Its Only Natural

What’s better? Sitting in the mountains, by a lake, enjoying the scenery and the wildlife, or, sitting in your living room, studying a painting of a mountain lake? Or consider: would you rather stand fully clothed in your bathroom shower, feeling the water hit your face, or, stand outside, face-upwards under a warm, summer rain?

Experiencing what the Living Creator of all things has made always strikes a deeper chord in me. I love to watch the songbirds at our feeders. I love sitting on the beach, watching the breakers in the morning; hopefully catching early dolphins just offshore.

Into each of our hearts, God has implanted a deep desire for the experience of His creation. And yet, why would we suddenly veer off course when it comes to healthy living? Why do we allow ourselves to settle for substitutes?

Back in 2004, I was trying desperately to lose weight. (It’s been a “yo-yo” thing my whole life, especially as I’ve gotten older.) At that time, I had become gradually aware that my appetite for food had become out of balance with the rest of my life. It wasn’t an addiction yet, but it was heading that direction. So, I felt drawn to make a change. How best to bring those appetites back into line?

As usual, I had done research, (maybe too much), and had a plethora of methods and ideas presenting themselves. Instead of asking God first, before I researched, I had waited until I was fully confused to pray. (Sounds like a plan, doesn’t it?) In response, the Holy Spirit gave me a simple idea.

“Eat what I made.” Sounds simple, doesn’t it? It wasn’t an audible voice or anything, but I felt the words in my heart. And I had the added understanding I needed to avoid bread and processed sugars completely.

Now, had I stayed with that Plan, I might never have experienced the problems which apparently began four years later. But, as with most things, when the weight began to come off, I was sharing my delight with someone, and they made the observation, “Oh, you’re doing low-carb!”

I still wish I had kept things simple. But I didn’t. And of course, I researched “low-carb.” Then, without asking God about it, I modified my diet accordingly.

Dumb. Really dumb.

Did you know that extra-virgin olive oil and real butter are better for your body than low-fat spreads? (I know that now….)

Did you know that your brain needs carbs in order to process information? Without them, you get about half-function and poor focus? (I know that now….)

I became aggressive, and bought a book/guide for a famous low-carb diet. I limited myself to 30 carbs a day, and avoided anything white (or starchy) completely. I purchased low-carb meal replacements and snack bars. I learned to like diet sodas.  One day, I was sitting in the office with what had become my normal afternoon snack, and I was suddenly struck with the observation that my food appetites had not really changed. I was eating a low carb snack bar, and drinking a diet soda.  (It was still a candy bar with a soda!!) Only now --- my choices were “acceptable.” Low carb.

I wish I could say I made a full change at that moment, but I didn’t.  (Why do we keep going down a wrong path, even when we become aware we are doing the wrong things?)  

Unseating those appetites was just too difficult. It would require another change – and I had already made so many changes. (Yeah, right. I had no idea what was ahead with my diagnosis…..)

Besides, I wanted those pounds to “peel off” fast. At the time, I wasn’t really concerned with what a high-fat, low-carb diet was doing to my pancreas, my liver, or my metabolism long term. I just wanted the results to happen.  And I wanted them quickly. 

I was driven to achieve my goal.

You see, I had gradually moved away from the simple plan I had been given. I had modified it. In my presumption, I assumed I “knew” what it meant, and why God had instructed me to stick to eating what He made. 

Now? Twelve years later? I’m starting to understand what that simple phrase really meant. The simpler the better. And I’m getting stronger every day. (And enjoying it, I might add!)

We have done the same thing in our society’s approach to living healthy, haven’t we?  Why do we think that faster is better? Especially when we approach physical cures. And, many times, we can become so sick that we have to take medications which, while addressing our symptoms, don’t actually strengthen our body’s immunities or help us to become able to live without concern when we are around a friend or neighbor’s child battling a virus.

There is a story still told in France, with its basis in truth, now legend. Back in the days of the Bubonic Plague, people were dying left and right. In fact, some areas of Asia, the Middle East and Europe lost as many as 60% of its citizens during what became known as the pandemic of the Black Death. During that time, the bodies of the dead were carted away and burned.  The story goes that four rich merchants found themselves going out of business due to a loss of customers and income. In reaction, the men banded together and determined to loot valuables from the bodies of the dead. In this way, they planned to use them to stay financially afloat.

Not knowing what disease was killing everyone around them, these desperate men decided to use the strongest medicines they knew of at the time. They made a mixture of oils and vinegar, and bathed in that mixture before approaching their intended quarry. And, although all four tended to the burning of the bodies, and gathered corpses from Plague-affected homes, none of them ever became ill. I like to think of them as having each one lived through the Plague, realizing old age with their families. (But in truth, their thievery was discovered and they were executed; after being forced to disclose the secret of their mutual physical immunity.)

Several recipes for this mixture were developed over the two centuries in which the disease spread throughout the entire known world. In fact, a copy of one of the recipes for this mixture was found on the walls of a house in Marseilles, France, and still exists in a museum there. Another such formula was used in Italy.  The resulting substances were known as “Four Thieves Vinegar,” or “Seven Thieves Vinegar.” (I have copied the recipe for you at the end of today’s blog, thanks to Wikipedia).  Over time, modern versions have come to be created from essential oils. There are several recipes, but most contain blends of lavender, sage, rosemary and thyme; (one oil for each thief out of respect for the legend).  Garlic oil and Mint are sometimes added. Such a mixture would be anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-microbial and anti-fungal; a tremendous preventative.  Additionally, such an oil would carry healing and strength in micro-molecular form to the organs and systems of the person’s physical body.  

(It put me in mind of the old Simon and Garfunkel song, “Scarborough Fair.” As I was studying, I wondered if that was what they were singing about.)

Isn’t it strange that the ancient remedies might actually be the best remedies for the things that ail us? I mean, when you consider it; who wouldn’t want a curative that is also preventative and strength building?

For years, I have had to take pro-biotics and eat yogurt to combat the aftermath of taking anti-biotics for illness. What if I could simply use a mixture every day like the “Four Thieves Vinegar,” (or one company I like calls their recipe, “On-Guard)? What if we could actually prevent and ward off disease?

How is it that these oils can be so multi-purposed, I wondered?  Well, after researching it out, I’ve discovered essential oils actually can be rendered ineffective if they are mixed with hurtful agents (like pesticides), or stored improperly (where light or heat lessens their potency.)  But, in full, pure, therapeutic strength, they are extremely powerful and concentrated. In fact, in many cases, they really should be mixed with a carrier oil (more about that later).

You see, during a plant’s lifetime, it develops and possesses an oil, but not a greasy oil.  For example, a lavender plant holds lavender oil; a white fir tree holds white fir oil, and so on. Within the plant, it is that plant’s oil which provides its fragrance, and sustains its life. It is the job of each oil to carry health and life into the plant’s core, and carry out toxins. This activity maintains the plant’s vitality.

When distilled and stored properly, each plant’s oil can be used to do the same thing within our physical bodies. When the oil is distilled, for some reason, it retains its ability created purpose. One micro-molecule at a time, an applied essential oils brings health and physical restoration into our core, and carries out toxins, helping our vessels to remain strong.

Oh, and not only that, but did you know that oils help in healing and settling the emotional parts of us as well?  (As a counselor, I find that fascinating…. More on that later.)

If you think you might want to try oils, start with a diffuser. Place it on your nightstand, near your pillow, or in your bedroom. With it, purchase a 100% pure, therapeutic grade lavender oil. Depending on the number of hours your diffuser will run at a time, utilize one drop per hour to start.  Fill and begin the diffuser an hour or two before bedtime, and shut the door to your room.

You will sleep better, I promise. Oh, and if you’re game, put a drop or two on the bottom of each foot, just under your big toe about 30 minutes before bed. (If the oil is too strong, mix it with a little olive oil, and try again.)  I’d love to know how it works for you.

Next up: Did you really say powdered vitamins?  

©2016 Debbye Graafsma/Awakened to grow. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission.

Disclaimer: Although I am a counselor, and hold my doctorate, I am not a medical doctor. So, the views and suggestions which have helped me in my own healing journey may or may not work for you. While I hope that my stories and suggestions will help and encourage you, nothing I post here should be taken as a diagnosis or medical opinion. If you are concerned about your health, please seek the advice of a professional.

 [Ancient French recipe for Four Thieves Vinegar: “Take three pints of strong white wine vinegar, add a handful of each of wormwood, meadowsweet, wild marjoram and sage, fifty cloves, two ounces of campanula roots, two ounces of angelic, rosemary and horehound and three large measures of champhor. Place the mixture in a container for fifteen days, strain and express then bottle. Use by rubbing it on the hands, ears and temples from time to time when approaching a plague victim.”]