Proven Herbal Remedy uses Chinese Medicine to Fight Hepatitis C Liver Disease Naturally to restore overall liver health.

June 22, 2004 — Samglo Enterprises announces the introduction of Nu-Liver, a natural herbal medicine from the Orient that reverses Hepatitis C liver disease safely and with virtually no side effects.

Doctors working in China during the past 4 decades have demonstrated scientifically that certain herbal medicine can naturally suppress the Hepatitis C virus in humans. Using this scientific discovery, they have created a powerful herbal medicine formula that combines both anti-viral and liver-protective properties. One of the major herbal medicine formulations used by many Chinese doctors to treat over 50 million Chinese patients with Hepatitis C, Nu-Liver herbal remedy is NOW available outside of China.

This herbal medicine is virtually non-toxic and eliminates the devastating side effects often experienced by those who take the standard western treatment consisting of interferon and ribavirin. Nearly all patients who take interferon for Hepatitis C will experience side effects that can potentially damage their thyroid gland, red blood cells, stomach and pancreas.

This powerful Chinese herbal medicine formulation is designed to lower the Hepatitis C viral load, reduce or normalize liver enzyme levels, and halt disease progression, without the severe side effects from ?chemical drugs? that are often worse than the disease itself. And when liver functions are normalized, patients with Hepatitis C can maintain a normal or near normal quality of life.

Vets respond to pet owners' desire for alternative medicine

By GRETEL SARMIENTO
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer


BOCA RATON — Nobody has it better than pets nowadays.

They have free rent, organic food and unconditional love from their owners. Now you can add massages, reiki, acupuncture and aromatherapy sessions.

Once in a while, 13-year-old Twojay feels a warm tingling feeling on her back and paws. Like any patient she becomes a little anxious at the sight of the red laser beam but during treatment she remains calm.
"She can feel when the doctor is coming," Ann Gazourian said of her female cat, who has cystitis and whose diet was changed many times before a holistic veterinarian suggested laser acupuncture sessions. She's been getting them since 2001.

During treatment, various energy points on Twojay's body are treated with an infrared spectrum to stimulate circulation and fortify flabby muscles. In Twojay's case, it's a low-frequency treatment, which varies depending on an animal's condition.

Holistic medicine for pets seems to be gaining popularity as recent pet-food recalls have turned pet owners into skeptical shoppers and more people shift to a more natural green lifestyle.
In response, more veterinarians are turning their practices into holistic animal practices. The American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, with 800 members nationwide and 40 in Florida, has seen a consistent increase in the number of veterinarians using alternative treatments such as herbal medicine and homeopathy.

Dr. Carol Falck of Friendship Animal Wellness Center in Pompano Beach is one of them. Pet owners bring their cats, dogs, birds with everything from ear infections to temperament issues.
But rather than prescribing antibiotics right away, Falck said "You look at the whole picture."
That means studying an animal's diet, habits, genetics, age, size, breed and other factors to determine the source of the problem and which treatment will work best.

For instance, acupuncture, the Chinese art of using needles or a laser to release the energy flow in the body, can be used to adjust the nervous system, help the body fight disease, and regenerate the nerves and cells. And just as it works in the human body, it works on pets.

"They suffer from the same things that we suffer," said Elizabeth Brauer of Wellington, who takes her pets to Falck.

Her switch to holistic medicine happened when her basset hound nearly died after a heartworm treatment from a traditional veterinarian, Brauer said.

Since then, she relies on traditional medicine "only if absolutely necessary."
"Sure, antibiotics can get rid of bacterial infection but then why do they keep getting bacterial infection?"

Gazourian also would ask herself why Twojay's cystitis kept recurring.

Then came Ronald Johnson, a holistic veterinarian and director of Mobile Vet, Inc., a mobile clinic that makes house calls for sick animals in the Broward-Palm Beach County area.

"He took one look at what she was eating and said: This is why she has cystitis," said Gazourian, of Boca Raton.

Although traditional medicine tends to relieve symptoms, holistic medicine focuses on the root of the problem, Johnson said. And often, holistic medicine helps prevent a problem before it becomes one. By studying the animal as a whole, a holistic veterinarian can keep kidney stones, urinary conditions and other illnesses from occurring.

"We try to get ahead of all that," Johnson said. "We look at the whole animal not just a piece of lab work."

Johnson, who's also registered with the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association and has practiced for 40 years, also points out holistic is not emergency-oriented nor does it dismiss traditional medicine entirely. Some of his clients take vitamins and supplements.
"We use the best of both worlds, Western and Eastern medicine," he said.

Aside from being preventive, integrative and less-invasive, another characteristic of holistic medicine is the mind-body element.

In humans, a positive attitude and optimistic thoughts are encouraged to help with the healing process. That pets don't have to make this conscious effort might actually be an advantage. Because they don't put their mind into the healing process they also don't run the risk of letting memories of trauma and abuse get in the way, as can happen with humans.
"They see positive in everything," said Brauer, a reiki practitioner.

"That's a huge part for humans. It's probably the biggest obstacle that we have. No Chinese medicine practice can help if your mind is self-destructing."

"We were looking to see how many naturopathic physicians treat children on a regular basis and found only about 15 percent do. The conditions seen by

One of the realities of having asthma is that you will probably need to take some type of asthma medicine for the rest of your life. There is no known cure for asthma and controlling asthma symptoms generally requires you to take asthma at least on an as needed basis for flare-ups.



Most people need to take preventive, or controller, asthma medicine every day, or even twice a day.


However, a recent research study offers validation for an alternative asthma therapy that's been around since the 1960s. It's called the Papworth Method.


This integrated breathing and relaxation technique has been used by physical therapists for decades, but its merits have never been proven scientifically. But, a study reported in the April 6th issue of Thorax journal by Elizabeth Holloway, a Research Physiotherapist in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at the University College London, involved 85 patients divided into a control group and a treatment group.


Results were obtained via questionnaires, both after the Papworth Breathing was taught and 12 months later. Patients in the treatment group had significantly lower scores, meaning their breathing was much more relaxed. So, researchers concluded that the Papworth method appeared to lessen asthma symptoms and improve mood compared with usual asthma care (i.e., the control group).


This study was a small one, and larger controlled studies are needed to confirm these initial findings. Still, it's encouraging to think there may be non-medical solutions to treating asthma.

Natural Herbs and Herbal Medicine for Anxiety Treatment

Alien Sheng

The use of natural herbs for anxiety to ease the often paralysing and uncomfortable sensations that go with this condition are not uncommon. Anxiety disorder is the most prevalent mental health issue in many western countries and using herbal medicine for anxiety has attracted much attention in recent times.

Herbal treatments for anxiety tend to have fewer side effects, are less likely to cause dependency and are cost effective. Care should be taken when altering any medications or adding supplements and close attention to drug interactions should be made before taking any herbal remedy. The cause of anxiety must be investigated thoroughly with your practitioner with herbs viewed as part of a holistic approach to better health.

Herbs for Natural Anxiety Treatment
St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

The mild action of this antidepressant herb has led to it being one of the most popular of all medicinal herbs and is the most reliable herb to consider for treating anxiety. St John’s Wort has the added benefit of being a gentle sedative and can assist in treating insomnia.

The St John’s Wort’s flowers contain hypericin, and hyperforin both considered to be vital components in the mood lifting action of this herb. The action of these compounds is enhanced by the flavenoid glycosides naturally found in this plant and a good supplement will have standardised amounts of hypericin and flavenoid glycosides.

Caution is warranted if you are taking warfarin, digoxin and some drugs used to treat HIV (indinavir and nevirapine), chemotherapy medications such as irinotecan, and antihistamines, benzodiazepines and simvastatin. Consulting your health care practitioner is advisable before beginning any new medication and in the case of St. John’s Wort, it is recommended to discontinue for seven days before a general anaesthetic.

Passion flower (Passiflora incarnata)

Passion flower has a tranquilising affect on the nervous system and is indicated specifically for anxiety and insomnia. With a reputation as non habit forming medication for anxiety, passionflower has been indicated in preparations for alcohol, nicotine and opiate withdrawal.

This herb is extremely gentle in its action and should be considered for insomnia associated with anxiety before using valerian.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)

Valerian root is possibly one of the most pungent herbs in use. This strong smelling herb is famous for being the plant that Valium was derived from. It is one of the more potent calmatives in use and care should be taken when using valerian for more than three weeks for insomnia associated with anxiety. Valerian can cause drowsiness and prolonged use may disrupt deep sleep which can lead to tiredness, even after a full nights sleep.

Hops (Humulus lupulus)

This herb is primarily a sedative and is often combined with passion flower to enhance its action to treat nervous tension and insomnia. A recent German study concluded that as a substitute to benzodiazepines, hops and valerian provided a viable alternative. Caution should be used when prescribing hops for anxiety if depression is thought to be involved.

The Use of Herbal Medicine and Supplements to Treat Anxiety

Like all medication, any herbal treatment for anxiety must be taken as part of an overall approach to recovery. Natural herbs for anxiety are gentle in their action and the added bonus is that a herbal remedy for anxiety is less inclined to cause dependency, or side effects.

When looking to use a herbal remedy for anxiety, it is essential to investigate whether or not there is also depression; so that an appropriate formula can be prescribed.

Overwork, poor diet and stress all contribute to anxiety and often simple measures to break the cycle of what is causing anxiety can lead to a big improvement in your sense of well being.

Naturopathy an Option for Some Kids

About one in six naturopathic physicians include pediatric patients in their practice in the state of Washington, new research finds.

The study, which is published in the July issue ofPediatrics, also found that almost 30 percent of children seen by a naturopathic doctor visit them for overall health supervision, and almost 20 percent received their immunizations from a naturopathic doctor.

"We were looking to see how many naturopathic physicians treat children on a regular basis and found only about 15 percent do. The conditions seen by naturopathic doctors are similar to what pediatricians see," said study author Wendy Weber, a naturopathic doctor and a research associate professor at the School of Naturopathic Medicine at Bastyr University in Kenmore, Wash., north of Seattle.

Weber was quick to point out, however, that her study was done only in the state of Washington, one of only 14 states that licenses its naturopathic practitioners, and that its findings would likely be different in other states.

Naturopathic medicine focuses on treating the whole person, not just an illness, with natural means such as diet, exercise, vitamins and herbal products. People with chronic illnesses, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, asthma and Crohn's disease, often seek the advice of naturopathic doctors. Prevention and self-care are important components of naturopathic medicine. In some states that license naturopathic doctors, they can also prescribe medications, such as antibiotics and hormone therapy, and they can administer vaccines.

Naturopathic physicians must be licensed in the following states and territories: Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

"Washington is one of the far more liberal and open-minded states. [Naturopathic medicine in Washington] would probably be the example or a model of what naturopathic medicine should be," said Dr. David Steinhorn, medical director of the Judith Nan Joy Integrative Medicine Initiative at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

To get a better idea of how many naturopathic physicians included children in their practices, Weber and her colleagues reviewed surveys completed by 204 naturopathic physicians from Washington. Just 31 of those (15 percent) saw more than five children per week.

Of those who saw children, pediatric patients comprised 28 percent of their practice, according to the study.

Nearly one-third of the pediatric visits were children under 2, and 58.5 percent were children over 6. Health supervision visits made up 27.4 percent of pediatric visits, while 21 percent of the visits were for infectious diseases. Mental health conditions were responsible for another 13 percent of the visits by children.

Youngsters under 3 received immunizations during 19 percent of the health supervision visits, and 27 percent of those between the ages of 2 and 5 were immunized during their health supervision visits.

"There definitely are naturopathic physicians out there who see children on a regular basis and are likely the primary source of care for children," said Weber.

Asthma Herbal Remedy

Ricky Lee

If you feel that you are suffering from asthma, then the first thing you should be doing is making an appointment with your doctor so that they can provide a proper diagnosis. However once you have been diagnosed with asthma, then normally your doctor will prescribe medication which can help to control rather than cure the condition. However, if you are looking for an alternative then why not try asthma herbal remedy.

In this article we will be taking a closer look at certain asthma herbal remedy treatments that people who suffer from this condition may want to consider using alongside the medication prescribed by their doctor.

Butterbur

This shrub which grows perennially and can be found in not just the USA, but also Europe and Asia can be quite effective. It contains active ingredients called petasin and isopetasin which are believed to help reduce muscle spasms as well as having an anti inflammatory property to it.
However there are some side effects associated with this particular type of herbal remedy.

Namely it can cause indigestion problems, headaches, fatigue, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea and constipation in some people. Plus this particular herbal treatment should not be used by women who are either pregnant or those people who suffer from either liver or kidney disease.

Boswellia

This is more commonly referred to as Salai Guggal in Indian Ayurvedic medicine and in studies that have been carried out, it has been found to restrict the production of leukotrienes in the body. Leukotrienes is the compound when able to be released in to the lungs will cause the airways to become narrowed and so a person’s breathing becomes much more difficult and labored.

Currently it is not clear as to just how safe or effective this particular asthma herbal remedy is and just how it reacts when used with other kinds of asthma treatments. However again there are some side effects associated with using this particular herb and these include nausea, acid reflux, diarrhea and may cause problems to a person’s digestive system.

Certainly, there are lots of asthma herbal remedy and supplements available for being to use in order to treat the symptoms associated with asthma. However more studies need to be carried out before anything firm can be established. Asthma sufferers seeking an alternative such as asthma herbal remedy should discuss matters with their doctor first before taking any asthma herbal remedies.

P'au d'arco

Pau d'Arco (Tabebuia avellanedae) is a phytomedicine made from the bark of the South American trumpet tree. ("tajy," meaning to have strength and vigor) by the Guarani and Tupi tribes in South America.

Growing as tall as 125 feet, there are 100 species of the tree native to tropical America. Pau d'Arco, also referred to as alapacho,a is used by herbalists to treat various bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic infections.

You may be familiar with lapacho, a dense, extremely hard tropical wood. It makes beautiful, fine-grained furniture, but by woodworking standards, itas a challenge. Lapacho resists sawing and bending.

To put a nail in it, you have to prebore a hole. It doesnat take paint well and is impermeable to most wood preservatives. In the wild, lapacho is practically indestructible, yielding to neither termites nor decay.

The tree's resilience in the midst of the damp South American rain forest may have been what first attracted the attention of natives to its medicinal properties.

The medicinal use Pau d'Arco dates back thousands of years to the native Indians of Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay.

It was used broadly to kill germs, relieve pain, increase urine flow,treat colitis, dysentery, snakebite, wounds, sore throats, ulcers, cancer, and a number of other ailments. Caribbean folk healers used the leaves in addition to the bark to treat toothaches and backaches.

Pau D'Arco is an exceptional herb that can be used for a plathora of diseases. While many health claims for Pau d'Arco have not been substantiated including the far-reaching assertion that it can "cure" various forms of cancerathere are several positive findings.

Research shows that it contains a natural antibacterial agent, cleanses the blood, and kills viruses. It builds the immune system, and increase resistance to disease.

Pau D'Arco has been shown to help the following conditions: all infections, blood builder, bronchitis, cancer candidiasis liver disease pin skin sores, varicose views warts, diabetes, eczema and lupus.

Reports have surfaced that the herb is even effective against certain illnesses such as diabetes. The herb has also been reported to aid treatment of Hodgkins disease and Parkinsons disease.

Today, plant scientists have identified two primary active constituents in Pau d'Arco that contain infection-fighting properties: Lapachol and Beta-lapachone. Pau d'arco is a rich source of iron, which contributes to the elimination of wastes from the body and the assimilation of nutrients.

Lapachol is known to support the immune system, and it also has antifungal, antibacterial and antibiotic properties. It has been used to treat immune deficiency disorders, cardiovascular problems and high blood pressure.

Some herbalists also recommend Pau d'Arco to strengthen immunity in the presence of such ailments as cancer, HIV or AIDS, chronic bronchitis, or chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Phytochemical Database housed at the U.S. Department of Agriculture has documented lapachol as being antiabscess, anticarcinomic, antiedemic, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, antiseptic, antitumor, antiviral, bactericide, fungicide, insectifuge, pesticide, protisticide, respiradepressant, schistosomicide, termiticide, and viricide.

Besides lapachol, Pau D'Arco contains at least 20 other active constituents that are attributed to its other actions.

It has clearly demonstrated broad clinical applications against a large number of disease causing micro-organisms which explains its wide array of uses in herbal medicine. Its action seems to come from increasing oxygen supply at the local level, destroying bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.

Its antimicrobial properties were clinically demonstrated in several clinical trials, demonstrating strong activity against various gram-positive bacteria and fungi including, Candida, Staphylococcus, Trichophyton, Brucella, tuberculosis, pneumonia, strep, and dysentery.

Pau D'Arco and it's constituents have demonstrated antiviral properties against various viruses including Herpes I and II, influenza, poliovirus, and vesicular stomatitis virus.

It's anti-parasitic actions against various parasites including malaria, Schistosoma, and Trypansoma have been clinically validated. Bark extracts of Pau D'Arco have demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity and have been shown to be successful against a wide range of inflammations.

Lapachol and beta-lapachone are known collectively as napthaquinones. Laboratory tests indicate napthaquinones to have extremely potent anti-fungal properties.

Scientists have theorized that Pau d'Arco anti-viral effects are a result of beta-lapachoneas effectiveness in inhibiting certain enzymes that viruses require to spread and grow. Pau da'rco also contains the potent flavonoids quercitin and xloidone.

Coupled with the infection-fighting napthaquinones, these flavonoids make Pau da'rco a threat to the opportunistic fungus called Candida albicans. When the immune system is weak, the candida fungus can grow uncontrollably.

The fungus normally occurs on the skin or in the mouth, respiratory tract, or vagina. Pau da'rco anti-fungal constituents have been shown to be highly beneficial in treating this condition,
as well as for fighting the fungi responsible for athlete's foot, jock itch, and other common fungal skin infections.

Additionally, laboratory studies have demonstrated that Pau d'Arco has anti-fungal properties on par with a common anti-fungal prescription drug (ketoconazole).
Use as tea and topically in ointments.

Emu Oil Offers Hope to Diabetics

Some Physicians Using Emu Oil To Assist In Diabetic Wound Care

San Angelo, Texas - Diabetic wound care has been of great concern to physicians for many years and with good cause. Even simple wounds take twice as long to heal and they always have the potential to deteriorate into something severe. Over 150 million people worldwide have diabetes and the number is expected to double by 2010. Of these, it is estimated that at least 15% will develop foot ulcerations and that related complications will require 3% to have a lower limb amputation. However, some physicians are finding that the addition of emu oil to the treatment regime for diabetic wound care offers some hope in the battle to save limbs.

Dr. Robert Winston, a Jackson, TN physician, states that his use of emu oil has shown promise. “I have treated several diabetic wounds with antibiotics using emu oil as a transport from the outside in,” the doctor said. “The results have been amazing.”

The use of emu oil as a carrier for antibiotics may offer diabetic patients and attending physicians some hope in the battle to promote healing and find ways to lessen the extent of the prolonged and painful traditional treatments usually involved in the treatment of decubes. Dr. Winston will be a guest speaker at The 2006 Emu Oil Seminar for Medical Professionals on July 15. The seminar is being held in conjunction with the American Emu Association National Convention, held this year at the Madison West-Marriott Hotel in Middleton, Wisconsin. Area medical professionals are invited to attend the event which takes place from 1 to 5 PM.

A board certified internal medicine practitioner at the Eastside Medical Center in Jackson, Tennessee, Dr. Winston has practiced medicine for over 25 years. He enjoys staff privileges at Regional Hospital of Jackson, Jackson-Madison County General Hospital and Meharry Medical College Dept. of Continuing Education.

For more information about the AEA National Convention, contact the Wisconsin Emu Association (WIEA) at 866-608-8224 or check out their web site at www.wiea-emu.org .
The American Emu Association is a non-profit trade association representing the emu industry. The emu industry is an alternative agricultural industry, dominated by the small farmer, who is devoted to humane and environmentally positive practices that will produce beneficial products for society. For more information about the American Emu Association (AEA) or the emu industry visit http://www.aea-emu.org or call 541-332-0675.

Herbal aphrodisiac banned

ABU DHABI — The health authority in Abu Dhabi, has banned, with immediate effect the sale of the herbal drug ‘Tongkat Ali’, and asked the public to be careful when buying medical and medicinal products, specially herbal ones.

Ziad Al Suksuk, director of the health regulation sector at the authority, urged the public to seek information about the medicines prescribed to them.“Laboratory analysis showed that the drug, illegally sold as a herbal medicine for increasing sexual ability, contained a banned substance,” said Dr Mohammed Abu Al Khair, director of medicinal and medical products department at the authority.

Alternative therapy may have led to deaths

COUNTRYSIDE Women with MS who drowned thought hot water might help: families
May 2, 2007

BY LESLIE BALDACCI AND BEN GOLDBERGER Staff Reporters

Two friends from Riverside with multiple sclerosis -- who drowned last week in a hotel hot tub -- were mourned Tuesday as their families drew some comfort that a determination of suicide was withdrawn.

As a funeral was held for Karen Lee, 68, and a wake for Nancy DeLise, 63, the Cook County medical examiner reclassified their deaths as due to drowning "pending further studies."

"Some documents found in the room kind of misled me to believe it was suicide because it mentioned God, doing certain ritual things, and one mentions hot tubs," said Dr. Joseph Cogan, the pathologist who performed the autopsies.

Family members of both women insisted they were pursuing alternative therapies when they died.

"She would meet her friends for lunch, she would go out to dinner, she loved to go shopping in Oak Brook, she took her grandkids horseback riding every week, she drove, she basically did everything," said Lee's daughter, Kimberly Fedorski. "She would never have killed herself."

Aside from the motorized scooter she used to get around, the grandmother of six and former hospital secretary led an active life, Fedorski said. After retiring from the family furniture business, DeLise was active with the Fillmore Center in Berwyn and the Frederick Law Olmsted Society. Bridge partners said she showed no MS symptoms.

"If there were two 20-year-olds who died in the hot tub, they never would have said it was suicide. The fact that they're a little bit older and the fact that they have MS, I think, contributed to the immediate dismissal that they must've killed themselves," Fedorski said. "It's not true."

"There's dignity in death and they did not honor that," said Mariano "Mike" DeLise, husband of Nancy.

Dr. Scott Denton, acting chief medical examiner, said he overruled the finding of suicide after hearing more details. Denton said the initial ruling stemmed, in part, from finding empty pill bottles and literature on holistic and spiritual healing and alternative medicine. Toxicology tests are pending. There were no witnesses and there was no surveillance of the hot tub.

Nancy DeLise swore that drinking colloidal silver mixed with Gatorade had helped reverse some of her MS symptoms. She supplied it to Lee, DeLise's husband said. The two women took the remedy with them last Thursday when they checked into the Countryside Holiday Inn for a soak in the hot tub -- another alternative therapy DeLise believed was helping. It was the first time Lee went with her, Fedorski said.

"Nancy DeLise has done this therapy a lot of times and thought it would be good for my mother, so my mom wanted to try it," Fedorski said. "They were dear friends and Nancy gave my mom a lot of hope."

The two were found by hotel staff in the hot tub by the pool, said Countryside Police Deputy Chief Scott Novak.

"Whatever happened, no one can explain," Mike DeLise said. "Maybe one got in trouble, the other tried to help."

A September 2000 article in the American Journal of Forensic Medicine & Pathology said people with MS, "if immersed in hot water, develop motor weakness, which may be so severe as to prevent them from getting out of the water."

A hot tub "is definitely not something our help line consultants would recommend," said Amanda Bednar, a Multiple Sclerosis Association of America spokeswoman.

"It was controversial what she did," said Mike DeLise. "This woman wanted to live."

RELIED ON ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT

Nancy DeLise began using colloidal silver to treat her multiple sclerosis in 2000. She had lived with MS, a degenerative disease of the central nervous system, for over 30 years, but in 1995 it morphed from relapsing remitting MS to the more severe secondary progressive MS. She described this as "my long road of decline." Below are excerpts from her journal at www.testimonials.silvermedicine.org from 2000 to 2002.

BEFORE COLLOIDAL SILVER

"My right had [sic] is numb, my feet, especially my toes are numb. When I get hot or tired my right leg does not lift well. It drags when I walk. After a day at work, I practically have to crawl to my car. I must hold on to a wall at all times. ... I cannot even go up a curb without holding on to someone or something. ...

"If I sit on the floor for any reason, like play with my grandchildren, I must first get on my knees, then on all fours, then finally I can get up. Just like a cow. ...
"I have night paralysis. I must throw my body in order to turn to another side. My legs are locked in the fetal position."

BEGINS TAKING COLLOIDAL SILVER

"Week 10, Seem to have small changes every day. Again my toes ached for several days, then I had more feeling in my toes. It's as though I have a non feeling pad at the bottom of my feet, but feeling all the way around. Like an animal's paw with the padded bottom. It seems I hurt for a few days, then something feels better."

"Week 20: Christmas Week. I had 16 people for dinner Christmas Eve. I had 7 people for dinner Christmas day, I worked 11 hours the day after Christmas, and I had 14 people for dinner the next day. That is four days out of four I entertained at my house. I can't remember when I did something like that. I still have night paralysis, but not nearly as bad as it used to be. ...
"TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY: No more MS, no more symptoms."

(Many experts say colloidal silver has no health benefits. The FDA prohibits making therapeutic claims for colloidal silver products.)

Compound May Hold Clues to Prostate Cancer Prevention

Media Contact: Ann Blackford, (859) 323-6363

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 30, 2007) − A University of Kentucky researcher has received funding to investigate an herbal compound used in Indian medicine that may have anti-prostate cancer mechanisms.

The National Institute for Health (NIH) has awarded Damodaran Chendil, assistant professor at the UK College of Health Sciences, Division of Clinical and Reproductive Sciences, $1.1 million to investigate the compound.

In previous studies, Chendil reported that the herbal preparation Rasagenthi Lehyam (RL), an herbal formulation used in Indian medicine, is an effective treatment for prostate cancer in an animal model. The most potent compound of RL is psoralidin, which proved to have more potent anti-cancer effects in prostate cancer cells compared to the other isolated compounds identified in RL. The action of psoralidin inhibits cancerous cell growth and tumor survival.

Importantly, Chendil found psoralidin targets cancer cells without causing significant toxicity to normal prostate cells.

The focus of Chendil's current research will be to study how psoralidin functions to inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells and tumors. The results of the study may lead to the identification of biomarkers for prostate cancer and the development of chemotherapeutic and/or chemopreventive strategies for prostate cancer. Very little is known about psoralidin and Chendil's research is the first to study its action on prostate cancer cells.

"Treatment for cancer usually involves physically intense and expensive drug therapy, often with unwanted side effects," Chendil said. "Some scientists suggest that cures for cancer and other diseases can be found in nature and such treatments may produce less harmful side effects. I am excited about the potential this natural compound holds in helping to combat one of the most deadly cancers.

"Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in the U.S. and many Western countries. African-American men have had higher incidence and at least double the mortality rates compared to men of other racial and ethnic groups.

Although early diagnosis of prostate cancer has improved significantly in recent years, there is a need for more effective treatment strategies for patients presenting with advanced or metastatic disease. Risk factors for prostate cancer include: age, since 65 percent of cases diagnosed occur in men over 65, race and family history of the disease.Symptoms of prostate cancer may include but are not limited to:

-Frequent urination, especially at night
-Difficulty or inability to urinate
-Painful or burning urination

Men who experience any of these symptoms are encouraged to seek advice from a urologist. For more information about prostate health, go to the UK Urology Prostate Cancer website

Reiki's Healing Touch

By Danielle Sonnenberg

Who says that hands alone can't heal? Undergo reiki, and you may see the possibilities of touch, from offering deep relaxation to restoring your energy. Reiki originated in Japan, but there is not one definitive story of how this alternative medicine was developed. Most believe Mikao Usui, a Japanese physician and monk, started the practice in the mid-19th century after a period of isolated meditation.

E*TRADE FINANCIALThe word reiki derives from rei, meaning universal life or spirit, and ki, or energy. Also known as qi or chi, this energy is believed to exist in all living beings, and has been addressed for centuries through traditional Chinese medicine and practices like acupuncture. Allegedly, qi's flow can be interrupted by negative thoughts and feelings; the blockage can then manifest itself in physical health problems.

But by placing their hands on or near a patient's body, reiki practitioners can manipulate this energy. Many positive effects -- including reducing stress and chronic pain, improving mental clarity and lowering one's heart rate -- are often reported.

Reiki can be practiced anywhere -- hospitals, alternative medicine clinics, spas or private homes. The sessions usually range from about 30 to 90 minutes. While the process itself is spiritual, it is important to remember that reiki is not a religious practice. It is also noninvasive, and very safe.
Usually the patient is fully clothed, and can either lie down or sit in a chair, whichever is most comfortable.

The hands are the sole instruments of this medicine, and they can be used on many parts of the body including the head, chest, abdomen or back for a few minutes at a time. If a patient is suffering from headaches or a cold, for instance, the practitioner may place his or her hands near the back of the head.

Most reiki does not involve actual touching, though. The hands are held at a distance, usually a few inches or more, from which the practitioner proceeds to manipulate the patient's energy. One of the most important aspects of the practice is the intent and a mindset of both people.
After the session, most patients feel very refreshed and some experience a warmth or tingling sensation.

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Herb May Cure Bladder Infections

Forskolin, an herbal medicine made from the Asiatic coleus plant, may help treat urinary tract infection.
That’s according to preliminary tests done in mice.

The researchers who conducted those tests included Duke University microbiologist Soman Abraham, Ph.D.

They note that forskolin has been used for centuries in traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine to treat various ailments, including painful urination.

The scientists tested forskolin in female mice with bladder infections caused by E. coli bacteria, which cause most urinary tractinfections.

Twenty-four hours after the mice were infected with E. coli, the researchers injected forskolin directly into the mice’s bladders or their belly.

For comparison, the scientists injected saltwater into the bladders of otherfemale mice with E. coli bladder infections.

One day after treatment, the mice in the forskolin group had less E.coli bacteria in their bladders than the mice that got the saltwatershot.

The forskolin group also had lower levels of inflammatory chemicals in theirurine, the study shows.

“This type of treatment strategy may prove beneficial for patients with recurrent urinary tract infections,” Abraham says in a Duke University news release.

He notes that antibiotics get rid of most bacteria that cause urinary tract infections, but some bacteria may hide in the bladder’s lining. Forskolin may force those hidden bacteria out of the bladder’s lining, where they could be targeted by antibiotics.

“Ideally, use of this herb would expel the bacteria, where it would then be hit with antibiotics. With the reservoir of hiding bacteria cleared out, the infection should not occur,” Abraham says.
The researchers didn’t test forskolin on people.
The study appears online in Nature Medicine.

Ginkgo Biloba? Forget About It

A history of the top-selling brain enhancer.

By Brendan I. Koerner

Remedies designed for the infirm seldom aid the healthy, too. Donning bifocals won't turn 20/20 eyesight into X-ray vision, and wearing a hearing aid can't endow a nonmusician with the gift of perfect pitch. It's a little baffling, then, that so many consumers assume ginkgo biloba will sharpen their memories.

Reputable medical researchers generally agree that ginkgo pills and powders, extracted from an ornamental tree whose seeds smell like rancid butter, show promise for treating Alzheimer's disease and other cases of age-related dementia. But scant scientific evidence supports the notion that ginkgo can also increase mental acuity among the young and fit. Even so, Nutrition Business Journal estimates that Americans spent $109 million on ginkgo in 2005, making it the nation's best-selling herbal brain booster, ahead of such rivals as gotu kola, Bacopa monnieri, and Siberian ginseng.

Native to East Asia, the ginkgo biloba tree likely existed during the Mesozoic Era; Charles Darwin referred to it as a "living fossil." Its seeds and leaves have been part of Chinese medicine for centuries, used to treat everything from coughs to bladder infections to unwanted freckling.
Though the ginkgo biloba tree has long been appreciated by American botanists, its medicinal properties were largely unheralded in the United States until the late 1980s. The same cannot be said of Europe, however, where German pharmaceutical company Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. launched its first ginkgo product, an extract formally called EGb 761, more than 30 years ago. Studies had shown that ginkgo was effective at increasing blood flow, so Schwabe marketed EGb 761, known commercially as Tebonin or Rokan, as a prescription medicine for the treatment of minor circulatory ailments. In 1988 alone, West German doctors wrote 5.24 million prescriptions for EGb 761 products.

As ginkgo's popularity increased throughout the 1980s, so, too, did the medical establishment's interest in its potential uses. Some practitioners of alternative medicine hailed ginkgo as an anti-aging remedy or as an antidote to kidney yang deficiency. Based on a study of 224 patients, one Berlin doctor pronounced ginkgo inhalations as the cure for the common cold. Dementia researchers, meanwhile, speculated that increased blood flow to the brain might help counter memory loss, a hypothesis lent credence by several small-scale West German and French studies.

Harvard University chemist Elias James Corey learned of ginkgo's promise in the late 1980s, and set his research team loose to synthesize ginkgo's active ingredient, ginkgolide B. They hoped the compound, once properly studied, could help treat toxic shock, asthma, and Alzheimer's disease. When Corey won the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1990 for his work on organic synthesis, he name-checked ginkgolide B in his Nobel lecture, though nothing he said could be construed as an endorsement of its benefits.

Nevertheless, Corey's shout-out was a boon to Schwabe, which was just starting to market EGb 761 in the United States. Once relegated to obscure health-food stores, ginkgo broke mainstream. Schwabe first supplied EGb 761 to Nature's Way, an herbal products company based in Springville, Utah. (Utah is to supplements what Silicon Valley is to computers; Mormons are unusually keen on herbal remedies, thanks to Joseph Smith's doubts about conventional medicine.) Nature's Way sold EGb 761 as Ginkgold, the "World's #1 Selling Ginkgo." Though Ginkgold's packaging listed other benefits like its ability to reduce blood viscosity and protect against free radicals, the bold type first and foremost proclaimed it a mind sharpener. This marketing angle resonated with early 1990s health-food consumers, who were then obsessed with smart drinks and nootropics.

Virtually no peer-reviewed evidence supported Ginkgold's assertion that it could enhance memory in the otherwise healthy. But ginkgo's success in Europe, paired with Corey's inadvertent seal of approval, was enough to convince many consumers of the supplement's value. And since ginkgo was marketed as an over-the-counter supplement in the United States, the memory claim didn't need to be evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. According to Nature's Way, Ginkgold would go on to outsell all other ginkgo biloba supplements combined in the United States. Schwabe was able to take a more direct roll in ginkgo's stateside sales starting in 1992, when it acquired a financial stake in Nature's Way; three years later, it obtained an American patent for EGb 761.

Meanwhile, clinical researchers (many funded by Schwabe) remained excited by ginkgo's potential in the fight against dementia. In 1997, a Schwabe-sponsored study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that EGb 761 "appears capable of stabilizing and, in a substantial number of cases, improving the cognitive performance and the social functioning of demented patients for 6 months to 1 year."
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12 ESSENTIAL HERBS

By Michael Castleman

herbs safely and effectively.
By Michael Castleman

Do you use herbal medicine Whether or not youre aware of it, the answer is yes. Ironically, even vocal critics use medicinal herbs all the time usually without realizing it, says Mark Blumenthal, executive director of the American Botanical Council, a nonprofit herb education organization.
Thats because many foods have medicinal properties from ginger, which helps soothe upset stomachs, to garlic, which can help control cholesterol and reduce the risk of some cancers. Its also true that an estimated 25 percent of todays pharmaceutical drugs have plant origins. That includes aspirin, which originally came from white willow bark, and the cancer drug taxol, which is derived from the Pacific yew tree.

Herbs are also the most popular form of alternative medicine in the United States, according to a recent Harvard study which found that 38 million Americans collectively spend $4.2 billion on herbal medicine every year. Understanding more about how medicinal herbs work can help people treat common ailments more effectively.

Herbs Hiding in Plain Sight

One reason we dont recognize many herbal medicines is that theyre already so familiar to us. For example, coffee is an herbal medicine a powerful stimulant thanks to the caffeine it contains. In addition to being Americas favorite pick-me-up, coffee also opens your bronchial passages, according to botanist James Duke, author of The Green Pharmacy. Coffee can help treat the chest congestion of the common cold and asthma, Duke says. Recent studies show that coffee also may help prevent gallstones and Parkinsons disease, and that it boosts the pain-relieving power of ibuprofen.

Two other popular drinks, Coca-Cola and ginger ale, have medicinal uses both can calm upset stomachs. Coke, developed by Atlanta pharmacist John Pemberton in 1886, contains an extract of the tropical cola nut, which was widely used in the 19th century to improve digestion, reduce fatigue, strengthen the heart and even treat alcoholism. As for ginger ale, recent studies show that ginger helps prevent the nausea and vomiting of motion sickness.

Ginger is the herb for nausea, says Linda White, a physician and co-author of Kids, Herbs and Health. I use it and give it to my kids.

Then there are the herbs and spices in your kitchen. Before refrigeration, Blumenthal explains, they were mainstays of food preservation. Most culinary herbs and spices are useful not just for seasoning, but because they have antimicrobial properties that retard spoilage.

Using Herbs Safely

In the United States, herbal medicines are not regulated as strictly as pharmaceuticals because they are treated as foods, not drugs. Some critics contend that herb users are flying blind, but extensive research is available on many herbs. Two good sources for learning more about the latest research on herbal medicine are the American Botanical Council (www.herbalgram.org) and the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (www.mskcc.org).

Its also helpful to know that the number of adverse reactions attributed to herbs is relatively small. The American Association of Poison Control Centers publishes an annual review of the nations toxic exposures. In 2003 the most recent year for which complete figures are available acetaminophen (used in Tylenol and other painkillers) killed more than 100 Americans. For the same year, only seven deaths were blamed on the misuse of herbs. Although these deaths are tragic, it would be a mistake to suggest that medicinal herbs are a frequent cause of death.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations strict regulation of drugs in no way guarantees their safety. University of Toronto researchers reviewed serious drug side effects among U.S. hospital patients from 1966 to 1996. The study did not look at overdoses or prescription errors, just at serious side effects from drugs taken as prescribed. The researchers estimated that more than 2 million hospital patients a year suffer serious side effects, and that more than 100,000 of them die.

All medicines should be used cautiously, and that includes herbal medicines. Just because theyre natural doesnt mean theyre safe, Blumenthal says. Some of the worlds most potent poisons are herbal for example, poison hemlock, which looks like parsley, and Amanita death cap mushrooms.

To use herbs safely, always take the following steps:

Tell your doctor which herbs you take and why. Do not substitute an herbal medicine for a prescribed medication without consulting your physician.

Pregnant women, children and those with chronic medical conditions should not take herbs or drugs without consulting a medical professional.

Do not duplicate drug effects with herbs. If you take a pharmaceutical antidepressant, dont take an herbal antidepressant, too.

Find out about any potential side effects before you begin taking the herbal medication. When using commercial preparations, follow the directions on the label.

Some herbs should not be taken before surgery because they slow blood clotting. Stop taking anticoagulant herbs notably garlic, ginkgo, ginseng and white willow at least two weeks before surgery.

Herbs for Wellness

Some herbs are beneficial to almost everyone when taken regularly. They include the following:
Garlic for Cholesterol Control and Cancer Prevention. Researchers at Penn State University gave men with high cholesterol either garlic or a placebo. The herb lowered their total cholesterol by 7 percent, which reduced their risk of heart attack by 14 percent. The majority of garlic studies show that garlic reduces cholesterol and helps prevent heart disease.

Garlic also helps prevent several types of cancer. In the Iowa Womens Health Study, researchers followed 41,387 middle-aged women for five years. Those who ate the most garlic had the lowest risk of colon cancer. In general, fruit and vegetable consumption helps prevent cancer, but in this study, of all the plant foods analyzed, garlic yielded the greatest preventive benefit. Other studies show that garlic also helps prevent prostate, esophageal, stomach and bladder cancer.

Dosage: Most studies have used approximately the equivalent of one clove a day. Garlic works best when its raw or only slightly cooked. Garlic supplements are another option (deodorized brands are available); they have similar cholesterol-lowering effects. Follow label directions.

Cautions: Garlic impairs blood clotting. If you notice increased bruising, stop taking it and consult a doctor. Stop taking medicinal doses of garlic two weeks before any planned surgery.

Ginkgo for Mental Sharpness. Ginkgo increases blood circulation through the brain, and it is best known for its potential to slow the progression of Alzheimers disease. Ginkgo also enhances memory in healthy adults of all ages, according to several studies. In one, the greatest memory enhancement occurred in those taking 120 milligrams once a day.

Dosage: Ginkgo leaves contain only trace amounts of the medicinal compounds. Use commercial preparations, which concentrate these compounds. Look for standardized extracts that contain 24 percent flavonoid glycosides. Take 120 milligrams daily.

Cautions: Ginkgo has an anticoagulant effect, so stop taking it at least two weeks before any surgery or if you notice bruising. Otherwise, side effects are rare, though upset stomach, headache and allergic reactions are possible.

Tea for Heart Health and Cancer Prevention. For centuries, tea was just considered a mildly stimulating beverage, but no longer. Both black and green tea are high in antioxidants, which help prevent both heart disease and cancer. A five-year Dutch study of 3,454 older adults showed that compared with nondrinkers, those who drank two cups of tea each day had a 46 percent less risk of heart attack.

Drinking tea also reduces cholesterol and improves survival odds after a heart attack. University of California at Los Angeles researchers surveyed 1,100 Asian women, half of whom had breast cancer. They found that those who were cancer-free drank the most tea. Japanese researchers have discovered that as breast cancer survivors tea consumption increases, their risk of recurrence decreases. Tea also appears to protect against cancers of the colon, rectum, pancreas and esophagus.

Note: Both green tea and black tea come from the leaves of the same plant. Drying the leaves produces green tea. Fermenting them yields black tea. Both green and black tea help prevent heart disease and cancer, but for reasons that remain unclear, only green tea has been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Dosage: One to four cups a day, or as much as you can tolerate. A cup of tea has approximately half the caffeine of a cup of instant coffee, and one-third the caffeine of a cup of brewed coffee.
Cautions: Tea contains caffeine that may cause insomnia and irritability.

Herbs To TreatCommon Complaints

Although herbal medicine is not the answer for every ailment, herbs can be used effectively to treat many health conditions, including those below.

Black Cohosh for Menopausal Discomforts. For 40 years, Europeans have used black cohosh to treat hot flashes. During the past decade, this herb has become popular in the United States.

Several studies have questioned its benefit, but a clear majority have shown that black cohosh is effective. Its also safe for women who cant take hormones, such as those with a history of breast cancer.

Dosage: Products vary, so follow the label directions.

Cautions: Side effects are rare, but may include stomach distress. Black cohosh should not be used by pregnant women.

Cranberry for Urinary Tract Infection. Cranberry juice and the dried berries and extract prevent bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall long enough to cause infection. Many studies confirm cranberrys value in preventing urinary tract infection. Canadian researchers gave 150 women one of three treatments: cranberry juice (three cups per day), cranberry tablets (three per day) or a placebo. A year later, the women who took cranberry had experienced significantly fewer infections than the placebo group. Cranberry juice and dried cranberries are available at supermarkets. Capsules containing cranberry extract are available at health food stores and most pharmacies.

Dosage: If you use cranberry juice cocktail, drink at least three cups a day. If you use dried cranberries, munch on a handful or two a day. For commercial cranberry extract, be sure to follow the label directions.

Cautions: None.

Echinacea for Colds. The root and sometimes the aboveground portions of this daisylike flower have been shown to bolster the immune system and help the body fight colds. Some studies have shown no treatment benefit, but most show that echinacea minimizes cold symptoms and speeds recovery. The most comprehensive investigation of echinaceas cold-fighting effectiveness was a University of Wisconsin analysis of nine studies. Eight showed significant treatment benefit milder symptoms and briefer colds.

Dosage: Take the dosage recommended on the product label. Typical directions are to take it several times a day at first, and then taper off as you begin to feel better. Echinacea is available in teas, capsules and tinctures.

Cautions: A mildly upset stomach is possible with the tincture. Echinacea is safe for most people, but because it stimulates the immune system, it is not recommended for those with auto- immune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and several others), or for transplanted-organ recipients. It should also be avoided by those allergic to closely related plants, such as chamomile and ragweed.

Ginger for Motion Sickness and Morning Sickness. Australian researchers gave 120 pregnant women either a placebo or capsules containing 11/2 grams of ginger powder. From the first day of treatment, the ginger group experienced significantly less nausea. Several studies show that the herb also wards off motion sickness. Danish researchers tested it on 80 naval cadets in heavy seas. Compared with those who took a placebo, the ginger group experienced 72 percent less seasickness. To keep motion sickness at bay, take a capsule containing 1,000 milligrams of powdered ginger root about an hour before you embark, and every two hours during your journey.

Dosage: Start with 1,000 milligrams. If that doesnt provide sufficient relief, try 1,500 milligrams. You can also brew ginger tea using 2 teaspoons of fresh grated root per cup of boiling water, or drink ginger ale just check the label to make sure it contains real ginger and not artificial flavoring.

Cautions: Some people report heartburn after taking ginger capsules.

Horse Chestnut Seed Extract for Varicose Veins. Because of genetics, aging or long periods of standing, the walls of leg veins can weaken. Blood pools in the calves and fluid leaks into surrounding tissue, causing unsightly varicose veins. Horse chestnut seed contains a compound (aescin) that strengthens vein walls, which decreases this fluid leakage. Several studies show that its an effective treatment for varicose veins. German researchers gave 240 people with varicose veins either compression stockings or horse chestnut (50 milligrams of aescin twice a day). After 12 weeks, both groups experienced equal relief.

Dosage: Studies showing benefits have used 50 milligrams of aescin once or twice a day.
Cautions: Horse chestnuts from the tree are toxic: Ingestion has killed children. Commercial extracts are detoxified and safe.

Milk Thistle for Liver Disease. Mainstream medicine doesnt have any miracle drugs for liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis), but milk thistle seeds can help. They contain three compounds collectively known as silymarin that have a remarkable ability to protect and heal the liver.

Italian researchers have shown that milk thistle speeds recovery from hepatitis. Several studies have shown that the herb helps treat alcoholic cirrhosis. Milk thistle also helps prevent liver damage from powerful drugs. Most remarkably, this herb has been shown to treat Amanita mushroom poisoning better than mainstream medical treatments. Swiss researchers analyzed 452 cases of mushroom poisoning. Among those who received standard treatment, 18 percent died. But among those treated with silymarin, the death rate was only 10 percent.

Dosage: A typical recommended dosage is 140 milligrams of silymarin three times a day.
Cautions: Side effects are rare, but can include headache, stomach distress, nausea, hives, itching and joint pain.

St. Johns Wort for Depression. While some studies suggest otherwise, the vast majority show that St. Johns wort, in capsules or tablets, works as well as Prozac and Zoloft for relieving mild to moderate depression. Researchers in Montreal gave 87 depression sufferers either the herb (900 to 1,800 milligrams/day) or a standard dose of Zoloft (50 to 100 milligrams/day). After 12 weeks, both groups showed the same mood elevation based on standard psychological tests.

However, the herb caused fewer side effects. Furthermore, a German study shows that the herb is as effective as Prozac but with fewer side effects. Twenty-three percent of those in the Prozac group experienced significant side effects, but in the herb group, only 8 percent reported serious side effects.

Dosage: Follow label directions. Studies showing benefits have used 600 to 1,800 milligrams/day. Most studies have used 900 milligrams/day.

Cautions: St. Johns wort can cause an upset stomach, increases sensitivity to sunlight and reduces the effectiveness of birth control pills. It also interacts with many other drugs, possibly reducing their effectiveness. If you take medication regularly, its important to consult your physician or pharmacist before using St. Johns wort.

Valerian for Insomnia. Valerians centuries-old reputation as a sleep aid has been validated by many studies. It often works as well as a pharmaceutical sleeping aid. German researchers gave 202 chronic insomniacs either valerian or a pharmaceutical sedative. After six weeks, both treatments were equally effective. But unlike many sleeping pills, valerian is not addictive.
Dosage: Follow label directions.

Cautions: Raw valerian root smells and tastes terrible. Use a commercial preparation. Some include other safe tranquilizing herbs such as hops or lemon balm.

Vitex (chaste tree berry) for PMS. Ripe seeds from Vitex angus castus, also called chaste tree, help balance levels of estrogen and progesterone, which minimizes the mood swings, breast tenderness and bloating of premenstrual syndrome. Many studies have found that chaste tree is effective. When 1,634 German PMS sufferers took the herb for three months, 93 percent reported relief from mood upsets. In tests that recorded two other popular PMS treatments vitamin B6 and Prozac chaste tree worked almost as well as the popular antidepressant and better than the vitamin.

Dosage: Available in pills, capsules and tincture. Follow label directions.

Cautions: Some women report stomach distress, headache and increased menstrual flow. Should not be used by pregnant women.

San Francisco-based writer Michael Castleman is the author of 12 consumer medical guides, including The New Healing Herbs.

For more information about medicinal herbs, including free access to extensive reference information from the American Botanical Council, go to www.HerbsForHealth.com.

All articles in this Archive are reprinted just as they were originally published; the publication date is shown in the URL address at the top of the page. Source listings, addresses and prices have not been updated; some details may have changed and terminology may be outmoded.In some cases the scanning software used to create the digital articles has introduced typos into the text. In particular, the software often translated fractions incorrectly, i.e. "1/2" now reads as "112". We are working to correct these errors.

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE -- Finding magnets attractive

By DERRIK J. LANG - The Associated Press

Magnetic kneepads. Magnetic insoles. Magnetic hairbrushes. Magnetic bed sheets.

You may have seen these alternative pain-relieving products online, or heard your grandmother raving about such remedies. But do they work?

QUESTION: Can magnets cure ailments?
---
ANSWER: Research findings so far do not firmly support claims that magnets are effective for killing pain, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
However, that doesn't mean they're totally without use in medicine.

Magnets have been used in surgery to remotely direct instruments. And Robert Campbell, a pharmaceutical sciences professor at Northeastern University's Bouve College of Health Sciences in Boston, recently developed a way to deliver drugs to better attack malignant tumors using external magnets.

In the laboratory, Campbell found that using an external magnet helps chemotherapeutic drugs get to the tumor and stay there longer.

"The magnets that we're using are small, not bigger than a dime," he says.

Really? So does this mean you can grab one off your fridge and use it when you've got a boo boo?
Nope. The magnets Campbell has been using in his cancer research are about 100 times stronger than the household variety - or those found in magnetic kneepads, insoles, hairbrushes and bed sheets.

Herbal remedy shown to have anti-cancer effect

By Jeremy Laurance, Health Editor
Published: April 2007


A widely used herbal supplement taken to aid digestion has been found to have powerful anti-cancer properties. Triphala, made from the dried and powdered fruit of three plants, is the most popular Ayurvedic remedy in India. It is used to stimulate the appetite, treat intestinal disorders and act as a laxative.

Indian scientists have claimed for years that Triphala has value as a detoxifying and anti-cancer agent. Now researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute say they have shown that it can prevent or slow the growth of pancreatic cancer tumours implanted in mice.

Millions of cancer patients turn to herbal supplements and vitamin pills in the hope that they can boost their immune systems and help fight the disease. Many take them out of disaffection with conventional medicine but doctors warn that exaggerated claims are being made for their effects.

The latest findings, presented to the annual meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research in Los Angeles yesterday, suggest some herbal preparations may have genuine anti-cancer action.

Mice grafted with human pancreatic tumours were fed one to two milligrams of Triphala for five days a week. By the end of the study, their tumours were half the size of those in a control group of mice fed saline (salt solution) only.

Sanjay Srivastava, the assistant professor in pharmacology who led the study, said: "We discovered that Triphala fed orally to mice ... was an extremely effective inhibitor of the cancer process. Triphala triggered the cancerous cells to die off and significantly reduced the size of tumours without causing any side effects."

Pancreatic cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death and is one of the most aggressive cancers.

The study found that the herbal remedy caused the pancreatic cells to die through the process known as apoptosis - the body's normal method of disposing of damaged or unwanted cells. Apoptosis is often disrupted in cancer cells with the result that they continue to replicate and grow, forming a tumour.

In a separate study published yesterday, researchers in the UK revealed that Chinese herbs can help women with breast cancer. A review of seven randomised trials involving 542 women with breast cancer found that the herbal preparations can successfully counteract the side effects of chemotherapy. The report from the Cochrane Library, which systematically reviews research findings, says 60 per cent of women experience side effects from chemotherapy, ranging from nausea and vomiting to inflammation of the gut lining and decreased numbers of red and white blood cells.

Interest in traditional Chinese medicine is growing in the West while it is declining in China. But doctors warn that many herbal remedies are untested in trials and can interact with conventional medicines in unexpected and sometimes dangerous ways.

Edzard Ernst, the professor complementary medicine at the Peninsula Medical School of the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, said therapies such as massage, aromatherapy, reflexology and relaxation could improve the quality of life of cancer patients and some, such as acupuncture for the nausea caused by chemotherapy, could combat its ill effects. But others, marketed as cures, were dangerous. "Several of these alleged cures are associated with significant risks, including ... contamination [and] interaction with prescribed drugs," he said.

An aid to digestion

In India, the capacity for the Ayurvedic remedy Triphala to care for the internal organs of the body is compared to a mother's care for her children. A popular folk saying is : "No mother? Don't worry so long as you have Triphala."

Triphala is a combination of equal parts of amalaki (Emblica officinalis), bibhitaki (Terminalia belerica), and haritaki (Terminalia chebula). It is taken with water and is said to combine nutritional and cleansing actions. It works as a gentle laxative and boosts red blood cells and removes fat from the body. It is also claimed to clear headaches, maintain normal blood sugar levels, and improve skin tone and colour.

Each of the three herbal fruits from which Triphala is made is said to take care of the body by "gently promoting internal cleansing of all conditions of stagnation and excess" while at the same time improving digestion and assimilation.

Several reports from Indian universities have suggested that Triphala can reduce tumour incidence and promote cancer cell death. Antioxidant studies conducted at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Mumbai revealed that all three constituents of Triphala are active.

SOYA could stop prostate cancer..

According to an article in the Biology of Reproduction, US researchers believe that soy isoflavones could help to treat baldness and could help to prevent men from developing prostate cancer. These findings could explain why Japanese men, who eat a lot of soy, rarely have prostate cancer.

Eqoul blocks dihydrotestosterone

Dr Kenneth Setchell and his team at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center found that equol, a molecule derived from soy isoflavones, can limit the action of the hormone dihydrotestosterone. Equol does not limit the production of dihydrotestosterone but it does stop dihydrotestosterone form functioning. Dihydrotestosterone is known to be a factor in the development of prostate cancer and male baldness. Equol reduces the harmful effects of dihydrotestosterone without influencing the beneficial effects of male hormones.

The study was carried out on rats which were injected with equol. They found that equol reduces the size of the prostate. When the testes of male rats were removed, there was no production of dihydrotestosterone. When the rats were injected with DHT their prostate grew. This shows a correlation between dihydrotestosterone and prostate size. When these rats were injected also with equol the prostate did not grow that much.

These findings are very important because blocking the action of dihydrotestosteron has been seen by the pharmaceutical industry as a strategy for treating prostate cancer.

This news could make tofu, soymilk, tempeh, miso soup and other soy products part of the male diet.

(Source BBC News 12 April 2004)

benefits of GOJI(wolfberry)

Wolfberry is also another name for the western snowberry, Symphoricarpos occidentalis.

Wolfberry is the common name for the fruit of two very closely related species: Lycium barbarum (Chinese: 宁夏枸杞; pinyin: Níngxià gǒuqǐ) and L. chinense (Chinese: 枸杞; pinyin: gǒuqǐ), two species of boxthorn in the family Solanaceae (which also includes the potato, tomato, eggplant, deadly nightshade, chili pepper, and tobacco). Although its original habitat is obscure (probably southeastern Europe to southwest Asia), wolfberry species are now grown around the world, including in China.[1]
It is also known as Chinese Wolfberry, Red Medlar, Bocksdorn, Cambronera,[2] Duke of Argyll's Tea Tree,[3] or Matrimony Vine.[4] The name Tibetan goji berry is in common use in the health food market for berries from this plant.

The benefits of Goji Juice are many, feedback from Goji Juice drinkers has shown that it may help assist with;

-Dissipation of aching and discomfort in muscles and joints

-Improvement in vision

-Increased flexibility

-Improved quality of sleep

-Sharper memory and a more focused train of thought

-Heightend energy levels

-Quicker recovery from excercise and physical acitivity

Therefor, this kind of berry, like so many other berries, have undeniably health benefits if taken. But for patients with other complications, better see your doctor first.

Hydrotherapy

Definition

Hydrotherapy, or water therapy, is the use of water (hot, cold, steam, or ice) to relieve discomfort and promote physical well-being.

Purpose

Hydrotherapy can soothe sore or inflamed muscles and joints, rehabilitate injured limbs, lower fevers, soothe headaches, promote relaxation, treat burns and frostbite, ease labor pains, and clear up skin problems. The temperature of water used affects the therapeutic properties of the treatment. Hot water is chosen for its relaxing properties. It is also thought to stimulate the immune system. Tepid water can also be used for stress reduction, and may be particularly relaxing in hot weather. Cold water is selected to reduce inflammation. Alternating hot and cold water can stimulate the circulatory system and improve the immune system. Adding herbs and essential oils to water can enhance its therapeutic value. Steam is frequently used as a carrier for essential oils that are inhaled to treat respiratory problems.

DescriptionOrigins

The therapeutic use of water has a long history. Ruins of an ancient bath were unearthed in Pakistan and date as far back as 4500 B.C. Bathhouses were an essential part of ancient Roman culture. The use of steam, baths, and aromatic massage to promote well being is documented since the first century. Roman physicians Galen and Celsus wrote of treating patients with warm and cold baths in order to prevent disease.

By the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, bath-houses were extremely popular with the public throughout Europe. Public bathhouses made their first American appearance in the mid 1700s.

In the early nineteenth century, Sebastien Kneipp, a Bavarian priest and proponent of water healing, began treating his parishioners with cold water applications after he himself was cured of tuberculosis through the same methods. Kneipp wrote extensively on the subject, and opened a series of hydrotherapy clinics known as the Kneipp clinics, which are still in operation today.

Around the same time in Austria, Vincenz Priessnitz was treating patients with baths, packs, and showers of cold spring water. Priessnitz also opened a spa that treated over 1,500 patients in its first year of operation, and became a model for physicians and other specialists to learn the techniques of hydrotherapy.

Water can be used therapeutically in a number of ways. Common forms of hydrotherapy include:


-Whirlpools, jacuzzis, and hot tubs. These soaking tubs use jet streams to massage the body. They are frequently used by physical therapists to help injured patients regain muscle strength and to soothe joint and muscle pain. Some midwives and obstetricians also approve of the use of hot tubs to soothe the pain of labor.

-Pools and Hubbard tanks. Physical therapists and rehabilitation specialists may prescribe underwater pool exercises as a low-impact method of rebuilding muscle strength in injured patients. The buoyancy experienced during pool immersion also helps ease pain in conditions such as arthritis.

-Baths. Tepid baths are prescribed to reduce a fever. Baths are also one of the oldest forms of relaxation therapy. Aromatherapists often recommend adding essential oils of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) to a warm to hot bath to promote relaxation and stress reduction.

-Adding Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) or Dead Sea salts to a bath can also promote relaxation and soothe rheumatism and arthritis.

-Showers. Showers are often prescribed to stimulate the circulation. Water jets from a shower head are also used to massage sore muscles.

-Moist compresses. Cold, moist compresses can reduce swelling and inflammation of an injury. They can also be used to cool a fever and treat a headache. Hot or warm compresses are useful for soothing muscle aches and treating abscesses.

-Steam treatments and saunas. Steam rooms and saunas are recommended to open the skin pores and cleanse the body of toxins. Steam inhalation is prescribed to treat respiratory infections. Adding botanicals to the steam bath can increase its therapeutic value.

-Internal hydrotherapy. Colonic irrigation is an enema that is designed to cleanse the entire bowel. Proponents of the therapy say it can cure a number of digestive problems. Douching, another form of internal hydrotherapy, directs a stream of water into the vagina for cleansing purposes. The water may or may not contain medications or other substances. Douches can be self-administered with kits available at most drug stores.

Preparations

Because of the expense of the equipment and the expertise required to administer effective treatment, hydrotherapy with pools, whirlpools, Hubbard tanks, and saunas is best taken in a professional healthcare facility, and/or under the supervision of a healthcare professional. However, baths, steam inhalation treatments, and compresses can be easily administered at home.

Bath preparations

Warm to hot bath water should be used for relaxation purposes, and a tepid bath is recommended for reducing fevers. Herbs can greatly enhance the therapeutic value of the bath for a variety of illnesses and minor discomforts.

Herbs for the bath can be added to the bath in two ways—as essential oils or whole herbs and flowers. Whole herbs and flowers can be placed in a muslin or cheesecloth bag that is tied at the top to make an herbal bath bag. The herbal bath bag is then soaked in the warm tub, and can remain there throughout the bath. When using essential oils, add five to 10 drops of oil to a full tub. Oils can be combined to enhance their therapeutic value. Marjoram (Origanum marjorana) is good for relieving sore muscles; juniper (Juniperus communis) is recommended as a detoxifying agent for the treatment of arthritis; lavender, ylang ylang (Conanga odorata), and chamomile (Chamaemelum nobilis) are recommended for stress relief; cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), yarrow (Achillea millefolium), geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), clary sage (Savlia sclaria), and myrtle (Myrtus communis) can promote healing of hemorrhoids; and spike lavender and juniper (Juniperus communis) are recommended for rheumatism.

To prepare salts for the bath, add one or two handfuls of epsom salts or Dead Sea salts to boiling water until they are dissolved, and then add them to the tub.

A sitz bath, or hip bath, can also be taken at home to treat hemorrhoids and promote healing of an episiotomy. There is special apparatus available for taking a seated sitz bath, but it can also be taken in a regular tub partially filled with warm water.

Steam inhalation

Steam inhalation treatments can be easily administered with a bowl of steaming water and a large towel. For colds and other conditions with nasal congestion, aromatherapists recommend adding five drops of an essential oil that has decongestant properties, such as peppermint (Mentha piperita) and eucalyptus blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus). Oils that act as expectorants, such as myrtle (Myrtus communis) or rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), can also be used. After the oil is added, the individual should lean over the bowl of water and place the towel over head to trap the steam. After approximately three minutes of inhaling the steam, with eyes closed, the towel can be removed.

Other herbs and essential oils that can be beneficial in steam inhalation include:

-tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternaifolia) for bronchitis and sinus infections

-sandalwood (Santalum album), virginian cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana), and frankincense (Boswellia carteri) for sore throat

-lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) for cough

Compresses

A cold compress is prepared by soaking a cloth or cotton pad in cold water and then applying it to the area of injury or distress. When the cloth reaches room temperature, it should be resoaked and reapplied. Applying gentle pressure to the compress with the hand may be useful. Cold compresses are generally used to reduce swelling, minimize bruising, and to treat headaches and sprains.

Warm or hot compresses are used to treat abscesses and muscle aches. A warm compress is prepared in the same manner as a cold compress, except steaming water is used to wet the cloth instead of cold water. Warm compresses should be refreshed and reapplied after they cool to room temperature.

Essential oils may be added to moist compresses to increase the therapeutic value of the treatment. Peppermint, a cooling oil, is especially effective when added to cold compresses. To add oils to compresses, place five drops of the oil into the bowl of water the compress is to be soaked in. Never apply essential oils directly to a cloth, as they may irritate the skin in undiluted form.

Precautions

Individuals with paralysis, frostbite, or other conditions that impair the nerve endings and cause reduced sensation should only take hydrotherapy treatments under the guidance of a trained hydrotherapist, physical therapist, or other appropriate healthcare professional. Because these individuals cannot accurately sense temperature changes in the water, they run the risk of being seriously burned without proper supervision. Diabetics and people with hypertension should also consult their healthcare professional before using hot tubs or other heat hydrotherapies.