Alexander Hellemans and Brian Bunch See book keywords and concepts |
Accurate observation of the course of an illness became important, as well as the healing power of nature. herbs, massages, diets, and baths were prescribed for the treatment of disease, but psychosomatic treatments also had their place.
When Alexandria became the center of scientific activity, a number of scholars there made important discoveries. Herophilus of Chalcedon studied the functions of the brain and the nerves, and was the first to distinguish between arteries and veins. Greek medical teaching spread in Rome. Among the practitioners of medicine there, Galen became the best known. |
Medical practice relied on the Hippocratic method combined with the use of herbs and drugs, although astrological influences also were believed to play a role in the course of an illness. Drugs based on arsenic, sulfur, and mercury were used, especially mercury ointments for the treatment of skin disease. Opium was used as an anesthetic during surgery. The art of ophthalmology, acquired from Arab physicians, reached a high level and operations removing cataracts were performed successfully.
Mathematics. Mathematics was at a very low level during the early Middle Ages. |
Folk wisdom and early doctors occasionally knew of something that seemed to work some of the time-garlic, molds, herbs, even soil—but most of the time the substances were ineffective. This did not stop people from looking for what we now think of as "wonder drugs."
In the sixteenth century, Paracelsus advocated strong chemicals to cure disease, including mercury compounds and other poisons. But little progress was made in this direction. In the early twentieth century, Paul Ehrlich came close in his search for chemicals based on dyes that would kill germs without killing people. |
Sheldon Saul Hendler See book keywords and concepts |
John's wort from other herbs.
Hypericin and pseudohypericin are promising candidates for the treatment of HIV disease, including ARC and AIDS, as noted above. The mechanism of viral inhibition by these substances is not known, but their chemical structures suggest that they could interact with the membranes of these viruses, leading to their increased fluidization. Fluidi-zation of the HIV membrane would essentially inactivate the virus. More studies related to the effects of these substances in AIDS urgently need to be done. |
This was due, in large part, to the fact that Princess Chulabhorn, the youngest of three daughters of the King of Thailand, has a strong interest in herbs. In fact, her doctoral studies analyzed a Thai species of ginger. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is native to tropical Asia and is cultivated in other tropical areas such as Jamaica. It has been used as a flavoring, a condiment and a folk remedy. |
Goldenseal
(Potentially Useful Derivatives)
Goldenseal is one of the most popular herbs in the United States. Goldenseal, also known as hydrastis, comes from the North American plant Hydrastis canadensis. Native Americans have used it as both a clothing dye and a medicinal herb.
Goldenseal has been called by some a "cure-all," by others "worthless." It has been used topically to treat acne and eczema. The Cherokee Indians used it for eye and skin ailments. |
As with all of the herbs, much more research is needed to determine therapeutic potential.
Goldenseal mixed with red pepper has been used as a remedy for chronic alcoholism. The results are purely anecdotal. Recently, a "detox" tea made from comfrey, goldenseal, orange peel, mullein and spearmint has been used to help addicts kick their cocaine, heroin, and methadone habits. This certainly would be great if it worked. Without scientific testing we can't say one way or the other. Besides, one of the ingredients, comfrey, may be quite toxic. |
Ligustrum has demonstrated immune-enhancing effects in test-tube experiments and is being used in this country by some AIDS patients, among others, often in combination with astragalus and some other herbs.
In China, ligustrum has been used for centuries to treat fatigue, infections, heart disease, body aches, dizziness and ringing in the ears. It is also used to try to retard aging and is said to be useful in cases of premature graying of hair. The typical daily Chinese dose is 6-15 grams of a decoction made with the black berries of the shrub. |
In fact, it is one of the herbs that the FDA does not allow to be sold for human consumption.
What is the nature of its toxicity? St. John's wort is a primary photo-sensitizer for cattle, sheep, horses and goats. It makes these animals highly susceptible to damage from the sun's rays. The exact location and, to some degree, the nature of sun-caused skin damage in these animals depends largely upon the species or breed of animal. Black-skinned animals are rarely affected. |
Committee on Diet, Nutrition, and Cancer, Assembly of Life Sciences National Research Council See book keywords and concepts |
The mutagenic spirits were those that had been distilled only once or to which herbs or meat had been added. Evaporated residues from 12 out of 13 Japanese, Scotch, and North American whiskies were found to contain mutagenic activity (Nagao et al., 1981). This activity did not require the addition of glycosidases or mammalian enzymes. It was mutagenic to S_. typhimurium strain TA100, but not to TA98, indicating that it was inducing base-pair substitution rather than frameshift mutations. Some French brandies and apple brandies were also mutagenic when concentrated or fractionated (Loquet et al. |
Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts |
What I like best about natural herbs like garlic is they do not attack bacteria indiscriminately or suppress the body's natural immune defenses the way antibiotic drugs do. They are probiotic, stimulating the body's natural defense mechanisms, without harming "friendly" bacteria.
Echinacea—Echinacea was well known to Native Americans of the Great Plains who used it as a general cure-all, especially for infections. At one time it was one of the most prescribed medicines in the United States. |
Dr. Gary Null See book keywords and concepts |
Second, colonics calm an irritated colon: "Herbs can be added to the water, such as pau d'arco, which has antifungal properties. Yellow dock can also be added to soothe any inflammation. Fennel can be used to dissipate gas and eliminate the bloating that a lot of people with Candida tend to get. Aloe vera gel is absolutely wonderful. It is very soothing to an inflamed colon. And of course, it can be taken orally in the form of aloe vera juice.
"In conjunction with colonics, psyllium can be taken orally. |
Ralph W. Moss, Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts |
The American Cancer Society, he says, is inching toward a recognition of the role of nutrition in the treatment of cancer (once the very hallmark of quackery), and the long-neglected use of herbs "seems destined to be rediscovered and popularized" (ibid.).
The stage was set for this turnaround by three official reports: the aforementioned Dietary Goals (1977); the National Institute of Health's Dietary Guidelines (1979); and the National Academy of Science's Diet, Nutrition and Cancer (1982). |
G. Edward Griffin See book keywords and concepts |
He had supported FDA rulings and penalties calling for up to thirty years in prison for those who advocate the use of harmless herbs and food supplements for the alleviation of metabolic disease. Now he had given his blessings to cannabis sativa which, regardless of all else that might be said about it, is far from harmless.
On May 20, 1974, Dr. Hardin B. |
Donald R. Yance, j r.,C.N., M.H., A.H.G., with Arlene Valentine See book keywords and concepts |
Studies continue to demonstrate that these herbs have a dramatic impact on the enhancement of an immune system weakened by chemo and radiation therapies. They not only protect the immune and endocrine systems but also inhibit such diseases as influenza, upper respiratory infections, fungal infections, and chemically induced hepatitis. These diseases can cause serious complications for the person with cancer, requiring an interruption in treatment and a course of antibiotics that can lead to diarrhea and other debilitating problems. |
Rowan Robinson See book keywords and concepts |
Assyrians used hemp for incense in an age when ceremonial herbs were burned for more than just their fragrance. The well-known religious scholar Mircea Eliade remarks that "shamanic ecstasy induced by hemp smoke was known in ancient Iran."5 The continued use of incense in modern day rituals recalls a time when the psychoactive properties of incense were honored as a way to bring the worshipper in touch with supernatural forces. |
Among those charged was Joan of Arc, whom the inquisitors accused of using several "witch" herbs, including cannabis, to hear voices.
In 1484 Pope Innocent VIII issued a papal fiat declaring hemp to be an unholy sacrament of "satanic masses" as part of the church's assault on Arabic culture in general. The ban, which lasted more than 150 years, did not go unchallenged. |
Dr. Gary Null See book keywords and concepts |
The soothing herbs previously mentioned are useful here as well: marsh mallow, corn silk, slippery elm, and goldenrod. diet. A low-acid diet decreases irritations. High-acid foods to omit are red meat, dairy, shellfish, and citrus fruits. The diet should include whole grains, beans and vegetables. Essential fatty acids, such as those found in flaxseed oil, evening primrose oil, and fish oils, can help reduce inflammation. In interstitial cystitis, they are key for reversing the cycle of irritation and blood congestion.
"If you follow these basic points," says Dr. |
If they are not, they can be treated with vitamin B6, evening primrose oil, and herbs. aerobic exercise. Doing aerobic exercise every day helps to remove blood congestion from the pelvis. This means walking, jogging, swimming, bicycling, anything that moves the blood. inversion exercise. Specific exercises to remove the blood involve turning upside down. In yoga, this is accomplished with the headstand or shoulderstand. It can also be achieved by raising the legs up and bicycling. But if there is a back or neck problem, a simple solution is the slant board. |
Herbs that soothe the bladder include althea or marsh mallow, corn silk, slippery elm, and goldenrod. homeopathy. The remedy cantharis is often effective in reducing bladder and urethra irritations.
When the diagnosis is interstitial cystitis, Dr. Brett says, "the basic way to treat this condition is to remove congestion from the pelvis." These are the therapies she suggests: tests. To remove the source of irritation, it is a good idea to be tested for food allergies to see if a food is causing an antibody-antigen reaction and irritating the bladder. |
Experimental Applications of herbs of Greek Flora with Anticancer Properties in Breast Cancer in Vitro and in Rats in Vivo," Anticancer Research 12, no. 6A (1992): 1883-992.
A study examining the effects of a mistletoe extract on breast cancer patients found an immune-enhancing effect.
J. Beuth et al., "Vergleichende Untersuchungen zur Immu-naktiven Wirkung von Galaktosid-Spezifischem Mistellektin. |
The other formula contains small doses of toxic herbs that must be carefully prescribed by a naturopathic physician.
In addition. Dr. Hudson sometimes prescribes natural progesterone made from wild yam. The wild yam extract is converted in the laboratory to natural progesterone.
In addition, Dr. Hudson sometimes prescribes natural progesterone made from wild yam. The wild yam extract is converted in the laboratory to natural progesterone.
ASIAN MEDICINE
Dr. |
This combination of digestive herbs increases circulation, builds blood, and breaks apart fibroids. The Chinese say it prevents breast cancer caused by phlegm and feelings of melancholy, which impede circulation to the chest. Xiao Yao Wan is available in Chinatowns throughout America.
Dandelion. Helps prevents cancer by breaking up phlegm and eliminating it from the system. Excess phlegm can turn into tumors.
Astragalus. A wonderful immune-strengthening herb that can be used in cancer prevention or as an adjunct to cancer treatments. |
Jonathan Goodman ND See book keywords and concepts |
Donovan added more EFAs (in the form of GLA) to the regimen, along with anti-inflammatory herbs. The flare-up quickly subsided, and today Harold is still in remission. that contained 5.4 grams EPA and DHA).10 After 4 months, patients who were given the supplements had lower levels of inflammatory chemicals (leukotrienes); they also gained weight and had healthier tissue in the colon.
In another, smaller study, nine patients were given a similar dose of EFAs for 6 months.11 An additional nine patients were given a placebo. |
Information on the latest treatments for various health conditions using EFAs, herbs, vitamins, and other natural therapies.
Clearinghouse of information on EFAs. Links to other EFA sites.
National Library of Medicine database of scientific journals—the resource physicians use to research treatments and conditions. |
William Duffy See book keywords and concepts |
The Japanese make gorgeous pickles the same way, sometimes a sprinkling of rice bran and herbs is added. The vegetables stand in the brine for days, even weeks. The action of the salt on the vegetables makes for a complete transformation, a totally different taste.
A pressed salad can become a main dish: Cook a bowl of whole wheat or buckwheat macaroni, drain it, mix in a little sesame oil and soy sauce, and then add to the vegetables. You'll hardly miss the commercial sugared mayonnaise. |
Jonathan Goodman ND See book keywords and concepts |
There are times when women need the latest drugs or sophisticated surgical procedures; in other cases, naturopathic medicine—which involves the use of diet, herbs, vitamin or mineral supplements, and much more—is a wiser approach.
Millions of American women at some time in their lives will have to deal with common conditions such as hot flashes, uterine fibroids, premenstrual discomfort, and so on. Women deserve the best treatment options from both fields of medicine. More choices doesn't mean more confusion. |
William Duffy See book keywords and concepts |
The natural healer dealt with herbs and potions. These were mysteries to the priests, who felt it necessary to maintain a total monopoly on all mysteries. Centuries of horror are buried in die saga of the transformation of the natural healer into the Halloween witch.
In the summer of 1973, I walked through a primeval forest in a remote area of southwestern France with a natural herbal healer and watched him perpetuate what his ancestors had done without interruption for more than four hundred years. It was like going back on the time track all the way. |
Doug Dollemore, Mark Giuliucci and the Editors of Men's Health Magazine See book keywords and concepts |
Season to perfection. Add herbs, spices or tomato or lemon juice to liven up less flavorful foods without adding fat, says Grabowski.
Choose low-fat cheese. Cheese is one of the most common fat boosters in a man's diet, says researcher Wayne Miller, Ph.D., director of the Indiana University Weight Loss Clinic in Bloomington. Most cheeses
This chart shows you the maximum number of grams of fat you should be eating each day to both ensure that you're getting no more than 20 percent of your total calories from fat and maintain your current weight. |
Larry Trivieri, Jr. See book keywords and concepts |
Treatment often combines acupuncture, herbs, and dietary changes. According to Maoshing Ni, D.O.M., Ph.D., L.Ac., President ofYo San University ofTraditional Chinese Medicine, in Marina del Rey, California, acupuncture is effective in balancing and readjusting tension in the eye muscles, thereby improving the shape of the eye and its ability to function properly. For nearsightedness and farsightedness, a typical course of treatment involves ten acupuncture sessions. Eye exercises are often recommended to help maintain the improvement. |