Unless, a person has been in an accident or born with an inherent condition, the human body has been found to contain around 45% to 65% water, 18% carbon and 20% vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, enzymes, amino acids, essential fatty acids and other elements like iron, oxygen and hydrogen. By natures design, plant nutrients are composed of essential fatty acids, enzymes, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, and elements like iron, oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon.

When we eat a variety of edible organic plants they can provide the perfect nutrient balance that is edible, easily digested, assimilated and will assist in easy eliminations to maintain a healthy body and mind.

Chlorophyll is the liquid plasma of the plants. Chlorophyll is very similar to human 'hemin' the protein fraction of the human blood that carries oxygen. A chlorophyll molecule is bound by an atom of magnesium where as hemin is bound by iron. For example there are 17 amino acids found in wheat grass, including 8 essential amino acids, together with enzymes, amino acids are responsible for all cell renewal and a huge array of diverse functions in our bodies. Wheat grass also is high in vitamin A and the full spectrum of B-vitamins including vitamins C and E.

If the human body is taking in processed devitalized food fortified (putting synthetic or inorganic nutrients back in) that when food has saturated fats, sugar, additives, pesticides and preservatives in it and when our cows have been feed cow brains, steroids, antibiotic and other chemicals it makes sense that this food would probably be more difficult for the human body to digest and assimilate. Devitalized food could be one of the reasons we have, catarrh, acid reflex disease, digestive disorders, constipation, and congestion in the brain and sinus tissues.

Catarrh (phlegm, excessive thick mucus, not completely digested food), confusion, excessive inflammation, pain, digestive problems, are all natural warning signals that a thorough cleansing is needed.

Potassium chloride, for example, enables fibrin to remain in solution in the blood. If potassium chloride is not available, the body will take these two elements from any other compound in the body containing them, such as potassium phosphate (which can rob the nerves) or calcium chloride (which can rob the brain or heart) causing a whole series of unbalanced conditions.

Mal-absorption syndrome can begin with a build up of catarrh along the lining of the mouth, throat, stomach (possibly inhibiting complete digestion), in the small intestine, large intestine, lungs, urinary tract and the kidneys. This catarrh could make the muscular contractions of these channels and organs irregular and uncoordinated. Think of a layer of partially digested hydrogenated oils, saturated fats, and sticky processed carbohydrates, sticky processed cheeses interfering with digestion, re-absorption, assimilation, cellular balance and metabolism.

The basic re-absorption and assimilation of healthy nutrients as well as toxic catarrh back into the body happens by filtering through the small intestine, into the liver to be filtered and then into the blood which carries the nutrients or toxins to the rest of the organs, brain and cellular tissues. If more toxic catarrh is being filtered into the body than healthy nutrients a variety of symptoms can occur. Mental illness can be one of them.

Dehydration has been known to mimic classic mental illness symptoms like anxiety, irritability, scattered and slurred speech, confusion, hallucinations, and unexplained behavior. When was the last time you had eight 8oz. glasses of pure water daily? Pure water, juice and herbal tea is our way of naturally cleansing the body.

The brain has at least 20% fat and 74% water (by weight) these fatty substances support the myelin sheath around the nerves, they support and surround our brain cells that are directly involved in receptor formation and nerve transmission.

Deficient amounts of zinc, manganese, magnesium, the amino acids cysteine and serine, and vitamin B-6 and overloaded amounts of copper, lead, cadmium, mercury and other heavy metals have been found in people who have mental illness.

Organic food sources that provide the perfect balance of potassium and chlorine are: fish, goat's milk, green salads, spinach greens, chard greens, bananas, beans, almonds and whole grains. Some herbal sources are dulse, kelp, sage, red clover, parsley, licorice root, garlic, alfalfa, and apple.

Zinc is an essential trace mineral, which, next to iron, is the second most abundant trace mineral in the body. Zinc is found in dulse, fish, kelp, legumes, lima beans, mushrooms, pecans, pumpkin seeds, soy lecithin, sunflower seeds, and whole grains. Some herbal sources are alfalfa, cayenne, eyebright, fennel seeds, hops, nettle, parsley and sage.

Certified Organic Food has been found to contain up to 50% more nutrients than conventionally grown or genetically engineered food.

Excessive amounts of stress changes the adolescent's brain and adrenal function. It has been said that mental illness has developed in people who are living in an impossible environment or situation, so much so that the mind creates an alternative or imaginary world to live.

One step would be to build a dialogue around trust and faith. Avoid blame or labeling of a person who has a mental illness. Interact and surround yourself with people who have developed healthy life style patterns. Realize that life has never been easy; most people will have success and failure and that love, support, guidance, discipline, understanding and nourishment are important components in creating and maintaining a healthy and successful life.

Cindy offers a whole program that includes working with your
mental health professional, doctor, clinic, D.O., and acupuncturist. This program also includes a cleansing routine, a personalized food program, organic herbal plant formulas and exercise. For more information please visit the website, email or call. www.herbalpossibilities.com cindy@herbalpossibilities.com
303-816-0498.

Cindy Walker is a Nutritional Herbalist and a graduate of the School of Natural Healing. She also has credentials from the Colorado School of Healing Arts, the Colorado Institute of Esogetic Colorpuncture and 3 years of undergraduate studies in life sciences. At the end of 2003 Cindy received teaching credentials from the Colorado State Board to teach at the Community College level. She has been studying and working with herbs for 30 years and has an alternative health care business.