Living in an integrated world

Reviewing the profile picture you find a photo of my great, great, great Grandfather. A Cherokee (Mason Maize) who was a member of the Confederate forces in Kentucky during the Civil war. Perhaps a bit unusual to some for a Native American, but not unusual for the times. Indian peoples were diverse and amazing people, who managed to survive an onslaught designed to eliminate them from the Americas from the time of settlement by the European invaders. Native Americans managed to survive and even prosper despite best efforts by the invaders.

Much of what survived with them was the knowledge of Herbal medicine. My experiences as a child with a Winnebago mother included forays into the fields and wood around our home during which my mother would point out plants and explain to me how they were used by our people to treat various illnesses. In addition to my mother, one of my uncles who lived close by practiced herbal medicine as well. In fact, many others to whom I was exposed as a youngster knew no other way of treatment.

This experience and the further discussions with my uncle furthered my education and belief that nature and the creator provide a very tightly woven safety net that allows us to live a healthy and robust life if we pay attention to what nature provides us. I was lucky enough as he aged to be assisted by his MD., who was very open to the use of herbal medicines. I furnished his doctor with research and together we would review the research for it's uses and efficacy. I began later to do this for any others who asked. With this excellent team of individuals we enabled him to live a long productive life and remain disease free as well as sidestepping all the difficulties and maladies that bedevil most of us as we age. I am eternally grateful for his physician, who with his open mind aided us in his long journey.

This being said, I been prompted to share some of my experiences and research regarding the continued discoveries in the world of herbal medicines and the success and help they may bring to those who have an interest in their use. This has been prompted by the growing belief, (supported by research) that we family of humans have been gifted with an amazing natural pharmacy. This gift by the Creator upon investigation indicates a protective umbrella integrated into our biology, designed to keep us healthy and well despite the growing daily assaults on our person by foods, chemicals, stress and more that alter our ability to enjoy the gift of life given by the Creator. With this in mind I have embarked upon, (with some encouragement) to share some of that which I have learned with the help of others and a determination to understand the mystery of what it means to be healthy in this age of rampant disease and disability.

Most of what I will post will be from my readings on traditional, native and Chinese/Ayurvedic medicines. Most will be backed with current links to verifiable research by medical research teams from around the globe. I hope it will be useful and open new doors for helping people help themselves with the aid of like minded medical professionals. Incidentally, you may find upon asking that many physicians these days are open to these alternative therapies if you just ask.

Vern R. Clay-McFalls
1/4/2015