Rhodiola: The Root that Remembers the Cold

There is a plant that grows where few others dare.

High in the Artic Mountains 
Along wind-scoured cliffs.
In soil that freezes, thaws, and freezes again.

Rhodiola rosea — sometimes called golden root — does not survive despite the harshness.
It survives because of it.

And that is its medicine.

For centuries, the people of Siberia and Scandinavia carried rhodiola into long winters and longer labors. Hunters, mothers, soldiers, scholars — all turned to this rose-scented root to endure what life demanded.

Not to numb.
Not to override.
But to adapt.

Rhodiola is what we call an adaptogen — a plant that teaches the body how to respond to stress more intelligently. Instead of pushing harder, it helps recalibrate. Instead of crashing, it steadies.

Modern research now confirms what traditional cultures already knew:

• It reduces fatigue and burnout
• It supports mood and emotional resilience
• It sharpens focus under pressure
• It increases physical endurance
• It helps regulate cortisol, the body’s stress hormone

But numbers alone do not tell the full story.

Rhodiola is especially suited for the “tired but wired” among us — those who wake already depleted, who carry invisible weight, who push through when rest would be wiser.

It does not sedate like Ashwagandha.
It does not stimulate like caffeine.

It clarifies.

Many people notice a subtle shift within days — a steadier current of energy, clearer thinking, less reactivity to stress. Not a surge, but a remembering.

A remembering of resilience.

Traditionally, rhodiola was harvested in cold seasons when its roots were most potent. Its strength mirrors its environment: hardy, bright, persistent.

And perhaps that is why it feels so relevant now.

In a culture that glorifies exhaustion, rhodiola offers something different.
Not more output.
But better adaptation.

Plants like rhodiola do not shout. They whisper.

They remind us that resilience is not force — it is flexibility.
Not resistance — but response.

And in that remembering, the body softens.

The mountains endure not because they are rigid, but because they bend to wind and winter.

So can we.

In legacy and leaf,

                                                                  

   Flower Essences

   Tufted Evening Primrose

Making Flower Essences:

Used 4 of the flowers to cover the top of the water in a bowl filled with spring water.

Left in the sun for 2 hours. By this time the flowers had wilted and descended into the water.

Strained the water and a couple of bugs into a 1/2 pint jar. This is the Flower Water

Mother Tincture:

Filled a 1 ounce amber glass dropper bottle with 1/2 ounce brandy and 1/2 ounce flower water.

Succuss (shake)

Stock Bottle:

Fill another 1 ounce amber glass dropper bottle with 1 Tablespoon brandy and the rest distilled water and 5 drops of the mother tincture.

Succuss

Dosage bottle:

In a separate 1 ounce dropper bottle use 1 Tablespoon brandy, fill the bottle the rest of the way with distilled water and add 5 drops of the stock bottle.

Use the stock bottle to make a dosage bottle. this is the one you take.

 Yarrow - Achillea millefolia 

by Jo Francks, MH

Yarrow has been chosen as the herb of the year for 2024 by the International Herb Association. I think Dr. Christopher would say, “It’s about time!” His most memorable way of using yarrow was as a diaphoretic. When used as a hot tea, it acts as a diaphoretic and will cause perspiration. He would have his patients soak in a hot tub of water and drink hot yarrow tea which caused profuse perspiration. This was a process used in his famous Cold Sheet Treatment which was used for acute illnesses such as pneumonia, colds, flus, and fevers. The point of the therapy was to raise the body temperature which in turn incubates the immune cells so they rapidly increase and go out and destroy invaders like bacteria and viruses. The bath is followed by wrapping the patient in a cold wet sheet and putting them to bed to continue sweating for a while. (For more information about this procedure see Dr. Christopher's booklet, The Cold Sheet Treatment.)

 

Another thing Dr. Christopher taught about yarrow was to bring the hair back to its original color. He promised that by rinsing the hair with yarrow tea, it would bring the hair back to its natural color within a year. I have seen this work for many people, to their great surprise. 

 

Yarrow is used as a styptic which means it stops bleeding when applied topically. It also helps with pain and to help wounds heal. Yarrow can be packed into a wound for complete healing. An ointment of yarrow can also be used for any kind of skin issue. It is very good to heal old wounds. 

 

The key to using most herbs is to use them at the first sign of an illness. If used abundantly at the first sign of a cold, yarrow will break it up within 24 hours. Yarrow also helps with circulation, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, kidney, liver and glandular issues.

 

Some interesting facts about Yarrow:

 

Old names for yarrow are Soldier’s Woundwort and Knight’s Milfoil for its ability to heal wounds. The word millefolium is derived from the many segments of its foliage and is sometimes called Milfoil or Thousand Weed. Nosebleed is another name for yarrow. The leaf was rolled up and applied to the nostrils which would cause bleeding and afford relief to headaches. Interestingly, it was also used to stop a nosebleed.

 

This is the year to celebrate the use of yarrow and all of its wonderful qualities. It is easy to grow. The whole plant is used. Harvest just as the flowers appear. The flowers are a little more potent than the leaves, but I find the whole plant works great. 

 

Jo Francks is a Master Herbalist working at the School of Natural Healing.

 Chickweed Stelaria media

Jo Francks MH

As we approach the end of one year and the beginning of another, many people are thinking about making goals and resolutions for the coming year. This often includes intentions for weight loss and a desire for better health. One herb that could  help accomplish these goals is chickweed. Of the many benefits of chickweed, one of particular interest is that it is used as an appetite suppressant and for obesity. Chickweed is included in many weight-loss formulas including Dr. Christopher’s Appetite formula and the Metaburn formula. Chickweed is high in saponins which help emulsify fat cells and flush them from the body. It is also known to dissolve fatty tumors.

One of the properties of chickweed listed in Back to Eden by Jethro Kloss is a discutient. I had to look that up and learned that it is a substance that is capable of dissipating morbid matter; a medicine or application which disperses a tumor or any coagulated fluid in the body. It also disperses a swelling or an effusion and disperses diseased matter. It is wonderful to know that chickweed has these properties. It is a delicate looking plant and considered an invasive weed, but is used to treat many different ailments. 

Chickweed is also edible. It is best when it is young and tender. It can be added to salads or cooked as a green vegetable. Nutritionally it provides Vitamin C, B vitamins, rutin, calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium.

Dr. Christopher prized this herb for its ability to heal skin diseases like eczema and psoriasis. He was so confident in chickweed's healing abilities that he prescribed it to little babies as a wash and to be used internally with good results. 

Chickweed is good to use as a healing herb for skin problems, lung inflammation, poor circulation, to strengthen the stomach and the bowels, as a blood purifier, and to dissolve plaque in the blood vessels.

Consider adding chickweed to your life. It may be just what you need to help you accomplish your goals for the new year. 

                                                     Emotional Well Being

Jo Francks, MH

I recently received a call from someone who was considering ending his life. He thought he was calling a hotline for help with his issues but somehow got my number. In this situation, I had to think fast to help him change his thinking and help him realize that his life mattered and he was of great worth on earth. He was surprised at the things I said to him as if I knew him. I know what I said to him came from a higher source and it was no coincidence that he got my number. When we finished our conversation he was in a much better place emotionally. Unfortunately, there are many people silently suffering with emotional and mental issues who don’t know where to turn for help. I will be sharing some sources that people can use to help with emotional issues.

Number one is proper nutrition and herbs. We want to get the nervous system and the endocrine system working optimally. First, eliminate toxins that are disruptive to the nervous system which can create an imbalance in the body's chemical system. These include sugar, artificial colors or sweeteners, MSG or “Natural Flavorings”, and anything that is added to food as a preservative. Eat food from the produce section, organic as much as possible, and nuts and seeds. Avoid gluten if you are sensitive to it. The nervous system requires calcium and B vitamins to work properly. The Relax-Eze formula is a wonderful supplement for the nervous system. Individual nervine herbs of valerian, skullcap, chamomile, or kava kava can be very helpful for rebuilding the nerves. Another help would be the Herbal Calcium formula to provide the building blocks for calcium the body can use. 

There are many herbs that can help with mental well-being. I always recommend the MindTrac formula. Herbs to strengthen the endocrine system are always helpful because this is where hormones are made in the body. When the glands are functioning properly the hormones will come into balance. Adaptogens are helpful for this. Ashwagandha, rhodiola, holy basil, schizandra, and ginseng are some examples of adaptogens that can help with the endocrine system. The Glandular System formula and the formulas specific to glandular weakness should be considered such as the Adrenal formula, the Thyroid Maintenance formula, or the Hormonal Changease formula. 

There are also some self-help tools available online and in books to help overcome negative thinking and negative emotional states. 

Feelings Buried Alive Never Die by Karol Truman is a book that has tools to help overcome negative thinking and to help release negative thoughts. One of the first things the author suggests working on is the thought pattern of not liking yourself. She has you work on this belief before anything else. Can you guess why?

EFT is another tool you can use on your own to release negative thoughts and behaviors. Gary Craig originated this technique. It stands for Emotional Freedom Technique and is often called tapping. Gary Craig and Nick Ortner both have resources online that can be accessed easily. There are many instructional YouTube videos teaching this technique for free. 

The Emotion Code by Dr. Bradley Nelson is a tool to release trapped emotions in the body which can cause physical symptoms. You can learn it on your own or find a practitioner who is efficient in the technique and can help. 

These are a few tools and modalities that are very helpful for emotional and mental issues that can be done on your own or with the help of a qualified practitioner. 

Compassion for others is lacking in our world today. A wise man that once walked the earth taught us to love others and that peace begins with you. Let us always remember that there are people out there who need a cup of kindness and that is free to give to anyone. 

Jo Francks is a Master Herbalist, Iridologist, Bowen Therapist, and Quantum Touch Practitioner

Recipe:

Raw Oatmeal Cookies

From Original Fast Foods by James and Colleen Simmons

2 cups oat groats

¾ cups dates, chopped

½ cup raisins, chopped

½ cp almonds, coarsely chopped

2 or 3 apples, coarsely grated

¼ to ½ cup fresh squeezed orange juice

1 cup raw cashews

Place the oat groats in a food processor or blender and grind until fine. Transfer the groats to a mixing bowl and add the dates, raisins, almonds, and apples and mix the batter well. Add orange juice to moisten, until batter sticks together. Set aside. In a coffee grinder, grind the cashews until they resemble silky flour. On a mesh dehydrator sheet shape the batter into the desired cookie shapes, using the cashew flour for easier handling of the batter. The thicker the cookies the longer it takes to dry them. Dehydrate the cookies at 90 degrees until they reach your preferred texture, around 12 hours. Enjoy!

 

Teeth Restoration Protocol

Rich's awesome results

Drill and fill dentist examined me June 26 and wanted to drill 8 teeth.  Aug 29 went to a biological dentist who thought my protocol was great and told me to keep it up.  Just saw 2 areas where I should pay special attention, i.e. - be sure to floss & brush more frequently. 

What he did:

Start day with a swish and rinse of Dr. Schulze’s Oral Therapy.

Oil pulling ~10 min with coconut oil in am and pm.

Breakfast – sprouted wheat berries (~ 1 ½ cups to 2 cups) with 1 or 2 bananas and coconut flakes to taste.  Often sprinkled cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice.  The rationale is that life begets life and death begets death.  My slow-cooked oatmeal most likely would not have sprouted if I planted it in the ground, so I went with sprouts which contains the energy and nutrients for growth, and hence, healing.  David Christopher from the School of Natural Healing nudged me in this direction.

Green smoothie every day.  40 oz.  I made by packing 60 oz blender with greens and adding ~ 12 oz water then blending.  Once liquefied, I added enough greens to fill it to the top again, topping with 3-4 stalks of celery (for mineral content) and blending again.  I then added some frozen fruit (usually mixed berried or blueberries) and a banana.

I switched out coffee and used roasted chicory root and ramon seed tea instead which are alkaline instead of acidic.   The brand is Teccino. Their French Roast Organic is the best coffee substitute i’ve tried.  A little goes a long way.  If you buy the box with the tea bags, you can reuse the bags for a second cup because it doesn’t take long to get a full strength cup so the grounds don’t get depleted.

Swished and swallowed a comfrey decoction several times a day.  The goal – consume 1 qt./day.  I often only did 1 pt./day.  To say it’s bitter is an understatement.  The taste buds that taste sweetness are in the front of the tongue while the ones that taste bitterness are at the back of the tongue.  The comfrey decoction isn’t too bitter while you’re swishing in your mouth.  Only after swallowing it do you taste it in your throat.  

Water Picked my teeth 2x/day with 4 droppers of Dr. Schulze Tooth and Gum in the reservoir.  This was after the oil pulling.

I flossed after meals.  Then did a swish and rinse with Dr. Schulze Oral Therapy.  Occassionally I brushed afterwards too, but was not always convenient to do so at work.

I brushed with “regular” (organic, non-fluoride) toothpaste then brushed with Dr. Christopher’s Herbal Tooth & Gum Powder.  I spit it out, but did not rinse, leaving it to sit on my teeth and gums.  In the morning, before leaving I would rinse it by swishing with Dr. Schulze’s Oral Therapy.

Before bed I made a compress for my trouble spots.  I took 2 parts Herbal Tooth & Gum Powder and 1 part comfrey root powder and mixed it in a small jar.  I then dripped 3 drops of Dr. Christopher’s X-Ceptic in the mixture to create a small glob which I fished out with a spoon.  I rolled it into a cigar shape and placed it at a trouble spot along the teeth & gum line and left it over night.  

Schedule:

Morning

- turn burner on to simmer comfrey decoction

- Swish with Oral Therapy

- Oil Pull 10 min.

- water pick with Tooth & Gum

- brush teeth with Herbal Tooth Powder

- Make sprout breakfast

- Make green smoothie

- Swish with Oral Therapy

- Swish and swallow comfrey (note: the U.S. Government has deemed comfrey as being dangerous to take internally. This is most likely because it is a highly effective healing agent which has positive properties that no patented drug can reproduce.)

Afternoon

- coffee substitute

- floss after eating

- swish with Oral Therapy after flossing (I took 2 doses to work in a small bottle)

- green smoothie throughout day

- swish and swallow the comfrey decoction more often than you would like to

Evening

- swish and swallow comfrey (at least a couple more times)

- floss after dinner

- swish with Oral Therapy

- Coconut Oil Pulling

- Waterpick with Tooth & Gum

- brush teeth with Herbal Tooth & Gum Poweder

- make Tooth & Gum/comfrey/X-Ceptic paste for tooth and gum trouble spots

Comfrey Decoction recipe:

5.5 -6 oz. (by weight, not volume) of Dr. Christopher’s Complete Bone & Tissue (previously called BF&C)

Here is where we bought this, they have free shipping if $25+: https://vitalerbs.com/collections/bulk-herbs/products/bf-c. The same site sells the Dr. Christopher Herbal Tooth & Gum Powder.

Add to 1 gallon of filtered water (reverse osmosis or distilled is best) in stainless steel pot (not aluminum or ceramic) and let soak overnight.

Upon waking in the morning turn on the burner to bring to a simmer.

Reduce to 1 quart then strain into a 1 qt mason jar.

Refrigerate any unused portion.  

For Dr. Schulze products:   Call 1-800-HERB-DOC or go to herbdoc.com

 Herbs Used By the Pioneers

Jo Francks MH

In Utah, we celebrate Pioneer Day on July 24th. But Utah isn’t the only state where pioneers immigrated to the area. Many states and countries have had groups of people create their homes in a new place and when they did they brought with them their beloved medicine from their previous home. These were seeds carefully chosen to bring with them as medicine to keep them healthy and well. It was also necessary to learn about the local plants and how to use them as food and medicine. 

Because they had to rely on what they grew to survive, not only did they need to think about food and medicine but also plants to deter pests and to resist disease. Companion planting was used as a survival method out of necessity. 

As a medicine, dandelion seeds were chosen by the pioneers to bring along because dandelions were good medicine for almost everything. It’s hard to think about a world without dandelions because they grow so abundantly out of control, but they have been a valued medicine for many people. The whole plant is used medicinally. The root is used for the liver and as a blood purifier, the leaves help the kidneys as a diuretic and stimulate bile flow in the liver. They are also very nutritious. The flowers were used the same as the leaves and to make wine, jam, and as a dye for fabric.  

Many pioneers had learned methods used by Samuel Thompson. He used lobelia to purge the system and cayenne to build it back up. Cayenne was a staple for emergencies because of its ability to stop bleeding and increase circulation and stamina.

Yarrow was valued as a treatment for stomach problems and fevers. It acts as a diaphoretic as a very warm tea to produce perspiration in a dry fever.

There were many tree barks which provided wonderful treatment for many different ailments. Poplar bark and willow bark both contain salicylic acid and were used to reduce pain. Oak bark and its astringent properties helped with diarrhea, hemorrhoids, tooth and gum issues, and to heal old wounds. Wild cherry bark gave its expectorant blessings to those suffering with coughs, colds, and other lung problems. 

The pioneers relied on plants, prayer, and perseverance to keep them well. When doctors came around the use of plant medicine was slowly replaced with drugs. Today many people are turning back to the use of plant medicine as a means to bring back true health. We have mentioned a few plants that have been used for hundreds of years with good results. Dr. Christopher encouraged his patients and students to find out what was growing in their own backyards and use it. I encourage you to do the same. 

Recipe

Pad Thai Zoodles

For the Dressing

2 TBS minced ginger

4 small cloves garlic

¼ cup lime juice

¼ cup olive oil

¼ cup avocado oil

¾ cup coconut aminos

1 TBS honey

1 cup raw cashews

For the zoodles:

4 small zucchini, spiralized

1 cup grated carrots

2 cups shredded purple cabbage

¾ cup green onion, thinly sliced

1 ½ cups bell pepper, thinly sliced

Topping (use as many or as few as you like):

2 ripe avocados, sliced

Chopped cashews or sesame seeds

Fresh cilantro

Place all dressing ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. This can be kept in the refrigerator for up to four days. 

Toss veggies and zoodles together in a bowl. Top with dressing, sliced avocado, chopped cashews (or sesame seeds) and fresh cilantro. 

This delicious recipe was provided by Laura Hampton, a student at the School of Natural Healing. Thank you Laura!