| These products, such as herbal Ecstasy, Ultimate Xpho-ria, Cloud Nine, and many others, combine large amounts of ephedra with caffeine into what many consider a prescription for potentially serious side effects, including high blood pressure, heart rate irregularities, insomnia, nausea and vomiting, and even heart attacks and strokes.
In the United States, ephedra is also commonly used for weight loss, another practice that seems a world away from traditional Asian application. |
Laurie Deutsch Mozian, M.S., R.D.
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 Large quantities of beta-sitosterol also are found in saw palmetto, which is used as an herbal remedy to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate gland.
A clinical study performed in Germany in 1995 on 200 men with benign hyperplasia of the prostate demonstrated that those supplemented with beta-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol showed significant improvement in symptoms compared with those in the control group who were given a placebo. Sixty milligrams of beta-sitosterol has been shown to reduce the symptoms of benign hyperplasia of the prostate in research studies. |
| The fruit of the saw palmetto tree, which is very rich in the phytosterols, is a well-known herbal remedy for the symptoms of benign hyperplasia of the prostate.
Bowman-Birk (BOH-men-BERK) inhiritor. Bowman-Birk inhibitor (BBI) is a protease inhibitor that is a potent anticarcinogen. A protease is a protein-digesting enzyme. BBI is unique because it inactivates the proteases chymotrypsin and trypsin, whereas most protease inhibitors suppress only one protease. It is found in soybeans and is thought to be inactivated by heat. The addition of 0. |
Jean Carper
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 Tea (including black, oolong and green tea, not herbal teas). Amazing and diverse pharmacological activity, mainly due to catechins. Tea acts as an anticoagulant, artery protector, antibiotic, anti-ulcer agent, cavity-fighter, antidiarrheal agent, antiviral agent, diuretic (caffeine), analgesic (caffeine), mild sedative (decaffeinated). In animals tea and tea compounds are potent blockers of various cancers. Tea drinkers appear to have less atherosclerosis (damaged, clogged arteries) and fewer strokes. |
| And Asparagus, Too
An ancient herbal formula called hachimijiogan has long been touted to prevent the progression of cataracts. Now research finds that the remedy actually increases levels of the antioxidant glutathione in the lens which is severely lacking in nearly all forms of cataracts. Such low levels may contribute to their formation. You get glutathione in many fruits and vegetables, including asparagus, avocado, watermelon and oranges. This mechanism may help account for vegetables' good showing against cataracts. (For a list of foods rich in antioxidants, see page 457. |
| For the first week, to rid their bodies of residual food triggers, the subjects ate a "fasting" liquid diet of herbal teas, vegetable broth, and juices from carrots, beets, celery and potatoes. For the next three to five months, they were put on a vegan diet (no animal products, including meat, fish, milk and eggs). They also avoided gluten (wheat), refined sugar, citrus fruits, strong spices and preservatives—all of which could possibly trigger symptoms. |
| In fact, rhubarb as a laxative was first mentioned in a Chinese herbal dated about 2700 B.C. and was a prized drug, carried by trading caravans to ancient Greece, Turkey and Persia. Some laxatives sold in the United States may still contain these rhubarb extracts, says Dr. Farnsworth, although the whole drug itself is no longer available here.
Our supermarket stuff is a distant cousin and pale imitation of the traditional medicinal rhubarb of the Orient. Our edible rhubarb stems have no measurable laxative properties, says Dr. Farnsworth. |
Dr. Gary Null
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 Menopausal women report relief and rejuvenation from Ayurvedic formulas using herbal phytoestrogens and phytoproges-terones. Ayurveda believes that balance is the key to perfect health. It basically determines which body/mind type a person is and, based on that system, helps people choose the type of foods they should eat and the type of exercise best for them. For more information, read Perfect Health and Ageless Body, Timeless Mind by Deepak Chopra.
REFLEXOLOGY
In the chapter 22, on pre-menstrual syndrome, Laura Norman outlines reproductive system reflex points. |
the Editors of FC&A Medical Publishing
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 For example, some herbal teas and nondairy creamers contain gluten, as does tuna in vegetable broth and any hydrolyzed vegetable protein. Avoid creamed vegetables, raisins and dried dates that have been dusted with flour, most canned soups, and sauces. Some types of cheeses, like blue, Roquefort, and Gorgonzola, are hidden sources of gluten. Even ketchup and soy sauce can contain gluten.
To help you make the right food choices for your health, find a good dietitian and contact a support group for celiacs. r digest than milk. |
Dr. Gary Null
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| A study on humans shows treatment with the oriental herbal preparation huanshao dan has an antiaging effect.
X. Du et al., "Effect on Anti-aging and Treating Yang Deficiency of Kidney with Huanshao dan Capsules. A Clinical Report of 309 Cases," Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih 12, no. 1 (January 1992): 4-5, 20-22.
OZONE THERAPY
Ozone therapy given over a 4-month period improved the ocular condition of a majority of a study group.
E. Riva Sanseverino et al., "Effects of Oxygen-Ozone Therapy on Age-Related Degenerative Retinal Maculopathy," Pan-minerva Med 32, no. |
the Editors of FC&A Medical Publishing
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| If you drink any of these, you need to drink more water to replace what you lose. herbal teas and juices are good substitutes when you want something other than water.
Food + technology = boon or bust?
Even before the first tractor rolled onto a cornfield, agriculture and technology have been partners — whether it involved a wooden hoe, an irrigation system, or computerized soil analysis. And with every modern advance, crops have gotten larger, fields have become more productive, and pantry shelves are better stocked. |
| If you're scheduled for surgery, stop any herbal supplements well in advance. In addition to bleeding problems, you might experience an interaction with anesthesia.
Talk to your doctor about ginger if you have gallstones. And before you recommend ginger to your pregnant friends, please note that it may not be safe for unborn babies. |
| Many herbal experts disagree, however, since most of these claims are unproven. Some algae supplements can actually do more harm than good. For instance, those made with wild blue-green algae may contain stray unhealthy algae. Your best bet — discuss these supplements with your doctor.
Heals heart disease. Experts say postmenopausal women may be able to protect themselves from cardiovascular disease — one of the greatest risks to their health — by eating sea vegetables and other foods rich in phytoestrogens. |
Neal Barnard, M.D.
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 They put arthritis patients on a supervised fast using only herbal teas, vegetable broths, and vegetable juice extracts. No fruit juices were used. After seven to ten days, foods were reintroduced one at a time every other day until the patients were consuming a varied vegan (pure vegetarian) diet. After 3Vi months on the vegan diet, other foods were introduced and their effects noted. If any newly introduced food caused the arthritis to return, the dietary trigger was eliminated again. The result was a substantial reduction in morning stiffness and joint swelling and tenderness. |
| Or cut cooked potatoes into rounds, sprinkle with an herbal seasoning mix, and place under the broiler until lightly browned. Dried beans are also well suited for quantity cooking and can be added to soups, stews, and salads. For a quick bean salad, simply top cooked (or canned) beans with a fat-free dressing.
Cooked rice and beans can also be frozen. Store in airtight containers in portion sizes that are convenient for reheating. For example, cooked beans can be frozen with some of the cooking liquid in 2-cup portions for use in any recipe that calls for a 15-ounce can of beans. |
| Malibu, California, has found that certain Chinese herbs, called
Changes for Women by Zand herbal and Menofem by Prevail, are helpful in reducing menopausal symptoms for some women. These supplements are available at most health food stores.
For those women who are considering hormone supplements, some preparations may be safer than others. Estrogens that are commonly prescribed by physicians contain significant amounts of estradiol, which is one of the forms of estrogen that has scientists and many postmenopausal women concerned about cancer risk. |
Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D.
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 Ciwuja products are also marketed as herbal energizers for anyone who needs an energy boost.
In different studies, researchers at the Academy of Preventive Medicine in Beijing, China, and the Department of Physiology at the University of North Texas Health Science Center discovered that ciwuja can alter normal metabolism during exercise so that more fat and less carbohydrate are burned. This function is beneficial because the shift from carbohydrate to fat burning delays the buildup of lactic acid in the muscles, which can promote fatigue and muscle pain. |
| For centuries, herbal healers in Peru and other Latin American countries have used cat's claw to treat health problems ranging from arthritis to cancer to intestinal disorders. In the 1970s, cat's claw made headlines around the world when several well-known Peruvians—including a popular actor and a government official—publicly announced that this herb had cured their cancers. These anecdotal success stories attracted the attention of the National Cancer Institute, which tested several compounds from this plant against leukemia cells. |
| The weaker yohimbe herbal products can be purchased over the counter. There are no scientific studies to back up the claim that these products can improve sexual function; however, there are anecdotal reports from men who claim that they can work wonders. Many combination products designed to improve sexual performance for men include yohimbe, along with ginkgo biloba, zinc, and L-arginine. Since yohimbine hydrochloride can cause serious side effects in some men, I err on the side of caution with yohimbe. Before you use it, I recommend that you check with your physician or natural healer. |
the Editors of FC&A Medical Publishing
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| It's no wonder, then, that the Arthritis Foundation lists ginger as an herbal remedy for pain.
Even though the research looks promising, arthritis is a serious condition. Talk with your doctor before you trade in your medication for ginger.
A ginger for all seasons
When you shop for ginger, you might have to look for it under another name — ginger root. The plant looks like something you'd pull out of the ground, but its not a root — it's a rhizome, a
To^ see\'toK yourself how ginger grows, plant your own — it's one of die easiest herbs to grow. |
Margarita Artschwager Kay
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 However, other information about the herbal garden conflicts with that reputed generosity. The historian Juan de Torque-mada, who was a member of the faculty of the Mexican College of Santa Cruz, wrote, "Montezuma kept a garden of medicinal herbs and ... the court physicians experimented with them and attended the nobility. |
Frances Darragh and Louise Darragh Law
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 After such a debilitating illness, herbal tonics will help to strengthen the vitality of the lungs and the system in general. These should be continued for several months: Gentian, Mullein, Lungwort, Chamomile, Burdock, and Elecampane.
Ingested Poison—Type 1 Ingested Poison—Type 2
1. IMMEDIATE TREATMENT IS ESSENTIAL FOR ALL POISONS.
2. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING UNTIL POISON HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED. SEE BELOW.
If lips or mouth show signs of burning, cool by giving water or milk to drink. |
| Place the warm herbal mixture between two layers of gauze and apply it to sores, burns, bruises, sprains, or strains.
• Cover with a thick padding of towel, blanket, or hot water bottle to retain warmth for as long as possible.
COMPRESS
This is slightly less active than a poultice. Make a warm cupful of herbs using the amounts given under Internal Use above. Soak a piece of gauze or cloth in this and apply to sores, burns, bruises, sprains, or strains. Cover with thick dry toweling, blanket, or hot water bottle to retain warmth for as long as possible. |
| There are now many ready-made herbal creams available.
8 i-i p A I i ki n y mi r r u i i r>
How to Use
Homeopathic
Remedies omeopathy is a complex and comprehensive system of medicine. The advice we offer here is a simple approach for the lay person. If symptoms continue despite the use of the remedies we suggest, consult an experienced homeopath who can prescribe from the wide range of remedies through the complex procedure of detailed case taking.
Homeopathic remedies are easily obtained from health food stores and some pharmacists (see list, page 262). |
| BABIES
HERBS
The breastfeeding mother can drink herbal tea and the benefits of the herb will be passed on to the baby through the milk. Alternatively, make a mild infusion of one quarter to one half a tsp. of dried herbs per cup of boiling water and give small amounts to baby on a teaspoon.
Using these guidelines, see individual headings for Constipation, Diarrhea, Sleep, Teething, and Diaper Rash.
Cradle Cap: Rub Wheatgerm oil, Apricot Kernel oil, or Castor oil on to scalp daily. |
| WHAT TO DO
The remedies below may not offer a solution for every young woman, in which case we recommend that you seek expert herbal or homeopathic advice.
For the emotional problems associated with hormonal changes, Bach Flower Essences have much to offer. Related books and remedies are available from most health shops. |
| WHAT TO DO
HERBS
Gargle and also use as herbal tea one or more of the following herbs: Myrrh, Golden Seal, Raspberry, Marjoram, or Sage. Teatree oil may be applied directly to the ulcer.
HOMEOPATHIC
Borax 30c: Small ulcers that bleed if touched, or when eating; mouth is hot.
Mercurius 30c: Much saliva with spongy gums, sweet metallic taste and thirst.
Nitric Acid 30c: Ulcers with splinterlike pains, bad breath, and much saliva. Whitish gums.
Calc Phos: Blisters on tip of tongue; cold sores or chapped lips. Kali Mur: Rawness of mouth. Nat Mur: Blisters on tongue. Silica: Ulcers on tongue. |
The Editors of Prevention Magazine Health Books
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 Lark recommends a caffeine-free herbal tea containing ginger root. "It tastes good and is mildly stimulating, but there's no rebound effect," she says. You can find hetbal ginger teas in yout local supetmatket.
Master your sugar cravings. Simple sugats, such as those found in cookies, candies and sweet desserts, cause sharp increases in your blood sugar level, which may make you feel temporarily energized. But after the initial rush, blood sugar drops sharply, says Dr. Lark, which can result in an energy crisis.
Lighten up on fat. |
| Lark helps women with endometriosis live pain-free through a wide variety of dietary regimens and herbal and nutritional supplements.
Before you start stocking your pantry, it will help to understand what causes endometriosis and how it affects your body.
Strange Tissue in Strange Places
Endometriosis is simply tissue growing where it doesn't belong. During normal menstruation, cells from the uterine lining, the endometrium, break off and are flushed out through the vagina. In someone with endometriosis, these cells back up into the fallopian tubes. |
| Univetsity of California, Irvine, and director of the Cardiac Electrophysiology/Arthythmia Service at the University of California, Irvine, Medical Center
Stick to herbal brews. A small amount of caffeine (less than 300 milligfams a day, about thtee cups of brewed coffee) doesn't seem to cause many problems. But more than this amount may aggtavate heartbeat irregularities, some experts say.
Be a party pooper. |
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