Though this sounds redundant, the phrase is an attempt to capture the essence of what herb medicine is all about – pure organic plants without contamination and re-structuring. With all the genetic manipulation by corporate food giants, no current pure botanic material exists, anymore. Nevertheless, natural preservation benefits us all. We need to guard our wellbeing sources or else we may “reap the wild wind” of genetic re-structuring of essential foodstuffs. Before it’s too late, we must commit to this pursuit. Unadulterated herbs and herbal formula extracts do still exist in protected environments. Agricultural scientists are discovering everywhere that hybrid contamination is growing. It has been assessed that all, so called, 100% organic farms in the U.S. have no less than 2%+ corruption from altered foodstuffs hence disturbing the unique effect of herbal medicine. It is extremely important to source traditional herbs and traditional Chinese herbs from protected pollinated farms, free from genetically modified organism (GMO) seed.
Currently, experiments in India and Japan are being conducted with the emphasis on increasing the medicinal properties of the herbs. explanation regarding herbal medicine potency is in broad disagreement. The GMO camp believes you can improve specific alkaloids in the overall herb composite. The anti-GMO herb camp holds that when you change the property ratio then you, in effect, change the medicinal value which stems from the original structure. The dispute that a particular alkaloid is the chief cause for the remedial effect as opposed to the entire or combined outcome of the herb is a continuing argument that deserves scrutiny.
Besides the changes to the original plant structure, GM herbs are philosophically opposed to the premises of natural, alternative medicine. These moral issues warrant respect and watchful consideration prior to admit these foods into the gene pool. Input from the herb medicine & research community needs to be acquired before making these changes. Decisions by large corporate ventures are lacking, by nature, conscience in this regard. Though many execs may intend well, it would be to their benefit to attract unbiased feedback as to whether to choose GM procedures in their development. What are the consequences versus the profit?
Most Master Herbalists, specializing in Chinese Medicine, focus on food as a therapy. Here are some points to consider about the food nutrient (incl. herbal herbs) industry:
- In the U.S. alone, between 1997 and 1999, gene-modified (GM) ingredients suddenly appeared in 2/3rds of all processed foods.”
- Be sure to choose organic soy milk. Most soybeans in America are genetically modified. Unrefined (organic) soybeans are not genetically modified.
- If the supporters of GMO are so clever then why do we still have nutrient deficiency in our food products?
- That carrot has about 57% less magnesium and 16% less calcium in it than the ones our parents ate, a banana 87% less folic acid, and spinach 59% less vitamin C!
- Whereas there is an increase in vitamin and mineral supplement sales to cover the our food nutrient deficiency, more city/county public works departments are transporting by the multiple truck loads, the remaining tablets to sanitation dumps. The only real working source of nutrition comes from food that our body absorbs or supplements based on whole food sources.
Genetically modified foods can have decidedly unhealthy effects. One solid conclusion found that:
- More than half of the offspring of rats fed on transgenically modified soya died in the first three weeks of life, six times as many as those born to mothers with normal diets. Six times as many were also severely underweight.
- Mothers who include GM foods in their diet during pregnancy may unwittingly endanger their unborn babies. A statement by the corporate GM giant, Monsanto, exposed that rats fed a diet containing GM corn had reduced sized kidneys and increased blood cell counts compared to those that ingested a natural strain, signifying likely damage to their immunity systems.
The nutrient value of food has fallen drastically while the price is skyrocketing:
|
Minerals & Vitamins in mg/100g |
1985 |
1996 |
Reduced value expressed in % |
|
|
Broccoli |
Calcium |
103 |
33 |
- 68 % |
|
Beans |
Calcium |
56 |
34 |
- 39 % |
|
Potatoes |
Calcium |
14 |
4 |
- 71 % |
|
Carrots |
Calcium |
37 |
31 |
- 16 % |
|
Spinach |
Calcium |
62 |
19 |
- 69 % |
|
Apples |
Vitamin C |
5 |
1 |
- 80 % |
|
Bananas |
Calcium |
8 |
7 |
- 13 % |
|
Strawberries |
Calcium |
21 |
18 |
- 14 % |
Source: 1996 Geigy Pharmaceuticals, Foodstuffs laboratory, Karlsruhe / Obertal Sanatorium.
Boosting our immune systems, metabolic and vascular efficiency with suitable mineral and vitamin supplements compensates for some of these effects, acts preventatively, and assists us in countering deficiencies. But have you ever seen how emaciated our elderly become when maintained on ENSURE in nursing homes? The short thinking should only be rationalized and acknowledged to what extent? Reliance on healthy, nutrient rich foods and herbs are the essential foundation for sustaining life.
The bottom-line is this. Greed has, unconsciously and consciously, crept into the way we develop our food supply. At any time the food supply is administered in an remote manner there is increased probability for abuse. Though this development is not everywhere, it is extensive enough now that balance in the industry is fargone. This condition, may be, beyond the ability of mankind to retrieve it unless radical changes are implemented.
Mark Hammer, C.M.H., Master Herbalist, Longevity Mountain
- India working on GM herbs, says Greenpeace, Joe C Mathew / Business Standard New Delhi (November 05, 2008)
- “50 Harmful Effects of Genetically Modified Foods” By Nathan Batalion
Popularity: 1% [?]
Related posts:
- TRADITIONAL HERBS! All Of Our Medicine Today Was Preserved By Shamanic Herbalist! Now That Will Be Lost! Definition: Traditional Herbs A traditional herb is defined as a botanic material known before history used by native people for their food and/or medicine. In...
- 5 Popular Herbs Used In Herbal Medicine Herbal medicine is fast becoming a natural mainstream healing method in western society. Herbal medicine has been practiced for thousands of years (and continues to...
- Tips For Cooking With Fresh Herbs Cooking with fresh herbs is a great way to experience the flavor of the herb. Many cooks prefer cooking with fresh herbs since this is...
- Indian Herbs: Give An Exotic Flavor To Any Dish Or Garden Having an herb garden is one of the great joys of cooking, and there are hundreds or even thousands of options that can provide both...
- Over-used Calcium And Vitamin D May Be Harmful Vitamin D and calcium have long been touted as needed for strong bones and teeth. Vitamin D might play a role in preventing cancer and...
Comments on this entry are closed.