No. 87

Seven Body Systems

Sustaining, healing, and balancing the 7 systems of the body is done through foods, herbs, and supplements.  The following material includes lists of foods or herbal products to support each system.  You can combine 1 herb for each system and create a blend or you can focus on one system at a time.  The adaptogen herbs which are taken daily and ongoing should be mixed separately.  If combining adaptogens to your remedy mixes, rotate to a new formulation each month or hire an herbalist to help you create the blend to best suit your needs. Food powders can be added to any adaptogen mix as well as superfruits, and greens (like the Organic 8 Greens).  It is not generally recommended that herbs be added to protein powders because the best value of herbs is recognized by mixing or taking them with water, juice, or tea on an empty stomach.

Define Empty Stomach:  1 hour before a meal or 2 hours after eating food.

Getting Started-–  Although many of the adaptogen herbs mentioned cross over to work on all the systems, some are more helpful than others as a remedy itself. Remedy herbs are listed for each system and are taken for only periods of time rather than ongoing. Certain foods on the other hand, have more of an all encompassing, health building effect. Superfoods can be added to any formula and taken ongoing.

Generally it is recommended to combine ingredients and make two products;  ONE of solely adaptogens which are taking daily and ongoing. The SECOND being a blend of herbs for either healing one system of the body or various herbs to include medicines for all the systems at once. This second blend ingredients should be taken every day, for about 1 month and then a new blend with other herb choices can be mixed and taken. The key with remedy herbs is to take them for only a few weeks and rotate to others to keep the product active and effective.

Rule of Thumb–  4 oz. of powder = approximately 30 days of use.

Rotating Products–   Remedy herbs are used for 30 days consecutively and then rotate to a new formula.  Do not be concerned if you have product left over after 30 days;  just set the remaining product aside and take another product for the next 30 days.  After this, come back to this left over product and continue. The goal is to use variety and use any remedy herb blend in 30 day periods.  This prevents building alkaloids and indoles.

If combining herbs for a total body product– choose an herb from each system category and blend it with adaptogens.  Take this product using about 1 teaspoon daily in water, juice, tea, or in a smoothie.  Here is an example of how to mix an all-in-one product.

To do this you will need the following;

Step One:  Choose your adaptogens and mix them together.  This can be in any number of herbs, but is kept separate.  Set aside.

Step Two:  Now mix 2 separate combinations of your choice of Remedy Herbs that addresses your individual need or purpose.

Step Three:  Combine 2 ounces of Adaptogen mix PLUS 2 ounces of No. 1 Remedy mix.  This will give you 1 month of use.

Step Four:  After 30 days of using this original mix No. 1, next combine 2 oz. of the Adaptogen mix PLUS 2 ounces of the No. 2 Remedy mix.  Use this for 30 days.

Step Five:  Alternate back to No. 1 mix and so forth.

Every 30 days change your Remedy mix and keep the Adaptogens blended into each one.  This gives you the 30 day rotation needed for best results.

Building Systems of the Body—  There are actually 10 systems, but 7 are primary.  

When addressing the 7 systems, all systems are benefited. 

The Seven Systems–

• Skeletal
• Muscular
• Nervous
• Endocrine
• Cardivascular
• Lymphatic
• Respiratory
• digestive system
• urinary
• reproductive

Foods for the Body Systems

Skeletal–  milk, cheese and other dairy products contain calcium, broccoli, kale, sardines, salmon, Brazil nuts, almonds, oranges, calcium-rich foods, eggs, fatty fish such as salmon or tuna,

Muscular– low fat milk, flax seed, whole wheat, oranges, potato, lean proteins, diets higher in vegetables-fruits-and legumes is very supportive

Nervous–  oily fish, leafy greens, spinach, cocoa, whole grains, garlic, nuts, flax seed, olive oil, hemp seed oil, red wine, tea

Endocrine System–  organs;  pituitary, pineal, ovaries, testes, thyroid, pancreas, parathyroid, hypothalamus, gastrointestinal tract, and the adrenal glands.  Foods–  garlic, capsicum, broccoli, beans, legumes, lentils, seaweed, Brazil nuts, shrimp, sea salt, Himalayan salt (84 minerals), cod, lean meat, clean dairy, spinach, kale, all green leafy vegetables

Cardiovascular–  chili peppers, capsicum, turmeric, fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, nuts, oily fish, garlic, olive oil, sardines, hemp seed oil, grapeseed oil, berries, oatmeal, dark cocoa, tomatoes, coffee, seaweed, potatoes, ginger root

Lymphatic–  dandelion greens, cranberries, oily fish, garlic, onion, filtered water, nuts, seeds, citrus fruits, seaweed, turmeric, ginger root

Respiratory–  seafood, seaweed, fish—omega 3 fatty acids and iodine, carrots, yellow foods, yogurt and probiotic rich foods

Remedy Herbs For The Body Systems

Herbs as remedy or herbs as adaptogens;  a remedy for an endocrine system can be taken to build up the system if in poor health.  Remedies can be taken for a period of time, such as 1 to 2 months.  Adaptogens can be taken ongoing and no break from supplementing is necessary. Supportive diet should be high in vegetables, fatty acids, and low sugar and starches.

Endodrine Remedy Herbs:  kelp, chlorella, spirulina, hemp seed, burdock root, dandelion root, licorice root, yellowdock, ashwagandha root, Siberian ginseng, gymnema sylvestre, artichoke, milk thistle seed & leaf, bitter melon, nettle, sarsaparilla, yarrow, ginger root, wild yam, sassafras, maca, horny goat weed, longjack, chaste tree berry, black cohosh, mugwort, motherwort, gymnema sylvester

Respiratory Remedy Herbs:  pleurisy root, lungwort, mullein, mullein flower, lobelia, nettle, yerba santa, cornsilk, bupleurum, elecampane, yarrow, Oregon grape, bergamot, thyme, chrysanthemum, bloodroot eucalyptus, orsha root

Circulatory Remedy Herbs:  ginkgo biloba, ginseng panax, cayenne, gotu kola, rosemary, ginger root, galangal root, burdock root, prickly ash, hawthorn berry, hemp seed, garlic

Digestive Remedy Herbs:  psyllium husk & seed, cascara sagrada, senna leaf, marshmallow root, slippery elm, bloodroot, turkey rhubard, peppermint, spearmint, licorice root, fennel, cardamom, cinnamon, aloe vera, cat’s claw, garlic, turmeric, amla fruit, apple pectin

Glandular & Lymph Remedy Herbs:  eleuthero, cleavers, burdock root, dandelion root, bupleurum, ginkgo biloba, gotu kola, capsicum, licorice root, cinnamon, ginger root, orange peel, garlic, turmeric, clove, oregano, cinnamon, rosemary, echinacea roots and leaf, goldenseal, barberry bark, oregon grape root, alfalfa leaf, kelp, red clover blossoms, gymnema sylvester

Immune Remedy Herbs:  cat’s claw, astragalus, ashwagandha, honeysuckle, chrysanthemum, echinacea root & leaf, barberry root, Oregon grape root, goldenseal, turmeric, clove, oregano, rosemary, cinnamon, osha root, alfalfa, chlorella, spirulina, all greens- alfalfa-barley greens-wheatgrass, kelp, chlorella, spirulina, gotu kola, red clover blossoms

Adaptogen Herbs

Adaptogen Herbs–  all or any in any combination or single  These herbs act as a remedy but as an adaptogen, the difference is that they can be taken ongoing without a break.  Adaptogen herbs do not build excess alkaloids and are not toxic when taken over time.  Remedy herbs on the otherhand are healers and correctives which are NOT taken ongoing but for periods of time to help restore function and balance to a system of the body and in some cases, the whole body.  Average remedy period is 30 days to 60 days.  Some herbs, such as the berberines, use for a period of 10-14 days consecutively, then stop 10-14 days, and repeat.  But do not use ongoing even for a month or alkaloids build which will either cause toxicity or be contrary to the effects sought. This list is the adaptogen options.  More herbs are being recognized as adaptogens as science proves more in the alternative medicine world. The importance of each listed is not a complete use but well known strengths commonly listed..

• American Ginseng (panaz quinquefolium) (hormonal, total body tonic, longevity)
• Asian Ginseng- red or white (hormonal, total body tonic, longevity)
• Astragalus (immune)
• Ashwagandha (memory, cognitive function, hormonal balancing, brain, immune)
• Licorice Root (natural steroid, inflammation reducing, blood sugar increasing for hypo so not to be used by hyper)
• Jiaogulan (longevity, energy, total body tonic, brain)
• Cordyceps (immune, anti-cancer, all systems)
• Goji Berry (immune, antioxidant rich, free radical scavenger, superfruit)
• Siberian Ginseng (immune, body tonic, reduces effects of stress)
• Cat’s Claw (immune, autoimmune, digestive tract)
• Rhodiola (brain, serotonin, skin)
• Schisandra Berry (immune, anti-cancer)
• Holy Basil (tulsi) (immune, total body tonic, longevity)
• Reishi and/or Shiitake Mushroom (immune, anti-cancer, beta glucans, total body tonic)
• Ginger Root (circulatory, brain, blood, pancreas and weight management)

DIETARY GUIDE 

Foods Beneficial for the all of the body systems–  Lymph, Immune, Circulatory, Reproductive, Endocrine & Exocrine, Digestive, Elimination, Cardiovascular, Cerebro-Spinal Nervous, and the Blood–

• Tomato
• Almonds + Oil
• Oats
• Cashews
• Peas + Protein
• Apples
• Psyllium Husk + Seeds
• Corn
• Chilies- All
• Brown, Red, Black, Wild- Rice
• Flax Seeds + Oil
• Pumpkin Seeds + Oil
• Amaranth
• Barley + Greens
• Rye
• Millet
• Quinoa
• Sunflower Seeds
• Sesame Seeds
• Brewer’s Yeast & Nutritional Yeast
• Hazelnuts + Oil
• Walnuts + Oil
• Pecans
• Beets
• Kidney Beans, Red Beans
• Black Beans
• Pomegranate
• Plums + Prunes
• Brazil Nuts + Oil
• Bananas
• Figs
• Grapeseed + Oil
• Plums + Raisins
• Raspberries
• Tangerines + Oil
• Blueberries
• Blackberries
• Guava
• Aloe Vera
• Cloves + Oil
• Cinnamon + Oil
• Strawberries
• Coconut + Oil
• Lemons + Oil
• Oranges + Oil
• Himalayan Salt + Sea Salt
• Rosemary + Oil
• Ginger Root
• Turmeric Root
• All spices
• All fresh fruits
• All fresh vegetables

What to Avoid–  

Avoid rancid fats including canola oil (not really oil anymore), safflower oil, sunflower oil, all pasteurized fruits, all canned vegetables, all canned fruits, the plastic lemon- juice (acidic), baking soda with aluminum, dairy containing hormones, processed unfermented soy products (whole edamame ok), and soy oil, GMO sourced foods, any food containing high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, any non-organic sugar (all GMO), roasted nuts, deep fried foods, chicken and beef without hormones or antibiotics, farmed fish and seafood, refreshed fish. Be a label reader. If you cannot read it don’t eat it.  If the food you are considering has a paragraph of ingredients, you likely should just put it back. Keep products simple and as natural as possible.