The very mention of the term "pineal gland" creates a mysterious aura. Renowned French philosopher, physiologist, physicist, natural scientist and mathematician Rene Descartes (1596-1650) called it "the seat of the soul." Others believe it is the Centrum that carries the "life code" and conveys orders to the body. Recent academic studies have found that the pineal gland contains light-sensitive cells which function like those of the eye's retina, testifying to the fact that the pineal gland can "see." Thus, it is also known as the "third eye." Modern research on melatonin production by the pineal gland has unraveled its mysteries to some extent. The Pineal Gland and Melatonin The pineal gland is a flat, cone-shaped organ about the size of a pea lying in the center of the midbrain. It reaches its largest mass during childhood, but calcifies and shrinks with age. Melatonin production by the pineal gland is determined by the amount of light received, for the gland plays the role of a bodily clock, due to its sensitivity to light and regulation of the sleep-wake cycle. During nighttime sleep, melatonin levels in the body rise, reaching a peak between 11 PM and 2 AM, and then drop dramatically when a new day dawns. Melatonin production is related to age, increasing at three months after birth, peaking at the age of six, and beginning to drop after puberty. The Effect of Melatonin on the Human Body Melatonin has a simple chemical structure, but it plays a decisive role in bodily functions, monitoring the work of the glands and organs, and regulating hormone production. It also controls over-stimulation of the sympathetic nerves to lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate, thus reducing the impact on the heart. It also alleviates mental stress, improves sleep, adjusts the body's biological clock, relieves jet lag, strengthens immunity, increases the body's resistance to germs and viruses, and prevents cancer and senile dementia. Melatonin production is inversely proportional to that of serotonin, a chemical that constricts the blood vessels and acts as a neurotransmitter. The mind is most active during the day, when it runs wild and is distracted, resulting in an increase in the amount of serotonin required by the nerve cells. During the night or meditation, when the mind is less active, less serotonin and more melatonin are produced, and the situation changes. However, when the eyes perceive light, melatonin production is reduced. This is why night workers and those who sleep with the light on have a lower immunity to disease and a higher propensity to develop cancer than others. Two studies in the U.S. have shown that bright light at night reduces melatonin production and induces estrogen secretion in women, which in turn increases the incidence of breast cancer among female night workers. Research on infants who died from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) found that the babies had underdeveloped pineal glands, which lowered melatonin levels and weakened the brain's ability to deal with free radicals (molecules with an unpaired electron), thus making the brain vulnerable to free radical damage. Another study on children and adult hypochondria suggests that the melatonin levels of psychiatric patients are lower than those of healthy people. The Origin of Melatonin Melatonin exists in small quantities in many plant species, including oats, sweet corn, rice, ginger, tomatoes, bananas and barley. Intake of other foods such as kelp, soy beans, pumpkin seeds, water melon seeds, almonds, peanuts, yeast, malt, and milk helps to increase the body's melatonin production. Lower food intake ensures normal melatonin levels. Research shows that old mice given less food have healthy pineal glands like those of young mice, and can regulate melatonin production. Their melatonin levels are 80 percent of those found in young mice, compared to 40 percent for old mice without food restriction. Conclusion Although melatonin has a significant effect on the human body, no definite conclusions have been reached about whether melatonin supplements are beneficial to health. Research shows that melatonin production is higher in women who meditate. Big-toe exercises also stimulate melatonin production. Physical exercise during the day increases melatonin levels, while night exercises have the opposite effect. Therefore, it is advisable to eat less, meditate, exercise regularly during daylight hours and lead a disciplined life.   Back to Contents  Source :http://godsdirectcontact.us/sm21/enews/www/133/ss.htm

The amazing Black Walnut Tree &

Thyroid Problems

I was diagnosed with hashimotos disease, which essentially is a thyroid problem in which your body’s immune system views your thyroid as an enemy and attacks it.  I went on levothyroxine for 2 years but never felt better. I also did not want to be on medication, as I believe that God gave us everything for healing from the earth. I began researching and found that black walnut produces iodine from the green walnut hulls. I began to make my own tinctures and was able to come off of the medication. I of course did not just simply add a tincture and was better it actually was a very intense journey of massage, sitz baths, fasting and continuous prayer. My journey is not over with my thyroid, as I will need to pay special attention to that part of my body for the rest of my life if I want to avoid medication.  I will write about the other techniques I used later but for now just want to concentrate on the walnut tree. I actually got the formula from another herbalist and found that my sister had 3 beautiful black walnut trees in her yard.  I love the black walnut tree and it is a very intelligent tree.

The parts of the black walnut that are used medicinally are the bark of the tree, the husk, the shell and the nut or the kernel. Black walnut is considered to be an antiseptic, a germicide, a parasitic, and a laxative. Black walnut hull helps with many health conditions from ridding the body of intestinal parasites and tapeworms to reducing constipation and healing skin conditions. Black walnut hull can be ground into a powder (just be sure you use it when it is fresh and green when it has become black it can be very dangerous. It has been used as external applications for a variety of skin complaints including ringworm, jock itch, athlete's foot, psoriasis, blisters, and eczema.  The most common medicinal use of black walnut is to kill parasites. Black Walnut oxygenates the blood to kill parasites. It is used to help balance sugar levels. It also is able to burn up excessive toxins and fatty materials. 
The black walnut hull contains a number of active ingredients, including omega-3 fatty acids, sterols, tannins and my favorite iodine!!

For the recipe on the black walnut tincture see Dr. Hulda Clarks book “The Cure for all Diseases” just be sure to omit the vitamin powder and add raw apple cider vinegar.

Our Journey

Herbal Blessings, Everyone! I am so excited to be apart of the Shalom Healing Garden Group. This is a group of eight wonderful women that have set out, together, to learn about herbalism and have a common foundation in it. We're from all different walks of life and have varying experiences with herbs and natural healing. One thing that binds us is the Blood of Yeshua and the testimony of His ever saving grace.We agreed to take the course from Sage Mountain, The Art and Science of Herbalism, written by the reknowned herbalist, Rosemary Gladstar. So we agreed to take this journey together and to complete it together, in about a year.

Wow, what a trip! Most of us knew each other for years before this, and as a sisterhood, we've had some rocky times. This year of studying together, in my opinion, helped us to work through and work out, our trials and triumphs, together. No matter what we were dealing with individually, or with another sister, we continued to meet at the agreed upon day and time each month, give or take, come what may. We learned so much about each other, the good, bad and the ugly. I wouldn't change the experience for nothing in the world!

Today, we are still striving to be conduits of Christ's love and healing, together. This group has became a source of inspiration and a counsel of righteous wisdom for me. I hope that through this blog, that people will be inspired to create more herbalist groups for their communities and search out the hope and healing that is in the Messiah.

(This is a picture of some of our S.H.G. sisters with Rosemary Gladstar)


Peace, Love and Herbs!