Trust for the American Medical system should be in question by Black Americans, seeing their past with experimentation on various communities of people. Currently, growing numbers of people are becoming dependant upon drug assistance programs to sustain their health ailments; in short, Americans are becoming drugs addicts.

Before the growth of the American Medical Association, and even America itself, cultures of people trusted in the earth for healing. The earth produces chemically sufficient herbs that interact with the human anatomy to prevent disease, sickness, and other health problems.

Afromerica will begin a series on the herbs of the earth that we see and use everyday. If used for the treatment and purpose of self-healing alongside faith in the natural resources of God, many people can avoid becoming drug addicts, dependant on American medicine. Below are descriptions of many herbs taken from a reliable source - documented at the bottom of the page.

Please research the source for yourself before taking any medical advice from this series. These are simple preventative health remedies that all Americans should take into consideration, especially Black Americans. If used correctly and regularly, we can avoid many of the diseases that American medicine has attributed to the Black gene.

Flaxseed

Flaxseed is an important source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 series of essential fatty acids. ALA is the precursor to eicosapentaenoic acid and the Series 3 prostaglandins (PGE3), which are critical hormones regulating cellular activity.

Numerous studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids help lower cholesterol and blood triglycerides, and help prevent clots in arteries which may result in strokes, heart attacks and thromboses.

Flaxseed provides approximately 50% more omega-3 oils than the amount available from fish oil. The species name "usitatissimum" means "most useful". This truly useful plant has been cultivated for over 7,000 years. In the 8th century, the French king Charlemagne passed a law requiring citizens to consume Flaxseed so that they would be healthy subjects.

The fibers of some of the species of this plant are used to make paper, linen and twine. Linen from Flax was used to wrap mummies in ancient Egypt. Flaxseed contains omega-6 and omega-9 essential fatty acids, linolenic, linoleni & oleic acids, linamarin (a cyanogenic glycoside), mucilage, cyanogenic glycosides, B vitamins, fiber, protein, potassium, lecithin, magnesium, zinc, and vitamins A and E.

The body does not naturally produce certain essential fatty acids, so it is necessary to receive them via the diet. Flaxseed supplements the body with these fatty acids, which are vital for maintaining body temperature, building nerve insulation, protecting tissues and producing energy. Fatty acids are important for building prostaglandins, which are necessary for several body processes, including dilation of blood vessels, cholesterol metabolization, and other critical bio-chemical functions.

Prostaglandins are essential hormone-like substances that help regulate systems functions, including immune, reproductive, cardiovascular and systems. Several scientific studies show that consumption of sources of omega-3 oils leads to a substantially lower risk of death from coronary heart disease. Until recently, experts believed the best sources of omega-3 were fish oils.

However, Flaxseed contains twice as much omega-3 essential fatty acids as fish oil products, without the fishy aftertaste. The common name Flax also includes the species Linum lewisii and Linum perenne, which are used interchangeably with Linum usitatissimum.

Back to Herb Series

Source from: http://www.viableherbalsolutions.com/singles/singles.htm

© June 2005 by Afro Staff