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| Herbs and foods come from the soil and are just as much a part of creation as we are; thus their healing powers are connected to our life force. This mystery cannot be explained scientifically, but when healers work from this perspective, true healing can take place. |
| Living in harmony with the environment is a healing exercise, one that is both physical and spiritual. It encompasses all that we do for ourselves as well as all others who touch our lives; the foods we grow, prepare, and eat; the water we drink and bathe in; how we rest and sleep; the care, time, and companionship we give to others; the love we share; the spirituality we acknowledge and live by. |
| As you read these lifestyle guidelines, be aware of the deep healing connection that exists between us and our world. The guidelines themselves are quite simple and basic. Being mindful of them, eating wholesome organic food, using herbs as food and medicine, and living more simply will enhance your health and your life. |
| Sunlight and Fresh Air |
| Get fresh air daily and sunshine whenever you can. However, don't expose yourself to direct sunlight for long, especially if you have fair skin. Be sure to get out of the sun if your skin begins to feel hot and starts to redden. Early morning or late afternoon is the best time to enjoy the sun because its rays are less intense. Sunlight provides many of us with countless benefits, not the least of which is its ability to elevate mood. It also helps to modify our endocrine system and is the best source of vitamin D, which has been shown to protect against many forms of cancer, particularly of the colon and breast. 1 23 Sunlight also has a protective benefit against ovarian cancer, according to one research study. A study of mortality rates from ovarian cancer in the one hundred largest counties in the United States between 1979 and 1988 showed that ovarian cancer deaths were inversely proportional to mean daily sunlight. This statistic remained constant after adjusting for variables, suggesting the protective effect of sunlight against ovarian cancer. Not surprisingly, the study also found a higher risk for developing ovarian cancer in northern latitudes, where there is less sunlight, as compared to southern latitudes. 4 |
| It's best to expose yourself to moderate amounts of sunlight regularly; if you wear glasses, remove them occasionally and, without looking directly at |
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