James A. Duke, Ph.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
 Thanks to an article in Prevention magazine, I have also found one herbal treatment that seems to help both dry skin and psoriasis—hot pepper, specifically one of the many creams containing 0.025 percent capsaicin. Capsaicin is the compound that makes hot -peppers hot. Capsaicin creams such as Zostrix and Capzasin-P are sold as pain relievers, and they work.
In one study, 98 people with psoriasis used a capsaicin cream, while 99 others treated their skin patches with an inactive cream (a placebo). |
Ralph W. Moss PhD
See book keywords and concepts |
 Chapter 18 H Alzium (Israel) this is an interesting herbal treatment from israel. Although there is no published data on it, its provenance is intriguing and its activity has been independently verified in two respectable laboratories. Several years ago, an American-born scribe (i.e., a person who meticulously hand copies the Torah), named Chaim Kass developed a formula for treating colds, flus and other ailments. Using his knowledge of Biblical, Rabbinic, and Arabic sources, Mr. |
James A. Duke, Ph.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
| Ginger is well-known for its anti-inflammatory activity, but it's considerably less known as an herbal treatment for ulcers. In fact, ginger contains 11 compounds that have demonstrated anti-ulcer effects. These chemical compounds are a real mouthful, but I think that you might find it interesting to know just how much anti-ulcer chemistry can be concentrated in a single, humble spice. Here they are in order, from most to least abundant: 6-shogaol, 6-gingerol, 8-shogaol, 8-gin-gerol, 10-gingerol, ar-curcumene, beta-bisalene, 6-gingediol, betases-quiphellandrene, 6-gingerdione and 6-paradol. |
Ralph W. Moss, Ph.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
 Ward prepared reports for the office on three controversial treatments—the Gerson diet, the Hoxsey herbal treatment, and the more conventional immune stimulant, BCG. She herself was surprised to find that there was considerable scientific support for the potential benefit of all three of these treatments. But the OTA staff apparently had a different sort of conclusion in mind, and refused to circulate these reports to its own Advisory Council members. In a letter to Ward, they claimed these were too positive in tone. Under protest from board members, the reports were finally released. |
Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 2Michael T. Murray, ND
See book keywords and concepts |
| Pilot randomized controlled clinical trial of Chinese herbal treatment for HIV-associated symptoms. J AIDS Hum Retrovitrl 1996; 12: 386-393
169. Moffett H et al. Using acupuncture and herbs for the treatment of HIV infection. AIDS Patient Care 1994; 8
170. Goh M. Acupuncture treatment for neuropathy - patients with HIV infection. International Symposium on Viral Hepatitis and AIDS April. 1991
171. Wolffers I, de Moree S. Use of alternative treatments by HIV positive and AIDS patients in the Netherlands. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 1994; 138: 307-310
172. Edelson RL, Fink JM. |
| Botanical medicines
The most popular historical herbal treatment of asthma involved the use of Ephedra sinensis (Ma huang) in combination with herbal expectorants. Example of commonly used expectorants include:
• Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice)
• Grindelia camporum (grindelia)
• Euphorbia hirta (euphorbia)
• Drosera rotundifolia (sundew)
• Polygala senega (senega).
This approach appears to have considerable merit as ephedra and its alkaloids have proven effective as bronchodilators for the treatment of mild to moderate asthma and hay fever. |
| The comprehensive herbal treatment of cellulite involves both the oral and topical administration of botanical medicines which enhance connective tissue structures. As stated earlier, the breaking down or thinning of connective tissue structures is a major contributor to the development of cellulite.
Centella asiatica
An extract of centella containing 70% triterpenic acids (asiatic acid and asiatoside) has demonstrated impressive clinical results when given orally in the treatment of cellulite, venous insufficiency of the lower limbs, and varicose veins. |
Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 1Michael T. Murray, ND
See book keywords and concepts |
| The folklore herbal treatment of asthma involved the use of ephedra in combination with herbal expectorants. (Expectorants are herbs that modify the quality and quantity of secretions of the respiratory tract, resulting in the expulsion of the secretions and an improvement in respiratory tract function.) Commonly used expectorants include:
• Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice)
• Grindelia camporum (grindelia)
• Euphorbia hirta (euphorbia)
• Drosera rotundifolia (sundew)
• Polygala senega (senega). |
Elson M. Haas, M.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
 The type of herbal treatment suggested for the yeast condition depends mostly on the other, coexisting problems. If there are premenstrual symptoms, diuretic herbs or female tonifying herbs may help (see the Premenstrual Syndrome program later in this chapter). With intestinal symptoms or upset, soothing digestive herbs may be helpful. Peppermint or chamomile teas are beneficial; capsules containing slippery elm bark and comfrey root powder can help heal the intestinal lining. |
James A. Duke, Ph.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
| This is a first-choice herbal treatment. In fact, I told the woman who was desperately seeking something to heal her herpes sores that I'd personally recommend making mixed mint tea, heavy with lemon balm. She could drink the tea, then apply the dregs from the tea bags directly to the lesions.
Mints, especially lemon balm, contain antioxidant vitamins and selenium, which strengthen the immune system. (Antioxidants are chemicals that mop up free radicals, the naturally occurring oxygen molecules that damage the body's cells. |
Larry Trivieri, Jr.
See book keywords and concepts |
 Herbal Medicine: According to David Hoffman, one herbal treatment for strep throat that works extremely well is osha root (Ligusticum ported). Holding this root in the mouth and chewing on it can be beneficial for throat infections.The problem is in getting children to use it, as the taste of the osha root is quite horrible, according to Hoffmann. "Unfortunately, all the things that work well for strep throat taste pretty rotten." He also recommends that children gargle or slowly sip a tea made of sage. |
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. |
Gale Maleskey
See book keywords and concepts |
 You might say that an herbal treatment is like the sound produced by an orchestra. Each instrument plays a separate part, but you don't get the orchestral sound until they're all playing together.
Dosage Dilemma
The lack of "scientific evidence" and research studies supporting the effectiveness of herbal preparations in humans has an impact on the medical community. Not many M.D.'s are writing prescriptions for herbs, and that's largely because of the lack of studies, says Jonathan Sporn, M.D. |
| One of the cornerstones of herbal treatment is Gymnema sylvestre, an Indian herb, says Rebecca Wynsome, N.D., a naturopathic doctor in Seattle. "This herb is a tonifer, or regulator, and it is fairly safe/' she says. *l always recommend it to people with diabetes in addition to the nutritional supplements they may need."
When drops of gymnema extract are put on the tongue, components in the herb block the sensation of sweetness, "People say that taking the herb this way is helpful for stopping sugar cravings," says Dr?Wynsome. |
| Arming the Body
Astragalus has been used for centuries in fu-zheng therapy, an herbal treatment used by practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine to promote or bolster the immune system. In trying to strengthen their patients' natural defense mechanisms, doctors of oriental medicine have even begun to use fu-zheng therapy to help treat cancer patients. They use astragalus to boost immune function during and after radiation or chemotherapy treatments.
When cancer invades your body, your immune system naturally weakens. |
Lesley Tierra
See book keywords and concepts |
 When all of these are carefully matched with the symptoms of an illness, it is possible to heal it quickly and effectively and with less herbal treatment.
Herbal Properties
Herbs are usually referred to according to their properties. The property of an herb is its specific effect on one or more systems or general aspects of the body. For instance, herbs that clear mucus from the lungs are said to have an expectorant property, those that cause the urine to flow have a diuretic property and those that relax muscles have an antispasmodic property. |
| This was essential because the continued intake of cold food would only negate the herbal treatment I was suggesting. Also, her body needed the warmth and strength of this type of food. I then gave her warm herbs to build and heat up her body along with more energetically balanced herbal antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. In time, not only did her bladder infections clear up, but the repetitive recurrences stopped.
Not applying herbs energetically to an illness tike this is often the reason that herbs seemingly "don't work." Yet, the herbs are not impotent or useless. |
| As a result, even when a person is taking herbs for healing, if s/he is eating in a way that energetically opposes what the body needs and what the herbs are intended to do, then the herbal treatment will be less effective, will take longer to heal or will have no effect at all. For this reason, it is extremely important to learn about and understand the energy of food.
As an example, one patient had low energy and frequent colds. He was given warming and building herbs and a balanced diet to eat. Yet, in two weeks time little progress was made. |
Robyn Landis
See book keywords and concepts |
 It helps to have a natural health practitioner overseeing your herbal treatment program.
16
Herbs for Allergies
WHAT IS AN ALLERGY?
"Allergy" refers to any condition of the body mounting an attack on a specific substance that for most people is benign. People can experience allergic reactions to foods, chemicals, plants, animals, or a variety of airborne compounds. The substance to which you are allergic is called the allergen.
An allergy is a normal immune response gone haywire. As you have seen, the immune system's job is to identify and deal with threats to your health. |
Gary Null, Ph.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
 It is a popular herbal treatment for throat conditions such bronchitis and whooping cough, and is often used as a blood, kidney, and liver cleanser.
Rhubarb
PJiubarb isolates have been shown to inhibit the growth of human breast carcinoma cells and enhance immune response in vitro. Processed rhubarb can significantly inhibit pregnancy-induced hypertension in women and has exhibited cathartic effects in rats. |
Donald R. Yance, j r.,C.N., M.H., A.H.G., with Arlene Valentine
See book keywords and concepts |
 THE EFFICACY OF herbal treatment FOR CANCER
When I prescribe herbs and herbal tonics, I am often asked how they work and whether there are any scientific studies that validate their effects. The answer is that though there are not many studies of herbs in the modern medical literature, certain herbs and herbal remedies have historically been proven curative in certain diseases not just once or twice, or even in hundreds of cases, but in thousands—and not just for one or two years, or even hundreds of years, but for thousands of years. |
Larry Trivieri, Jr.
See book keywords and concepts |
| Another effective herbal treatment is passionflower (Passijlora incarnata). It may be used safely during the day, as it will not cause drowsiness. Pharmacological studies indicate antispasmodic, sedative, anxiety-allaying, and hypotensive (blood pressure—lowering) activities of passionflower extracts.39 Passionflower is said to help in quieting worry and giving a feeling of well-being.
To keep the central nervous system from being overwhelmed, Gagnon suggests valerian (Valeriana officinalis), which is especially useful when dealing with high emotional stress. |
Robert S. McCaleb, Evelyn Leigh, and Krista Morien
See book keywords and concepts |
 In the two groups of subjects reporting the highest number of nighttime urination episodes, approximately 54 percent reported improvement in this symptom by the end of the 10-week study, with 77 percent of all patients rating the effects of the herbal treatment as "good" or "very good." The dosage of nettle root extract tested in the study was two 300-mg tablets twice daily. Seven people reported mild side effects. |
Ralph W. Moss PhD
See book keywords and concepts |
| Thus, an Ojibwa herbal treatment for cancer seems quite possible in theory. However, there are several obstacles to accepting such an attribution for Essiac. First, it is uncharacteristic of Indians to combine multiple herbs into a single formula. Genuine Indian remedies were usually single herbs. It was the pseudo-Indian patent medicine men of the 19th century who popularized the practice of combining many herbs together, and ascribing to them an Indian ancestry. They may have done this to preserve the secrecy of their formulas (see Chapter 2). |
| While I deplore the activity of the "quackbusters," I want to make clear that I think there are also reasonable critics of herbal treatment who have studied the question and come up with less optimistic assessments than I have.
They have their reasons. Some are skeptical of the power of herbs to possibly affect a deep-seated condition such as cancer. Others are afraid that patients will be deterred from taking proper treatments by the illusory promise of herbal cures. |
| Again, we would have to know when the patients had their surgery or radiation therapy and what stage they were in when they began the herbal treatment in order to make any kind of intelligent judgment.
Rees Evans was still alive in March, 1958 when Nat Morris wrote his book, The Cancer Blackout. Morris even interviewed one of his American patients, a woman in her mid fifties who had been operated on for cancer of the cervix. She reported that she was well, but this was presumably one of the patients thrown out by the Committee because she had had prior surgery. |
| Propelled by the same Depression-era energies that had lifted Harry Hoxsey to prominence, Caisse almost gained legalization for her herbal treatment. But there were critical flaws in her argument (especially her insistence on secrecy), and the medical establishment proved more powerful. As Richard Thomas wrote, "she had taken her fight as far as any one person could against the awesome power and limitless resources of the Medical Establishment."
The struggle left her both physically and emotionally exhausted. |
| The history of the herbal treatment of cancer," he later wrote, with no exaggeration, can be identified with "the history of medicine, indeed of civilization." This is a bold claim, but one that is borne out by his research.
As an established government researcher, he had access to some obscure sources as well. For example, he learned that in 1926, the American Cancer Society (ACS) had offered a prize for anyone who could produce a valid method of preventing or curing cancer. They received many entries, 76 of which described putative herbal cures. |
Mark Stengler, N.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
 Today, black cohosh is the most popular herbal treatment for the symptomatic relief of menopausal symptoms. It can be found everywhere—in health food stores, pharmacies, grocery stores, and even on the Internet.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
Most of the studies done on black cohosh have used an extract containing 2.5% triterpene glycosides that include the markers actein and cimicifugoside. Researchers disagree on exactly how black cohosh relieves menopausal symptoms. There is some literature that supports the idea that taking black cohosh lowers the hormone LH (lutenizing hormone). |
Richard Lucas
See book keywords and concepts |
 The practical experience with herbal treatment has strengthened my belief in the potential cures that are obtained from herbs. I have since learned that Dr. Grantley Dick Read advocated the use
3James, Claudia V., Herbs and the Fountain of Youth (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada: Amrita Books, 1959), p. 68. of raspberry leaf tea as an aid to easier childbirth in some of his studies of natural childbirth. |
Email this page to a friend
