A High percentage of living things, both plant and animal are found in water. All life on earth is thought to have arisen from water. The bodies of all living organisms are composed largely of water. About 70 to 90 percent of all organic matter is water.

The chemical reactions in all plants and animals that support life take place in a water medium. Water not only provides the medium to make these life sustaining reactions possible, but water itself is often an important reactant or product of these reactions. In short, the chemistry of life is water chemistry.

The single hydrogen electron and the 8 electrons of oxygen are the key to the chemistry of life because this is where hydrogen and oxygen atoms combine to form a water molecule, or split to form ions.

In a water molecule, two hydrogen atoms are covalently bonded to the oxygen atom. But because the oxygen atom is larger than the hydrogens, its attraction for the hydrogen's electrons is correspondingly greater so the electrons are drawn closer into the shell of the larger oxygen atom and away from the hydrogen shells. This means that although the water molecule as a whole is stable, the greater mass of the oxygen nucleus tends to draw in all the electrons in the molecule including the shared hydrogen electrons giving the oxygen portion of the molecule a slight electronegative charge.

The shells of the hydrogen atoms, because their electrons are closer to the oxygen, take on a small electropositive charge. This means water molecules have a tendency to form weak bonds with water molecules because the oxygen end of the molecule is negative and the hydrogen ends are positive.

A hydrogen atom, while remaining covalently bonded to the oxygen of its own molecule, can form a weak bond with the oxygen of another molecule. Similarly, the oxygen end of a molecule can form a weak attachment with the hydrogen ends of other molecules. Because water molecules have this polarity, water is a continuous chemical entity.

These weak bonds play a crucial role in stabilizing the shape of many of the large molecules found in living matter. Because these bonds are weak, they are readily broken and re-formed during normal physiological reactions. The disassembly and re-arrangement of such weak bonds is in essence the chemistry of life.

To illustrate water's ability to break down other substances, consider the simple example of putting a small amount of table salt in a glass of tap water. With dry salt (NaCl) the attraction between the electropositive sodium (Na+) and electronegative chlorine (Cl-) atoms of salt is very strong until it is placed in water. After salt is placed in water, the attraction of the electronegative oxygen of the water molecule for the positively charged sodium ions, and the similar attraction of the electropositive hydrogen ends of the water molecule for the negatively charged chloride ions, are greater than the mutual attraction between the outnumbered Na+ and Cl- ions. In water the ionic bonds of the sodium chloride molecule are broken easily because of the competitive action of the numerous water molecules.

As we can see from this simple example, even the delicate configuration of individual water molecules enables them to break relatively stronger bonds by converging on them. This is why we call water the universal solvent. It is a natural solution that breaks the bonds of larger, more complex molecules. This is the chemistry of life on earth, in water and on land.

The fear is that you will try to cure diseases with herbal remedies. Herbal Doctoring rarely works, and even when it does it is only a temporary fix. True healing comes from creating a lifestyle that is healthy. Stopping the things you did that made you sick and beginning new programs of health and wellness.

Dr. Mercola has a basic sensible essay called Reaching for Optimal Wellness which would be a good starting place for anyone researching wellness.

Rich in tannins, white oak bark also provides vitamin B12 and minerals like calcium, iron and zinc. White oak bark's astringent properties tighten tissues and strengthen blood vessels, making it ideal for treating diarrhea, hemorrhoids and varicose veins. The blood-clotting agents active in white oak bark are also helpful to cease nosebleeds.

White oak bark has also been used to treat inflammation and irritations caused by poor digestion, ulcers, strep throat and skin problems.

Normalizing system levels of the body, Wild American ginseng has been used to lower cholesterol, increase energy levels, balance the metbolism, and stimulate the immune system. Wild American ginseng may also be used to alleviate fatigue, relieve nervousness and reduce stress, especially after acute illnesses.

Wild American ginseng increases oxygenation to the cells and tissues, stimulating the regeneration of damaged cells. For this reason, Wild American ginseng is commonly used to enhance the feeling of overall well being, stimulating the nervous system, brain and heart.

The cooling and anti-inflammatory properties found in Wild American ginseng may also be used to help reduce fevers and relieve respiratory problems, including dry coughing and wheezing.

Beneficial for female disorders, wild yam reduces menstrual cramping, relieves some symptoms related to menopause, decreases water retention and alleviates nausea caused by pregnancy.

Wild yam's antispasmodic properties relax muscles and help reduce inflammation. Wild yam is also beneficial in treating arthritis, rheumatism and muscle spasms.

Other uses for wild yam include easing digestion, by dilating vessels and stimulating bile flow, and contributing to the reduction of cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

For wounds with the chance of infection, apply X-ceptic.