I hope this edition finds you all doing well. I was at the Chiropractor on Friday and after she was done with my adjustment we got to talking about different things and the subject of medicare came up. She pulled out some paperwork she had received from Medicare and told me to read this one specific paragraph. What I am about to tell you has been paraphrased as I can't recall the exact words, but I will get a copy of it and quote it next week.

     In so many words, Medicare was telling healthcare providers that it did not want to pay for anything preventative; they basically wanted the healthcare providers to continue giving their patient's prescription drugs that would more or less keep them at the same level from now on. This is unbelievable, but I will go into this more next week, after I have the document in hand.

     As always I am asking that you forward this to anyone you might feel is interested. As long as this letter is kept intact, I have no problems with anyone copying it for their own use or posting it anywhere. The information provided by this newsletter is in no way meant to replace proper medical treatment and is provided as a service to help educate the public about the historical uses of herbs and supplements. That being said, let's get on to the meat of this edition.

     The Pituitary gland is often called the Master gland. It is part of the Endocrine system, is pea shaped, is approximately 1/2 inch in diameter, and weighs in at a whopping 1/50th of an ounce. It is attached to the hypothalamus at the base of the brain.

     Functions of the pituitary gland are divided between the posterior portion and the anterior portion of the gland. The posterior section of the pituitary regulates kidney function. It also produces oxytocin hormone which stimulates contractions in the uterus. The anterior portion influences the other glands of the body as well as controlling growth.

Hormones produced by the Pituitary gland include the following:
1) ACTH (Adrenal CorTex Hormone) - This hormone controls how we metabolize
    certain types of foods and also stimulates the lymphatic system.

3) FSH (Folicular Stimulating Hormone) - Stimulates folicle (a small cavity in the ovaries) where eggs mature and then expelled. It regulates the production of sperm or the maturing of eggs.

4) GH (Growth Hormone) - This hormone stimulates body cells to grow larger and to undergo accelerated cell division.

5) ICSH (Interstitial Cell-Stimulating Hormone) - This hormone helps in the maturing of sperm.

6) LH (Leutinizing Hormone) - A hormone that stimulates the ovaries and the testes.

7) LTH (LacTogenic Hormone) - This hormone stimulates the ovaries to produce progesterone and also influences lactation, as well as helping to produce the mothering instinct.

8) MSH (Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone) - This hormone helps to regulate the formation of melanin, the pigment found in the skin.

Some of the symptoms or health conditions that may occur if the pituitary is not functioning properly would include obesity, high blood pressure, and buffalo back. Also note that 10% of all tumors found in the brain are in the pituitary gland. When this occurs there is a hormone called Coticotropin that is produced.
A pituitary that is overactive can produce children with heights of up to 7 feet or more, while on the other hand an underactive pituitary can result in stunted growth, and the child may retain a childlike appearance as it ages. Long, hard labors or labor having to be induced could also be a sign of an underactive pituitary.

Conditions that are detrimental to the health of the Pituitary gland are negative thoughts and a lack of minerals and positive thoughts help to improve its function.

KINESEOLOGY - Point 2 fingers at the center of the top of the forehead. To test if nasal drip is caused by the pituitary, test by placing index and middle finger over each center of the eyebrow. If you have chronic sinus problems and herbs or medication for your sinuses isn't working you may want to consider supporting the pituitary gland as sometimes nasal drip can be caused by the pituitary.

IRIDOLOGY - The Pituitary shows in both eyes. In the left eye between 11:15 and 12:00 and in the right eye at 12:00 to 12:45. In both eyes it needs to be in contact with the Autonomic Nerve Wreath.

REFLEXOLOGY - It is located on both feet in the center of the pad on both big toes.

Herbal:
Alfalfa - Nourishes the pituitary (especially if developing white blotches on the skin).

*More consumers have reported adverse reactions from eating olestra, the fat substitute found in Fat-Free pringles and WOW chips, than any other food additive ever. Complaints have included gas, diarrhea, and bloody stools. Some were so severe that emergency room treatment was required.

*A 65 year-old meat eating American woman loses twice as much bone as a 65   year-old vegetarian American woman.

Hawthorne berries are widely used to strengthen and balance the heart and the circulatory system. Bioflavenoids are essential compounds for vitamin C function and they also help to strengthen blood vessels. They produce a feeling of well being by reducing blood pressure and cholesterol.

Hawthorne benefits the heart in many ways. It works as a vasodilator, which means, it increases the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart. In lowering the blood pressure, the work of pumping blood throughout the body by the heart is reduced and at the same time the heart muscle is strengthened. Hawthorne also works as a diuretic, ridding the body of excess salt and water.

Researchers believe that hawthorne may help the heart in several different ways. It may increase the hearts pumping power, eliminate heart-rhythm irregularities, as well as removing cholesterol from the artery walls. Angina attacks have been reduced with long term use of this herb and has helped to prevent cardiac complications in elderly patients with pneumonia and influenza. Even with herbs that are considered safe, like Hawthorne, before incorporating any new supplement into your regime you should discuss it with your physician or healthcare provider.