| Then discuss these herbal remedies with your doctor. If you try a natural approach, you might be able to deal with the problem without the side effects caused by many pharmaceuticals.
VVV Ginger (Zingiber officinale). New England herbalist Paul Schulick, author of Ginger: Common Spice and Wonder Drug, states that the tangy root is remarkably effective against some of the world's most dangerous parasites.
Among these is the anisakis worm, a Japanese worm that is carried in raw fish and is now increasingly common in the United States. |
| So if you're a woman who's been having problems with yeast infections, be sure your partner is checked, too: Both of you might need some of these herbal remedies.
Yeast infection is caused by a group of yeastlike fungi called Candida. Candida albicans is the most common culprit, but it's not the only one. Everyone has a certain amount of Candida living on them and in them, but not everyone develops candidiasis.
Yeast live on moist areas of the body, such as the lining of the mouth and the vagina. They usually cause no problem, but sometimes they overgrow, causing infection. |
| Plantain is one of the most popular folk herbal remedies for bums in the United States. Juice from the fresh leaves of this plant is applied directly to mild burns. I've used it many times and found it soothing.
V St.-John's-wort (Hypericum perforatum). Germany's Commission E, the scientists who advise the German government about herbal treatments, praised St.-John's-wort as an anti-inflammatory external treatment for first-degree burns. One German study showed that St.-John's-wort salves speeded up burn healing time and helped reduce scarring. |
| In one study done in India, researchers treated 814 people complaining of lice with a combination of these two herbal remedies.
Neem is a large oaklike tree that's native to India and is now planted around the subtropical world, including Florida and Southern California. The leaves and seed oil contain compounds that appear to be active against many insect pests. For this reason, U.S. companies that market nontoxic pesticides now offer several neem products to organic farmers. (Some friends of mine in Hawaii are now growing and harvesting neem. |
| Comfrey is among the oldest herbal remedies for skin problems, dating back to ancient Greece. Modern researchers have discovered that it contains allantoin, a chemical that promotes skin repair. Allantoin is an ingredient in a number of commercial skin creams.
A review of the scientific literature by Commission E uncovered evidence that comfrey is also anti-inflammatory. That's why the commission endorsed applying it to the skin to treat bruises, dislocations and sprains. |
Marshall Editions
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 HERBALISM
Once any underlying medical conditions that may cause insomnia have been ruled out, a variety of herbal remedies can be used to improve sleep quality. Herbal medicines that are used to treat insomnia work by generally relaxing and calming the person so that he or she can reach a state that is conducive to sleep. Ideally, begin "preparing" for sleep 30-45 minutes before bed by taking calming herbs while sitting and reading, taking a bath, or doing deep breathing exercises.
Relaxing herbal formula: Lavender is a gentle sedative that is aromatic and cooling. |
Craig Pepin-Donat
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 Rybacki ISBN: 0060820519
Amazon Review: One of the most accessible books for reading and understanding the basic and most common prescription drugs as well as their side effects and interactions with other medications and herbal remedies.
Worst Pills, Best Pills: A Consumer's Guide to Avoiding Drug-Induced Death or Illness
Sidney M. Wolfe, Larry D. Sasich and Peter Lurie ISBN: 0743492560
Amazon Review: While this book comes across as a bit alarmist, it is a welcome alternative to other books on drugs, which are compilations of information provided by drug companies. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
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 In fact, the availability of herbal remedies competes with prescription drugs. Consequently, the FDA, which is out there to protect Big Pharma, has every reason to outlaw herbal remedies. That alone will boost the sales of prescription drugs.
The only real regulatory action the FDA is taking on Vioxx, Bextra and other Cox-2 inhibitor drugs is the requirement of a black box warning on the drugs. This is supposed to be a big deal, but in fact it means little to nothing. This is just a bigger print size of the same warning that's been found in the small fine print of the drug for years. |
Thomson Healthcare, Inc.
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 Jones JG & Taylor DE: Hepatic veno-occlusive disease and herbal remedies (letter). Ann Rheum Dis; 48(9):791. 1989
Koll R, Buhr M, Dieter R, et al. Efficacy and tolerance of comfrey root extract (Extr. Rad. Symphyti) in the treatment of ankle distorsions: results of a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Phytomedicine, 11:4707. 2004.
Kucera M, Barna M, Horacek O, et al. Topical Symphytum herb concentrate cream against myalgia: a randomized controlled double-blind clinical trial. Ad Ther; 22(6): 681-692. 2005.
Kucera M, Kalal J & Polesna Z. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
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 The people behind this announcement clearly have an agenda, and that agenda is to discredit all herbal remedies in an effort to call for new FDA oversight of herbal remedies and nutritional supplements. And they do that by scaring people with headlines that distort the true findings. These are just a handful of products sourced from India and Pakistan. There are not the Ayurvedic formulas made in the United States, Germany and other countries with higher quality standards. Just because you're buying Ayurvedic medicines doesn't mean that you're going to be getting heavy metals. |
Marshall Editions
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| Almost all herbal remedies used for athlete's foot are applied topically, directly to the infected area. This method increases effectiveness and limits unwanted side-effects. However, if symptoms do not resolve, it is advisable to seek medical attention as a more aggressive mode of therapy may be indicated.
Garlic: Garlic is antiseptic, antifungal, and a diuretic, plus it acts as an expectorant and stimulant. It contains the compound ajoene, known to have powerful antifungal properties, and has been shown to work just as well as over-the-counter antifungal medications. |
| Insulin and other diabetic agents may need to be adjusted if herbal remedies are used in a complementary manner, because of many herbs' hypoglycemic effect. All recommended herbs are safe for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics.
Gymnema: This woody plant, also called urine honey, was traditionally used to treat diabetes long before its positive results were discovered in clinical trials. Gymnema discourages sugar consumption by inhibiting the taste of sugar placed on the tongue. Studies have also shown that gymnema effectively lowers blood sugar when taken at 400 mg per day. |
Thomson Healthcare, Inc.
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| Lesser-known herbal remedies as sold in the Market at Murcia and Cartagena (Spain). J Ethnopharmacol. 28; 243-247 (1990)
Frohne D, Pfander HJ, Giftpflanzen - Ein Handbuch fiir Apotheker, Toxikologen und Biologen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlags-Ges. Stuttgart 1997.
Lewin L, Gifte und Vergiftungen. 6. Aufl., Nachdruck, Haug Verlag, Heidelberg 1992.
Roth L, Daunderer M, Kormann K, Giftpflanzen, Pflanzengifte, 4. Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie, Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.
Wichtl M (Hrsg. |
Craig Pepin-Donat
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| In 2002, herbal remedies were the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. dietary supplement market.5 Today, countiess consumers looking for a more holistic approach to health care take herbal supplements to feel better. These natural products are used for colds, headaches, allergies, insomnia, depression, menopause and even Alzheimer's disease.
One of the top-selling herbs, ginkgo biloba, has been used for nearly 3,000 years. Amongst many claims, it has been touted as an herbal remedy that improves blood flow because of its ability to increase vascular dilation. |
| Beyond the typical vitamins and minerals, there are many herbal remedies and other natural substances that have been around for thousands of years, which have been shown to have positive effects on human physiology. For the savvy, well-informed consumer, there are quality products available for a wide variety of health issues. However, there is also a deluge of supplements and herbal or natural substances that have been cleverly packaged and marketed by unscrupulous profiteers who seek to exploit people's demand for natural products. |
Bill Sardi
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 These herbal remedies will be addressed as a group in this chapter.
There are many herbs that have mild estrogen-like activity, including rosemary, licorice, red clover, flaxseed, soy, coffee, kudzu, black cohosh, onions and grapes. The active estrogen-like molecules in these plants are lignans (flax, rye), quercetin (onions), resveratrol (grapes, wine), formononetin (clover), glabridin (licorice), and isoflavones (soy), to name a few. Which of these plant hormone-like molecules are best for humans? |
Craig Pepin-Donat
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| Cass also provides clear guidelines for how to safely use herbal remedies. interactions
A to Z Guide to Drug-Herb-Vitamin Interactions/Revised and Expanded 2nd Edition
Edited by Alan R. Gaby, M.D. ISBN: 0307336646
Review: Julian Whitaker, M.D., editor of Health & Healing newsletter — "This comprehensive review of drug-nutrient interactions — by far the most exhaustive of its kind — is an invaluable tool for consumers and professionals, integrating the worlds of conventional and alternative medicine. |
Dr Ron Roberts
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 There is an enormous variety of plants from which herbal remedies are derived. Generally speaking, herbs for medicinal purposes are readily available. This was, of course, vital in the days before the invention of the motor car, when the opportunities for travel were limited. Medicine had to be accessible to the population.
Herbs are seldom used singularly, herbalists preferring to prescribe a number together. This is because they are often treating several symptoms, not just one. |
Marshall Editions
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| Much of modern-day pharmacology owes a debt to herbal medicine as many of the drugs available to Western physicians are derived from plants that have a long history of use as herbal remedies. Opinions on acceptable doses of herbs to ingest, and the appropriate quantity of plant material to use to make an infusion or decoction, vary. Dosage depends on a patient's specific symptom and its severity, personal taste, and/or the form of the plant available (for example, fresh versus dried plant material). |
David Steinman
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 He first began learning about herbal remedies when he was doing early work at the Atkins Clinic in Manhattan, where he came in weekly "to help men with their plumbing."
"The patients there began telling me about herbs they found really helped, such as saw palmetto berry and pygeum," he said. "I also received a fellowship at Columbia to study urinary tract cancer. The use of certain herbs could help to control these cancers, I learned from patients. So I kept an open mind. |
Phyllis A. Balch, CNC
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 Herbal remedies offer relief of pain.
Internal herb dosages recommended here are for adults. Children under age six can be given one-quarter of the adult dosage. Children between the ages of six and twelve should be given one-half of the adult dosage.
BENEFICIAL HERBS herb form and dosage comments
Goldenseal
Extract. Take % dropperful 3 times daily. Place it directly in the mouth and swish it around.
Heals mouth sores. Also can be used as a mouthwash added to water.
Licorice1
DGL tablets. Take 380 mg twice daily, before meals.
Provides same-day relief of pain. Promotes healing. |
Rick Levy and Lou Aronica
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 Examples include mind-body medicine, homeopathic medicine, naturopathic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, herbal remedies, nutritional supplements, chiropractic and osteopathic manipulation, and biofield therapies. These interventions are considered to be complementary medicine when they are used together with conventional medicine (as when meditation is used to reduce a patient's pain following surgery). |
Gary Null and Amy McDonald
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 Hodes's other recommendations are herbal remedies; homeopathic remedies; developmental/behavioral optometric vision therapy for improved visualization, perception, cognition, and memory efficiency; applied kinesiology; and chiropractic and osteopathic care. Finally, he maintains: "Since the brain of an Alzheimer's patient shrinks, we have to rehydrate it with pure water, eight to ten glasses daily. It takes about six months to compensate for the shrinkage."
Dr. Dharma Singh Khalsa heads the Alzheimer's Prevention Foundation in Tucson, Arizona. |
David Winston, RH(AHG), and Steven Maimes
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 Prior to the introduction of modern pharmaceutical drugs, herbal remedies were among the few reliable healing and treatment methods available.
Approximately 25 percent of modern medicines are still made from plants first used in traditional medicine. That is, they contain at least one ingredient derived from a flowering plant.
Botanical medicine was widely used in the United States until around 1920, when herbs were increasingly replaced by pharmaceutical drugs. However, since the late 1960s there has been a growing resurgence of interest in medicinal plants. |
Gary Null and Amy McDonald
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| Many natural herbal remedies can be very effective in treating candidiasis. Caprilic acid is a fatty acid with a lot of antifungal properties. One gram with meals can be very effective. Lactobacilli are well-known bacteria; they are good bacteria that can decrease Candida growth. Garlic is extremely active against many fungi and in fact some studies have shown that garlic is more active against Candida than Nystatin. Barberry, in tincture form, stimulates blood supply to the spleen and activates macrophagen. It can be very helpful in maintaining the normal floor of the gut. |
Phyllis A. Balch, CNC
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| Herbal remedies that resulted in cures were recognized, remembered, and gradually categorized by the great schools of herbal healing. They were recorded by Egyptian medicine, Indian ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine, and Japanese kampo; the teachings of Hippocrates, Dioscorides, Hilde-gard von Bingen, and Paracelsus; and the native healing systems of Africa, Australia, and the Americas.
The ancient arts of herbal healing used plants to relieve carefully defined patterns of symptoms. The traditional herbal healer recognized changes in body and mind. |
| Many (but not all) encapsulated formulations of herbal remedies also contain flavoring agents, dyes, and preservatives. It is important to read the label if it is necessary to avoid these artificial ingredients.
Some herbs such as devil's claw and peppermint are deactivated by contact with digestive juices. Other herbs can be so diluted that they become ineffective if they come in contact with food and water in the stomach. Capsules for these herbs are given an enteric coating with a cellulose fiber to delay the release of the herb until the capsule has reached the stomach or intestine. |
Gary Null and Amy McDonald
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| Handbook of Psychotropic Herbs: A Scientific Analysis of herbal remedies for Psychiatric Conditions, with Case Studies, Binghamton: Haworth Herbal Press, 2000.
Dr. Judith Sachs, Break the Stress Cycle!: 10 Steps to Reducing Stress for Women, Holbrook: Adams Media, 1998.
-Nature's Prozac: Natural Therapies and Techniques to Rid Yourself of Anxiety,
Depression, Panic and Stress, Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall, 1997.
Ray Sahelian, New Memory Boosters: Natural Supplements That Enhance Mind, Memory and Mood, Thomas Dunne Books, 2000. |
David Winston, RH(AHG), and Steven Maimes
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| The USP acknowledges that some herbal remedies have been used for hundreds, even thousands of years, yet it goes on to say:
Scientific evidence regarding these products' safety and efficacy may be rare or nonexistent. Most information about botanicals in the United States chronicles historical use, anecdotal writing, and case reports. There are few randomized, controlled clinical trials for botanicals in the U.S. medical literature at the present time. Those that do exist are often of limited utility because of inadequate sample size or insufficient treatment time. |
Dr Ron Roberts
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| This book cannot attempt to give detailed information about all the complementary modalities it discusses, but there are plenty of books available that will give you instructions on making herbal remedies if you are interested. Specialist herb gardeners or nurseries and herbal nutritionists will give you more specific information. And of course you don't have to make your own remedies: health food shops carry prepared herbal medicines and formulas, as will any practising herbalist. |
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