What is the Philosophy of Regeneration?

Historically, the Chinese have been the only people to develop an organized method for recording and documenting the effects of herbs. Although there are many sources cataloging herbs to some degree (usually 100 to 200 varieties), the Chinese - over the last 5000 years - have specialized in understanding thousand of herbs and their effect on the human body. They are specialists in the usage of herbs.

Their health, long live, and medical philosophies reflect this herbal knowledge. The Chinese study of herbs began with one man eating an herb and recording the effects on his body. Through the years this information was categorized and organized until it was an exact Chinese science. Their gathering of information is "observed experience."

Today, scientist "experiment" with animals, which theoretically respond like humans. Then, as the product of this experimentation is used by humans, experience shows whether the scientific conclusions were healthful or harmful. (Please note the difference between experience and experiment.) The Chinese took the first approach. Their knowledge is based on 5,000 years of experience with herbs and is neither theoretical nor experimental. They know what effects herbs have on the human body.

With this experience, the Chinese have classified all herbs into three groups:

• The first is called food herbs. These herbs do not control the body, but as food, we feed the body nutritionally and support proper functioning and self-regulation.
• The second group is called medicinal herbs. These herbs will control body functions similarly to the drugs commonly used in the medical profession today.
• The third group is poisonous herbs. These herbs will cause death or extreme illness.

With this categorical approach to herbs came two health approaches:

• The philosophy of regeneration states that the human body is fully capable of building a strong, healthy, balanced body, when the body obtains proper whole food nutrition. With good nutrition, the body creates the energy necessary to function properly. Add good eating habits, exercise, and positive mental attitudes, and a person can develop excellent physical strength and health.
• An opposing philosophy is substitution, which states that when a body function does not work properly or ceases to work at all, it becomes necessary to institute "crisis management”. The use of controlling substances (herbs or drugs) either stimulates the function so it works or gives it a rest so that it might regain strength to begin functioning on its own. It is called substitution, because a drug, herb, or chemical is used as a substitute for a function the body was designed to perform on its own.

Both principles have their place. Regeneration creates health when the body has proper nutrition, has lost its ability to function properly, thereby creating the need for outside control to help begin solving the problem. Let us consider an example of the body's digestive system. To operate properly the digestion system needs hydrochloric acid. After going to the doctor, it is found the digestive problems stem from lack of hydrochloric acid. A prescription is given for pills with synthetic hydrochloric acid. After taking the pills, the digestion system work! The stomach problems seem to be gone. That is, until the hydrochloric acid in the stomach leaves, then the ache is back and it is necessary to take more pills. The body is a self-regulating mechanism and is designed to create its own hydrochloric acid when given the proper nutrition. The question is, does substitution solve the problem of the body's inability to produce hydrochloric acid? No, it is substituting the acid so the body does not have to create it on its own. Unfortunately, substituting tends to create some negative effects, and the problem is not solved. First, it creates greater weakness of the body function. Like your muscles, if a body function is not used, it weakens until it dies. This is called atrophy. Second, when the function ceases to operate, the body creates a dependency on the substitute. Third, substitution rarely only affects the function it is intended to help. There are almost always side effects, many of which are dangerous to good health. If you take a substitute to help with high blood pressure, it may cause nausea. Then if you take a substitute for nausea, it may cause dizziness. Then you take a substitute for dizziness. It goes on and on.

Now, let us apply this same example of digestion to the principle of regeneration. The Chinese have found from experience that certain food herbs feed specific systems of the body. From this information, they developed food formulas to feed specific systems of the body. Now, suppose you have a stomachache. You decide to see if the digestive function can be regenerated by giving it proper nutrition. You heat the herbs the Chinese have used for years to feed the digestive system. The body then takes the nutrients from those herbs and feeds the digestive system. As the digestive system receives these nutrients, it is now, once again, able to product hydrochloric acid. This is regeneration: The body obtains the proper nutrients through whole foods, and then utilizes the energy and elements necessary for the body to function properly and regenerate itself.

The Philosophy of Regeneration: 1. The body has the ability to create balance and health when given proper nutrition. 2. This proper nutrition must come from whole foods. 3. You must take responsibility for your own health.