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Immune
System - How to Strengthen It
Within all of our bodies there is an army at work. As with the nations
of the world, some of these armies are strong and some of them are weak.
Some of them are ever vigilant for invaders; some of them fight the very
country they were employed to defend. Those of us with strong immune
systems are best able to ward off many invaders and thus stand a lessened
risk of disease. Others have immune systems which rebel and attack the
very bodies they were created to defend; we call these situations autoimmune
disorders. Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis are among the autoimmune disorders.
There are two main factors which determine the condition of our immune
systems; heredity and lifestyle. There is nothing we can do about our
heredity except take a warning from it, but we all can do much for our
lifestyles which can not only improve our chances of avoiding the chronic
diseases which plague our society, but can begin to reclaim ground lost
in your heredity so that you will be able to pass on a better legacy
to your heirs. So, without a long explanation on the wonders of the immune
system (see the June 1987 issue of National Geographic for that), what
follows will be a step by step explanation of how to strengthen the immune
system. This program will be beneficial for those having the most ominous
chronic diseases such as cancer and AIDS; and most of the principles
will also be of benefit to those who are healthy and would like to remain
that way.
1. The objectives of our treatments are to improve circulation to and
oxygenation of the cells, to change the intestinal flora with a high
fiber vegetarian diet, to discourage cancer cell growth with hot baths,
to stimulate the immune mechanism for cancer and infection resistance,
and to combat toxins causing anemia and loss of appetite.
2. The family and friends should have regular prayer for a miracle from
heaven. Trust God that He is loving, forgiving, healing and comforting.
Trust Him that every trial is for our development somehow, even when
it appears destructive. When Jacob was wrestling with the angel, it appeared
that having his thigh go out of joint was a terrible calamity which would
disable him, and he would not be able to save himself and his family.
But when his brother Esau saw the limp Jacob was left with, Esau became
sympathetic and his murderous wrath ceased. The trust exerted stimulates
the endorphin system, strengthening the immune system.
3. The Ideal Diet - The diet should be totally vegetarian, leaving off
all fats, all refined sugars, chemical additives, spices (but not herbs),
and vinegar, majoring on raw food and fresh juices, especially carrots,
and beets.
(a) Take two to three meals per day. Two are best. Never snack. Not a
sip, or a taste or morsel between meals.
(b) Have a set time for meals. Establish regularity and regimentation as far
as meals and sleep schedules are concerned.
(c) Read labels for irritants, harmful foods and additives such as vinegar,
monosodium glutamate, pepper (black, red, cayenne, “hot”), baking
powder and soda, animal products, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and allspice.
(d) Omit one to three meals weekly unless underweight.
(e) Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables uncooked.
(f) Eat slowly and chew well.
(g) Cook grains and legumes thoroughly. Grain preparations such as cracked
or whole kernel must be boiled gently for at least three hours. Rolled grains
need l1/2 hours. Cooking grains in a good crock pot is helpful.
(h) Enjoy gardening, but do not work to the point of exhaustion.
(i) Omit liquid foods at meals except on rare occasions. Liquid foods are pops,
juices, watery soups and other beverages. If juices are required in greater
quantity than 8 oz, make a meal of them only, and sip them slowly, mixing well
with saliva.
(j) Use frozen fruit blended with a little fruit juice, occasionally, as an
ice-cream substitute on hot days.
(k) Shop at health food stores and produce markets that keep fresh food because
of a rapid turnover.
(l) Let five hours pass between the end of one meal and the beginning of the
next.
(m) Never use soft drinks, coffee, teas, medicines, chocolate. May use herb
teas.
(n) Drink an 8 oz. glass of fresh carrot juice daily and sip it slowly at the
beginning of a vegetable, not fruit, meal.
(o) Eat fresh carrots, grapes, cabbage, asparagus, brussels sprouts, beets,
broccoli, dark greens, kohlrabi and cauliflower.
(p) Eat raw fruit or make fresh juice, including fresh lemon and grape or
carrot juice. But don’t eat, or drink the juice of, both fruits and
vegetables at the same meal. If possible, 50-80% of the meal should be taken
raw. Asparagus
and garlic have both been ascribed antiviral, anticancer qualities. Aloe
vera has a carbohydrate which may slow down the reproduction of HIV and boost
the
immune system. Licorice root tea also boosts immunity.
(q) Frequently choose cooked grains or vegetables from the following list.
These foods are selected because of their low phenylalanine and lysine content:
Potatoes (white or sweet), Corn, Oats, Carrots, Buckwheat, Wheat, Rice, Barley,
Millet, Rye, etc.
(r) Use immature legumes such as field peas or green peas not more than twice
a week, as they are high in phenylalanine and lysine. Select only one at a
meal.
(s) Use whole grain cereals or quick breads without sugar, baking powder or
soda, or excessive salt.
4. Teas (Antimicrobial)- (These teas should be taken continuously by
those having a serious chronic disease.)
(a) Echinacea and Chaparral. Echinacea strengthens the immune system
and Chaparral is an antibiotic. Put one heaping tablespoon of Echinacea
in one quart of boiling
water and boil gently for 30 minutes. Turn the flame off and add 2 tablespoons
of Chaparral. Let this mixture steep for 15 minutes. Drink one cup first
thing in the morning and finish the remainder of the quart throughout
the day. This
is one day’s dose. You must make the teas fresh daily; they lose their
potency after 24 hours.
(b) Pau d’ Arco, Blue Violet and Red Clover. These herbs strengthen the
immune system and cleanse the blood. Add 3 tablespoons of Pau d’ Arco
to one quart of boiling water and boil gently for 15 minutes. Turn flame off,
add 2 tablespoons of Blue Violet and 2 tablespoons of Red Clover to the Pau
d’ Arco and let the mixture steep for 15 minutes.
(c) Do not use sweeteners in your teas. Though they are medicinal and may not
appeal to your taste, the herbs were given to us by our Creator for healing.
Drink them faithfully!
(d) Golden Seal and Aloe Vera may be used.
(e) Consider the herb teas as part of your 8-10 cups of daily water intake.
(f) The herb teas should be continued after the fever treatments stop.
A SUGGESTED MEAL PLAN
Generous Breakfast: Fruit Meal.................
Breakfast main dish, Raw fruit, Other fruit, Whole grain bread, Fruit bread
or spread
Fruit meal: Spreads & Side dishes
Crushed Pineapple, Fruit Puddings, Apple Butter, Stewed Fruit Puree,
Pear Butter, Thick Apple Sauce, Avocado 1/4-1/3, Fruit Leather, Olives
4-6,
Fruit Butter or Spread
Good Dinner: Vegetable Meal....................
Dinner Main Dish, Raw Vegetable or Salad, Cooked Vegetable,
Whole Grain Bread, Side Dish or Spread
Oil-Free Spreads and Side Dishes
Coconut, Seeds, Nuts and Peanuts, One Tablespoon Millet Butter or Avocado Spread
Gravies and Sauces:
Cream Sauce, Millet Spread, Nut Gravies, Tomato Catsup, Brown Gravy,
Tomato-Pepper Puree, Bean Puree, Onion-Lemon Puree
(See the cookbook, Eat For Strength, Oil-Free Edition)
Spare Supper (or none)....................................
Fruit or Fruit Sauce, Herb teas, Bread, Crackers, Cereal
5. Evening Primrose oil - large doses (it incorporates into the viral
membrane wall increasing the susceptibility to the fever treatments).
Use up to 12 capsules a day during fever series.
6. Use the most excellent hygiene - vegetarian diet, exercise, sunshine,
regularity, early to bed, scrupulous cleanliness, orderliness, etc..
7. Use of garlic: 4 capsules, 8 tablets or one to two fresh cloves taken
3 times daily at mealtimes.
8. Give a 3-week course of zinc supplementation, 15 mg. per day.
9. Cold mitten friction: This hydrotherapy measure can be done several
times a day, as often as once an hour, as the energy of the patient or
the availability of time permits. Use it at least twice a day. It is
a good stimulant of the immune system.
10. Use fever treatments (see method given below). An infant under three
years of age should have the temperature very carefully controlled, bringing
the oral or rectal temperature up to 103o F, but not holding it there.
This may take only five to six minutes.
11. Continue cold mitten friction after fever series.
12. Take alternating hot and cold daily showers every morning or evening.
13. Exercise should consist of walking and purposeful outdoor labor
as much as possible. Other suggestions include the following:
(a) Swim.
(b) Split wood.
(c) Cycle: Stationary, three-wheeled, etc.
(d) Walk, walk, walk.
(e) Jog on padded surfaces as appropriate.
(f) Use rebounders (small trampolines), and simply bounce if your strength
is not sufficient to jump.
(g) Do gardening.
(h) Spas are useful if you have no other exercise possibilities.
(i) Lawn care is excellent outdoor work
(j) Do exercises daily, progressively, religiously, especially light exercise
after meals which promotes good digestion
(k) Get a minimum of 20 minutes, and up to 10 miles of walking daily. Exercise
produces brain substances (endorphins) which "do good like a medicine."
(l) If you do not feel like exercising, massage can help as it is "passive
exercise." Range of motion exercises can also help.
14. Water is a cleanser and a healer, used externally and internally.
(a) 6-10 cups of water, as pure as possible, between meals each day.
Regular bowel movements daily are very important. Two cups of very
warm water upon
arising in the morning are very helpful for this. Most of the water you
need will be supplied in the form of the herb teas listed above.
(b) A daily bath is essential, personal hygiene is a must. Wear a clean
change of clothes daily.
(c) Clean and neat living conditions and fastidious kitchen facilities are
important.
(d) Fifteen fever treatments spread over three weeks constitutes one series
of treatments. Give two series of three weeks each, pausing for one week
after the first three weeks before beginning the second series. There should
be five
treatments in a week, but not usually more than one fever treatment per day
for adults. Interrupt the treatment program every five days with a two-day
rest. If the patient responds to the two series of treatments, in three months,
using the same routine, go through another two series of the fever treatments.
i. Use a hot bath of 108-110 degrees F. to accomplish this "Fever" or “Hyperthermia” treatment.
ii. Obtain 102-104 degrees F. orally and maintain it for 20-40 minutes,
as tolerated.
iii. When the oral temperature goes above 100 degrees F. or the patient
begins to sweat, keep the face and head very cool with icy cloths changed
often.
iv. Keep the bath water 110-112 degrees F. while the oral temperature
is 102-105 degrees F. Do this by draining off some of the cooling water
and adding hot water.
v. End the hot treatment with a tepid shower, brisk drying, one hour
of bed rest with an ice pack wrapped in a towel on the forehead.
vi. Prevent chilling after the treatment.
vii. Abort the treatment if the heart rate rises above 160 in a person
under age 50. Abort the treatment if the heart rate rises above 140 in
a person over age 50. For more details on fever treatments see the book
Home Remedies.
15. Sunshine - A 20 to 30 minute sunbath daily would be helpful. It
is adequate to expose only the face and arms. Always avoid the sun as
much as possible between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., as it actually
reduces the immunity.
16. Moderation - God will supply power and help for all your needs once
and for all: overeating, snacking between meals, indulgence of unhealthful
habits (caffeine, nicotine, marijuana), purging, prescription or nonprescription
drug usage, masturbation or other improper expressions of sexuality.
17. Air
(a) Fresh, outdoor air. Avoid smog, motor exhaust, hydrocarbons, tobacco
smoke, hairspray and other toxic substances.
(b) Keep correct posture.
(c) Keep sleeping rooms well aired, summer and winter, good weather and
bad, being careful not to sleep in a draft.
(d) Spend more and more time out-of-doors.
(e) Take 20 deep breaths outdoors or near an open window 2-4 times per day.
(f) Blow up balloons to encourage oxygenation of tissues.
(g) Hike in the beauties of nature.
(h) Spend time out of cities as much as possible.
(i) Remember that prayer is the breath of the soul.
18. Rest
(a) Establish regularity, routine, order and predictability of daily
activities.
(b) Simplicity, quietness of living is the goal.
(c) Refuse consistent overworking or hectic pacing.
(d) Quit your overly stressful job and whittle various involvements out
of your life.
(e) Prioritize your life with much prayer.
(f) Keep the Sabbath holy. God made the Sabbath for man and specially blesses
those who commune with Him that day by spending every possible moment in
Bible reading, meditation, prayer, and studying spiritual lessons in nature.
You
need a day of rest, and you also need the blessing of knowing that particular
segment of the week is a memorial to man’s creation. We are that special
to God
(g) Rise and retire at set times. If you work afternoon or night shifts, change
job assignments if at all possible.
(h) Omit TV, Rock n’ Roll, novels, love stories, idle talk, frivolity
and any other neurologically exciting but depleting activities. Just as things
we see can cause profound mental and emotional changes, so can what we hear.
Give yourself every advantage.
(i) Learn to live simply, spending less money on yourself, more to help others.
(j) Refuse to defend yourself, argue, worry or complain.
(k) If you are not sleeping well at night, do not nap during the afternoon.
You may take a short nap (less than an hour) before dinner.
(l) Try to have one day off each week besides Sabbath. Use this day for personal
chores and private projects; this is not selfish. Your first duty to God and
to others is that of self-development.
19. Trust in divine power
(a) Reevaluate your relationship to God.
(b) Begin each day or end each day with a quiet hour or so alone with
God in prayer and Bible reading.
(c) Keep your joys, thanks, needs, sorrows, sins, cares and fears before God.
(d) Talk to Him all day. Recognize that a divine being, a guardian angel, is
always with you.
(e) Read Desire of Ages, Ministry of Healing, (Health and Happiness), and Counsels
on Diet and Foods. These books may be obtained from an Adventist Book Center
or a Seventh-day Adventist church. Take seriously any lessons learned, even
if they seem unimportant.
(f) Participate in morning and evening devotions.
(g) Become a committed Christian anew every day.
(h) Accept the circumstances of daily life even if they are not what you may
have planned or chosen. Everything God allows to come to you is an education,
even the trials. If accepted graciously, all trials bring joy.
(i) Pray for God’s will to be done and do not insist on healing. He doesn’t
heal everyone but He desires to save every living soul - all who give their
full allegiance to Him. Have faith that God will accomplish the very best
thing for your life.
(j) Be thankful, cheerful, prayerful. These attitudes produce the endorphins.
These are merry hormones and happy chemicals that fight cancer and promote
a sense of well-being.
(k) Consider an anointing service.
(l) You will need our Lord to help you make these lifestyle changes and to
maintain them.
20. Dress
(a) Wear simple, modest, healthful, clean and attractive clothing.
(b) Natural fibers and blends are best.
(c) Keep your limbs as warm as your forehead.
(d) Do not have more layers on the trunk than on the feet and calves.
(e) Wear no tight bands or restrictive garments, especially around
the chest and abdomen.
Epilogue
When Paul wrote, "The very God of peace sanctify you wholly" (1
Thess. 5:23), he did not exhort his brethren to aim at a standard which
it was impossible for them to reach; he did not pray that they might
have blessings which it was not the will of God to give. He knew that
all who would be fitted to meet Christ in peace must possess a pure and
holy character. "Every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate
in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an
incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not
as one that beateth the air; but I keep under my body, and bring it into
subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I
myself should be a castaway." (1 Cor. 9:25-27) "What? know
ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you,
which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with
a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which
are God’s.” (1 Cor. 6:19,20)
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