constipation, high blood pressure and acidosis.

The Sweet Potato is easily digestible and is good for inflammation of the colon or stomach and also for hemorrhoids. It is helpful to eat the sweet potato in cases of diarrhea and for problems of low blood pressure and poor circulation.

Another good food for inflamed intestines, stomach ulcers and hemorrhoids is the Pumpkin. The pumpkin seed is much recommended for prostate problems, tape and other worm elimination and constipation.

Radishes stimulate the appetite, are good for the hair and nails, teeth, gums and nerves. They help speed up recuperation from nervous exhaustion. Many have been helped in cases of constipation by eating radishes. Pulmonary disorders such as whooping cough, asthma, and bronchitis have been treated with the radish and its leaves. Chronic liver and gallbladder disease including gallstone and kidney stone afflictions have responded by eating the whole plant. The radish is good for vitamin C, D, and P deficiency.

Summer Squash and Zucchini are good to use where there are problems with high blood pressure, constipation, obesity and for bladder and kidney afflictions. The Winter Squash has more nutrients than the Summer squash and is good for colitis, inflammation of the stomach or intestines, hemorrhoids and diarrhea. 100 grams of winter squash contain about 5,000 IU of vitamin A. The high vitamin A content makes the winter squash a valuable food for the winter time.

Both pumpkin and squash can be applied as a poultice for burns, inflammation of the skin and abscesses. Squash seeds also are excellent for round and tapeworms. One recipe for expelling worms is to mash about an ounce of seeds and mix with honey. Take in three doses a half an hour apart then an hour later take an herbal laxative. Boiling squash seeds for a half an hour and then drinking the water has the effect of calming the nerves and helping in cases of insomnia and is good also for any urinary inflammation.

The roots and leaves of the Turnip are recommended in cases of pulmonary disease, obesity, kidney stones, and gout as it promotes the elimination of uric acid. Drink a turnip broth for common colds and infections. Turnip roots have also been used to relieve nervousness and insomnia. Turnip greens contain about 9,500 IU per 100 grams. Eat the greens for cases of poor appetite, bronchitis, asthma, liver problems, bladder disorders, gout, high blood pressure and tuberculosis.

Healing Vegetables
We will now list some of the more common afflictions and those vegetables that seem to exert a healing influence in each case:

Abscess, dental: Cabbage.
Acne: Cabbage, lettuce, turnip.
Alcoholism: Cabbage.
Allergies: Black radish.
Arthritis: Globe artichoke, asparagus, cabbage, parsnip, black and pink radish.
Asthma: Cabbage, carrot, lettuce, black and pink radish, cauliflower, celery, whole turnip plant.
Biliousness: Cauliflower, Jerusalem artichoke,
Bladder, ailments of: Cabbage, cauliflower, kale, kohlrabi, mustard greens, spinach, summer squash, turnip greens.
Bronchitis: Asparagus, cabbage, carrot, lettuce, black and pink radish, beet greens, broccoli, sweet potatoes, spinach, turnip greens.
Colds: Carrots, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, collards, kale, spinach, turnip greens.
Colitis: Cabbage, carrots, parsnips, winter squash.
Constipation: Asparagus, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chard, collard greens, Jerusalem artichoke, kale, lettuce, mustard greens, radish, spinach, summer squash, turnips.
Convulsions: Cabbage.
Depression: Cabbage.
Drunkenness: Cabbage.
Dysentery: Beet greens, beet root.
Dyspepsia: Jerusalem Artichoke, cabbage, celery, potato, radish, squash.
Flatulence: Carrot, beet greens, Jerusalem artichoke.
Goiter, prevention of: Cabbage, carrots, celery, lettuce.
Gout: Beet greens, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, lettuce, parsnips, turnip greens.
Hemorrhoids: Cabbage, parsnips, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, winter squash, swiss chard.
Hepatic disease: Globe artichoke, asparagus, green beans, cabbage, carrot, celery, lettuce, potato, black radish.
Infections: Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, collard greens, kale, spinach, turnips.
Insomnia: Cabbage, carrots, celery, collard greens, kale, lettuce, parsnips, potatoes, spinach, turnip greens, squash.
Intestinal disorders: Globe artichoke, cabbage, carrot, squash, turnip.
Joint pain: Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, collard greens, kale, spinach, turnip greens.
Kidneys: Asparagus, beets, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, kohlrabi, parsnips, radishes, spinach, summer squash.
Menstruation, irregular: Beets, corn, lettuce, peas.
Mental depression: Broccoli, cabbage, collard greens, corn, kale, peas, potatoes, turnip greens.
Nervousness: Beet, cabbage, celery, eggplant, lettuce.
Pneumonia: Sweet potatoes, spinach.
Pyorrhea: Cabbage.
Rheumatism: Globe artichokes, asparagus, celery, collards, kale, lettuce, mustard greens.
Shingles: Cabbage.
Sinusitis: Cabbage.
Tumors: Cabbage, carrot, celery, swiss chard, turnip.
Urinary tract: Cabbage, leek, lettuce, squash.

Parsley

The next time you use Parsley in one of your vegetable or meat dishes remember that it has important medicinal actions also, When nature gave us parsley she gave an amazing and extremely versatile plant to aid the body in regaining its health. Parsley is chiefly used for renal congestion, inflammation of the kidneys and bladder, gravel, stones, and urine retention. The root and leaves are excellent for the liver and spleen when jaundice and venereal diseases are present. It is also one of the best reliefs for edema, helping when other remedies have failed. Parsley root contains ingredients that help produce a pain relieving benefit to relax stiff joints. Many have used parsley root tea to make stiff and unmanageable fingers work again. The root contains calcium, B-complex vitamins, and iron all of which nourish the parathyroid glands which are concerned with the regulation of calcium in the body. Pour a quart of boiling water over a cup of firmly packed fresh parsley and allow to steep for 15 minutes. Strain and then refrigerate.

Although parsley is a very reliable and old diuretic remedy it is very much ignored today. Parsley will work on the gall bladder and will remove gallstones if used properly by taking a pint of the tea daily. Parsley is a specific for the adrenal glands, is powerfully therapeutic for the optic nerves, the brain nerves and the whole sympathetic nervous system. Parsley juice is an excellent tonic for the blood vessels, particularly the capillaries and arterioles. But remember that raw parsley juice is a most potent juice and should never be taken alone in quantities of more than one or two ounces at a time unless it is mixed into a sufficient quantity of carrot or other juices. Parsley is remarkable for its ability to expel watery poisons, excess mucoid matter, flatulence, reducing swollen and enlarged glands.

The usual remedy for kidney, bladder, and edema is to make at least two quarts of a strong parsley tea and drink copiously. If the urine is suppressed drink one half to one teacupful, hot, every hour.

We have had several students testify in herbology classes as to the value of parsley, among which is the following: "I talked to a man who went into the hospital for infection. He was there six weeks and it was costing $45.00 a day for the drugs they gave him. Then someone told his wife to take him some parsley. The doctor said, 'Well, it won't hurt him, but it won't help him.' He was released from the hospital after he had taken it for one day; it had started to drain the infection he had."

Dr. Christopher tells of a personal acquaintance who came here from England in her twenties. She was very sickly; at the time had no children, so her husband told her to go to the doctor. She did, and when she returned home she was very discouraged and very unhappy, because he told her, "You have a kidney infection which is a very progressive type and there is nothing we can do to heal it; you will have possible six months to live."

So she was at home meditating when she heard a knock at the front door. There stood a bearded man in a grey suit; he said: "Sister Hanger, may I have a glass of water?" to which she replied "Certainly," although she didn't know him. She gave him the glass of water, and he said: "Sit down, I want to talk to you a minute, Sister Hanger," and she wondered then how he knew her name. He continued: "I would like to help you if you would like me to. You have just come from the doctor's and he told you that you have a bad kidney condition. Well, you are from England. You have brought your herbs with you, and you have a little herb garden out in the back in which you have a nice stand of parsley. Now, if you will take a handful of parsley each day and put it into a pint of water, cover and steep it, and drink it in regular doses during the day, it will heal this condition. The doctor told you that you have only six months to live, but I will tell you what you will see; you will see another depression" - and he went on and told her all the things she would see. When he had finished the short interview, something momentarily distracted her attention and in that instant he disappeared. She lived to be eighty-six years old and had raised a number of wonderful children.

One of our students had been called by her brother-in-law that her favorite sister was near death. He said if she wanted to see her while she was still alive to come quickly to Chicago, Illinois. Her sister had been suffering for months from dropsy and was now helpless and blacking out from the pain. She was only expected to live a day or two longer.

Our student flew to Chicago on Saturday and was shocked at the sight of her sister. She was so swollen that she was hardly recognizable, and did not even realize her visitor was there. Our friend told her brother-in-law that she had recently heard a lecture about an herbal aid for dropsy and asked if she might use it. He said. "My wife is supposed, to be dead shortly. Please do anything you can."

She got in a cab, went to the health stores in downtown Chicago, and bought all the parsley root she could find, along with some glycerine. She returned and quickly made and administered parsley tea.

Our student applied the fomentations and had her sick sister drink one half cup of tea each hour. She had to return home because of her job, but left instructions to continue the parsley procedure.

She later received a phone call from her brother-in-law in Chicago who said. "I have someone who would like to say hello to you." It was her sister. The swelling of months was all gone; she was out of bed for the first time in months - happy to be alive and full of vitality and hope.

Parsley is such a precious herb and so easy to grow in most any little corner of your garden or a flower pot - why ever be without it?

Herbs and Spices

Today we use spices and herbs to give flavor to our foods without thinking of their valuable medicinal qualities. We will list the common spices and their effects on our system. You will note that most of the spices have an effect on the digestive system.

Allspice: A fever breaker in colds.
Aniseed: Indigestion, baby colic.
Basil: Indigestion, nausea, gas.
Bay leaves: Upset stomach, gas.
Caraway: Infant colic, dyspepsia, hair and vision, problems.
Cardamom: Indigestion, stimulant, colic.
Cayenne: Stimulant, aids digestion, helps the secreting organs.
Celery seed: All types of stomach disorders.
Chervil: Poultice for bruises.
Cinnamon: Inflammation of the intestinal tract, stimulant.
Cloves: Oil of cloves for toothache, gas nausea, languid indigestion and dyspepsia, strong germicide, powerful antiseptic.
Dill: Hiccoughs, expels gas from stomach and intestines.
Garlic: High blood pressure, edema, rheumatism.
Ginger: Delayed or suppressed menstruation, cramps, diarrhea, colds, indigestion, gas pains, headaches, flu, colic, sore throat, nausea of pregnancy.
Horseradish: Stimulate sinuses, poultice for sciatica, excellent stimulant to the digestive organs.
Mace: Cleansing and detoxifying.
Marjoram: Poultice for painful swelling and rheumatism, nervous headache, stimulant, irregular menstruation.
Mint: Aids digestion, colic.
Mustard: Stimulant for sinuses, Poultices for rheumatism and hot foot baths for headaches, disorders of the digestive organs.
Nutmeg: Aids digestion and nervous stomach, one-half nutmeg steeped in hot water good for insomnia, (has narcotic effect in large doses), allays nausea and vomiting.
Oregano: Soothes the stomach and aids digestion.
Paprika: Stimulates appetite.
Saffron: Expels gas from stomach and intestines.
Sage: Antiseptic, blood cleanser, memory problems.
Savory: A cure for colic and flatulence.
Tarragon: Soothing for eczema and scurvy.
Thyme: Antiseptic for ptomaine poisoning, aids digestion, arrests gastric fermentation, colic.
Turmeric: Expels gas from stomach and intestines, assists gall bladder function.

Bibliography
Christopher, Dr. John R.,
1976 School of Natural Heating, Provo, Utah.

Jensen, Bernard
1978 Nature has a Remedy. D.C.

Grieve, M.
1971 A Modern Herbal, New York.

Kadans, Joseph M.
1973 Encyclopedia of Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts and Seeds. West Nyack, New York.

Wade, Carlson
1972 Natural Hormones, West Nyack, N.Y.

Soyer, Alexis
1977 The Pantropheon, New York.

Barmakian, Richard
1976 Hypoglycemia-Your Bondage or Freedom, Irvine, Calif.

1976 Herbalist, Provo, Utah.

Valnet, Jean
1975 Heal Yourself With Vegetables, Fruits and Grains, New York.

Walker, N.W.
1976 Raw Vegetable Juices, New York.

Book Review
RAW VEGETABLE JUICES
by N. W. Walker D. Sci.

Raw Vegetable Juices is an excellent book on the values of drinking raw, pure juices. It tells how one can derive the nutriments from vegetables by separating the fiber from the juice and drinking the juice. It says we should not feel bad about discarding the fiber for pesticides and other poisons remain in the fiber instead of going into the juices.

Nature can help supply your body's needs, Dr. Walker claims, by drinking juices to obtain the benefits of the "enzymes" of the raw foods.

Dr. Norman W. Walker is well over 100 years young and of last report was still healthy and taking brisk walks daily. His book expounds and lists, alphabetically, the benefits from vegetables, telling how they can aid the body and help in healing certain ailments.

R. D. Pope, M.D., assisted Dr. Walker in the compilation of this book and praised Dr. Walker on his research and experimentation in the field of juice therapy.

Dr. Walker goes into great detail on the value of fresh carrot juice, then goes on to tell of the virtues of other vegetable juices, such as beet juice, cabbage juice, parsley juice and spinach juice. He goes into juice combinations, or formulas, and their therapeutic values. There are 87 different juice combinations recommended by Dr. Walker. There is also a glossary of ailments and references to which of the juice combinations best helps with that ailment.

This book also includes essays on subjects such as the endocrine glands, vinegar. milk, natural childbirth, testimonial stories and even phonics!

Dr. Walker recommends taking no less than one pint of fresh juice daily to get any of the therapeutic values of it, and suggests taking up to a gallon a day as long as it is not causing one to force himself to drink that much. This book is highly recommended and very informative. We hope all our readers take advantage of the information available in this book.