Lower Bowel "Tonic" 1978 Re: Welcome wakinup! Re: LBB vs. IF#1 & IF#2 (+edit)

Hi Uny,

I just wanted to share some information from Dr. Christopher's writings concerning his Lower Bowel "Tonic" formula.

I have the book "Dr. John R. Christopher - Childhood Diseases", from December 1978. 

In your post you list Dr. Christopher's LBB formula and say you think he may have changed this formula at some time. 

In the book I have this formula is called "Lower Bowel Tonic".  The formula is the same with the addition of 1 part fennel. (Of interest: Dr. Schulze used/uses fennel in his Intestinal Formula #2) 

Here is an excerpt that explains this formula along with a bit on the herbs used and why:

Lower Bowel Tonic

1 part  Barberry bark (Berberis vulgaris)

2 parts  Cascara sagrada bark (Rhammus purchiana)

1 part  Cayenne (Capsicum minimum)

1 part  Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

1 part  Golden seal root (Hydrastis canadensis)

1 part  Lobelia herb and / or seeds (Lobelia inflata)

1 part  Red raspberry leaves (Rubus idaeus)

1 part  Turkey rhubarb root (Rheum paimatum)

1 part  Fennel (Foeniculum vulgari)

Mix the powdered herbs shown above; then place in #00 gelatin capsules (which can be purchased from almost any drug store) and take according to how many you need.  As there are no two people alike in age, size, or physical constitution (and the bowel itself will differ in persons as much as the fingerprints), most cases will START with two #00 capsules three times a day, and then regulate the dosage from there.  If the stool seems too loose, then cut down; but if it is difficult to get a bowel movement and the stool is hard and takes a long time, then increase the amount until the movements become soft and well-formed (and here, in very difficult cases, you could take even up to 40 of these capsules a day, for these herbs are only FOOD and can do no damage to you).  Then after the hard material has broken loose and is eliminating more freely, the copious amounts of eliminating matter will gradually decrease (these are hard incrustations of fecal matter that have been “stored” in the bowel for many years that are breaking loose and soaking up intestinal liquids) but do not taper off the lower bowel tonic dosage so much at this point that you lose this advantageous momentum and continuity of elimination.  In most cases, the improper diet has caused the peristaltic muscles of most people to quit working, and it will take six to nine months with the aid of the lower bowel tonics from the average individual to clean out the old fecal matter and to rebuild the bowel structure sufficiently to have the peristaltic muscles work entirely on their own.

Most people have pounds of old dried fecal matter that is stored in the colon which is toxifying the system and keeping the food from being assimilated--and because of this putrefied condition, most people engorge themselves with many times more than the actual body requirements, in the process of wearing out their bodies in trying to get sufficient food value and are still always hungry and eating; whereas, after the bowel is cleaned, the food is readily assimilated and a person can sustain himself on about one-third the quantity of his current food consumption at some four or five times increase in more power, energy, vitality and life.  Herein the clean body is able to normally assimilate the simple food values through the cell structures in the colon, instead of it being trapped in a maze of wastage, and inhibited by the hard fecal casing on the intestinal walls, wherein the largest part of the nutritional substances becomes pushed on and eliminated before it can do any good.  When the body is completely clean, these aids will no longer be necessary--then your food will be your medicine and your medicine will be your food.  As long as you stay on the program properly, this should only be used when needed after the bowel is once cleaned.

To explain why each of these herbs is used and their purpose, here is the breakdown.

One Part Barberry (Berberis vulgaris)

If this is not available you may substitute Oregon Grape Root (Berberis aquifolium) which is the same family and will do the same type of job.  This is also called Rocky Mountain Grape Root.  This family acts as a specific for the liver and gall bladder area (hepatic) causing the bile to flow freely instead of being congealed and sluggish, and this bile acts as a built-in laxative, but is mild.  It is also (the herb) alterative (blood purifying) antisyphiletic and tonic.

One Part Cayenne

Cayenne is slightly laxative, stimulates the organs it passes through, aids in rebuilding varicose conditions and eliminating cholesterol from the area.  It does a real cleaning and rebuilding job.

Two Parts Cascara Sagrada (Rhamnus purchiana)

This herb is called sacred bark and in small amounts, as used here, is a mild laxative, but is also a tonic for the peristaltic muscles, increases the secretions of the stomach, liver and pancreas and is very remarkable in its action in torpor of the colon and constipation.  It is, unquestionably, one of the very best and safest laxative ever discovered.

One Part Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Common name Jamaica ginger.  This herb is excellent for correcting flatulence (gas on the stomach).  We need this herb to alleviate gas that is accumulated as the bile starts flowing into this area, mixing with old fecal matter and forming this condition.  It is also an aid for relieving cramps and pains.

One Part Golden Seal (Hydrastis canadensis)

This wonderful herb is a tonic, mild laxative, alterative (for mucous membranes), detergent, antiseptic and antiemetic.  This is the healer and kills infection--a blood purifier and aperient (mild laxative).  This shows why it is one of the fine ingredients included.

One Part Lobelia (Lobelia inflata)

This is the accentuating herb that makes any formula work more smoothly and more efficiently.  It is also an antispasmodic, a nervine, and will assist in cases of cramps and painful conditions.

One Part Red Raspberry Leaves (Rubus idaeus)

Herein is an herb that assists in supplying iron to the system in the form of citrate of iron.  Upon this depends the remarkable blood making and regulating properties as well as the astringing and contracting action on the internal tissues and membranes.  This herb is also hemostatic, antiseptic and anti-diarrhea.

One Part Turkey Rhubarb Root (Rheum palmatum)

Turkey (or China) rhubarb is such a mild aperient (laxative) that it can be used for tiny babies (because it gives smooth, easy, no cramping bowel movements).  This herb has such a complex makeup that only advanced analytical chemists can comprehend some of its constituents.  According to Merck’s index, the latest findings are staggering as you research into them.

This herb is a laxative, astringent, tonic, stomachic, brisk purgative and valuable in effecting a quick, safe emptying of the bowels.  Does not clog or produce an “after-constipation” as so many cathartics do.  Is especially useful in diarrhea caused by irritating substances in the intestines, It not only removes the irritating substance, but its after astringent action checks the diarrhea.

One Part Fennel (Foeniculum vulgari)

This herb is noted for its relief in flatulency (gas) indigestion, cramps and spasms, nausea, pinworms, and in hepatic conditions (liver, gall bladder malfunctions).

As you see, each of these nine herbs have a specific job to do and when they are combined they make an herbal food for the bowel (small and large) area.  By using this over a period of time, (we have been accumulating old filth and fecal matter for years), so nine months to a year or more in some cases is not severe at all.  By using the mucusless diet during this time and the two programs, (herbal bowel food and proper diet), you can have permanent, easy bowel movements the rest of your life, if the proper diet is observed and then no more lower bowel tonic will be needed.

Remember--this herbal combination is not habit forming, and one that you have to increase as times go on, but one that works on the cause and not just a laxative or flush for temporary relief.  You can watch the amount of this Lower Bowel Tonic and regulate it, as time goes on, and eventually taper it off until you now have easy and regular bowel movements without the use of this aid at all.  The proper diet will keep you with the regulars!

The formulas we are using in our programs are those that have been tired and proven over the many years of our research and practice.  There are compatible formulas which we use and those that are not, which we will not endorse.  The reason we have put together our internationally known bowel formula the way we have is that we didn’t want a true laxative, but a food for the bowel, and an assistance to the organs, it is designed to clean and rebuild these organs.  This is as any reconstruction program that is done with thought and care.  it is not done “overnight” and must be done over a period of months.  During these years of its use, we found at first, during the 1940’s, people would state that it was griping.  For this reason we added the ginger.  Some asked, why not add an aid in the combination, for the nausea that happened in a few cases; so we added red raspberry leaves to relieve this condition and to add  lost iron and fruit acids that were causing the problem.  This was an additional help to each user, as well as to the ones who were upset.  In all our formulas as well as in these cases, each herb has its own specific job to do.