Mother Nature’s Health Remedies

Americans learn basic nutrition in school – the four food groups, water, and vitamins. Yet, the most important food for human life was omitted – emotional and spiritual sustenance.

Soul food (nutrition) varies to some degree as some people need more of one thing and less of another or something all together different. One thing everyone needs is stillness. How much stillness, of course varies, not only from person to person, but, at various times. Being out doors with nature is one of the most effective ways to meet your stillness needs.

In addition to stillness, people need to be near the four elements – Earth, Water, Air, and Fire. Camping provides the perfect scenario to incorporate all four elements in one setting – campfire, a creek, lake or river near-by and the less polluted air in a rural area.

My home in Phoenix, AZ is nestled two blocks from a trail head on the east end of the world’s largest municipal park – South Mountain – a majestic 7,000 areas stretching 17 miles west to east where I go for walks/hikes. No, camp fires allowed, and no water except after a heavy rain; water sits for awhile in the low spots or creeks, however, earth, air and plants are plentiful.

The Saguaro cacti are the most plentiful natural plant and testimony to the wonders of nature. The majestic Saguaro cactus, a tall, thick, fluted, columnar stem, 18 to 24 inches in diameter, with white flowers in spring, often with several large branches (arms), jutting into the sky in the most distinctive configuration illuminating nature at its best. The Saguaros roots are only 4-6 inches deep, which, radiate out as far as the plant is tall. There is one deep root, (tap root), that extends down into the ground more than two feet.

Being near a Saguaro cactus  is a reminder that if a plant that has strong odds against it survives for hunreds of years – then – I have nothing  to complain about.   

The Saguaro is as useful as it is majestic. After the Saguaro dies its woody ribs can be used to build roofs, fences, and parts of furniture. The holes that birds nested in or “saguaro boots” can be found among the dead Saguaros. Native Americans used these as water containers long before the canteen was manufactured.

Saguaros grow exclusively in the Sonoran Desert-covering parts of Arizona, New Mexico and California. The most important factors for growth are water and temperature. If the elevation is too high, the cold weather and frost can kill them. Although, the Sonoran Desert experiences both winter and summer rains, the Saguaro retains moisture during the summer rainy season to sustain itself during the dry season. 

What plants are you drawn to in your environment? California Redwoods, east coast Oak and Maple trees are among many people’s favorites. Mid-October there is a massive pilgrimage through the New England states to see the fall leaves in their brilliant orange, yellow, rust, and red beauty. However, once a year in nature leaves the mind, body, and spirit lacking adequate sustenance.

It is important to have indoor water fountains and house plants. Plants take in carbon dioxide with water and sunlight, which creates photosynthesis, thus, giving off glucose and oxygen. Rocks and sea shells are also excellent to bring nature into your home environment. All provide a portion of the four elements.

Few people take the time to learn the impact nature has on the psyche and soul energy. Yet, if one explores and follows these ancient beliefs, you will find that nature itself holds the key to inner knowledge of human nature, and the part humans play in the great Cosmic Plan.

The four elements help open one up to the beauty of life itself. What do you keep of the four elements in your home? What opens you up to the beauty of life? What do you consider to be beautiful to remind you that life is truly beautiful to behold?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and whatever that is; it will nurture your psyche and soul. However, you need to make sure you are surrounded by and engage with the four elements daily. Showers or bathing counts only for hygiene and is not a substitute for being in nature with water, because, it is treated with chlorine, a highly toxic chemical.

Furthermore, the earth is mobilized with free anti-oxidant electrons. The electrons pour into your body at the speed of light, the minute you touch the earth with bare feet or skin. When humans are disconnected from the natural negative charge from the earth we are more subjected to oxidation and developing inflammatory problems.

Research conducted by scientists and doctors using all biological markers – cortisol, bilirubin heart rate, heart rate variability, respiration, and white blood cell levels – to determine if there is a difference between being grounded and not being grounded revealed there is a massive difference in all biological markers when the person is grounded (feet or bare skin directly touching the ground0 and ungrounded (wearing rubber sneakers or no bare skin touching the ground).

Laugh if you wish. I have a plastic pan of sand under my desk. When I intend to be stationary for a period of time, I rest my bare feet in the pan of sand. It is a great way to ground myself during the day.

Pause now and consider what you will do to engage with nature’s health remedies.

Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, Metaphysician – Certified Hypnosis Practitioner, Author and Speaker. Dr. Dorothy facilitates clearing blocks, fears and limiting beliefs. You can live the life you deisre. She brings awareness to concepts not typically obvious to one’s thoughts and feelings. http://www.gen-assist.com