Professional Documents
Culture Documents
By Jane Sheppard
i
This book is dedicated with love to Jenna
Sheppard, a super healthy kid, my greatest
teacher and my inspiration, and to future
generations of super healthy kids.
ii
Acknowledgements
iv
Table of Contents
Introduction……………..........………………….…..1
Immunity-Strengthening Herbs……………........67
vi
Table of Contents
(continued)
Allergies…………………...…….………….…...…...85
Works Cited….………………………….......……..105
Resources……………………….……............….....112
vii
Introduction
The only true way to prevent disease is to have a
healthy body with a strong natural defense
system. We have all been blessed with an
immune system that, when functioning properly,
defends our bodies against pathogens such as
bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, and other
toxins. This system of immunity consists of many
different complex processes that work together to
keep us healthy.
1
It is the strength of the immune system and
overall health of the body and mind that deter-
mines illness, not the strength of the germs. A
child with a weakened immune system will be
vulnerable to colds, flu, and more serious ill-
nesses.
2
Acquiring innocuous childhood diseases can help
to build immunity and give your child lifetime
protection against these diseases. Lifetime immu-
nity is important since these diseases can have
serious negative effects if acquired as an adult.
Philip Incao, M.D. warns parents that standard
childhood illnesses, such as chicken pox, measles,
mumps, and even whooping cough, may be of
key benefit to a child’s developing immune
system, and it may be inadvisable to suppress
these illnesses with vaccinations (Incao 2000,
2001).
When your child does get sick, you can help the
body resolve the illness by boosting its ability to
handle and expel the disease rather than sup-
pressing the symptoms with toxic drugs. When
you build up the immune system through natural
whole foods, herbs, and other methods we
discuss in this book, the body will move into a
more vitalized state of health.
4
If your child is overly susceptible to illness, you
may want to take steps to enhance his or her
immune system and make it as strong as possible.
Prevention is the way to avoid subjecting your
child to continuing cycles of antibiotics or other
medications.
5
Survival Depends on the
Immune System
There are many good reasons to strengthen our
children’s immunity and overall health. We can
avoid trips to the doctor and keep our children off
antibiotics and other pharmaceutical drugs, sav-
ing time, money, and stress on ourselves and our
kids’ little bodies. We can experience the sheer
pleasure of watching our children experience life
with exuberance, energy and vitality.
6
cluded in the pertussis vaccine formulation
(Farrel 2000, Mooi 1998).
7
A Shift in Our Approach to Health
Many of us are beginning to understand that we
can no longer rush our children to the doctor for
antibiotics to treat ear infections and other com-
mon illnesses. It’s now time to go back to natural
medicines that are gentler, without harmful side
effects; medicines that work to support the im-
mune system rather than overpower it.
10
Antibiotics Weaken Immunity
Antibiotics have saved many lives over the past
50 years. We are truly fortunate to have them
available for life-threatening bacterial infections.
13
Some children spend months or even years on
antibiotics, with recurring ear infections. Research
has shown that when antibiotics are used at the
beginning of an ear infection, the frequency of
recurrence may be almost three times greater than
if antibiotics are delayed or not used (Schmidt
1990, Diamant 1974).
15
memory, chronic vaginal yeast infections and
bladder infections.
18
Vaccines Do Not
Create Immunity
Increasing evidence suggests that injecting a child
with nearly three-dozen doses of 10 different viral
and bacterial vaccines before the age of five, while
the immune system is still developing, can cause
chronic immune dysfunction (Neustaedter 1996,
Classen 2000, Scheibner 1993, Murphy 1993,
Miller 1994). Vaccines may trigger antibody
production to a specific disease, but they do not
increase genuine immunity; nor do they create
healthier children.
19
The following is an excerpt from Vaccines: Are
They Really Safe and Effective?, by Neil Miller
explaining how vaccines may overwhelm and
weaken the immune system:
22
The Committee also concluded that epidemi-
ological studies to date “favor rejection of a causal
relationship between multiple immunizations
and increased risk for infections and for type 1
diabetes.” But “favoring rejection” does not mean
the causal relationship between vaccines and
increased risk of infections or diabetes has been
ruled out or disproved.
25
The Amazing Immunology
of Breastmilk
Breastfeeding for as long as possible is the most
important thing you can do to ensure your child
has a strong immune system. Breastmilk is much
more than food. In addition to providing the
absolute best nutrition for a growing baby,
breastmilk supplies the factors needed to develop
strong immunity and protect your baby against
disease.
26
disease, ulcerative colitis, some lymphomas,
insulin dependent diabetes, and for girls, breast
and ovarian cancer (La Leche League).
28
What is Colostrum?
From LaLeche League
www.lalecheleague.org
29
possibly sensitizing a baby to foods the mother
has eaten.
Immunological Protection
Reprinted with permission
Kathryn Orlinsky, 1999
http://www.kjsl.com/~boynews/ImmunologicalPr
otection.html
32
agents in serum, more prone to agglutinization,
or less able to attach to epithelial surfaces (14).
36
Nutrition for Healthy Immunity
Optimal nutrition is essential to building and
maintaining a healthy immune system. To main-
tain a powerful immune system, you must supply
your child’s body with the highest quality food
sources of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino
acids, and other nutrients.
37
No matter how many herbs and supplements you
give your child, if they are eating a substantial
amount of sugar and processed foods, their health
will be diminished. You must significantly reduce
these foods from your child’s diet, and save them
only for occasional treats.
39
Wunderlich says that in order to maintain healthy
immunity, we need to avoid sugar and eat a diet
high in alkalinizing foods – most fruits and
vegetables (Wunderlich, 1995).
41
milk is a highly processed, simple carbohydrate
drink and should be used sparingly. Soy
interferes with calcium, magnesium, zinc, and
iron absorption (Reddy 2002) and depresses
thyroid function (Divi 1997). Many doctors and
nutritionists are now advising parents to avoid all
soy products for children unless they are
fermented.
44
Commercial Fruit Juice
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Zinc
48
Children Need Fats to be Healthy
Pay little attention to the pervasive hype about
low-fat diets. Children need fats in their diets to
be healthy. Healthy fats are essential for growth
and energy as well as the absorption and meta-
bolism of some nutrients. Fats are vitally
important to the brain, which is 70 percent fat.
They are used for building the membranes
around every cell in the body and also play a role
in the formation of hormones.
49
Bad Fats
Good Fats
52
Once children are weaned from breastmilk, it’s
difficult to get omega-3 EFA’s into their diet.
Because of mercury contamination, children
should not eat large fish, particularly tuna.
Chickens, eggs, and beef can be sources of omega-
3 fats, but only if the animals eat green plants and
not just grains. Look for grassfed beef and cage-
free chickens that eat green plants or algae.
Otherwise these foods are deficient in EFAs.
Saturated Fats
55
the cancer-fighting fat, CLA. It also has higher
levels of a number of antioxidant vitamins.
57
Natural Supplements
for Superimmunity
A multivitamin/mineral supplement may improve
immune system function to some extent, but
vitamin and mineral supplements cannot replace
the nutrients in food. The vitamins and minerals
in whole foods are very complex and have many
parts and co-factors that are dependent upon each
other.
58
Most supplement manufacturers are pharma-
ceutical companies that synthesize vitamins by
separating out a part of the whole vitamin.
Separated from the rest of their parts and neces-
sary co-factors, these synthetic “vitamins” no
longer can produce a normal nutritional effect on
the body and may cause imbalances. They have
more of a drug effect and may cause the body to
try to compensate for missing nutritional
elements.
61
The Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs)
set by the Food and Nutrition Board of the
National Academy of Sciences are recom-
mendations for the average daily amounts of
nutrients for population groups. These are not
requirements for a specific person. One child may
require twice as much, or even ten times as much,
of one vitamin and half as much of another
vitamin as another child.
62
to find out if he or she has any specific nutritional
deficiencies and to determine specific needs.
Probiotic Supplementation
66
Immunity-Strengthening Herbs
Herbs have been used safely all around the world
since ancient times to prevent and treat disease.
One of the most beneficial uses of herbs is in
strengthening the immune system. Certain herbs,
including echinacea, astragalus, elderberry, and
garlic, have been found to have remarkable
immunological effects in both the lab and clinic.
These herbs support the body’s vitality and help
prevent development of disease.
Echinacea
69
Astragalus
Black Elderberry
Garlic
Chamomile
73
have adverse reactions to chamomile, as these are
in the same botanical family.)
Nettle
74
Medicinal Roots
Herbal tonics made from medicinal roots can be
very beneficial in strengthening immunity. The
following is an excerpt from clinical herbalist
Susan Perri’s article Herbs for Winter Medicine:
The Roots of Immunity
(www.bluecrescentschool.com)
Dandelion root
Burdock root
Echinacea root
79
Healthy Thoughts and Feelings
Create Healthy Immunity
Much research has been done on how thoughts
and emotions affect the cells, organs and tissues
of the body. Thoughts and emotions actually
generate physiological substances that affect the
processes in the body.
80
deplete the immune system and increase the
likelihood of disease. Studies suggest that psycho-
logical stress is a risk factor for the common cold
(Takkouche 2001). Events in children’s lives or
their perception of these events can profoundly
affect their resistance to disease.
82
An important way to guard against emotional
stress and promote positive feelings in an infant
or toddler is by frequent breastfeeding. In
addition to the tremendous immune-building ef-
fects of breastmilk, the comfort children receive
from nursing reassures them and can ease the
sometimes stressful situation of being a little per-
son in a big world.
84
Allergies
Children can have one or more allergies or
sensitivities to food, pollens, molds, dusts and
dust mites and be sensitive to any of the
numerous chemicals now present in our
environment. Any food can be an allergen, but
the most common are dairy, wheat, eggs, nuts,
chocolate, citrus, and soy.
85
nutrition is started through diet and natural
supplementation.
86
Homeopathy prescribed by a classical homeopath
can be very helpful in improving or completely
eliminating allergies. The correct constitutional
remedy specific to your child’s complete
symptom picture and emotional state is essential,
so finding a good classical homeopath is impor-
tant (see resources).
87
Our Children’s
Toxic Environment
More than 75,000 chemicals are permeating our
environment. A substantial body of evidence
suggests that exposure to toxic chemicals may
compromise the immune systems of infants and
children, increasing their risk of infectious disease
(NRDC).
88
chemicals. But the preliminary evidence and
information that is known alerts us that we have a
critical, universal problem that is slowly
diminishing the health of our children.
Strawberries
Peaches
Bell Peppers (Green and Red)
Apples
89
Pears
Winter Squash
Green Beans
Grapes
Raspberries
Spinach
Potatoes
Cherries
Cantaloupe (Mexican)
Celery
Apricots
90
farmers market, or purchase it directly from a
distribution warehouse or a food-buying club.
Environmental Medicine
92
Chronic Immune Dysfunction
If after making the lifestyle changes described in
this book, your child is still overly susceptible to
infections or has multiple allergies, there may be
some persistent underlying disturbance in the
body causing a weak immune response (immuno-
deficiency) or chronic immune dysfunction. If this
is the case, you may want to try homeopathy or
chiropractic to work with this condition.
Homeopathy
The key is to find the exact remedy that fits all the
symptoms. An experienced homeopath will
choose a specific constitutional remedy by
looking at all the symptoms and characteristics of
your child at the present time. Once the current
layer is dealt with there may be another layer of
disturbance requiring a different remedy.
93
Chronic problems require the training and
experience of a qualified classical homeopath.
You should not attempt to do home prescribing of
homeopathic remedies on your own for chronic
situations. See resources for more information
and to find a homeopath.
Chiropractic
95
Integrating Healthy
Immunity-Building
Into Your Family’s Lifestyle
Incorporating some of the lifestyle changes
mentioned in this book can be a very significant
endeavor for most families. For some, it is a
whole new philosophy. It may be a little scary to
venture out from the so-called norm of
conventional medicine. If you feel this way, take
your time and investigate further. Plenty of
books, websites, and organizations are mentioned
in the resource section. Read as much as you can
and thoroughly research everything until you feel
comfortable with your decisions.
97
Richard Heller and Dr. Rachael Heller (Harper-
Collins 1997).
100
Checklist for Building
Healthy Immunity
The following checklist can be helpful in
determining the steps and options you may take
to strengthen your child’s immunity. Do your
own research and become informed about all
aspects of these options. See the resource section
of this book to begin your research.
101
Put your baby to your breast as soon as
possible after birth. Ask for help from your
midwife or a lactation consultant if neces-
sary. Make sure your baby receives the
colostrum from your breast before your
milk comes in.
103
Pay attention to your children’s emotional
health. Listen to them and honor their
feelings. Encourage self-expression. Give
them nurturing touch and massages on a
regular basis.
104
Works Cited
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
August 9, 2000. Management of acute otitis media, Evidence
report/technology assessment: number 15, Rockville, MD
http://www.ahcpr.gov/
106
Hanson, L. A. 1998. Breastfeeding provides passive and
likely long-lasting active immunity. Ann Allergy Asthma
Immunol Dec;81(6):523-33.
Incao, P., M.D. 2001. The reason for childhood diseases. The
Optimal Wellness Center’s eHealthy News You Can Use.
October 31, Issue 268
107
Mooi, F.R., et al. 1998. Polymorphism in the Bordetella
pertussis virulence factors P.69/pertactin and pertussis toxin
in the Netherlands: temporal trends and evidence for
vaccine-driven evolution. Infection and Immunity. vol.66,
no.2, pp.670-675.
108
Neustaedter, R. 2005. Child Health Guide: Holistic Pediatrics
for Parents Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books.
Rapp, D., M.D. 1996. Is this your child’s world? How you can
fix the schools and homes that are making your children sick.
New York: Bantam.
Reddy NR, Sathe, SK, eds. 2002. Food Phytates, Boca Raton,
FL: CRC Press
109
Scheibner, V. 1993. Vaccination: The medical assault on the
immune system, Blackheath, NSW, Australia.
110
Wassung, Keith. Central nervous system control and
coordination of the thymus & T cell function in the immune
system
http://digilander.iol.it/chiropratica/thymus%20project.htm
111
Resources
Recommended websites, articles, and books:
Natural Birth
Birthing the Future
http://www.birthingthefuture.com
112
Breastfeeding
Community Groups
Find holistic-minded families in your local area
113
Food and Nutrition
114
Get the Sugar Out : 501 Simple Ways to Cut the
Sugar in Any Diet by Ann Louise Gittleman
(Crown Pub,1996)
Juicing
http://gulfcoastjuicers.com/juicingforlife.html
115
Grass-Fed Products
Eat Wild
http://www.eatwild.com
A clearinghouse for information about pasture-
based (grassfed) farming. Search the directory to
find a supplier of pastured products in your area
116
Why Grassfed is Best! The Surprising Benefits
of Grassfed Meat, Eggs, and Dairy Products, by
Jo Robinson (Vashon, WA: Vashon Island Press,
2000) available at www.eatwild.com
Nutritional Supplements
Allergies
Herbs
118
Probiotics
Homeopathy
Homeopath Referrals
http://www.nccn.net/~wwithin/STEVELIST.htm
Chiropractic
120
Vaccinations
121
Vaccinations: A Thoughtful Parent’s Guide, by
Aviva Jill Romm (Rochester, VT: Healing Arts
Press, 2001)
122
Vaccination Deception: How Vaccines Prevent
Optimal Health! By Teddy H. Spence, DDS, ND
(Exmore, VA: Truth Seekers Press, 2000)
Vaccination News
Extensive articles and news related to vaccines
http://www.vaccinationnews.com
Medicine
124
How To Raise a Healthy Child…in Spite of
Your Doctor, by Robert Mendelsohn, M.D. (New
York: Ballentine Books, 1984) A truly excellent
book written by a renowned pediatrician for
nearly thirty years.
125
Environment
126
Mental/Emotional/Spiritual Health
Inspired Parenting
http://www.inspiredparenting.net
127
Natural Parenting and
Attachment Parenting
Mothering Magazine
http://www.mothering.com
128
Attachment Parenting: Instinctive Care for Your
Baby and Young Child, by Katie Allison Granju
with Betsy Kennedy, R.N., M.S.N. (Pocket Books,
1999)
129