I just got an email from a subscriber with a subject that
said: "Cilantro-are you kidding me?"
(It was in response to an email from me where I gave a
recipe for my Carrot & Cilantro Soup as a way to "cool
down" the colon from a diverticulitis attack.)
And here's what she said in the body of the message:
"I was told to stay away from any spicy foods and herbs,
so why cilantro to 'cool' down the colon? Diane"
Completely ridiculous.
No, I'm not talking about Diane.
After all, she's just reiterating what her doctor
apparently told her to do. And most people trust their
doctors to know what they're talking about.
I'm referring to the ignorance of medical professionals
who continue to tell their patients with digestive
challenges to stay away from spicy foods and herbs.
As if those herbs and spices have anything to do with the
problem.
Now, Diane didn't mention what her colon challenge was,
but whether it is, in fact, diverticulitis, or IBS,
colitis, diverticulosis, Crohn's or anything else, there is
ZERO reason why she or anyone else can't eat herbs and
spices.
First of all, cilantro (also known as coriander) is
alkaline--as in, gentle and alkalizing to the body. It's
GOOD for you (and for getting an alkaline pH), even if you
have any of the named maladies above. Plus, it also
happens to be delicious.
Also, with the exception of table salt (which is highly
acidic) and curry powder (which is mildly acidic) ALL herbs
and spices are alkaline. Your body is alkaline and it
needs alkaline foods to stay healthy. Taking herbs and
spices away is like taking water away.
Herbs and spices have absolutely NOTHING to do with colon
problems (or any stomach problems for that matter).
However, a BIG factor behind most colon problems is poorly
digested food getting stuck in the colon walls. This leads
to toxic waste build-up (plus the toxins get absorbed into
the bloodstream and carried throughout your body, making
you toxic and inflamed all over).
It also leads to constipation, IBS attacks, diverticulosis
"pouches" forming, diverticulitis flare-ups, and worsening
of the inflammation and sores of colitis and Crohn's disease.
Poorly digested food comes from only two sources:
1- Eating too many acid forming foods and
2- Eating badly combined foods
That's it. Just two.
The body cannot effectively digest acid-forming foods or
badly combined foods--they put a tremendous strain on all
of your digestive organs, cause your stomach to overproduce
acid (look out, all you acid reflux, GERD, hiatal hernia
and ulcer people--here comes the fire), your wastes
("doodoo") get dry and hard, and you end up in PAIN.
Do what's REALLY right for your body. Very few doctors
don't know about nutrition. But I do. I've spent 20 years
studying it. Eat mainly alkaline foods (herbs and spices
included!) and combine your foods correctly. Simple.
It's so easy, a 10 year-old can do it. It's so delicious,
your whole family will love the food. And you'll feel so
much better, you'll want to do it... forever.
To your health,
Sherry Brescia
PS: Here's a different Diane (DiAnn) who ISN'T having
colon problems anymore:
*******************
Sherry:
Your plan has been a gift to me. I now go to the bathroom
like a normal person.
I went on vacation and enjoyed myself without thinking
about when the next bout of diarrhea was going to hit me.
It used to be that when it did I had no control and most
of the time would not make it to the bathroom. I am only
61 and how awful it was not to be able to control when I
went to the bathroom.
I too have lost 5# and that was being on vacation! I feel
great and more confident that I can go places and not have
to worry about my diarrhea.
Thanks so much for your help and my new lease on life.
