Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Soul, Slaves, and Addiction

By Dr. Matthew Anderson

I have two questions:

1. Are you an addict?
2. Are you soul-deprived?

What do I mean by addict? The word addict is derived from the Latin addictus which means "given over as one awarded to another as a slave". My question, then, might be translated as "What are you enslaved to?"

If you ponder this question, you might discover that you are actually a slave to more than one substance or behavior. You may be a workaholic (a very serious and debilitating addiction), a spendaholic (potentially just as destructive), a drug addict, an alcoholic, a compulsive gambler, or a sexaholic. Your enslavement of choice could also be to cigarettes, exercise, dieting, or food (60% of America). The list is endless...

I hope my point is clear: Much or most of America is addicted (enslaved) to something, seriously, self-destructively, enslaved. And we thought we put an end to that nasty stuff in 1861!

Why have we become a nation of addicts rabidly in search of the next high? The answer to this question is in question 2 above: Are you soul-deprived?

What is soul-deprivation?

To quote Thomas Moore (THE CARE OF THE SOUL), symptoms that reflect a loss of soul include emptiness, meaninglessness, vague depression, disillusionment about marriage, family and relationship, loss of values, yearning for personal fulfillment (and not finding it), a hunger for (authentic) spirituality... and addiction (my addition).

Almost everyone I know has one or more of these symptoms. They are the signs of a post-modern world and they are painful, deep-seated, and complex -- and are (in my opinion), the central causes of all our addictions.

If soul deprivation is so pervasive, then it probably is affecting you and/or someone you love in some meaningful way. It may be fueling an addiction or at least some compulsive behavior that distracts or threatens to harm or destroy some aspect of your life. The question then is: What can you do about it? How can you learn to recognize and meet your soul needs?

The answer to this incredibly important question is complex and certainly requires more than one brief article (there will be more) -- but here are a few guidelines that you can explore immediately.

Creating a Soulful Life

1. Begin to see your life as a work of art. Imagine that you are an artist and that each day you have an opportunity to create it in your own special way.Remember that life is a Mystery and approach it that way. Let go, at least briefly, of goals, 5-year plans, bottom line numbers, material acquisition and control and open yourself to the Mystery and the unknown.
2. Open your heart and your mind to the people in your life (family, friends, co-workers and even strangers). Learn to feel for and with them.
3. Spend today giving instead of receiving or taking.
4. Take a long walk ALONE at least once a week. No iPod, no cell phone, just you, ALONE.
5. Search for soulful resources. Look for people, books, music, places, activities that nurture your soul and invite them into your daily life. This also means it will be important to avoid soul-depriving people, substances, books, music, television (almost all of it), and activities.

If you nurture your soul daily, you will find that your addictions begin to lose their hold on your life. It is your choice. It is your soul.

[Ed. note: Dr. Matthew Anderson is an author (The Prayer Diet), counselor and national columnist/expert on weight loss, motivation, self-management and relationships. To find tough-minded, outside-the-box guidance for taking charge of your life and/or your weight including Eating to Kill, click here.]

In this time of tremendous global change, one of the greatest opportunities we have is the increased possibility for sharing among the peoples of the world. The technological innovations of our culture, combined with the profound understandings of unity and ecological attunement of the indigenous cultures of our world, provide the "raw material" for a powerful and unprecedented synergy that can uplift all of mankind.

Our culture is now being gifted with the healing herbs (and the information about how to use them) from the Amazon Rainforest ... and we have the opportunity to not only heal ourselves with these gifts ... we have the power to help insure that the land and the people who steward the land that provide these gifts are cared for and honored ... But I am getting ahead of my story.

In future articles I will discuss the importance of preserving the Amazon Rainforest, and introduce you to many powerful healing herbal formulas -- but today, I want to tell you about a single herb that many believe is one of the most important healing herbs on our planet: Uña de Gato (also known as Cat's Claw and Unicaria tomentosa).

Without making any medical claims, I can share with you that even a cursory review of available literature (see below) supports the view that this herb has the following actions:

• Stimulates the immune system
• Fights inflammation
• Protects against cell mutation
• Is Anti-ulcerous

Research also supports the following properties of Uña de Gato:

• Anti-oxidant
• Anti-viral
• Anti-depressant

Other properties/actions documented by traditional use:

• Analgesic (pain-reliever)
• Anti-coagulant (blood thinner)
• Blood cleanser and detoxifier
• Diuretic (increases urination)
• Gastro-tonic (tones, balances, and strengthens the digestive tract)
• Tonic (tones, balances, and strengthens overall body functions)
• Wound healer

Based on my personal experience of using Uña de Gato, one unique aspect of the herb is that while it is "cooling" -- in the sense that it reduces pain and inflammation, it is also "warming" -- in the sense that it is tonifying to the body, making it a good choice for people that feel weak, cold, and rundown. It can also be safely taken for a long period of time.

Uña de Gato is convenient to ingest. Fluid extracts and powdered capsules are easily available and quite affordable. A monthly supply is often less than $30.00.
Many people have reported significant benefits while taking Uña de Gato. For example, I recommended it for one of my patients with a clogged breast duct. She felt better within hours. By the second day she reported that her pain and swelling were gone.

I do not believe that Uña de Gato is treating or curing anything. Instead, it catalyzes the body's own innate healing energies -- and the body heals itself!
If you review the above lists summarizing the major properties and actions of Uña de Gato, I'm sure you can begin to appreciate its potential value for those of us dealing with the challenges of "modern" life.

Uña de Gato has been a blessing in my life and in the lives of many others. I encourage you to do your own investigation to see if it might be appropriate for you. You can find more information on this remarkable herb on my website.

Until Next Time.

Published Research

Immunostimulant & Immunomodulatory Actions:
Spelman, K., et al. Altern. Med. Rev. 2006 Jun; 11(2): 128-50.
Eberlin, S., et al. Int. Immunopharmacol. 2005; 5(7-8):1235-46.
Deharo, E., et al. 2004 Sep; 11(6): 516-22.
Anti-inflammatory Actions:
Hardin, S. R. Ther. Clin. Pract. 2007 Feb; 13(1): 25-8.
Allen-Hall, L., et al. J. Ethnopharmacol. 2007 Jan; 109(2): 312-7.
Valerio, L. G., et al. Toxicol. Rev. 2005; 24(1): 11-35.
Anticancerous & Antitumor Actions:
Gonzales, G.F., et al Anticancer Agents Med. Chem. 2006 Sep; 6(5): 429-44.
Bacher, N., et al. Br. J. Haematol. 2006 Mar; 132(5): 615-22.
Riva, L., et al. Anticancer Res. 2001; 21(4A): 2457-61.
Sheng, Y., et al. Anticancer Res. 1998; 18(5A): 3363-68.
Cellular Protective & Antioxidant Actions:
Mammone, T., et al. Phytother. Res. 2006; 20(3): 178-83.
Pilarski, R., et al. J. Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Mar; 104(1-2): 18-23.
Sheng, Y., et al. J. Ethnopharmacol. 2000; 69(2): 115-26.
Actions on the Brain and Memory:
Mohamed, A. F., et al. J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 2001; 52(12): 1553-61.
Castillo, G., et al. Patent-Pct. Int. Paol. 1998; 00 33,659: 67pp.
Antimicrobial Actions:
Kloucek, P., et al J. Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Jun; 99(2): 309-12.
Aquino, R., et al. J. Nat. Prod. 1989; 4(52): 679-85.

[Ed Note: David Kamnitzer, D.C. is an expert at helping people achieve high levels of health and well-being -- far beyond what is available simply through drugs and surgery alone. He combines his 20-year clinical experience and extensive knowledge in structural, nutritional, and energetic balancing to offer individuals cutting-edge approaches to healing. To learn more, click here.]

Asparagus grows very early in the spring, so the best asparagus is in stores now. Look for firm and plump spears, not wrinkled and dehydrated. This delicate and delicious vegetable is a storehouse of vital nutrients needed for healing and immune boosting. Asparagus is also a great source of inulin, a type of fiber that promotes growth of good bacteria in the gut.

Excellent source of: vitamin A, vitamin C, and folate
Good source of: riboflavin, vitamin B6, copper, thiamin, niacin, and manganese

Serves: 4

Ingredients:*
2 pounds fresh asparagus
2 T. organic butter
1 T. fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp. lemon zest (if desired)

*Use all organic ingredients for optimal nutrition.

Directions:
Break asparagus spears off at the bottom where they start to turn white. Steam asparagus to desired tenderness in a pan with about 1/2 inch of water. Melt butter (2 to 4 tablespoons) in a small saucepan. Stir in lemon juice and add lemon zest. Place asparagus spears on plate and drizzle with butter sauce. For a variety of flavors with this same recipe try adding slivered almonds to the butter or add a teaspoon of chopped chives or parsley.

Nutrient Analysis:
105 calories, 6 g. total fat, 4 g. saturated fat, 0 g. monounsaturated fat, 0 g. polyunsaturated fat, 18 mg. cholesterol, 10 g. carbohydrate, 4 g. fiber, 4g. sugar, 6 g. protein, 1220 IU vitamin A, 0.3 mg. thiamin, 0.3 mg. riboflavin, 2.5 mg. niacin, 0.3 mg. vitamin B6, 0.4 mg. pantothenic acid, 26 mg. vitamin C, 332 mcg. folate, 46 mg. calcium, 0.3 mg. copper, 25 mg. sodium, 370 mg. potassium, 25 mg. magnesium, 4 mcg. selenium, 0.4 mg manganese, 1 mg zinc

[Ed. Note: Laura B. LaValle, RD, LD is presently the director of dietetics nutrition at LaValle Metabolic Institute (formerly part of Living Longer Institute). She offers personal nutritional counseling at LMI for clients who need help with their diet in relation to illness or disease. Laura also provides educational services in the areas of health promotion, wellness, and disease prevention. To learn more click here.]

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