Have a headache? Try putting a lemon peel on your forehead. If you have an upset stomach, try chewing some fennel seeds.Pastor Martin Tickle and wife, Condie, have hundreds of tips just like this one for using natural remedies for myriad health problems.The couple, who call themselves naturopathic medical missionaries, have just finished teaching a round of natural health seminars at the Botanical Gardens and hope to offer more in the near future.“We counsel and help people using natural health principals, lifestyle modifications, simple herbal remedies along with modalities such as hydrotherapy and massage,” said Pastor Tickle. “We put people on detoxification programmes and watch them get well. We use it as a viable alternative to medicine.”The couple first became interested in naturopathy while living in England several years ago.“At the time Mad Cow disease (Bovine spongiform encephalopathy) was rampant and we were concerned about that,” Mrs Tickle said. “Also there was a salmonella outbreak in eggs and Foot and Mouth Disease (Aphthae epizooticae) among hooved animals. All those things were disconcerting to us and we were concerned about our health and maintaining a good immune system. So we avoided those products, and our interest evolved.”They have since trained in Canada and Alabama in the United States and have preached the natural health message for over 20 years.Mrs Tickle said they aren’t completely against mainstream medicine, and have used it, on occasion, but the two views on healing make for uncomfortable bed fellows.“Historically, they competed with one another,” said Pastor Tickle. “The reason the American Medical Association was formed was because the naturopaths were taking all the business away from doctors. We believe the body can heal itself of any disease. Our methodology is that the body can simply be put on the right track again; that disease is an effort of the body to free itself from the results of poor lifestyle choices.”The Tickles believe that a stalk of fennel, or a hibiscus leaf or other types of herbs are “naturally packed power houses of health”.“Of course, you have to know what to take and what not to take,” he said.At the seminar the Tickles taught how to make lifestyle modifications to put the spirit and mind into healing mode. Seminar attendees also had the chance to sample Mrs Tickle’s healthy alternative condiments and cheeses made out of non-dairy products.Mrs Tickle makes butter out of corn, and cheese out of cashews or sunflowers. Apparently, the cashew-based cheese tastes the best.“Everything we do on the health side is in accordance with Biblical principles,” said Rev Tickle. “It is from the Bible that we get our instructions. We are hoping to do another event. This one was very exhausting. In the future we will do it more efficiently so the strain will be a bit less.”They have now moved into Phase 2 of their ministry, offering natural health counselling, massage therapy, hydrotherapy and detoxification programmes.“Of course, the services are not all free,” Mrs Tickle said.For more information e-mail the Tickles at vibranthealth2u@gmail.com or call 538-2320. They prefer e-mail communication.