brmecham

The Book of Mormon, Alma 46:40 "...excellent qualities of the many plants and roots which God had prepared to remove the cause of diseases, to which men were subject..." Doctrine and Covenants 42:43 "And whosoever among you are sick, and have not faith to be healed, but believe, shall be nourished with all tenderness, with herbs and mild food, and that not by the hand of an enemy." Doctrine and Covenants 89:11 "...all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man"

Bob_Blaylock, Your use of scare tactics is very sad. I could also find all kinds of pictures and stories of tragedy and death caused by pharmaceutical medicines, but I won't. Displaying that sort of pictures and associating it with 'herbs' is totally uncalled for. I know dozens of people who use herbs on a regular basis and none have experienced negative results as this. Everyone I know that uses herbs is using the time tested safe herbs.

I can't understand how something taught in the scriptures (that God gave us herbs for treating diseases) could be considered so controversial among latter-day saints.The thread was started by ZenMormon for the purpose of discussing "Herbal Medicine and Alternative Therapies" not for people to hijack it with discussions of pharmaceutical medicine.

Dove, (and others) you probably have an idea of my personal preferences from previous postings I have made on this discussion... I hope you'll take my recommendations with the full sincerity that I offer them. It certainly can be devistating to go off medications "cold turkey", in fact the side-effects of withdrawl can be worse than the side-effects inherent in the medication in the first place (like you've already mentioned). If you feel like going off any medication you've been on for a period of time (especially antidepressants) you must taper off of them very slowly. If you've been on antidepressants for years it might actually take over a year to properly taper. In the mean time, and this could also help with the diabetes and other problems, my recommendations are (and maybe you're already doing some of these things, this is also as a reminder to myself :) )... - Exercise at least 20 minutes a day, 5 days a week. - Get enough sleep (at least 8 hours) and don't stay up too late. The best time to go to sleep is before 10 or 11pm. - Get at least 20 minutes of sunlight a day. - Drink a lot of water. - Avoid white sugar, carbonated beverages and other junk foods. No aspartame or other synthetic sugar replacements. - Eat mostly vegetables and fruits, little meat and little processed foods. - You may want to try going cutting out dairy. (at least no milk) - Cutting out milk did wonders for my health (a Doctor in Florida took autistic and schizophrenic children Off of dairy, 80% had their symptoms disappear.) I used to drink milk like it was water! and I never realized the problems it was causing me until I stopped drinking it. (My alternative is Rice Milk) Is this easy? Not at all... but I know it's worth it, despite how hard it can be to make a health lifestyle a habit... I also struggle with the above, but I've experienced the benefits and that gives me hope each day to try harder. You never know the effects it will have on you until you try it. You'll notice I'm not recommending you do anything dangerous, just things that have been proven to dramatically improve the health of many individuals. Regarding "homeopathic remedies" I don't know (some say homeopathic are nothing more than a sugar pill with a placebo effect)... but what I have plenty of experience with is Herbs and Essential Oils. Some recommendations I have regarding herbs you may want to consider taking on a daily/weekly basis are: - Cayenne Pepper capsules - Garlic Oil capsules - Dr Christopher's Immune System formula (chromium supplement may help with the diabetes) - Quercetin with Bromelain is great too. You may want to spend some time researching on the Herbal Supplements | Dr. John Christopher and Dr. Christopher's Herbal Legacy - Dr. John Christopher is LDS and spent many years developing various herbal formulas for many purposes. And remember, even more important than the herbs is a consistent healthy lifestyle.

Actually they didn't "know" the earth was flat they theorized.There are thousands of years of experiential knowledge behind many herbs and their effects - this isn't just theory, but people have actually experienced healing. Even the scriptures tell us that God gave us herbs that would cure diseases: "the excellent qualities of the many plants and roots which God had prepared to remove the cause of diseases" (Alma 46:40) And for your information. The people I know who have cured diabetes, cancer and other conditions have not done it with herbs alone, but also through a lifestyle change consistent with healthy living as outlined in the word of wisdom, and proper excercise, sunlight, sleep, etc.

I agree. Pharmaceutical medicine would be the rare exception for me.I've personally experienced the benefits of herbs. I also know others who have used herbs and healthy living to cure cancer, liver / kidney / gall bladder problems, asthma, allergies, depression and more. Some prefer man-made medicine... I prefer the "excellent qualities of the many plants and roots which God had prepared to remove the cause of diseases" (Alma 46:40)

I know what those kind of houses are like, and the only solution is to start throwing things away! If your mom really wants it clean, really, she'll have to go through it and get rid of lots of stuff, or let you get rid of stuff for her.Often, in situations like this, you'll find there are plenty of things that haven't been touched for ever or that you really don't "need". Get rid of those things.

I'd rather be healed through faith, and herbs and natural remedies that have been tested for thousands of years.Obviously there are flaws in the so-called rigorous clinical trials and tests, that's why occasionally you'll hear reports of such and such pharmaceutical medicine being banned because too many people are dying from its side-effects. I'll take my god-made herbs over man-made medicines.

How about we let Elder Boyd K. Packer answer that one for you, since I feel he explained it very well..."Our physical body is the instrument of our spirit. In that marvelous revelation, the Word of Wisdom, we are told how to keep our bodies free from impurities which might dull, even destroy, those delicate physical senses which have to do with spiritual communication. "The Word of Wisdom is a key to individual revelation. It was given as “a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints.” (D&C 89:3.) "The promise is that those who obey will receive “great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures.” (D&C 89:19.) If we abuse our body with habit-forming substances, or misuse prescription drugs, we draw curtains which close off the light of spiritual communication." (Boyd K. Packer, “Revelation in a Changing World,” Ensign, Nov 1989, 14)

Sorry, but my focus is on teaching principles, not exceptions - medication is the exception, medication is the alternative... it's a band-aid to cover up the problem and does not provide a solution. I don't see why people can't just accept and allow other viewpoints on the forum? I don't tell you to "STOP telling people that medicine will cure them" (even though it's true, that medicine doesn't cure, it only covers up the symptom)... I simply present my viewpoint, which has thousands of years of positive results backing it up. "We live in a day when the adversary stresses on every hand the philosophy of instant gratification. We seem to demand instant everything, including instant solutions to our problems. "We are indoctrinated that somehow we should always by instantly emotionally comfortable. When that is not so, some become anxious—and all too frequently seek relief from counseling, from analysis, and even from medication. "It was meant to be that life would be a challenge. To suffer some anxiety, some depression, some disappointment, even some failure is normal. "Teach our members that if they have a good, miserable day once in a while, or several in a row, to stand steady and face them. Things will straighten out. "There is great purpose in our struggle in life." (Boyd K. Packer, “Solving Emotional Problems in the Lord’s Own Way,” Ensign, May 1978, 91)

I use herbs, essential oils, and other natural remedies every time anyone in my family gets sick (which isn't very often). (Along with priesthood blessings, of course). ZenMormon, are there any links to websites that you recommend that someone can turn to for advice on which remedies/herbs should be used for certain illnesses? One of my favorites is Herbal Supplements | Dr. John Christopher (He's LDS too) Here are some great quotes from LDS Prophets and other Latter-day Saints pertaining to this topic: "And whosoever among you are sick, and have not faith to be healed, but believe, shall be nourished with all tenderness, with herbs and mild food, and that not by the hand of an enemy. "And the elders of the church, two or more, shall be called, and shall pray for and lay their hands upon them in my name; and if they die they shall die unto me, and if they live they shall live unto me." (D&C 42:43–44) "I preached to a large congregation at the stand, on the science and practice of medicine, desiring to persuade the Saints to trust in God when sick, and not in the arm of flesh, and live by faith and not by medicine, or poison; and when they were sick, and had called for the Elders to pray for them, and they were not healed, to use herbs and mild food." (Joseph Smith Jr., President of the Church, 5 September 1841) [History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, vol. 4, intro. and notes by B. H. Roberts, second edition revised (Salt Lake City, Utah: The Deseret Book Company, 1976), p. 414.] "And there were some who died with fevers, which at some seasons of the year were very frequent in the land—but not so much so with fevers, because of the excellent qualities of the many plants and roots which God had prepared to remove the cause of diseases, to which men were subject by the nature of the climate" (Alma 46:40) "If you are sick, live by faith, and let surgeon’s medicine alone if you want to live, using only such herbs and mild food as are at your disposal. If you give heed to this counsel, you will prosper; but if not, we cannot be responsible for the consequences. A hint to the wise is sufficient." (The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 19 August 1846) [“Letter to the Mormon Battalion,” Messages of the First Presidency, edited by James R. Clark, vol. 1 (Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft Inc., 1965), p. 302.] "It is the duty of every father and mother to live so that they may have the mind and will of the Lord concerning their duties to their families. If they are not called to exercise the priesthood which they hold, more than to administer to their children, it is their duty to live so as to know how to teach, lead and advise their children; and if they are disposed they may have the privilege, for it is God’s mind and will that they should know just what to do for them when they are sick. Instead of calling for a doctor you should administer to them by the laying on of hands and anointing with oil, and give them mild food, and herbs, and medicines that you understand; and if you want the mind and will of God at such a time, get it, it is just as much your privilege as of any other member of the Church and kingdom of God." (Brigham Young, President of the Church, 31 August 1875)[“Present Revelation Necessary to Lead the Church—The Apostleship—Present Revelation Necessary for All—Evils of Waste, Intemperance, and Extravagance—True Reformation Is to Cease from Doing Evil,” reported by David W. Evans, Journal of Discourses, vol. 18 (Liverpool: Joseph F. Smith, 1877), pp. 71–72.] "I have no doubt that we should very soon become a healthy and strong people if we would strictly follow the suggestions contained in the Word of Wisdom and the ordinary rules of health which common sense suggests; and then exercise faith in the ordinances of the gospel for the benefit of the afflicted, instead of sending for a doctor the moment we feel indisposed. This latter course shows a lack of faith. But unbelief is natural where disobedience has been practiced. . . . It is a shame to us as a people that we neglect, as many of us do, the gifts of healing and the gift to be healed which the Lord has so mercifully given to us. It is a disgrace that many possessing a mere smattering of medical knowledge and can speedily obtain a practice netting annually thousands of dollars, while the great Giver of life, who knows how to provide every organ of the body is unsought in the hour of sickness. It is a standing reproach to us, we still place more reliance on the skill and knowledge of man, than on the power of God." (Abraham H. Cannon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles)[in John Heinerman, Joseph Smith and Herbal Medicine (Monrovia, California: Majority of One Press, 1975), chapter 8.] "The condition of the physical body can affect the spirit. That’s why the Lord gave us the Word of Wisdom. He also said that we should retire to our beds early and arise early (see D&C 88:124), that we should not run faster than we have strength (see D&C 10:4), and that we should use moderation in all good things. In general, the more food we eat in its natural state and the less it is refined without additives, the healthier it will be for us. Food can affect the mind, and deficiencies in certain elements in the body can promote mental depression. A good physical examination periodically is a safeguard and may spot problems that can be remedied. Rest and physical exercise are essential, and a walk in the fresh air can refresh the spirit. Wholesome recreation is part of our religion, and a change of pace is necessary, and even its anticipation can lift the spirit." (Ezra Taft Benson, President of the Quorum of the Twelve, 5 Oct. 1974) [“Do Not Despair,” Ensign, vol. 4, no. 11 (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Nov. 1974), p. 66.]

I apologize. It's sad that others are so quick to attack my views, yet, I didn't attack their views at all, only presented a differing opinion. Anyways, I got the input I was looking for regarding the effects of antidepressants on feelings the spirit, and the way the discussion is going now there's not much point in continuing... so I'm on to other topics...

Sorry ryanh, I'm not here to advertise I'm here to help. The OP had a question... most referred back to the right medication/doses and yet I didn't attack them for their opinions (like you have attacked me) I simply offer an alternative solution. Your attack on me is completely un-christlike.

I've seen people cured of "bipolar" as a result of making a dramatic lifestyle change... getting plenty of sunlight each day, drinking lots of water, exercise / physical activity, get enough sleep, a diet of mostly fruits and vegetables. You may have to give up dairy, white sugar, possibly even wheat? Anyways, I'm not a doctor, I've just seen what works for people... but if I were to recommend a doctor who is educated on both side (medication / natural) it's Hugo Rodier, M.D. : http://www.hugorodier.com/ also Dr. Ann Blake Tracy: Board

Funny video... and sad, because it reflects upon decades of terrible, unconstitutional, freedom-destroying actions and policies of most President's, Senator's and Representatives in the Federal Government from both major parties.