A BETTER WAY TO HEAL

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Have a headache? Before you automatically reach for that aspirin, first ask yourself: What is the source my headache? Perhaps your pain is trying to tell you something: You're under a lot of stress, or have had too much caffeine or not enough sleep. Then, consider the original source of aspirin: the inner bark of the willow tree. The cambium layer of willow bark contains salicin, which the body converts to salicylic acid-the active ingredient in most aspirin. If you grew a willow bush or tree in your yard, you could prune off a small twig, remove the bark, brew that bark for a few minutes in warm water, and then drink it for headaches. The tea may be mildly bitter, but will work (more or less) as well as aspirin. Willow is extremely common worldwide along waterways.

Diabetes

According to long-standing traditions throughout northern Mexico, eating the young prickly pear cactus pad (once the stickers are removed) is said to help with diabetes. In the past 20 years, I have met dozens of people who claim to have had relief from adult-onset diabetes by consuming the cactus, and I've met three who actually stopped taking insulin. Doctors who have researched this have come up with some medical verification. They say that the prickly pear contains a substance that strengthens the pancreas so it is more able to produce insulin. Plus, they say the fiber content of the cactus is beneficial. Consuming the cactus fruits has also been shown to be helpful for prostate problems.

Prickly pear cactus is not restricted to the Southwest. It is common throughout the Plains, and at least one variety is common along the Atlantic coast.

These are just a few examples of how we can obtain many of our needed healthful vitamins, necessary nutrients, and even medications from plants growing all around us.

Needless to say, none of the above is intended to replace competent, professional medical care for serious illness. In the interest of increasing wisdom and self-reliance, learning which plants can be used in place of bottled vitamin pills and simple medicines will ultimately be more health-promoting.

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