This is a recipe the hospice angel gave my father to help him through the last few weeks of his journey with cancer. He liked it. You will too. . . and it works.

1 pound pitted Prunes

1 pound Raisins

1 pound Figs

1 cup Brown Sugar

1 cup Lemon Juice

Senna Leaf Tea (see below)

Directions: Prepare tea. Place 1 tablespoon Senna leaves in about 2 1/2 cups boiling water and let steep 5 minutes. Strain tea to remove tea leaves and add only 2 cups of it to a larger pot. Stir in the fruit and bring to a boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add sugar and lemon juice and allow the mixture to cool. Using a hand mixer or food processor, turn fruit mixture into a smooth paste. Place in glass jars or Tupperware and store in freezer. Stores indefinitely in the freezer.

Dose: One to three teaspoons per day. As little or as much as it takes to stimulate at least one bowel movement a day, but not so much that it causes diarrhea. Spread a dose on a piece of bread or toast for breakfast or take it by the spoonful.

© 2007 by Dr. Denice M. Moffat