The Reality of Herbal Therapy

From Mail Truck to Formulas: The Origins of Dr. James’ Herbal Formulas

In this episode of the Reality of Herbal Therapy with Jim Applegate, Jim traces the origin stories behind the clinic’s most trusted herbal formulas, centered on the life and work of his father-in-law, Dr. James.

Listeners will hear how an 18-year-old’s near-fatal ulcer and later debilitating allergies in Oregon led Dr. James to study at Dominion Herbal College under Ella Berznik, start making house calls from an old delivery truck, and develop patient-tested blends like Hay Asz (for upper respiratory/allergies) and Flem Up (a dramatic remedy for severe asthma and lodged lung toxins).

The episode covers: the hands-on process of evolving formulas through real patient use; why Dr. James chose capsules over teas or tinctures for portability and preserving plant integrity; the critical importance of herb quality and freshness; the herbalist’s system-based approach to healing (treating root systems such as kidneys, blood, or the respiratory tract rather than only symptoms); and touching anecdotes about specific formulas and the people behind them.

Expect practical examples, clear explanations of how herbal formulas are created and tested, and guidance on when and why to use specific blends. Jim also explains how to choose a formula, offers examples of how formulas addressed severe conditions, and invites listeners to contact the clinic with questions.

This episode is for anyone curious about traditional herbal practice, the stories behind trusted remedies, and how individualized, system-focused herbal therapy can restore quality of life.

Muscles Matter: Natural Ways to Rebuild, Relax and Restore

Join host Jim Applegate on the Reality of Herbal Therapy podcast as he dives into the muscular system — what muscles do, the three basic types (skeletal, smooth and cardiac), and why muscle health is essential for posture, mobility, metabolism and overall wellbeing. Jim explains how muscles work together with tendons, ligaments and the circulatory system (including the so-called “second heart” in the legs) and why poor posture, dehydration and mineral deficiencies can lead to fatigue, cramps, stiffness and chronic pain.

This episode covers practical lifestyle steps—hydration, adequate protein and sleep, movement (including the benefits of the rebounder), and targeted self-care like Epsom salt baths and PM minerals for growing pains and nighttime cramps. Jim also details key herbal and nutritional formulas used to support the muscular system: Tissue Mend for fiber repair and elasticity; Throb Eaz for pain relief and muscle relaxation; Vari Cose to support circulation and vein health; Arth Rite for joint and ligament nourishment; Bladney for breaking down uric acid crystals (helpful in fibromyalgia-type pain); Silica/diatomaceous earth for elasticity and connective tissue support; Herbal MSM for sulfur and nutrient permeability; and Infection for inflammation control.

Listeners will learn how minerals (potassium, magnesium, calcium), silica and sulfur support contraction, relaxation and elasticity, why restful sleep is when muscles rebuild, and simple routines to protect and restore muscular health. Jim shares personal stories—like resolving growing pains with PM minerals—and practical dos-and-don’ts listeners can apply immediately.

Find the herbal formulas mentioned and further resources at drugfreehelpstore.com, and pick up a copy of The Healer in Every Home for more guidance on herbal support at home. Tune in for an approachable, actionable episode that blends anatomy, natural remedies and everyday habits to keep you moving pain-free.

Tag your herbs

Tagging herbs is one of the reasons we use formulas. In this episode we discuss what tagging is and how you can use it to your advantage.

I talked about Herbal MSM

The formulas that can be tagged are:

• Fection
• Throb Eaz
• Tissue Mend

The formulas that will take the tagged formula where you want it:

• Arth Rite
• Bladney
• Tonic F
• Hrt

There are several other formulas that will tag but these are the ones I talked about.

Parsley Tea

In this episode I discuss with you how to make parsley tea and why you would want to drink it.

 

Parsley Tea:

FRESH

1/4 Cup Fresh parsley leaf

1 Cup of Boiling Water

(Optional) Honey or Lemon to taste

DRIED

2 Tablespoons dried parsley leaf

1 Cup of Boiling Water

(Optional) Honey or Lemon

Method

Put parsley into a cup or (a tea strainer if you have one) pour boiling water over leaves and let steep for 10 minutes. Strain and sweeten if desired.

5 ways Parsley Tea is helpful to your body:

1. Kidney stones and Urinary Tract Infections (Supporting Formula Bladney)
2. 25% daily Vitamin C (Supporting Formula C Complex)
3. Menstruation (Supporting Formulas Tonic F, Her Mone)
4. Normalizes Blood Sugar (Supporting Formula Hy Sugar)
5. Breath (Supporting Formula Zime)

The Benefits of Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda)

In this episode we talk about 6 reasons you would want to add baking soda to your water.

Dr James suggested adding 1 teaspoon of baking soda to 1 gallon of water and to drink one quart of the mixture for every 40 pounds of body weight.

The benefits we talked about are:

1. Balances your body pH
2. Promotes health by killing mold, fungus, and yeast
3. Gets rid of uric acid in the kidneys and bladder to soothe a urinary tract infection
4. Helps with digestion to balance the stomach acid 
5. Helps remove acid in the muscles to prevent post-workout pain
6. Reduces inflammation in the joints 

When to take minerals?

When to take minerals?

We visited with Scott today why you would want to take minerals and when. The answer to when is always. Listen to this podcast and find out why you should take be taking your minerals every day.

PM Minerals +

What you don't know about oxygen (and hyperbaric chambers).

Today's episode we talked with Link and Sheryl Summers owners of Pro Oxygen in Albuquerque. 

We discussed why oxygen is so important to your health and how one hour in 1.5 atmospheres hyperbaric chamber can drastically change your health for the better. Link explained that all the cells in your body run on the transfer of oxygen and that when you are in a hyperbaric chamber that the oxygen is actually dissolved into your tissues and fluids.

We found out that hyperbaric chambers can help with many issues ranging from brain injuries, crushed bones, lyme disease, carbon monoxide poisoning and arthritis.

Why pain pills won't fix your arthritis (or Fibromyalgia)

In this episode we talk about:

• Arthritis
• Aches and pains
• gout
• fibromyalgia
• inflammation
• nutrient driven
• Priority systems take necessary nutrients
• our body should make chemicals
• pain killers hide pain and risk damage
• pain tells us something is wrong
• fibromyalgia - arthritis in the muscles
• Sand in the muscles- grit
• crystals in the muscles
• Nerve pain is a misfire caused by nutrient deficiency
• Joints, cartilage, synovial fluid
• joints need nutrients to be healthy
• Arth Rite
  • Like an oil change for your joints
• Bladney
  • Moves uric acid from joints
• Gout is big crystals
• pH change can help
• Tissue Mend
  • Puts nutrients back
• Sources of vitamins
• B Complex
• C Complex
• We want it to be effective
• Herbal MSM is suffer and makes cells permeable to nutrients
• Dosage is not as critical as feeding the body the nutrients necessary
• If the herbs aren't working take more
• Analgesic oil for temporary pain relief
• Goal is to get pain free as quickly as possible
• start with 12 Arth Rite, 6 Bladney a day
• then cut back as the pain subsides
• level of activity will increase
• within a month you will notice a difference
• Treat and cleanse the joints, muscles, bones