The old "an apple a day keeps doctor away" saying may not be 100% true, but truth is that fruit provides your body with need vitamins, minerals, and natural sugars.

5. Start walking.

For short, nearby trips in neighborhood, leave car at home and take a walk. Do this a few times a week and results will amaze you.

6. Turn off t.v.

Read a book, get outside and play with dogs, have a conversation with your spouse. Look for things to do other than watch telly, especially around news time.

7. Laugh.

Every day. A real, good, hearty, belly laugh. Look for funny things that life has to offer. Share a joke with a friend. Share a lot of jokes. Laughter is good for heart and soul, for your health and spirit.

None of these things requires you to spend a lot of money. None of them take much time or energy. But each one can, over time, dramatically improve your physical and mental health. Pick one or two to focus on this week and be healthy!

3. Giving it time:

Herbs definitely take longer to create relief of some symptoms and conditions than some of their pharmaceutical counterparts. Look at all antacids, for example. All offer near-instant relief and some even promise to stop heartburn BEFORE it starts; yet, none of them promise to eliminate condition that is causing heartburn to keep coming back. The big difference between those types of products and herbal medicines is focus. The focus of herbal medicine is to create a healthy environment in body system, rebuild, cleanse, and permanently heal.

The primary focus of "quick-fix" medicines is to relieve symptoms temporarily, such as pain, indigestion or depression. Relieving distressing symptoms is not necessarily a bad thing. If I've got terrible heartburn, for example, quick relief can be very valuable and I won't hesitate to chew a few antacid tablets if I don't have time to make some nice ginger tea for same effect. However, if I fail to acknowledge that some imbalance of my total physical system, as well as some corresponding imbalance in my non-physical system (either mentally, emotionally, and/or spiritually) is causing me to manifest symptoms and continue to treat those symptoms without dealing with causative factors, then simple heartburn will eventually turn into something far more serious.

To completely balance an chronic or very serious condition in holistic, herbal way, may take six months to a year. Usually, I see improvement within a week or so but each person's system is different so my advice would be to hang in there for at least a month or two (in absence of allergic reactions, of course) before deciding that a certain regimen is not working for you. Also, just because one herb doesn't work, please don't decide that none of them will. In fact, most drugs have far more potential for allergic reaction than full plant herbal preparations, by far. Each person's chemistry and metabolic make-up is unique. I'd keep trying until you find right combination and dosage. Therein is an important key to cure.

4. Shaking things up:

I believe that shaking bottle (when using a tincture, or other stored liquid preparation) before each use actually rejuvenates, reactivates and stimulates potency of medicine. This is a component of homeopathic medicine called sucussion, which, I feel, applies equally to herbal tinctures. Of course, proper sucussion in homeopathy involves striking bottle against a soft object (like a pillow) for 100 times.

This I do when I first buy a new tincture but only then. After that, I just tap it 10 times before use. Note: This is not according to any homeopathic guideline and you might hear different suggestions from a homeopathic physician. This is just what works for me.

5. Detoxing slowly:

Whenever I take a strong detox formula, such as a total system cleanse or a colon cleanse program, I start even more slowly than with singles or tonic formulas and build up to maximum dosage. I try to begin at a time when I can rest--at least for first two days after I start. I also skip a day every week or so, to give my body time to rest and renew.

In addition, I add tonic herbs like lemon balm to support my body and keep my energy level high. Drinking lots of water (and, even more important, spreading that water throughout day so that I drink some at least every two hours) is a definite focus for me.

Taking more showers helps my skin eliminate more and reduces chance of skin eruption from toxins being released. Brisk towel rubs are also something I do when cleansing, to help skin release and to stimulate circulation and blood flow on skin surface.

6. Mixing and matching:

I have learned to be a little cautious about adding several different formulas into my system at once. If I were under a doctor's care for a pre-existing condition, I would think it most advisable to consult with my doctor before adding any herbal medicines to system.

In general, I have learned (through experience) not to add more than two new formulas at a time. It's what works for me. By honoring what your body tells you, you can determine what is safe for you. Using more than one formula is sometimes perfect, and appropriate. If we learn to listen to Spirit of our body, we will know. Until then, it might be wiser to err on side of caution by using only one new formula at a time or by working with a wellness counselor and monitoring our body system closely during first few days of any new addition to our regimen.

7. Hearing spiritual message:

Experience has taught me, to point that it is absolute Truth for me, that our physical bodies are a kind of diagnostic tool for our spiritual selves. If we are living in balance, in accordance with what is true and progressive for our path, keeping our minds positive and our emotions cleared, we will not manifest illness. It is when we are out of spiritual balance that physical warnings appear.

I have learned not to look so much at why any ingested ingredient causes imbalance but why I chose to take it in first place. This is decidedly a metaphysical approach to self-treatment and I realize it isn't for everyone!

Working with herbs is a wonderful journey into natural health and wellness that, when approached with respect, responsibility and a sense of exploration can yield dividends for rest of your days. I believe herbs provide a viable supplementation to traditional medicines and, for some like myself, are preferred method of treatment. We're all adults here. Make wise choices; chices which work for you. Self treatment requires self-responsibility and monitoring. Don't try it if you aren't willing to explore, expand and learn what may now be new to you.