| Protec^nTg^Yoiir Liver
• Perhaps the single most important contribution herbal medicine can make to women choosing chemotherapy is to offer them ways to maintain strong liver function. Dandelion, yellow dock, or burdock root tincture, 20 drops, 2-3 times a day, will do, but my favorite liver ally is milk thistle.
* Milk thistle is legendary for protecting the liver from damage. It is highly regenerative to liver tissue as well. In Europe it is used to treat liver degeneration (e.g., from cirrhosis, hepatitis, and chemical poisoning). |
| A mineral supplement helps replace them, as do nourishing herbal infusions.
Step 5b. Use Drugs
• Orthodox medicine gives drugs such as Zofran (most expensive), Dexamethasone (a steroid), and Compazine (suppositories which are very strong but may suddenly become ineffective) before the chemotherapy dose to prevent and moderate nausea. k Stomach distress is the usual reason cimetidine is prescribed. One of its "side effects" is reduction in the production of C8 cells, which increase after surgery and suppress helpful T-cells. Another: It occasionally prompts remission of cancer. |
Ralph W. Moss, Ph.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
 Laetrile's use in medicine dates from the time of the great herbal of China, credited to the legendary culture hero Emperor Shen Nung (ist-2nd century a.d.), which is said to list kernel preparations useful against tumors. Ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Arabic physicians were all familiar with the biologic properties of "bitter almond water" (aqua amyg-dalarum amarum). Celsus, Scribonius Largus, Galen, Pliny the Elder, Mar-cellus Empiricus, and Avicenna all used preparations containing laetrile to treat tumors. The same is true of the medieval pharmacopoeia (Halstead, 1977; Summa, 1972). |
Michael Castleman
See book keywords and concepts |
 I spoke about herbal medicine, and my talk was well-received. The conventional medical schools are definitely changing in a more inclusive direction."
At Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, former surgeon general C. Everett Koop, M.D., is developing a medical center that combines mainstream and alternative medicine. "My experience as a doctor has taught me that a mix of different approaches is often necessary to achieve success," he notes. "We need to be flexible and adaptable.
"Drugs and surgery are useful tools, but I would like to see us broaden our range of approaches," Dr. |
Dr. Vern Cherewatenko and Paul Perry
See book keywords and concepts |
 In 1965 two researchers found that the active ingredient in this herbal remedy was hydroxycitric acid
(HCA), and research on its effects began. What they found with HCA was a chemical compound that did more than expected.
A chemist at Brandeis University, J. A. Watson, Ph.D., found by surprise that hydroxycitrate would trick cells into not synthesizing fat. If cells could not synthesize fat, they would not store fat, which meant there would be less buildup of fat in the liver and on the body.
Several rat studies were undertaken in the 1970s to confirm Watson's findings. |
Michael Janson, M.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
 Some people prefer the herbal tinctures diluted in water. Standardized echinacea capsules are available, and I now recommend a mixture containing 125 mg each of the angustifolia and purpurea varieties.
Licorice Extract (DGL)
This is an extract of licorice that has had the glycyrrhizin removed. Glycyrrhizin is a component of licorice with some possible toxicity, although it has antiviral activity and some other therapeutic uses. At high doses, the glycyrrhizin may cause elevation of blood pressure due to its hormone-like effects. |
Alexander Hellemans and Brian Bunch
See book keywords and concepts |
 Hospitals and herbal gardens existed in the third century bc Health was viewed to be the result of the balance of three elements: air, fire, and water. In relation to the body, these elements became wind, bile, and phlegm, comparable to the three of the four "humors" in Western medicine at that time. |
| Although it is believed that all early cultures learned some forms of herbal cures and methods of surgery, the Egyptian priests were the first to codify their knowledge in a way that scholars can interpret today. The fame of the Egyptian healers was so great that the rich and noble from all around the Middle East and, later, the Mediterranean would travel to Egypt to be treated.
One semilegendary figure, Imhotep, who flourished sometime around 2950 bc, is often considered to be the first scientist known by name, although he was not a scientist in the modern sense of the word. |
Leo Galland
See book keywords and concepts |
 The excesses of mainstream American medicine during the nineteenth century stimulated the growth of numerous alternative therapeutic systems based upon personal hygiene, nutrition, water therapy, and herbal folk remedies. Chiropractic and osteopathy originated in the Midwest during the late nineteenth century, and homeopathy, which had been developed in Germany during the early years of the century, was readily transplanted to the United States. By 1900 there were twenty-two colleges of homeopathic medicine and fifteen thousand homeopathic practitioners in the United States, one sixth of the U. |
| Traditional approaches to detoxification employed fasting, purging, and herbal remedies to "cleanse" the intestinal tract. Techniques for intestinal cleansing have been used by every system of health care since the ancient Egyptians bestowed upon the pharaoh's personal physician the august title "Keeper of the Royal Rectum." Although ancient Egyptians had no knowledge of the microscopic world of parasites, they used herbs like thyme and minerals like antimony, which we know today are active against intestinal parasites. |
Rudolph M. Ballentine, M.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
 Traditional Chinese Medicine
Asian Health Secrets: The Complete Guide to Asian herbal Medicine, Letha Hadady, D.Ac., Crown, New York, 1996. A substantial and practical guide to using available patent Chinese and other common remedies for the garden-variety problems of daily life: depression, overweight, PMS, etc. Hadady ventures into the realm of integration by juxtaposing Chinese and Tibetan (which is basically Ayurvedic) approaches to diagnosis. A hands-on, user-friendly book.
Between Heaven and Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine, Harriet Beinfield, L.Ac., and Efrem Korngold, O.M.D. |
| Chinese herbal Patent Formulas, Jake Fratkin, Institute of Traditional Medicine, Portland, Ore., 1986. This may not be ivory-tower Traditional Chinese Medicine, but it's what you find in shops and homes, and what millions of people rely on. It's also a good way to get started. Most of the Chinese Patent Medicines listed in the Self-Help Index will be found described in the book.
Zang Fu: The Organ Systems of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jeremy Ross, D.Ac., Churchill Livingstone, New York, 1985. Quite technical and textbookish, this is nevertheless a valuable reference work. |
Alexander Hellemans and Brian Bunch
See book keywords and concepts |
| By the end of the sixteenth century, Gerard's herbal stuck to real plants, but often ascribed almost magical properties to them.
Mathematics. As Hindu-Arabic numerals continued to replace the clumsy Roman system, various textbooks appeared that taught how to apply the new symbols. Standard algorithms and bookkeeping methods were introduced. Tables of trigonometric functions were printed and applied to new surveying techniques. Military uses of mathematics included ballistics and the improvement of fortifications. |
Michael Castleman
See book keywords and concepts |
| Zhang, she had no idea that the clinic offered alternative therapies— acupuncture, chiropractic, nutrition counseling, massage therapy, and Chinese herbal medicine—in addition to a broad range of mainstream therapies.
Now Brand is sold on acupuncture for sciatic pain—and on the Spence Centers blending of mainstream and alternative medicine. "All of the practitioners work closely together. They talk to each other all the time. That means better-coordinated care," she says. "And all of my records are right there. Everything is under one roof. |
Sheldon Saul Hendler
See book keywords and concepts |
 Fo-ti is another immigrant from the Chinese herbal marketplace. Fo-ti, also known as hoshouwu in China, comes from the plant Polygonum multiflorum. Fo-ti is considered by many Chinese to have magical powers.
Fo-ti has its widest use as a tonic, that is, as an energizer. It is also said to keep the hair black, to be useful for treating insomnia, constipation, fever and cancer. Fo-ti is one of the herbs that the Chinese use to maintain youthfulness. Great claims, but seriously wanting in evidence. It is a relatively safe herb. |
Ralph W. Moss, Ph.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
| Harry Hoxsey, with his Hoxide herbal cures, was drawing thousands to mass meetings across the Midwest, where he mingled unorthodox cancer theory with populist politics. Hoxsey even had his own daily radio program (ACS, 1971b).
Looking back on this period, Frank Howard of Esso complained that "the research for new cancer treatments . . . was in danger of becoming abandoned to quacks, and to pseudo-scientific frauds in the years just before the war" (Howard, 1955). |
Elson M. Haas, M.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
 This discussion of plants is not intended to be a treatise on herbology, though some of the plants discussed are effective and very popular in herbal literature. Described below are some of the common plants often used as nutritional supplements. |
E. Richard Brown
See book keywords and concepts |
 Through their campaign, the medical profession excluded herbal methods of prevention and therapy that are only now regaining popularity. They also narrowed the scope of medical inquiry to reductionist concepts, all but ignoring the social and economic contexts of health and disease.
The doctor was portrayed as omniscient and his skill as all-powerful. Patients, accepting the profession's claims and wanting something for their money, began to expect their doctors to provide remedies for their suffering. |
Stephen T., M.D. Sinatra
See book keywords and concepts |
 Linoleic and linolenic acids are useful in preventing dryness in skin, hair, and vaginal tissue. herbal preparations like evening primrose oil, borage oil, or black currant oil can regulate prostaglandin levels, positively affecting the hormonal shifts of menopause and PMS. EFAs (essential fatty acids) also alleviate many such hormonal changes, and are commonly found in nuts and seeds, wheat germ, and oatmeal.
In addition to vitamin and mineral supplements, many herbs are extremely useful in helping to manage specific menopausal symptoms. |
| Aside from herbal or pharmaceutical intervention, exercise and even mental imagery can also greatly assist women who experience hormonal symptoms from PMS or menopause. Acupuncture, yoga, and other therapies focusing on the body's energy centers have also proved effective in assuaging the physical and psychological symptoms that often occur as a consequence of these hormonal swings.
As I have mentioned, today's menopausal woman has an abundance of options. Begin by selecting a physician who will work as your partner. Then read, experiment, and talk to other women. |
Elson M. Haas, M.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
| Aloe concentrate or dried aloe gel powder is an intestinal purgative, that helps stimulate colon activity with less of the cramping that comes with many other herbal preparations. Aloe vera capsules are a useful remedy or preventive for constipation. The dried aloe gel is very bitter to the taste, so it must be either purified for oral use or dried and capped.
The use of aloe vera juice has been promoted with many claims of its miraculous effects. |
Stephen T., M.D. Sinatra
See book keywords and concepts |
| Most other medicinal herbs were not given any credibility, despite the fact that many common pharmaceuticals originated from plants and barks. herbal treatment was belittled and even scorned. Nevertheless, as my comfort level with botanicals grew, I decided to use them in my practice.
There is a large volume of literature on the medicinal properties of plants and herbs. My purpose in this brief section is to raise your awareness about how to use botanicals as an alternative or adjunctive path in health and healing. |
Christian Ratsch
See book keywords and concepts |
 Absinthe definitely has a much more pleasant taste when only the distilled oil of Artemisia absinthum is used. herbal extracts can impart an unpleasantly bitter taste to the liquor.
Absinthe was also produced by macerating the following herbs in a high-proof alcohol (brandy or similar spirits, with up to 85% ethanol content) (Albert-Puleo 1978, 69):
Wormwood leaves Angelica root
Calamus root Dictamnus leaves
Star anise fruits Cinnamon bark Peppermint
Hyssop herbage Fennel seeds
Artemisia absinthium Angelica archangelica L. (cf. theriac) [syn. Archangelica officinalis Hoffm. |
Elson M. Haas, M.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
| Garlic
Garlic, or Allium sativum, is one of the bigshots in herbal lore. It has been used effectively through the centuries for a variety of concerns and is probably one of the best known herbs/foods. Many people use garlic regularly in their diets, easily identified by the telltale odor. In recent years, odorless garlic extracts have been used to treat a wide range of conditions without creating the bad breath, though many naturalists and scientists believe that this is not as beneficial as the pure garlic.
Garlic has always been thought to be a natural and broad-spectrum antibiotic. |
Christian Ratsch
See book keywords and concepts |
| Mexican wormwood is one of the herbs used to manufacture the absinthelike herbal liquors of Central Mexico known as yolixpa.
The dried herbage can be smoked. One to 3 g produces mild psychoactive effects. Three to 4 g of the dried herbage, taken internally, has strong anthelmintic effects (Martinez 1994, 135*). Higher dosages can induce abortions.
Ritual Use
The Aztecs were already using Artemisia mexicana as a ritual incense in pre-Columbian times:
Tlalpoyomatli, its leaves are smoky, gray, soft; it has many flowers. |
Cynthia A. Foster, M.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
 For some reason, it was different from the other herbal junk mail I had been receiving - you know, the "Lose weight in 5 days, arthritis pain gone in seconds," and my favorite, "Dreaded disease gone after taking famous European formula!." No, this particular letter talked about detoxifying — everything that I had already been doing and which I knew worked. I began to subscribe and to inform myself even more. I wanted to know what to do naturally for everything, not just the minor conditions. |
| At any point, they could have done some herbal colon cleansing to rid themselves of this problem.
"But my doctor says what I have is incurable so I might as well eat what I want, and besides, my mother tells me I need to eat to keep up my strength." Meanwhile, they're dying because they don't have the courage to go out on their own, do some juice fasting and contradict what everyone else is saying. |
| I don't know of any cases where a person died due to an herbal overdose.
When I was training as a medical doctor, I thought that all of the surgeries, drugs, chemotherapy, radiation, etc. were needed as it was known by all of the medical experts that there were no alternatives. My classmates and I liked to think of ourselves as the merciful doctors - almost like saviors, providing comfort and quieting the pain of those terminal patients who suffered so horribly. It was a very satisfying feeling to play the role of the savior. |
| There were simple herbal formulas that stimulated the bowels to move regularly no matter what the cause.
I saw other children with colostomies and other diseases of the colon. There was a 16-year-old girl who was admitted to the hospital because of Crohn's disease. This was only one of many times she had been here. During one of those previous times, the surgeons had taken out portions of her intestines and given her a colostomy bag, and she suffered. She was having a dangerous bout with diarrhea - people can have it so severely and even bleed from their colons - that they can die. |
| Sadly, she could have done some herbal kidney cleansing and cleaned out her entire urinary tract, and it wouldn't have mattered where exacdy in the urinary tract the problem was.
At the end of each rotation, we would get a grade. It would be based on clinical performance, sometimes a written test and/or research paper, and of course, our attitude. I always received the highest marks possible on attitude since I had mastered kissing up. Not one of the things I'm proudest of, but definitely a necessity for a medical student. We even made jokes about it. In fact, we had a word for it. |
Email this page to a friend
