ARTICLES
Expressing
Aliveness
Shale
Oil - The Up and Coming New Source
Meditations:
Soapbox of the President
Connections
On KVNF June 26
Remembering
Aztlán
What
on Earth can we do?
Health
In The Stars
Homeopathic
Help For Companion Animals
All
About Herbs: Demystifying Earth’s Gifts
Member
Profiles: Morningstar Veterinary Clinic
Expressing Aliveness
An interview with Dr. Jerry Overtone
By Larry Lemser
One of Jerry Overton's favorite quotes, and one by which he
now chooses to live his life, is by Harold Whitman. It goes
like this: "Don’t ask you what the world needs. Ask yourself
what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because
what the world needs is people, who have come alive."
That quote has become especially important to him because,
as he puts it, "I spent much of my life doing some fairly
unconscious and insane things in order to 'make a living' in
hopes that those things would give me life. What I didn't
realize was that I was already alive!"
Today, while serving as Director of The Center for Personal
and Spiritual Growth recently located at 600 South Park in
Montrose, he has made a new place to awaken others to their
aliveness, too. In addition, he has authored and published his
first book entitled, Divine Guidance: The Secret Way to An
Abundant Life. And he also finds time to assist clients in his
role as a Master Certified Coach.
Jerry, as he insists to be called, has undergraduate and
graduate degrees in Animal Science from the University of
Tennessee, and a Master of Theology and Doctor of Ministry
degrees from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist
University. In pursuit of his own spirituality, he has studied
personally with many of the great teachers of our time
including: The Dali Lama, Matthew Fox, Morton Kelsey,
Starhawk, Thomas, Leonard, Robert Bly, Steven Covey, M. Scott
Peck, Deepak Chopra, Father Thomas Keating, Cynthia Hirni, and
too many more to list.
Here he shares his personal "expressions of aliveness, “as
well as his plans and goals for his new Center and his other
ventures:
WLN: Our readers would be interested to know your thoughts
concerning your personal growth that has led you to this point
in your professional development.
Dr. Overtone: Early on in my life, I was given the insight
that my attraction to certain vocational callings had far more
to do with what God was calling to get for me personally and
spiritually in those particular arenas than it did with what I
was to give. That insight helped me to be attentive to what
there was for me to learn in each situation. Therefore, I was
able to be open to all sorts of possibilities for personal,
professional, and spiritual growth that I might otherwise have
missed, or even dismissed because it might have felt too
challenging or uncomfortable. For example, there was a macho
man (in Texas we would have called him red-necked ) in one of
my very first little churches located north of Fort Worth,
Texas, who was somehow threatened by me and didn’t t like me
from the first day we met. Periodically, he would react by
threatening to physically beat me up. Normally I would have
been terrified by such a situation. However, because I knew
intuitively that this was a critical learning experience for
me, and that I would likely face others like him in the years
ahead, I was able to stay present to him and deal with him in
ways that were constructive for us both. I remember being able
to say to him, even rather calmly, after his third personal
threat, Nolan, I want you to learn a different way to relate
to me. That way is just not very helpful. And to my pleasant
surprise, he did begin to relate to me far differently! And
that learning experience did, in fact, prepare me to stay
present and deal with the others who would follow, who, for
whatever reason, just didn’t t like me or my style.
Throughout my various careers as a Territory Manager with
John Deere Company, Manager of Dutchmen Hereford Cattle
Company, as pastor of several United Methodist congregations,
as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, as a college
teacher, and as a Master Certified Coach, because of that
earlier insight, I’ve had the one common goal of growing
personally, professionally, and spiritually. Over the years,
I’ve had the good fortune to attend numerous seminars,
workshops, and retreats with many of the world s best teachers
always with that intention and goal in mind. My vocation now
as Director of The Center for Personal and Spiritual Growth
continues that pursuit, because I know that I do, indeed,
teach what I need to learn!
WLN: You were formerly a church pastor. Would you talk
about your role now as Director of The Center for Personal and
Spiritual Growth?
Dr. Overton: As Director of The Center, I get to be
attentive to what people are hungering for, both personally
and spiritually, and offer ways to address those hungers. I
also get to pay attention to what I need to learn, and offer
that. It is a great place for me to be, because I have the
satisfaction of seeing others get the chance to have their
personal and spiritual needs met, and of addressing my own at
the same time!
My plan is for The Center to be an umbrella for all sorts
of leaning situations, and to offer a host of experiences that
meet the wide range of needs of our community. Presently we
offer a way on Sunday mornings at 9:30 A.M. for folks to come
together and to acknowledge and express their gratitude for
all the gifts of love in their life, and to experience a
community of people who are seeking to live in joy and peace
with one another. On Monday evenings, from seven to 8:30 P.M.,
I lead an ongoing class in A Course in Miracles, which is a
holistic approach to the spiritual life, and one of the most
profound personal experiences of my life. And beginning on
Friday, May 30, we will be offering a weekly morning Yoga
class taught by Cheryl Roberts.
In the near future, we will be offering a host of other
classes, retreats, and seminars in everything from
contemplative prayer, meditation, weight loss, diet and
nutrition, forgiveness, marriage and family relationships, ESL
classes, mentor programs for children at risk, and many more
life-changing experiences. We will soon offer an evening
candle light Taize service of music and meditation. I ll also
make myself available as a licensed marriage and family
therapist for those who need it, and as a Master Certified
Coach for that wanting help in making important life changes.
Also, together with The Reverend Arlyn McDonald, we re looking
at ways to offer the facility as a wedding chapel for weddings
of up to 100 people. And I m always open for suggestions as to
how The Center can help address the needs of those in our
community!
WLN: As a Master Certified Coach, what help can you provide
for clients and what tools do you use in your sessions?
Dr. Overton: I work primarily with folks who are ready for
a dramatic life change, usually having to do with their
vocation, and around how they express their energies and
creativity. Many of my clients are simply tired of doing what
they ve always done, and are ready for something more
energizing and alive. Many of them have simply fallen into
their careers, at the advice of their parents, teachers, or
other well-meaning individuals. And now they are ready to make
their own choices, ones that have a better fit for whom they
are at this stage in their life.
My job as their Coach is to help them get clear as to whom
they are as a unique individual, and what makes them come
alive. Then, I stand with them and encourage them as they
claim the life they love and find ways to live it out. I use a
variety of tools, including sound spiritual principles, the
use of future memories, personality profiles like the
Enneagram and the Myer-Briggs Type Indicator, and a host of
other resources. However, each client is their own best
resource, and I simply help facilitate the discovery and
acknowledgment of what they already know deep inside. It is
truly fascinating work, and very rewarding to see folks come
alive to their True Self and live it out in joy, happiness,
and peace!
WLN: The Contemplative Outreach movement initiated by the
Trappist Monk, Father Thomas Keating, has been a major
influence in your life. Please provide our readers with some
further details.
Dr. Overton: I met Father Thomas at a week-long conference
in October 1989, in Newport Beach, California, initiated by
the Dalai Lama, with the intent of exploring the Western mind
and the relationship between Buddhist and Western psychology.
The conference also offered morning meditation sits in six
different religious contemplative traditions, including Sufi,
Buddhist, Jewish, and Christian. Father Thomas was there to
present a workshop on Centering Prayer, which is a Christian
form of contemplative prayer designed to invite God to work
deep within us to heal the wounds of a lifetime and transform
the false self, and to instill a discipline of deep spiritual
rest which enables us to live life in peace.
I had heard of Father Thomas prior to that conference, and
chose to attend his workshop. That meeting led me to begin
doing ten-day silent retreats using Centering Prayer at the
Benedictine monastery in Snowmass, where he resides. As a
result of our meeting, he became a principal spiritual mentor
and friend, whose works I have studied ever since, and which
have become a central tenet of my own spirituality. It was as
if prior to meeting Father Thomas, I had lots of disparate
pieces of my own spirituality, and his work gave me the basis
of a firm spiritual path. Then, a couple of years later, as I
began to study A Course in Miracles, I found a solid merging
of the two resources into what informs my life today.
I feel very grateful for having discovered a well defined,
yet ever-emerging, spiritual path. I can t imagine living in
the chaos and uncertainty of our present world without it! And
that s what I hope that The Center can make available to those
who are seeking to address their personal and spiritual
heart-hungers in our community today.
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Shale Oil - The Up and Coming New Source
By Christopher D. Blair
Thom Hartmann has written an excellent book called The Last
Hours of Ancient Sunlight about the upcoming oil crisis in
which the world (not just the United States) runs out of oil.
This is not a hypothetical scenario. It will happen. It may
not happen in the next 25 to 35 years, as Mr. Hartmann
projects, but it will happen. It may take another 50 years,
but the world will run out of conventional petroleum reserves.
What will we do then, posits Mr. Hartmann? We will be
up-the-creek, because we need to develop alternative energy
sources while we still have the oil to power the old economic
engine. There is an alternative scenario: shale oil.
Shale oil is an immature petroleum-like substance derived
from oil shale, which contains a waxy substance called
kerogen. Oil shale is mined and then heated in a retort where
the kerogen is reduced to a liquid form which resembles and
can be refined more or less like conventional petroleum. This
is a very simplified version of the process, but it's enough
to give you the idea. During the run-up in oil prices in
1979-81, several of the larger oil companies cranked up pilot
or experimental oil shale projects. These projects became
economic at about $40 per barrel and for a brief time produced
oil into the regular market. Then the price dropped and the
projects were eventually shut down. However, it would not take
much of a price run-up to hit $40 again, and it could be that
due to improvements in technology, the threshold price for
shale oil to become economic to produce again is less than
$40. We could hit that price within the next few years.
So what has this got to do with the Western Slope of
Colorado? There are trillions of barrels of shale oil locked
up the in the known shale deposits of northwestern Colorado,
southwestern Wyoming and northeastern Utah, more than all of
the petroleum reserves discovered so far in all the world. The
high quality (that is, economically extractable) deposits in
Colorardo alone are estimated at around 600 billion barrels
These shale deposits underlie hundreds of thousands of acres
and the technology for mining them is strip mining. Imagine
the impact of the United States essentially replacing the
world's current oil producing industry with a
Colorado-Wyoming-Utah based shale oil producing industry. This
would require not just a few pilot projects, but dozens or
hundreds of major sized projects, each with its strip mine and
its retorting operation. Perhaps, in order to partially
alleviate the transportation nightmare that would ensue as
each mine tried to get its shale oil out to the refineries,
the refineries would relocate near the mines. Water and air
pollution problems would be unimaginable. Population would
increase dramatically as workers were brought in to operate
all the new mines and facilities. The demand for water would
go off the charts. The total environmental cost would be
almost incalculable. Would there be a Western Slope left? Yes,
I think there would be, but only because the true limiting
resource in semi-arid Western Colorado is water, which is
already developed almost to maximum. The fights over water
would be fierce, as the oil shale developers attempted to
acquire the water they needed.
I bring this up not as an alarmist or as someone advocating
that we develop shale oil, but as someone concerned about
quality of life on the Western Slope. This is not fanciful. It
can and probably will happen unless the American people get
busy finding other solutions to their energy needs and those
of the rest of the world, as suggested in Mr. Hartmann's
book.
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Meditations: Soapbox of the President
By Larry Lemser
Connections the radio Show of The Whole Life Network
recently completed part three of a program entitled "Prospects
For Peace.” Leaders prominent in the local peace movement took
part in these broadcasts. Back in March at the Expo, at the
invitation of our board, peace activists were represented in
their booth.
At least one member of The Whole Life Network has objected
to our "taking a stand.” So the question has been raised,
"should The Whole Life Network be involved in the politics of
international relations?"
We agree that non judgment is a worthy spiritual habit. We
agree that what we think about is what is given strength. But
the contention that we should not be involved seems to
question the validity of the existence of The Whole Life
Network. After all we are defined by our Mission as advocates
for alternative medicine, the environment, and spiritual
education.
We aren't against the drilling of gas wells in Delta
County, but we are for maintaining unpolluted open space that
promotes the health of the existing environment which
contributes so much to our unique quality of life. We aren't
against the vaccination of our children, but we encourage
nutritional habits, exercise, natural botanical and stress
reduction to prevent dis-ease.
Is it acceptable for The Whole Life Network to take these
positions? If so, where do we draw the line between what is
our business and what isn't? We would like to hear from our
readers and members. We will print responses to these
questions or anything else on your mind. This is your
newsletter; your voice counts.
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Connections On KVNF June 26
The New Politics of Peace
By Joshua Hayward
Despite the enormous and heartfelt efforts of a robustly
resurrected Peace Movement, the tragedy of war reared its ugly
head once again on the planet, with our country spearheading
the unfortunate action. The unconscionable event has left
factions of the American (and worldwide) Peace Movement
reeling. Now these individuals and groups are refocusing.
This month's "Connections" on the Midday Edition on KVNF
will focus on "The New Politics of Peace." Peace activists
Tricia McKenzie of Aspen and Jonathan Power of Montrose will
be joining co-hosts Polly Cady and Joshua Hayward for what
should be a riveting discussion on post Iraqi War philosophy
among those who are leading us into a new planetary paradigm
based on love and peace. Also on the show will be Dan Pearlman
who is currently challenging our two party voting system in
the courts. Be sure to tune to the Midday Edition on KVNF at
noon on Thursday, June 26 to stay connected to the latest on
the peace scene.
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Remembering Aztlán
A Column of Poetry, Culture & Spirit
By Art Goodtimes
STEWART WARREN ... This Del Norte performance poet won over
a small but appreciative off-season audience at the Telluride
Writers Guild’s Gourd Circle Reading series at Ah Haa School
May 8. His poems were lucid and powerful, and his presence was
both enthusiastic and compelling. Keep an eye on this master
performer. You’ll, no doubt, be hearing about him again
soon.
EQUITY THEATER … Dennis Fecteau is bringing his Lizard
Head Theatre Company back to Telluride with a summer calendar
of Equity-actor dramas … June 30 the Tony and Pulitzer
Prizewinning Proof kicks off the run at the Sheridan Opera
House … July 16 Roscoe Lee Browne and Anthony Zerbe star in
Behind the Broken Words, a literary tour-de-force with
excerpts from 22 writers, from e e cummings to William Butler
Yeats … And on July 24 the Pulitzer Prizewinning comedy,
Crimes of the Heart, completes the Lizard Head’s summer stock
season … For more info, visit their web site,
www.lizardheadtheatre.com
SPEAKING OF THEATER … Of course, nothing gets done in
Telluride without bickering. But that’s not all bad. It means
that people are active citizens in their own polity, and take
an interest in what happens locally. And there was deep
interest in the size and scale of a new Telluride School
600-seat theater to be built into the hillside at the gateway
to town … School officials won town approval for the
voter-approved project, but barely, and with a reduced fly
tower. A compromise, but not one that should prevent this new
Western Slope theater from becoming one of the premiere
performance venues this side of the Rockies. Dance. Visiting
performers. Festival venue. Conferences. The facility will
have multiple uses, in addition to providing its students with
one of the most sophisticated theaters in the Four Corners
region.
NEW BOOK OF THE MONTH … Timberline Press recently sent
me, at my request, a dazzling little chapbook by Missouri
Ozark poet Jim Bogan called Trance Arrows. It features
translations into the Portuguese by Walkyria Magno E Silva --
Flechas De Transe … The twelve-poem set of meditations is
meant to wing us into altered states of perception and are
inspired by Bogan’s many journeys into the Amazon Basin … My
favorite trance arrow is ultra simple and yet barbed with
meaning: “just listen / apenas ouçça” … Handset in Garamond
Old Style and printed on a 6x10 C&P press, this perfect
gift for the spiritual seeker is handsomely designed and as
fascinating as the land that inspired it … Available for $10
postage paid from Timberline at 6281 Red Bud, Fulton,
Missouri.
PEACE POETS WALK TO DENVER … Gunnison poet Alan Wartes
has hit upon a wonderful action -- a walk by poets to Denver
to present Governor Owens a bundle of peace poems from poets
all over the state. Beginning on July 10, he’ll walk with
whomever wants to join him on a trek via Salida, Cañon City,
and Colorado Springs to Denver … Meanwhile, Alan is speaking
and holding rallies in various cities to drum up support for
the idea. Sponsor him to come to your community. He can be
reached at Peace Poets, 115 S. Colorado, Gunnison CO 81230,
970-641-2199, … And if you’re a poet, send him a one-page poem
(two hard copies -- no email) by June 27 (along with a
donation of $5 -- one poem per poet). He’ll present the poem
to the Gov when he makes it to Denver, and keep one copy for
his peace archive … To see poetry actions nationwide for
peace, do a Google search for Poets Against the War.
SAN MIGUEL PEACEWALKERS … On the 11th of every month,
having begun on October 2001, a group of San Miguel County
residents have been meeting under the county clock tower at
our county seat, Telluride, to walk from Elks Park to Town
Park. Where we hold a small peace vigil … Remembering our own
dead, and the dead of oh-so-many wars and conflicts around the
globe. We meet at noon. Some bring signs. Others drums and
instruments. At the vigil we often light candles (depending on
the weather) … We invite people of peace all over the Western
Slope to walk with us. In Telluride, or in their own
hometowns. Giving witness by walking for peace. At noon on the
11th of every month.
© 2003 Art Goodtimes: One-time free use rights only --
all other rights remain the author’s
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What on Earth can we do?
By Kathy Gates, Women’s Spirit Retreat
Nature can live without humans, but humans cannot live
without nature. Here are some ideas we can apply to our walk
on Earth. Remember that all life is a miracle in God’s
creation. Respect and honor all life.
? Be aware of water usage. Know for example that each
toilet flush consumes about 5 gallons of water, each minute of
water running in a sink three to 5 gallons of water. A ten
minute shower around 50 gallons, each washing machine load 30
to 50 gallons.
? Whenever possible buy foods from local farmers. The food
will be fresher and healthier, especially since local growers
use fewer chemicals than agribusiness. You will also be
supporting you local economy.
? Be aware of the Sun, solar storms and solar radiation and
their effects upon the Earth, protect yourself from the
dangers that come from solar radiation.
? Keep your car maintained so it doesn’t unnecessarily
contribute to smog, with its resulting ozone damage. Keep car
tires properly inflated. This saves fuel.
? Recycle everything you can.
? Give unused clothes and household items to the thrift
store or some person in need.
If we all take care of Mother
Earth, she will take care of us, and our future
generations.
Peace and blessings to all.
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Health In The Stars
Part V: Health Problems Shown by the Moon
By: Laurel Ann dePontbriand
Medical Astrology is the branch of astrology used to
maintain health by identifying, through the birth chart,
individual strengths and vulnerabilities. Medical Astrology
also provides insights into diagnosis and prognosis, and is
able to address specific individual treatments.
The Ascendant is considered the first breath of life, the
sign that is rising at the time of birth and is considered
very important in analyzing the horoscope. This sign can be
different than the Sun sign but is just as influencing. The
first house represents the patient's constitution, temperament
and disposition. The time of birth indicates where the
Ascendant is placed. Each sign has a planetary ruler and we
look to the ruler, the house placement and aspects to the
planetary ruler to indicate problems. We also look at the
aspects to that ruling planet. If there is more than one
planet in the first house, we take those influences into
account.
Aphorisms
The Moon may be regarded as the giver and the taker of
life; that is, the Moon acts as a medium in carrying the life
forces from the Sun to the earth and man, and the Moon forces
also eventually produce death. Operations performed at the
exact change of the Moon are rarely successful. Choose the
time for an operation when the moon is waxing or, as it is
commonly termed, the light of the Moon between the New Moon
and the Full Moon. Do not operate when the sun is in the sign
which rules the part of the body to be cut.
From the new to the full moon stimulants produce the most
effect and sedatives are the weakest; decrease the dose of the
one and increase the other. CANCER moons are not comfortable.
Something is always upsetting their stomach or giving them
palpitations or making them nervous. This is an extremely
touchy position if afflicted at all. Good aspects settle it
down considerably. It is prone to drinking, usually begun
during a bout of “discomfort” of some type or other, but will
suffer from it in the long run. The gall bladder is often a
problem and hiatal hernias quite common. Heartburn should not
be ignored. It is quick to ulcers and should avoid emotional
distress; they should never eat when distressed or upset. Food
can be a problem-too much, too little or the wrong kind. There
is often sensitivity to “hot” foods, or acid foods or spicy
foods. The breasts are a weak area and cysts and lumps may
show up in both sexes. Many are unimportant but all should be
checked.
Anatomical and Pathological
Cancer-Anatomy: Stomach, esophagus, diaphragm, mammae,
lacteals, upper lobes of liver, thoracic duct, pancreas, serum
of blood, womb, lower ribs, gastric vein, lymphatie glands.
Pathology: Indigestion, dropsy, leukemia, imaginary ailments
(those induced by worry or fear).
Herbs of Cancer: Water lily, lettuce, chickweed,
honeysuckle.
LEO moons are the connoisseurs of the zodiac. These
individuals want to indulge in good food and wine and often
have indigestion brought on by too much good living. There can
be heart problems and high blood pressure brought about by
insistence on having their own way. The sign tends to
dramatize its symptoms, however, and loves to play sick when
the person knows perfectly well he/she really is not. Their
need for attention and love also can manifest as a strong
craving for candy and chocolate. When there is a serious
symptom, the person usually becomes frightened, shuts up and
sees the doctor immediately. In women there are usually a
number of female problems, and regular gynecological exams
should be given. The back can be a big problem. This is one of
the signs that spend a lot of money on chiropractors.
Anatomical and Pathological
Anatomy: Heart, spinal cord, dorsal region of the spine,
spleen, back. Pathology: Angina pectoris, most cardiac
problems, backache, spinal disorders, locomotor ataxia,
meningitis.
Herbs of Leo: Eyebright, mistletoe, marigold, wake-robin,
walnuts.
VIRGO moons are a walking invitation to an allergy party.
Virgo can develop all the Gemini problems. Virgo is prone to
dysentery, colic, constipation, diarrhea, cholera,
appendicitis and tapeworm. The intestinal tract in general is
very sensitive. An afflicted Virgo moon can have trouble
eating, breathing and malnutrition. They sometimes have
problems assimilating food, especially when stressed. A Virgo
moon child should NEVER be forced to eat or use anything they
object to. They will develop allergies at the drop of a hat
and any emotional trauma will show up in some food
sensitivity, hay fever or asthma. Getting Virgos to talk about
their problems helps them to relieve stress. Virgo also deals
with the body’s ability to absorb nutrition and problems such
as Chron’s disease come under Virgo. They should avoid working
with chemicals because of the hyper-sensitivity to them. Even
the rubber gloves can be an irritant.
Anatomy of Virgo: Abdominal region, umbilical area, solar
plexus, navel. Pathology: Intestinal disorders, tapeworm,
dysentery, cramps, peritonitis, pernicious anemia and colitis.
Virgo Herbs: Fennel, licorice, skullcap, sage.
(Laurel Ann dePontbriand may be contacted at Visionary
Counseling 970-240-3627)
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Homeopathic Help For Companion Animals
MVC Release
Warm weather seems to call forth the adventurer in even the
most docile of companions. Heat stroke, insect stings, spider
bites, food poisoning and traumas like cuts and abscesses can
all cause your companions acute distress, but often will
respond well to homeopathic remedies that you can keep on
hand. (We’re assuming here that you already know the proper
storage and administration of homeopathic materials.).
Nobody’s suggesting that you don’t consult a veterinarian, but
there are times when location and circumstances require
independent action. Please use good judgment: seek
professional help immediately when needed; evaluate the
animal’s response to the remedy; prevent the need for
treatment by protecting your companions from overheating and
other hazards whenever possible.
Inquisitive animals, especially young ones, may find
themselves on the receiving end of an insect sting or spider
bite. If the assailant is unknown, Ledum is the remedy of
choice. If a bee is known to be the culprit and you see a
rapid, usually shiny swelling of the site (most often the
face), try Apis, which is made from bees. Cool compresses can
help soothe the affected area.
Ledum is also helpful for fresh puncture wounds, including
cat bites. Externally, you can treat the area with Hypercal, a
homeopathic ointment derived from hypericum and calendula.
Used externally only, it deals with pain and also speeds the
healing of open wounds. If an animal bite goes untreated, an
abscess may result. If the wound exudes foul-smelling pus and
the animal tries to scratch or bite, Hepar sulph may be
indicated, along with warm compresses. In abscesses that are
severe and destructive, with much surrounding tissue damage
and dark margins, Lachesis can prove effective. Silicea may be
a better choice when you observe bland, yellowish-to-brown pus
with little scent; these animals may appear to be healthy, but
often the abscess is slowly "simmering" without coming to a
head or healing.
Belladonna is considered the primary heatstroke remedy.
It’s used in cases of the sudden onset of symptoms such as dry
mouth, hot skin, pounding pulse, dilated pupils, and red gums
and ears. The animal may crave cold water yet be afraid to
drink, and can suffer delirium or convulsions. Of course cool,
dark, and quiet will comfort these patients.
In cases of trauma, Arnica is always appropriate. It can
stop bleeding and bruising (which is simply bleeding beneath
the skin and in the muscles) and can help prevent infection as
a result of trauma.
Hot weather hastens the decay process in foods, and dogs in
particular can be quick to snatch and devour all sorts of vile
(by human standards) things. Though the canine digestive tract
can handle items we can’t, dogs can suffer from food
poisoning, too. Arsenicum album is the perfect starting point
for "garbage-can-itis." The patient is often nauseated, with
both vomiting and diarrhea. Though they may crave cold water,
it may come right back up. Nux vomica is often indicated when
the animal shows a fidgety and irritable state with spasms of
the bowels. In cases where the abdomen is distended, seek
immediate veterinary care.
Remember: homeopathy treats the whole patient, not just
"the problem." Three cats with abscesses may each need
different remedies and will offer different responses. If
symptoms persist or appear life-threatening, consult your
veterinarian immediately.
(Morningstar Veterinary Clinic is located at 717 N. Cascade
Ave. in Montrose. The phone number is 970/249-8022 or email
morningstar@montrose.net Dr. Bettye Hooley and Dr. Diane
Clark)
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All About Herbs:
Demystifying Earth’s Gifts
By Alan Joel
Have you noticed how many commercials we now have on TV for
sexual stimulants and drugs to enhance our moods? What if
there was an herb that would accomplish both of these highly
desirable operations at once? Without the risk of side effects
and adverse reactions, a natural approach to two seemingly
unrelated issues that seem to plague many of us in these
times, would be of great advantage.
I just stumbled over an old research article on the West
African herb, Yohimbe, also known as Yohimbine, today, as I
was pondering over what to feature for the beginning of
summer, that would be appealing to all our diverse readers. I
was surprised to discover that Yohimbe has been used to treat
sexual impotence as far back as Victorian times, when it was
referred to as “the refuge of aging Don Juans!” In more recent
time, 1982, in Ontario, Canada at Queens University, a study
was done on impotence using only Yohimbe as the therapeutic
agent. This study included twenty-three patients between
thirty-two and seventy-two years of age, almost half of whom
were diabetics, the rest suffering from high blood pressure
and other circulatory problems for which they were taking
antihypertensive drugs, which often produce impotence. Six of
the twenty-three men were able to again experience sustained
erections and resume satisfactory sexual relations, and
another four reported partial but not fully satisfactory
erections. These results are all the more remarkable, since
they were achieved by simply giving these men, who were in
poor general health, nothing more than Yohimbe. Another happy
surprise benefit for three of the patients in this study was
the alleviation of the “pins and needles” sensation in the
legs and feet, a frequent symptom associated with
diabetes.
Later researches have also shown that the use of Yohimbe
can be highly effective in combating depression, because of
its almost instant mood elevating abilities, especially when
taken with large amounts of vitamin C (6 grams) each day,
which counteracts the anxiety and nervousness that are
sometimes reported to accompany Yohimbe therapy. It would
appear that these studies were all done with the pure chemical
form of Yohimbine Hydrochloride, instead of using the natural
herb itself, which may account for the need to use vitamin C
along with. It goes on to say that the experimenters also
notice an astonishing clarity of thought and a greatly
heightened state of mental alertness, including enhanced
verbal facility during writing or lecturing.
As to dosage, to treat impotence, three or four 5-milligram
tablets of Yohimex were used in the course of a day, whereas
half or a quarter of that amount in a day will still give all
the mental and emotional benefits, including the addition of
the 6 grams of vitamin C a day. In terms of depression, if it
is relatively mild, 5 to 10 milligrams per day should be
perfectly adequate, while more serious depression may require
15 to 20 milligrams of Yohimbine and 10 to 12 grams of vitamin
C per day.
On a lighter note, it was stated that Yohimbe made their
senses more acute, in terms of magnification of smell ability
and hearing sensitivity. Visual perceptions are also enhanced,
not in the same way that hallucinogenic drugs affect us, but
colors and shapes seem to be more distinct. Important too, is
Yohimbe’s effect on the sense of touch, being an obvious tool
in the improvement of sexual stimulation and
functionality.
My conclusions? A nice area for experimentation with so
many possible wins and not a lot of precautions to have to
deal with ----- so, HAPPY SAILING !!
Alan Joel may be contacted at (970) 323-9631 or by
email at ravenwindstar@earthlink.net
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Member Profiles:
Dr. Bettye Hooley & Dr. Diane Clark Morningstar
Veterinary Clinic
MVC Release
Times change. When Dr. Bettye Hooley entered vet school at
CSU, she was one of only two women in her class. Soon after
graduation 26 years ago, she opened Morningstar Veterinary
Clinic, becoming the first female veterinarian on the Western
Slope. These days, more than half the CSU vet students are
women. But the profession itself is undergoing change, and
once again Dr. Hooley, along with her associate Dr. Diane
Clark, is helping to lead the way.
Dr. Clark, who also graduated from CSU but began her
veterinary career in the state of Washington, returned to
Colorado in 2001 to join Dr. Hooley in practice. A certified
veterinary acupuncturist, Dr. Clark also provides chiropractic
treatment and Chinese herbal medicine in addition to
"standard" Western medicine.
Morningstar currently offers a holistic approach to
veterinary care, with traditional Western medicine and surgery
integrated with other modalities.
Companion animals have changed, too. Dogs and cats are the
most frequent patients at Morningstar, but patients might
include ferrets, parrots, iguanas, rats, snakes and turtles.
Exotic pets labeled are growing in popularity. Husbandry
counseling can be crucial, since many pet stores and breeders
of birds, reptiles and small mammals don’t sufficiently
educate purchasers on dietary needs or habitat
requirements.
Morningstar offers quality foods for various species,
including organic pellets by Harrison’s Bird Foods, natural
kibble and canned varieties from Solid Gold and Innova as well
as European-style grain mix for dogs by Sojourner Farms and
raw meats by Oma’s Pride, often combined with vegetables,
organs and ground bone.
As spring approaches, Morningstar will be treating more
wild creatures, particularly birds found orphaned or perhaps
injured after an encounter with cars, cats or coyotes.
Volunteering through the Division of Wildlife, Dr. Hooley
typically begins her care of a raptor like a great horned owl
with a homeopathic remedy for trauma, then might take x-rays
of a wounded wing. After wild avian patients are stabilized
and treated, they move on to licensed rehabilitation
facilities to complete the healing process.
Morningstar offers positive-reinforcement obedience classes
taught by veterinary technician Jennifer Omer.
(Morningstar Veterinary Clinic is located at 717 N.
Cascade Ave. in Montrose. The phone number is 970/249-8022 or
email morningstar@montrose.net )
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