Joseph Shiroky, 80, from Russia’s city of Kotlas in the Arkhangelsk Region was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 1992.
Anna ShulyatevaAfter refusing to go through medical treatment Shiroky secretly ordered a tombstone and a fence for his future grave.
Anna ShulyatevaAfter that he started to seriously study the power of herbs and made several potions using recipes that he learned from the elders in his region.
Anna ShulyatevaEven though there are no confirmed cases of phytotherapy curing oncological diseases, Shiroky still decided to give it a try.
Anna ShulyatevaA year later, the cancer retreated.
Anna Shulyateva“I did not become an absolutely healthy person, but the illness is not controlling me and does not impede my ability to live life to the fullest,” he says.
Anna ShulyatevaShiroky takes care of his household, writes books, goes on long hikes in search of herbs, gives free consultations to the public, and helps everyone who seeks his advice.
Anna Shulyateva“A potion can combat any sickness. It only needs to be properly collected, prepared and used,” an old Russian saying goes.
Anna ShulyatevaShiroky finds herbs in the forests and fields of the Krasnobor district of the Arkhangelsk Region and grows more rare ones that can only be found in the north in his garden.
Anna Shulyateva“I don’t cure people and do not consider myself a healer or a medicine-man,” Shiroky points out. “I only advise people on how to use medicinal plants and I am always happy when my advice helps.”
Anna ShulyatevaShiroky highly values life and the time he has left.
Anna ShulyatevaHe wakes up at 6 a.m. every day and starts working straight away.
Anna ShulyatevaEvery year he tries to learn and create something new.
Anna ShulyatevaThis year he learned to make stools from vines and birch bark. Last year he built small houses for children. In his free time he writes books and poems. Here is one poem that he wants to use as his epitaph. “You are a passer-by, but you will lie down like I do // Sit down, rest on a stone near me. // Tear off a blade of grass – remember me // I’m at home, and you are a visitor, // Think about yourself!”
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