Four Winds Natural Healing Center

09/10/2025

Pluto Springs
I took my family to the French Lick Springs Resort in Indiana this summer. It was one of the best family nature resorts. Lots of outdoor activities, great swimming and so much more. Golfing and other activities available too. It is truly an all inclusive resort.

The resort was one of the most famous natural healing mineral springs in the US. For some reason, there was a historical effort in the early 1900's to make springs therapy seem dangerous. It is something I am researching now.

In the past, family vacations and sick people would travel to healing springs. This practice is still very common around the world. It is not as common in the US now. This therapy is called hydrotherapy, meaning healing water therapy. If it is hot springs, it is called balneotherapy. In Europe, this part of the healthcare system.

Unfortunately most the healing springs at French Lick Springs Resort cannot be swam in or drank anymore. You can still see the springs. As you will see with later videos, my kids and I did find a way to get into the springs. I did also find that the expensive spa there offered the mineral therapy soaks. I tried it and it was good. However, you can still get some free springs soaks there.

It is sad to me that most Americans do not understand the "water cure" as it is known in Europe. Colorado is the closest place to Omaha where you can find many hot mineral springs. Most people are shocked to know that Nebraska has some of the most therapeutic cold mineral springs on the planet.

Here is a video on Pluto springs I filmed this summer. Enjoy.

This video is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose or cure any disease. Discuss any changes with your healthcare provider. ...

09/10/2025

Beta Blockers after a Heart Attack
Newer, large scale studies released this month show that beta blockers given after a heart attack (MI) do not improve any cardiovascular outcomes. In fact, women taking beta blockers after a heart attack have an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and death.

I am not a cardiologist, but this does show how science is an ever evolving tool. It appears cardiologists are really listening to this study. It appears it will change 40 years of standard approach to give everyone beta blockers after a heart attack.

This study does not show beta blockers are bad for hypertension. The study only looked at treatment after a heart attack.

Beta blockers—drugs commonly prescribed for a range of cardiac conditions, including heart attacks—provide no clinical benefit for patients who have had an uncomplicated myocardial infarction with preserved heart function. Beta blockers have been the standard treatment for these patients for 40 ...

09/09/2025

Massage Therapy CEU
Dr. Carrie York and I will be teaching a CEU topical herbal medicine hands on class for massage therapists this month. Massage Therapists can learn to use a variety of specialized herbal liniments, oils, poultices and other techniques. We have over 40 years of clinical experience between us both.

Class is at UCHA on September 28th.

Here is a link with details:

Ligaments, sabs, poultices, compresses, plasters, herb-infused oils, and essential oils with Nicholas Schnell, Clinical Herbalist, and Dr. Carrie York PC

09/06/2025

Artificial Sweeteners Linked to Memory Loss
Many drugs and substances have been linked to memory loss in recent years. A new study shows what many have already known . . . . . that artificial sweeteners can affect brain inflammation and memory loss. These will now officially need to be added to some sleeping pills, some anti-histamines, alcohol and other medications.

Although this study just shows correlation, it is part of a growing body of evidence on the dangers of diet colas with artificial sweeteners.

Study links artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame and saccharin, to faster cognitive decline, memory loss and brain aging, raising concerns about their long-term safety.

09/06/2025

Wild Turkey Tail Mushroom
Turkey Tail mushroom is a local wild mushroom. It is not a culinary mushroom. It is a medicinal mushrooms that has a growing body of research. There have been many larger scale studies focused on the beta glucans and other polysaccharide compounds. Some of these were funded by the NIH. Most of the recent research areas are focused on turkey tail applications for cancer. The majority of research focusing on breast cancer and breast cancer cell lines.

Beta glucan and mushroom polysaccharide compounds are water soluble. They work best as teas or powders/capsules. Most of the immune compounds in mushrooms are not super soluble in alcohol. These compounds are very heat stable also. This means cooking them for long periods at high heat does not injure these compounds.

Turkey tail is a very safe mushroom. It can easily grown in Nebraska in a shady area. In my old house, I had an entire six foot tree trunk off my back deck that I inoculated with turkey tail spores. You can also buy indoor growing kits for fun or kids science experiments.

While out hiking this summer right outside of Omaha, I found this little cluster of turkey tail mushrooms growing on an old tree stump. Here is a free video of it:

This video is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose or cure any disease. Discuss any changes with your healthcare provider. ...

08/30/2025

The Old Pine at Fort Hartsuff
Fort Hartsuff is a state historical park and old military fort in central Nebraska Sandhills by Ord. It has a wonderful old military hospital with lots of herbal medicine antiques.

Here is the old ponderosa pine planted in 1870 at the same time the general's headquarters were built. It is still standing strong. Ponderosa pine is a native tree to Nebraska.

Enjoy the video of this beauty.

Fort Hartsuff Historical Park is one of the old military bases in central Nebraska established in 1870. It has a been maintained and very well preserved. I...

08/23/2025

Ready to Study Natural Healing Locally?
We are starting our two year natural healing and herbalism study course in October. The first class is October 15th. This is my 25th year of teaching the program!

This is a two year journey of discovery into the history and principles of natural healing. Our main emphasis is on understanding both ancient wisdom and modern clinical practices. Herbs are one of the core tools we use to learn how to heal chronic diseases, how to help prevent health problems from arising and helping people to truly heal. Students will learn about their own body, mind and health also, as it is a personal journey of discovery. You will never look at the world or health the same.

By the end of two years, students are able to understand health on a deeper level and make individualized natural healing protocols. The key goal is for each person to be able to take care of the basic health needs of their families, friends and community.

This is part of my life long vision to have an herbalist or natural healing expert in every small town in Nebraska. Then the entire Midwest. Then the entire US.

We have spots left for the program. The program meets every Wednesday night and one Saturday morning a month. Students can be local in class, distance on line and hybrid. We have had students from many states and even other countries. All classes are live broadcast and also recorded to online students. Local students who really want the classroom in person experience can attend with fellow classmates. We taste and experience all the plants. We do nature trips, we tour farms and have a direct hands on medicine making experiences.

To reserve a spot in class, please call the office direct or stop by the office. You can call the clinic at 402-933-6444. We only require a $100 deposit to hold a space in class.

If students want more information, you can email me directly at spiritbear4@msn.com. I can directly answer questions. I can also email the course syllabus and course catalog that has all the details.

Most past students call this a life transforming event. Most students form life long friendships. We experience some of the most beautiful nature in Nebraska. Many students also heal their chronic diseases through the wisdom gained in this class.

With rising healthcare cost and insurance cost, many student's families have save money by being able to take care of many of their health needs.

First class is October 15th.

08/23/2025

Foundational Principles of Natural Healing
There are so many people trying to heal chronic disease, old traumas, emotional wounds and difficult diseases. I am very concerned in our modern time that most patients do not know the basic principles of healing. I am deeper concerned that many practitioners around the world seem to not know the basic theory of natural healing.

As our world and information becomes more commercialized, it is important to stop and think deeper. There are basic principles and requirements for healing to take place. We could say for deeper transformational healing to take place, then most all the principles have to be met. I have been spending time trying to put out snippets of this content for free. It will take a few years, but it is worth the effort.

Sunday night I am premiering and video on basic principle number one - Solitude. Solitude, peace or serenity is a core requirement of the healing process. All cultures and traditional systems of medicine embrace this historically. All religions know this too, as we see silent retreats, mountain retreats, nature retreats and contemplative retreats used for healing/inspiration.

Solitude is not just a concept, it is a feeling. It is a state of mind. Like Master Chen says, "once you taste the apple, you know it." I hope everyone has experienced this at times. It often comes in quiet, slow and peaceful places in nature. I always find it in the Nebraska Sandhills.

In everyone's quest to find the best most powerful supplement or fad diet, ask yourself if you are focusing on solitude. If you can't seem to heal some emotional trauma or physical disease process, focus on solitude. This is the principle that mediation works through. The ancient science of meditation is simple. When the mind finds solitude, the body follows. The "sleeping dragon" in the body and every cell of your body and every inch of your mind is awakened. Although something relaxes, something also awakens or stirs. This is also part of deeper yin/yang theory in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Sunday night at 5 PM this video recorded in my place of solitude, the Nebraska Sandhills, premieres. Take a moment to check it out.

This video is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose or cure any disease. Discuss any changes with a healthcare provider. Th...

08/23/2025

Nature Videos of Nebraska
I have been slowly uploading all kinds of fun and exciting videos of the many amazing natural beauty spots of Nebraska. They are all listed on the clinic YouTube page. Please take some time to see how beautiful our state is.

Most people do not know that many of Nebraska's remote nature areas and pristine cold water springs have healing properties. It is a fun way to restore the body and mind by exploring swimming in cold water springs.

Here is one recent link of one of the thousands of springs I found while with the students on the Calamus River.

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08/16/2025

Top 5 Family Vacation in US
Burwell Nebraska and Calamus Reservoir are a hidden gem of America. It is a top five family, nature and nsture adventure location in all America in summer. There are endless sandy beaches, unpolluted spring fed water, family kayaking adventures, family tanking adventures, boat rentals and thousands of acres of Sandhills prairies to hike. There are over six rivers and creeks to explore. There is also world class fishing. Unlike many areas lije okoboji or ozarks, there are no oeooke here and no commercialization. Just small town filled with nice wonderful people. Only a short three hour drive from Omaha.

Posting a video of the lake from last weekend. Just took the students from class on a night swim. We were the only ones there.

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08/16/2025

Wild Plum
Wild plums are one of the most important native plants and wild foods. Traditionally they were dried and mixed with local sun dried meats. This mixture was pounded together. This later was given the name pemmican, which was based on a native word. Pioneer and mountain men later called it hard tac or tac. Later other nuts and flour was added.

This formed the original pioneer survival food, adapted from native wisdom.

Wild plums are not as sugary sweet as their domesticated store plum. However, they have earthy and rich flavor. I have never tasted two patches of wild plum that tasted the same. There is a huge variance in color and flavor. One patch might change in color deeply year to year.

Plum leaves can also be used medicinally.

I filmed this video last week of wild plums in the Sandhills.

This video is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose or cure any disease. Discuss any changes with a healthcare provider. Wi...

08/10/2025

The King of Fish
Here is a cool educational series on Copper River king salmon. It is the best tasting and one of most healthy foods on planet earth. This fish monger discusses the salmon belly and collar. These scraps are cheaper and the best part of the fish. They are sold at any good sushi restaurant. Follow all four parts.

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