AKWAABA- YADEE Y3 YA

May the Lord bless you for your time to visit this blog. The Name of the Blog says it all. This project is borne out of intensive research and is a pro-bono one done to honor Prophet Adu for his intense knowledge he displayed when he appeared on CINDY CASH TV.

100 VIP MASTERS OF HERBS is a project of the International Center for African Culture and Arts (ICACA) USA. The Project will feature 100 of the best Herbal Masters who demonstrate genuine and quality knowledge in Herbalism, Medical Herbalism and Zootherapy.

Many people in Ghana and other world who lack the needed knowledge CONDEMN the use of herbs as demonic and not from God. The Bible in Hosea 4:1 is summarized as "My people perish for lack of knowledge" . It is very important to note here that because people are lazy and have no time to seek knowledge about herbalism or have other personal reasons, they resort to condemning the use of herbs. To get true insights into it, what does the Scripture say about Christians and the use of herbs.

One interesting thing in the Bible is that LUKE is recorded to be a physician. Looking at the time period, we can confidently say that he was using herbs and other animal products at the time but not orthodox medicine. The following extracts shed light on it below:

"This was the beloved physician, Luke (Colossians 4:14), author of the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. We don’t have record of Luke’s medical practices. However, we know that as a physician in the first century, the only “medicine” available to Luke would have been herbal medicines. Part of the duties of a physician at this time were compounding herbal medicines for their patients."

The same can be said for their healing practices. The Bible speaks in several places of medicines.

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Proverbs 17:22
There is none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up: thou hast no healing medicines.
Jeremiah 30:13

I have tried to compile a list of specific herbs listed or named in the Bible. This is a work-in-progress, as I am sure there are many I have missed.

aloes — Num 24:6, Psa 45:8, Pro 7:17, Son 4:14, Joh 19:39
anise — Mat 23:23
balm — Gen 37:25, 43:11, Jer 8:22, 46:11, 51:8, Eze 27:17
bay tree — Psa 37:35
calamus — Exo 30:23
cassia — Exo 30:24
cinnamon — Exo 30:23, Pro 7:17, Son 4:14, Rev 18:13
coriander seed — Exo 16:31, Num 11:7
cumin — Isa 28:25, 28:27, Mat 23:23
fitches (black cumin) — Isa 28:25, 28:27
frankincense — Mat 2:11
garlic — Num 11:5
hyssop — Psa 51:7
juniper — 1Ki 19:4-5, Job 30:4, Psa 120:4
mint — Mat 23:23, Luk 11:42
mustard — Mat 13:31
myrrh — Pro 7:17
rose — Luk 11:42
rue — Luk 11:42
saffron — Son 4:14
spikenard — Jn 12:3, Son 4:14

wormwood (hemlock) — Jer 23:15

QUESTION TO ASK OURSELVES

When choosing a method of health care, whether it is allopathic or naturopathic, Christians must weigh each decision in light of the Scriptures. I believe there are four important questions we can ask ourselves as we determine whether or not to use herbal medicine as a means of health care for our families.

DOES IT CONTRADICT THE WORD OF GOD, HIS COMMANDMENTS OR STATUTES?

When I am trying to discern whether or not something is permissible before God, I first look for direct commandments dealing with the subject. In the case of using herbs as medicines, I first found instances in the Bible where the Lord lets us know what is not permissible.

Practices Not Permissible

occult practices

There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12

Because the use of herbs has been incorporated into many occultic practices, we must distinguish between the evil practices accompanying the herbs and the use of the herbs themselves. Remember, the herbs themselves possess no power in themselves to heal, they are merely substances that encourage the body to do what it was designed to do more efficiently. Just as food gives nutrients to promote growth, herbs can both provide nutrients needed or solicit actions within the body.

practices dishonoring the sanctity of life

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Jeremiah 1:5

Even before conception, the Lord knows us and loves us. Every life is precious to the Lord. Every. Single. One. We must strive against the culture of death in this world, to make sure that we are doing everything possible in our being to protect life, even potential life.

As a woman of childbearing age, I must take every precaution to ensure I am not harming a baby in my womb. This means not taking certain herbs, which may have abortifacient properties, when I am pregnant (and being very cautious when I *might* be pregnant). Even natural substances can be harmful to babies in the womb, so we must be very, very careful in this regard.

DOES IT WORK WITH OUR BODIES IN A WAY THAT COMPLIMENTS HOW OUR BODIES ARE CREATED? IS IT RESTORATIVE?

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20

There is a difference between helping to restore our bodies and forcing our bodies to work in ways that they were not designed for. For example, let’s say I am a married lady who has not been able to conceive after several years of marriage. I have discovered that my hormones are imbalanced and have decided to take herbal supplements to help balance my hormones in the hopes of getting pregnant. I am working to help restore my body and its functions.

On the other hand, there are several herbs that can be used to avoid pregnancy. These herbs cause the body to not do what it was created to do — procreate.

ARE WE PRACTICING HERBALISM IN A WAY THAT IS ABUSIVE OR DETRIMENTAL TO OUR BODIES?

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
1 Corinthians 10:23

As I read this verse, I looked up the word expedient in the Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary. Expedient is to be suitable for the purpose, proper under the circumstance. And the word edify can mean to literally “build up”. When applied to the question of herbalism, we can ask ourselves “Do the herbs I am using build up my body and are they proper under the circumstances?”

DOES HERBALISM BRING GLORY TO THE CREATOR?

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31

In all things, and in all types of medicine, we should aim to bring glory to God. Whether we are choosing a type of healthcare, a type of herb to use, or a condition to treat — we must ask ourselves “Does this bring glory to God?”

There are many things to consider when treating ourselves and our families with herbal medicine. One thing we can be thankful for is the gift God has given us! To answer the question, “Yes, I believe Christians should use herbs!”

Dear Visitor,

We hope the above contents have helped to shape and changed your wrong perception about the use of herbs.

On the funny side, how many people are condemning herbs and eating Kontomire, Okro, and other farm products. Open your eyes and learn a lot about the significant importance of the use of herbs for managing diseases and other health challenges.

God bless you again:

HERBAL RESEARCH DEPARTMENT

THE INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR AFRICAN CULTURE AND ARTS

NEW YORK, USA.

MUSIC ABOUT THE IMPACT OF SICKNESS

AGYA KOO NIMO-YADEE Y3 YA