Shundahai Network was formed at the Nevada Nuclear Test Site in 1994, by a council of long-term nuclear disarmament activists, at the request of Corbin Harney, a Western Shoshone Spiritual Leader.

Shundahai Network is dedicated to breaking the nuclear chain by building alliances with indigenous communities and environmental, peace and human rights movements. We seek to abolish all nuclear weapons and an end to nuclear testing. We advocate phasing out nuclear energy and ending the transportation and dumping of nuclear waste. We promote the principles of Environmental Justice and strive to insure that indigenous voices are heard in the movement to influence U.S. Nuclear and environmental policies. All of our campaigns and events incorporate the values of community building, education, spiritual ceremonies and nonviolent direct action.

Health and healing have always been important elements of human civilization that reflect the cultural viewpoints of each society. Many take good health for granted. They only begin to consider the details of their eating and exercise habits when their health begins to fail.

In the most simple, rustic cultures, there is a “mysterious” element to good health that is seen as a “blessing from the gods.” Likewise, bad health is seen as punishment for those who lose the favor of the gods. Many religious rituals have been created to “purge” men of their illness-causing sins.

The power of healing has been associated with the spiritual realm responsible for creating man. “Witch doctors,” “herbalists,” “shamans,” “apothecaries,” and “medicine men” have always received great prestige and honor due to their knowledge of herbs, plants, and foods that can be used to create medicines for healing the sick.

Throughout history, various techniques have been used for healing, including the following: 1) preventative actions, 2) rituals, 3) medicine, and 4) surgery. Health and healing concepts have developed over time as cultures share their knowledge across borders for the benefit of mankind.

“Ancient Medicine”

+ Egypt

Egyptian medicine has been preserved in the “mummification” of bodies that demonstrated an advanced understanding of medicine. Egyptian medical records date back to 3000 B.C. establishing the foundations of examination, diagnosis, and treatment. The Egyptians developed a solid public health system; they derstood anatomy and cures for different ailments. There were also numerous incantations used against evil spirits.

+ Greece and Rome

Hippocrates, who lived in 430 B.C. Greece, was considered the “Father of Western Medicine;” his “Hippocratic Oath” is a promise by doctors to use their knowledge only for healing their patients, never causing their harm. Hippocrates emphasized the “clinical observation” of the patient. He discussed symptoms and divided diseases into acute, chronic, endemic, and epidemic categories.

Galen was a Greek physician working in Rome around 161 A.D. His book, “On Anatomical Procedures” continued the emphasis on the Four Humours: Blood, Phlegm, Yellow Bile, and Blood Bile.

The Romans added many useful surgical instruments – cross-bladed scissors, forceps, and surgical needles.

“Religious Healing Concepts”

Christianity, Islam, and Judaism share many of the same precepts of the Law of Moses, which forbids the eating of certain foods and engaging in behaviors that are deemed “unclean.”

“Western Middle Ages”

With the collapse of the Roman Empire, the Christian Church gained prominence as an authority in all matters. Christianity taught that illnesses were caused by sin. Diagnosis followed astrology charts. Ailments were seen as being caused by an imbalance of humours. Blood-letting was a common practice used to remove excess harmful fluids from the body.

“Modern Western Medicine”

Western medicine is based on a “reductionist” ideology – breaking everything down to the smallest element; then, doctors treat the constituent parts, rather than the whole. Western medicine treats the appearances of symptoms. It is less interested in preventative care.

The greatest modern gains have been in discovering “microscopic” bacteria. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek and Louis Pasteur advanced bacteriology, immunizations, microbiology, and pasteurization. Medical devices, prescription drugs, and antiseptics have assisted greatly in healing patients.

“African Medicine”

African medicine relies primarily upon herbs prepared by experienced herbalists.

“Chinese Medicine”

Chinese medicine has developed over 3,000 years with a wider focus on energy and fluid imbalances. Chinese diagnosis uses multiple observation techniques to gather information. Chinese treatment uses 1) Herbs, 2) Diet, 3) Massage, and 4) Acupuncture to re-establish the body’s equilibrium. The Chinese view
lifestyle – diet, work, and exercise – as important determinants of health. Our body must be in harmony with natural laws to be healthy.

During the Third Century B.C., “The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine” was written as a compilation of Chinese medical knowledge. It listed herbal, animal, and mineral extracts used for healing.

“Taoism” promotes the Yin and Yang, which are opposing forces – like “up” and “down,” “hot” and “cold,” “day” and “night” – that must be balanced properly.

Eastern medicine views the body as a system of energy zones, where blockages of energy can cause ailments. Therapeutic exercises can be used to prevent ailments by strengthening the body. The Chinese healing system is incredibly complex based on a Web of interconnectedness.

The Chinese teach that there are Five Elements corresponding to the following characteristics:

* Water: Wet and cool * Wood: Rooted and flexible * Fire: Dry and hot * Metal: Hard and cutting * Earth: Productive and fertile.

This system of “Fives” is used for other things too – colors, body organs, and directions. The “Qi” have five main functions in the body – Movement, Warming, Protection, Transformation, and Retention.

So please try to make an investment in your health and do some research on finding this great tool. Please check it out when you have a moment.

Chinese diagnosis involves Looking, Listening, Asking, and Touching to determine the condition of the patient. “Looking” compares the normal expected appearance to the patient’s actual appearance. “Touching” involves pain, temperature, and moisture.

Chinese treatment uses different methods for dealing with ailments. Herbs are well-respected in Asian cultures; herbalists break down herbs based on the “Five Tastes (bitter, pungent, salty, sour, and sweet),” “Four Temperatures (cold, cool, warm, hot),” and “Four Movements (ascending, descending, floating, sinking).”

Asian massage has well-developed and well-established methods learned over millenia.

Acupuncture uses needles to free “Qi” energy flow by unblocking “access points” (ashi). The goal is to ensure that Qi energy freely flows through the “meridians,” which are twelve main channels coursing through the body. The Qi flows like a river following its natural path to the ocean.

“Hindu Medicine”

The “Prana” is the life force that flows through humans. The Eight branches of Ayurvedic medicine are as follows:

* Internal * Pediatrics * Demonology * Head and neck * Surgery * Toxicology * Rejuvenation * Aphrodisiacs.

Yoga is an exercise used by Hindu medicine to establish equilibrium in the body. Hindu medicine cures the sick, protects the healthy, and prolongs life.