Health Ideas, Part I

by

John Stephen Mauldin, MLA (not AI assisted)

All right reserved, copyright © 2025

Before we begin the discovery of ideas that might improve our health, please note that I am not a physician or medical professional of any kind. Also, please know that simply because these ideas worked for me does not mean they will work for you, or that they are even appropriate for you.

You, and preferably your physician, must make those decisions. So, my first suggestion is to make an appointment to see your physician for a thorough physical examination. You may even wish to discuss some of these ideas during that visit.

With those thoughts in mind, let us learn more ideas that might improve and maintain our health.

Acid Reflux Disease (heartburn)

Also known for many years as simply acid indigestion, acid reflux disease is a “disease” that, it would seem to some casual observers, was largely invented by the pharmaceutical industry. For this condition is almost always quite easily resolved by eating a healthy diet in which an organic salad is eaten every day.

This salad should be made with dark green leafy vegetables, such as kale and spinach. Using all organic ingredients, chop up a few celery sticks, a cucumber, a few slivers of a red onion, a tomato, and carrots, and add them to a large salad bowl. Sprinkle it with apple cider vinegar and olive oil. Toss it up and enjoy. All your body, especially your stomach, will be appreciative.

Drink purified water. Avoid juices made from concentrate and avoid all processed food.

Should you, even so, have episodes of an acidic, upset stomach, mix one-half teaspoon of baking soda (which does not contain aluminum) with eight ounces of purified water. Drinking this may ease all acidic discomfort.

If you still have an upset stomach after eating organic salads, avoiding processed foods for a day or two, and using the above baking soda remedy, contact your doctor without delay.

Avoid non-prescribed antacid medicine. I met a pastor of a church who glowingly testified that God had miraculously intervened in the affairs of his life to save him from near death. He told the story of eating whatever he wanted, which was mostly processed junk food, followed by antacids at every meal to ease the pain.

Finally, he was rushed to the emergency room, where it was discovered that these antacids had eaten a hole in his stomach. He narrowly survived emergency surgery in which a portion of his stomach was removed. Now, for the remainder of his life, he must eat small portions equal to half a normal meal.

Had he simply eaten healthily, consuming fresh green salads or smoothies rich with dark green leafy vegetables, along with a balanced diet, this near-death episode would have been avoided. So, don’t be unwise like this man, who, for the remainder of his life, must live with half a stomach. Treat your stomach wisely.

Age Spots

Perhaps these darkened spots that sometimes appear on our face with age would be more appropriately called sun spots, since exposure to the sun exacerbates their occurrence. They most commonly appear on the left side of the face of those who drive on the left side of the road, the more direct exposure to the sun resulting there, and vice versa amongst the British, for example, who drive to the right.

I developed such a spot that was about one-quarter inch in diameter. After checking to ensure that it did not fall within the parameters of the characteristics of skin cancer, which are described in the section titled Skin, I began applying undiluted apple cider vinegar to this spot for three weeks, at which time it peeled off.

Of course, my skin may differ significantly from yours. So, if you try this idea, you may want to dilute your dosage with water to test your reaction.

To avoid age spots, be certain you are taking vitamin C every day, which helps protect the skin against such dermal abnormalities. Take only genuine vitamin C, rather than an ascorbic acid derivative. Sunscreen may help to avoid age spots, but most of them contain harmful chemicals, some of which are carcinogenic. It is possible, however, to find sunscreens that do not contain these harmful ingredients.

Allergic Reactions to Pollen and Hay Fever

Rhinitis, sometimes referred to as coryza, is an irritation and inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose. Typically, symptoms include difficulty breathing through the nose, excess mucus, sneezing, and drainage affecting the throat. This annoying inflammation of the mucous membrane is triggered by viruses, bacteria, or irritants caused by airborne allergens such as pollen and dander.

This may lead to other symptoms: sneezing and itchy nose, coughing, sinus headaches, marked fatigue, and mental dullness. The eyes may be affected, too, with wateriness, redness, itchiness, or puffiness. Allergic rhinitis causes histamine and other chemicals to result in inflammation. But infectious rhinitis, however, occasionally leads to viral pneumonia or bacterial pneumonia.

To protect ourselves from these maladies, we must maintain a strong immune system. When the immune system is free to fight allergic battles, it can win in many cases. This means not putting anything on one’s skin or eating anything that contains toxins of any kind. Eating organic food is mandatory for this reason, as well as cautiously reading labels.

If we are unable to pronounce an ingredient, we must give careful thought about placing it in or on our body. Processed food and fried food also place a strain on our body because they demand more effort to digest. Freeing ourselves from these poisons is merely a matter of forming new habits, which only requires three weeks. Take heart, for we all can do this.

Cayenne pepper has been a boon for me in the fight against allergies, which I take all year round. I sprinkle it on super-firm tofu and add two tablespoons of olive oil. Using this remedy, I have not had an allergy problem in nine years, whereas I formerly was crushed by them every year.

The key to remember is that cayenne alone probably won’t protect us against allergens, but your immune system is the perfect match for them. Free it of toxins so it can fight this battle.