Alternative medicine woman: Jane Seymour's prescription for good health

Almost 15 years ago, Jane Seymour nearly died from an allergic reaction to an antibiotic injection while working in Spain. During that time, "I had an out-of-body experience, which I had never believed in. It was the white light, the whole thing," says the former star of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. When it was over, she realized that the only thing that really mattered in her life were the people in it and her health.

"The greatest gift I was ever given was the near loss of life, and the other was to realize how unimportant losing material things was--losing those things actually helped me realize what life is about. It's about how you relate to people and how people relate to you. It's about taking care of your body and your health front an emotional and physical standpoint. And I think the spiritual connection you have, whatever that may be, is also important."

The 54-year-old beautiful actress and mother to six children, the most recent arrivals being 9-year-old twins John and Kris, says it was the love of her kids that made her refuse to die. But it's the love of a man, too, that brings her health. "I feel happier when I am ill a relationship or being loved. I take better care of myself, and I am healthier."

Second Chances

These days, her health is very good indeed. She's happily married to her fourth husband, James Keach. So, of course, she went into midlife embracing it. "Well, not exactly," she admits. "I went into midlife knowing that the other option is death--and that wasn't a good one. I had a huge revelation," which was chronicled in her book, Remarkable Changes. "People fear the age of 40 and everything that could happen. A lot happened to me when I turned 40. I lost my father to cancer; I lost my husband to many other women; I lost all my money to my ex-husband's poor choices; and I lost complete faith in ever being happy again." But she quickly realized that midlife was her second chance in life, "and I didn't have to prove anything to anyone. I just wanted to do the best I could with my own abilities."

After undergoing back surgery a few years ago for a herniated disk, Seymour has seen her exercise abilities altered a bit, but she can live with that. "I can still play golf if I take an anti-inflammatory. I can swim; I can ski as long as I don't fall. I can ride a horse carefully, and I can play tennis as long as I stop when it begins to hurt. Actually my husband likes me a little rounder."

Trained as a dancer, Seymour still does occasional ballet stretches and barre exercises, but says, "I was in unbelievable pain, so I'm not consumed now with how various parts of my body look. "To me, beauty comes from the inside. I'm not obsessive about things like what foods I'm eating or how many wrinkles I'm getting."

Taste of Health

The British-born actress keeps her larder stocked with produce from her large organic garden, which overlooks the ocean. "We have even, citrus known to man," she says. "And we grow avocados, peaches, plums, apples, nectarines, grapes, blueberries, loquats, artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, arugula, lettuce, eggplant, beans, peas, zucchini, Brussels sprouts, onions, garlic, carrots, strawberries, tomatoes and herbs."

And her twins go ga-ga for these fresh fruits and vegetables. "People are astounded that my boys will eat the foods they do. I think that, from an early age, I made it fun. Kids love finger foods, so instead of pizza or chicken nuggets, I made little dipping trays--soy sauce, ketchup, vinaigrette--and cut up flesh vegetables for dipping." Turkey sandwiches made with fresh nutty brown bread are lunch favorites. "And as a treat, they like pickled cucumbers."

Nature's Medicine

Included in her arsenal of organic produce are medicinal herbs such as mint, sage and echinacea. "I try not to take antibiotics," says Seymour, who opts for her herbs plus vitamin C and goldenseal when a cold, sore throat or bronchitis hits. "I'm prone to upper respiratory infections, so I try to drink as many fluids as possible and use alternative medicine."

An advocate for complementary medicine, Seymour has spoken before Congress and works with the National Foundation for Alternative Medicine. She's also involved with several women's groups on homeopathy and alternative remedies. "I've always been into complementary and alternative medicine. I eat organically and try, to exercise and listen to my body."

She supplements with a multivitamin, omega-3 fatty/acids and a prescription drug for high blood pressure. She's also going to go back on hormone replacement therapy, which she stopped 8 months ago. "I stopped because of the controversy, so I took a break--I had done it for 7 years already--and handled it. But was it pleasurable? No! Quality of life is important to me, so as with everything, I had to weigh the pros and cons. I think when I had the twins at 45, I kind of put my system through the wringer."