Montauk Medicine 101
Osha Root

There are three major points that should be understood by everyone with regard to the wellness program advocated by the Montauk Medicine Man (or anyone else that matter).

First, any such program should be done with proper monitors. That means you yourself should be an active participant, oberver and decision maker (or censor if needed). Do not robotically follow any regimen or advice. Data is offered only to help you get going on your own path. You have to pay attention to your own individual and particular needs. Use common sense. This includes having access and input from competent professionals when needed and not ones that are just trying to make money off of you. A good doctor or nutritionist can be a god send. Getting your blood analyzed can also be very helpful and these aforementioned practioners can each tell you different things from their perspectives.

Second, any such program should be available and accessible to all. There are many ways to integrate wellness into your own life that are either free or cost little. A good program should be able to cope with any budget.

Third, there is an incredibly profound tradition beneath Artie's program that reaches back into antiquity. In a newsletter such as this, I can only hope to give a brief glimpse of the heritage upon which Artie Crippen's teachings are based.

It will interest many of you to know that Artie is not only Native American (Montauk and Shinnecock) but his mother is Chinese (born in Hong Kong) and that he grew up knowing Bruce Lee who he referred to as "Uncle Lee." Artie has also been deeply influenced by various Oriental arts, including Tai Chi and Qi Gung (also known as Qi Gung). His favorite teacher is Roosevelt Gainey, a Taoist master from Brooklyn who is one of the most accomplished martial artists in the world. Artie and Roosevelt each teach a different system but they complement each other and learn from each other. Roosevelt has called Artie his best pupil and Artie has called me his best pupil.

What I have learned is that, first and foremost, life begins with breathing. The act of breathing in and out defines "animated life." Most diseases are caused by lack of oxygen. Proper breathing and exercise (particularly yoga and the ancient art of Qi Gung) is the first step to wellness. If you are not getting exercise or proper oxygen, you are precipitating illness or perhaps even a catastophe. You can begin your regimen of Qi Gung or yoga by starting with a library book. That, along with the exercise and breathing you do, is completely free. You can also hire a teacher if you wish.

Qi Gung promotes oxygen moving into the body and is known as "bone marrow washing." Specifically, it is known to move oxygen into the bone marrow (through the ligaments and tendons) and augments cellular renewal (which occurs naturally in the bone marrow). For older or debiliated people, rudimentary Qi Gung can be done sitting in a chair and can totally change your life.

Qi Gung is a lifelong commitment, but it only takes a short amount of time. I practice it every day and it makes all the difference in the world. After only one month, my back felt better than it ever has in my entire life, and it takes only 5-15 minutes a day. It was free, too.

Another excellent and cheap approach towards vibrant health is food grade hydrogen peroxide (H²0²). Note, THIS IS NOT the same as the hydrogen peroxide you get at a drug store. You generally find food grade hydrogen peroxide at a health food store. Follow the directions on the bottle or find instructions on the internet. This puts oxygen into the body and is a powerful wellness agent because most diseases cannot cope with oxygen.

Osha Root
Native medicine that detoxes the body.

Artie is a big proponent of Osha Root which used to grow abundantly at Montauk and along the whole east coast. Unfortately, the desecration of the land and consequent pollution has poisononed most coastal Osha Root. Ideally, Osha Root is grown in "sugar water," a native term that refers to rain, sea water and fresh water. As native medicine, Osha detoxes the body and can help make your western medicine work better. What we use comes from an Indian Reservation and is grown under specific and natural conditions. Osha Root that is mass produced on farms is not the same and should be avoided.

Artie's program for his own Montauk tribe consists of Qi Gung accompanied by taking Osha Root. Osha is excellent for detoxification and helps get rid of the old cells that the body is shedding with the bone marrow washing. It is also a numbing agent. Osha Root is not too expensive. Sky Books offers Osha Root at the following prices:

One ounce should last you a long time, maybe six months or even a year (more or less). It is not for pregnant women and only just a little nibble is taken. We give recommendations on how to take it. You can do all of the above for little or no money.

Osha Root is not for pregnant women.