Article for 02-2001
Natural Weight-Loss and How You Can Do It.
by Wendy W. Cheslak
One of the most frequently asked questions I get is, “Do you
have anything for losing weight?” There are so many diet aids on the market,
yet people are turning to the more natural and gentle therapies to lose weight.
One of the more popular herbal aids is Ma-huang gen (Ephedra).
You should be careful with this herb if you are using it as a diet aid. My suggestion
is not to use Ma hung, because if you don’t know what you are doing, and you
are mixing this with medications or other herbs, you can run the risk of a stroke
or heart attack.
Ma-huang gen is traditionally
used as a cold and decongestant remedy. The Chinese have used this herb for
thousands of years to relieve cold symptoms, asthma, bronchitis, hay fever and
other URI problems. However, since the discovery that Ma-huang gen contains
the alkaloid, ephedrine, it has been advertised as an energy booster, bodybuilding
aid, weight-loss aid, and sexual sensation aid.
Ma-huang gen contains the
alkaloids, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. These two alkaloids together in large
doses can stimulate the central nervous system, increase heart rate and blood
pressure. This is where the marketing comes in to promote this herb as a metabolism
enhancer to burn more fat and lose weight. Individuals taking blood pressure
or antidepressant medications should avoid ma-huang gen. Individuals with a
history of heart conditions, high blood pressure, thyroid disorder, diabetes,
and urinary or prostate problems should avoid Ma-huang gen or use it only under
a physician’s supervision.
So, if you avoid Ma-huang gen and most diet aids, what can you
do to lose weight? There is plenty you can do. First, decide that you will lose
weight. When you’ve made that decision and are committed to it, you don’t need
diet aids. All you need is a plan on how to go about it. After all, your current
plan has helped put on the extra pounds. So, it’s time for a new plan. Embrace
your new plan as if it were a fresh breeze that has come into the house. Roll
up your sleeves and get serious with it. Write it down to solidify it. Now you’re
ready to get started.
Here’s what has worked for natural healers the world over. However,
before you begin any natural healing routine it is wise to run it by your physician
first. Make sure he/she knows what you’re about to do. The buck stops with you.
You must take responsibility for your own health and do your homework before
you do anything.With that said, here are some natural therapies to consider.
Juice flushing is very effective in re-balancing the body’s
metabolism. Nutrition is the key here, so you must mix fresh certified organic
fruit AND vegetables in your juice. You just want the juice – no pulp. Pulp
will slow digestion and zap your energy. The juice has the nutritional enzymes
you want for instant absorption and energy.
IMPORTANT:
For a superior flush, it is recommended that you have a thorough
bowel cleanse. Your body will be able to absorb more nutrients from your juices
if the bowel is clean of residues. I’m not talking about just doing a laxative
tea. You want to remove caked-on fecal matter that is adhering to your colon
walls. If you don’t think you have this, think again. If you are over thirty
and have been eating the standard American diet, you have what herbalists call
a bowel casing. This prevents nutrients from being absorbed, and you will eat
more food to make up for the lack of nutrition.
You can do your juice flush for a full week and not feel hungry.
Why? Because you are supplying the body with the nutrition it needs to run,
balancing your metabolism and dumping unwanted fat. Your body regulates this.
There are no drugs, that force the body to strip away fat before it is ready.
You can do your flush once a month until you reach your goal. Be patient with
this process. After all, how long did it take you to add on the extra pounds?
If you think you will not have the energy you need to do a week-long
flush, try doing a mini flush over the weekend. You can get acquainted with
the process and make the necessary adjustments to suit your metabolism. Then
when you are more confident, you can do the full flush for one week. The trick
to using juice flushing is to drink at least one gallon of juice per day. You
can get as creative as you want with the juices, just eliminate the dairy products
and refined sugars.
The only thing you will need to buy for your juice flush is
a juicer (if you don’t have one already) and your fruit and vegetables. I recommend
the Champion Juicer. Most health food markets carry it. It is powerful, easy
to clean, and it even makes fresh fruit sorbet. It costs about $199.00. That’s
a reasonable price, and a wise investment in your health.
The next step in your weight management plan is to think about
the foods you eat. A lifestyle change is definitely in order. Your plan should
include more fresh fruits and vegetables and less meat. People who have switched
to the 90/10 plan (90% fruits & vegetables and 10% meats) say they feel
much better. They have also cut out all the processed foods and spend more
time preparing their own meals. By following this plan, people say they never
have to worry about weight loss again. There are terrific cookbooks available
that can help you make healthy meals in thirty minutes or less.
So, to lose weight and keep it off naturally you have a three-step
plan:
- Cleanse the bowel for optimum absorption of juice flush
nutrients
- Juice flush once a month until you reach your goal
- Change your lifestyle to include the 90/10 plan
You have the power to successfully manage your own weight without
drugs, surgery, or crazy diets. Decide that you will lose weight and then implement
your plan.
For more details on how to juice flush and lose weight, pick
up a copy of The Power Herbs: 13 Herbs Every Medicine Cabinet Should Have. Inside
you will find more information and helpful hints on juice combinations, what
ingredients to avoid, how to supplement your flush if you are short on time,
how to do a proper bowel cleanse, how to manage your lifestyle change, recommended
recipe books, and more. The Power Herbs is available on this web site, just
click on the book icon on the Welcome page or click on Herbal shop and then
Books. The bowel cleanse, necessary for a proper juice flush, is also available
in the Herbal shop. Just click on Cleanses and select Bowel Cleanse. Product
description, ingredients, and interaction alerts are conveniently listed. Feel
better.
Sources:
- Cheslak, W., The Power Herbs: 13 Herbs Every Medicine Cabinet Should
Have. North Carolina: Apothecary Herbs Press, 2001.
- Pierce, A., Natural Medicines. New York: Stonesong Press, 1999, pp.
246-247.
- PDR of Herbal Medicines. New York: Medical Economics Co., 1998.
The information contained herein is not intended to diagnosis, treat, prevent or cure any disease. Please seek medical advice from a licensed medical physician before using any herbal products or natural therapies. The information contained herein is copyrighted by Apothecary Herbs, Inc.
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