My Senior Paper
Natural Remedies
By: Kalicia Szabo
Origin
The practice of natural remedies or herbal medicine is made possible by the use of plant parts for their healing and aromatic qualities. The preparations of these herbs vary and all depend on the person and their specific ailment. Herbalism is a natural way of relieving common illnesses. Throughout history our ancestors relied on this method, and many people today still choose to practice it. Religion and personal belief push some to keep it simple and reliable with ancient remedies. The treatments of today are thought to be a lot less spiritual and many don’t trust doctors because their medicines are known to contain unnatural ingredients. How are we to know what is safe and what they are just experimenting on us? These strange pain relievers are derived from old ways of medicine, but how can we trust something coming from a lab where scientists use unknown chemical ingredients to bring them together?
The idea of herbal medicine is to feel comfortable and familiar with the things we put into our body, and to stay in tune with nature and pollute ourselves as little as possible. However all herbs and plant extracts used to make herbal remedies were at one time unfamiliar and the only way we came to know poison from medicine was trial and error. But these things came from nature, from the world we have been given so most would feel a little more comfortable considering the time and experience of these remedies’ existence. (www.herbplace.com)
Before we had clinics and hospitals, before there were doctors making house calls, there were only tribes and their personal resources that were handed down from generations past. The head of these “tribes” or primitive civilizations were usually the eldest members. These members were known as medicine men (or women) or the shaman. In the tribe they not only handled medical matters but also foretold future events and connected their people spiritually to the world, the gods and their dreams. Their knowledge of medicinal herbs and procedures were at many times unwritten. This acquired information came from elders past and throughout the years was compiled and modified by each shamans experience and new findings. The most commonly known ethnic group practicing these methods of healing were the Indian Americans indigenous to the regions of North America. Growing up most of us have learned a little something about their different tribes and the stories of their connection of the spirit world and their ability to heal the sick with a few herbs and some ancient chanting. The Indian legend is however somewhat different than the most popularly known origin of herbal medicine in the way that the Indian people seemed to rely on their spiritual beliefs as a major guide.
The most prominent origin of natural remedies being used comes from China. The first traces of these practices in the regions that are now China date back to the Shang dynasty (14th-11th centuries BCE). The various forms of treatment include acupuncture, massage, exercise, herbal medicine and dietary therapy. When these treatments were first being practiced there was no concept of medical procedures, these were simply remedies passed down through the generations. Even today these forms of medicine, which are considered to be alternative treatments in our western world, are a very common part of medical care throughout East Asia. The doctrines or practices of Chinese medicine are recorded in books such as The Yellow Emperors Inner Canon and The Treatise on Cold Damage. These practices also originate from cosmological notions like Yin-Yang and The Five Phases. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/traditional_chinese_medicine)
Philosophy
The concept of yin yang in the Asian philosophy is used to describe how polar opposites attract and are interconnected and interdependent in the natural world, and in turn how they give rise to each other. It is thought that opposites only exist in relation to each other. This concept lies at the origin of traditional Chinese science and philosophy and is a central principle in traditional Chinese medicine and different forms of Chinese martial arts and exercise. Many natural dualities such as light and dark, female and male and cold and hot are all manifestations of yin yang. Yin and Yang are not opposite forces, but complementary opposites that interact within a greater whole as part of a dynamic system. Throughout our live we are shown examples of this. An example I am most familiar with is the saying that “opposites attract”, this being used in the sense that two people are drawn together because of their differences, and that may be the reason for the happiness in their relationship. Everything has both yin and yang aspects as light cannot exist without darkness and vice versa. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/yin_and_yang)
The Wu Xing or “Five Phases” have many names such as the Five Agents, the Five Movements and the Five Steps/Stages. They are an ancient mnemonic device used in many traditional Chinese fields. The Five Phases were used for describing relationships between phenomena. They are known in our western world as the Five Elements; Wood(mu), Fire(huo), Earth(tu), Metal(jin) and Water(shui). These elements have been used in many aspects of Chinese thought and fields most are somewhat familiar with. These fields include Feng shui, astrology, traditional Chinese medicine, music, military strategy and martial arts. These elements or phases are still sometimes used in alternative medicine today and many believe the origin of these come from the concept of the Five Cardinal Points, which are the five chakra or power points of the body from which energy is released. This concept has always been so interesting to me. I have always wanted to learn how to control my chakra and meditate deeply, because it is said to give your life and mind more balance, and also give you the ability to see life through a new perspective. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wu_Xing)
History
The practice of Chinese medicine and all its natural remedies being recorded caused a change in the Chinese society, really breaking through the barrier of primitive civilization. the origins of traditional Chinese medicine are thought to date back some 5000 years ago even though the first records only go back somewhere around 2000 years. The history of this medical practice seems to be traced back to three emperors or mythical rulers, Fu Xi, Shen Nong and Hung Di. I find it amazing that we can read and use information that was gathered so long ago. I think that in today’s world we may even be loosing touch with the sense of history and all we can learn from it. It’s not necessarily the events we must concrete into our minds, but the lessons learned and the morality gained from the different situations. The history of Chinese medicine is known to be based on fantasy. It is important to keep in mind that even though a great deal of these remedies and procedures have been proven true and effective, a lot of the information and history are merely legends and stories. Fu Xi was an early tribe leader in the regions that are now china and it is believed by many that he developed the trigrams of Yi Jing (also called the book of changes).
According to ancient texts Fu Xi drew the eight trigrams and created nine needles, which were used in acupuncture. Shen Nong was a legendary emperor who lived somewhere around 5000 years ago and is labeled as “the divine cultivator” by many Chinese people who believe in the folklore. He is thought to be the founder of herbal medicine and even is said to have taught people how to farm. While growing all the different herbs and plants it is said that Shen Nong consumed over one hundred different herbs, 70 of which were toxic, to test their healing affects and whether or not they could be used to cure certain ailments. It is said that his findings were passed down through the generations being that there are no written records.
The first written book documenting the traditional Chinese medicines is the Hung-Di Nei-Jing (Yellow Emperors Cannon of Internal Medicine). It is the oldest medical textbook known in the world and dates back between 800 BCE and 200 BCE. Yellow Emperors Cannon of Internal Medicine is the foundation of Chinese theories for medicine and treatments such as physiology, pathology, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, acupuncture and moxibustion. Many specific discoveries of Chinese medicine were made during the Zhou dynasty including the foundations of yin yang and the Five Phases as mentioned above. The understanding of acupuncture was further developed making the previously used stone needles obsolete and were replaced with metal ones commonly used today. It is amazing how something that derives form such a primitive era is used so freely in today’s world, even in the United States. In my opinion it just goes to show that just because something is outdated does not mean that it cannot be positively and profitably incorporated in to modern times. (www.purifymind.com/HistoryMed.htm)
Use of herbal remedies in the United States
Even though herbal remedies originated in the Chinese and Indian culture, and have been deemed “unconventional” by some, people all over the U.S have adopted this form of medication into their lives. “In 1966 sales of herbal remedies and their ingredients reached $2.5 billion dollars.” (web.campbell.edu/faculty/Nemecz/George_home/references/Herbal.html)
Many people around this era found that Pharmaceutical medication, however effective, showed many unfavorable side effects as well as a lacking in the prevention and treatment of diseases of a cardiovascular, neuro-degenerative and cancerous nature. It was around this time that people not only worried about a cure for such illnesses and even minor ones, but they started focusing on prevention, and many herbal medicines assist in this. The objective of many herbal treatments is to do exactly that; detoxify the body and keep the elements (select parts of the mind and body) healthy as individuals to bring your body and mind as a whole to optimum health and efficiency. It is believed that many people in our world who live a healthy life long past the usual expectancy are able to do so because they take such good care of their bodies and minds. Personally I know this to be true. Even by changing my diet and incorporating regular exercise into my own life my mind worked clearer, my body physically feels healthier and it has really improved my everyday mood. Many accomplish this through balanced diet, vitamin intake, herbal supplements, and frequent exercise, which is commonly practiced in the form of yoga, different strains of martial arts or simply exposing ones self to basic physical exercise (running, weight lifting, bike riding, hiking, ect.).
In 1994 the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHE) was passed stating that all herbs and phytomedicinals can be sold in the united states only if they are labeled as “dietary supplements”. This is saying that the product has not been properly tested and backed by the FDA and has not been proven to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent and disease. There simply isn’t enough information to conclude that these herbal remedies are “safe and effective”. I personally think this is untrue due to the fact that millions of consumers take these supplements and benefit, or at the very least are not harmed due to consumption. In order for this to happen there would need to be millions of dollars invested into clinical trials and since in general these would be nonprofit able products there is no economic reason for a manufacturer to make such a large investment. Also because the FDA can’t decide quality control measures for herbal products, consumers must rely on the manufacturers’ honesty. Many times there are misleading labels and different plants are added to a supplement instead of what is stated. The standardization, which is the percentage of effective chemicals in a product that treats a specific ailment, does not exist in the case of herbal supplements. Since the FDA has no say there is really no way to be sure exactly how effective your product is at treating your condition. Also because there is no general regulations on these products every brand selling these herbs vary in their ingredients, consistency and standardization of natural chemicals. It is up to the consumer to decided for themselves if herbal remedies are the best answer for their medical conditions, here is a short list of a few herbs that are considered to be unsafe.
-Chaparral leaves
Uses: Skin disorders, anti cancer and pain reliever
Negative effects: Large doses or prolonged use can cause liver damage.
-Ephedra stems
Uses: Decongestant, allergies, depression and obesity
Negative effects: Should not be used in cases of heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure.
-Hydrangea roots
Uses: Diuretic, Kidney and prostate disorders
Negative effects: Leaves contain cyanide, which is toxic. Do not consume.
-Pokeroot
Uses: Chronic rheumatism, possible anticancer (breast)
Negative effects: Overdose can cause vomiting, purging and may be fatal in children.
-Sassafras roots and bark
Uses: Rheumatic pain and antiseptic
Negative effects: Contains safrole; carcinogen, can cause liver damage.
-Yohimbine bark
Uses: Increases libido and weight loss
Negative effects: Can cause high blood pressure, anxiety and should not be used in cases of kidney disease or psychological disorders.
(web.campbell.edu/faculty/Nemecz/George_home/references/Herbal.html)
Examples of natural remedies
Charles Silverman N.D. states in his book “The Homemade Medicine”, “It is important to know, that you don’t have to run to the pharmacy every time something hurts, or someone gets sick, most of the illnesses that we encounter in the daily basis, can be treated without expensive synthetic drugs”. Natural remedies are a very desirable form of treatment for many ailments. With their help we find ourselves experiencing less negative side effects and therefore we are really able to feel our best. Many people have heard ideas of certain concoctions from friends or maybe even an older family member, but do we really know what is harmful and what is not? Here is a list of common sicknesses and even some that are a little out of the ordinary. With every ailment there will be an herbal solution and a description of how to prepare these remedies.
For mild acne take a garlic supplement capsule as directed daily. Garlic boosts the immune system and kills bacteria found in acne. For severe acne rub tea tree oil on the affected area, as it is a natural antibiotic. It works in the same way as peroxide but without the uncomfortable skin irritating side effects. To me these options are so much better than the pharmaceutical regiments sold in stores, which often create severe dryness and make you’re acne worse before it gets better.
For dark circles under the eyes a there are a few steps that should always be followed in their prevention. Your should always get at least eight hours of sleep, try and drink at least eight glasses of water a day and keep up your vitamin K intake. Some believe that covering your eyes with slices of potato or cucumber for 15-20 min a day will help diminish these dark circles. Also some say applying lemon juice or almond oil twice a day will help.
To prevent back pain avoid sitting in couches and instead use a firm chair and put a pillow near your lumbar area to prevent stiffness. Also have someone use oils and massage your back with their knuckles, increasing pressure slowly. I know from personal experience that these remedies work, at least of minor back pain.
The California poppy, which can be made into a tea, is a good treatment for anxiety. It helps with sleeplessness and is a tension relieving sedative. The poppy is very gentle, non- addictive and is safe for children and the elderly. Another well-known herb used to relieve tension and anxiety is chamomile. It has tranquilizing effects and aids in healthy digestion, while suppressing cramping and back pain. Chamomile is usually ingested in the form of tea, but supplements are also available. Lemon balm and Valerian root, also normally used in the form of tea, have the same qualities as the two herbs mentioned above.
Smoking cigarettes is thought to be one of the hardest habits to break. “Most smokers acquired the habit through peer pressure or to imitate friends or to belong to a group of people, ether way smokers are usually insecure and nervous people that need the cigarette between their fingers to give them a sense of tranquility and to help them get through stressful times or awkward moments”. -Charles Silverman N.D. There are many substitutes people have found effective for taking the place of smoking. The trick is to find what works best for you. For cravings taking some form of cayenne desensitizes the respiratory linings to tobacco and chemical irritants. This antioxidant stabilizes lung membranes preventing damage and the warm peppery taste reduces cravings. When you have finally comes to terms are truly ready to give it up there a few things you should do to help regenerate your body. Taking 200mg twice daily of coenzyme protects the lungs, the heart and increases oxygen to the brain. Also it is important to take grape seed extract, vitamin E and vitamin A to repair lung damage. I think these remedies are wonderful considering there are such a large number of smokers in our country, many of which will die as a result of this tuff addiction.
“Headache experts estimate that about 90 percent of all headaches are tension headaches and 6 percent are migraines.”-Charles Silverman N.D. Considering most headaches are related to muscles tension chamomile, which was mentioned above, is a good treatment because it relaxes and soothes muscles. Cayenne thins the blood, which reduces pain and allows better blood flow. Calcium and magnesium are minerals that help alleviate muscular tension and a deficiency could be the cause of frequent migraines, so take 1000mg daily.
For a more long-term affect take vitamin A, as it is necessary for healthy vision. Also eating spinach or taking the extracts can help prevent blood shot eyes because it contains carotenoid needed for retina and eyes tissue. For a here and now treatment “eyebright” eye drops, which are herbal based are excellent for a reliever and are much more effective and safer that pharmaceutical eye drops. Also an easy treatment at home is to use raspberry leaves to make a tea, let it cool and then soak a cotton ball in the solution and applying it to the eyes.
Arthritis can be very painful and makes it extremely difficult, and even impossible to do everyday activities. One way to help protect and improve joint mobility in to take Vitamin E, alfalfa capsules or ingest the herb itself. Ginger works the best at relieving pain inflammation, and stiffness and can be applied directly to the affected area.
Bad breath or halitosis can be related to some serious health issues but is normally the effect of poor oral hygiene or digestion. Some believe that taking chlorophyll can help rid this problem because it cleanses the intestines. Also a supplement of acidophilus can be taken to regulate digestion. If stomach and digestion issues are not to blame try toothpaste with an herbal base that doesn’t contain sugar, or chew on a small sprig of parsley to freshen your breath.
Hair loss isn’t a life threatening condition but it definitely plays into self-esteem and confidence, which are very important in our world. Some believe hair loss can be related to poor circulation, taking Ginkgo Biloba can help improve blood circulation. Also taking Silica in capsule form once a day helps hair to be stronger and thicker. Another belief is that rinsing your hair with a mix of apple cider vinegar and sage tea helps hair grow. Did you know that rinsing with herb sage restores color back to gray hair better than commercial products?
(www.homemademedicine.com/ailments.html)
Controversy
Dr. Barbara Steinhoff says, “Medicinal plants and their preparations belong to the oldest known health-care products that have been used by human beings all over the world”. Even though herbal medicine has a long history, which is respected by many doctors, and people of all races and status, our government will not accept it as a formal form of medication. Their reasons vary but the underlying cause is that some remedies are to unknown. We cannot put a specific label and consistent monetary rate on their production by major corporations. We lack support for a form of medication that has proven to be effective and less harmful on our bodies simply because it hasn’t come from one of our controlled laboratories where our government has more than large say in the product ingredients. We fear what we cannot control and even though that statement may seem a little strong in the case of herbal medication, I believe it still holds validity.
However positive the feedback of these remedies there are many people who claim the negative side effects far exceed the benefits. They claim that just because we haven’t performed laboratory testing on these products, that they should be considered unreliable and shouldn’t be used to treat illnesses. In my opinion most of the negativity comes from the fact that we cannot tax these herbs or indorse them through bigger corporations because companies refuse to make such an economically unsound investment. Basically it is because there isn’t any significantly large amount of money that can be collected from these products.
In the United States there are many people who support herbal medicine. One positive aspect of these treatments is that they’re easy to do and most of them can be done at home. They’re considered to be safer by many consumers because of their all natural ingredients and lack of dangerous side effects. Throughout the world people use herbal remedies and would much rather stay away from today’s clinics do to high cost and other personal reasons. Dr. Barbara Steinhoff’s statement supports these thoughts, “The population estimates the risk attached to natural medicines much lower than to chemical pharmaceutical products. 80 % of the population believes that the risk of natural medicines is low, whereas 47 and 37 % respectively of the population estimate the risk of chemical medicines as middling and great respectively.” (Percentages Recorded from the German population). As you can see from these results, most people feel that an herbal form of medicine is safer and would prefer to use these treatments. (Phytotherapy and Herbal Medicinal Products in the European Union)
In my opinion, I think that we rely entirely to much on prescription medication. The chemicals used are very addictive and if consumed excessively, can be very harmful to vital organs and even fatal. I Think that we should embrace the use of Natural, herbal remedies. They’re more convenient, easier on the body and over all they are a smarter financial choice. Trivial doctor visits for colds, coughs and frequents body aches are just as, if not less effective that using an herbal home remedies, and they cost so much more! For most clinics there is a large initial fee usually around 80 or so dollars just to see the physician, this isn’t even including the cost of pricey prescription meds. Now just because I believe in the frequent use of natural treatments doesn’t mean that I am advising anyone to cut the doctor visits out of their lives completely. In serious medical cases you should always go straight to the emergency room, because some conditions and wounds are far too complicated and serious to be treated at home, and require special medical attention.
Bibliography
(www.Herbplace.com)
(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/traditional_chinese_medicine)
(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/yin_and_yang)
(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wu_Xing)
(www.purifymind.com/HistoryMed.htm)
(webcampbell.edu/faculty/NemeczGeorge_home/references/Herbal.html)
(www.homemademedicine.com/ailments.html)
Dr. Barbara Steinhoff
German Medicines Manufacturers’ Association (BAH)
Ubierstr. 71-73
D-53173 BONN
Charles SilvermanN.D.
Author of HomeMade Medicine
3rd. Edition eBook
By: Kalicia Szabo
Origin
The practice of natural remedies or herbal medicine is made possible by the use of plant parts for their healing and aromatic qualities. The preparations of these herbs vary and all depend on the person and their specific ailment. Herbalism is a natural way of relieving common illnesses. Throughout history our ancestors relied on this method, and many people today still choose to practice it. Religion and personal belief push some to keep it simple and reliable with ancient remedies. The treatments of today are thought to be a lot less spiritual and many don’t trust doctors because their medicines are known to contain unnatural ingredients. How are we to know what is safe and what they are just experimenting on us? These strange pain relievers are derived from old ways of medicine, but how can we trust something coming from a lab where scientists use unknown chemical ingredients to bring them together?
The idea of herbal medicine is to feel comfortable and familiar with the things we put into our body, and to stay in tune with nature and pollute ourselves as little as possible. However all herbs and plant extracts used to make herbal remedies were at one time unfamiliar and the only way we came to know poison from medicine was trial and error. But these things came from nature, from the world we have been given so most would feel a little more comfortable considering the time and experience of these remedies’ existence. (www.herbplace.com)
Before we had clinics and hospitals, before there were doctors making house calls, there were only tribes and their personal resources that were handed down from generations past. The head of these “tribes” or primitive civilizations were usually the eldest members. These members were known as medicine men (or women) or the shaman. In the tribe they not only handled medical matters but also foretold future events and connected their people spiritually to the world, the gods and their dreams. Their knowledge of medicinal herbs and procedures were at many times unwritten. This acquired information came from elders past and throughout the years was compiled and modified by each shamans experience and new findings. The most commonly known ethnic group practicing these methods of healing were the Indian Americans indigenous to the regions of North America. Growing up most of us have learned a little something about their different tribes and the stories of their connection of the spirit world and their ability to heal the sick with a few herbs and some ancient chanting. The Indian legend is however somewhat different than the most popularly known origin of herbal medicine in the way that the Indian people seemed to rely on their spiritual beliefs as a major guide.
The most prominent origin of natural remedies being used comes from China. The first traces of these practices in the regions that are now China date back to the Shang dynasty (14th-11th centuries BCE). The various forms of treatment include acupuncture, massage, exercise, herbal medicine and dietary therapy. When these treatments were first being practiced there was no concept of medical procedures, these were simply remedies passed down through the generations. Even today these forms of medicine, which are considered to be alternative treatments in our western world, are a very common part of medical care throughout East Asia. The doctrines or practices of Chinese medicine are recorded in books such as The Yellow Emperors Inner Canon and The Treatise on Cold Damage. These practices also originate from cosmological notions like Yin-Yang and The Five Phases. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/traditional_chinese_medicine)
Philosophy
The concept of yin yang in the Asian philosophy is used to describe how polar opposites attract and are interconnected and interdependent in the natural world, and in turn how they give rise to each other. It is thought that opposites only exist in relation to each other. This concept lies at the origin of traditional Chinese science and philosophy and is a central principle in traditional Chinese medicine and different forms of Chinese martial arts and exercise. Many natural dualities such as light and dark, female and male and cold and hot are all manifestations of yin yang. Yin and Yang are not opposite forces, but complementary opposites that interact within a greater whole as part of a dynamic system. Throughout our live we are shown examples of this. An example I am most familiar with is the saying that “opposites attract”, this being used in the sense that two people are drawn together because of their differences, and that may be the reason for the happiness in their relationship. Everything has both yin and yang aspects as light cannot exist without darkness and vice versa. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/yin_and_yang)
The Wu Xing or “Five Phases” have many names such as the Five Agents, the Five Movements and the Five Steps/Stages. They are an ancient mnemonic device used in many traditional Chinese fields. The Five Phases were used for describing relationships between phenomena. They are known in our western world as the Five Elements; Wood(mu), Fire(huo), Earth(tu), Metal(jin) and Water(shui). These elements have been used in many aspects of Chinese thought and fields most are somewhat familiar with. These fields include Feng shui, astrology, traditional Chinese medicine, music, military strategy and martial arts. These elements or phases are still sometimes used in alternative medicine today and many believe the origin of these come from the concept of the Five Cardinal Points, which are the five chakra or power points of the body from which energy is released. This concept has always been so interesting to me. I have always wanted to learn how to control my chakra and meditate deeply, because it is said to give your life and mind more balance, and also give you the ability to see life through a new perspective. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wu_Xing)
History
The practice of Chinese medicine and all its natural remedies being recorded caused a change in the Chinese society, really breaking through the barrier of primitive civilization. the origins of traditional Chinese medicine are thought to date back some 5000 years ago even though the first records only go back somewhere around 2000 years. The history of this medical practice seems to be traced back to three emperors or mythical rulers, Fu Xi, Shen Nong and Hung Di. I find it amazing that we can read and use information that was gathered so long ago. I think that in today’s world we may even be loosing touch with the sense of history and all we can learn from it. It’s not necessarily the events we must concrete into our minds, but the lessons learned and the morality gained from the different situations. The history of Chinese medicine is known to be based on fantasy. It is important to keep in mind that even though a great deal of these remedies and procedures have been proven true and effective, a lot of the information and history are merely legends and stories. Fu Xi was an early tribe leader in the regions that are now china and it is believed by many that he developed the trigrams of Yi Jing (also called the book of changes).
According to ancient texts Fu Xi drew the eight trigrams and created nine needles, which were used in acupuncture. Shen Nong was a legendary emperor who lived somewhere around 5000 years ago and is labeled as “the divine cultivator” by many Chinese people who believe in the folklore. He is thought to be the founder of herbal medicine and even is said to have taught people how to farm. While growing all the different herbs and plants it is said that Shen Nong consumed over one hundred different herbs, 70 of which were toxic, to test their healing affects and whether or not they could be used to cure certain ailments. It is said that his findings were passed down through the generations being that there are no written records.
The first written book documenting the traditional Chinese medicines is the Hung-Di Nei-Jing (Yellow Emperors Cannon of Internal Medicine). It is the oldest medical textbook known in the world and dates back between 800 BCE and 200 BCE. Yellow Emperors Cannon of Internal Medicine is the foundation of Chinese theories for medicine and treatments such as physiology, pathology, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, acupuncture and moxibustion. Many specific discoveries of Chinese medicine were made during the Zhou dynasty including the foundations of yin yang and the Five Phases as mentioned above. The understanding of acupuncture was further developed making the previously used stone needles obsolete and were replaced with metal ones commonly used today. It is amazing how something that derives form such a primitive era is used so freely in today’s world, even in the United States. In my opinion it just goes to show that just because something is outdated does not mean that it cannot be positively and profitably incorporated in to modern times. (www.purifymind.com/HistoryMed.htm)
Use of herbal remedies in the United States
Even though herbal remedies originated in the Chinese and Indian culture, and have been deemed “unconventional” by some, people all over the U.S have adopted this form of medication into their lives. “In 1966 sales of herbal remedies and their ingredients reached $2.5 billion dollars.” (web.campbell.edu/faculty/Nemecz/George_home/references/Herbal.html)
Many people around this era found that Pharmaceutical medication, however effective, showed many unfavorable side effects as well as a lacking in the prevention and treatment of diseases of a cardiovascular, neuro-degenerative and cancerous nature. It was around this time that people not only worried about a cure for such illnesses and even minor ones, but they started focusing on prevention, and many herbal medicines assist in this. The objective of many herbal treatments is to do exactly that; detoxify the body and keep the elements (select parts of the mind and body) healthy as individuals to bring your body and mind as a whole to optimum health and efficiency. It is believed that many people in our world who live a healthy life long past the usual expectancy are able to do so because they take such good care of their bodies and minds. Personally I know this to be true. Even by changing my diet and incorporating regular exercise into my own life my mind worked clearer, my body physically feels healthier and it has really improved my everyday mood. Many accomplish this through balanced diet, vitamin intake, herbal supplements, and frequent exercise, which is commonly practiced in the form of yoga, different strains of martial arts or simply exposing ones self to basic physical exercise (running, weight lifting, bike riding, hiking, ect.).
In 1994 the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHE) was passed stating that all herbs and phytomedicinals can be sold in the united states only if they are labeled as “dietary supplements”. This is saying that the product has not been properly tested and backed by the FDA and has not been proven to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent and disease. There simply isn’t enough information to conclude that these herbal remedies are “safe and effective”. I personally think this is untrue due to the fact that millions of consumers take these supplements and benefit, or at the very least are not harmed due to consumption. In order for this to happen there would need to be millions of dollars invested into clinical trials and since in general these would be nonprofit able products there is no economic reason for a manufacturer to make such a large investment. Also because the FDA can’t decide quality control measures for herbal products, consumers must rely on the manufacturers’ honesty. Many times there are misleading labels and different plants are added to a supplement instead of what is stated. The standardization, which is the percentage of effective chemicals in a product that treats a specific ailment, does not exist in the case of herbal supplements. Since the FDA has no say there is really no way to be sure exactly how effective your product is at treating your condition. Also because there is no general regulations on these products every brand selling these herbs vary in their ingredients, consistency and standardization of natural chemicals. It is up to the consumer to decided for themselves if herbal remedies are the best answer for their medical conditions, here is a short list of a few herbs that are considered to be unsafe.
-Chaparral leaves
Uses: Skin disorders, anti cancer and pain reliever
Negative effects: Large doses or prolonged use can cause liver damage.
-Ephedra stems
Uses: Decongestant, allergies, depression and obesity
Negative effects: Should not be used in cases of heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure.
-Hydrangea roots
Uses: Diuretic, Kidney and prostate disorders
Negative effects: Leaves contain cyanide, which is toxic. Do not consume.
-Pokeroot
Uses: Chronic rheumatism, possible anticancer (breast)
Negative effects: Overdose can cause vomiting, purging and may be fatal in children.
-Sassafras roots and bark
Uses: Rheumatic pain and antiseptic
Negative effects: Contains safrole; carcinogen, can cause liver damage.
-Yohimbine bark
Uses: Increases libido and weight loss
Negative effects: Can cause high blood pressure, anxiety and should not be used in cases of kidney disease or psychological disorders.
(web.campbell.edu/faculty/Nemecz/George_home/references/Herbal.html)
Examples of natural remedies
Charles Silverman N.D. states in his book “The Homemade Medicine”, “It is important to know, that you don’t have to run to the pharmacy every time something hurts, or someone gets sick, most of the illnesses that we encounter in the daily basis, can be treated without expensive synthetic drugs”. Natural remedies are a very desirable form of treatment for many ailments. With their help we find ourselves experiencing less negative side effects and therefore we are really able to feel our best. Many people have heard ideas of certain concoctions from friends or maybe even an older family member, but do we really know what is harmful and what is not? Here is a list of common sicknesses and even some that are a little out of the ordinary. With every ailment there will be an herbal solution and a description of how to prepare these remedies.
For mild acne take a garlic supplement capsule as directed daily. Garlic boosts the immune system and kills bacteria found in acne. For severe acne rub tea tree oil on the affected area, as it is a natural antibiotic. It works in the same way as peroxide but without the uncomfortable skin irritating side effects. To me these options are so much better than the pharmaceutical regiments sold in stores, which often create severe dryness and make you’re acne worse before it gets better.
For dark circles under the eyes a there are a few steps that should always be followed in their prevention. Your should always get at least eight hours of sleep, try and drink at least eight glasses of water a day and keep up your vitamin K intake. Some believe that covering your eyes with slices of potato or cucumber for 15-20 min a day will help diminish these dark circles. Also some say applying lemon juice or almond oil twice a day will help.
To prevent back pain avoid sitting in couches and instead use a firm chair and put a pillow near your lumbar area to prevent stiffness. Also have someone use oils and massage your back with their knuckles, increasing pressure slowly. I know from personal experience that these remedies work, at least of minor back pain.
The California poppy, which can be made into a tea, is a good treatment for anxiety. It helps with sleeplessness and is a tension relieving sedative. The poppy is very gentle, non- addictive and is safe for children and the elderly. Another well-known herb used to relieve tension and anxiety is chamomile. It has tranquilizing effects and aids in healthy digestion, while suppressing cramping and back pain. Chamomile is usually ingested in the form of tea, but supplements are also available. Lemon balm and Valerian root, also normally used in the form of tea, have the same qualities as the two herbs mentioned above.
Smoking cigarettes is thought to be one of the hardest habits to break. “Most smokers acquired the habit through peer pressure or to imitate friends or to belong to a group of people, ether way smokers are usually insecure and nervous people that need the cigarette between their fingers to give them a sense of tranquility and to help them get through stressful times or awkward moments”. -Charles Silverman N.D. There are many substitutes people have found effective for taking the place of smoking. The trick is to find what works best for you. For cravings taking some form of cayenne desensitizes the respiratory linings to tobacco and chemical irritants. This antioxidant stabilizes lung membranes preventing damage and the warm peppery taste reduces cravings. When you have finally comes to terms are truly ready to give it up there a few things you should do to help regenerate your body. Taking 200mg twice daily of coenzyme protects the lungs, the heart and increases oxygen to the brain. Also it is important to take grape seed extract, vitamin E and vitamin A to repair lung damage. I think these remedies are wonderful considering there are such a large number of smokers in our country, many of which will die as a result of this tuff addiction.
“Headache experts estimate that about 90 percent of all headaches are tension headaches and 6 percent are migraines.”-Charles Silverman N.D. Considering most headaches are related to muscles tension chamomile, which was mentioned above, is a good treatment because it relaxes and soothes muscles. Cayenne thins the blood, which reduces pain and allows better blood flow. Calcium and magnesium are minerals that help alleviate muscular tension and a deficiency could be the cause of frequent migraines, so take 1000mg daily.
For a more long-term affect take vitamin A, as it is necessary for healthy vision. Also eating spinach or taking the extracts can help prevent blood shot eyes because it contains carotenoid needed for retina and eyes tissue. For a here and now treatment “eyebright” eye drops, which are herbal based are excellent for a reliever and are much more effective and safer that pharmaceutical eye drops. Also an easy treatment at home is to use raspberry leaves to make a tea, let it cool and then soak a cotton ball in the solution and applying it to the eyes.
Arthritis can be very painful and makes it extremely difficult, and even impossible to do everyday activities. One way to help protect and improve joint mobility in to take Vitamin E, alfalfa capsules or ingest the herb itself. Ginger works the best at relieving pain inflammation, and stiffness and can be applied directly to the affected area.
Bad breath or halitosis can be related to some serious health issues but is normally the effect of poor oral hygiene or digestion. Some believe that taking chlorophyll can help rid this problem because it cleanses the intestines. Also a supplement of acidophilus can be taken to regulate digestion. If stomach and digestion issues are not to blame try toothpaste with an herbal base that doesn’t contain sugar, or chew on a small sprig of parsley to freshen your breath.
Hair loss isn’t a life threatening condition but it definitely plays into self-esteem and confidence, which are very important in our world. Some believe hair loss can be related to poor circulation, taking Ginkgo Biloba can help improve blood circulation. Also taking Silica in capsule form once a day helps hair to be stronger and thicker. Another belief is that rinsing your hair with a mix of apple cider vinegar and sage tea helps hair grow. Did you know that rinsing with herb sage restores color back to gray hair better than commercial products?
(www.homemademedicine.com/ailments.html)
Controversy
Dr. Barbara Steinhoff says, “Medicinal plants and their preparations belong to the oldest known health-care products that have been used by human beings all over the world”. Even though herbal medicine has a long history, which is respected by many doctors, and people of all races and status, our government will not accept it as a formal form of medication. Their reasons vary but the underlying cause is that some remedies are to unknown. We cannot put a specific label and consistent monetary rate on their production by major corporations. We lack support for a form of medication that has proven to be effective and less harmful on our bodies simply because it hasn’t come from one of our controlled laboratories where our government has more than large say in the product ingredients. We fear what we cannot control and even though that statement may seem a little strong in the case of herbal medication, I believe it still holds validity.
However positive the feedback of these remedies there are many people who claim the negative side effects far exceed the benefits. They claim that just because we haven’t performed laboratory testing on these products, that they should be considered unreliable and shouldn’t be used to treat illnesses. In my opinion most of the negativity comes from the fact that we cannot tax these herbs or indorse them through bigger corporations because companies refuse to make such an economically unsound investment. Basically it is because there isn’t any significantly large amount of money that can be collected from these products.
In the United States there are many people who support herbal medicine. One positive aspect of these treatments is that they’re easy to do and most of them can be done at home. They’re considered to be safer by many consumers because of their all natural ingredients and lack of dangerous side effects. Throughout the world people use herbal remedies and would much rather stay away from today’s clinics do to high cost and other personal reasons. Dr. Barbara Steinhoff’s statement supports these thoughts, “The population estimates the risk attached to natural medicines much lower than to chemical pharmaceutical products. 80 % of the population believes that the risk of natural medicines is low, whereas 47 and 37 % respectively of the population estimate the risk of chemical medicines as middling and great respectively.” (Percentages Recorded from the German population). As you can see from these results, most people feel that an herbal form of medicine is safer and would prefer to use these treatments. (Phytotherapy and Herbal Medicinal Products in the European Union)
In my opinion, I think that we rely entirely to much on prescription medication. The chemicals used are very addictive and if consumed excessively, can be very harmful to vital organs and even fatal. I Think that we should embrace the use of Natural, herbal remedies. They’re more convenient, easier on the body and over all they are a smarter financial choice. Trivial doctor visits for colds, coughs and frequents body aches are just as, if not less effective that using an herbal home remedies, and they cost so much more! For most clinics there is a large initial fee usually around 80 or so dollars just to see the physician, this isn’t even including the cost of pricey prescription meds. Now just because I believe in the frequent use of natural treatments doesn’t mean that I am advising anyone to cut the doctor visits out of their lives completely. In serious medical cases you should always go straight to the emergency room, because some conditions and wounds are far too complicated and serious to be treated at home, and require special medical attention.
Bibliography
(www.Herbplace.com)
(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/traditional_chinese_medicine)
(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/yin_and_yang)
(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wu_Xing)
(www.purifymind.com/HistoryMed.htm)
(webcampbell.edu/faculty/NemeczGeorge_home/references/Herbal.html)
(www.homemademedicine.com/ailments.html)
Dr. Barbara Steinhoff
German Medicines Manufacturers’ Association (BAH)
Ubierstr. 71-73
D-53173 BONN
Charles SilvermanN.D.
Author of HomeMade Medicine
3rd. Edition eBook
Climate change essay
By: Kalicia Szabo
Our world is changing quickly. In the last 100 years we have advanced farther and faster than all of recorded history. It’s true that our change is good and technology is used by nearly everyone, but it’s having a negative effect on our planet. Climate change is happening rapidly and is threatening life for more than just future generations. We as a whole world need to work together to lessen the carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.
As a global citizen I will do my part to help the environment. I live in a very small town so I walk mostly everywhere I go. Also I keep the heat in my house very low and wear a sweater when I get cold. We also reuse many things like grocery bags and water bottles. These things may seem small and insignificant but if we all pitched in just a little it would make a big difference.
I truly hope that people become more environmentally aware. It makes me very sad to know that my children may no have the same experience of the world that I have. I want them to see the world for all of its natural beauty and at the rate we are going, this may be impossible. So I'm going to do my best to make a difference and help others make that same commitment.
By: Kalicia Szabo
Our world is changing quickly. In the last 100 years we have advanced farther and faster than all of recorded history. It’s true that our change is good and technology is used by nearly everyone, but it’s having a negative effect on our planet. Climate change is happening rapidly and is threatening life for more than just future generations. We as a whole world need to work together to lessen the carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.
As a global citizen I will do my part to help the environment. I live in a very small town so I walk mostly everywhere I go. Also I keep the heat in my house very low and wear a sweater when I get cold. We also reuse many things like grocery bags and water bottles. These things may seem small and insignificant but if we all pitched in just a little it would make a big difference.
I truly hope that people become more environmentally aware. It makes me very sad to know that my children may no have the same experience of the world that I have. I want them to see the world for all of its natural beauty and at the rate we are going, this may be impossible. So I'm going to do my best to make a difference and help others make that same commitment.
_
The Glass Castle
Journal By: Kalicia Szabo
-Pg.9-14 How did Jeanette, her parents and the nurses feel while she was in the hospital? What were their perspectives?
-I think that Jeanette didn’t really mind being in the hospital. I think she rather enjoyed all of the special treatment, and because she was so young she didn’t really understand. I think that her parents felt the hospital wasn’t doing her any good and really just wanted to get her out ASAP.The nurses and doctors were probably very concerned and wondered about her family life.
-What does your mind picture when you read the book? Which word best describes their lives?
-In my mind I see little scruffy children running around having fun because they are naive. They don’t fully understand their situation and just listen to what their parents tell them. The word that best describes their lives would be unstable because their parents are constantly uprooting the family.
-Give your thoughts about the situation and different perspectives.
-The Walls kids slept in cardboard boxes:
The kid’s perspective would be thinking it was kind of fun like a game. In my opinion it’s kind of uncomfortable and a little trashy, but if you have no money or furniture it is better than the floor.
-The Walls kids traveling in the back of the van:
The parents were just trying to hurry and leave and didn’t really think about the children’s safety or well being. I think the cops would have thought the situation was wrong. The kids could have been seriously hurt.
-The piano in the yard:
Their mother made the best of the situation and didn’t really mind. I’m sure the neighbors thought it to be very unusual and probably gossiped about the family.
-In the book the author describes how it is to fit in with kids in the neighborhood. How did you fit in as a kid?
-When I was young we all fit in together by being outside, riding bikes and just being active together. We lived in a coldasack and in my neighborhood all our time was spent outside on the bike tracks. If not there then we were usually in someone’s backyard listening to the radio and playing cards.
-Describe Jeanette’s literary style
-Jeanette’s literary style is very down to earth. She writes almost just as it happened. I love that she doesn’t use strict structure and I think it makes the story flow. I also like the fact that she balances the emotions in this story. There are some very sad parts but she throws in the little happy stories as well. Her vocabulary isn’t predetermined; it just comes out how she remembers it. I really like that chapters do not separate this book because it helps with the flow. I think she chose this style because she wanted everyone to be able to relate to the story and understand different points of view. Her story is in first person perspective and I think she wrote it to explain and inform
-What is the author’s purpose for writing this book?
-I think her purpose for writing this story is mostly to inform people of the harsh realities of life. I also think it was to entertain through her crazy stories and experiences.
-What makes a good parent?
-In my opinion being a good parent means having unconditional love. Always trying to understand perspectives and coming to a happy medium. Also I think you should always have a level of friendship with your children, but there is a fine line between parent and friend that cannot be crossed until their later years.
-Does this book follow a common literacy model?
-I don’t think the book follows a common literacy model because it has constant rising and falling action. It does however contain a climax. It is where the children move to New York because they are finally on their own. In my opinion its still a good book and maybe even makes it a little more interesting.
-Create an image of Jeannette in your mind and describe it.
-I think she would be very thin and tall with red hair. I would say she would look kind of scraggly considering her lifestyle. Also I think she would be kind of quiet but very kind and optimistic. In school she would probably be an “A” student and be reliable, but because of her outward appearance and shyness she wouldn’t have many friends. As an adult she would be kind and have many friends and be successful. After seeing the clip of Jeannette I noticed she is a lot how I pictured her. She seems intellegent, successful and humble. She also seems like a woman with a good sense of humor.
-Compare mental images of the two main places the Walls family lived: Battle Mountain and Welch.
-I like Battle Mountain better because the kids were happier and had more adventures. The mood in Battle Mountain is free and in Welch its sad and there seem to be never ending hard times. The author portrays these moods by examples of their times and activities.
-Who are the protagonist and antagonist in this book? Why ?
-I think the kids are the protagonists and their parents are the antagonists, because the parents are responsible for the hard times their children experience and the children just try to get by with what they are given and what situation their parents put them in.
-What’s the Glass Castle? Why do you think the author used the Glass Castle as the title for the book?
-The Glass Castle is the home their father promised they would one day build together and live in. When the children were young they looked up to this dream and in many ways I believe it gave them strength and hope in the hardships they faced. I think Jeannette used this as the title for that very reason. It was a bond between her and her father and when she realized it would never truly be constructed a little part of her innocence died and she finally let go of the protectiveness she felt for her father. It made her grow up and move on with her life. She used it as the title to remember her father and the good times they shared.
Journal By: Kalicia Szabo
-Pg.9-14 How did Jeanette, her parents and the nurses feel while she was in the hospital? What were their perspectives?
-I think that Jeanette didn’t really mind being in the hospital. I think she rather enjoyed all of the special treatment, and because she was so young she didn’t really understand. I think that her parents felt the hospital wasn’t doing her any good and really just wanted to get her out ASAP.The nurses and doctors were probably very concerned and wondered about her family life.
-What does your mind picture when you read the book? Which word best describes their lives?
-In my mind I see little scruffy children running around having fun because they are naive. They don’t fully understand their situation and just listen to what their parents tell them. The word that best describes their lives would be unstable because their parents are constantly uprooting the family.
-Give your thoughts about the situation and different perspectives.
-The Walls kids slept in cardboard boxes:
The kid’s perspective would be thinking it was kind of fun like a game. In my opinion it’s kind of uncomfortable and a little trashy, but if you have no money or furniture it is better than the floor.
-The Walls kids traveling in the back of the van:
The parents were just trying to hurry and leave and didn’t really think about the children’s safety or well being. I think the cops would have thought the situation was wrong. The kids could have been seriously hurt.
-The piano in the yard:
Their mother made the best of the situation and didn’t really mind. I’m sure the neighbors thought it to be very unusual and probably gossiped about the family.
-In the book the author describes how it is to fit in with kids in the neighborhood. How did you fit in as a kid?
-When I was young we all fit in together by being outside, riding bikes and just being active together. We lived in a coldasack and in my neighborhood all our time was spent outside on the bike tracks. If not there then we were usually in someone’s backyard listening to the radio and playing cards.
-Describe Jeanette’s literary style
-Jeanette’s literary style is very down to earth. She writes almost just as it happened. I love that she doesn’t use strict structure and I think it makes the story flow. I also like the fact that she balances the emotions in this story. There are some very sad parts but she throws in the little happy stories as well. Her vocabulary isn’t predetermined; it just comes out how she remembers it. I really like that chapters do not separate this book because it helps with the flow. I think she chose this style because she wanted everyone to be able to relate to the story and understand different points of view. Her story is in first person perspective and I think she wrote it to explain and inform
-What is the author’s purpose for writing this book?
-I think her purpose for writing this story is mostly to inform people of the harsh realities of life. I also think it was to entertain through her crazy stories and experiences.
-What makes a good parent?
-In my opinion being a good parent means having unconditional love. Always trying to understand perspectives and coming to a happy medium. Also I think you should always have a level of friendship with your children, but there is a fine line between parent and friend that cannot be crossed until their later years.
-Does this book follow a common literacy model?
-I don’t think the book follows a common literacy model because it has constant rising and falling action. It does however contain a climax. It is where the children move to New York because they are finally on their own. In my opinion its still a good book and maybe even makes it a little more interesting.
-Create an image of Jeannette in your mind and describe it.
-I think she would be very thin and tall with red hair. I would say she would look kind of scraggly considering her lifestyle. Also I think she would be kind of quiet but very kind and optimistic. In school she would probably be an “A” student and be reliable, but because of her outward appearance and shyness she wouldn’t have many friends. As an adult she would be kind and have many friends and be successful. After seeing the clip of Jeannette I noticed she is a lot how I pictured her. She seems intellegent, successful and humble. She also seems like a woman with a good sense of humor.
-Compare mental images of the two main places the Walls family lived: Battle Mountain and Welch.
-I like Battle Mountain better because the kids were happier and had more adventures. The mood in Battle Mountain is free and in Welch its sad and there seem to be never ending hard times. The author portrays these moods by examples of their times and activities.
-Who are the protagonist and antagonist in this book? Why ?
-I think the kids are the protagonists and their parents are the antagonists, because the parents are responsible for the hard times their children experience and the children just try to get by with what they are given and what situation their parents put them in.
-What’s the Glass Castle? Why do you think the author used the Glass Castle as the title for the book?
-The Glass Castle is the home their father promised they would one day build together and live in. When the children were young they looked up to this dream and in many ways I believe it gave them strength and hope in the hardships they faced. I think Jeannette used this as the title for that very reason. It was a bond between her and her father and when she realized it would never truly be constructed a little part of her innocence died and she finally let go of the protectiveness she felt for her father. It made her grow up and move on with her life. She used it as the title to remember her father and the good times they shared.
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The Alchemist
Journal By: Kalicia Szabo
#1 Do you have any idea what your personal legend might be? Is it important that you find it? Which of the four obstacles will be hardest for you to overcome?
- I believe that my personal legend is to be caring, loving and to take care of people. Also I think I am meant to keep positive and give those I love inspiration to do the same. I think my biggest obstacle will be fear of defeat. Fear of giving all that I am to the world and hopefully one day a significant other, and in the end being left with nothing.
#2 Fill in what you know about the following literary components. Do you think that if the author changed just one of these things it would change the story?
-Setting: Where the story takes place.
Protagonist: The main character in the story.
Antagonist: The problem in the story. Usually the character or force that disrupts the positive flow of things.
Point of Veiw: The point from which the story is told.
Cultural Perspective: The cultures that come up throughout the story and that of the author.
Theme: The major guideline or message of the story.
Style: The way the author writes the story.
Mood: The feeling you get while reading the story.
Foreshadowing: When the author writes a part of the story usually in the beginning, which gives you some insight into the future events.
Personification: Giving inanimate objects or animals’ human attributes.
-If the author changed even one of these details it would change the meaning of the book as a whole. For example the setting being changed would affect the rest of the story. It would be different happenings in a different place.
#3 Santiago had to choose between his flock and his treasure; a very hard decision. Describe and discuss a time when you’ve had to make a tough decision. How did you choose?
-A time when I had to make a really tough choice was when I quit partying so much and decided to go back to school. It was hard because when I was coming home my mom had no place for me to stay and everyone who said they would always be there, were to busy with their own lives to help me. So I called my dad and thankfully he let me go stay with him. We didn’t really know each other at first because we hadn’t spent anytime together really since I was small. It was a little strange and hard to get used to at first but I knew it was the best choice for me. I made the choice to go back to school and take better care of myself because I don’t want to end up with nothing, and I know the first step to bettering myself is a High School education.
#4 would you say that “following omens” is a theme of this book? What specific omens do you look for in your own life? Describe a time when you received an omen and followed it.
-Yes, I would definitely say that following omens is a main theme of this book. The story thus far has been about Santiago following omens to move toward his personal legend. I personally just look to my own instincts to guide me. A time I can remember following an omen was when I would see many crows everyday for days on end. To me crows are a bad omen and I've always been told they are the devils demons in disguise, so I felt I had to change my life style because they were following me with a message of disaster if I kept up my way of living.
#5 Make a list of characters in the book. Who are the most important to Santiago?
-Santiago, The King, The crystal merchant, Fatima, The Englishman and the camel driver.
-In my opinion the two most important characters to Santiago have been the King and the Englishman, because in the beginning of the story the king gave him inspiration to go on and the Englishman introduces him to concepts that he has never heard of like Alchemy.
#6 When he talked about pilgrimage to Mecca the crystal merchant argued that having a dream is more important than fulfilling it; which is what Santiago was trying to do. Do you agree with Santiago or the crystal merchant?
-I do somewhat agree with both sides, because while it is important to pursue our dreams, some people actually need that fantasy or dream to keep them going in life. To fulfill that dream would mean that they have nothing to motivate them the rest of their lives. However ill side with Santiago, because I like the idea of adventure and living without the fear that consumes the crystal merchant and keeps him from following his dream.
#7 Write your overall impression of the book. If you have finished- talk about the ending-were you surprised? Do you like the ending?
-I really enjoyed reading this story and would most definitely recommend it to a friend. It captures your interest because of the story line itself. The situations Santiago finds himself in are like no other I've ever heard. Also the theme of the book, “finding your personal legend” really made me think about my own life and what I want to do. What was I meant to do and how can I realize this?
-I was very surprised by the ending of his book. I do like it because for a moment it tricks you into thinking the whole story and all of the events that took place meant nothing. But then Santiago finally finds his treasure and it leaves faith that he will return to the love of his life, the woman of the desert Fatima.
Journal By: Kalicia Szabo
#1 Do you have any idea what your personal legend might be? Is it important that you find it? Which of the four obstacles will be hardest for you to overcome?
- I believe that my personal legend is to be caring, loving and to take care of people. Also I think I am meant to keep positive and give those I love inspiration to do the same. I think my biggest obstacle will be fear of defeat. Fear of giving all that I am to the world and hopefully one day a significant other, and in the end being left with nothing.
#2 Fill in what you know about the following literary components. Do you think that if the author changed just one of these things it would change the story?
-Setting: Where the story takes place.
Protagonist: The main character in the story.
Antagonist: The problem in the story. Usually the character or force that disrupts the positive flow of things.
Point of Veiw: The point from which the story is told.
Cultural Perspective: The cultures that come up throughout the story and that of the author.
Theme: The major guideline or message of the story.
Style: The way the author writes the story.
Mood: The feeling you get while reading the story.
Foreshadowing: When the author writes a part of the story usually in the beginning, which gives you some insight into the future events.
Personification: Giving inanimate objects or animals’ human attributes.
-If the author changed even one of these details it would change the meaning of the book as a whole. For example the setting being changed would affect the rest of the story. It would be different happenings in a different place.
#3 Santiago had to choose between his flock and his treasure; a very hard decision. Describe and discuss a time when you’ve had to make a tough decision. How did you choose?
-A time when I had to make a really tough choice was when I quit partying so much and decided to go back to school. It was hard because when I was coming home my mom had no place for me to stay and everyone who said they would always be there, were to busy with their own lives to help me. So I called my dad and thankfully he let me go stay with him. We didn’t really know each other at first because we hadn’t spent anytime together really since I was small. It was a little strange and hard to get used to at first but I knew it was the best choice for me. I made the choice to go back to school and take better care of myself because I don’t want to end up with nothing, and I know the first step to bettering myself is a High School education.
#4 would you say that “following omens” is a theme of this book? What specific omens do you look for in your own life? Describe a time when you received an omen and followed it.
-Yes, I would definitely say that following omens is a main theme of this book. The story thus far has been about Santiago following omens to move toward his personal legend. I personally just look to my own instincts to guide me. A time I can remember following an omen was when I would see many crows everyday for days on end. To me crows are a bad omen and I've always been told they are the devils demons in disguise, so I felt I had to change my life style because they were following me with a message of disaster if I kept up my way of living.
#5 Make a list of characters in the book. Who are the most important to Santiago?
-Santiago, The King, The crystal merchant, Fatima, The Englishman and the camel driver.
-In my opinion the two most important characters to Santiago have been the King and the Englishman, because in the beginning of the story the king gave him inspiration to go on and the Englishman introduces him to concepts that he has never heard of like Alchemy.
#6 When he talked about pilgrimage to Mecca the crystal merchant argued that having a dream is more important than fulfilling it; which is what Santiago was trying to do. Do you agree with Santiago or the crystal merchant?
-I do somewhat agree with both sides, because while it is important to pursue our dreams, some people actually need that fantasy or dream to keep them going in life. To fulfill that dream would mean that they have nothing to motivate them the rest of their lives. However ill side with Santiago, because I like the idea of adventure and living without the fear that consumes the crystal merchant and keeps him from following his dream.
#7 Write your overall impression of the book. If you have finished- talk about the ending-were you surprised? Do you like the ending?
-I really enjoyed reading this story and would most definitely recommend it to a friend. It captures your interest because of the story line itself. The situations Santiago finds himself in are like no other I've ever heard. Also the theme of the book, “finding your personal legend” really made me think about my own life and what I want to do. What was I meant to do and how can I realize this?
-I was very surprised by the ending of his book. I do like it because for a moment it tricks you into thinking the whole story and all of the events that took place meant nothing. But then Santiago finally finds his treasure and it leaves faith that he will return to the love of his life, the woman of the desert Fatima.
Religion
By:Kalicia Szabo
Throughout history the greatest wonder has been our purpose in this life. Then naturally we come to the question; where do we come from? Man may be the most intellectually developed creature on our earth known thus far, but many simply cannot accept the possibility that we are alone and without an almighty creator. Although scientific theories are beginning to spread and are widely followed. The majority of our population needs and believes in a higher power to help and guide them through this unpredictable phenomenon that is life.
Currently in the world there are 19 major religions, which are divided into 270 large religious groups, and many smaller ones. Religion in general had its’ good qualities as well as disadvantages. Churches and other places of worship have strong communities, teaching morals and promoting good deeds. This aspect makes it easy to see why so many people hold onto their faith and trust in god to keep them safe.
In a time where Christianity ruled and any sign of resistance meant witchcraft or a charge of conspiracy with the devil, Atheism would have condemned you to death with the same accusations. Hundreds of years later Atheism is an accepted way of life. In the first amendment religion is our first freedom. But due to many scientific findings of proof of evolution people all over the world have given up their faith and belief in a god. Many claim this is a more realistic view and that religion simply creates bias and a skewed vision of the world and society.
In my opinion I believe every person has a right to practice their own beliefs without judgment personally do have faith in a higher power, but I don’t necessarily put the name of “God” in its’ place or claim a specific religion. To me anything man has made, such as the bible, lacks validity and is based from mans thoughts and own opinions, which doesn’t seem very “holy”. I chose to believe in this unknown entity that is greater than myself because in all truth the world is a mystery to me. Sometimes the unknown can be a scary place, so through this belief I am able to grasp so amount of understanding.
In our world most of us are free to make our own choices and beliefs. In our country we have absolute freedom of this and should be grateful. Weather you attend church every Sunday or hold religion responsible for many of our worlds’ problems, we should always be passionate about what we feel is true in our hearts. Be passionate, but not judgmental and disrespectful of others’ beliefs. We are all human and must put aside our opinions and focus on working together to find the right way. People find it so hard to practice comparison but what we should be practicing is unconditional understanding. Everything that happens in this world has a reason and is the product of the society we as a whole have created.
By:Kalicia Szabo
Throughout history the greatest wonder has been our purpose in this life. Then naturally we come to the question; where do we come from? Man may be the most intellectually developed creature on our earth known thus far, but many simply cannot accept the possibility that we are alone and without an almighty creator. Although scientific theories are beginning to spread and are widely followed. The majority of our population needs and believes in a higher power to help and guide them through this unpredictable phenomenon that is life.
Currently in the world there are 19 major religions, which are divided into 270 large religious groups, and many smaller ones. Religion in general had its’ good qualities as well as disadvantages. Churches and other places of worship have strong communities, teaching morals and promoting good deeds. This aspect makes it easy to see why so many people hold onto their faith and trust in god to keep them safe.
In a time where Christianity ruled and any sign of resistance meant witchcraft or a charge of conspiracy with the devil, Atheism would have condemned you to death with the same accusations. Hundreds of years later Atheism is an accepted way of life. In the first amendment religion is our first freedom. But due to many scientific findings of proof of evolution people all over the world have given up their faith and belief in a god. Many claim this is a more realistic view and that religion simply creates bias and a skewed vision of the world and society.
In my opinion I believe every person has a right to practice their own beliefs without judgment personally do have faith in a higher power, but I don’t necessarily put the name of “God” in its’ place or claim a specific religion. To me anything man has made, such as the bible, lacks validity and is based from mans thoughts and own opinions, which doesn’t seem very “holy”. I chose to believe in this unknown entity that is greater than myself because in all truth the world is a mystery to me. Sometimes the unknown can be a scary place, so through this belief I am able to grasp so amount of understanding.
In our world most of us are free to make our own choices and beliefs. In our country we have absolute freedom of this and should be grateful. Weather you attend church every Sunday or hold religion responsible for many of our worlds’ problems, we should always be passionate about what we feel is true in our hearts. Be passionate, but not judgmental and disrespectful of others’ beliefs. We are all human and must put aside our opinions and focus on working together to find the right way. People find it so hard to practice comparison but what we should be practicing is unconditional understanding. Everything that happens in this world has a reason and is the product of the society we as a whole have created.
Is romantic love a poor basis for marriage
By:Kalicia Szabo
From a young age we are told our lives, (if successful) will boil down to the completion of school, the mastery of a trade or career, marriage and finally children to carry on our legacy. Life however, is not perfect and many create their own paths and destinies. To most Love is one of those free and pure choices, which cannot be planned for or anticipated. On the other hand, there are some people who believe that true love and marriage have no more relation than day and night.
This way of thinking was most prominent in medieval ages, the puritan era and in certain cultures around the world. These people, for one reason or another, believe that stability and the reassurance of money is more important than finding and spending your life with that one who completes you. That special one who some call a “soul mate”. Though in some cultures there is no choice and your family chooses your spouse. The reasons vary, from deals amongst different families to the need for money. Or if you belong to a royal family they keep marriages’ in the same class or status, to keep the bloodline pure.
It wasn’t until the 1960’s that free love became a passion, which many people came together as a whole to fight for. The age of control and of old-time tradition was coming to an end. Many felt that as long as they had love nothing else mattered. They would happily live in poverty, with their true love by their side. Through the war in Vietnam, to the controversy of our changing nation people everywhere proclaimed, “All we need is love!” This to some, was the only thing able to keep us strong and bring us together. We could save the world with that unconditional love.
To me, marriage and love are two sides of the some coin. One without the other brings sadness and destruction in many forms, whether it is of the self or has effects on loved ones. I believe that marriage should be the product of a love between two people that is so great; they willingly give their lives and everything they are to that significant other. By no means do I think every couple that is in love must be married. Everyone is entitled to his or her own beliefs and decisions. But I do feel that marriage, based off of anything other than love is somewhat shallow and even unethical.
Another day passes and the world continues to change. People die, children are born. Couples divorce and newly weds are celebrating. The reasons behind our choices sometimes are not very clear, but in our own minds justifiable. At the end of the day most of us create our own future. With the concept of marriage, there is one thing everyone should remember, whether you’re marrying for love, money or security. Marriage is a commitment. It truly is giving your life to another and should not be taken lightly. Old customs may be dying, but shouldn’t something that has always been held so sacred be kept as such?
By:Kalicia Szabo
From a young age we are told our lives, (if successful) will boil down to the completion of school, the mastery of a trade or career, marriage and finally children to carry on our legacy. Life however, is not perfect and many create their own paths and destinies. To most Love is one of those free and pure choices, which cannot be planned for or anticipated. On the other hand, there are some people who believe that true love and marriage have no more relation than day and night.
This way of thinking was most prominent in medieval ages, the puritan era and in certain cultures around the world. These people, for one reason or another, believe that stability and the reassurance of money is more important than finding and spending your life with that one who completes you. That special one who some call a “soul mate”. Though in some cultures there is no choice and your family chooses your spouse. The reasons vary, from deals amongst different families to the need for money. Or if you belong to a royal family they keep marriages’ in the same class or status, to keep the bloodline pure.
It wasn’t until the 1960’s that free love became a passion, which many people came together as a whole to fight for. The age of control and of old-time tradition was coming to an end. Many felt that as long as they had love nothing else mattered. They would happily live in poverty, with their true love by their side. Through the war in Vietnam, to the controversy of our changing nation people everywhere proclaimed, “All we need is love!” This to some, was the only thing able to keep us strong and bring us together. We could save the world with that unconditional love.
To me, marriage and love are two sides of the some coin. One without the other brings sadness and destruction in many forms, whether it is of the self or has effects on loved ones. I believe that marriage should be the product of a love between two people that is so great; they willingly give their lives and everything they are to that significant other. By no means do I think every couple that is in love must be married. Everyone is entitled to his or her own beliefs and decisions. But I do feel that marriage, based off of anything other than love is somewhat shallow and even unethical.
Another day passes and the world continues to change. People die, children are born. Couples divorce and newly weds are celebrating. The reasons behind our choices sometimes are not very clear, but in our own minds justifiable. At the end of the day most of us create our own future. With the concept of marriage, there is one thing everyone should remember, whether you’re marrying for love, money or security. Marriage is a commitment. It truly is giving your life to another and should not be taken lightly. Old customs may be dying, but shouldn’t something that has always been held so sacred be kept as such?