Here are a few ideas for products to supplement a food storage plan. I recommend storing a supplement made of Montmorillonite. This mineral supplement comes from an ancient sea bed and contains over 60 minreals in an easily (relatively speaking;many mineral supplements aren't absorbed by the body efficiently) digested form. Brewers yeast contains such a high level of a variety of nutrients that I consider it a good "supplement also". Purchase it vacuum packed or reduce the oxygen levels, then freeze to extend the shelf life. Certain medicinal herbs are also good storage candidates. Golden seal contains potent anti-viral and antibiotic properties. Echinacea stimulates the lymphatic system,raising the immunity levels in the body. PauD'Arco is an immune strengthener. Chamomile makes a pleasant tea and contains triptophan- a seditive. It and peppermint are good for an upset stomach. Ginseng helps nuetralize radiation. The American form contains the greatest healing properties. Kelp has also been shown to be a protective against radiation. The sodium alginate in kelp binds with radioactive strontium-90 in the intestines and carries it out of the body. Fo-Ti is a Chinese herb that is reputed to increase stamina and resistance to disease. Comfry is an overall tonic that contains allantion. This substance stimulates tissue growth and helps with infected or slow healing wounds (use as a poultice). Comfrey also ameliorates dysentary, but it can be carcinogenic if taken for an extended period of time. Psyllium can draw pus from wounds. Use it externally mixed in a paste with unleavened bread and water. Essiac Tea, a combination of herbs, is highly touted for a variety of uses. Other herbs you may want to research are Yohimbe, Yerba Santa, Urva Ursi, Lemon Grass and Capsicum. A body under stress produces a higher than normal level of hormones. This process requires sterols, which are produced in the body from essential fatty acids. I suggest storing safflower oil because it is high in linoleic acid, one of the EFA's. For other food storage ideas send an e-mail request to skipper@cncnet.com.

-- skipper clark (skipper@cncnet.com), August 22, 1998

Answers

Skipper,

Thanks for these posts. I always end up printing your stuff and filing a copy in my notebook.

Some of these are in my everyday routine.

I have a supply of Goldenseal, not combined with Echinacea as is sometimes found now.......different purposes for the two herbs. I also have stored (and use) Astragalus as an immune system booster, along with Cayenne.

-- rocky knolls (rknolls@hotmail.com), August 23, 1998.

Skipper there are a lot of reports out there showing that Zinc can help the immune system and reduce the duration of colds, etc. Can you tell me which Zinc lozenges are the most effective?

-- Gayla Dunbar (privacy@please.com), August 26, 1998.

TwinLab zinc lozenges are good. Zinc lozenges can help prevent a cold or help you get over it faster or with milder symptoms.

Only take the zinc lozenges short-term. Long-term supplementation with zinc can lead to a copper deficiency, and vice versa. Ideally, know your own levels. Since most don't know theirs, safest is to supplement both together (look for both in any mineral formulation).

-- D B Spence (dbspence@usa.net), December 09, 1998.

Alll of the stuff on zinc in adults comes from studies done at Cleveland State and Case Western, and University Hospitals of Cleveland a couple years ago on COLDEEZE, a zinc-gluconate-glycene combo. This stuff works VERY WELL on colds but doesn't do %%%% for other infectious stuff. I use it a bunch. The studies were the usual double blind type and were fairly impressive. then they went to two of the local grade schools, and repeated the studies. The parents involved, were able to tell which kids got the good stuff and which got the placebos, so it does work.

All of teh resat of teh combo's are riding on those studies, from what I have read, and from what one of my Doc contacts said. (He was part of the studies.)

Chuck

-- Chuck a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), December 09, 1998.

Sorry

Top line of the last para should read:

All of the rest of the combo's.......

CR The illiterate typer

-- Chuck a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), December 09, 1998.

How could you miss garlic? It should be eaten raw to have best effect, but is a proven antibacterial and immune booster. Best of all, I understand that it's relatively easy to grow. (And yumy in almost any non-sweet food, IMHO).

-- Tricia the Canuck (jayles@telusplanet.net), December 09, 1998.

For folks looking for alternatives to PROZAC, try St. John's Wort, especially in combination with Zinc and Ginko Biloba.

For parents with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity) children, or ADHD adults, one poss. substitute for RITALIN: a very hefty regime of daily vitamins/minerals with special supplementation of Zinc, the antioxidant Proanthocyanadin (grape seed extract)and Ginko Biloba.

Also, a good book on homeopathic medicine and basic homeopathic medicines would be a real asset to any family.

-- Sara Nealy (saran@ptd.net), December 09, 1998.

An excellent supplement is "the missing link - master nutrient formula." It contains alotta nutrients and comes vacuum packed - perfect for post-y2k. It's a bit pricey, but very useful.

-- humptydumpty (123@132.com), December 10, 1998.