by BJ Armstrong

A Thanksgiving Prayer
Oh, God, when I have food,
help me to remember the hungry;
When I have work,
help me to remember the jobless;
When I have a warm home,
help me to remember the homeless;
When I am without pain,
help me to remember those who suffer;
and remembering .............
help me to destroy my complacency and
bestir my compassion.
Make me concerned enough to help ..
by word and deed,
for what we take for granted..... 
                                Samuel F. Pugh

Herbs were put on earth for our use. We use them to season our food and we

use them in medicine. I do not directly nor indirectly dispense medical advise or prescribe the use of herbs as treatment for sickness. I only offer information that I have read about. I personally use some herbs and can attest to some of their effectiveness. Nutritionists and other health experts hold widely varying views. You should consult a doctor about any and all herbs and medicine before taking them and go on their advice.

This month of November, which is a thankful month, I will be spelling out the word THANKFUL using herbs as a reference.

T - Turkey Rhubarb.. This herb keeps the stool soft, therefore acting as a mild laxative. It will also alleviate hemorrhoids.

H - Hawthorn .. This is good for both high and low blood pressure. The fruit has good drawing properties as a poultice. It strengthens the muscle and nerve to the heart. The downside may cause dizziness if taken in large doses.

A - Aloe Vera .. This plant has excellent healing properties. It is good for constipation, especially in older people. It can be used as a douche for vaginal discharge and irritation.

N - Nettle .. Do you have kidney stones? This herb

helps expel gravel and stones from any organ where formed.

K - Kelp... This herb is especially good for the adrenal and pituitary glands. Nursing mothers may take small doses to decrease breast milk. The downside is .. headaches if kelp is not needed.

F - Fenugreek .. This herb is a good intestinal lubricant. It helps heal sores and ulcers in the stomach and intestines. It can be used as a poultice for wounds and inflammations. It is thought to help migraine headaches.

U - Uva Ursi .. Use the leaves of this herb. It is good for chronic urinary problems. This herb can be safely used on a continuing basis and also used in high doses.

L - Licorice ... This root is used to make a tea for laryngitis which will help restore the voice. This herb helps expel mucous from the respiratory tract. The downside is that it can cause water retention if taken over a long period of time.

And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. ..Genesis 1:30

Many people want a way to treat their everyday health problems without going to the doctor. Hopefully, some of these herbs will help you with some of your problems. These are only a few tips that might be of some help. But, never forget, we need our doctors. There are experts in every medical field to help us with our diseases and conditions within every area of health concern.

I, like so many of you, treat myself sometimes, but, I am so thankful for my doctor and all the doctors in any given health aspect.

Ways to have a thankful Thanksgiving:
* Say Grace before the meal
* pray for your friends an family
* Ask each person to tell something they are thankful for.
* Eat five bites of something rich and fattening and delicious.
* Sit on the porch after eating Thanksgiving dinner and drink tea from your 
  most elegant china.
* Give someone a compliment.
* Sing "over the river and through the woods."
* Read a short story to a child.
* Take a walk with the eldest person there (weather possible).
* Make plans for the upcoming Christmas holidays.
* Exercise .. But make plans to do it another day.

November comes between autumn and winter. Election Day falls on the first Tuesday after the first Monday. Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the 4th Thursday of the month. The topaz is the November birthstone and the special flower is the chrysanthemum. Children's Book Week is also observed in November. The first National Thanksgiving Day in the United States was proclaimed by our first president, George Washington.

Have a very happy and thankful Thanksgiving!