MODERN MEDICINE------------ROOTED IN ANCIENT TIMES **************************************************** Herbs have been used successfully for over 4000 years in China for healing and balancing the body's energy. The use of herbs as body cleansers, rejuvenators, tonics and relaxers have been practiced by mankind, all over the world, from the very beginning of mankind's history of imperfection. These natural remedies are still in use today. The code of medical ethics known as the Hippocratic Oath is still taken today by graduating students in many medical schools. Hippocrates, the so called, Father of Medicine,lived from 460-377 BCE, and was one of the most observing and industrious men who ever lived. He was the first to conceive the idea of diagnosis and also exercised great care in regulating the diet of persons afflicted with acute diseases. Wounds were treated with the view of guarding against undue loss of blood. Herbs, diet, baths, fresh air, massage, rest and quiet formed the bulk of his treatments, and he made his followers swear on oath that they would give no poisonous remedies to their patients. Can modern medicine always say this? Between three and four hundred plants are mentioned in what are know as the Hippocratic Writings. The familiar sign Rx, which is generally found in the upper left- hand corner of the modern prescription, has been traced to the pagan symbol for Jupiter. It has been said, that the ancient practice of placing this symbol at the head of prescriptions was instituted in the time of Nero, when the Christians were being brutally persecuted. The early Christians, whether physician or patient, were put to death, for refusing to use this symbol, their consciences would not let them use this or any symbol such as this one. These early Christians worshiped only the Creator, whose name can still be found in most Bibles today at Psalm 83.18. The symbol indicated an allegiance of the physician to the State, whom Jupiter was the God of, and none could obtain medicine without this symbol. The symbol meant, "Take thou in the name of Jupiter." The ancients employed the Greek word `Physis', meaning the natural constitution, to signify pharmacy and sorcery, and that in this way those who taught and practiced the healing art, came to be know as "physicians." From the many facts existing, we may well believe that there is not a single disease in man that may not be alleviated or cured in some herb or other, if we but knew which plant and where to find it. For, who has not often seen, not only our own domestic animals, but many of the untamed creatures of forest, field, and sky, seek out some one particular herb when laboring under sickness or some derangement? Our Creator has, of course, wisely implanted a definite instinct in these creatures, in order to serve for it's health, or restoration to health, from disease. In man, however, such instinct, is not instilled. Man has been given reason and judgment and a disposition to investigate the laws and mysteries of creation, in order to secure his own health. An old proverb says, "There are sermons in stones, and books in running brooks;" so do we behold volumes of wisdom in all the herbal kingdom--every emerald and variegated leaf, in every tinted blossom. In all, there is a voiceless language, eternally singing significant songs of the Creator of all things. In Hypocrites day only a few hundred plants were known which could alleviate pain and suffering, today, thousands have been analyzed and investigated and cataloged! We have, at our disposal, a wealth of information about illnesses, herbal cures, and the convenience of having what we need delivered to our door! So, the question is-- why suffer when we don't have to? *****************END OF CHAPTER*******************