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Why Bitter Foods fight Lung Infection and Lengthen Lifespan - The Scientific Evidence and Answers from the Tao




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The Winter Mystery Cough/Itch


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Flu Shots VS Vitamin D, which Works Better?
 


Related Book: Eternal Youth via Tao Te Ching. Longevity Secrets via Universal Energy

 

 

 


The charts that will be shown in this article are taken from both books on the Tao that I have published during the last 6 months. The first book is the 2017 Feng Shui Planetary Prosperity Almanac and Ephemeris with Organizer and the second is Eternal Youth via Tao Te Ching. Longevity Secrets via Universal Energy.  Both books include free previews.


It is spring time again and many of you who have been following my work over the last few years know that I am a fan of taking more grapefruit or grapefruit juice with honey in the early morning during early spring or approximately 6 weeks before the March Equinox. I call this the "Grapefruit Detox" and pubished an article on this about 5 years ago.  I also have found it a great way to heal the lungs from "mystery coughs" that may occur due to the cooler air this time of year (due to a lack of vitamin E), which I have also written about over the years. 


My research over the years has found that spring time is the season of the year where the body's immune system is weakest and most susceptible to infection. This I believe is due to the very high energies that come into our solar system each spring in North America.   There have been a number of published scientific studies showing that around spring time each year the body's immune system is weaker and we shall list them in this article. My concept of disease caused by bacterial infection is it first starts as a distortion in the body's energy field, than manifests itself through the bacteria, which in turn causes infection. Jack LaLanne, commonly referred to as the "Godfather of Fitness" and the "First Fitness Superhero" had a perfect body and perfect health well into his 90's.  Even into his advanced age he was still breaking world sports records.  He thought he was going to live for a very long time. Jack died in January 23, 2011 of respiratory failure related to pneumonia.


The season of early spring is the time a person should look after their lungs, especially if they are older. Let's take a look at the scientific facts and find out why people who are older are more prone to bacterial infections during early spring, even if they are in perfect health.


A scientifically published study released on February 27th, 2001 titled: Lifespan depends on month of birth and conducted by Gabriele Doblhammer and James W. Vaupel found that people born in Fall (autumn) (October–December) lived longer than those born in spring (April–June).  It is my opinion that it is because this time of the year (Fall/Autumn) the body's immune system is at its peak.  Exactly 6 months later, the body's immune system is weakest and later we shall explore the charts of the Tao in this article to learn why this is.  But first let's see if the science shows that the immune system related to the lungs, is more at risk each spring. 


A study titled: The causes and consequences of seasonal variation in COPD exacerbations that was published in October 2014 and conducted by Gavin C Donaldson and Jadwiga A Wedzicha found that Influenza A, RSV and Mycoplasma pneumoniae occurred from winter into early spring and that influenza B peaked during late spring. 


What is RSV?


RSV is short for Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).  It is one of the most common viruses responsible for causing mild, cold-like symptoms in adults and older children. 


What is Mycoplasma pneumonia?


Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a microscopic bacteria responsible for mycoplasma pneumonia. Other studies found that deaths from Malaria peak in spring. So we have scientific documentation that the lungs are more susceptible to bad bacterial viruses from late winter into early spring. 


The CDC did a study over a 31-year period and discovered that flu activity peaked in February (14 seasons, or 45% of the time), followed by December, January and March (which each peaked during 5 seasons, or 16% of the time), which also happens to be the time solar activity is highest. There is also research showing that during the peak of the 11 year sunspot cycle, outbreaks of influenza are more common during flu season. The chart is shown below.

 



The Immune System


The immune system is the primarly mechanism responsible for fighting invading bacteria. The immune system of the body is an extremely complex system.  Therefore because we are concentrating in this article only on the lungs of the body and how the immune system affects the lungs, we shall take a look at the body's red and white blood cells during spring. This is because red and white blood cells can give us an idea of the condition of the lungs. 


In a scientific study that was published in November 2015 titled: Seasonal Variations of Complete Blood Count and Inflammatory Biomarkers in the US Population and conducted by B. Liu and E. Taioli, the study found the following - "Red blood cell components were lower in winter-spring than in summer-fall "
 


What are red blood cells?


Red blood cells carry oxygen via Hemoglobin. Their main role is to remove the toxin carbon dioxide from the body by transporting it to the lungs where it is exhaled. Red blood cells are made in the bones (in bone marrow). Their lifespan is 120 days.  High carbon dioxide levels in the body can cause chronic bronchitis as well as obstructive pulmonary disease.


Scientific References:


Pattern of breathing and carbon dioxide retention in chronic obstructive lung disease.
 


Breathing pattern and carbon dioxide retention in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
 


A low red blood cell count can also cause Anemia, which is a lack of energy due to the body not getting enough iron and is common in many vegetarians who lack foods high in heme iron (iron from plants). The previous study just mentioned also found that the white blood cell count (WBC) was higher in winter-spring.  A higher white blood cell count is usually an indicator that the body is fighting an infection. It also may mean that if you are vegetarian and are not getting enough iron in your diet, you may be more prone to lung infections in early spring.  


To cross reference / check our data we can also look at a disease of the lungs called pneumonia and examine the white blood cell counts in these people. 


In a scientific study published in December 1996 titled: White blood cell count, C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in respiratory syncytial virus infection of the lower respiratory tract and conducted by M. Salji and colleagues, the study found that persons who have pneumonia also have a higher white blood cell count.  This is why when you go to the emergency room and have a lung infection one of the first thing they do is check your white blood cell levels.


Because the majority of the human immune system is in the stomach, it would make sense that it may be vulnerable to bacterial infection each spring. In a study published in May 2006 titled Seasonal variations in onset of symptoms in Crohn's disease, and conducted by A. Aratari and colleagues, the study found that Crohn's disease had a yearly seasonal peak occurring each spring and summer. Crohn's disease is caused by a combination of environmental, immune and bacterial factors and is classified as an immune related disease. 


Reference Wikipedia
 


People with Croh's disease are extremely susceptible to micro bacteria attacking the body 


Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. The same research study just mentioned also found that Ulcerative Colitis peaked in Spring / Summer.  Ulcerative Colitis is thought to be the result of an autoimmune disorder. So here we have more verifiable proof that there the immune system, especially that of the lungs is weaker every spring and more prone to bacterial infection. This would mean that in nature, animals that have a strong immune system during spring would live longer than average lives.  Let's check the data - 


In a research study titled: Seasonal variations in the immune response of the tortoise Mauremys caspica, and conducted by J. Leceta and A Zapata and published in 1986, the study found that the immune system of the tortoise Mauremys Caspica peaked just after spring each year.  Tortoises have one of the longest lifespans of any animal. Some individuals are known to have lived longer than 150 years.
 


The Lungs and Aging


In Tai Chi exercises, particular attention is paid to using proper breathing techniques.  Tai Chi has been proven to extend lifespan, and it is probably due in part to the proper breathing technique used. In a scientifically published research study titled Tai Chi intervention increases progenitor CD34(+) cells in young adults, and published in 2014 and conducted by T.J. Ho, the study followed 32 people over the course of a year who practiced Tai Chi. At the end of the study, it concluded that Tai Chi may be as effective as Brisk Walking in terms of anti-aging. 


Bitter Foods Extend Lifespan and Strengthen the Immune System
 


From my research over the years I believe that Spring is the time of year that the body exhibits stronger anti-aging effects. The Tao shows that spring is the season for bitter foods.  Hence, Spring = Bitter foods.  Therefore bitter foods, especially taken more so in spring should extend lifespan. Let's explore this further by looking at the Tao.


Examining the Charts of the Tao for Answers


Now let's examine the wisdom of the information contained in the Tao charts to seek answers to avoiding these type of infections and keeping our lungs in excellent condition as spring approaches. 


If we examine the charts of the Tao, specifically the hours that QI energy flows through the body (Hourly and Monthly Variation of the Flow of QI Energy) , we see that during the early morning hours of spring the universal energy of QI flows strongest through the lungs.  



For some people, who are not exercising their lungs to release this energy, such as people who practice public speaking, singing or acting, this energy may build up and 'short circuit' due to there being no healthy outlet or release of this universal energy. This can result in certain lung conditions such as the "mystery cough" or other strange coughs that manifest each late winter / early spring.  


So in summary we have verification/confirmation using the Tao that the lungs and immune system are most at risk during spring due to the high amount of energy flowing through them. Now how do we strengthen the immune system of the lung region each spring? Besides the spring grapefruit detox, which I have been advocating for the past 5 years, let's look at the charts of the Tao further for answers.


Bitter Foods. How they protect the lungs 


If we look at the Tao of Diet, first we see that during winter we want to take more bitter foods to strengthen the lungs for the approaching spring season. This will strengthen the lungs as spring begins.  The chart also shows that the Heart is weak during winter and to eat more bitter foods, especially if you are a metal element.  This is because metal element types have lungs that are more sensitive than usual. Also the chart shows that Spring is the season for more mild sweet foods. This is why taking Honey with the Grapefruit goes so well together. 


If we want to know the moon cycle to take more bitter foods, the Tao Chart titled: "planet phase" shows the full moon is the best time. This matches "Citrus".


 


If we want to know the foods to take, the chart titled: "yin/yang organ and diet" shows the details. Fire = Bitter = Winter.  So foods such as Pumpkin, Pine Nuts, carrots etc.) Also excessive proteins should be avoided which come from meat and nuts.


 


So what is the best time of day and day of week to take more bitter foods to protect/strengthen the lungs? The Wu Hsing Correspondences gives us clues. Because Spring represents Wood, morning is to be the best time of day to take bitter foods. If we want to know the best constellation to take bitter foods, we can see that Gemini and Cancer are the best times.  
 


You can find the Gemini and Cancer monthly constellations by using a moon void of course sheet


What day of week is the best time for bitter foods?  Because spring = Jupiter, if we look at a planetary chart we see that Wednesday represents Mercury and Thursday represents Jupiter.  This is because the first hour of the day on Wednesday as the sun rises = Mercury and for Thursday the first hour of the Sun = Jupiter.   


Therefore, if you wanted to take bitter foods to strengthen the lungs, the days are Wednesday and Thursday Mornings, as the moon is new and headed towards a half full moon during spring and when the moon is in Cancer or Gemini.  


 
Why Bitter Taste Extends Lifespan


In an research study titled: Bitter Taste Receptor Polymorphisms and Human Aging and published by Daniele Campa and colleagues in November 2nd, 2012 stated the following "Since there are several indications that bitter taste gene polymorphisms can influence food choice, we considered of some interest to investigate the possible association between bitter taste and longevity.. Using a tagging approach, we investigated the possible associations between longevity and the common genetic variation at the three bitter taste receptor gene clusters on chromosomes 5, 7 and 12 in a population of 941 individuals ranging in age from 20 to 106 years from the South of Italy. We found that one polymorphism, rs978739, situated 212 bp upstream of the TAS2R16 gene, shows a statistically significant association (p = 0.001) with longevity."


The study concluded with the following findings "In the present study, we have investigated possible associations between longevity and 41 SNPs in 20 candidate genes involved in bitter taste perception. "

 

The Formula called Swedish Bitters


Another interesting fact is the formula known as Swedish Bitters, has been in use for more than 200 years.  I have written an article about Swedish Bitters previously. Swedish Bitters is attributed to have numerous healing benefits.  Therefore we see another link between bitter taste and positive health.




Bitter Berberine


In an ariticle I wrote a few months ago titled: World's first anti-ageing drug could see humans live to 120, showed that the drug Metformin was one of the few drugs you could take to extend lifespan.  However research has shown that an alternative exists called Berberine. If any of you have tasted a Berberine capsule, you will find that just a few grains on the tongue are extremly bitter.



The Best Immune System Boosters


Years ago I wrote the book The Official Guidebook of How to Make Tinctures and Alchemy Spagyric Formulas.  From my experience of making hundreds of tinctures over the years with numerous herbs, I have always found that the tinctures that heal and strengthen the immune system are always the first to go bad.  So I decided that there must be an alternative.  There is. One of the best immune system boosters is Black Cumin Seed oil (also called Nigella).  There have been excellent scientific published studies showing how Black Cumin Seed boosts the strength of the Immune system.


Black Cumin Seed and Honey


In a research study published in September 2002 titled: Inhibition of methylnitrosourea (MNU) induced oxidative stress and carcinogenesis by orally administered bee honey and Nigella grains in Sprague Dawely rats and conducted by G.M. Mabrouk and colleges, the study found that rats fed 0.2 g ground Nigella grains and 0.2 g Nigella with 5 g honey each day for a week protected 100% (12/12) against MNU-induced oxidative stress, carcinogenesis and abolished the NO and MDA elevations shown in sera of animals. The study concluded that the combination of Black Cumin Seeds (Nigella) and honey  has a protective effect against MNU-induced oxidative stress, inflammatory response and carcinogenesis.


An excellent scientific study titled: A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb and published in May of 2013, shows numerous healing benefits of Black Cumin Seed Oil.

 


Zaro Aga - 157 years old?


What I find most interesting is the story of Mr. Zaro Aga who allegedly lived to 157 years of age.  He stated that he ate lots of cumin seed.


 
So in summary, you may have the perfect diet, the perfect body and the perfect age reversing diet, but if you don't know how to protect your immune system at certain seasons of the year, you may succumb to the microorganisms and bacteria.
  





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