Britt Gillette asked:


Long before The Passion of the Christ, Mel Gibson directed another cinematic masterpiece, Braveheart. Filmed against the backdrop of majestic mountains and rolling meadows, it tells the historically-based (yet not entirely accurate) story of William Wallace, a common man’s warrior who led the Scottish people in rebellion against King Edward I, also known as “Longshanks”. Written by Randall Wallace, an American tourist fascinated with a Scottish statue of his namesake, the script collected dust in Hollywood for over a decade before Gibson made the brilliant decision to put it on the big screen. Just like The Passion, it’s a decision he would not regret…

Set in the 11th Century, Braveheart catalogues the struggle of Scottish serfs who labor under the brutal oppression of English occupation forces. Amidst these terrible conditions, William Wallace (Mel Gibson) falls in love with Murron MacClannough (Catherine McCormack). Insistent on not sharing his wife (a proclamation by the king gives local rulers “first-night rights” to new brides) Wallace secretly marries Murron. Nevertheless, an English knight assaults her, sparking a fight with Wallace. Fleeing the village, Wallace believes Murron has escaped and will soon meet him at a secret rendezvous point. But Murron is captured and executed by the king’s emissaries.

Angered by his wife’s murder, Wallace instigates a local rebellion, slaughtering all the king’s loyalists in his village. As his rebellion grows, a distraught Longshanks (Patrick McGoohan) dispatches his fabled Northern Army to destroy it. But the heroic Wallace delivers a stirring speech to rouse his men, while deploying an ingenious battlefield trick to defeat the king’s cavalry.

With the power and legend of Wallace growing day by day, Longshanks relies on his daughter-in-law, Princess Isabelle (Sophie Marceau) to broker a truce. But Isabelle’s power is limited, and Wallace realizes his people can only win freedom if backed by the Scottish nobles. Their appointed leader is Robert the Bruce (Angus MacFadyen) who vacillates between his own idealistic views and his father’s pessimistic pragmatism. Will the nobles join with Wallace? Will the Scots win their freedom? Only history tells us the answer…

With elaborate costumes, vivid battle scenes, and a noble hero as its focal point, Braveheart is more than your typical run-of-the-mill action movie. Part history, part Hollywood heroism - its timeless idealism strikes a cord with every viewer. In fact, the movie itself led to a revival in nationalistic pride that fueled the successful Scottish independence movement of the 1990s. It’s a testament to the strength and character of the real life William Wallace. A thousand years later, his enduring legacy continues to transform the European landscape, and Mel Gibson captures the noble warrior’s passion with an awe-inspiring Academy Award-winning masterpiece…

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Madonna Jeffries asked:


As you are no doubt aware medicines derived from herbal and natural products are becoming increasingly popular in many cultures around the globe. Many of these herbal and natural remedies were developed centuries ago in eastern culture and they have been used much longer than any other variety of healthcare products.

As well as the Eastern culture other societies have, throughout history, known about and have successfully used herbs as well as natural substances to cure all kinds of different ailments. The pharmacopeia, as we know it today, was initially developed in the early nineteen hundreds and is primarily based on long established natural and herbal remedies.

Plant substances, or synthetically produced plant compounds, are in-fact used in the manufacture of nearly twenty-five percent of all prescription drugs that are used in the United States. Medical researchers have recently estimated that approximately eighty percent of the people in the world have used, or currently use, some form of herbal and natural medicine on a regular basis. The multinational pharmaceutical companies are constantly researching and looking for new plant species that can be successfully harvested to create new and better medicines for the public.

Research on Herbal and Natural Medicines

Up until now the pharmaceutical companies and independent medical research organizations have not devoted a great deal of time researching the origins and medical properties of ancient herbal and natural remedies. This situation has begun to change and now an increasing number of research studies are being conducted with many more expected to be undertaken in the near future. This is primarily as a result of the increased popularity of herbal and natural remedies in the western style markets of the United States, Europe and many other major countries throughout the world.

There are many popular herbal and natural medicines which are inexpensive and readily available. The natural remedy known as St. Johns Wort is currently used to help people who suffer minor to moderate depression problems. Other herbal medicines have been used to combat diabetes as well as deal with the treatment of high cholesterol levels. For instance garlic and artichokes are both believed to assist with the reduction of cholesterol levels.

Some herbalists believe that Echinacea can reduce the time frame of the common cold and can also reduce the severity of the symptoms. As a word of warning some research does suggest that the quantity required to fight a cold is higher than the dosage that most manufacturers of the product recommend. Also it is important to note that there has not been sufficient research undertaken to find out the possible side affects of these higher than generally recommended dosages.

People have been using Nigella Sativa (also known as black cumin) for all types of health related issues including pulmonary infections, influenza, some allergies, coughs and the treatment of stomach aches. Some herbalists believe that oregano might be useful in battling multi-drug resistant bacteria. Green tea is thought to have the ability to inhibit growth of breast cancer cells.

There are many other herbal and natural medicines that are being used throughout the world, however, if you do decide to try some of these products you should discuss the usage with your Doctor or seek the advice of a Doctor who specializes in traditional Chinese Medicine. Please be aware that some herbal and natural medicines are known to have unpleasant and harmful side affects so if you do intend to use them please follow the directions regarding dosage. that come with the products.

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