Date: September 16th 2000

Online Health & Nutrition Newsletter Vol. 4. Issue 9b. Spirit of #
Health

Here is the Seventieth issue of our online newsletter, #
"Spirit of Health." We bring you articles which are always beyond#
the mainstream medical school of thought, and may be new to the #
alternative minded, as well.

If you would like to access selected back issues of this #
newsletter, you can do so by selecting http://www.healthfree.com/#
and choose the Newsletter link.

This week's newsletter is Volume 3 Number 11 of the Dr John #
R. Christopher Newsletter on Arthritis

ARTHRITIS, A NEEDLESS CRIPPLER by Dr. John R. Christopher

Arthritis is a disease which affects the joints. It is attended #
by pain, heat, redness, stiffness and swelling. Archaeological #
evidence indicates that arthritis was known as far back as the #
earliest dynasties of ancient Egypt and possibly before that #
time. In the new world we find "prehistoric" North American #
Indian skeletal populations exhibiting arthritic deposits and #
bone deformities. The disease knows no boundaries as far as age, #
social status, or geographical distribution.

I, myself, came into this world bearing the unsavory burden of #
rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic form of the disease involving the#
destruction of the tissues of the joints, the cartilage of the #
joints, and even the bone surfaces themselves. Usually this #
disease comes upon a person after the age of thirty or forty, but#
the condition can be inherited. Some other symptoms include #
excruciating pain or swelling in the joints, debility, anemia, #
weight loss and fever. If there is extensive damage, the joints #
themselves can become fused together as the body deposits scar #
tissue in and around the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis often #
occurs and recurs during a person's life as it has done during #
mine. Physical stress or emotional stress can bring it on.

The other common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis, is generally #
found in older people. It is characterized by the wearing away of#
the cartilage, the gristle or white elastic substance attached #
to the articular bone surfaces. The function of the cartilage is #
to provide a smooth surface for the movement of the bones over #
each other at the joints. Often this cartilage is worn away and #
the bare surfaces of the bones rub against each other at the #
joints. This is extremely painful. The knee joints and hip joints#
are generally affected because of the constant weight of the #
body placed on them. The sufferer feels stiffness in the joints #
accompanied by pain and inflammation often after activity and #
damp or humid weather.

Several other medical terms have been applied to variations of #
the osteo and rheumatoid arthritis. These names are not important#
here. What is important is that we go to the cause of arthritis #
and apply our remedies accordingly.

There is an advertisement from the media that states "Arthritis #
STRIKES one person every so-and-so minutes, so give your money to#
us so we can research and find a cure." Actually arthritis does #
not Strike an individual. The groundwork for arthritis is laid by#
generations of man's transgression against the laws of nature. #
Arthritis has been said to be "incurable." This is because most #
researchers have not looked into the fundamental reasons for the #
existence of a disease. We see in our society today, that #
arthritis is not just a disease that a few oldsters occasionally #
get, but that it has reached epidemic proportions among the #
population. The so-called incurable diseases, arthritis, cancer, #
high blood pressure, heart disease, etc., are due to the #
long-term suppression of symptoms of these maladies by the #
extensive and indiscriminate use of allopathic (in most cases #
unwholesome and inorganic) drugs. The patient often has to take #
over/ under/or around-the-counter drugs for a lifetime in order #
to "manage" their disease while the natural body functions slow #
up and eventually shut down.

There is one basic cause for any disease and this is simply #
malnutrition. Poor food, poor digestion, poor assimilation, poor #
utilization, poor elimination. Add stress to this picture and you#
will see how a wonderful and complex mechanism designed by the #
Creator of the entire universe, made to function for 1,000 years,#
can be brutally destroyed by man's inventions: diseases.

One of the medical discoveries for the relief of arthritis, #
aspirin, was lauded as being the panacea of the century. But just#
a few years later, we found out the extensive damage that can be#
done to the stomach by this insipid poison. Mothers who have #
faithfully followed their doctor's orders and given their #
children aspirin for fever are now being told that this is a very#
dangerous practice and should be discontinued. Drugs for #
arthritic pain have come and gone, each one being replaced by a #
new, uncertain experiment, possibly giving forth worse side #
effects than its predecessors. There is one thing about Mother #
Nature, folks, she is consistent. Nature's laws can be applied #
yesterday, today, and tomorrow. An apple or a fig was just as #
good for you in King Solomon's time as it is today-provided it #
isn't sprayed with DDT, thanks to our pals in the human race.

In this letter we will give you our recommendations for relief of#
arthritis. They will always remain unquestionably simple and #
wholesome and have helped many through our years of practice.

An absolute necessity in life is water. It is the universal #
solvent, the lubricator. The human body is composed of over 80% #
water. Most of the water we drink comes from the ground and #
carries with it minerals in solution. It is hard water that often#
has a lot of calcium in it. I'm sure all of you have seen the #
calciferous build-up on the inside of a tea kettle or a water #
vaporizer. When we drink water, this calcification actually goes #
into our system and cannot be processed by the body. It is #
accepted but not assimilated. It may be shuttled around the body #
because it cannot be used. An excess of inorganic calcium can be #
deposited around the area of the joints, causing great #
discomfort. We recommend drinking steam distilled water instead #
of any other.

The consumption of meat adds uric acid wastes to the system, #
producing gouty inflammation. Processed "foods" with excessive #
carbohydrate intake also contribute to the malfunction of every #
cell in the body. It's always been a wonder how we, as a nation, #
spend so much time and monetary energy to find the proper animal #
feed when we don't even know what to feed ourselves.

VITAMIN C (citric acid) AND ARTHRITIS

Several studies have been done on the connection between Vitamin #
C and arthritis. Richard Lucas in his book, Nature's Medicines #
reports that in a hospital treating chronic diseases of the #
elderly, pain of arthritis was decreased within one month by the #
addition of 8 ounces of orange juice to the daily diet. In #
another study it was found that arthritis sufferers were relieved#
of gouty symptoms by drinking canned cherry juice. Because many #
people eat meat, they have a build-up of uric acid in the system #
which tends to create these symptoms. Blood uric acid dropped as #
a result of taking + lb. of fresh or canned cherries a day.

Many of our herbs contain Vitamin C. One of the highest is #
rose-hips. Rose hip tea is very refreshing and will certainly be #
an aid in eliminating uric acid build-up. Hibiscus flowers also #
contain high amounts of C. Any citrus fruits can also be aids.

An article appearing in Food Field Reporter, in 1958, stated that#
there is no "definite" scientific data on just how cherry juice #
aids in relieving pain caused by diseases where improper balance #
of calcium is present. They then state that it may be the pigment#
in the cherries that brings relief.

One of the best empirical (first-hand observation and experience)#
studies of the above phenomenon is by Dr. D. C. Jarvis, M.D. He #
observed farm animals and folk medicine practitioners in the #
state of Vermont.

He noted that Vermont folk medicine, although they did not #
distinguish between arthritis, bursitis, rheumatism, gout, #
osteoarthritis, etc., they were successful in treating all these #
diseases with two teaspoonfuls of apple cider vinegar and two of #
honey in a glass of water three times a day. They felt that #
arthritis treatment began in the stomach where the acid balance #
prevented putrefaction of food. (Bacteria will not grow in an #
acid medium.) These bacteria guard the door to proper #
assimilation of nutriments in the stomach and intestine. One of #
the body's chief necessities is calcium. If the calcium balance #
is off, the results will be seen in many ways. There will be #
frayed nerves, inferior fingernails and hair, and other disorders#
including susceptibility to infectious diseases and arthritis #
resulting from altered body chemistry.

Calcium enters into solution in an acid medium. The apple cider #
vinegar creates an acidic medium which is capable of dissolving #
excess inorganic calcium--even if it is in the form of arthritic #
deposits in the joints. Cows, when allowed to graze by their own #
instincts, will always choose acidic vegetation over alkaline. #
When they are fed winter feed, they may run the risk of #
developing milk fever which affects the quality of their milk, #
often paralyzes their hind legs, and makes for difficult calf #
delivery. The acidity of the system determines the health of the #
newborn calf as well. Animals even take to drinking apple cider #
vinegar voluntarily when it is set before them.

OTHER FACTORS IN ARTHRITIS

When sugar is added to water, the amount of calcium that is #
absorbed is increased thirty-five times. There is definitely a #
correlation between the amount of sugar in the blood stream and #
the precipitating out of calcium around the joints.

A malfunctioning nervous and endocrine system can also be a #
factor in arthritis. The hypothalamus sends a signal to the #
parathyroid to begin dissolving bone if the body needs calcium #
elsewhere. The thyroid gland is the regulator of the reverse #
process. If the thyroid is underactive, bone may continue to #
dissolve, causing osteoporosis or bone loss. If it is overactive,#
excess calcium is deposited back into the bones. When the bones #
have enough calcium, the malfunctioning thyroid can't say "quit!"#
So, excess calcium may be deposited on the outside of the bones #
and even the joints. It would do well to check that thyroid #
(through iridology or otherwise) and use kelp or some form of #
organic iodine to rebuild it if it is degenerating. The thyroid #
herbal formula is a good aid here along with the perfect #
glandular food, three parts mullein and one part lobelia (as a #
tea, capsule, or fomentation over the thyroid area).

We have found that an arthritic person can improve their #
condition remarkably in a few short weeks by making three changes#
in diet (if nothing else):

1. eliminate meat from the diet
2. eliminate refined sugar from diet
3. drink plenty of distilled water

In addition to this, we suggest changing to the mucusless diet #
and using the lower bowel tonic and other aids described in the #
booklet "Dr. Christopher's Three Day Cleansing Program and #
Mucusless Diet."

A very wonderful herbal aid for arthritis and rheumatism is the #
formula consisting of hydrangea root (a great calcium solvent for#
any part of the body), Brigham herb (high in copper), yucca #
(with saponins that have a detergent-like action within the blood#
stream to cleanse and purify), chaparral (also high in copper), #
lobelia, burdock root, sarsaparilla, wild lettuce, valerian, #
wormwood, cayenne, black cohosh, and black walnut. These herbs #
detoxify and dissolve old calcium deposits. Some of the herbs are#
very high in organic calcium, which can be used by the body. #
There are also herbs which kill fungus and infection and some #
good pain-relievers. We add here that the process of arthritis is#
a long one, to have the disease reach a chronic state, and #
relief (that is, complete relief) can only be a slow process of #
rebuilding the system. We have mentioned the herbs that are high #
in copper. We have seen many arthritis sufferers wearing copper #
bracelets to get relief from the disorder. The marvelous herbs #
high in copper will do the job much better.

We have found that kidney bean pod tea (one or two quarts daily) #
to be a Godsend. One old woman of 91 years drank only a few cups #
daily without changing her diet at all and was able to walk #
without the use of a cane or walker. As soon as she stopped the #
tea she was back to her old routine of difficulty with walking #
once more.

For extreme cases of joint inflammation and pain, we recommend #
the Bone, Flesh and Cartilage formula, or the Comfrey #
Fomentation. This could be used either as a fomentation or as an #
ointment. It is wonderful to dissolve calcium spurs. Make a tea #
of the following herbs: oak bark, marshmallow root, mullein, #
wormwood, lobelia, skullcap, comfrey root, walnut bark, and #
gravel root. Use one ounce of the combined herbs to a pint of #
water. Soak the herbs for four to six hours prior to simmering #
them down to one-half the original volume. Then you may add #
one-fourth the amount of vegetable glycerine if desired. For #
severe cases, drink one-fourth a cup of tea with three-fourth's #
of a cup of distilled water three times a day.

For very advanced cases of arthritis, we recommend the #
"Incurables" program. The fresh fruit and vegetable juices are a #
necessity. Dr Arthur W. Snyder also recommends celery and #
cucumber juice, carrot, endive, and apple juice.

Dr. Norman W. Walker's idea is that arthritis is caused by #
inorganic calcium deposits in the joints as a result of eating #
concentrated carbohydrates in excess. He suggests grapefruit #
juice, celery juice, carrot and spinach juice, and carrot and #
celery juice; carrot, beet, and cucumber is also recommended.

Arthritis need not be the crippling scourge of mankind. If #
dietary discretion is applied early enough, arthritis can be #
prevented. In the later stages, it can be reversed if care is #
taken to apply the simple principles of nature, consistently and #
faithfully.

-----------------------------------------------

We hope you enjoyed this information and find it useful. #
Combination of herbs and complete written programs for restoring #
health can be found at http://www.healthfree.com/health/healing/.#
Information on Colon, Liver, Kidney and Blood cleanses and #
Immune System Boosting can be found at #
http://www.healthfree.com/health/rescue/

Excellent herbal formulas inspired by the works of Dr. #
Christopher and other great natural healers may be obtained from #
- http://www.botanicals.net. including Cayenne and Detox formulas#
and teas and Muscle and Joint Repair Oil.

Sincerely,

Ron Radstrom,
Founder
Health Freedom Resources

Copyright 2000 Health Freedom Resources, Inc. All rights #
reserved.

Health Freedom Resources may be contacted at:
727-443-7711 phone / 727-442-4139 fax
website: http://www.healthfree.com

Herbal formulas may be obtained from
Southern Botanicals at:
727-461-5455 phone / 727-442-4139 fax
website: http://www.botanicals.net

To view the online version of this newsletter, go to - #
http://www.healthfree.com/health/newsletter/news4_9b.htm

We do not share your email or other information with anyone.

Please share your successes with us by emailing us at #
success@healthfree.com

Sign up for our FREE Spirit of Health newsletter. Just email us #
at newsletter@healthfree.com and type "Newsletter Request" in the#
subject line.

This Newsletter is not intended to be sent unsolicited. It is #
sent only to those who have earlier requested information from #
us, or who have obtained books or products from us.

If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please send an #
email to unsubscribe@healthfree.com and put the word unsubscribe #
in the subject line. Please allow 1-2 weeks for us to update our #
list.

Disclaimer: The staff of HFR, Inc. and Southern Botanicals are #
not doctors and do not diagnose, prescribe for or treat any #
disease, nor do they dispense medical advice. Our mission is to #
provide information which the individual may apply according to #
his own free choice. Herbs and herbal formulas are classed as #
foods; any mentions of them and their uses are intended solely as#
nutritional support. No health claims of any kind are made for #
any product or formula mentioned herein. If you have or may have #
an illness, consult your licensed health practitioner. HFR, Inc. #
and Southern Botanicals are not affiliated with any physician or #
health practitioner.