Herbs of the Bible
By Johann S Gadsden, D.D., DSM, D.Nut.,
D. Pysch.
reprinted from
www.serenitync.org.
Have you read your Bible lately?
Did you know that Naturopathy as we know it
today is based on what the Sacred Scriptures (the Bible) teaches about
health?
"And God said "Look! I have given you the
seed-bearing plants throughout the earth, and all the fruit trees for
your food."
Genesis 1:29 (The Living Bible)
We are told that after Moses (the adopted son of
Pharaoh and leader of the Exodus) was born his sister Miriam walked
along the banks of the river Nile gathering herbs. It is also an
interesting fact that the Sacred Scriptures and herbs have always been
inextricably linked together, so let us now consider these Biblical
medicines - the healing wonders of Aloes, Mint, Figs, Parsley, Rue,
Wormwood, etc.
Did you know that as the modern housewife gathers a sprig of Parsley,
spray of Mint, etc., that she is following a tradition that has been
handed down from mother to daughter since the very beginning of time?
In
2
Kings 20, we are told of how King Hezekiah was dying of
cancer sores. In
verse
7 we read "And Isaiah said, "Take a lump of figs".
And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered." It is
hard to conceive that a man could die from a boil. However,
numerous theologians have said that the word BOIL should read
CANCER-SORE. Researchers today have found that the seeds of
strawberries and figs are radioactive and therefore are able to "cure"
some cancers.
It has
been said that the radioactivity of plants is very beneficial to
humanity and is able to counteract the effects of nuclear fall-out,
X-rays and the radiation emitted from TV receivers & microwave ovens
which are both damaging and dangerous.
Fresh
figs and strawberries are excellent foods and when crushed can be
applied as a poultice to boils, sores, and cancer-sores.
As the housewife who lives in the 21st Century considers mint sauce as a
fitting accompaniment to roast lamb, it is interesting to note that the
ancient Hebrews (Jews) used mint to flavour many of their foods.
In
Matthew 23:23 we are told that "...ye pay tithe of mint
and anise and cummin ... ." (King James Version). The Jews
loved the fragrance of mint so much so that they scattered the leaves on
the floors of their temples and synagogues to be crushed under trampling
feet.
Not only
was mint used as to flavour food and as a room freshener, it also had
its medicinal uses. The ancient Hebrews (Jews) used it in the
treatment of: nervousness, insomnia, cramps, coughs, headaches, poor
digestion and nausea, etc. Mint was also made into a salve or a
bath oil for itchy skin conditions.
It has
been said by many herbalists that the most valued medicinal herbs of the
Bible times were anise and dill. The mothers of ancient Israel
used anise to promote proper digestion, improve the appetite, relieve
nausea and flatulence in their children.
Today,
anise is used in treating infantile colic, also anise water promotes the
production of milk in nursing mothers. Anise oil can be used in
the relief of muscle cramps and spasms. Even the drug companies of
today value anise, for it helps to make the medicinal mixtures more
palatable.
In ancient Israel the Jews used dill for both flavouring foods and for
treating skin irritations. Today many herbalists used dill in
combination with anise, coriander, fennel and caraway and give it to
nursing mothers to promote the production and flow of milk. People
who suffer from halitosis (bad breath) try chewing the seeds of dill.
During the year of 1979, the doctors of Chicago
carried out a series of tests on 1,000 premature babies. The
babies were put on a diet of milk and dill, all 1,000 of them thrived
beyond all expectations.
Did you know that before Napi-San was invented the housewives of days gone by used Rue-water?
In
the first 12 months of Moses' (the leader of the mass Exodus of the Jews
from Egypt) life, his sister Miriam washed out his dirty nappies in Rue
water. Today in some of the remote areas of the Yorkshire Dales,
mothers still wash out their babies' nappies and bath their babies
bottoms in Rue water, protecting their delicate skin from the burning
effects of urine.
Today,
scientific researchers have found that the main medicinal properties of
Rue are:
* carminative
* stimulant
*stomachic.
Rue is used to relieve gas, palpitations in women going through
menopause, to relieve colic, improve appetite and digestion. It
also helps to promote menstruation in females upon reaching puberty.
In Japan the Naturopaths and Herbalists use Rue to promote the
development of females' breasts.
ETZ CHAYIM-TREE OF LIFE MESSIANIC CONGREGATION
of Las Cruces
PO Box 467, Organ, NM 88052
866-874-7250 (toll free) FAX: 866-800-2390
TREE OF LIFE MESSIANIC MINISTRIES