In each culture: since the dawn of time people have tuned to others for advice or healing. It has typically been a healer, shaman, physician or someone whom supposedly has greater knowledge or education. We have passively turned over authority and responsibility for our own well-being and health.

In this age of modern “medicine” why has not our life expectancy increased by more than a few years? Why are there dramatic increases in physical, emotional and mental disease?

When we are suffering any illness or disease, at any level, we make a decision to put our health in the hands of others. The modern, or allopathic, approach is to treat the symptom, rather than what is causing the symptom to appear.

When our bodies have a predisposition, or weakness, we become more susceptible to microbes, viruses and bacteria. This susceptibility will initiate or increase the illnesses and diseases of our bodies. As we experience a decline in energy, health or well-being we seek out others to solve our health problems. In our western world we seek modern, orthodox medicine to isolate the symptoms we tell “them” about. What follows is a dangerous downward spiral in our health.

When the path we travel in our life and health is handed over to others in this age of communication and supposed education we put ourselves at risk.

We are taking increasingly more toxic medications, in greater quantities, which are a menace in side effects, causing drug-induced diseases. Francis Bacon wrote; “The remedy is worse than the disease.” (Francis Bacon: Of Seditions)

We listen to anyone who we feel has education, authority or knowledge, which may be beneficial to our discomforts or diseases.

If a book has been published on the best sellers list, an opinion written on the Internet or a plaque on a wall in an office, does this make it true or valid?

We are inundated with marketing and advertising at each corner we turn. This medication for that illness, weight loss, “got milk?” be happier or more social. Everyone wants us to listen to his or her theory or belief. The problem is whom do we listen to? “I am right, you are wrong” is the prevailing premise and the evidence is supposedly there to prove it. Who is in charge? We encourage you to take charge and responsibility for your own health.

This is a survival guide for your health. As we learn to listen to what our bodies are telling us we can fine-tune our lives to what happens to us physically, emotionally and mentally. Why do we ignore the very first warning signs and wait until we become ill? Shakespeare wrote to us in Twelfth Night “Is there no respect of place, persons, nor time in you?” We must learn to respect others, our planet and ourselves before serious illness or disease strikes us.

This planet gives us a living environment to survive and our interdependent relationship with it. The plants of the soil, the animals and the water all come from the earth. If we lose our respect or abuse our resources how will we survive? We should not abuse the Earth’s magnificent ability to recover and maintain its ability to care for us.

The Greek physician, Hippocrates, has handed down wisdom through generations of time. He said, “Let food be your medicine and medicine your food.” He also told us “Disease does not occur unexpectedly. It is the result of the constant violation of Nature’s laws.”

We need to look to the elements and properties of our planet and be aware of Nature’s laws. There are benefits to phytomedicines, those that come from plants. We shop at the supermarkets for our fruits and vegetables, are they different from the herbs of the earth? They all come from the ground. It depends on the process of genetically altered, irradiated, steroids, growth hormones or depletion in our soils.

The water in our bodies should reflect water in nature. When water flows it cleanses itself, it does not become stagnant. The same is true of the amount of water intake, on a daily basis. A stagnant pond fills with algae and unhealthy growth, as with the ocean and the red tides. If the water flows and moves it can correct and balance it self and become healthy.

In the Six Steps to Health it is taught to cleanse the body, rejuvenate, exercise, proper sleep, positive mental altitude and food combining. We should not abuse the amazing ability of our bodies to heal or maintain homeostasis. We all wish for “The Ruby Slipper Syndrome” close your eyes, click three times and say: There is no place like my perfect health. The curtain will part and you will be handed a magical bottle that will cure all ills.

We encourage you to take responsibility for your own well-being and health. Listen to what your body is saying to you, at every level.