I had previously read John Armstrong's "Water of Life" and had tried drinking my own urine 20 years ago. Now comes Martha Christy's excellent review of the scientifically-proven and medically-documented studies showing how drinking one's own urine can be highly therapeutic, even in the most difficult cases. Urine therapy has historical roots in ancient Egypt, ancient China, ancient India, and even in this century, there have been hundreds of medical studies (even doctors who injected it directly into the blood, apparently because the taste was too objectionable). The main theory is that it helps build immunity to disease, much like a vaccination. Martha Christy goes into all of this, and focuses on its use as a cosmetic, among other things. She recommends starting off with just a few drops, applied topically to the skin. Urine is helpful for acne, eczema, psoriasis, ringworm, sores, fungal infections, insect bites, snake bites, wounds, burns, and abrasions. It is a rich source of hormones, especially DHEA and melatonin, and of all the sex hormones. It is also a rich source of enzymes, and vitamins and minerals. It contains vitamin C, vitamin B-12, B-6, and other vitamins, and many minerals. It is fresh, raw, and alive, and totally free (to say the least). No wonder the general medical profession doesn't know more about it - - there's no money in it for doctors or for pharmaceutical companies (although there are many pharmaceutical preparations, moisturizing lotions, etc, which derive from urine). Urine is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-biotic. It is used in cases of AIDS (only AIDS anti-bodies in urine); cancer; fatigue; anemia; all sorts of kidney diseases, for weight-loss, colds and flu, candida, diabetes, digestive problems, etc, etc, etc. It is medically proven against polio, rabies, and tuberculosis. The list of diseases for which it is effective is very long. The folklore is to drink the middle stream only, fresh and warm, and morning urine is best. The past few years have seen "World Symposiums" on urine-therapy, attended by hundreds of doctors who drink their own urine. Martha Christy offers sensible advice, and many case studies. She suggests not flushing the kidneys by taking copious amounts of water, which dilutes the healing properties of the urine. Before reading her book, I thought I might drink a little urine. Now, as strange as it seems, I feel that there's nothing better than urine, and you won't want to waste another drop of this precious fluid, which is not a waste product, but a by-product of your own blood. Drinking your own urine also makes you question what you put into your body. She refers to Armstrong's pioneering research, who himself fasted on his own urine (and water) for 45 days, and offers several other cases in which people have fasted for up to 101 days on their own urine. She (and Armstrong) also recommend urine massages, urine packs, urine eye-drops, ear-drops, nose-drops, and foot baths, and even enemas! She points out that it was common in France in an earlier century for the wealthy women to take urine baths. Always use fresh urine (fresh and warm) if drinking, although urine that has aged for 2-3 days is ok for the skin. Martha Christy also recommends plenty of rest, and urine seems to be a great normalizer. I have found that is helps clear up congestion (gargle with it for a sore throat), makes me feel stronger, and also seems to relax me (perhaps because of its melatonin content). Urine has a smooth, rich flavor, and it is a kind of "structured water" that is healthful to the body. Martha Christy points out that there has never been a case, ever, where urine-drinking was found to be toxic to the human body, or even with any side effects. Just the opposite. She points out that almost every known pharmaceutical drug has a long list of side-effects. With urine, there are none. In the Bible, Jesus said "Rivers of living water shall flow from your bellies." (John 7:38) John Armstrong refers to it as "penance," and he continued to drink his own urine for the rest of his life, and kept in good health. There's a huge amount of evidence in favor of urine-therapy, and Martha Christy's book will certainly change your way of thinking. Even if you're in good health, a dose of your own urine provides energy-promoting nutrients, hormones, enzymes, as well as the natural antibodies that enhance preventive health care. There is much else to be found in an internet search of "urine therapy."