Beauty & Wellness

Herbs: Wormwood

2009-06-23T10:11:00.000-07:00

Wormwood

scientific name: Artemisia absinthium

other common names: Artemisia, absinthe, ajenjo, estafiate

growing areas: Native to Europe; grows in the eastern United States

physical description: Wormwood is a perennial that has grayish-green stems. It can grow to a height of 4 feet, and its leaves, which are in blunt segments, have silvery hairs on both sides and resembleieathers.

traditional uses: Beginning/in the late eighteenth century, wormwood was used to give a popular liqueur called absinthe its bitter flavor. But within that alcoholic mix lurked a great danger. Thujone, a volatile oil within the plant, is believed to have a narcotic effect and is reported to have been responsible for hallucinations, psychosis, and possible brain damage, a syndrome labeled "absinthism." The great painter Vincent van Gogh was reported to have been a habitual user of absinthe, and experts believe the heavy use of yellow in his art may have resulted from thujone-caused brain damage. After much controversy, the drink was banned in France in the early twentieth century.

Herbalists report that wormwood is useful for expelling intestinal worms and stimulating the gastrointestinal tract and uterus. It is also reported to work as an anti-inflammatory. It is a Hispanic folk remedy for diarrhea, arthritis, gout, and late menstrual periods. In one survey of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans it was found to be one of the top ten herbal remedies used in households. In Central America it is used" to treat

Herbs: Witch Hazel

2009-06-23T10:09:00.000-07:00

Witch Hazel

scientific name: Hamamelis virginiana

other common names: Agua maravilla, winter bloom, spotted alder

growing areas: Native to the eastern United States

physical description: A perennial shrub that sheds its leaves in the fall, Hamamelis virginiana sends up a number of twisting stems that end in branches containing oval leaves. The plant's seed pods burst open with an audible popping sound and propel two black seeds several yards. The plant produces yellow flowers.

traditional uses: Witch hazel is the extract prepared from the twigs of Hamamelis virginiana through a distillation process. It was used by Native Americans before the colonists arrived, and the settlers soon learned of witch hazel's astringent qualities. The name witch hazel is thought to derive from either the use of the plant's wood to make brooms or else the popping sound made by the seed pods, perhaps thought to be a hint of some occult power. In any case, a decoction of the plant became widely used as an astringent and antiseptic in the United States during the nineteenth century. It was then that controversy erupted following the commercial use of distillation to make extracts of witch hazel. According to author and herbal expert Michael Castleman, some critics contend that distillation removes many of the astringent tannins, leaving water that is of little medicinal value. Castleman has noted that while herbalists recommend that only a decoction of witch hazel be used, the commercially prepared liquid has properties that are reportedly antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, and anesthetic.
In Puerto Rican communities, a witch hazel compound known as agua maravilla is sometimes reported to be used as a therapy for asthma. The mixture, containing juice of aloe vera, honey, garlic, onion, and other substances, is ingested.

availability and dosage: Witch hazel is readily available in the United States in most pharmacies, supermarkets, and botdnicas. It is also present in hemorrhoid preparations. Agua maravilla is available in botdnicas. Herbalists recommend using up to 2 grams of dried leaves or bark to make a tea to use as a gargle. For an astringent decoction, a similar amount can be used per cup of boiling water. For external topical use, consult the directions on the product.

contraindications: Pregnant and breast-feeding women should avoid using it internally.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.
There is the risk of nausea and vomiting if large amounts are ingested. Skin irritation may also result from topical use.

medical research: None noted.

Herbs: Thyme

2009-06-23T10:07:00.000-07:00

Thyme

scientific name: Thymus vulgaris

other common names: Tomillo, mother of thyme, garden thyme

growing areas: Native to southern Europe; cultivated around the world

physical description: It is an aromatic shrub with woody stems, small leaves, and pink flowers.

traditional uses: Thyme is another example of a plant that has long been used for both cooking and medicinal purposes. Pliny said it was useful as a treatment for headaches and snakebite, possibly because of the way the plant's stem resembles a serpent. In ancient times it was used as a cough remedy, to treat gastrointestinal problems, and to treat intestinal worms. During medieval times, women gave their knights scarves embroidered with sprigs of thyme as a symbol of bravery. Herbalists from that period said thyme induced childbirth. By the eighteenth century, thyme's antiseptic properties were known, and its oil, known as thymol, was extracted and made available. It was used widely as an antiseptic up to World War I, when shortages of thymol developed. It gradually came to be replaced by other antiseptics.
Herbalists use thyme as an antiseptic, expectorant, massage oil, chest rub, and antibiotic. In Costa Rica the herb is used to combat intestinal worms and to treat warts, diarrhea, toothache, whooping cough, scabies, and flatulence. It is also considered a powerful strength-ener of the lungs. Thymol is a key ingredient in Listerine, a popular mouthwash.

availability and dosage: Thyme is available in many supermarkets and health food stores. It is also available as a liquid extract and can also be purchased as a dried plant in botdnicas. Thyme can be applied directly to the skin to relieve insect bites and help rheumatic pain. Infusions of up to 2 grams of dried herb can be used for tea. An infusion can also be used for a gargle. A dilution of essential oil of thyme can be used on skin for certain conditions.

contraindications: Since it has a history of use as a' uterine stimulant, it should not be used by pregnant women. Fetrow and Avila caution that it should not be used by persons with a history of gastritis and intestinal disorders, nor by those allergic to plants such as grass, nor by those with enterocolitis or cardiac insufficiency.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes. Pure thymol should not be taken internally, since even small amounts can be toxic. Thyme may cause allergic reactions in some persons.

medical research: Thyme has been reported as exhibiting antifungal activity and showing spasmolytic action in animal tests.

Herbs: Sour Cane

2009-06-23T10:05:00.000-07:00

Sour Cane

scientific name: Costusspicatus

other common names: Cana agria, canita agria, cana amarga

growing areas: Native to an area from Mexico to Brazil

physical description: A tall perennial plant with thin, fleshy stems. The leaves are egg-shaped and pointed at the tip with brown hairs on the edges.

traditional uses: Sour cane contains a bitter-tasting sap that is obtained from the plant by crushing it. It is used in Central America for a variety of ailments. In Costa Rica it is used for muscle pain and kidney and urinary function, and is sold widely by herb vendors as a fresh item. In the West Indies, the plant decoction is taken to relieve flatulence and rheumatism, and in Trinidad it is used to relieve the urinary burning that accompanies venereal disease, according to Julia Morton. She also noted that some Brazilians drink the plant juice with sugar and water as a hot-weather beverage.

availability and dosage: Available by mail order. No information available on dosage.
contraindications: None noted.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.

medical research: Nonenpted.

Herbs: Sarsaparilla

2009-06-23T10:04:00.000-07:00

Sarsaparilla

scientific name: Smilax officinalis

other common names: Cuculmeca, zazaparilla, brown sarsaparilla

growing areas: Native to Central America and Colombia

physical description: Sarsaparilla is a woody vine that can grow to a length of about 15 feet. It has tendrils that help it climb, ovate (egg-shaped) leaves, and green flowers. Its root is narrow and very long and is used for medicinal purposes.

traditional uses: The plant was brought from the New World to Spain, along with China root (Smilax china), with great fanfare in the sixteenth century as a cure for syphilis after it had been used with some success in the Caribbean. It was listed in Nicholas Mo-nardes's book Joyful Newes out of the Newe Founde Worlde as a wonderful medicinal plant of that time. However, its usefulness as a cure for venereal disease dropped off, although it continued to be used for that purpose well into the nineteenth century. It became a flavoring agent for root beer but has been replaced by artificial ingredients.

In traditional medicine, sarsaparilla has been used as a so-called blood purifier, as an anti-inflammatory, and as a cleansing agent. It is commonly used to treat psoriasis and eczema. It has steroid components and for that reason is reported to have been used by athletes as a performance-boosting medicine, as well as a possible treatment for impotence. It does not, however, contain testosterone, as some popularly believed. In Costa Rica it is used as a cold remedyf and a tonic for boosting immunity, and in Jamaica it is used as a diuretic. Commission E reported that it is used for rheumatic complaints, for kidney diseases, and as a diuretic and diaphoretic.

availability and dosage: Sarsaparilla is available in powdered form as a tea or tablet and also as a liquid. For psoriasis, some experts recommend taking 1 to 4 grams of dried root or up to 30 milliliters of concentrated sarsaparilla compound as a decoction. A couple of teaspoons of powdered root as a decoction are also recommended as a diuretic.

contraindications: Pregnant or breast-feeding women should not use sarsaparilla. It is also contraindicated if an individual is taking digitalis or bismuth.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.
Sarsaparilla is considered by the Food and Drug Administration as safe for use as a flavoring agent. However, Commission E labels it as a medicinal plant whose use is unapproved. The commission cautions that sarsaparilla can lead to gastric upset and temporary kidney impairment. Sarsaparilla may also affect the action of other herbs taken with it, and the commission cautions that it may also interact with digitalis and bismuth. Other experts say it can lead to nausea or kidney damage.

medical research: Medical research into sarsaparilla, given its long history of use as a medicinal plant, is rather modest. One study from the 1940s found that psoriasis patients treated with sarsaparilla showed improvement. However, that study has been criticized because of its design. Sarsaparilla has shown anti-inflammatory activity in rodents. There have been reports of tests in China showing that up to 90 percent of acute cases of syphilis were effectively treated with sarsaparilla.

Herbs: Sage

2009-06-23T10:02:00.000-07:00

Sage

scientific name: Salvia officinalis

other common names: Garden sage, salvia, meadow sage, salvia virgen

growing areas: Native to southern Europe; widely cultivated

physical description: Sage is a perennial evergreen shrub that grows about 3 feet high. Its leaves are oval, green, and velvety. Its flowers, which bloom in the summer, run from white to purple.

traditional uses: Like many medicinal herbs, sage is widely used in cooking. But sage also has a long reputation for treating a number of medical conditions, and its genus name, Salvia, derives from the Latin, meaning "to cure." Historians also note that a medieval saying by Italian medical students asserted, "Why should a man die who grows sage in his garden?" According to herb expert Michael Castleman, sage was used by the ancient Greeks and Romans as a meat preservative, as a memory enhancer, to treat problems such as epilepsy and snakebite, and to promote menstrual flow.
In more modern times, sage has been used as an antiseptic and astringent, a digestive tonic, an antiperspi-rant, and a method for controlling irregular menstruation and menopausal problems. A preparation of sage is used as a gargle for sore throat, mouth ulcers, sore gums, and tonsillitis. In Costa Rica, sage Is used for wounds, arthritis, asthma, and problems with-the prostate gland. It is also a commonly used herb among Mexicans. In Europe it has been used to lower blood sugar in diabetics.

availability and dosage: Dried leaves are available in food stores and in botdnicas for further home preparation. Sage is also available through suppliers as a liquid extract. The dosages vary according to the herbalist. For a gargle, a weak infusion is recommended, using from one to four leaves. For menstruation problems, a tincture of up to 4 milliliters of leaf extract has been recommended by some experts. Fresh sage leaf is also applied directly to stings or bites as a treatment.

contraindications: Use of sage should be avoided by pregnant women because of the herb's reputation for causing abortions. Diabetic patients also have to use sage cautiously because of its ability to lower blood sugar. Fetrow and Avila recommend that it be used carefully by persons already receiving anticonvulsants.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.
While it has a long history as a medicinal herb, sage is viewed with caution by some doctors, pharmacists, and herbalists. In their professional handbook on alternative medicines, Fetrow and Avila advise that sage can interact with anticonvulsants, disulfiram, insulin, and other diabetic therapies. Herb expert Michael Castleman cautions that sage oil is toxic and should not be ingested. But he also notes that one toxic chemical contained in sage, thujone, while causing convulsions, is mostly eliminated by the heat of infusion preparation using plant leaves.

medical research: None noted.

Herbs: Rue

2009-06-23T09:55:00.000-07:00

Rue

scientific name: Ruta graveolens

other common names: Ruda, ruta, garden rue, German rue

growing areas: Native to Europe; widely grown in Latin America

physical description: Rue is a small, erect bush that grows to a height of about 3 feet. The shoots of the plant are pale green and appear covered in oil glands. It produces small yellow flowers, and its fruit contains rutin, the volatile oil that gives it a bitter taste.

traditional uses: In ancient times, rue was considered a major remedy. It is mentioned more than eighty times by Pliny, but its reputation has lessened because it can be toxic. Still, it is reportedly used in a number of cultures as a beverage, and it is used in Costa Rica as an antispasmodic, emmenagogue, abortifacient, emetic, disinfectant, diuretic, and as a? treatment for epilepsy and worms. It is also used to speed labor in childbirth. Rue water is used as an insecticide and flea repellent. As a liniment, it is used on sore muscles.
Hispanics in the United States have reported using rue to treat empacho and mal op. Curanderos use rue as part of their limpias, or ritual spiritual cleansings. It is sometimes worn in amulets.

availability and dosage: It is available through mail order and as a dried herb and liquid extract. Dosages vary.

contraindications: Since rue causes abortions and uterine contractions and can act as an emmenagogue, it should not be used by pregnant women. Breast-feeding women should also not use it.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.
Despite its wide use, rue is one of the more dangerous plants used medicinally. It is known to be an abortifa-cient and to cause skin irritation. It has also been known to cause severe stomach problems and vomiting and, according to Balick, has been reported in some cases to be ' fatal to the mother when used to cause an abortion. Given the various problems associated with it, rue should be avoided.

medical research: Rue has been shown in animal experiments to act as an anticonvulsant, and extracts of it displayed antibacterial and antituberculosis activity in laboratory experiments, according to Balick and Arvigo. In other experiments, chloroform extracts of the root, stem, and leaf of the plant showed significant antifertility activity in rats.

Herbs: Rosemary

2009-06-23T09:54:00.000-07:00

Rosemary

scientific name: Rosemarinus officinalis other common names: Romero, compass plant,

old man growing areas: Native to southern Europe; grows in the United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America

physical description: Rosemary is a perennial evergreen shrub that is very aromatic and grows from 3 to 7 feet in height. It has narrow green leaves resembling pine needles.

traditional uses: A useful cooking herb, rosemary is long on legend and lore. It/was considered to enhance memory in ancient times, lo much so that students are said to have burned it at home before exams or worn it in garlands. It was used to preserve meats in the days before refrigeration, and it became a symbol of remembrance during funerals. In Hamlet, Ophelia remarks to the king, "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance. Pray you, love, remember." In European folklore it was believed to stave off bad dreams and was a symbol of love. Legend has it that Queen Elizabeth of Hungary in the thirteenth century was cured of the pain of rheumatism after her limbs were bathed in a wine decoction containing rosemary.

Medicinally, rosemary has been used as an astringent, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic, as well as an abortifacient, emmenagogue, and tonic. In parts of Central America rosemary has been used for nervous disorders, to cleanse wounds and skin ulcers, to relieve headaches, and for washing hair. A poll of Mexicans found rosemary to be among the top herbs they listed as being used medicinally, largely for menstrual and digestive problems.

availability and dosage: Rosemary is found in herb form in supermarkets and other food stores. It is also available as a tea or essential oil. Some herbalists recommend that the essential oil be used externally or in a diffuser to permeate the atmosphere. Herbalists recommend that a tea can be made from up to 4 grams of leaf and taken as often as three times a day. contraindications: Rosemary should not be taken in medicinal quantities by pregnant or breast-feeding women.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.
While the undiluted essential oil has a history of being taken internally, a number of experts believe it should not be consumed because it can lead to stomach or other gastrointestinal problems. German experts, however, have approved rosemary for internal use for indigestion and rheumatism.

medical research: Essential oil of rosemary was noted by European researchers as being among a group of powerful convulsants.

Herbs: Rhatany

2009-06-23T09:53:00.000-07:00

Rhatany

scientific name: Krameria triandra

other common names: Raiz para, mapato, Peruvian rhatany, pumacuchu growing areas: Western slopes of the Andes in Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia, at altitudes of up to 10,000 feet

physical description: Rhatany is an evergreen shrub that grows about 3 feet in height and produces a large red flower. Its root, the part that is used medicinally, is deep.

traditional uses: The major traditional use of rhatany is as an astringent and for gastrointestinal problems. It is also reported to be used by indigenous peoples as a tooth preservative. Herbalists say it is useful as a mouthwash and to treat sore throat and canker sores. Commission E reports that it is used as a topical treatment for inflammations on the oral and pharyngeal mucosae. The primary active ingredients are tannins.

availability and dosage: Commission E recommends about 1 gram of powdered root in a cup of water as a decoction or 5 to 10 drops of rhatany tincture in a glass of water three times a day.

contraindications: Fetrow and Avila report that rhatany is contraindicated for persons sensitive to substances in the plant.
special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.
Fetrow and Avila warn that products containing tannic acid are generally considered unsafe and ineffective and that frequent use can compromise the mucous membranes so that toxicity results. Commission E says that allergic reactions of the mucous membranes may occur in rare cases.

medical research: None noted.

Herbs: Quinine Bark

2009-06-23T09:50:00.001-07:00

Quinine Bark

scientific name: Cinchona officinalis

other common names: Cinchona, fever tree, cinchona bark

growing areas: Native to South America, primarily in the area of the Peruvian Amazon basin; also cultivated in other areas of the region and in Java and India

physical description: Cinchona is an evergreen that can reach a height of over 75 feet. It has a deep reddish bark and produces yellow-and-white flowers. There are about forty related tree species.

traditional uses: For many centuries, cinchona has been used by the indigenous peoples of Peru, including the Incas, for malaria, digestive problems, and fever. It is known to stimulate secretion of saliva and digestive juices. Western contact with cinchona arose during the Spanish conquest of the Americas. Some legends hold that a sick Spanish soldier drank from a pool of water into which a cinchona tree had fallen, while another story holds that the wife of the viceroy of Peru was cured by the bark and reported to Europe about the marvels of cinchona. Whatever the truth may be, cinchona became widely accepted in the West as a cure for malaria, which had been a problem in European cities at one time. In 1820, French chemists Joseph Caventou and Joseph Pel-letier identified and isolated the alkaloid quinine from cinchona bark. The need for quinine, an agent effective against the mosquito-transmitted protozoan that causes malaria, required a substantial export trade from South America, which led to a monopoly. Finally the monopoly was broken when cinchona seeds were cultivated in Dutch Java, which came to dominate the world trade in cinchona.

During World War II American officials were almost without any source of quinine because of Japanese conquests in the Far East. U.S. officials then turned to the forests of South America to get cinchona bark so that quinine could be extracted. After the war, new antimalarial drugs began to be manufactured and the demand for cinchona dropped off, although it remained useful in treating heart arrhythmias and had a long-standing use as a flavoring agent. However, the appearance of malaria parasites resistant to the new drugs has renewed interest in quinine as a treatment.

availability and dosage: It is available in the United States as an herb powder made from bark. Commission E recommends 1 to 3 grams of the dried bark; 0.6 to 3 grams of cinchona liquid extract (4 to 5 percent total alkaloids); 0.15 to 0.6 grams of cinchona extract (15 to 20 percent total alkaloids). Herbalists recommend that a half cup of the bark decoction can be taken one to three times daily.

contraindications: Herbalists warn that cinchona is not to be taken by pregnant or breast-feeding women. Persons with allergies to cinchona alkaloids are also cautioned about its use. Commission E states that it may increase the effect of anticoagulants.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.
Herbalists caution that it should be used only under medical supervision. Cinchona is reputed to be toxic when used excessively and can lead to nausea, deafness, and other physical problems. Contact dermatitis and asthma are sometimes reported to have stricken workers in factories where cinchona bark was ground.
medical research: The scientific literature is filled with information about the efficacy of cinchona in the treatment of malaria and arrhythmia. A survey of medicinal plants also shows that cinchona is used as an antiepilep-tic treatment.

Herbs: Picao Preto

2009-06-23T09:49:00.001-07:00

Picao Preto

scientific name: Bidens pilosa other common names: Black Jack, Spanish nettle, mozote

growing areas: Native to South America, Africa, and the Caribbean

physical description: Bidens pilosa is a small annual herb that grows to a height of about 3 feet. It has a small yellow flower.

traditional uses : It is reported to be used in the Peruvian Amazon for a number of ailments, including angina, dysentery, and worms. It is also used in Peru as a diuretic and anti-inflammatory, as well as to speed childbirth and as a treatment for hepatitis, according to Leslie Taylor.

availability and dosage: It is available in the United States as a powder. Dosages vary. Herbalists recommend a half cup of the decoction three times a day.

contraindications: Since it is reported to be used as a uterine stimulant, it should be avoided by pregnant women.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.
Brazilian researchers have said that the use of Bidens pilosa must await clarification of the plant's toxicity because a link with esophageal cancer has been suggested.

medical research: Bidens pilosa was among fifty-four plant extracts tested in an experiment of antibacterial activity in South Africa. Five types of bacteria were used in the study, including E. coli and two types of staphylococcus. The bacteria were placed in sterile petri dishes, the extracts were then introduced, and the antibacterial activity was determined by the size of the zone of inhibition or clear space where the organism did not grow. The Bidens pilosa extract was found to have some of the highest antibacterial activity against the staphylococcus strains, but not the E. coll. The results tended to support the traditional medicinal uses of the plant, the researchers concluded.

Herbs: Periwinkle

2009-06-23T09:47:00.000-07:00

Periwinkle

scientific name: Catharanthus roseus

other common names: Rosy periwinkle, vinca rosea, chata

growing areas: Native to Madagascar; cultivated in numerous other places

physical description: It is an herb that grows to a height of about 3 feet. Its leaves are green and shiny, and it produces a pink flower.

traditional uses: The periwinkle is one of the best examples of a plant that has become a prime source of medicine for humans, serving as the basis for drugs to combat Hodgkin's disease and childhood leukemia. While originating in Madagascar, it was brought to Europe in the eighteenth century and spread from there, often being used as an ornamental plant. Before it began to be used as a source of modern drugs, periwinkle had a long history as a treatment for tumors, asthma, and diabetes and for use as an astringent, diuretic, and to increase menstrual flow. In parts of Central America and the Caribbean, the root and leaf are used to treat diabetes.

availability and dosage: It is available in the form of a powder. Dosages vary. Herbalists recommend using a teaspoon of dried herb to make an infusion that can be consumed up to three times a day. Two medicines derived from periwinkle, vinblastine for Hodgkin's disease and vincristine for childhood leukemia, are used by doctors as part of therapeutic regimes.

contraindications: See "Special Precautions."

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.
Commission E reports that periwinkle has proved to be destructive to blood components in animal experiments. Because most of its claimed uses have not been documented, Commission E states that the use of periwinkle is not justified.

medical research: Periwinkle has been extensively studied by scientists, who have identified owr seventy alkaloids from the plant parts, including vincristine and vinblastine. The investigation of periwinkle began in the 1950s, when the National Cancer Institute began a program of screening plant chemicals for possible use against leukemia. Some pharmaceutical companies involved in the study expanded the search and found anticancer activity in a number of the alkaloids. Vinblastine was isolated in 1961 and approved for the treatment of Hodgkin's disease and testicular and breast cancer. Two years later vincristine was licensed for use against childhood leukemia. "Long term, disease-free survivals have been observed in the treatment of various lymphomas and leukemias, bladder cancer, and testicular cancer, while significant palliative benefits have been seen in patients with breast cancer, melanoma, and small-cell lung cancer," write Gordon M. Cragg and Michael R. Boyd of the NCI.

Herbs: Pedra Hume Caa

2009-06-23T09:46:00.000-07:00

Pedra Hume Caa

scientific name: Myrcia salicifolia other common names: Insulina vegetal

growing areas: Native to South America and the West Indies

physical description: Myrcia salicifolia is a shrub with small green leaves and large orange-red flowers, said Leslie Taylor. /

traditional uses: In the Amazon, researchers found it to be used by Indians as a treatment for severe diarrhea and as an astringent and emetic. It has also been used to treat diabetes.

availability and dosage: It is available in the United States as cut-and-sifted leaf. Dosages vary. Herbalists recommend a half cup of the leaf infusion two or three times a day.

contraindications: Diabetics run the risk of hypoglycemia.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.

medical research: Research has shown that it has an inhibiting effect on serum glucose levels in diabetic rodents. One experiment involving the feeding of rats for three weeks with an extract of Myrcia uniflora improved metabolism of glucose compounds. However, another study detected no beneficial effect.

Herbs: Pau d'Arco

2009-06-23T09:43:00.000-07:00

Pau d'Arco

scientific name: Tabebuia impetiginosa other common names: Lapachol, lapacho, trumpet bush growing areas: Native to South and Central America

physical description: It is a large flowering evergreen tree that can grow up to 15 feet high. The tree produces a large pink flower. The tree's durable wood has made it a target of loggers in the Amazon area, according to concerned environmentalists. There has also been concern raised over the harvesting of the tree's inner bark to produce folk medicine.

traditional uses: Pau d'arco's history.as a medicinal plant has been controversial. In folk m/dicine, lapachol is obtained from the inner bark of the tree and has been used in Latin America for the treatment of colds, flu, arthritis, rheumatism, syphilis, and cancer. It also has been used to treat disorders of the immune system such as psoriasis. Because of pau d'arco's traditional use to treat cancer in some cultures, it has received a great deal of attention and publicity as a possible cure. But despite great fanfare, testing of the extracts from the plant have, according to a number of experts and government officials, not supported the use of lapachol as a treatment for cancer. AIDS patients have also turned to pau d'arco as an alternative treatment, most likely because it has a reputation as a remedy for immune system problems.

availability and dosage: Pau d'arco is available in capsules, tablets, extracts, and teas. The bark is sold as a powder. Dosages may vary and run from 1 to 4 capsules a day for a week. Some suppliers recommend 300 milligrams of powdered bark three times a day. A tea is also made by boiling the bark in water for eight to ten minutes.

contraindications: Pau d'arco contains substances that researchers believe can cause problems with coagulation, which makes use of the plant questionable for people suffering from coagulation disorders or taking anticoagulants. Experts also say pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid the herb.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes. Certain substances in pau d'arco present a danger of toxicity in humans. Fetrow and Avila recommend that pau d'arco not be used because of the problem of toxicity.

medical research: During the 1960s, after it gained a reputation as a folk treatment for cancer, lapachol was put into clinical trials by the National Cancer Institute. However, in 1974 it was reportedly dropped by the NCI after failing to produce. significant results that outweighed its serious side effects. The negative experience of the NCI apparently did not forestall others from experimenting with lapachol as a cancer therapy, and there have been reports of trials in other countries that have shown beneficial results.

While cancer experiments in the United States did not go well, lapachol seemed to fare better with experiments aimed at testing its usefulness as an antipsoriatic and anti-inflammatory agent. In an experiment in Brazil, lapachol was found to have significant anti-inflammatory action, diminishing swelling in rodents by as much as 85 percent, depending on the dosage. Results of another experiment published in 1999 showed that lapachol compounds stopped the growth of human keratinocytes, the cells involved in psoriasis.

Herbs: Papaya

2009-06-23T09:42:00.000-07:00

Papaya

scientific name: Caricapapoya other common names: Paw paw, melon tree, put, papaya real

growing areas: Native to Mexico and Central America; cultivated in the Caribbean and Asia, as well as other tropical areas

physical description: Papaya is a tree with a thick trunk that can grow up to 25/reet high. Its leaves are lobed, can grow up to 2 feet across, and resemble those of an oak. The papaya tree produces a large (up to 11 pounds) oval-shaped fruit that hangs from the trunk; its yellowish pulp is sweet. A latex substance is obtained from its stem, leaves, and fruit.

traditional uses: For centuries, people in the Caribbean knew of papaya's ability to tenderize meat, and the leaves are still used for that purpose today. This characteristic is attributed to a number of enzymes, notably papain, which are contained in the latex of the unripe papaya fruit and help to break down protein. In traditional medicine, papaya has been used to aid digestion, most certainly because papain acts similarly to human peptic acids. In Belize, the plant is used to help in the healing of wounds and infections, while the green fruit, when boiled and eaten, is said to aid in the purging of intestinal parasites, report Balick and Arvigo. They also report that women have used roasted and ground papaya seeds in a formula for contraception.

availability and dosage: Papaya fruit is readily available in the United States in food and fruit stores. Papaya enzyme is also available in tablet form. Doses may vary, although some herbalists recommend using a tea made from 1 or 2 teaspoons of dried papaya leaf before meals as an aid to digestion.

contraindications: Pregnant women should not use medicinal amounts of papaya, as it has a history of use as a uterine stimulant. Breast-feeding women should also not use it.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.
Excessive use of papaya may cause gastric upset, allergic reaction, and possibly perforation of the esophagus, according to experts. It may also act as a purge if too much is taken. Ingestion by dogs of papain has been linked to birth defects. An extract of the fruit has been shown to affect human cardiac activity.

medical research: According to Balick and Arvigo, a number of studies have been done that show papaya to have antibacterial and antifungal activity. They also reported that a study from 1947 showed that a water extract of the papaya fruit worked as a human cardiac depressant. Human clinical trials indicate that papaya can treat inflammation from surgery or accident and that it can be used to reduce postoperative edema in cases of head and neck surgery, write Fetrow and Avila.

Herbs: Oregano

2009-06-23T09:41:00.000-07:00

Oregano

scientific name: Lippiagraveolens, Origanum vulgare other common names: Oregano castillo, yerba dulce, wild marjoram

growing areas: Lippia graveolens grows in temperate and tropical areas.

physical description: Lippia graveolens is a shrub that grows up to 6 feet in height and has aromatic flowers.

traditional uses: There are about forty different plants known by the name oregano. Lippia graveolens and related plants are known as a food seasoning. But oregano also has a long history of use as a medicinal plant. The Chinese are reported to have used it beginning in ancient times to treat fever, diarrhea, and vomiting. Among Mexicans, a species of oregano (Monarda menthaefolia) is listed in one survey as being among the top ten medicinal plants used in their culture to treat the symptoms of cold and flu, as well as coughs, sore throat, and congestion. Based upon fieldwork done in Belize, Balick and Arvigo found that oregano is used as a tea to treat upper respiratory tract infections, induce menstruation, and, when taken a week after childbirth as a leaf decoction, to help a new mother, expel a retained placenta. A boiled leaf solution is also said to be a good wash for wounds and burns.

availability and dosage: Oregano is widely available in supermarkets and food stores. The essential oil derived from the plant is also available, though herbalists caution that it should not be taken internally. For treating colds, teas made with boiling water using up to 3 teaspoons of herb or up to half a cup of fresh leaves as much as three times a day are recommended by some experts.

contraindications: Pregnant women should not use medicinal amounts of oregano, as it has a history of use as a uterine stimulant. Some experts say oregano can interfere with the absorption of iron.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.
Experts caution that children under the age of two should not be given medicinal amounts of oregano. It may also produce allergic reactions and gastrointestinal discomfort.

medical research: Oregano was found to inhibit the growth of eleven different microbes in one Australian study.

Herbs: Nettle

2009-06-23T09:39:00.000-07:00

Nettle

scientific name: Urtica dioica

other common names: Common nettle, big string nettle, stinging nettle

growing areas: Temperate regions of the world

physical description: It is a perennial bush that can grow up to 7 feet tall. Its leaves are triangular-shaped and edged with points. It produces a flower that ranges in color from white to yellow. Bristles on the leaves and stems can sting, hence the common name.

traditional uses: The major interest in nettle today is in its use to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or enlarged prostate gland, a common condition for men over the age of fifty. It is used in combination with another herb, saw palmetto, for prostate health. But over the ages nettle has had a number of medicinal uses. Dioscorides listed it in his famous book of herbal remedies from the first century as a treatment for nosebleeds. The ancient Greeks used it to treat coughs and arthritis. It has a history of use as an astringent, to treat skin conditions, and as a remedy for baldness. It was also used to promote childbirth and stop uterine bleeding. It is used as a diuretic and as therapy for rheumatism and inflammations of the urinary tract.

availability and dosage: Nettle is available as a capsule and as an extract, powder, or tincture of the root and leaf. Dosages may vary and can range from a recommended intake of one capsule of 100 milligrams a day to a total of 300 milligrams. Teas can be made of up to 2 teaspoons per cup twice a day. Commission E recommends dosages between 8 and 10 grams of the herb and leaf daily and 4 to 6 grams of the root. It is also available as an element in herbal preparations.

contraindications: Commission E reported that no contraindications were known. However, some pharmacists report that nettle is contraindicated in pregnant women because it is a stimulant of uterine contractions. Breast-feeding women should also not use it.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.
Internal use has been known to cause occasional gastrointestinal upset. The hairs on the plant contain chemicals that can cause severe skin irritation.

medical research: Nettle does not appear to reduce the enlarged prostate gland in humans but rather increases the flow and volume of urine, according to the findings of Commission E. However, some research done in Germany has indicated that nettle inhibits prostatic hyperplasia in mice. In the German experiments, the prostate glands of mice were treated to create prostatic hyperplasia and five preparations of stinging nettle root extract, each prepared with a different method of liquid extraction, were tested. The experiment found that ethanol extracts and water extracts had the greatest effect on inhibiting the growth of the mice prostate glands. However, the researchers were unclear as to how the extracts worked. Another experiment, done in Japan on prostate tissue taken from a human patient suffering from an enlarged gland, suggested that steroids and other components in the stinging nettle roots inhibit prostate cell growth and metabolism.

Herbs: Muira Puama

2009-06-23T09:37:00.000-07:00

Muira Puama

scientific name: Ptychopetalum qlacoides

other common names: Potency wood, marapuama,
marapama, potenzholz growing areas: Native to the Amazon region, particularly Brazil

physical description: It is a bush that grows up to 15 feet in height and produces a small white flower that has a jasminelike fragrance, said Leslie Taylor.

traditional uses: Based on his extensive travels and observations in South America, Richard Schultes reports that muira puama is used to treat neuromuscular problems, baldness, rheumatism, asthma, and gastrointestinal and cardiac problems. A bath of the root is used to treat paralysis. However, its major use is as an aphrodisiac tonic in the Amazon. James Duke also reports that the drug has a long history of use in Brazil as an aphrodisiac and nerve stimulant.
Commission E has noted that while muira puama is used to prevent sexual problems and as an aphrodisiac, its effectiveness has not been documented and that it is not approved for use. However, an extract of muira puama has been marketed in Europe under the names Herbal v-Y and Herbal v-X to treat impotency in men and sexual problems in women.

availability and dosage: It is available as a bark powder and as a concentrated liquid extract. Herbal formulas in tablet form were available in Europe in the late 1990s.

contraindications: Reported to be contraindicated for persons taking MAO inhibitors.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes. Muira puama should not be taken during pregnancy or lactation.

medical research: Researchers in France are reported ' to have used herbal preparations from muira puama for over a decade with one hundred impotent male patients, over 60 percent of whom reported significant improvement in their sex lives after a month's use.

Herbs: Mugwort

2009-06-23T09:36:00.000-07:00

Mugwort

scientific name: Artemisia vulgaris

other common names: Ajenjo, carline thistle (a related herb, Artemisia absinthium, is known in Mexican culture as ajenjo and also commonly known in English as wormwood, and is considered a more dangerous herb)

growing areas: Native to North America and China

physical description: It is an ornamental plant with lobed leaves, which grow in sets of two on the stem.

traditional uses: Anglo-Saxons considered it a sacred herb, and it is said by historians to have been used by Roman soldiers, who placed sprigs of the plant in their shoes to prevent foot problems during long marches. It is used in modern times as a treatment for dysmenorrhea, colic, diarrhea, constipation, and cramps. It is also considered an anthelmintic (a substance that 'destroys or causes the body to expel intestinal worms) and an emmenagogue. Russians reportedly have used it as an abortifacient and for bladder stones, and there are additional reports that it is useful for depression and neuroses.

availability and dosage: It is available as a dried leaf or root, as well as in a fluid extract and tincture. Herbalists recommend varying dosages, including up to 5 grams in a decoction for menstrual pain. Some experts recommend an infusion of up to 15 grams of the dried plant for such pain.

contraindications: Because it can cause uterine contractions, it should not be used by pregnant women. Breast-feeding women should not use it.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.

Mugwort is believed to cause uterine contractions and may cause contact dermatitis, according to some experts. Avila and Fetrow caution that patients taking anticoagulants or with bleeding problems should not take mugwort. Duke reports that in large doses mugwort can be toxic and that a constituent element, thujone, can cause epileptic seizures. It may also cause dermatitis and allergic reaction in some people.

medical research: None noted.

Herbs: Mozote

2009-06-23T09:35:00.000-07:00

Mozote

scientific name: Triumfetta semitriloba other common names: Pega pega, burr bush, mozote de caballo

growing areas: Native to Central America, the Caribbean, and parts of South America

physical description: Mozote is a shrub that grows to a height of about 3 feet. Its leaves are generally three-lobed and toothed. It produces a yellow flower, and the undersides of the leaves are hairy. • traditional uses: In Costa Rica mozote is used as a treatment for colds and diarrhea. According to Julia Morton, Mexicans use a decoction of the root for treating venereal disease, as well as kidney and liver problems, while a more astringent leaf decoction is used in Yucatan to treat hemorrhoids and leukorrhea. availability and dosage: Available by mail order in the United States and Central America. No information available on dosage.

contraindications: Should be avoided by pregnant women.
special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.

medical research: None noted.

Herbs: Maracuja

2009-06-23T09:34:00.000-07:00

Maracuja

scientific name: Passiflora incamata

other common names: Passionflower, maypop, pas-sionaria, maracuya

growing areas: Native to Central and South America and parts of the southern United States; cultivated in Europe and North America

physical description: It is a climbing vine that can grow close to 30 feet long. Maracuja, or passionflower, as it is commonly called, has a three-lobed leaf that resembles a trident. Its flower is distinctive and has five stamens.

traditional uses: Legend has it that following the conquest of the Incas by the Spaniards, a priest, looking for a divine sign that Spain's action was proper, discovered a flower on a vine in the Andes that symbolized the crucifixion of Christ. The flower's five stamens have come to symbolize the five wounds of Christ on the cross, and its three styles stand for the three nails used in the crucifixion.
After its discovery by the priest, passionflower was imported to Europe as a tea and was used as a sedative. In the United States it has been used as a sedative and to treat insomnia, anxiety, and panic. Experts also report that it is used to relax muscles and can relieve the discomfort of menstruation. By reducing anxiety, passionflower may also have other collateral effects on the body, such as lowering high blood pressure.

While passionflower was considered a sedative for many years in the United States, it was reported that the Food and Drug Administration removed it from the list of herbs generally considered as safe in 1978 because it was not proven effective as a sleeping aid. However, in Europe it- is considered safe and useful in treating nervous restlessness.

availability and dosage: It is available as a dried herb, liquid extract, and tincture. Dosages vary. Some herbalists recommend dosages for tea ranging from 0.5 grams to 2.5 grams of the herb in boiling water up to three times daily. Commission E recommends 4 to 8 grams in a preparation. Herbal experts recommend a teaspoon of crushed leaves steeped in a cup of boiling water for about ten minutes to help with insomnia.

contraindications: It has been reported that in Norway a number of patients admitted to a hospital with altered states of consciousness had taken an insomnia remedy that was derived from passionflower. It was believed that the product may have interacted with other drugs to cause an intoxicating effect. Some experts also believe it is contraindicated for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.
Since passionflower appears to act on the central nervous system, it may interact with other depressants. It may also contain a uterine stimulant.

medical research: A series of experiments with mice who received injections of passionflower extracts has shown that the plant contains chemicals that act as a central nervous system depressant. In one French study, mice showed reduced activity when treated with a water extract. In addition, the extract caused the mice to go to sleep when it followed a dose of phenobarbital. But the strength of the tranquilizer seems to depend on the solvent used to prepare the extract. For instance, when an extract was prepared with a water and alcohol agent, the mice appeared to show more activity, not less. Other studies with rodents show general sedative activity of the passionflower extract, including an instance when rats showed diminished activity when they were kept for a three-week period on oral doses of passionflower.

Herbs: Manaca

2009-06-23T09:32:00.000-07:00

Manaca

scientific name: Brunfelsia uniflorus

other common names: Manacan, vegetable mercury

growing areas: Native to areas of the Amazon basin

physical description: An ornamental shrub, manaca produces a beautiful yellow-white flower. In his work on medicinal plants, James Duke recounts a legend that the plant's name is attributed to a beautiful girl of the Tupi Indians of Brazil.
traditional uses: The Tupi use the plant in their medicinal and magical practices, according to Duke, who notes that the Indians once used a root extract of manaca as an arrow poison and that the scraped bark is considered a strong purgative. The common name vegetable mercury stems from the plant's use in traditional medicine for the treatment of syphilis. Based on his extensive travels in the Amazon area, botanist Richard Schultes reports that indigenous peoples use manaca as a treatment for rheumatism, as a diuretic, as an antiinflammatory, to reduce fevers, and sometimes as an ab-ortifacient. It has also been used as a hallucinogen, but with bad effects, Schultes writes.

availability and dosage: It is available as cut-and-sifted bark. Dosages vary.

contraindications: Since it is reported to have been used as an abortifacient, it should not be used by pregnant women.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.
Manaca is reported to be toxic to children and pets and should be avoided.

medical research: Laboratory tests in Brazil showed manaca to have anti-inflammatory properties. An extract of a related species, Brunfelsia hopeana, was shown in an experiment with rats to act as a central nervous system depressant and an anti-inflammatory. However, toxi-cological studies done in the United States of another species, Brunfelsia calcyina, determined that the consumption by dogs of this plant material was fatal, and researchers cautioned that the plant poses a significant hazard for small children. Duke says that even small doses of the alkaloid manacine, which is found in ma-naca, can lead to death due to respiratory paralysis in laboratory animals.

Herbs: Mallow

2009-06-23T09:31:00.000-07:00

Mallow

scientific name: Malvestrum sylvestris other common names: Malva, malva grande, malva real

growing areas: Native to much of South and Central America

physical description: It is a bush herb that grows to a height of 3 feet and generally is found at low elevations. Its stem has been described as stiff with hair, and its leaves have sharp teeth on the edges. Its flowers are reddish purple, and its flat fruit produces seeds that are shaped like kidney beans.
The mucilage contained in the leaves of this species is believed to be the reason why the herb has soothing, emollient qualities.

traditional uses: Mallow has been eaten and used medicinally for thousands of years. In Costa Rica it is thought to stimulate lactation. It is also fiold as an emollient and for use as an enema. According to Fetrow and Avila, mallow is used for irritations of the throat, bronchitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis, and hoarseness. It has also been used in Central America and the Caribbean to treat sores and wounds, as well as as an astringent.

availability and dosage: It is available as a dried leaf or flower. Fetrow and Avila report that the suggested dose is 5 grams daily of chopped, dried herb; an infusion may also be used.

contraindications: Fetrow and Avila recommend it not be used by pregnant or breast-feeding women.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.

medical research: None noted.

Herbs: Macela

2009-06-23T09:29:00.002-07:00

Macela

scientific name: Achyroclinesatureoides

other common names: Juan bianco, macela do campo, marcela hembra

growing areas: Native to Venezuela and parts of the Brazilian Amazon as well as Central America

physical description: It is an aromatic shrub that grows to a height of about 3 feet. It hasilowers that are small and yellowish or white. The seed/are oval-shaped and bristled.

traditional uses: Macela has a well-respected reputation in South America as a medicinal plant useful in the treatment of gastrointestinal problems and inflammations. In Venezuela it is reported to be used as an emmen-agogue and in Brazil as cough medicine. Argentines also have used it as an emmenagogue and to treat vaginal infections.

availability and dosage: Available in powdered leaf form. Dosages vary. Herbalists recommend a half cup of the leaf infusion once or twice daily.

contraindications: None noted.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes. It has been used as an emmenagogue.

medical research: A number of laboratory experiments have demonstrated that macela extracts have been useful in treating artificially induced inflammations in rats. Additional studies have shown the flavonoids present in macela to have analgesic and antispasmodic properties, as well as having an effect on constipation.

In a Brazilian study aimed at evaluating macela's anti-inflammatory properties, the ears of laboratory mice were irritated with the application of croton oil. For each test animal, one swollen ear was treated with the topical application of an extract of macela, while the other was left untreated. Five hours into the experiment, and at the height of the irritation, the animals were sacrificed and small disks were punched out of both ears and weighed. Researchers assumed the difference in the weight of the ears would be an indication of the response of the swelling to the plant extract. The results indicated that a water extract showed the greatest reduction of the swelling (by 41 percent). As a result, the researchers believed the tests supported the use in folk medicine of macela in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Tests have also been done with macela extracts showing that in laboratory settings it has been effective in killing the parasites that cause trypanosomiasis in humans, as well as other microorganisms.

Herbs: Kalallo Bush

2009-06-23T09:29:00.001-07:00

Kalallo Bush

scientific name: Corchorus siliquosus other common names: Hiera te, malva te, te de la tierra

growing areas: Native to the Virgin Islands and West Indies; also found in Mexico and Central America

physical description: A bush about 3 feet high with short-stemmed leaves. The flowers are yellow and the seed capsule is flat.

traditional uses: A decoction of this plant is reported to be used frequently in Central America as a refreshing drink. In the Virgin Islands the plant is cooked and eaten and used as a treatment for colds. It has been used as a treatment for venereal disease in Yucatan and for bladder trouble and as a bathwater additive in Cuba, according to Julia Morton.

availability and dosage: The product is not believed to be available in the United States.

contraindications: None noted.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.

medical research: None noted.

Herbs: Jatoba

2009-06-23T09:28:00.000-07:00

Jatoba

scientific name: Hymenaea courbaril

other common names: Courbaril, pois confiture, stinking toe, azucar huayo, West Indian locust

growing areas: Native to Peru and Brazil; also grows in Central America
physical description: This tree can reach 60 feet or higher and has a trunk that can be .over 6 feet in diameter. The base of the tree emits an odorless resin that is found in great quantities around the roots. Its fruit is reddish and oblong with a difficult-to-crack, woody surface. The pulp of the fruit is described by Julia Morton as "odorous, sweet, dry, mealy, buff-colored."

traditional uses: In the Virgin Islands, Hymenaea courbaril is reported to be used as an infusion with blood-purifying properties. Julia Morton reports that it is used in Central America as a vermifuge, as a remedy for hypertension and rheumatism, and as a substitute for quinine, apparently to fight malaria. She reported that the bark decoction has been used to treat diarrhea, dysentery, stomach ulcers, and chest ailments. Fumes of the burning resin, Morton says, have been used in Mexico to relieve asthma and "hysteria."
The fruit is also eaten as a food, and the wood is hard enough to use in carpentry, said Morton.

availability and dosage: Available as a cut-and-sifted bark powder. Dosages vary. Herbalists recommend a half cup of the decoction three times daily.

contraindications: None noted.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes. medical research: According to Morton, the high tannin content of the leaves has shown activity against a form of lung cancer in mice during experiments.

Herbs: Jacote

2009-06-23T09:27:00.000-07:00

Jacote

scientific name: Spondia mombin

other common names: Jobo, job megro, ciruela de jobo, Spanish plum

growing areas: Native to Southeast Asia and Malaysia; cultivated throught the West Indies, as well as much of Mexico and the rest of Latin America

physical description: This tree can reach 60 feet or higher. It has fragrant red flowers. Its fruit, which are oblong, red or yellow, and fragrant and contain a juicy and acidic pulp, hang in clusters from the tree.

traditional uses: In traditional medicine of Latin America, jacote has many uses for a wide range of illnesses. Brazilians use the bark to make a decoction for the treatment of diarrhea, while a decoction from the flowers and leaves is reportedly used to relieve constipation and stomachache. Famed ethnobotanist Richard Schultes reports that the Tikunas Indians of the Amazon area use a decoction of the bark to relieve pain and to prevent excessive bleeding during menstruation. He says they also use it to treat stomach pains and diarrhea as well as as a wash for wounds. According to Julia Morton, Cubans have traditionally eaten large amounts of the fruit as an emetic, while Haitians take the fruit syrup as a remedy for angina. Mexicans use it to treat diarrhea, while Dominicans have used it as a laxative. Its bark also has a reputation in folk medicine for being useful in treating minor skin ulcers.
The fruit is eaten as a food and can be made into jellies and preserves. The wood is used in the manufacture of crates and other light items.

availability and dosage: It can be purchased through mail-order herbal suppliers in Central America.

contraindications: None noted.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.

Schultes reports the Amazon Indian belief that "permanent sterility" would result from the drinking of one cup a day of a decoction of jacote following childbirth. According to Morton, Colombians believe the fruit is bad for the throat and that the leaves and bark contain tannin and thus are astringent.
medical research: None noted.

Herbs: Jaborandi

2009-06-23T09:26:00.000-07:00

Jaborandi

scientific name: Pilocarpusiaborandi other common names: Indian hemp, pernambuco, ar-ruda brava

growing areas: Northern parts of Brazil

physical description: It is a shrub about 5 feet high with large, feathery leaves.
traditional uses: Pilocarpus jaborandi is one of a number of medicinal plants from the Amazon that have found their way into the mainstream of the medical profession. Explorers to Brazil as far back as the sixteenth century discovered that indigenous tribes used the plant to treat mouth ulcers, colds, and flu. Samples of the plant were eventually taken to Peru, where researchers discovered that it was able to promote sweating and salivation in humans. After continued research, the alkaloid pilocarpine was identified in the plant; this substance has the ability to lower pressure within the eye of a person with glaucoma. As a result of that finding, pilocarpine is used in modern ophthalmology as a treatment for glaucoma.
Pilocarpus Jaborandi is recorded as being used to treat rheumatism, pleurisy, and dropsy in Mexican traditional medicine. It is also said to have a history of use as an emetic in Brazil. availability and dosage: Not generally available,

contraindications: In their professional handbook on alternative and complementary medicine, Charles Fetrow and Juan R. Avila say that pilocarpine is contraindicated for persons sensitive to it, as well as those with uncontrolled asthma. <
special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.

Because of risk of toxic symptoms such as excessive sweating, fast heart rate, and salivation, the use of jabo-randi should be undertaken only wpi the advice and ' participation of a doctor.

medical research: None noted.

Herbs: Iporuru

2009-06-23T09:25:00.000-07:00

Iporuru

scientific name: Alchornea floribunda other common names: Iporuro, niando, iporoni

growing areas: The floodplains of the Amazon in Peru physical description: Iporuru is an evergreen shrub. traditional uses: Among indigenous Amazonian tribes, the genus is used to treat rheumatism and arthritis. Its perceived anti-inflammatory properties have made iporuru popular in North America as a treatment for arthritis and rheumatism, according to author Leslie Taylor. It is also a plant cultivated in Africa, where it is reported to be used for gonorrhea and coughs.

James Duke reported that the macerated root has been used as a strong intoxicant and aphrodisiac. availability and dosage: Available as a leaf powder. Dosages vary. Herbalists recommend taking one half cup of a leaf infusion one to three times a day.

contraindications: None noted. special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.

medical research: A study found that an extract of the bark of a related species appeared to act as an antispasmodic and an antibacterial agent and is thus useful in combating diarrhea.

Herbs: Hortela (peppermint)

2009-06-22T12:38:00.000-07:00

Hortela (peppermint)

scientific name: Mentha piperita other common names: Menta, mentha montana growing

areas: Thought to have originated in the Middle East; grows in tropic and temperate zones around the world

physical description: A perennial plant, Mentha piperita grows to a height of about 2 feet. It has a squarish stem and leaves that are serrated on the edges. It produces a light purple flower in the summer months. It also produces rhizomes, which are used for cultivating additional plants.

traditional uses: Peppermint is widely used in traditional medicine around the world as a digestive aid, having a long history of such use dating back to the Roman era. Historians say it was also used in the ancient world to prevent the spoilage of milk.
In modern herbal practice, Mentha piperita is used to treat colic, indigestion, and colds, as well as minor wounds and burns. Some experts say it is used by women to bring on menstrual flow. Among Hispanics, another member of the mint family, spearmint, is used as a home remedy to treat colic, diarrhea, ai/d upper respiratory tract infections. Mexicans use varieties of mint to treat children for the folk illness known as empacho or blocked intestine.

Commission E lists both the leaf and oil of peppermint among the plant substances deemed acceptable for human consumption. The commission reports that peppermint leaf acts as an antispasmodic on the smooth muscles of the digestive tract and is useful as a chola-gogue. Peppermint oil, obtained from the stem of the plant by a distillation process, is also used for treating discomfort of the upper gastrointestinal tract and bile ducts, as well as for catarrh and inflammations of the mucous membranes of the mouth, the commission stated.

availability and dosage: Peppermint is available as an essential oil and in leaf form in health food stores and botdnicas. The essential oil is also available in enteric-coated pill form.
Commission E recommends a dose of 6 to 12 drops a day of peppermint oil for internal use or 0.6 milliliters in enteric-coated capsules daily for irritable colon. For inhalation, 3 or 4 drops of essential oil in hot water is recommended; However, other experts say there is no consensus for the oil's internal use and recommend against taking it in that fashion. An infusion can be made by pouring half a cup of hot water over a teaspoon of the dried pulverized herb.
Peppermint is also available as a tea, either on its own or in combination with other herbs. Menthol, the major component of peppermint oil, is used in lozenges, sprays, and other cold and cough remedies. Menthol is also available in creams and skin ointments for external use as an analgesic.

contraindications: Commission E notes that peppermint oil should not be used without a doctor's permission in individuals with obstructions of the gallbladder, gallstones, or severe liver disease. The commission states the same caution for peppermint leaf in cases of gallstones. Experts also caution against pregnant women using strong infusions of peppermint, undoubtedly because it is reputed to stimulate menstruation.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.

Peppermint and menthol are reported to have caused allergic reactions in some adults and children, the latter sometimes known to suffer gagging reflexes. Doctors also warn about applying peppermint oil or products containing it to broken skin. The PDR for Herbal Medicine states that doses of menthol as low as 2 grams can be lethal, although some survive doses as high as 9 grams.

medical research: Peppermint and menthol have been the subject of a number of studies by medical researchers. Peppermint has been found in some studies to have an antiviral effect, which may explain its usefulness as a cold remedy. As noted, peppermint is also reported to act as an antispasmodic on certain smooth muscles in the gastrointestinal tract, an effect that researchers believe stems from the way it interferes with the flow of calcium into muscle cells. Other studies have shown that menthol helps to dissolve gallstones.

Herbs: Hierba del Cancer

2009-06-22T12:37:00.000-07:00

Hierba del Cancer

scientific name: Acalypha guatemalensis Pax & Hoffman, Acalypha arvensis Poeppv & Enbdl.

other common names: Petit mouton, bonda pe, petit pompon, cat tail

growing areas: Native to Central America
physical description: An herb that grows up to 3 feet in height. The leaves are long-stemmed and oval-shaped.

traditional uses: According to Balick and Arvigo, the common name hierba del cancer stems not from the ability of the plant to fight cancer but rather because of the local use of the word cancer to mean an open sore. They report that the plant is used as a remedy in Belize for a variety of serious skin conditions such as fungus, ulcers, ringworm, and itching or burning labia in women. It is one of scores of plants used throughout Latin America as a diuretic. The leaves are used in Guatemala not only as a diuretic but also to treat kidney-related problems. In Haiti it is used to treat diarrhea, inflammations, and dyspepsia.

availability and dosage: Not available in the United States.

contraindications: None noted.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.
medical research: In a study of plants used in Guatemala as diuretics and for the treatment of urinary ailments, extracts of hierba del cancer were shown to increase urinary output by 30 percent.
Balick and Arvigo report that studies have shown a dried leaf tincture to be active against Staphylococcus aureus but inactive against some other bacteria. They also noted that extracts of dried twigs, were found to be inactive against human colon cancer cells in vitro.

Herbs: Gumbo-limbo

2009-06-22T12:35:00.000-07:00

Gumbo-limbo

scientific name: Bursera simaruba

other common names: Jobo, almacigo, desnudo

growing areas: Native to the Amazon area, Belize," elsewhere in Central America, and parts of tropical South America; also reported to be native to Florida

physical description: It is a tree that can grow to about 60 feet. The bark is distinctive, peeling off in thin strips. Botanist Michael Balick of the New York Botanical Garden, an expert on plants in Belize, said the tree has a fragrant yellow-green flower and a fruit that is round and tinged with red.

traditional uses: Botanists report that it is used in Belize as a treatment for dermatitis and irritations from poi-sonwood sap, mainly by immersion of the skin in a cool tea made from the bark of the tree. Balick reported that the same bark bath has been used to treat discomfort from insect bites, sunburn, measles, and other skin problems. Venezuelans are reported to use it externally as an ointment to treat rheumatism. Used internally in traditional medicine in South America, it is believed to be helpful in fighting colds, urinary tract infections, and the flu.

In Costa Rica, the plant is used as a traditional treatment for gastric cancer, with anecdotal reports that it relieves discomfort from that illness. It is one of a number of medicinal plants in that country undergoing screening to determine if it contains substances that might be useful in fighting stomach cancer.
In her study of medicinal plants of Belize, Jane Mal-lory says that the resin of Bursera simaruba is painted on boats to protect the wood from worms and insects. The wood is also used for everything from matchsticks to the construction of crates.

availability and dosage: Available as a powdered leaf. Dosages vary.

contraindications: None noted.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes. An extract of the bark of the tree is reported to be effective at killing snails.

medical research: Since gumbo-limbo is considered to have anti-inflammatory qualities, researchers in Venezuela tested the effects of an extract of gumbo-limbo tree bark on laboratory rats with induced swelling of the hindpaw and an arthritic knee joint. The extract caused a significant reduction in the paw swelling as well as inflammation of the arthritic knees in the test animals. The researchers speculated that the results were attributable to a suppression of the animals' immunological response in general but cautioned that further experiments were,needed.

Herbs: Guava

2009-06-22T12:34:00.000-07:00

Guava

scientific name: Psidium guajava other common names: Guayaba, guayava, guayabo casero

growing areas: Native throughout Latin America physical description: It is a shade tree that grows to about 30 feet, has a red flaky bark, and produces a very aromatic fruit with a yellow skin and dark pink edible flesh. The inner pulp of the fruit is soft and contains many yellow seeds. traditional uses: Guava is one of a number of plants that do double duty in Hispanic communities. As a food source, it is widely consumed and used in beverages and desserts. The fruit is high in ascorbic acid. European traders spread the fruit to Asia and Africa. The tree's bark is used in the tanning of animal skins, and the wood can be used in construction. Guava has been widely used in Latin American traditional medicine as a treatment for diarrhea and stomachaches due to indigestion. Treatment usually involves drinking a decoction of the leaf, roots, and bark of the plant. It also has been used for dysentery in Panama and as an astringent in Venezuela. A decoction of the plant's bark and leaves is also reported to be used as a bath to treat skin ailments.

availability and dosage: Guava is readily available in food stores, botdnicas, and bodegas throughout Hispanic and non-Hispanic communities in the United States. Dosages vary.

contraindications: None noted.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.
The seeds of the guava fruit have been labeled as digestion-resistant by researchers, which explains how the seeds are dispersed by animals and humans. Guava has also been shown to have the ability to lower blood sugar, but blood sugar levels that are too low can be dangerous, with the risk of disorientation, coma, and even death.

medical research: There have been a number of laboratory studies done on guava, mainly as a way of controlling noninfectious diarrhea, long a significant cause of infant mortality in developing countries. Studies have shown that extracts of dried guava leaves can slow down peristalsis (movement of food through the digestive tract), which increases absorption of fluid and electrolytes and thus reduces both diarrhea and the dehydration it can cause.

In traditional medicine, guava has also been used to lessen pain, combat insomnia, and help children suffering from convulsions, properties that sparked more scientific inquiry. Additional studies done in Malaysia, where the plant grows abundantly, showed that an extract of dried guava leaves had a narcoticlike effect on rats, something researchers attributed to flavonoids present in the plant.
Some of the flavonoids present in guava leaves are also viewed by researchers as having potential antitumor properties. A study done in Mexico used guava leaf extracts in a laboratory setting and found that it showed significant activity against certain human and mouse cancer cell lines.

Chinese and Caribbean traditional medicine have used guava in the control of diabetes, but a study in Mexico found that guava did not lower blood sugar levels in rabbits.

Herbs: Guajava

2009-06-22T12:30:00.000-07:00

Guajava

scientific name: Cassia alata

other common names: Date, candle tree, ringworm cassia

growing areas: Widely available in the tropics; said to be native to the West Indies, as well as southern Mexico and parts of South America
physical description: It is a shrub that can grow up to 12 feet high. It has yellow flowers that grow in clusters and are said to resemble candles because of the way they stand.

traditional uses: It is used in Mexico, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic as a diuretic. It has also been given the name ringworm cassia because a leaf extract is used to combat ringworm and is sometimes put into bathwater for that purpose, particularly in Malaysia. In Guatemala, Suriname, and Mexico it is used to relieve constipation. The leaves have been reported to treat ulcers and other skin diseases.

availability and dosage: Available as a powdered leaf. Dosages vary.

contraindications: None noted.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance- for medicinal purposes.
In studies done on patients suffering constipation, it has caused some diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea. It also has a reputation in South American traditional medicine as being able to act as an abortifacient or stimulant that could promote menstruation.

medical research: Some studies involving human subjects have pointed to beneficial effects attributed to the plant. In a clinical study done in India, extracts from Cassia alata were investigated for their effectiveness as antifungal compounds. In a test on patients with confirmed cases of a fungus infection on the skin known as Pityriasis versicolor, a fresh extract from the leaves of Cassia alata was applied to infected areas one time and washed off the next morning. The study found that the infected areas began to clear up in three weeks and led to what the researchers believe was a cure for up to a year, after which a relapse occurred. The findings, along with the lack of any side effects, led to the conclusion that Cassia alata is an effective, reliable, and safe herbal medicine for treating this particular skin ailment.

However, a Malaysian study found that an extract of Cassia alata had no effect in the laboratory on a number of microorganisms, including bacteria and yeast, that cause skin diseases in humans. The extract did have some effect on fungus growth, but researchers could not say with certainty how it occurred.
A study of hospital patients in Bangkok suffering from constipation was reported to have determined that an extract of Cassia alata was an effective laxative, providing relief, often within twenty-four hours, with a return of bowel movements in over 86 percent of the patients. The researchers attributed the laxative effect to the substance in the plant known as anthraquinones. However, it was also noted that a number of the patients complained of side effects, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea.

Cassia alata has been reputed in folklore to act as an abortifacient or promote menstruation. But in tests done on female laboratory rats in Brazil, Cassia alata did not show such traits.

Herbs: Graviola

2009-06-22T12:28:00.000-07:00

Graviola

scientific name: Annona muricata

other common names: Guanabana, guanavana, gua-naba, anona de broquel

growing areas: Said to be native to the West Indies; has spread from southern Mexico to Brazil

physical description: It is a tall, slender tree that grows to a height of about 24 feet. The leaves, which stay evergreen in tropical areas, are dark green and glossy. When crushed, the leaves give off a strong odor. The fruit is described as heart-shaped with a green skin that is covered with spines. The inner flesh of the fruit is juicy and aromatic and has numerous black seeds, according to Julia Morton.
traditional uses: Graviola is a plant that has many medicinal uses in folk traditions but has to be used cautiously, as noted below in the discussion of special precautions. In Panama and Venezuela it is reported to be used to treat diarrhea, while Mexicans use it for fever and dysentery and as an astringent. Researchers also note that it is used to combat a number of gastrointestinal ailments in Puerto Rico, where it is used as an antispasmodic, anti-diarrheal, and stomachic. Julia Morton reported that graviola is a popular bush tea in the Caribbean and Bahamas, where it is sweetened and consumed by children and adults. It is also in the Caribbean that graviola is used to treat colds and fever, according to Morton.

availability and dosage: Available in powdered leaf form. Dosages vary. Herbalists recommend that a half cup of the leaf infusion be taken one to three times daily.

contraindications: None noted.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.

Though it is widely used in the Caribbean and in parts of Latin America, Annona muricata is considered by some doctors and researchers to be a potentially toxic plant. Its seeds are reported to be toxic and have been used as an insecticide and fish poison. In fact, parts of the fruit and a decoction from the leaves are reported to be used as a vermifuge in the Caribbean. Perhaps more troubling are results of tests showing that leaf extracts from the plant injected into rats produced fibrosarcomas in one-third of the animals at the point of injection, something researchers attributed to the high tannin content of the extract.

medical research: Annona muricata was one of twelve medicinal plants tested by researchers in Brazil examining the analgesic effects of popular folk remedies. The researcher administered extracts from the plants to the animals and tested their reaction to stimulus. They found that Annona muricata was virtually inactive as an analgesic but that all of the animals receiving it died within twenty-four hours.

Herbs: Ginger

2009-06-22T12:27:00.000-07:00

Ginger

scientific name: Zingiber officinale

other common names: Gengibre, gingembre

growing areas: China, Jamaica, southwestern parts of
the United States, Hawaii physical description: Ginger is a perennial plant that produces a thin stem about 3 feet long, with leaves that are thin and pointed. It produces a purple flower that looks like an orchid. Its thick rhizome is the most important part of the plant.

traditional uses: Ginger has been recognized as an important plant in Chinese medicine for centuries and is mentioned in two-thousand-year-old medical books. It was valued for its medicinal and culinary uses, serving as both a seasickness remedy for sailors and a pungent-tasting condiment. The ability of ginger to act as an antiemetic, a substance that relieves stomach upset, has been a key to its use by humans over the centuries. It is also used to treat diarrhea, nausea, and arthritis, and as an appetite stimulant. It is widely used in Jamaica, Mexico, and India for medicinal and other purposes, including as a spice and in beverages and candies. availability and dosage: Ginger is widely available in the United States as a liquid extract, powder, tablets, and capsules. Gingerroot and ginger tea can also be obtained in food stores. Dosages vary, and some herbalists maintain that a 12-ounce glass of ginger ale, assuming it is made from real ginger, will have the same remedial effect on motion sickness that a 1,200-milligram dose of powder has.

contraindications: Some experts recommend that it not be used, except under medical supervision, by people who are receiving anticoagulants. They also caution against pregnant women using ginger.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.
In their professional handbook on alternative and complementary medicine, Juan R. Avila and Charles W. Fetrow, both pharmacists, say there is no consensus on what the proper dosage is for ginger. They also advise pregnant women not to use it.

medical research: A great deal of the research into ginger and its medicinal properties has focused on its antiemetic and antinausea effects. According to a study published in the British medical journal Lancet, ginger seemed to be more effective than some standard drugs in treating motion sickness and dizziness. According to the Lancet results, volunteers who took ginger were able to endure artificially created seasickness (from a mechanical rocking chair) 57 percent longer than those who used Dramamine.

Ginger is also seen as being useful for controlling and relieving the nausea that can result from cancer chemotherapy. Researchers in India in 1997 tested the ability of ginger extract to alleviate the gastrointestinal distress associated with chemotherapy. The researchers fed laboratory rats an extract of ginger in varying doses before giving the animals cisplatin, an anticancer chemical. The test results showed that ginger was able to increase the rate at which the rats' stomachs emptied, leading the researchers to conclude that ginger may relieve the abdominal symptoms associated with chemotherapy.

Additional studies using acetone extracts of ginger in laboratory rats showed that two constituents of the plant, known collectively as gingerol, were responsible for increased bile production in the animals. This indicated that extracts of gingerroot can play an important role in digestion and food absorption.

Herbs: Eucalyptus

2009-06-22T12:25:00.000-07:00

Eucalyptus

scientific name: Eucalyptus globulus

other common names: Australian fever tree, euca-lypto, eucalypt

growing areas: Native to Australia; also grows in the Mediterranean area and South America

physical description: It is a fast-growing tree that can reach 400 feet in some areas.

traditional uses: When the eucalyptus tree was first planted in the Mediterranean, it gained a reputation as an antimalarial plant—primarily, it seems, because it absorbed a great deal of water through its roots and effectively dried up swamps and waterways where mosquitoes bred. The oil of the leaves, which has a distinctive aroma similar to camphor, has been used in many cultures to treat colds, flu, bronchitis, and catarrh, mainly because of the way it can open up bronchial tubes and relieve congestion. It is considered to be an expectorant and weak antispasmodic, for which it has been reported to be used in Turkey. It is widely used in South America to treat respiratory infections and as a rubefacient, a substance that increases blood flow to the skin. Some herbalists say it is also an effective treatment for small cuts on the skin. Others report that a piece of cloth soaked in the oil can repel cockroaches.

Commission E has labeled eucalyptus as an expectorant, secretomotory, and mild antispasmodic. It is used in small amounts in over-the-counter cold and cough remedies.

availability and dosage: Available in botdnicas in the form of dried leaves and also as a volatile oil prepared from the leaves through a distillation process. Some herbalists recommend boiling a few leaves or a few drops of essential oil in water as an inhalant. For minor cuts, a drop or two of essential oil rubbed on the affected area is sometimes recommended by herbalists.

contraindications: Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding, as well as anyone suffering from low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Commission E says it is contraindicated for persons suffering from inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and bile ducts, as well as severe liver disease.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.

Despite the fact that it is widely used to treat respiratory infections and catarrh, eucalyptus has to be treated with care. If taken internally, eucalyptus oil can cause nausea and vomiting and can even be fatal. It may on occasion cause skin irritation. Researchers have also noted that essential oil from eucalyptus can be a powerful convulsant and may prompt seizures. Commission E recommends that it not be used on the faces of babies and young children, probably because it might be ingested. Commission E also says eucalyptus stimulates the enzyme system of the liver involved in the detoxification process and as a result can weaken or alter the effects of other drugs.

medical research: Tests done in Guatemala of a number of plants used for the treatment of respiratory ailments examined their antibacterial activity on commercially prepared strains of bacteria, including those that cause pneumonia and staphylococcus infections. The test results showed that extracts of Eucalyptus globulus were among the plants shown to be highly active against the bacteria during the in vitro tests. However, further tests on humans were needed to examine the properties of the extract, according to the researchers.

Herbs: Espinheira Santa

2009-06-22T12:23:00.000-07:00

Espinheira Santa

scientific name: Maytenus ilicifolia other common names: Cancrosa growing areas: Native to Brazil; grows throughout South America

physical description: It is a small evergreen tree, resembling holly, that grows to a height of about 15 feet. Its leaves are oval-shaped and serrated.

traditional uses: Leaves of the tree are popular as a medicine for the treatment of ulcers, dyspepsia, and other stomach problems in Brazil, where it is also reputed to be a good antacid. The Journal of Ethnopharma-cology reports that leaves of the tree are also often used to make a tea, known as abafado. It is also used as a traditional contraceptive in Paraguay.

availability and dosage: Available as a leaf powder or as cut-and-sifted bark. Dosages vary. Herbalists also recommend a half cup of a boiled extract two or three times a day.

contraindications: None noted.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.
Though tests on animals for toxicity showed no adverse effects, the plant did act as a significant sedative and might, if used by humans in significant amounts, accentuate the effect of other drugs that can cause drowsiness, such as antihistamines.

medical research: A number of tests have been done in Brazil on laboratory animals to test the anti-ulcer effects of the plant, as well as its possible toxicity, with what appear to be encouraging results. One test, using rats who were given a chemical to induce a gastric ulcer, showed that a water extract of dried Maytenus leaves increased the pH of the gastric juices of the animals, thus making the stomachs less acidic and better able to resist tissue damage. These results thus confirm the popular use of this plant. Another study in rats and mice found that different doses, including some that were four hundred times those used by humans, did not appear to have any toxic effect on the mice, nor did the plant impact the animals' fertility. High doses of the plant preparation did act as a sedative when given by injection. However, the overall results led researchers to conclude that Maytenus may be a safe plant for human use and deserving of further investigation.

But not so promising have been tests performed on cancer patients in the United States of the compounds, maytansine and mayteine that are found in the plant. While there was some effect seen on ovarian cancer and some lymphomas with maytansine, the substance was deemed toxic at the higher doses that were needed to be used, according to a report in a medical journal.

Herbs: Erva Tostao

2009-06-22T12:22:00.000-07:00

ErvaTostao

scientific name: Boerhaavia hirsuta

other common names: Pigweed, hog weed, pega-pinto

growing areas: Wide growing area stretching from the West Indies, Argentina, and Mexico to Central America

physical description: This perennial ground weed that proliferates throughout the tropics has a starchy, thick tap root. Its flowers are pink, and the seeds are coated with gummy hairs that tend to cling to people, birds, and animals, said Morton. traditional uses: In Latin America, it has served a number of uses, including as a treatment for asthma, as an expectorant, and as a diuretic. It is also reported to be used in Brazil as a cholagogue and as a treatment r gallstones. Researchers also report that a decoction adVfrom the root has been used to halt uterine bleeding. For liver problems, a plaster made from powdered leaves has been placed over the area beneath which the organ lies.

In the Ayurvedic tradition of Indian folk medicine, erva tostao has been used as a diuretic and as a treatment for edema.

availability and dosage: It is available as a leaf powder. Dosages vary.
contraindications: None noted.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.
High doses are said to cause vomiting.

medical research: Researchers in India have tested erva tostao's use as a diuretic and anti-inflammatory. The researchers chemically induced swelling in the paws of rats and measured the reduction after an extract of the plant was given to the animals. They found a significant reduction in swelling after the extract was administered. The study also measured urine output from the animals after the extract was given and found increases in urine output.

The Indian research also found that the plant had maximal effect when the extract was taken from the roots and leaves rather than the stems. It was also determined that the time of the harvesting of the plants had an impact on the plant's medicinal effects, with maximal effectiveness if harvested during the rainy season.

Herbs: Embauba

2009-06-22T12:13:00.000-07:00

Embauba

scientific name: Cecropia peltata other common names: Trumpet tree, trompette, imbauha growing areas: West Indies, Mexico, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, Yucatan, Costa Rica, Honduras, Colombia, and Suriname; also grown as an ornamental plant in Florida

physical description: This fast-growing tree can reach up to 65 feet in height. It produces a sap described as a watery or gummy latex. Its leaves have hairy stems. The flowers develop into a spike, which in turn develops into a fleshy fruit that is soft and Sweet when ripe.

traditional uses: Cubans use the leaf as a tea for asthma and the latex as an astringent as well as a treatment for calluses and ulcers. In Guatemala, a decoction is used as a diuretic and a remedy for whooping cough. In Argentina, it has been reportedly used for Parkinson's disease. It has a wide reputation in the Caribbean as a treatment for asthma.

availability and dosage: Available as powdered leaf. Dosages vary. Herbalists recommend a half cup of the leaf infusion up to two times a day.

contraindications: Patients with heart conditions should not take embauba.
special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.

It has been used to treat diabetes in Barbados. But there is a risk that blood sugar will drop too low, possibly leading to diabetic coma.

medical research: A study in Cuba of an embauba extract showed that it had the ability to inhibit the growth of fungus.

Herbs: Dragon's Blood

2009-06-22T12:11:00.000-07:00

Dragon's Blood

scientific name: Croton lechleri

other common names: Sangre de draco, sangre de drago, sangre de grado

growing areas: Peru, Ecuador, and Brazil

physical description: The tree has heart-shaped, lime-colored leaves. The tree produces a red sap, hence the name dragon's blood.

traditional uses: Peruvian Indians would extract the red sap from the tree and use it as an astringent to help heal wounds and also as a vaginal bath before childbirth. It has been used as a traditional medicine in Latin America for inflammation, cancer, and infections. The harm that can befall the tree from the harvesting of the sap has raised concern from botanists and conservationists.
availability and dosage: Available in liquid resin form, as cut-and-sifted bark, and as an extract. Dosages vary.
contraindications: None noted.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.

Researchers have cautioned against internal use of extracts of dragon's blood that have a high level of taspine, an alkaloid. Taspine levels can vary, depending upon the country of origin of the plant, with sap obtained from Ecuador having very little taspine but Peruvian sap having greater amounts.

medical research: Some studies have found that the taspine, found in the red sap of dragon's blood, appears to accelerate the healing of wounds. But later research at the University of London School of Pharmacy has cast doubt on taspine's wound-healing power, suggesting instead that substances known as polyphenols may be responsible.

The same British study also examined the ability of dragon's blood to kill certain human cancer cells and bacteria. In laboratory tests on samples of human oral cancer cells, dragon's blood sap proved toxic to those cells. In addition, other components in the sap were believed to be valuable in killing off bacteria, making dragon's blood useful as an anti-infective.

A San Francisco-based firm, Shaman Pharmaceuticals, filed a patent for a dragon's-blood-based drug called Provir, based on early tests showing that 89 percent of 75 people afflicted with acute diarrhea experienced a return to normal bowel function after taking the drug. Data indicated that Provir acted by inhibiting the secretion of chloride ions from the lining of the small intestine, which tends to lead to an accumulation of fluid in that organ. This allowed Provir to treat so-called watery diarrhea, often an affliction of AIDS patients. In 1998 it was announced that trials had shown that AIDS patients who used Provir showed a significant reduction in bowel miovements associated with diarrhea. In 1999 Shaman began marketing a similar product under the label SB-Normal Stool Formula as a dietary supplement.

In 1997, tests of Virend, a topical antiviral agent that Shaman derived from dragon's blood, showed that the drug reduced genital herpes lesions in AIDS patients. It appeared that Virend binds to the herpes virus and prevents it from binding to the cells of the host person, the company said. Further tests were planned.

Herbs: Copaiba

2009-06-22T12:08:00.000-07:00

Copaiba

scientific name: Copaifera officinalis other common names: Jesuit's balsam, copal,

balsam growing areas: Brazil, Peru, Panama, and Venezuela physical description: It is a large tree that can grow up to 100 feet in height.

traditional uses:. The tree produces an oleoresin, which is obtained through cuts made on the bark. The resin is bitter to the taste and yellow-brown in color. In traditional medicine, the resin has been used for the treatment of bronchitis, catarrh, and inflammation of the gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts. It has also been used as a styptic for wounds and ulcers to promote healing. Though it is a plant native to Latin America, copaiba was introduced to Europe in the sixteenth century.

Copaiba has also been used for nonmedicinal purposes, such as as an additive to perfumes and varnishes. availability and dosage: Available as an oil, usually sold by the ounce. Dosages vary.

contraindications: None noted.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.

Researchers report that large doses can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and skin rashes.
medical research: Researchers in Brazil found in a 1998 study that rats fed an extract of the resin of copaiba suffered less damage to their stomach tissue from chemicals meant to induce gastric ulcers. The researchers concluded that the resin increased mucus production in the stomach and acted as an antacid.

Herbs: Contribo

2009-06-22T12:07:00.000-07:00

Contribo

scientific name: Aristolochiagrandiflora other common names: Duckflower, alcatraz, hierba del indio

growing areas: The southern part of Mexico to Panama
physical description: A hairy vine that grows along streams and in other wet areas. The leaves are long-stemmed and appear heart-shaped. In her encyclopedic atlas of plant life, Julia Morton has described the flower of the vine before opening as resembling the shape of a duck, with the stalk appearing like a bill and a slender tail dangling at the other end.

traditional uses: It has a number of reported uses in Central America. Based on their studies in Central America, Michael Balick and Rosita Arvigo say that contribo is one of the most popular herbal remedies in Belize. They report that contribo can often be seen soaking in a bottle of rum at saloons, since it is taken by the shot for everything from hangovers and flu to flatulence, late menstrual periods, and irregular heartbeat. The crushed leaves are sometimes applied as a plaster for skin diseases, as a poultice for snakebite, and as an emmena-gogue and treatment for diarrhea, according to Morton.

availability and dosage: Generally not available in the United States. In Belize, the vine is used to make a decoction or infusion.

contraindications: None noted.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.

It has reportedly been used to poison humans, according to Morton. Balick and Arvigo also note that contribo contains aristolochic acid, a mutagen and carcinogen in animals, and that the use of the plant on a continuing basis "cannot be recommended." That being the case, it should be avoided. medical research: Balick and Arvigo reported that contribo extracts have been tested and were not found to have any antimalarial or insecticidal activity.

Herbs: Chuchuhuasha

2009-06-22T12:06:00.000-07:00

Chuchuhuasha

scientific name: Maytenus laevis

other common names: Chucchu, chuchuhaso

growing areas: Areas of the Amazon basin, including Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia
physical description: It is a large tree that can grow to the height of 100 feet, creating a canopy in the forest. Its leaves can grow up to 12 inches long. It produces a small white flower.

traditional uses: It is reported to be used by several tribes in the sub-Andean rain forest. An alcohol infusion made from the powdered root bark has been used as a tonic for treating arthritis and rheumatism and even as an aphrodisiac. Extracts from a related species (Mayte-nus ilicifolia) are reported to have been used by one tribe of indigenous people in the Amazon for birth control. Chuchuhuasha has also been used as an antitumor agent for skin cancer.

availability and dosage: The bark is available in powdered form. Dosages vary. Some herbalists recommend taking one cup of a bark decoction up to three times a day.

contraindications: None noted.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.

medical research: Chemicals extracted from the bark have been found by Italian researchers to have antitumor and anti-inflammatory effects. However, a study done by researchers in Spain showed that extracts of a related species, Maytenus macrocarpa, did not have any antitumor activity against human lung, colon, and melanoma cancer cells in a laboratory setting.

Herbs: Chamomile

2009-06-22T12:05:00.000-07:00

Chamomile

scientific name: Matricaria chamomilla

other common names: Manzanilla, English chamomile, German chamomile

growing areas: Native to Europe; grows in the United States and Central and South America

physical description: It is an annual flowering herb. M. chamomilla is the more widely known variety and is grown in the United States. It can reach a height of 3 feet. Another variety, Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis), tends to grow about 8 inches high. Both varieties have flowers with small white petals and yellow centers.
traditional uses: Of all the medicinal plants used to cure indigestion, probably none is as well known as chamomile. It has a long history of medicinal use stretching back to the time of the ancient Egyptians and Romans. Botanical historians say that the Germans have used it for centuries to treat not only stomach upset but also menstrual problems such as cramps. Doctors in England and the colony of Virginia also included chamomile in their bags of medicinals. In modern-day Eastern Europe, particularly in Romania, children were sometimes asked to bring chamomile plants to school during government-run collection campaigns.
Chamomile is believed to have been brought to the United States by immigrants from Europe, but its use has spread throughout the Hispanic cultures, where it is considered one of the key remedios. Considered by some to be "herbal aspirin," chamomile use is so widespread among Hispanics that one survey found it to be among the top ten substances used by mothers in Puerto Rican communities for treating asthma. In another survey done in ethnic Mexican communities along a portion of the Texas-Mexico border, chamomile was the most frequently mentioned home remedy.
Known popularly among Hispanics as manzanilla, chamomile tea is used to treat abdominal pain, vomiting, and other forms of gastrointestinal distress among children. Mexicans tend to use chamomile to treat conditions among children known as empacho, or blocked intestine, and colico, or colic. It is also reported to be used to treat menstrual and other gynecological problems.

The traditional uses and benefits of chamomile, in both European and Hispanic cultures, have earned it a reputation for being an antispasmodic, antibacterial, deodorant, and sedative.

availability and dosage: It is widely available in tea form throughout the United States at the retail level. Loose chamomile flowers and crushed plants can be purchased as well for the making of teas or for use in baths. Chamomile oil is also available. Dosages vary. It is also available in capsule form in doses up to 350 milligrams.

contraindications: While Commission E said there were no known contraindications for chamomile, other researchers in the United States recommend that it should be avoided by pregnant and breast-feeding women. Caution is urged for people who are sensitive to certain volatile oils or may develop contact dermatitis.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.

In their professional handbook on complementary and alternative medicines, pharmacists Charles W. Fetrow and Juan R. Avila report that chamomile is believed to be an abortifacient and should be avoided by pregnant women.

medical research: A test done of patients undergoing cardiac catheterization showed that chamomile had no effect on heart function but put 80 percent of the patients to sleep shortly after drinking tea made from the herb.

A study done on rats determined that one of the most active substances in chamomile was bisabolol, a compound that suppresses the formation of chemically induced ulcers. Another study carried out with mice evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity of a chamomile extract. The animals' ears were chemically treated to induce swelling and then given a topical application of the extract. The chamomile extract was found to have reduced the swelling to a degree similar to that obtained with anti-inflammatory steroids.

Herbs: Cha de Bugre

2009-06-22T12:03:00.000-07:00

Cha de Bugre

scientific name: Cordia salicifolia

other common names: Cafe do mato, cafe de bugre

growing areas: Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay

physical description: It is a small tree that grows to a height of about 18 feet.

traditional uses: In Brazil, according to Leslie Taylor, it is known as cafe do mato, "coffee of the woods," because of the red fruit produced by the plant, which resembles a coffee bean. The fruit is roasted and brewed into a tea with a high caffeine content, said Taylor. It is widely sold in pharmacies and stores in Brazil as a tea, tincture, and floral extract. It is used as an appetite stimulant, energy booster, and diuretic, most likely because of the caffeine content.

availability and dosage: Available as a powdered herb made from the leaf. Dosages vary.

contraindications: None noted.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.

medical research: Researchers in Japan have shown that an extract from cha de bugre inhibited the growth of herpes simplex virus type 1, which is responsible for cold sores in humans.

Herbs: Cat's Claw

2009-06-22T12:02:00.000-07:00

Cat's Claw

scientific name: Uncaria tomentosa other common names: Una de gato, hawk's claw growing areas: Peruvian rain forests of the Amazon basin, as well as Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Trinidad, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama, and Venezuela physical description: The plant grows as a woody vine and can reach heights of around 100 feet. It earned the common name cat's claw from the claw-shaped thorns that grow from the base of the leaves. Both the bark and the root of the vine are used in the preparation of medicine. The inner bark is preferred as a medicinal source because it regenerates and its harvesting does not harm the vine.

traditional uses: Cat's claw has a history of use going back to the time of the Incas, and it has been continuously used by indigenous peoples of South America for two thousand years. Cat's claw has been used by the Ashaninka Indians of central Peru to treat asthma, urinary tract inflammation, arthritis, and rheumatism. It has also been used by indigenous peoples to treat general inflammations and to treat wounds. In addition, some Indian peoples in Colombia are reported to use it to treat gonorrhea and dysentery.

availability and dosage: It can be found in liquid extract and as bark powder in capsule form. Dosages vary, though'capsules can range from 25 milligrams to 500 milligrams. The raw herb can be found in cut-and-dried form in botanicas.

contraindications: Experts say it is contraindicated for persons undergoing skin grafts and organ transplants, as well as those suffering from coagulation disorders, tuberculosis, and autoimmune diseases.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.
Experts caution that persons taking the herb should watch for signs of bleeding and possible hypotension (low blood pressure).

medical research: Though it has been used medicinally for thousands of years, medical research into cat's claw is relatively new. Interest increased among researchers after 1970, and in 1994 the World Health Organization sponsored a conference in which cat's claw was recognized as a medicinal plant.
Researchers have focused attention on several phyto-chemicals in cat's claw. Among them are okindole alkaloids, found in the bark and roots, which help stimulate the immune system. Researchers have found that other alkaloids present in the plant have diuretic and hypertensive effects and lower the heart rate. Other substances found in cat's claw are believed by researchers to show antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Flavo-noids, which are plant substances that give color to flowers and leaves, also protect the human body's cells from damage by oxidation.
The properties of cat's claw are making it useful in the study of possible treatments for AIDS, leukemia, and other forms of cancer. In mid-1999 researchers led by Alan Snow, Ph.D., of the University of Washington in Seattle announced that the National Institutes of Health were funding a study of a substance derived from cat's claw that has been found to inhibit the formation in rats of brain plaque like that associated with Alzheimer's disease. Similar effects were also found when the cat's claw substance, identified as the proprietary product PTI-00703®, was combined with another well-known botanical substance, ginkgo biloba. The results of the clinical trials are expected to be known by early 2001.

Herbs: Casca-de-anta

2009-06-22T11:59:00.000-07:00

Casca-de-anta

scientific name: Drimys winteri other common names: Winter's cinnamon, canelo, aktarcin

growing areas: Native to Brazil; grows in forests from southern Mexico to Cape Horn, at the very tip of Argentina; also grown as an ornamental plant in England
physical description: It is a tree that grows up to 30 feet in height. It produces a lot of small white flowers with yellow centers and a small seed pod. The flowers have a fragrant scent, like jasmine, and the seeds are fleshy and aromatic. The leaves have a peppery taste and are used as a condiment.

traditional uses: The tree is named after Captain John Winter, who used the bark in the area of the Strait of Magellan to treat the crew of his ship, Elizabeth, for scurvy during the voyage of Sir Francis Drake's fleet around the world in the sixteenth century. His discovery of it as a remedy led to a great demand for the botanical in Europe.

In Brazil, according to Taylor, the bark is used as a treatment for respiratory ailments, asthma, gastrointestinal disorders such as dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting, and colic. It has sometimes been substituted for quinine to treat malaria. In Costa Rica, the bark is chewed to relieve toothaches, and an infusion is used to treat stomach disorders, said Morton.

availability and dosage: The bark is used as an infusion. It is not believed to be available in the United States.

contraindications: None noted.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes. medical research: As with many botanical substances, studies done of the properties of casca-de-anta have relied on animal test subjects, not humans. But in using mice and guinea pigs, researchers in Brazil have come up with some findings that they believe point the way to further study of the plant as a human medicine, particularly in the treatment of diseases affecting the throat and lungs. In one case, mice who were suffering from a chemically induced swelling of the paw were shown to have significantly increased survival rates when given an extract of the plant. From this, the researchers concluded that the bark of casca-de-anta contained substances that had anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties, thus confirming its use as a folk medicine for the management of breathing problems such as asthma. In a different study, this time using guinea pigs suffering from chemically induced inflammations of the trachea, a major constituent of the bark known as polygodial was shown to interfere with constriction in the airway of the animals.

Another animal study, using mice, indicated that polygodial extracts had an antinociceptive action on animals suffering from the effects of acetic acid given internally. The acid has the effect of causing abdominal contractions, but in the test the plant extracts appeared to diminish the muscle activity, more so than aspirin and acetaminophen, two drugs used in the study for comparison.

Herbs: Carqueja

2009-06-22T11:58:00.000-07:00

Carqueja

scientific name: Baccharisgenistelloides other common names: Bacanta, cacalia amara, cuchi-cuchi

growing areas: Swampy areas of Peru, Brazil, and Colombia
physical description: Carqueja is a perennial herb that grows to a height of about 20 inches. It produces a yellow flower.

traditional uses: In traditional medicine in South America it has been used by indigenous peoples to treat sterility in women and impotence in men. It has been used to treat liver and stomach disorders, fever, sore throat, leprosy, and malaria, according to author Leslie Taylor.
availability and dosage: It can be found in powder
and capsule forms. Dosages vary.

contraindications: None noted.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.

medical research: According to Taylor, medical studies with mice are said to show that carqueja protects the liver. One study has shown it has the ability to reduce blood sugar, while another shows it reduces gastric secretions.
In a Brazilian laboratory study, an extract of a related species was found to be active against herpes simplex type 1 virus and the virus that causes vesicular stomatitis, but not, apparently, against polio virus type 1.

Herbs: Canafistula

2009-06-22T11:57:00.000-07:00

Canafistula

scientific name: Cassia fistula

other common names: Casse, cassia, purging cassia, chacara, hojasen

growing areas: Native to South Asia, particularly India and Ceylon; cultivated widely in the tropics and as an ornamental tree in southern Florida, the West Indies, and Central and South America

physical description: Cassia fistula grows to a height of about 30 feet. Its flowers are light yellow and grow in hanging clumps. The seed pods are cylindrical and have a woody brown shell up to 24 inches long, according to Julia Morton. The spaces between the seeds within the pods are filled with a sweet pulp, she said. traditional uses: It was given the name purging cassia in Europe during the Middle Ages and was used at that time in an Italian medical school as a purgative. In Latin America, the pulpy seed partitions have been eaten as a laxative or steeped in water for the same use. A syrup made with the flowers has also been used as a laxative.
In Guatemala, the juice of canafistula is one of several remedies used to treat urinary ailments.

availability and dosage: Canafistula does not appear to be available in the United States.

contraindications: Because of its reputation as a laxative, it should not be used by pregnant women.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.

medical research: In a 1987 study in Guatemala, canafistula was found to have a pronounced diuretic effect in rats.

In 1998 researchers in India began to focus on the use of canafistula to protect the liver. In a study, rats given an extract of canafistula leaf suffered less liver damage from a dose of carbon tetrachloride than rats that did not receive the extract. The effect of canafistula to reduce the damage was similar to what was observed in the use of commercially prepared drugs prescribed to treat liver problems, according to the study.

Herbs: Camphor

2009-06-22T11:56:00.000-07:00

Camphor

scientific name: Cinnamomum camphora

other common names: Alcanfor
growing areas: Once native to China, now cultivated, in numerous tropical and subtropical areas

physical description: The tree is an evergreen that can grow up to 100 feet in height. Its leaves start out as red but change to a darker shade of green as the tree matures. It produces oval red berries and fragrant yellow flowers.
Camphor is obtained from the tree by steam distillation.

traditional uses: In Puerto Rican households, camphor-based rubbing ointments are commonly used on the back and chest to treat respiratory problems such as the common cold.

In Latin America, a solution of camphor in wine used as a liniment is a folk remedy for tumors. In Mexico, according to James Duke, a mix of camphor and olive oil is popular for treating bruises and neuralgia. Camphor is also used to treat muscle aches, rheumatism, bronchitis, asthma, and lung congestion. It has been used as a rubifacient. Small doses have been taken internally for diarrhea and colds.
availability and dosage: Camphor is sold in botani-cas as small, semisolid, translucent blocks. It is also contained in some well-known products such as Vicks VapoRub.

Commission E recommends external use of semisolid preparations that contain 10 to 20 percent camphor. contraindications: Camphor can cause a burning sensation on injured skin. It is also not advisable to use it on the facial areas of small children and infants.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.

Medical journals have reported cases of seizures believed to have been brought on by camphor. Contact eczema is possible when used externally. While Commission E indicates that camphor can be taken internally, a 1994 report by the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs stated that ingestion of camphor can cause life-threatening problems. Toxic effects are said to include convulsions, dizziness, coma, and death.

medical research: Camphor was one of a number of essential oils of plants said to be a powerful convulsant, according to one medical survey that tracked incidents involving three adults and one child who suffered from seizures. New Zealand researchers also reported the case of one twenty-month-old girl who suffered a seizure after ingesting camphor and had to be put on a ventilator. The child survived.

Herbs: Cajueiro

2009-06-22T11:55:00.000-07:00

Cajueiro

scientific name: Anacardium occidentale other common names: Cashew, caju, acajuiba, pomme cajou

growing areas: Native to Brazil; also grows in tropical areas of Central and South America, as well as the West Indies

physical description: The cashew tree grows to a height of about 25 to 30 feet with low branches. It has a rough bark. The "fruit" of the tree, known as the cashew fruit or cashew apple, is a peduncle that is fleshy and juicy. Attached to the tip of this is the cashew nut, the true fruit.

traditional uses: In Venezuela, a decoction of the cashew leaf is used to treat diarrhea and is believed to be a treatment for diabetes. Pulverized cashew tree bark, soaked in water for twenty-four hours, is also reported to be used in Colombia for diabetes.

The juice of the false cashew fruit has been used as a diuretic in Brazil, as well as a remedy for vomiting, diarrhea, and sore throat. Peruvians also have used a tea of the cashew tree leaf as a treatment for diarrhea, while a tea from the bark has been used as a vaginal douche, said Taylor. Leaf infusions have been used to treat toothache and sore throat and as a febrifuge.
The cashew nut must be cleaned and processed to remove a toxic oil that can blister the skin.

availability and dosage: A 4:1 extract in powder obtained from the root is available. Dosages vary. Cashew oil is also available in botdnicas and supermarkets for external use.

contraindications: None noted.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.

The oil from the shell can cause severe dermatitis, with blistering and swelling. Even smoke from roasting cashew nuts can be irritating. Researchers have also cautioned that tannins found in the cashew bark have been documented as being toxic to humans and that the internal use of the bark must be discouraged.

medical research: Tannins obtained from the bark of cashew trees were used in an experiment with lab rats in Brazil to test their anti-inflammatory actions. Researchers found that rats suffering from chemically induced swollen paws experienced reduced inflammation, apparently as a result of the tannins in an extract of the bark, according to the researchers. However, the study cautioned that while some folk remedies call for the use of a decoction of the cashew bark to treat rheumatism, tannins can have a toxic effect in humans and animals when taken internally.

Additional studies in India determined that extracts and oil of cashew nut shell were found to be nonmuta-genic and generally did not promote tumor growth, though one aspect of the study indicated a weak tumor-promoting effect.

A study in England of plants traditionally used in northern Europe to treat diabetes mellitus determined that cashew did not affect glucose level or glucose metabolism in mice.

Herbs: Boldo

2009-06-22T11:43:00.000-07:00

Boldo

scientific name: Peumus boldus

other common names: Boldino, bolde

growing areas: Chile and Peru, as well as parts of Europe and North America

physical description: A common evergreen, it grows to a height of 25 feet and has leathery leaves that exude a lemon scent.

traditional uses: Boldo is used widely in Central and South America as a medicinal tea to treat a number of gastrointestinal problems. The dried leaves are used as a mild diuretic, choleretic, and blood tonic. Chileans have used it to cure earaches as well as urogenital inflammations, including those brought on by venereal disease. Throughout Latin America, a warm bath with a leaf decoction of boldo is used for rheumatism and dropsy.

availability and dosage: Powdered and dried leaves are available. Commission E recommends an average dose of 3 grams of the herb that are free of ascarida. Some herbalists recommend a half cup of leaf infusion up to two times a day.

contraindications: Commission E reports that contraindications for use of boldo include obstruction of bile ducts and severe liver disease. If gallstones are present, it is recommended that boldo be used only with a physician's approval. special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.

James Duke says the genus Peumus contains the toxins pachycarpine and terpineol. The essential oil of boldo should not be used, according to Commission E.
Boldo should not be taken during pregnancy, according to Andrew Chevallier in The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants.

medical research: In laboratory studies using animals as subjects, it was found that boldino, the major alkaloid found in the leaves and bark of boldo, acts as an antiinflammatory agent. A study in Chile in 1996 showed that administration of boldine protected rats against induced injury to the colon. The researchers believed the protection was due to the antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects of the boldine.

In another study, this time in Taiwan in 1997, researchers showed that an extract of boldine induced muscle contractions in mice.

Commission E asserts that boldine is used as a choleretic, but tests with rats did not confirm what is believed to be boldine's ability to stimulate production of bile from the gallbladder.

Herbs: Basil

2009-06-22T11:42:00.000-07:00

Basil

scientific name: Ocimum basilicum

other common names: Sweet basil, alboharcar

growing areas: Native to the Indian subcontinent; thrives in temperate and tropical zones

physical description: It is an annual herb plant that grows to a height of about 2 feet and has a squarish stem that bears many aromatic branches of about 4 inches in length.

traditional uses: What cook does not know about basil? This aromatic herb is used in many cultures in the preparation of food. But it also has a history of medicinal use dating back to the time of the ancient Romans and Greeks. In folklore, basil has been associated with love among the Italians; a woman is said to place a pot of it on her balcony to signify she is ready to receive her lover. It has been held as sacred in India, where it has been used in burial rites.

In traditional medicine, it has been used to bring on delayed menstruation in Belize and to ameliorate painful periods, according to botanist Michael Balick. Elsewhere it has been used as an anti-inflammatory, for stomachaches, to treat intestinal parasites, and to lower blood sugar. Balick reported that it has also been used in Belize to treat earaches.

Among Mexicans on both sides of the border, it is reported to be one of the most common herbs used to treat susto, or gastrointestinal blockage. In the curanderismo ritual of barrida, aimed at warding off evil spirits, basil is also used as a cleansing agent, according to researchers. availability and dosage: Fresh basil is readily available in food and vegetable stores, as well as botdni-cas. Dried basil is available in the spice sections of supermarkets.

Herbalists recommend using up to 3 teaspoons of dried basil leaf, or 2.5 grams, in a cup of boiling water to make an infusion for drinking. The liquid extract is also available.

contraindications: Because it is used in some cultures to promote menstruation, basil should not be used in medicinal quantity by pregnant women. It should also be used cautiously by diabetics because it is believed to lower blood sugar, which if not monitored can lead to hypoglycemia. Researchers also say it should not be given to young children or mothers who are breast-feeding.
special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.

There are contradictory qualities attributed to basil that should be taken into consideration when its medicinal use is contemplated. While basil has been used as a medicinal plant to fight infection and to take care of gastrointestinal upset, it also contains estragol, a compound that is considered carcinogenic in animals.

medical research: In laboratory tests, the essential oil of basil has been found to show antibacterial, antiyeast, and insecticidal action, according to Balick. A human study showed that basil significantly reduced blood glucose levels, according to Fetrow and Avila.

Herbs: Balsam of Tolu

2009-06-22T11:39:00.000-07:00

Balsam of Tolu

scientific name: Myroxylon balsamum
other common names: Balsam of Peru, balsam de Peru, balsamo de Peru

growing areas: Native to southern Mexico and Panama; also cultivated in Central and South America, West Africa, and Ceylon

physical description: It is a tall tree that can grow to a height of up to 100 feet. Its bark, when cut, exudes an aromatic brown resin. The tree's flowers are fragrant and white and its leaves are evergreen.

traditional uses: The tree is one of a number of botanicals that were discovered by European colonists in Latin America to be useful in commerce. Legend has it that the tree was so named because the balsam was originally shipped to Spain from Callao in Peru. The balsam was so prized as incense, according to one historian, that a papal edict prohibited destruction of the tree. The balsam is obtained by injury to the tree by scoring part of the bark, which drops off and exposes the underlying wood, which then exudes the balsam. The purified balsam is then solidified. Over the years, balsam and essential oils derived from it have been used to flavor foods, soft drinks, and chewing gum.

Balsam has been used in Guatemala as a treatment for itching skin, and it is considered an irritant that sensitizes skin. In addition, Guatemalans are reported to use the dried fruit as a decoction after childbirth.

In Mexico, balsam is reported to be popular for the treatment of asthma, catarrh, and rheumatism.

On the island of Chira, off Costa Rica, the resin from the tree is used to treat toothaches by applying it to the cheek, according to Julia Morton. availability and

dosage: Powdered resin and bark are available in tablets or capsules. Dosages can vary. Commission E recommends 0.6 grams a day.

contraindications: None noted.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.

There have been some reports of systemic toxicity in infants from the absorption of balsam after being applied to the nipples of nursing mothers to treat scabies, according to Fetrow and Avila. medical research: Commission E considers balsam to be useful for treating catarrh.

A study done in Greece found that balsam of Peru caused a contact dermatitis reaction in 113 of 664 patients.

Herbs: Arrowroot

2009-06-22T11:36:00.000-07:00

Arrowroot

scientific name: Maranta amndinacea other common names: Sagu, Bermuda arrowroot, ararot

growing areas: Trinidad, Dominican Republic

physical description: Defined as an herb with a carrot-shaped, tuberous rhizome that grows to a length of 8 inches. The rhizomes are covered with a white, resinous skin coated with dry scales.

traditional uses: As with a number of the medicinal plants used among Hispanic cultures, arrowroot is also an important food product. Starch from the plant is used widely as a foodstuff, and the rhizomes can be eaten either boiled or roasted. Arrowroot is also used in the manufacture of face powders and glue.
In terms of medicinal uses, arrowroot is believed to have received its name from indigenous peoples in Latin America who applied it to wounds from poison arrows.
In Yucatan, a poultice made from pounded arrowroot rhizomes has been used on ulcers and wounds. The rhizomes are also eaten in Yucatan for urogenital tract ailments. In Trinidad, arrowroot is used to treat sunburn and as a demulcent.

availability and dosage: Arrowroot is available in powder and capsule form. Dosages vary.

contraindications: None noted.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.
The starch of arrowroot can produce respiratory allergic reactions.

medical research: A pilot study by researchers in the United Kingdom found that arrowroot powder administered to eleven patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea had the effect of reducing the diarrhea and easing abdominal pain.

scientific name: Adiantum capillus-veneris

other common names: Maidenhair fern, maidenhair, adianto, culantrillo
growing areas: Southern United States to the Caribbean, tropical areas of Central and South America

physical description: It is a perennial herb with brown, hairy rhizomes, slender roots, and erect stems that can grow to a height of about 10 inches. Its roots are slender.

traditional uses: In a number of areas of South America, particularly Colombia and Brazil, avenca is used as an expectorant, with a decoction made from the entire plant. In Mexico and Argentina, a decoction of the fern is reported to be used to relieve sore throat and rheumatism.

It is also reported to be used in parts of Latin America as an emmenagogue, a substance that can induce menstruation. It also has been used to hasten labor in childbirth.

availability and dosage: Powdered avenca leaf is available in tablets or capsules. Dosages vary. Some herbalists recommend a half cup of a decoction taken twice a day. contraindications: None noted.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes. Avenca's use in traditional medicine to stimulate menstruation presents some risk that it could cause an
abortion.

medical research: In 1989 Iraqi scientists reportedly demonstrated avenca's antimicrobial properties in a series of in vitro experiments using leaf extracts. The study showed the extract had antibacterial properties against E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus, according to the report.

It has also been reported that Belgian scientists in a study with mice determined that an avenca leaf extract had antihyperglycemic properties (i.e., prevented blood sugar from rising), according to author Leslie Taylor.

Herbs: Annatto

2009-06-22T11:34:00.000-07:00

Annatto

scientific name: Віха orellana

other common names: Achiote, Onoto, Achiotl

growing areas: Central and South America, as well as Mexico and the Caribbean
physical description: It is a shrub or small tree that can grow up to 30 feet tall. It is known for producing fruits covered with soft, red bristles that open when ripe to release seeds. The seeds are coated with a vermilion-colored oil. When crushed, the seeds make a red paste that is used as a food coloring and cloth dye. It also provides pigment for paints. In Belize, annatto is used to color rice red. Amazon tribes are also reported to use it for body paint and as protection from insects.
traditional uses: Tribes in the Amazon area have used annatto as an aphrodisiac and astringent. In Brazil and Mexico it has been used as a diuretic, astringent, and purgative. It has also been used by some indigenous peoples of South America for diarrhea and dysentery. In Caribbean areas it has been used for diabetes, as a tea for removing intestinal worms, and for making a bath. Ethnobotanists also report that ingestion of the seeds of annatto has served as an antidote for certain plant poisons in Venezuela, the Amazon, and Yucatan. The pulp surrounding the seeds is used as a dye and flavoring substance.

availability and dosage: The powdered leaf of annatto is available in tablet or capsule form. The seeds are also sold by the pound and ounce. Some herbalists recommend taking a half cup of a decoction up to three times a day.

contraindications: None found.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.
Some people have reported allergic reaction to the annatto seed, as well as a strong diuretic effect.

medical research: There do not appear to be any clinical trials or other research on humans involving annatto. Low blood sugar has been found in dogs that have been fed extracts from the plant seeds, which may explain why some Caribbean cultures have used annatto to treat diabetic conditions. Dr. Michael Balick, a botanist with the New York Botanical Garden, has reported that in vitro testing has shown how dried ethyl alcohol extracts of the dried fruit of annatto, as well as the leaf, had an effect against two forms of bacteria troublesome to humans: Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Both kinds of bacteria can cause gastrointestinal distress in humans. Balick also reported that an extract from the root of annatto was shown to have a smooth muscle relaxant effect on guinea pigs.

Herbs: Anise

2009-06-22T11:32:00.000-07:00

Anise

scientific name: Pimpinella anisum other common names: Anise

growing areas: While rooted historically in the Mediterranean area, it is widely available in South America. Spanish colonists brought it to the New World in the sixteenth century.

physical description: An annual plant that grows to a height of up to two feet, anise puts down a long taproot and produces small white and yellow flowers, as well as a fruit that when dried out is referred to as aniseed. The aniseed is processed to produce anise oil, a volatile oil, the main constituent of which is anethole. Another variety of the plant is known as star anise (Illicium vernum) and is reported to have common use in Hispanic folk medicine.

traditional uses: Anise is deeply rooted in history, and as an Old World herb was known to the ancient Egyptians and throughout the Mediterranean area. It was even mentioned in the works of Hammurabi, and botanical historians say Hippocrates recommended its use to clear the respiratory system. Dioscorides also listed it as a medicinal plant in his De materia medica. Its fragrance is also said to have made it valuable as a perfume. While used as a food additive—it has the taste of licorice—anise has been used medicinally as a treatment for abdominal upset and intestinal gas, as well as as a breath freshener. In medieval times, anise was used as a gargle solution with honey and vinegar to treat tonsillitis.

Within Hispanic cultures, particularly in Mexico, anise is one of the most common botanical substances used to treat colic in children. Commission E recommends its use for dyspeptic complaints as well as for catarrhs of the respiratory system. The commission reports that it has mild antispasmodic and antibacterial properties.

availability and dosage: It is found in a variety of sources, including lozenges, cough drops, and teas. Anise oil is also available commercially. Commission E reports an average daily dose of 3 grams of the drug for internal use, as well as a preparation for external use of 5 to 10 percent of anise essential oil.

contraindications: Commission E reports contraindications for allergy to anise and anethole, which is found in the essential oil.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes. Ingestion of anise oil has been known to cause vomiting, nausea, and pulmonary edema. Experts also caution about possible allergic reaction and contact dermatitis. Doctors and pharmacists have also warned pregnant women to steer clear of anise.

medical research: While Commission E generally considers anise to be safe, some experts in the United States do not believe there has been adequate scientific research done to justify some of the' claimed benefits attributed to it over the years. One animal study showed that anise oil had an effect on the smooth muscles of the tracheas of guinea pigs. But medical literature in the United States has not backed up the therapeutic uses of anise.

Herbs: Amor Seco

2009-06-22T09:22:00.000-07:00

Amor Seco

scientific name: Desmodium canum

other common names: Strong bark, Pega Pega, Iron Vine, Amor De Campo

growing areas: Found in many tropical countries and areas ranging from southern Florida to the Caribbean, Mexico, and Paraguay, as well as Africa

physical description: It is a small shrublike plant growing about a foot tall with light purple flowers and small green fruits. Its seed pods are a little over an inch long and Slightly curved, with hairs that can cling to clothing. In some countries it is found in swampy coastal areas.

traditional uses: Traditionally it has been a popular medicinal plant in Central and South America. Indigenous tribes in Brazil have used it to treat malaria, while Nicaraguans have used it for diarrhea, venereal disease', and to aid digestion. In other parts of South America it has been used to treat nervousness, vaginal infections, and asthma, according to author Leslie Taylor.
availability and dosage: Available as an herbal powder for the making of decoctions as well as in tablet form. Dosages vary.

contraindications: None reported.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.

medical research: While no major clinical trials have been carried out with amor seco, a number of studies have been performed that have focused on its use as an anti-asthmatic. In one study, small doses of amor seco appeared to be helpful to asthma patients. Studies with animals showed that extracts of the plant administered orally reduced anaphylactic contractions in the bronchial area of the test subjects.

Herbs: Amargo

2009-06-22T09:21:00.000-07:00

Amargo
scientific name: Quassia amara
other common names: Quassia, Jamaica bark, bitter-wood, hombre grande
growing areas: Southern Mexico to Brazil
physical description: It is a shrub or small tree that can grow to a height of close to 20 feet.

traditional uses: The bark has been widely used as a febrifuge (fever reducer) and insecticide. The plant is so bitter—more so than quinine—that extracts of it are used commercially in the production of bitters and other flavorings. Central Americans are reported to use the wood to construct clothing storage boxes that are impervious to moths.

Among the most unusual uses attributed to amargo is to treat alcoholism by mixing an extract with sulfuric acid and other substances to produce a tonic that is said to destroy the appetite for alcohol. But for the most part, it has been used as a treatment for diarrhea, particularly in Costa Rica, where indigenous peoples are said to carry around wood shavings of amargo bark to be used as needed. Brazilians also used a decoction from the wood for treating diarrhea, dysentery, and intestinal gas. Mexicans used the bark to treat intestinal parasites and a decoction made from the roots to treat stomach upset.

availability and dosage: It can be found in powder and capsule form. Dosages vary.

contraindications: It should be avoided by menstruating women because it may cause uterine colic, according to botanist Julia F. Morton, who lists the plant in her book The Atlas of Medicinal Plants of Middle America. Some experts say it is contraindicated in pregnancy.

special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.

medical research: Laboratory tests with male rats indicated that the plant extracts have an antifertility effect. The tests showed that an extract from the stem wood of amargo appeared to shrink the animals' testes and related organs and significantly reduced both sperm count and testosterone levels in the blood. The researchers found that the substance quassin appeared to be responsible for these effects.

Herbs: Aloe Vera

2009-06-22T09:18:00.000-07:00

Aloe Vera
scientific name: Aloe barbadensis common names: Aloe Vera, Barbados Aloe, Zanzibar Aloe

growing areas: This perennial is widely available as a houseplant in the United States and grows in the tropics, including Central and South America, Mexico, India, and the Middle East.

physical description: Its leaves are green and grow in a triangular shape and taper to a point, growing to a length of 16 inches or more. The skin is tough and covered at the edges with short spines that give the leaves the appearance of serrated knife blades. Flowers produced by the plant are yellow. traditional uses: Among all of the botanicals used as medicine among Hispanics, the aloe vera is probably one of the best known, having found its way as a component in many health and beauty products, such as shampoo, available in the United States. But its use as a medicinal plant goes far back in history, dating to ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Mesopotamian cultures. It has become part of the Indian traditional medicine system of Ayurvedic healing. By the nineteenth century, it had also become a part of American pharmacopoeia, and by the twentieth century was being planted commercially for medicinal use.

A major use of aloe vera is as a remedy for minor burns and skin irritations because of its anti-inflammatory and wound-healing ability. It has become a staple of many kitchens, where a small piece of leaf cut from a plant and rubbed on a burn or cut can provide soothing relief. Aloe gel is obtained from the center of the blades of the plant.

In addition to its external uses, the juice of aloe vera, derived from the gel, is used as a home remedy for the treatment of asthma. Aloe vera is also used in Hispanic and other folk medicinal practices as a powerful laxative. A latex found in the plant's inner leaf skin has been used for that purpose. A substance known as aloin contained in the plant will act as a stimulant of peristaltic action in the digestive tract, causing the contractions that move food and solid waste through the alimentary tract. But in high doses, aloin will act as a powerful purgative, the effects of which can last up to twelve hours.

availability and dosage: Aloe is widely available as a household plant. Capsules of dried aloe vera extract or powder are also available commercially, as are aloe vera juice and gel. It is also a constituent of shampoos, skin cream, and soaps, as well as some tissues.

For topical application it can be applied liberally to wounds and burns. Though aloe vera is available in capsule form for internal use as a laxative for up to ten days, many medical experts recommend against such practice without the active involvement of a physician.

contraindications: It should not be used internally by pregnant or nursing women, or by persons with heart or kidney problems. It is also contraindicated for persons suffering from intestinal obstructions, colitis, and inflammations of the intestines.
special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.

There is the risk of allergic reaction to aloe vera in some persons. Researchers also report that its use can delay the healing of deep wounds, including those after surgery. The powerful purgative effect -of aloe vera if taken internally has prompted many doctors to warn people about never using it as a laxative or taking it internally for any purpose.

medical research: A review of research done with laboratory animals into the antifertility aspects of certain medicinal plants showed that aloe vera was noteworthy. In one test, aloe vera leaf extract was found to inhibit the ability of rabbits to ovulate. Another test found that in laboratory rats aloe vera extract acted as an abortifacient by interfering with the ability of eggs to successfully implant within the uterus.

Numerous tests have shown the ability of aloe vera to help wounds heal, to decrease inflammation, and to relieve pain. In one study in Mexico, laboratory rats were injected in one of their feet with carrageenan, a substance that causes swelling of the paw, a condition known as "paw edema." The researchers also injected water and chloroform extracts of aloe vera gel into the paws to test for an anti-inflammatory effect. The study showed that the extracts decreased the paw edema, almost as much as commercially available antiinflammatory substances. As a result, the researchers concluded that aloe vera gel had a potential for antiinflammatory activity and a scientific basis for use of the plant for that purpose

Herbs: Alcachofra (Artichoke)

2009-06-22T09:12:00.000-07:00

Alcachofra (Artichoke)

scientific name: Cynara scolymus
other common names: Alcachofera, Artichaut
growing areas: Temperate areas, including parts of Mexico, Guatemala, Venezuela, and Brazil

physical description: It is a perennial herb that can grow to a height of about 6 feet. It has narrow, oblong-shaped leaves and a thick rhizome (underground horizontal stem). Its flower is used widely as a vegetable, with the petals and the bottom of the flower eaten.

traditional uses: The artichoke is widely used in Central and South America as a medicinal plant to treat liver ailments and related problems. In Guatemala the dried leaves are reported to be sold in markets to treat liver problems, while in Brazil a decoction is used for indigestion and liver ailments. Mexicans are reported to use it for hypertension, cystitis, and calcification of the liver. The bitterness of the artichoke is linked to phyto-chemicals found in the green parts of the plant. Dried artichoke leaves are useful as bitters for liqueurs.

availability and dosage: Powdered artichoke leaf can be purchased in capsule form. Commission E recommends a dosage of 6 grams a day.

contraindications: The product should be avoided by persons who are allergic to artichoke, as well as those with a bile duct obstruction, according to Commission E. Use by persons with gallstones is recommended only after consultation with a physician.
special precautions: Consult your physician before beginning any use of an ethnobotanical substance for medicinal purposes.

medical research: The medicinal properties of the artichoke have been attributed by research to derivatives such as cynarin and luteolin. Clinical studies have indicated that extracts from the artichoke might inhibit the body's synthesis of cholesterol and thus help persons suffering from high cholesterol levels. These studies used hepatocytes (liver cells) of laboratory rats. But a study in which cynarin doses of up to 750 milligrams a day were given to patients with high cholesterol showed no significant changes in their serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Other tests performed with blood cells from rats demonstrated that extracts from the artichoke had a strong antioxidant potential and ability to protect cells from damage. Commission E recommends the use of artichoke extract as a choleretic and to treat dyspepsia.

Traditional Hispanic Remedies and Their Historical Medical Uses

2009-06-22T08:51:00.000-07:00

When the ancient Greek physician Dioscorides compiled his classic work on pharmacology, which dealt with more than six hundred plants and a thousand simple drugs, he called it De materia medica. In Latin that means "drugs." Over the centuries, the term materia medica has come to be synonymous with medical repertoires of all sorts, and so it could almost be used here. But since this book is about medicinal plants from the Hispanic cultures, the term remedios is the more apt title for this section, which provides detailed information about scores of the most widely used plant remedies within the various cultures of Latin America.

With a universe of plant life in tropical America that some botanists believe conservatively numbers over a hundred thousand species, there are hundreds of plants that are used in that part of the world for medicinal purposes. The aim of this book is to present description, facts, history, and medical knowledge for more than sixty of the most important species. Winnowing that list down from such a large universe proved to be a challenge. Aficionados may ask why a favorite plant—say, one that is popular in a particular area of Belize, Chile, or Mexico—was not included. The question is a fair one. In one sense, the answer is very simple: Space allows only a certain number of the plants to be featured.

Still, a selection had to be made. In deciding which plants made the cut, a number of sources were consulted. Some medical journals actually listed common herbal and plant remedies used by Hispanics as a result of surveys done among immigrant populations around the United States. Botanica owners are also a good source of what plants are popular, as are herb vendors and farmers in Central America. Botanists, particularly those who travel to Latin America to gain firsthand knowledge of traditional medicines, and curanderos, who use plants in their healing practices, also have favorite remedies. Some plants, such as chamomile and aloe vera, are easy picks because they are so widely used by the general population. In other cases, as with jaborandi, which is not readily available to the public, its inclusion is based on the fact that one of its components, pilocarpine, has made a significant contribution to human medical knowledge. In the case of cinchona bark, it is easily purchased, but it is also blessed with a history that is especially interesting.
In the pages that follow, sixty-three key medicinal plants are discussed in depth, with nine descriptive entries for each species. After the Latin and common names are spelled out, each entry contains descriptive and historical information, mostly about the traditional medical uses for which the plants are noted. There is also information about the availability of the plant materials in the United States and, where available, about recommended dosages. Contraindications, medical precautions, and medical research information are also described.

Some of the headings in the sections about each plant are worth explaining in more detail because there are important caveats and background information that will give the reader a more complete understanding of some of the botanical and medical concepts involved.

Description: Physical characteristics of the plants, some quite unique, are detailed to give the reader a sense of how the plant looks in nature. The plants span the range from tall trees such as Cinnamomum camphora, the source of camphor, which reach heights of over a hundred feet in the jungles of the Amazon River basin, to herbs such as basil, which barely top a foot in height. Some produce fragrant flowers, while others are noted for more disagreeable aromas. A few, such as papaya, produce fruits that are staples, while other fruits have toxic seeds.

A number of botanical works were consulted to assemble the descriptions, but three publications in particular were useful as well in describing plant habitats. They are Julia F. Morton's The Atlas of Medicinal Plants of Middle America: Bahamas to Yucatan, James Duke's CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, and Rosita Arvigo and Michael Balick's Rainforest Remedies: One Hundred Healing Herbs of Belize. These books and many more sources are listed in the bibliography. The Raintree Nutrition, Inc., Web site, maintained by author Leslie Taylor, was also helpful.

Traditional uses: These are compilations of medicinal uses made of the various plants in folk medicine practices over long periods of time, sometimes stretching back centuries to the times of the ancient Aztecs, Mayas, and Incas, as well as Romans, Greeks, Chinese, and Indo-Pakistanis. The list of traditional uses has been compiled from a review of published accounts, often derived from the experiences of healers, as well as a vast array of historical and botanical data. One Internet site that proved particularly helpful is that maintained by the United States Department of Agriculture. The agency's Ethnobotany Database, developed by Stephen M. Beckstrom-Steinberg, James A. Duke, and K. K. Wain, is accessible at the Internet address http://www.ars-grin.gov/duke/. The site consists of records on eighty thousand plants used around the world. Another Internet site that contains useful information about rain forest medicinal plants is one maintained by Raintree Nutrition, Inc., and Ms. Taylor. The site address is www.rain-tree.com.

At the end of this chapter and just before the descriptive listings, a list of maladies and medical conditions can be found. Along with each condition is listed an array of plants traditionally used to treat the illness. However, the reader should bear in mind that the listing of traditional medicinal uses of various plants in this book is not an endorsement of or recommendation for their use. Nor is any attempt made to diagnose any disease. It is said repeatedly in this book— and it is worth saying again—that a decision to use any botanical substance should be made only after consultation with a doctor.

Sometimes the traditional uses are described in medical terms. To keep the reader from having to reach for a medical dictionary, here is a short glossary of relevant terms that appear often:
1. Abortifacient: Substance that has the ability to induce an abortion
2. Analgesic: Substance that has the ability to reduce pain
3. Antibacterial: Substance that has the ability to cripple the growth of bacteria
4. Anti-inflammatory: Substance that has the ability to stop inflammation
5. Antinociceptive: Substance that has the ability to reduce sensitivity to painful stimuli or has an analgesic effect
6. Astringent: Substance that has the ability to constrict tissue or control bleeding
7. Catarrh: Condition of excessive secretions from an inflamed mucous membrane
8. Cholalogue: Substance that stimulates the flow of bile from the liver into the intestines
9. Choleretic: Substance that stimulates the liver to increase production of bile
10. Demulcent: Substance that soothes and stops irritation of mucous membranes
11. Diuretic: Substance that increases urinary flow
12. Emmenagogue: Substance that causes the onset of the menstrual period
13. Expectorant: Substance that loosens mucus in the throat or lungs
14. Hypoglycemic: Having to do with lowering blood sugar levels
15. Laxative: Substance that causes bowel movement
16. Purgative: Substance that has the ability to flush out the bowels
17. Rheumatism: Painful inflammation of muscle or joint
18. Rubefacient: Substance used to cause irritation to skin
19. Stomachic: Substance that promotes functional
activity of the stomach, improving appetite and digestion

Availability and dosage: In the United States, some of the plants listed in this book can be found in supermarkets or botanicas as fresh vegetables and fruit. Others can be found in powdered or capsule forms in health food stores. With the development of the Internet and the steady growth in the market for herbal substances, many of the botanical materials listed, particularly some of the products native to the Amazon area, can be purchased online.
Some of the online providers of botanical materials for traditional medicine include:

Rain-Tree.com: http://www.rain-tree.com
Mothernature.com http://www.mothernature.com
More.com: http://www.more.com
Allherb.com: http://www.allherb.com

Information about dosages for the medicinal plant substances varies widely depending on the herbalist consulted or the company marketing the product. For instance, one supplier recommends that the herb sarsaparilla be taken at a daily dosage of 2,490 mg in capsule form; another recommends 2,550 mg; a third recommends up to 9,000 mg daily. Liquid extracts of some herbs come with dosages expressed in numbers of drops. So, setting a dose is at best an inexact process and a course that is prudently navigated with the help of a physician or other qualified medical professional, with some attention paid to the manufacturer's label. Where there does not appear to be an established dosage, this book will note that dosages vary. It should also be kept in mind that growing conditions and climate may affect the chemical composition and medicinal qualities of a plant. The result is that different batches of the same herb may be of different quality. Quality control at the manufacturing level may also affect the final herbal product, and it is not unheard of for unscrupulous distributors to market a product as a particular herb when in fact it is not. Others may sell an adulterated product. This means that a consumer has to take the time to learn about the reliability of a distributor or manufacturer.

Traditional plant medicines and herbal remedies can be consumed in a number of ways, and the method of preparation will be dictated by the plant substance used. Herbal teas can be prepared from leaves or from pieces of bark, stem, or root. The process is relatively simple and involves steeping the materials in boiling or very hot water. Some herbal products are sold in convenient tea bag form. The listings in this book detail some ranges of doses found for teas in a review of herbal literature.

In addition, herbal substances, either in powdered form or extracts, are marketed in capsule form by a number of companies. They can be purchased by mail order or at health food stores. A few of the more well known ones, such as cat's claw or pau d'arco, can be purchased at supermarkets.

Other liquid forms in which herbal substances are consumed are called infusions, tinctures, or decoctions. Infusions, also made from dried herbs, are not tea, writes author Michael Castleman in his book The Healing Herbs: The Ultimate Guide. "Some herbalists use the terms interchangeably but the two are quite different," says Castleman. "Infusions are prepared like teas but they are steeped longer so they become considerably stronger." Tinctures are made by soaking a portion of the plant—which part depends on the particular traditional formula—in alcohol for up to two weeks. Often the plant parts are finely chopped, and the container is supposed to be shaken regularly. The resulting tincture is then used in solution or sometimes applied externally, depending on the medicinal plant. Decoctions are similar to infusions and are made by soaking crushed or finely chopped root, twig, or bark in boiling water and allowing it to simmer for up to twenty minutes. The mixture is then strained and the fluid is consumed by drinking.
Essential oils of some herbal plants are also available and are extracted by commercial distillation processes that are beyond the means of most consumers. However, a number of essential oils are available commercially from Internet or mail-order sites.

The Complete German Commission E Monograms: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines, which is published in the United States in collaboration with the American Botanical Council, lists recommended doses for many traditional herbal remedies, and they are sometimes referred to in this book. The commission is empowered by law to review herbal drugs and medicinal plants. The use of plants as medicine has been an accepted practice in Europe for many years (comprising an estimated 30 percent of all drugs sold in Germany, for instance), and the commission's collection of 380 monographs on herbal remedies is a logical outcome of such deep interest. The vast majority of the herbals are listed as approved, but a number are labeled as not approved, among them sarsaparilla. (One reviewer has cautioned that the work of Commission E is "not the final source" and notes that there is a lack of literature references and a failure to note possible fatal reactions to some plants.)
Contraindications: Not all drugs are appropriate for all people. This holds true for medicinal plants. Where research has uncovered possible negative interactions between certain physical conditions or sensitivities in a person and an herbal remedy, they are noted in this section.

Special precautions: Though many times medicinal plants may be used to treat illness without problems, there are instances where they have harmed those taking them, sometimes fatally. Overuse of plant substances has also been known to cause problems. This heading for each plant deals with special concerns noted from the research about toxicity, safety, and possible adverse reactions, particularly interactions with other drugs.

As noted earlier, plants contain numerous chemicals. Each substance, either alone or in conjunction with others, may cause allergic reactions or more severe symptoms of toxicity such as nausea, diarrhea, headaches, skin eruptions, and itching. Some dramatic examples include the cases of two patients, one in California and one in Texas, who developed cases of acute toxic hepatitis from ingesting herbal supplements from the leaves of the creosote bush, known as chaparral, according to the Centers for Disease Control. (Chaparral is a plant often mentioned as being used medicinally in the Mexican community.) In New Jersey in 1985, firefighters responding to an ambulance call of two people with severe itching themselves became stricken with the same symptoms and had to be treated after coming in contact with "voodoo beans" from the plant Mucuna pruriens, which grows in the Caribbean.
Mishandling and overuse of the substances may have been a factor in each of those episodes, but the cases still serve to underscore how carefully medicinal plants have to be treated. Botanists and doctors also know that the ingestion of some plants or plant substances such as eucalyptus oil, comfrey, rue, and the essential oil of wormwood can kill. Where research has found reasons for avoiding a medicinal plant or to be cautious in its use, that information has been included.

Special mention is also made of the fact that both the experience of indigenous people in Latin America and numerous studies have shown that some plants can be abortifacients or cause menstruation. As a result, medicinal plants with those characteristics are listed so that pregnant women know which are to be avoided. A number of herbalists also have stated that pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as children under the age of two, should not take medicinal quantities of any herbs or healing plants.

Medical research: While there may not be a great many human clinical trials of medicinal plants, scientists nevertheless have been active in probing the efficacy of plants as medicine in a variety of other experiments. The sections on medical research are aimed at encapsulating some of the findings of various studies that have focused on the usefulness of the plants as medicine and also on their toxicity. In cases where research has focused only on the chemical properties of the plants or is not available in research libraries or over the Internet, the entry will contain the notation "None noted."

There is one final important point to make. Readers using this book to further study Hispanic medicinal plants should be aware that medical research is a dynamic field, with constant changes and new findings. The research for this book was completed in late 1999, and it is always possible that in succeeding years new findings will emerge that may bring a different perspective on the efficacy and safety of the Hispanic traditional medicines listed here. For that reason, it .is wise for anyone seriously considering using these plant substances to consult a physician or other medical expert for the most up-to-date information.

Traditional Hispanic Remedies and Their Historical Medical Uses

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY	Embauba
Gumbo-limbo	Erva tostao
Iporuru	Periwinkle
Manaca	Witch hazel
Pau d'arco
Picao preto	ASTRINGENT
	Embauba
ARTHRITIS	Iporuru
Cat's claw	Quinine bark
Chuchuhuasha	Rhatany
Dragon's blood	Sage
Pau d'arco	Witch hazel
ASTHMA	BRONCHITIS
Aloe vera	Contribo
Amor seco	Eucalyptus
Camphor
Casca-de-anta	CATARRH
Chamomile	Anise
Balsam of Tolu	Pedra hume caa
Contribo	Wormwood
Eucalyptus
	diuretic
common cold	Annatto
Camphor	Boldo
Contribo	Canafistula
Eucalyptus	Châ de bugre
Gumbo-limbo	Erva tostâo
Kalallo bush	Hierba del cancer
Mozote	Picao preto
Oregano	Sarsaparilla
colic (see gastro-	expectorant
intestinal problems)	Avenca
	Erva tostao
constipation	Thyme
Copaiba
Guajava	gastrointestinal
	problems
diarrhea	Anise
Amargo	Basil
Amor seco	Boldo
Cajueiro	Casca-de-anta
Chuchuhuasha	. Contribo
Dragon's blood	Eucalyptus
Gravida	Ginger
Guava	Graviola
Iporuru	Guava
Jacote	Hortela (peppermint)
Mozote	Jacote
Mugwort	Jatoba
Macela	Basil
Mugwort	Chuchuhuasha
Papaya	Macela
Picao preto	Mugwort
Rosemary	Rue
	Sage
glaucoma
Jaborandi	muscle aches
	Camphor
herpes	Sour cane
Dragon's blood
	oral health
impotence	Rhatany
Muira puama	Rue
	Sage
indigestion (see
gastrointestinal	prostate health
problems)	Nettle
insomnia	rheumatism
Chamomile	Boldo
Maracuja	Cat's claw
	Chuchuhuasha
liver problems	Jatoba
Alcachofra (artichoke)	Manaca
Wormwood	Pau d'arco
	Sarsaparilla
menstrual problems	Sour cane
(includes late
periods or irregular	skin care
flow)	Aloe vera
Avenca	Arrowroot
Espinheira santa	Espinheira santa
Guajava	Guava
Gumbo-limbo	Macela
Pau d'arco	Quinine bark
	Rosemary
stomachache (simple)
Amargo	wounds (simple)
Annatto	Aloe vera
Basil	Dragon's blood
Boldo	Hortela (peppermint)
Carqueja	Thyme
Casca-de-anta	Witch hazel

Herbal Medicine: Herbal Tradition (Part II)

2009-06-22T08:50:00.000-07:00

"Virtually all of the new plants and drugs that excited the medical world of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries were exotics," Barbara Griggs writes in her history of plant medicine, Green Pharmacy. "From 1602 when England at last signed a peace treaty with Spain, imports of the plants from the Spanish colonies had increased by leaps and bounds."

According to Griggs, about 70 percent of the plant stocks of the European apothecaries were imported from either the Far East or the Americas, including medicinals such as sarsaparilla, balsam of Tolu, balsam of Peru, and sassafras. Writing and compiling material in the sixteenth century, the Spanish prelate Sahagun also reported about a variety of purges, diuretics, febrifuges, and sedatives the Aztecs used, including balsam of Tolu, sarsaparilla, and valerian.

One of the biggest botanical discoveries during the post-Conquest period in the New World was the bark of the cinchona tree, which had for years been used by the Indians of Peru and Ecuador to treat malaria, a disease that had ravaged parts of the Mediterranean. The legend sometimes repeated in historical accounts is that a Spanish soldier sick with malaria drank from a pool of water into which a cinchona tree had fallen. Chemicals of the tree bark had seeped into the water, which revived the ailing soldier. There are other legends about the discovery of the restorative powers of this special rain forest tree. But historians generally agree that it was a European missionary who in 1663 first reported the indigenous use of cinchona bark, telling his order about a tree growing in Peru "which they call the Fever tree in the country of Loxa, whose bark is the colour of cinnamon ... it has produced miraculous cures in Lima." Eventually Jesuits shipped the bark back to Rome, where one cardinal, after being cured by the substance, ordered that every sample of the bark have a little leaflet with instructions on how to mix it in a glass of white wine in order to cure a fever, according to Griggs's historical account of that period. There was business intrigue over cinchona, too. One British apothecary, James Talbot, set himself up as a fever specialist who promoted his own cure over the use of cinchona. He gained wide renown and warned customers against using cinchona. But according to Griggs, after Talbot's death, in 1682, Louis XIV of France revealed that Talbot had in fact been using a mixture of rose leaves, lemon juice, wine, and an infusion of cinchona.

The flow of medicinal plants was not only from the New World to the Old. During the colonial period, a great many plants from Europe and the Middle East found their way to the Americas, where they were able to thrive in the hospitable climate and become a part of the local folk medicine practices. Chamomile, rue, and rosemary all became firmly planted in the herbal apothecaries of Latin America—as any visitor today to the herbal stalls in San Jose's Mercado Central can plainly see.

The herb stalls in San Jose, piled high with medicinal plants, have the appearance of a cornucopia. The tramos cater to a market that very much believes in the efficacy of the folk remedies. But it is also a belief, it seems, that comes without a reliance on the spiritual and magical elements more prevalent farther north, in Mexico and the Caribbean. The herbs are used, Costa Ricans say, because people believe they work, not because of magic.

The lack of reliance on the spiritual elements in Costa Rica is illustrated by the way the herb merchants sell their wares. No religious symbols are evident, no towering figures of saints or deities. Instead, hand-printed on white sheets of paper with black and red ink are the names in Spanish or English of various maladies or organs the plants are believed to be useful for: prostata (prostate), asma (asthma), impotencia (impotence), leche materna (mother's milk), nervios insomnio (insomnia), and so on. Under each ailment are listed the names of effective medicinal plants and how they are to be used.

Botanists have noticed some interesting differences between the indigenous medicinal plants and Western-style drugs, something that is evident from a perusal of the market signs in the San Jos6 herbal stands. Balick and his colleague Paul Alan Cox have noted that indigenous plants are more often used for "gastrointestinal (GI) complaints, inflammation, skin ailments, and ob-gyn disorders, whereas Western drugs are most often used to treat disorders of the cardiovascular and nervous systems, neoplasms [i.e., cancer], and microbial ailments."

Why is there such a difference? The reasons are found within the lifestyles of the cultures. Cardiovascular illness, cancers, microbial infections, and nervous system problems are bigger killers in Western cultures, compared with the lifestyles of indigenous peoples, who tend not to live as long and see diarrhea, maternity problems, and inflammations as more serious, wrote Balick and Cox. In fact, other researchers have noted that it has not been unheard of for infant mortality in some Amazon tribes to reach an astonishing 30 percent, with more than half of the deaths among children under one year old attributed to diarrhea, dysentery, or respiratory infections. Balick and Cox have also noted that traditional cultures are likely to avoid plants containing toxic substances that, while perhaps useful against cancer and cardiovascular problems, have a narrow dosage window that requires sophistication in the way they are used.

This is illustrated as well by the shortlist of medicinal plants that, under Costa Rican law, can be sold for remedial purposes. Under the Costa Rican practice, the market tramos can sell the medicinal plants as vegetables in their natural state. But once they are sold in stores as extracts, powders, soaps, or pills, the harvesting and processing of the plants are supposed to be more tightly controlled. At least in theory, the plants have to be properly identified, their chemical components must be assayed, and their purity acceptable. In-practice, however, Costa Ricans say it is difficult to ensure that all of the medicinal plants harvested meet the expectations.

It turns out that while Costa Ricans traditionally rely on scores of medicinal plants, only a handful are officially recognized as safe for documented health-related uses. The shortlist includes chamomile, thyme, sarsaparilla, and mint verbena. Even though such plants have numerous traditional medicinal uses, under the Costa Rican regulatory scheme they are recognized for use either as an intestinal antispasmodic or to help urination, the kinds of physical problems that Balick and Cox note are most often treated with plants by indigenous peoples.

This modest listing of documented plants in Costa Rica, despite a vast cultural experience in Central America with plant medicine, is typical of what has gone on elsewhere. Very often governments, world organizations, and regulators have moved more cautiously, though at different paces depending upon location, in recognizing plants for use as folk medicine.

Standing by any of the herbal stalls in the San Jose market provides a visitor with a view of some of the most widely used medicinal plants in Hispanic cultures, from the southwestern United States and Mexico to South America. In fact, the most commonly used plants among Mexicans and Costa Ricans are similar. Asked which remedies they use most often, Mexicans on both sides of the Rio Grande in cities in Texas and Mexico listed chamomile, aloe vera, rue, anise, mint, wormwood, orange tree leaves, sweet basil, oregano, garlic, and rosemary. All but orange tree leaves are available in the Costa Rican market. Some two thousand miles south, in a women's health clinic in Chile, chamomile, oregano, rue, and rosemary are the key ingredients of a number of remedies listed in a recipe book. Clearly, while there are regional variations, there exists a basic core knowledge of herbal medicines among the many Latin cultures that stems from both the ancient Indian and the European peoples.

A sense of how deeply entrenched the use of medicinal plants is within the cultures of Latin America can be determined from a number of recent studies, some ongoing. There are so many plant species in Latin America that it has been impossible so far for any one group of researchers to determine all of the medicinal plants available. But one study in particular, focusing on the Caribbean basin and Central America, had by 1999 identified and studied 109 plants used in traditional healing practices. The review, done by the organization Traditional Medicine in the Island (TRAMIL), surveyed rural populations to find out which plants were commonly used to treat illnesses (serious conditions such as cancer and AIDS were excluded). Next they reviewed the chemical composition of the individual species, identified potential dangers, and made recommendations on their use. The results are published in a Caribbean pharmacopoeia and are part of an overall strategy by TRAMIL to spread valuable knowledge about safe medicinal plants and encourage their cultivation in order to provide Central Americans and Caribbean islanders with an affordable alternative to Western-style drugs.

About'one-tenth of the plants surveyed by TRAMIL are considered toxic and their usage is discouraged. But a majority of the plants are either still under investigation or are considered to be safe. Among the latter are a number of medicinal plants familiar to the Hispanic cultures and sold by the hierbas vendors throughout the region: chamomile, peppermint, eucalyptus, ginger, papaya, annatto, and others. It is the same core group of medicinal plant products found continually throughout the Latino world.

Were they to work at herbal stands outside of Costa Rica, merchants such as Alfredo and the Asturias family would undoubtedly feel comfortable knowing that their products would be in demand among the local populace. Still, the herb vendors of San Jose have been facing uncertainty about where they might be conducting business in the years to come. Rumors keep circulating in the Mercado Central that some developers are interested in razing the hundred-year-old structure and building a modern complex. Some of the merchants simply do not know what the rebuilding plan would mean for them or if they would be able to stay. But if the herb traders did move, the customers would undoubtedly seek them out.

Herbal Medicine: Herbal Tradition (Part I)

2009-06-22T08:41:00.000-07:00

The Mercado Central, located in in the city of San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, as its name implies, is the focal point of commerce in this Central American city. It is a tired, painted building on the main concourse in town, the Avenida Central, three blocks from the city's main square. The place is old and shows it. Inside the main passageway of the market is a stale smell, a commingling of the odors of old cardboard boxes, wet wood, fried rice, and animal fat. With the shops and stalls lined up along narrow alleyways, the market resembles a Middle Eastern bazaar. The floor is worn maroon tile over concrete, all with the accumulated grime from years, maybe decades, of feet of passing Ticas, as native Costa Ricans call themselves. A sheet metal roof is punctuated with an occasional skylight.

Since the market is enclosed, there is a constant drone that resembles that heard in New York's Grand Central Terminal. A waitress, looking bored and moving slowly among the tables of a marketplace restaurant, tries to entice passersby to stop.
"What will you have?" she said in Spanish over and over to no one in particular. "What will you have?"

Not far from the main entrance, down one of the alleyways, is Alfredo's business. He did not reveal his last name but had no problem talking about his livelihood. His job in San Jose is similar to that of Antonio Mora's in New York, selling medicinal herbs.

Alfredo's store is really just an open market stall without walls, known to the merchants as a tramo. It is covered with so many plants that it looks like a hut from the South Sea islands. Stems of aloe vera hang from the walls, looking with their serrated edges like trophies from a swordfish. Fresh flowering chamomile, its fragrant smell easily masking the odor of the marketplace, is stuffed into pails of water. Eucalyptus, with its own menthol-like aroma, adds to the scent that permeates the surroundings. Other plants are piled high along the shelves, some dry, some fresh. Stacks of bark from the cinchona tree, the source of quinine, used to fight malaria, sit next to chunks of sarsaparilla, which is used as a health tonic, and mozote, which is believed to help stomach ulcers.

Alfredo works six days a week at the business, one of about a half dozen competing tramos de hierbas in the market. One of twelve brothers in his family, the thirty-eight-year-old Alfredo has known only the way of life of the tramo, as did his father. Those who sell medicinal plants in Costa Rica tend to come from long lines of entrepreneurs who have carved out a family niche.

A few turns down another alley in the market is the tramo run by Carlos and Eugenia Asturias. Eugenia, who works as a schoolteacher, said that their business, Tramo de Hierbas Margarita, was passed down from Carlos's grandmother to his mother and, as far as anybody can remember, has always been in the Mercado Central. They have a product that is much in demand.

In a country that seems blessed with an eternally springlike climate, Costa Rican herbal merchants such as Alfredo and the Asturias family have a large, seemingly never-ending source of supply. What they do not grow themselves they buy from any number of itinerant herb and plant gatherers, men and women who round up bushels of plant material from the lush tropical rain forests and fertile plains that comprise so much of the countryside surrounding the capital city. Tying their products into large white bags, the herb gatherers make their way to San Jose's central market, where buyers await them.

Experts in Costa Rica say that the reliance of the population here on medicinal plants is strong, as it is in many Latin American countries. Part of the reason for that is the cost of medical care in a country where money is not plentiful. Some who monitor Central American economies say expensive drugs produced by the large pharmaceutical companies are scarce.

"Medical services are really expensive," explains Victor, who runs the fish counter next to Alfredo's herb stand, "so many more poor people do this." He gestures at the rich variety of medicinal plants piled around the stall.

Victor maintains that herbal remedies have always been used in Costa Rica and that they are more appealing now because medical care is so costly. Victor does not know if the plants are as effective as Western medicines. But as persuasive and correct as the economic argument might be for their use, the tradition of using medicinal plants is one that is deeply intertwined with the cultures of Latin America.

The ancient Maya, Aztec, and Inca cultures had developed their own sophisticated systems for using medicinal plants before the Spanish Conquest in the early part of the sixteenth century. These three Indian cultures were centered in three distinct areas. Mayans occupied what is now Guatemala, Belize, southern Mexico, Honduras, and the northern part of Costa Rica. The Incas had an empire that included a wide swath of territory stretching from Peru into what is now western Argentina and northern Chile. The empire of the Aztecs centered on an area where Mexico City stands today.
Though there is not a great deal of written material from those civilizations to rely on, historians agree that herbal medicines were an established part of the health systems in those societies. The Aztecs in particular are believed to have had a pharmacopoeia of about 1,500 medicinal plants. Historians say that botanical gardens flourished throughout the empire. The written record kept by the Aztecs of their history and culture was largely destroyed by the Spanish after Cort6s arrived in 1519. But around 1570, King Philip II of Spain sent Francisco Hernandez, a court physician, to Mexico to investigate medicinal plants and general medical practices in the area. The work took over seven years and what was for that time a substantial amount of money. Hernandez died before his task was completed and a large part of his compilation was destroyed in a fire, although a copy with information on 1,200 herbs and plants survived and was ultimately rediscovered in Europe. A similar medical text done earlier by Martin de la Cruz, a Christianized Aztec, also survived.
It was a Spaniard who was responsible for one of the most ambitious written works on the Aztecs. Father Bernardino de Sahagtin learned the Nahuatl language and, with help from Aztec nobles and scribes, wrote A General History of the Affairs of New Spain, which was a comprehensive look at much of the life in the newly conquered lands, including a large section on herbs and medicinal plants.

Mayan books did not fare well. Most were destroyed by the Spanish after the Conquest, with all that remains amounting to three codices written on bark paper, now housed in Europe. However, historians say that Mayan manuscripts from the seventeenth century listed many illnesses and the appropriate cures. Yucatan, where the Maya lived, had a large assortment of medicinal plants.

The Inca tradition of medicine was memorialized in an account written by Felipe Guaman Poma de Ayala, the offspring of a noble Peruvian family. In the fifteenth century he prepared a codex, Prima Nueva Curonica, that describes the medical practices and beliefs of the Incas. According to medical historian Helmut M. Boettcher, the codex described numerous plants, including species that have medicinal uses.

Historians agree that the ancient Indian cultures' medical traditions were tightly bound with elements of religion. The traditions survived, despite attempts at suppression, and though the Spanish did construct hospitals in the conquered areas, it appears that the Indians continued to rely mostly on their own traditional healers and medicinal plants for treatment.

Many of the healing plants familiar to Indians in one area of the Americas also grew in other areas. So as geographically separate as those three civilizations may have been, there was nothing to keep indigenous peoples throughout Latin America from sharing knowledge of plant pharmacology. It was also not long before European settlers and traders came to realize the benefits the New World botanicals could provide. Europe had been battered by virulent outbreaks of diseases such as the plague and syphilis, and the Americas, particularly the Caribbean, were looked to for new cures. In 1578, Nicholas Monardes of Seville wrote in his Joyful Newes out of the Newe Founde Worlde about a number of plant cures from the West Indies, such as China root and sarsaparilla, that were used as syphilis remedies. His interest sparked widespread interest in New World botanicals.

Can I Meditate While Doing Reiki?

2008-08-21T13:59:00.000-07:00

Reiki can effectively support the process of meditation. When you are practicing Reiki, you experience the flow of energy and come in contact with your body. Your mind becomes less preoccupied and you feel a greater sense of peace. In this disposition it is easier to meditate. Here are a few meditation exercises that are especially suitable with Reiki.

Reiki Meditation Exercise 1:

Lie down on your back, draw up your legs and let your knees drop to both sides.
Press the soles of your feet together so that they touch as completely as possible.
Now join your palms in a gesture of prayer in front of the heart region. You may also do this meditation exercise leaning against a wall or an armchair in a sitting position if you prefer.
Breathe from your stomach. At first do this exercise for three minutes. Once you get used to it, increase the duration in small steps. This exercise may be further extended by simultaneously reciting the mantra Om. By reciting Om , you create its vibration in your body, making your body the sounding board of its energy.

Benefits of this exercise:

Enhances personal growth
Gradual, harmonious release of tension
Reduces stress levels
Develops the capacity of loving acceptance
Encourages a meditative mental attitude for day-to-day life
Develops self-perception

Reiki Meditation Exercise 2:

Kneel down on your haunches on a soft, though not too pliable surface with your legs spread a little wider than your shoulders.
Now place the palms of your hands on the soles of your feet and lean backwards until you touch the floor with your back. This exercise is equally effective if you practice with, an erect back. It is important to cover your big toes and the centre of your feet with your hands. At the beginning stay in this position for about 5 minutes and increase the duration of the exercise gradually.
You can also do this exercise in an alternative posture: Kneeling in an erect position stretch your pelvis forward and let your head hang backwards with your hands touching the soles of your feet. This exercise is wonderfully effective for healing your chakras or energy centres but it will cause a lot of strain at first. It is best to start for only 30 seconds and gradually increase the duration.

Benefits of this exercise:

Enhances personal growth
Charges the chakra
Charges the aura (electromagnetic field which surrounds everybody)
Removes tension from the feet, legs and pelvis
Strengthens the function and energetic properties of your aura

Reiki Partner Meditation Exercise 3 :

This is a joint exercise for two people. Practice it with anyone who has become a channel for Reiki. Sit facing each other on an even, not too pliable surface.

Spread your legs a little wider apart than the width of your shoulders and draw up your knees.
Now move close together so that one of you is able to put his or her legs over those of the other.
Now join your palms. If you prolong this meditation, it will become a wonderful experience of emotional attachment beyond anything that can be experienced in day-to-day reality. If you wish you may further extend your limits by chanting the mantra OM. This exercise must be done for at least five minutes. Doing it for 15 to 30 minutes will help you develop a greater understanding for each other. Reserve this time once or twice a week, just for yourselves. It will be worth it for both of you. This is the ideal exercise for a couple, and will open new dimensions in your partnership.

Benefits of this exercise:

Enhances relationship on the emotional level
Releases tension in the pelvic region
Lets you experience a oneness with a partner along with a simultaneous increase in vibrational frequency

Reiki Group Meditation Exercise 4 :

Stand in a circle and join hands.
The left hand is held with the palm turned upwards, the right hand with the palm turned downwards. The connection of energy circuits is most effective if palm is placed to palm.
Stand with your legs about as wide apart as your shoulders. Feel into your feet and feel your soles touching the ground.
Keep your legs relaxed and bend the knees slightly (they should not be straight and stiff).
Relax your pelvis and position it directly under your trunk so that the energy is able to rise unhindered.
Keep your head straight as if it were drawn upward by a string fixed to your crown and do not touch your neck. Feel the energy streaming through your body, feel the flow and the vibration in yourself. Let yourself go and experience the sensations. Perceive the hands of the others to your right and left. Feel the Reiki energy flowing into them. This group meditation may be extended by joint chanting of the mantra OM.
You may also make the exercise into a healing circle. After the energy circle has been upheld for some time, a member of the group leads everyone through the following visualization; imagine a white, divine light flowing into your chakra. It is flowing towards your heart, radiating from there as healing energy into the centre of the circle. All the rays of energy meet there, forming a large, white mass of divine, healing vibrations. You may now place all those you wish to be healed into this energy mass simply by speaking their names. They will be given all the healing they need for the moment; all the healing which is advisable for them from a divine perspective. You may also place other beings into the circle (such as animals and plants). The participants can remain infused by the healing force for as long as they wish.

Benefits of this exercise:

Enhancement of group consciousness
Experience of oneness with other aspects of creation
Increasing vibrational frequency
Activating the body's self-healing forces.

Aromatherapy: relieve stress, calm our minds, energize our bodies

2008-07-20T14:31:00.000-07:00

The healing, soothing, and beautifying properties of essential oils provide a wonderful opportunity to relieve stress, calm our minds, energize our bodies, and uplift our spirits. The practice of aromatherapy-the science of scent-is growing in the US. In natural food stores and department stores alike, aromatherapy products and books abound.

After a hectic day, it is well worth taking the time to custom-blend your own individualized essential oils. Then relax, collect your thoughts, and refresh your mind, body, and spirit. An aromatic bath, a calming inhalation, a facial steam bath, or a comforting massage can work wonders to revive body and soul.

Aromatherapy is an ancient art and science focusing on the use of flower and plant essential oils to enhance and balance mental, spiritual, and physical health. The use of essential oils dates back to the ancient Greeks and Egyptians who luxuriated in these precious substances for health and beauty purposes.

Essential oils are derived from flowers, plants, leaves, branches, or roots through the process of steam distillation, or from cold pressing peels (in the case of citrus). The resulting essences aren't really oils; they're natural, aromatic substances with a molecular size small enough to penetrate the skin. True essential oils are very concentrated; they are what give plants their smell. On the average, it takes about fifty pounds of plant material to make one pound of essential oil. For example, over 150 pounds of lavender flowers yield one pound of essential oil; and 5,000 pounds of rose petals produce only one pound of rose oil.

True essential oils should not be synthetically manufactured in a laboratory by a chemist. According to Scott Cunningham, author of Magical Aromatherapy (Llewellyn Publications, 1992), there is no substitute for true scents. "Because essential oils are born of plants, they have a direct link with the Earth." Synthetic oils, on the other hand, are created by scientists who simply mix together only those ingredients necessary to approximate the scent of the true essential oil. "The results," says Cunning-ham, "are often hideous parodies of the real thing."

The use of aromatherapy for healing purposes is an ancient practice, although it fell into disfavor with the advent of synthetic drugs in medicine. In the 1920s, Rene Maurice Gattefosse, a French cosmetic chemist and researcher of essential oils, played a significant role in its resurgence. Gattefosse began his research after discovering, by accident, the usefulness of essential oils. While experimenting in his laboratory, he severely burned his hand and immediately plunged it in the only container of liquid available-lavender oil. He later noticed how quickly his hand healed with minimal scarring. Gattefosse coined the term "aromatherapie" in a scientific paper, which documented essential oils' antiseptic, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory properties. Today, health practitioners in Europe use medical aromatherapy for stress management and a variety of ailments-applications that are finding their place in today's holistic healing movement.

It is always important to consult with your physician before beginning any therapeutic program, especially if you are pregnant or have a medical condition.

Since essential oils are very concentrated, it is a good idea to test for sensitivity before using a particular oil. Always dilute before applying to the skin; be careful to avoid eyes, nose, or mouth. To test, apply a little of the diluted essential oil behind the ears and leave for 24 hours. If no redness or itching results, the oil should be safe to use. Be sure to keep all essential oils out of the reach of children.

The following recipes will help get you started in custom-blending your own scents to promote health, well-being, and beauty. You can vary the suggested essential oils according to your preference and moods.

Aromatic Baths

Create your own mini-spa session in your home by preparing an aromatic bath. A soothing ritual may begin with brewing your favorite cup of herbal tea while indulging in ten minutes of tension-reducing stretching exercises. Then add the essential oils you've chosen to a comfortably warm bath and gently swirl the water to combine. For most baths, six to ten drops is recommended.

The essential oils' effects should readily become apparent as you inhale their subtle aromas while enjoying a relaxing soak. To further soften your skin, add one teaspoon of your favorite carrier oil (see Carrier Oils sidebar) to the essential oils. An unscented bath gel, bath salt, or foaming milk bath may be added to the water as well.

To unwind and relax after a stressful day, choose one of the recipes below, mix the essential oils into a warm bath, and soak for at least 15 minutes.

Bedtime Bath Mixture

2 drops Rose Geranium
2 drops Lavender
2 drops Chamomile

Relaxing Bath Mixture

4 drops Ylang-Ylang
2 drops Lavender

For an invigorating bath in the morning, or if you plan to go to an evening party, choose one of the following mixtures and add the essential oils to your bath water.

Energizing Morning Bath

4 drops Rosemary
2 drops Lavender

Evening Party Bath Mixture

4 drops Jasmine
2 drops Sandalwood

Massage Oils

An aromatherapy massage is very helpful for stress reduction. Add the following essential oils to one fluid ounce of carrier oil (see Carrier Oils sidebar). This should be enough for a whole body massage. Since the mixtures don't last very long, massage oils are usually made in small amounts. To blend, place the carrier oil in a glass container, then add the essential oils, swirling the container until the essential oils appear to be sufficiently mixed with the carrier oil.

All essential oils and mixtures must be stored in dark glass containers, away from heat, sunlight, and moisture. If stored properly, most essential oils should be effective for one to two years.

To relax and balance mind and body, blend together:

1 ounce carrier oil
2 drops Rose Essence
2 drops Rose Geranium
2 drops Lavender

For aching muscles and tiredness, blend together:

1 ounce carrier oil
2 drops Rosemary
1 drop Lavender
1 drop Neroli

For a fragrant massage oil, blend together:

1 ounce carrier oil
4 drops Jasmine

Inhalation Therapy

Scent a warm washcloth with the following essential oils, drape it over your face, lie down for five minutes, and breathe deeply.

For a headache, try:

2 drops Lavender

For nervous tension and anxiety, blend together:

1 drop Vanilla
1 drop Tangerine

For sleep, try one of the following:

2 drops Lavender, Jasmine, or Chamomile

Traditional Uses of 20 Common Essential Oils

Cedar: Used traditionally to balance the emotions. Normalizes both dry and oily skin and hair. Should not be used by pregnant women.
Chamomile: Used traditionally to relieve stress, tension, and insomnia. Cond-itions the hair and scalp and adds shine and luster to hair.
Cinnamon: Strengthening, invigorating. Counteracts nervousness and tension.
Frankincense: An ancient essence traditionally used in religious rituals for meditation. Soothes and softens dry, chapped skin. Be sure to test first, as it may cause skin irritation.
Jasmine: This heavenly fragrance lifts spirits and soothes nerves, relaxes and calms. Beneficial for all types of skin.
Juniper: Antiseptic and purifying properties. Helps to revive dull skin.
Lavender: Traditionally used to help relieve tension, anxiety, head-aches, insomnia, and premenstrual tension. Also an antiseptic and a skin healer.
Lemon: Revitalizing, stimulating, and purifying. Because it is a skin irritant, it should not be applied to skin or used in baths.
Myrrh: This ancient, richly exotic scent has been traditionally used for spiritual meditation. It may cause skin irritation if applied to skin or used in baths.
Neroli: A stress reducer, deeply relaxing and well worth its price. Good for all types of skin.
Orange: This sweetly exotic fragrance may help induce sleep.
Peppermint: Stimulating and purifying. Decon-gests sinuses. A skin irritant. Do not apply to skin or use in baths.
Rose Essence: Sometimes called the 'queen of flowers', this exquisite fragrance instills feelings of peace, happiness and love.
Rose Geranium: Tension-easing, uplifting.
Rosemary: Energizing, invigorating and stimulating, may help relieve physical and mental tiredness and muscular aches and pains. Improves dry or mature skin.
Sandalwood: Traditionally used to enhance feelings of peace. A good moisturizer for all types of skin, even sensitive skin.
Sweet Eucalyptus: Traditionally used for purifying and healing. Helps stimulate and ref-resh body and mind.
Tangerine: Traditionally used to soothe the psyche and calm the nerves.
Vanilla: Revitalizing.
Ylang-Ylang: Often called the 'flower of flowers' due to its incredibly exotic fragrance, it soothes, relaxes and emotionally calms. Be aware that extended inhalation may cause headache. Best for treating oily skin.

Therapeutic Oils:

Avocado Oil, Carrot Oil, Jojoba Oil, and Wheatgerm Oil: Use for very dry skin, psoriasis, and eczema.
Castor Oil: Use for sore muscles and skin disorders.

Aromatic Facials

A facial steam bath is a great way to cleanse pores, add moisture to the skin, and increase circulation. Steaming your face once a week will keep it blemish-free and give your complexion a healthy glow. To prepare your facial bath, pour steaming water into a two-quart bowl. Add 3-5 drops of the essential oil suitable for your skin type (see 20 Common Essential Oils sidebar). Put your face over the bowl, drape a towel over your head and relax for 5-10 minutes. Afterwards, apply a cleanser to remove the impurities released from your skin by the steam.

To use essential oils in a moisturizer, mix a few drops of your favorite scent with a soothing carrier oil. Grapeseed and Sweet Almond carrier oils are both recommended for skin.

Diffusers, Lamps, and Rings

Using essential oils is like bringing a bit of the outdoors into your home. Because most of us live in big cities, we don't have the time or opportunity to get out and enjoy nature. Days, even weeks, go by without the scent of flowers or fresh mountain air. Escape from our hectic lives is necessary for our well-being, and essential oils-nature in the purest and most concentrated form-can help us meet this need. Whether you want to calm yourself after a long day or rejuvenate before a big meeting, scents drifting through the home or workplace can have numerous positive effects on both mind and body.

When you add several drops of essential oils to an aromatherapy candle lamp, light bulb ring, or electric diffuser, heat disperses the vapors from the essential oils into the air.

An electric diffuser, which pumps a constant light mist into the room, is the easiest and most effective method. Shop around and compare prices-some diffusers can be relatively expensive. Aromatherapy lamps, small bowls which hold the water and essential oils with a candle or light bulb heat source underneath them, are a convenient and inexpensive alternative. Light bulb rings are also useful. Simply sprinkle them with your favorite oil, slip over any light bulb, sit back and enjoy the wonderful aroma. Potpourri, pillows, bed linens, clothes, and stationery can also be scented with your favorite essential oil. A couple of drops is all you need. You can also create your own air freshener by blending the essential oils below with eight ounces of water in a bottle, then spraying the mist into the air.

To set a mood, use the following blends in an aromatherapy lamp, light bulb ring, or diffuser:

To inspire a meditative mood:

3 drops Frankincense
2 drops Myrrh
2 drops Sandalwood

To help ease tension:

4 drops Orange
4 drops Cinnamon

For calming, add together:

3 drops Lavender
3 drops Orange

For an uplifting air freshener, mix:

3 drops Sweet Eucalyptus
2 drops Orange
2 drops Lemon

Experiment with different essential oils to achieve the desired results. With the help of these precious essences, you can refresh and enjoy mother nature's gifts.

Carrier Oils

When essential oils are mixed with an unscented base oil, lotion, or cream, it is called a "carrier" (or fixative). This base oil dilutes the essential oil for skin applications. Undiluted essential oils are very concentrated and should not be applied directly to skin.

To determine the type of carrier oil to use, you may want to consider its intrinsic attributes and your intended purpose. The carrier oils may also be combined with one another and with essential oils to heighten their effectiveness. For all carriers except jojoba, add a few drops of wheat germ oil or a vitamin E capsule to prevent rancidity.

Light Nourishing Carrier Oils For All Skin Types:

Apricot Kernel Oil: A nourishing oil, well-suited as a moisturizer for dehydrated, sensitive, or mature skin and as a bath oil.

Grapeseed Oil: One of the best oils for massage; very light, non-greasy, and easy-to-spread. It also makes an excellent facial moisturizer.

Hazelnut Oil: A nourishing oil and skin revitalizer. Helps tone and tighten the skin.

Jojoba Oil: Very similar in composition to human sebum or natural skin oils. An excellent oil for conditioning hair, scalp, and cuticles as well as a body moisturizer.

Sesame Oil: A nourishing oil, often used in the Indian Ayurvedic medical system. A thick oil with a heavy odor. Use for massage oils containing stronger smelling essential oils, such as basil, rosemary, or thyme.

Sweet Almond Oil: An all-purpose, versatile oil used as a skin enricher and emollient. A perfect base for a massage oil and moisturizer.

Other good carriers are: Safflower, Peanut, Sunflower, Soy, Olive, Canola, and Peanut Oils.

New Way Of Looking At Eye Care

2008-07-20T14:26:00.000-07:00

Medical science doesn't really know why or how most poor eyesight develops, yet it wrongly believes that eyesight almost always worsens, and that nothing can be done about it-almost as if the eyes have a mind of their own, and all we can do is stand idly by as they deteriorate.

But we don't have to be passive victims of eye disease. Marc Grossman, O.D., and co-author Glen Swartwout, O.D., routinely improve their patients' eyesight and eye conditions with natural therapies. In their book, Natural Vision Care, to be published this year by Keats Publishing, Grossman and Swartwout outline diet, nutrition, and natural remedies to prevent and cure eye problems such as glaucoma, cataracts, conjunctivitis, dry eyes, and macular degeneration. In a question and answer session with VL, Grossman explained their program for eye health:

VL: Why have people come to think that eye care is not something we personally can do much about?

MG: First of all, eye care in this country is symptom-oriented. In our training as eye doctors, we're taught that, once something goes wrong with your eyes, there's not much that can be done. And we're not taught anything about prevention of problems; we're told to treat the eye as a separate organ from the rest of the body. People are taught that eye problems are just a natural consequence of the normal course of aging, but I routinely help people improve their vision and treat eye diseases. I'm interested in an aggressive prevention program. Eye doctors are the only doctors who don't learn that eye problems are a sign that something is wrong in our body, and that many eye diseases and problems can be prevented and corrected.

VL: What's wrong with routine treatments for eye conditions?

MG: For example, if you need glasses, we will prescribe them, you'll pay us and thank us, and in a couple of years, the prescription may not be good enough and you'll come back and sit behind the machine and thank us and pay us again. If you have glaucoma, same thing: You come to us, we may give you eyedrops, you pay us and thank us, and you'll probably be on these eyedrops for the rest of your life.

We have to look at vision the same way that Chinese medicine looks at disease. The eye is an extension of brain tissue, and it reflects what you're thinking and feeling; the eyes help us adapt to the world, and they give us an indication of how we're adapting to the world. They're the primary way we take in information. We have to stop just looking at the eyeball and see how every body system is working.

For instance, nearsightedness doesn't just happen. Did you know that 95 percent of all accountants are nearsighted, but less than 5 percent of farmers are? That's because accountants usually don't look farther than their desktops, and farmers are usually looking out on the horizon. The brain says, "If you make me do close work all day, I'll have to give up something," and that something is the ability to see at a distance, so, obviously, how we use our eyes affects what happens to them. But that is never addressed by most eye doctors.

VL: Give an example of an eye condition, its routine treatment, why it's unacceptable, and why natural remedies are better.

MG: Let's say you're 36 years old, and you have borderline high intraocular pressure, which is a possible sign of glaucoma. The doctor will test your visual field to make sure your peripheral vision is not affected. If your visual field is fine, your optic nerve is OK, and the pressure is borderline, the doctor will just watch it. There's nothing preventive that is given to help the pressure.

But in Chinese medicine, high pressure means a stagnation of qi (energy) in the liver, so we treat the liver with herbs such as milk thistle, dandelion, bilberry, and ginkgo to get the circulation moving. Sometimes, glaucoma is an indication that the neck area needs chiropractic care or acupuncture. Exercise also has been shown to lower intraocular pressure. Diet is important too; vitamin C has been shown to lower pressure.

Then let's look at glaucoma psychologically: Glaucoma usually means the patient has suppressed anger and frustration, so I have the patient deal with that.

VL: In your forthcoming book, you suggest a program for eye health involving diet, exercise, acupressure, and supplements. Would you please explain it for us?

MG: Holistically, you are more than an interesting set of symptoms that must be eradicated with the proper drug. You are a complex human being functioning on several levels: mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical. We take all of these levels into consideration when we treat a patient, because merely quelling the physical symptoms of disease doesn't address how that disease impacts and emerges from all of those other levels of your being. Treating your eyes is no different.

These treatments-nutrition, Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupressure, herbs, physical exercise, eye exercises, spinal adjustments, and homeopathy-offer natural methods of balancing the multifaceted cause of disease.

We start with nutrition, because more than 25 percent of the nutrients we absorb from our food go to nourish our visual system. The diet plan we prescribe emphasizes a variety of whole foods, because the body does not use each vitamin and mineral in isolation. The absence of one nutrient can affect the body's ability to use another.

The diet we recommend is based on whole grains-brown rice, millet, kamut, quinoa, spelt, and buckwheat. Because they are so high in minerals, we also recommend sea vegetables, such as dulse, arame, hijiki, nori, and wakame; and, also for their high vitamin and mineral content, fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, particularly kale, collards, mustard greens, and spinach. Greens are a particularly good source of a certain type of carotenoid that helps protect optic nerve fibers.

But no matter how wholesome and pure our food might be, there are factors that affect its nutrient content: How it is grown, how it is stored, and how it is cooked. Your age, health, activity level, and stress also can affect what your body needs and how well it's using the nutrients from your diet. This is where supplements come in handy. We routinely recommend vitamin and mineral supplements to our patients.

There are a couple of Chinese herbal formulas we use that are specific to eye treatment. And we usually recommend acupressure to our patients because it releases muscular tension and promotes the circulation of blood and qi to aid healing.

Besides relieving pain, acupressure can rebalance qi throughout the body. We've found acupressure to be very beneficial in the treatment of eye disease, and we recommend it in our book because it is easy, it doesn't cost anything, and you can do it yourself.

We also recommend eye exercises, and we have found that patients with vision problems greatly improve when spinal adjustment is added to the therapy; this ensures that the spinal cord is free from muscular contraction, tension, and mechanical nerve pressure, perhaps from a dislocated vertebrae. Any of these problems can interfere with tissue nourishment and adequate nerve flow, which the eyes need to function and especially to heal.

VL: You emphasize daily exercise. How can exercise improve my vision?

MG: Everyone takes for granted that you have to use your muscles to keep them fit. If we know for certain that exercising muscles is important for health and performance, why not regularly exercise our eye muscles to improve our visual fitness?

Exercise is extremely important in the prevention of chronic eye diseases, because it raises oxygen levels in the cells and increases lymph and blood circulation. From a Chinese standpoint, eye problems mean there is stagnant energy, and exercise gets rid of the stagnation. This increased circulation revitalizes the organs and glands and speeds up detoxification of the body. Any exercise that helps your body aerobically without causing injury would be helpful. We recommend that you gently build up to aerobic exercise for a minimum of 20 minutes per day, four days a week.

VL: What are some important tips to keep our eyes healthy?

MG: Don't keep your eyes focused in one place for a sustained period of time. Change your focus a few times a day: Look up, look out the window, just keep your eyes moving. Sustained contraction of the eyes leads to a contraction of the entire upper body (and, as we discussed before, your brain needs to know that you need your eyes for more than just close vision). By the same token, don't stare: It causes tension in the whole visual system.

Get at least 20 minutes of natural sunlight a day. Go for a walk or get full-spectrum lighting. The eyes are light-sensing systems. It's important to get enough sunlight so that they work optimally; it's a nutrient. But wear UV-protective sunglasses to protect your eyes from damaging sun rays. (Sunlight has been implicated in several eye diseases.)

Quit smoking! It's the number one eye irritant. Besides, smokers have a 50 to 100 percent increased risk for every single eye disease because of the damage by the free radicals created by cigarette smoke.

Avoid sugar; it depletes the body of nutrients the eyes need. Avoid alcohol; it causes stress to the liver, which is where vitamin A is processed. (Vitamin A is essential to good vision.)

VL: What are the most important supplements for eye health?

MG: All of the antioxidants-beta carotene and vitamins C, and E-have been shown to reduce damage to the eyes.

Low levels of beta carotene (provitamin A) virtually double your risk for macular degeneration and increase your risk for cataracts. Glaucoma patients tend to be deficient in vitamin A; it permits good drainage and keeps the intraocular pressure down. In parts of the world where vitamin A deficiency is widespread, severe dry eye syndrome is a leading cause of blindness. We recommend around 15,000 IU per day of beta carotene.

Vitamin C can both prevent and heal cataracts. In parts of Europe and Asia, it's considered routine treatment for glaucoma, because it lowers eye pressure in several ways. Vitamin C also acts as a natural UV filter for the eyes and may slow the aging process in the retina. People with low levels of vitamin C stand two to three times the risk for macular degeneration. We recommend 1,500 mg per day.

Vitamin E has been shown to reduce eye pressure, and low levels have been shown to increase cataract risk. Vitamin E deficiency is believed to be a cause of macular degeneration. We recommend 400 IU per day.

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) has accumulated 40 years of research confirming its benefits for the eyes. In one study, a combination of bilberry and vitamin E stopped cataract formation in 97 percent of the patients-without side effects. It can improve night vision, relieve visual fatigue, and protect the eyes from glaucoma and macular degeneration. We recommend 300 mg per day.

Ginkgo increases blood circulation to the head, so it has the potential for more rapid healing of all tissues associated with vision. It's a powerful antioxidant, and it has been shown to increase visual acuity in people with macular degeneration. We recommend 100 mg per day.

Lutein and zeaxanthin: These two carotenoids appear to reduce your risk for macular degeneration. Eating collard greens and spinach once a week was enough to lower risk by 46 percent, according to a Harvard study. We recommend 20 mg per day.

Healthy Teeth and Gums: An ecosystem approach to oral care.

2008-07-20T14:21:00.000-07:00

Do you have cavities? Do your gums ache and bleed after brushing? Over 75 percent of people over 35 have cavities and symptoms of gum disease. Gums naturally recede as we age, exposing the roots and increasing our risk of developing infection. Conditions that can make you more susceptible to gum disease include: diabetes mellitus, leukemia, AIDS, poor nutrition, hormonal changes, smoking, and poor oral hygiene. However, there is hope-modern day dentistry, and fluoridated water and toothpaste have helped many people keep their teeth well into old age. Our teeth and gums are active living tissue-designed to heal and repair. Our mouths are home to a complex micro-ecosystem of many types of organisms whose population composition directly effect the health of teeth and gums. By applying an ecosystem approach to our mouths, we can expect to have near perfect dental health our whole lives.

Dental Basics

Above the gum line, our teeth are covered by a thin layer of solid enamel, a calcium/phosphate mineral. Inside the enamel is dentin, similar to bone tissue; and below the gum line, the inner soft pulp contains nerves and blood vessels. The villain in most dental problems is plaque, a gelatinous mass of scavenging bacteria that coats the surfaces of the teeth and tongue. These unwelcome residents dine on leftover chewed starches and sugars, excreting acids and other byproducts. Plaque holds these acids next to the enamel, dissolving it and eating into the underlying dentin, creating a cavity. Plaque also hardens into tartar, a hard mineral shell that erodes healthy gum tissue enabling infection to penetrate deep into gums and jawbone, resulting in gum (periodontal) disease.

The Bacterial Ecosystem

Cavities

Our mouths are teeming cities of bacteria. Some bacteria are neutral "good" citizens, others display anti-social tendencies: etching acid graffiti, dumping toxic materials, and in the case of gum disease, creating a milieu inviting to even more dangerous criminals.

The bacteria responsible for cavities, Streptococcus Mutans, sneaks into children's mouths before they are three and have fully developed immune systems. Being "grandfathered" in, the bacteria are free from antibody attack. Strep. Mutans produces more acid than other bacteria, creating an acidic environment repellent to friendly bacteria as well as damaging to enamel. Your mother was right that sugar causes cavities: sucrose specifically selects for Strep. Mutans, and from it, the bacteria creates the stickiest, thickest gel.

At Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, CA, dental researchers aim to completely eliminate cavities in young children and prevent their exposure to Strep. Mutans by minimizing the microorganism in their parents' mouths with anti-microbial mouthwash followed by careful dental hygiene and regular dental visits for the whole family. As children get older, their enamel thickens, reducing their susceptibility to cavities.

Gum Disease

Gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease, is characterized by inflamed or bleeding gums. As periodontal disease progresses, plaque penetrates the gum tissue, causing a spreading infection with severe gum recession, creating deep plaque pockets at the gum line which harbor even more bacteria. Eventually, the infection reaches and destroys the jaw bone, and teeth fall out.

The bacterial ecosystem gets really complex with gum disease, involving at least forty types of bad bacteria. Harmful bacteria are always present in the environment, and when these pathogens encounter a mouth with a healthy low population of "normal" bacteria, they find the environment inhospitable, and do not thrive, like criminals passing through a small town of good citizens.

However, poor mouth hygiene and a sugary diet lead to a high bacterial population-the oral equivalent of New York City-much to the denizens delight. One of them, Clostridium Perfingens, is suspected of being a major cause of atherosclerosis-entering the bloodstream and promoting blood clots and damaging heart muscle. Researchers also speculate that toxins released from gum infections of pregnant women may be responsible for many low-birth-weight babies.

Natural Protection

Fortunately, our bodies have a natural arsenal of bacterial defenses, beginning with the saliva we produce during our waking hours. According to Dr. George Lessard, professor of biochemistry at Loma Linda University, the saliva produced by our parotid glands is a slightly basic solution. It neutralizes acid, washes the mouth, and deposits a protective protein coating over the teeth. Saliva also contains phosphate and calcium ions that remineralize teeth, repairing cavities before they can develop. A smidgen of fluoride (the amount in fluoridated toothpaste) is necessary for this remineralization to take place.

Loma Linda scientists have discovered that tooth pulp actually produces a fluid which flows outward through the dentin and even the enamel, naturally cleansing the teeth. This fluid is high in microminerals, such as chromium, often in short supply in current diets. One substance appears to stop this outflow of cleansing fluid cold-sucrose, common table sugar.

Although gum disease is almost ubiquitous in this country, it is not inevitable. It has been the experience of New York holistic dentist Dr. Reid Winick, that gum disease can be prevented, reversed, or at least halted in anyone who is willing to carefully improve their oral environment through dental hygiene, diet, and dental monitoring. Even deep infected gum pockets, with effort, can become clean and free from active infection. Following a healthy diet and lifestyle will help keep the immune system functioning at its peak.

Prevention Techniques

A Diet for Prevention

Dental infection is not normal, but a sign of imbalance. Eating the right foods is a key part of controlling your oral environment by encouraging healthy bacteria as well as strengthening your body's overall defenses.

Optimize immunity, wound healing, and salivary composition by eating nutrient-dense foods such as vegetables, whole grains, beans, tofu, and nonfat dairy products.
Minimize consumption of table sugar (sucrose), and refined carbohydrates. Select whole grains instead.
Eat fibrous, crunchy foods to clean the teeth. Our ancestors' high fiber diet was partly responsible for their dental health.
Avoid excessive acids, such as high intake of citrus fruits, juices, sports drinks, and vinegar. Avoid cola drinks, even diet cola, because of their high phosphoric acid content. Limit toddler's juice intake and don't put babies down with a bottle.
Foregoing alcohol and tobacco will help diseased gums repair.
Eat less meat. The saliva of non-meat eaters contains more of certain amino acids, affecting the composition of oral bacteria. Finland research suggests vegetarians have less cavities and gum disease.
Brush after every meal or snack. Dr. Lessard suggests you chew sugar free gum if you can't brush to remove food and increase saliva.

Herbs and Supplements

Echinacea, famed for its ability to boost immunity, is as effective at jump-starting your ability to fight gum disease as it is in helping you fight off a cold. It is also an effective antibacterial.

Myrrh, an antiseptic, has been used since biblical times for soothing and healing gums and mouth sores. New research suggests it may stimulate the immune system as well. Look for myrrh in rinses and mouthwash.

Goldenseal, another herb with a long history of use in treating gum problems, contains astringent, antiseptic chemicals that reduce inflammation, soothe irritated gums, and kill microbes. Avoid if you have hypertension or are pregnant.

Tea Tree Oil was used by Australian aborigines as an antibiotic poultice for thousands of years. Research has confirmed that it is a highly potent oral antimicrobial and mild anesthetic which, unlike many antibiotics, does not damage healthy tissue. It causes local irritation in a few people and should not be swallowed.

Vitamin C is critical in maintaining connective tissue and fighting infections. Spongy gums are one of the first signs of scurvy, but even mild vitamin C deficiency causes gum problems. Vitamin A is also necessary to maintain gum integrity and fight off infection.

Zinc's ability to stimulate the immune system has been observed for years, but only recently have been documented by good research. Zinc seems to be particularly effective at reducing oral and respiratory bacteria.

Coenzyme Q, produced naturally by the liver, but also available as a supplement, has been used for years to fight gum disease. However, well conducted scientific studies have not been done to confirm anecdotal reports of its effectiveness.Dr. Andrew Weil, in his newsletter Self Healing (Jan. '97), recommends taking 60 to 100 mg of supplemental Co-Q a day, for gum problems.

Dental Hygiene

Pathogenic dental bacteria thrive in a crowd, so limiting the total bacterial number selects for healthier varieties. And removing plaque gets acid and toxins away from teeth and gums.

The American Dental Association recommends we brush and floss twice daily and visit our dentist every six months for tough plaque removal and monitoring.

Brush each tooth carefully but gently with a soft bristle brush. Dr. Winick recommends brushing four minutes with tea tree oil or peelu toothpaste, pushing it under gums and between teeth for its natural antimicrobial effects. Dr. Lessard, on the other hand, stresses the importance of brushing with fluoridated toothpastes. Avoid any abrasive toothpastes.

Clean between teeth daily using floss or a water irrigator. (Dr. Winnick prefers a water irrigator with a dental herbal mixture to clean out gum pockets.) Flossing cleans areas where the brush can't reach. Use a clean section of floss for each tooth. Wind floss around your fingers and unwind as you go. Slip between teeth and under the gum line to wipe plaque from the sides of the teeth.

The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush at least four times a year. A new generation of toothbrushes feature "natural" bristles made from boar hair or plant materials. Others use nylon bristles which are rounder, softer, and less hospitable to harboring bacteria. New shapes feature bristles which hug the teeth and curved recyclable handles to make it easier to reach all teeth surfaces.

Natural toothpastes and dentifrices eliminate synthetic ingredients and include many of the oral health herbs listed on page 2, especially tea tree oil, to kill gum bacteria. Fluoride is often added to enhance mineralization of teeth.

Baking soda, used as a mild abrasive to clean teeth since the beginning of this century, gives a clean feeling to the mouth.

Hydrogen peroxide, released from effervescent tooth powders, combines with baking soda to create unstable carbonic acid, which fights plaque, promotes mineralization, and then quickly disappears.

Mouthwash reduces bacteria in the mouth and encourages fresh breath. Traditional mouthwashes used alcohol and strong chemicals to kill bacteria, while new natural products use herbs and essential oils such as peppermint or eucalyptus as antimicrobials. Herbal mouthwashes may be used with a water irrigator.

Tongue scrapers, the latest addition to natural dental hygiene, lower the number of oral bacteria by scraping them off the tongue, a bacterial reservoir. If you don't use a tongue scraper, dental practitioners suggest using your toothbrush on your tongue.

Mercury Fillings,... are they safe?

Silver fillings (dental amalgam), the most common dental cavity filling material for the past 150 years, is composed of silver, copper, tin, and mercury. As concern about the dangers of mercury has increased, so have questions about mercury used in amalgam. In response, both US and Canadian governments conducted reviews of amalgam's safety. The US Public Health Service concluded, there is "no persuasive reason to believe that avoiding amalgams or having them removed will have a beneficial effect on health." The American Dental Association agrees. The Canadian investigation conceded that some mercury is absorbed from amalgam but at levels so low they are usually safe.

It is clear that amalgam fillings do release absorbable mercury vapors. A recent Swedish study found people with amalgam fillings had higher mercury levels, which were lowered after filling removal. "It was induced that amalgam fillings are a significant source of mercury in saliva and feces" (Toxicol Appl. Pharmacol 1997 May:144(1), 156-62). However, no one has demonstrated a slight increase above baseline environmental mercury levels causes health problems in amalgam wearers. Dentists have considerably higher mercury levels but no higher death rates than the general population. And a recent study found no higher mercury levels in people who believe they have amalgam-induced mercury poisoning than in a control group.

Like lead, mercury is extremely neurotoxic, with no safe "threshold" level. Current background levels are higher now than previously, and concern is mounting that this exposure may be dangerous. Mercury's health effects may be subtle and individual. And amalgam critics question the rationality of assiduously reducing exposure to every other mercury source-but not amalgam.

Most amalgam health studies focus on adults, but babies may be in greater jeopardy, as their neurological systems are highly sensitive to mercury. Two recent studies observed mercury exposure in pregnant or lactating women. One concluded, "The findings suggest that placement and removal of "silver" tooth fillings in pregnant and lactating humans will subject the fetus and neonate to unnecessary risk of mercury exposure" (Biol Trace Elem Research 1997 Feb 56 (2), 143-5). And a Swedish study correlated maternal amalgam with breast milk mercury levels that expose babies to one half the officially tolerable intake for adults! "We concluded that efforts should be made to decrease the mercury burden in fertile women" (Arch. Envir. Health 1996 May-June 51 (3), 234-41).

Should you have your amalgam fillings replaced if you plan to have a baby? Unfortunately, you may not be able to turn to your dentist for advice-dentists in most states are prohibited by law from advising patients to have amalgam fillings replaced for health reasons. Choose a dentist who uses careful precautions, including a latex dental dam exposing only the pertinent tooth and a sophisticated suction system to prevent swallowing amalgam. Before considering replacing amalgam fillings, however, you should know body mercury levels can temporarily rise 33 percent when four or more amalgam fillings are removed in a day (J. Canad. Dental Assoc. 1996 Jul 62 (7), 547).

Sweating is natural and treating the smell can be too.

2008-07-20T14:18:00.000-07:00

To sweat, perhaps to stink? Perish the thought! At the first inkling of wetness, whether it's from the heat or just a bad case of nerves, we panic. We know what comes next-putrid, pervasive body odor. To guard against becoming odorous social outcasts, we spray, powder, and perfume ourselves religiously with drugstore deodorants and antiperspirants.

Although we'll do just about anything to inhibit wetness, sweat is actually good for us. Not only does it regulate our body temperature by cooling us when we're overheated, but also it helps remove toxins from our system. And surprisingly, body odor may also serve a purpose. Since human body odor develops during adolescence, some researchers believe that naturally produced scents contain pheromones, the chemicals that attract the opposite sex. According to James A. Duke, PhD, author of The Green Pharmacy (Rodale Press, 1997), "Scientists have known for a long time that pheromones play a principle role in animal mating. But until fairly recently, conventional scientific wisdom held that these chemicals had no amorous effect on us humans. Now studies have demonstrated that pheromones do indeed play a subtle but very real role in human attraction."

The Smell from Hell

While some body odors may be attractive, even downright sexy, too much of a good thing can be embarrassing. What produces the noxious odor we've come to dread? Our bodies contain two types of sweat glands-eccrine and apocrine. While the eccrine glands act as the body's thermostat, the sweat they produce has no smell. The odor comes from the apocrine glands, located under the arms, around the nipples, and in the genital area. Composed mainly of water and salt, sweat from the apocrine glands is fairly benign-at least until it comes in contact with the bacteria that lives on the surface of the skin. This bacteria feeds on sweat and decomposes it, causing odor. According to Dr. Duke, the only way to prevent the build-up of bacteria is to wash it away every six hours or so-an impractical goal at best.

Diet can also play a major role in the odor we produce. "The type of foods you eat can contribute to the way you smell," says Elson M. Haas, MD, founder and director of the Preventative Medical Center of Marin in San Rafael, California, and author of The Detox Diet (Celestial Art, 1996). According to Dr. Haas, a meat-based diet and highly spiced foods can heighten body odor. To counteract a potentially odorous diet, he recommends adding some deodorizing foods to your meal including papaya, pineapple, cinnamon, oregano, and parsley, which have bacteria-fighting properties.

Desperate Measures

Ok, you meditate regularly, shower daily, and eat only the right foods, but just as a precaution you reach for the deodorant. Over-the-counter deodorants and antiperspirants may stem the flow and stop the odor thanks to a myriad of chemicals, but could this additional odor insurance actually be hazardous to your health, especially after decades of daily use? Deodorants are designed to kill bacteria and mask offending odors with a pleasant long-lasting scent using synthetic chemicals, fragrances, and colors, many of which are derived from petroleum sources. Whether deodorants come in the form of a spray, cream, roll-on, or solid stick, most contain propylene glycol. In industry, propylene glycol is used in anti-freeze and brake fluid. Readily absorbed into the skin, recent studies have tied this chemical to contact dermatitis, kidney damage, and liver abnormalities. It also inhibits skin cell growth and directly alters cell membranes.

Another ingredient commonly found in deodorants, deodorant soaps, and body washes is triclosan, a broad-spectrum antibacterial. An ingredient that can cause allergic contact dermatitis, long-term exposure to triclosan has been linked to liver damage in animals.

Antiperspirants, on the other hand, reduce perspiration by blocking the pores with aluminum compounds. Since these compounds must remain in the pores for long periods of time to work effectively, they are easily absorbed into the bloodstream. Aluminum-based ingredients, which are one of the leading causes of skin irritation, are also suspected of contributing to the development of Alzheimer's disease. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, "a statistically significant trend emerged between increasing lifetime use of aluminum-containing antiperspirants and the estimated relative risk of Alzheimer's disease."

Back in 1966 a new deodorant product appeared on store shelves which claimed to be "essential to your cleanliness and your peace of mind about being a girl-an attractive, nice-to-be-with girl." The labels on feminine deodorant sprays have changed over the past three decades to reflect our changing society, but until recently the ingredients were essentially the same. Promising to banish odor in the genital area, these products traditionally relied on talc to keep private parts fresh and dry. Chemically similar to asbestos, talc has been linked to an increase in ovarian cancer in a study by Dr. Linda Cook of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington. Since the chemicals found in talc-based products migrate up the vaginal canal to the reproductive tract, the study found that women who used feminine deodorant sprays had an increased ovarian cancer risk of 90 percent. While the two leading manufacturers of feminine deodorant sprays have switched from talc to cornstarch in response to consumer demand, other ingredients found in these products remain a cause for concern.

Most prevalent are benzyl alcohol, which is corrosive to the skin and mucous membranes, and isopropyl myristate, an ingredient which can cause blackheads. The University of Maryland, College Park Health Center warns that these irritants can also contribute to the development of yeast infections when sprayed on underwear and sanitary pads or, as manufacturers suggest, directly on the vaginal area.

While the makers of feminine deodorant sprays have gotten the message regarding talc, manufacturers of deodorant body powders haven't. Unfortunately, neither have the thousands of women who liberally sprinkle these powders under their arms and around their genital area every day.

Seduced by catchy advertising jingles, these women are unaware of the fact that not only are they increasing their risk of ovarian cancer by 60 percent, but also according to a report by the National Toxicology Program, each fragrant cloud of powder deposits a fine, but irritating, coating of talc in their respiratory tract. Prolonged inhalation can lead to respiratory disease.

Making Scents

If, by this time, you've decided to forget the whole thing and simply mask odor with a dose of your favorite eau de cologne, think again. Synthetic fragrances are among the leading cause of allergic reactions according to the FDA, who've received complaints of headaches, dizziness, rashes, hyper pigmentation (brown spots), coughing, vomiting, and skin irritation.

Despite all these potential health hazards, manufacturers aren't required to list the ingredients on the labels of perfumes. According to a report by the National Academy of Sciences, 95 percent of the chemicals used in fragrances are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum, 84 percent of which have never been tested for safety.

Of those that have been tested, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that 884 were found to be toxic and capable of producing respiratory problems, neurotoxicity, multiple chemical sensitivities, and allergic reactions.

Many of these synthetic chemicals are listed as hazardous by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including methyl ethyl ketone, methylene chloride, and a-Terpineol, all of which can adversely affect the central nervous system. Benzaldehyde, a highly toxic allergen is also a common addition to perfumes. A number of synthetic ingredients can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract, including benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, and acetone. Salicylic acid, used as a fixative in perfumes, may cause photosensitivity.

If you're hooked on perfume but would like to play it safe, experiment with the vast array of pure essential oils on the market today. Simply dilute a few drops of the essential oil in 1/4 cup of vegetable oil and dab on your pulse points for a delicious scent.

Nice 'N' Natural

Fortunately, you can avoid the chemicals found in deodorants, antiperspirants, and perfumes and still enjoy feeling fresh and dry. While nothing takes the place of proper hygiene and frequent bathing, a number of natural deodorants are available that prevent odor sans petrochemicals, using antibacterial herbs such as coriander, licorice, and thyme. Some include essential oils, such as lavender and tea tree oil, which boost the products' antiseptic effect. To check wetness, look for products containing natural astringents such as witch hazel and sage.

One product gaining popularity is the deodorant stone. Made from mineral salts, the stone not only banishes odor but also shrinks pores to reduce the flow of perspiration. To use, simply wet the stone and rub it under your arms to keep you smelling sweet all day. According to manufacturers, one stone will last a year or more, making it an economical, synthetic-free alternative to traditional sticks and roll-ons.

Or head to the kitchen to make your own herbal remedies. For an effective deodorant/antiperspirant, combine a handful of dried sage and thyme in a large bowl. Cover the herbs with boiling water and steep for 30 minutes. Cool, then strain the liquid into a clean spray bottle. To use, simply spritz the mixture under the arms and allow it to dry before dressing.

If you prefer powders, try a dusting of baking soda (a terrific deodorizer), arrowroot, or cornstarch. These natural powders have absorbent properties and are safe to use on sanitary pads and vaginal areas.

Hair Care Au Naturel: Gentle herbs leave your hair soft and silky.

2008-07-20T14:11:00.000-07:00

It's been said that hair is the barometer of the soul, reflecting our general well-being. And, while it's true that stress, poor nutrition, and daily exposure to the elements all contribute to making hair look dull and lifeless, much of the damage to its appearance is self-inflicted. Blow drying, perming, curling, and coloring can leave hair looking more like a haystack than the crowning glory it was meant to be.

To help restore health to your hair, just look to the past. For centuries, beautiful tresses have been attained with the help of Mother Nature. The beneficial properties of natural remedies were well-known to the ancient Greeks, Egyptians, and Chinese, who cultivated plants and herbs such as rosemary, sage, ginseng, and nettle for cosmetic as well as medicinal use.

Herbal Infusions

Throughout history, herbal infusions have been used as rinses to revitalize hair. To make your own infusions, simply steep 1/3 cup of one of the following herbs in a quart of boiling water for 15 minutes. Cool, strain, and use as a final rinse after shampooing.

Chamomile has been used for generations to add highlights and gloss to fair hair.

Ginseng replenishes moisture, giving hair more flexibility and sheen.

Lavender, with its soothing fragrance, can renew hair's silkiness and shine.

Lemongrass conditions hair, leaving it soft and lustrous.

Nettle was commonly used as a conditioner in the 19th century, adding strength and luster to overworked hair.

Rosemary, with its stimulating properties, is believed to encourage hair growth and control dandruff. It not only gives sheen to dark hair; it's a great detangler.

Sage has been used since the Middle Ages to cover those pesky strands of occasional gray.

Yarrow, once treasured by the ancient Greeks, improves hair's manageability.

Healthy Hair Basics

Keeping hair healthy and beautiful requires more than an ancient remedy. Developing healthy habits is key. A hit or miss strategy can't make up for the daily practice of gentle care.

Surprisingly, what we think of as lively hair is hardly alive at all. The root, an outgrowth of the hair follicle (of which we have about 100,000 embedded in the scalp alone), is nourished by a network of blood vessels and is the only living part of hair. The visible portion of hair is just dead matter. It makes sense, then, to give your scalp special attention.

Richard Stein, hair care specialist and author of Set Free-The Book About Hair, believes massaging the scalp is the single most important thing you can do for your hair.

Using your fingertips, gently massage your scalp in a circular pattern for a minute or two every time you shampoo. According to Stein, "massage encourages hair growth by stimulating the scalp's rich blood supply and helping to flush away metabolic waste."

How you dry your hair can also affect the health of your scalp. Stein urges us to resist the temptation to "scrub" our hair dry, suggesting instead that we gently squeeze out the moisture in the folds of a thick towel. Since heat from blow-dryers robs hair of its natural moisture, air-dry your hair whenever possible. If you must use a blow-dryer, keep it on the lowest setting.

Although brushing your hair distributes the scalp's oils, the fabled 100 strokes a night probably did more harm than good. If you must brush, never brush hair when it's wet-it's a sure-fire path to breakage and split-ends. Instead, use a wide-tooth comb or, better yet, your fingers, to gently detangle and shape.

When there's no time to wash your hair, try a "dry" shampoo. Simply mix a tablespoon of arrowroot with 1/3 cup of bran and rub it into your hair to absorb the excess oil. Gently brush out the residue and you're set to go!

Shades of Nature

Color has always fascinated us, especially when it comes to our hair. Whether we want a whole new look or just need to hide a few gray hairs, nature can provide the solution.

Exalted in ancient Indian literature and reportedly used by Cleopatra, henna has been used to color and condition hair for centuries. Denise Santamarina, owner of Natural Nouveaux, a chemical-free salon in Las Vegas, swears by the strong red plant pigment. "Unlike chemical dyes which penetrate the hair shaft," explains Santamarina, "henna wraps around each hair, effectively sealing it with a reflective coating." The result is shiny, thicker hair.

Easy-to-use, henna powder is mixed with hot water to a mud-like consistency and applied to hair. After about 45 minutes, the mixture is rinsed out, leaving hair gleaming with a reddish glow. Available at most natural food stores, henna is often blended with other plant pigments such as chamomile or walnut shells to achieve different hues.

Color can also come from a variety of other natural sources. Beets or cranberries provide a burnished red tint. Various shades of brown can be obtained from walnuts, pecans, coffee, or tea. Chamomile, marigolds, or dandelions will give blondes a golden glow.

The only requirement for these plant dyes is that you begin with a hair base light enough to "take" the color. To help guarantee the final effect, do a strand test before applying the dye to your whole head. Check the strand periodically to calculate the time required to achieve the desired result.

To release the pigment from flowers, stems, leaves, and roots, cover 3 cups of the desired plant material with cold water and bring to a boil. Boil for one hour, then strain. Continue boiling the remaining liquid for an additional hour and cool before applying to hair.

For nut dyes, roast a dozen shells in a frying pan until burnt. Cool and grind them as finely as possible. Mix the powdered shells with enough water to form a paste and spread on hair.
Rescuing Battle-Fatigued Hair

Convinced your hair is beyond help? For a quick protein fix, Santamarina suggests the application of a good quality mayonnaise before shampooing. If you need a more intensive remedy, she recommends a hot oil treatment. "Although sebum (the oil your scalp produces naturally) is the best conditioner, plant oils such as sesame or olive oil work well," she says. Her favorite? "Jojoba. Since it has the same molecular weight as sebum, it comes the closest to duplicating our natural scalp oil."

Nature's Hot Oil Treatment

A terrific way to replenish oils and help repair split ends.

3 tablespoons sesame oil
3 tablespoons jojoba oil
1 tablespoon dried nettles
1 egg yolk

Combine the ingredients in a small saucepan and slowly heat to lukewarm. Skim off the nettles and massage the remaining liquid into hair, coating each strand. Wrap your head in a warm towel and leave on for at least 30 minutes, preferably overnight. To remove the oil, shampoo as usual.

Old Fashioned Egg Shampoo

Nourish hair and scalp with this time-tested protein treatment to restore softness and manageability to dry hair.

2 large eggs
3 tablespoons cider vinegar or juice of half a lemon

Beat the eggs until frothy and massage into the scalp. Leave on for a few minutes before rinsing with warm water. To cut the film left by the eggs, make a final rinse by combining the vinegar (for dark hair) or the lemon juice (for fair hair) with 8 ounces of warm water.

Choose Natural

"Unlike many natural hair care products which nourish the hair and scalp, petrochemically-based cleaners can strip hair of natural oils," says Harmony Urgola, Nutrition Manager for Wild Oats Community Market, a Colorado-based whole foods chain.

While every product may not live up to its claims, can conventional hair care be potentially harmful? Research conducted over the last 20 years suggests that prolonged exposure to some chemicals commonly used in hair care products can be linked to allergies, skin irritations, and certain types of cancer. One report by the National Cancer Institute, published in the American Journal of Public Health, states that women who use hair dyes-especially darker shades-have a 50 percent higher risk of developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Another study, conducted by the University of California and published in The American Journal of Industrial Medicine, found that hairdressers had four times the rate of multiple myeloma, a malignant tumor of the bone marrow. The substances in this study included hair dyes, shampoos, hair conditioners, relaxers, and permanent wave solutions. Although these products are used topically, it's impossible to keep them from touching the scalp, where the chemicals are absorbed. In her book, A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients, Ruth Winter, MS, says, "It has now been accepted that all chemicals penetrate the skin to some extent, and many do so in significant amounts." According to the FDA however, these products don't require pre-market safety approval.

If you do use over-the-counter hair care products, be well informed. Don't be fooled by a few natural ingredients or environmentally responsible packaging. Companies such as Aubrey Organics make it their business to insure the true "naturalness" of their products. Always check the list of ingredients and the warning labels. "A good rule of thumb...," says Urgola, "if you won't put [an ingredient] in your body, why should you put it on your hair?"

Although not all petrochemicals are toxic, here are several to watch for: Coal tar is a common ingredient in the darker shades of hair dye, as well as many dandruff shampoos. It's been linked to frequent allergic reactions and cancer in animals. Phenylenediamine, often preceded by an m-, o-, or p-, is routinely found in permanent hair dyes and may produce eczema, bronchial asthma, gastritis, photosensitization, skin rashes, and cancer. Ammonium Thioglycolate, used in hair straighteners, can cause severe burns and blistering.

Cosmetics Without Synthetics: Discover the wonders of natural cosmetics made with earth-friendly ingredients.

2008-07-20T14:04:00.000-07:00

All I want is a new jar of foundation, one of the brands only sold in large department stores. After 20 years of buying cosmetics, I know the routine. If you look like you know where you're going and what you're after, they're more likely to leave you alone. I make it past the saleswoman with the perfume atomizer. I wind my way around a half-dozen brightly lit counters stocked with different makeup lines, and twice saleswomen in those clinical-looking, white lab coats ask if I need any help. Perhaps I'm not walking fast enough. I arrive at the counter that carries my brand and ask for the jar of foundation, in champagne beige. Since my saleswoman is highly trained in not only t he product but also selling (she is on commission, after all), I should expect what's coming.

"Do you need any powder for oil control?" "We have a wonderful new rejuvenating toner that really brings color back into the cheeks." "Our aesthetician from Paris will be here next month-would you like to sign up for a free facial and makeover?" Too many expensive trips to the makeup counter have made me as skilled at saying no as she is at trying to sell. But, still, as I walk briskly to the nearest exit, my makeup swinging by my side in a small, fancy red bag, I can't completely quell that old twinge, the one responsible for my bathroom drawer filled with once-used eye shadows and lipsticks:" Why, do I need it?" "Do I really look that bad?" I vow, once more, to go bare-faced when my pricey jar is empty.

Switch to the cosmetics counter at my local health food store, one section over from the organic produce. Two saleswomen acknowledge me with a smile, then continue to chat as I browse through the displays of natural cosmetics lined up on the counter. They're not on commission, and if their virtually makeup-free complexions are any indication, they're more interested in the vitamins in the next aisle than cosmetics. I'm wrong. My question about the mascaras clearly shows they've tried the products. "This one"-the most expensive, I note-"tends to clump," I'm told. "That one is excellent."

There is no hard sell, just a friendly back-and-forth about the products and the purity of the natural ingredients. Makeup and organic carrots seem, well, a little incongruous in the same shopping cart. But then again, not as incongruous as going out of my way to eat organic carrots but adorning my skin with an unhealthy brew of conventional chemical-filled cosmetics.

Let's face it. There's nothing "natural" about makeup. Indeed the very term "natural cosmetics" is as oxymoronic as they come, since the purpose of a cosmetic by any name is to alter one's natural appearance. But even those among us who consider shimmering blue eye shadow an affront to the laws of nature can't always resist the "healthy" glow a twirl of mascara, a touch of blusher, a swipe of lipstick, a glint of nail color, or a dab of cover-up on that all-too-natural blemish can bring. While you can quibble with syntax, thanks to the ecoconscious demands of consumers in the 1990s, a wide variety of natural cosmetics made with earth-friendly ingredients are now available.

Natural vs. Synthetic

Just as the booming interest in healthier living has put more chemical-free foods on grocery store shelves, putting your best face forward no longer has to mean using cosmetics laden with the potentially dangerous synthetic preservatives and fragrances, artificial colors, and petrochemicals found in more than 99 percent of cosmetics sold in drug and department stores. Natural cosmetics, by comparison, stick close to the earth in terms of ingredients. Mineral pigments are mixed into an array of colors. Vegetable oils, plant waxes, and herbal extracts provide moisture and protection without the harmful drying and comedegenic effects of petroleum-based products like mineral oil. Vitamins A, C, and E, citric acids, and enzymes are used as preservatives. Artificial fragrances are taboo, and many products are also cruelty-free, meaning neither the products nor the ingredients provided by suppliers are tested on animals.

"The primary reason people choose natural cosmetics is the ingredients," says Michael Wrightson of Logona Kosmetik, a German manufacturer of natural makeup and skin care products. The broad palette of hues available ranges from subtle browns and pinks to vivid reds and burgundies, which means you can be as basic or bold with color as you want. Though price tags can approach those of the cosmetics sold in better department stores, the consumer gives up the professional service associated with these large companies, including such "perks" as a skin care analysis or makeover by staff trained in the particular product. But also missing is the hard sell by commissioned salespeople. The bonus: makeup free of the chemical-based ingredients that have been keeping dermatologists busy for the better part of a century, or at least since modern lipstick was invented in 1915.

"Eczema, rashes, acne, and scaliness are just a few of the problems associated with the use of cosmetics," says New York dermatologist Laurie Polis, M.D., F.A.A.D., and while the culprits vary with the individual, Polis puts allergic reactions caused by artificial preservatives, fragrances, colors, and emulsifiers near the top of her list. Natural ingredients can also be allergens, warns Polis, though far less frequently than their synthetic counterparts. Studies funded by the FDA implicate artificial fragrances and synthetic preservatives, particularly the commonly used "parabens," as the major allergens. Pore-clogging petrochemicals like mineral oil are another bugaboo with mainstream makeup. But ironically, the number one problem is bacterial overgrowth, this despite the synthetic preservatives used to combat contamination.

"You put your finger over a bottle of foundation to get it out and a colony of bacteria starts to grow over months or years, or however long you keep the product," says Polis. "We could do science experiments with some of this stuff." Bacteria is a particular problem with creamy cosmetics like foundation, mascara, and liquid blushers or eye shadows, since these pesky germs love to grow in liquids. Polis recommends using clean hands when applying makeup, never sharing it with a friend, and throwing out cream-based products after three months to guard against bacteria-related skin problems.

Natural cosmetics can suffer from the same rapid degradation, but at least the citric acid, Vitamins A, C, and E, and other natural preservatives used to fight bacterial invasion are healthy enough to eat, which is essentially what you're doing when you leave some of the ingredients in makeup on your skin all day. While most substances in makeup don't penetrate the surface of the skin, active ingredients, including preservatives and artificial colors, do find their way into the body to some extent.

Toxic Effects of Synthetics

"In general, the skin absorbs about 10 percent of the active ingredients you put on it," says New York dermatologist Karen E. Burke, M.D., Ph.D. Burke points out that this amount is minuscule compared with actually eating foods containing preservatives, artificial colors, or other synthetic ingredients. But the fact is, no one knows what the cumulative effect of these toxins are on the body over time, especially when combined with the chemicals absorbed much more readily through food and the environment.

Since cosmetics are defined by the Food, Drug, & Cosmetics Act as "promoting attractiveness" and not as drugs, the cosmetics industry is not regulated by the FDA. Safety testing on products is done on a voluntary basis by the industry, and while many manufacturers invest a great deal of money and effort in testing, toxic mistakes have been made. A number of "safe" artificial colors used in cosmetics for decades were banned after further testing found them to be carcinogenic. A handful of artificial colors currently used in makeup are considered potentially carcinogenic, yet they remain on the market. Coal tar dyes are banned from products that are used around the eye area, including eye shadow, because they can cause serious eye injury. Yet these dyes are deemed safe for use in other types of makeup, including lipstick, which is ingested each time you lick your lips.

The most dramatic example of a synthetic chemical that cleared safety testing with flying colors but turned out to be lethal is the preservative hexachlorophene, which was an ingredient in a popular skin cleanser for infants. The preservative built up to toxic levels in the body, leading to brain damage and even death in infants, and is now banned in products for babies.

Read Between the Lines

The best place to find cosmetics made without synthetic chemicals is in a health food store. But beware: Just because the word "natural" is emblazoned on the label of a product doesn't necessarily mean all the ingredients live up to the claim.

Carefully read the fine print before buying a product. Many of the cosmetics sold even in health food stores are hybrids, with such natural substances as herbal extracts and rose hip oil listed alongside synthetic preservatives like methylparaben. Artificial colors can usually be spotted by the letters FD&C or D&C (short for "Food, Drug, & Cosmetic or Drub & Cosmetic), followed by the color and number ("D&C" rec no. 6 barium lake," for example, though sometimes just "red no. 6 barium lake" without the initials). Common synthetic preservatives are the parabens, including methylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben, and propylparaben. The term hypoallergenic on a product is almost meaningless, since the use of the word is unregulated. It most likely means the cosmetic is fragrance-free, but unless the product is truly natural, it probably contains synthetic preservatives and other common chemical allergens.

Understanding Herbal Medicine Potency

2008-07-16T08:53:00.000-07:00

Herbal Medicine Potency: Standardized Versus Concentrated Extracts

With the explosion of consumer use of herbal medicines, it is important to have some understanding of the means by which these botanical supplements are classified with regard to potency. Most herbal preparations, whether in the form of capsule, tablet or tincture, are derived from a number of different processing techniques applied to freshly harvested plants. Once processed, these herbal supplements can then be rated in one of two categories: Standardized Extracts or Concentrated Extracts.

Standardized Extracts

Extracts are usually "Standardized" when there is specific knowledge of the therapeutic properties of the compound or compounds within the plant preparation. Once this therapeutic property is known, the amount of compound responsible for elicting the therapeutic effect can be quantified and each extract preparation can then be standardized to a specific percentage of active constituent. This percentage is identified by a ratio of the amount of active compound to dilutent or carrier compound.

Extracts can also be standardized without specific knowledge of the active constituent. In this case, standardization is defined by the percentage of a key component within the compound which is not necessarily the active ingredient. A classic example of this is St. John's Wort. Most extracts are standardized to 0.3% hypericin, despite inconclusive evidence that hypericin is the compound which exerts St John's Wort's antidepressant effect.

Concentrated Extracts

Sometimes herbal extracts are not standardized; rather their potency is expressed as a ratio known as a concentrate. Specifically, this is a pseudo-quantitative measurement of the strength of the extract expressed by its concentration relative to raw, unprocessed plant. For example, a 1:5 concentrate defines one part of extract as equivalent to five parts of raw plant. This designation is less useful than standardization because it does not quantify active compound. In general, those manufacturers complying with Good Manufacturing Practice today are predominantly utilizing standardization rather then concentration.

Vitamin C and E in Preeclampsia

2008-07-16T08:52:00.000-07:00

Preliminary Evidence Suggests Vitamin C and Vitamin E May Be Protective in Women Prone to Preeclampsia

A recent randomized, placebo-controlled trial published in the September 4th edition of Lancet examined the effects of a high dose combination of vitamins C and E on pregnant women at risk for the potentially serious complication known as preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-induced sydrome which involves the development of hypertension, proteinuria(protein in the urine) and generalized swelling, which,if left untreated, can lead to fetal mortality and maternal morbidity.

Researchers from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at St. Thomas' Hospital in London enrolled 283 women at risk for developing preeclampsia between 16 and 22 weeks' gestation to receive either placebo or a high dose regimen of vitamins C and E. The women were subsequently followed to term and monitored for signs and symptoms of preeclampsia.

Among the 142 women who received placebo, 24 (17%) developed preeclampsia, whereas in the vitamin group only 11 of 141 (8%) developed the condition. Statistical analysis based on these figures demonstrated a significant 61% relative risk reduction for preeclampsia in the vitamin group.

This study demonstrates promise for the role of high dose vitamin C and E in the prevention of preeclampsia, but it is important to realize that the number of patients included in this study was small and these results cannot yet be universally applied to women who are prone to developing the condition. In addition, this study did not look at the fetal risk associated with higher than normal maternal ingestion of vitamins. As a result, it is imperative to understand that women at risk for preeclampsia should not indiscriminantly take high doses of vitamin C or E based solely on this report. This is an area of research which is promising and should be followed until larger scale trials which examine the effects on both the mother and the child have been completed.

Vitamin E: From Atherosclerosis to Alzheimer's.

2008-07-16T08:51:00.002-07:00

Vitamin E supplementation has been utilized for a wide variety of illnesses

throughout the previous decades. In recent years, the spotlight has turned to the use of tocopherols in atherosclerosis as it relates to coronary and peripheral vascular disease. There is good evidence to suggest that vitamin E plays a beneficial role as adjunctive therapy in patients with diseased blood vessels and abnormal cholesterol levels. Furthermore, vitamin E may be protective against blood vessel injury in patients undergoing bypass surgery. Aside from its contribution to heart and vascular disease, oxidative stress has also been linked to Alzheimer's disease.

As a result, there have been several recent investigations into the use of vitamin E and other antioxidants in the management of Alzheimer’s dementia. Although the data are not definitive, there is some compelling evidence to suggest that vitamin E may be a beneficial addition to the current armamentarium in the fight against Alzheimer's disease. Other areas where tocopherol therapy may also be beneficial are in the management of skin disorders such as eczema and acne, rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, cataracts and age-related macular degeneration, and fertility.

There is controversy in the utilization of vitamin E for certain conditions such as benign fibrocystic breast disease and intermittent claudication; however, review of the recent literature does not support the use of tocopherol therapy for these conditions.

Carotenoids and Colon Cancer

2008-07-16T08:51:00.001-07:00

Only Specific Carotenoids Seem To Be Protective Against Colon Cancer

Numerous recent studies have demonstrated a protective effect of the carotenoid family against the development of certain types of cancer. The carotenoids, though, are a diverse group of compounds and studies have not yet definitively determined which members of this chemical family are most active in cancer protection. However, a recent study published in the February 2000 edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition may shed some light on this subject.

This study, conducted at the Univeristy of Utah Medical School, examined 1993 patients with their first primary colon cancer to a population of 2410 control subjects without colon cancer. Subsequently, data were obtained from a specific dietary questionnaire administered to both groups of patients. These data were then assigned nutrient values and were analyzed on the basis of dietary intake of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-cryptotoxanthin.

Results demonstrated that the only carotenoid associated with a statistically significant inverse relationship with colon cancer was lutein. Moreover, this inverse relationship was more prominent in patients diagnosed at a young age and in patients with tumors located proximally within the colon.

The principal dietary sources of lutein in patients analyzed in this study were carrots, celery, spinach, broccoli, lettuce and tomatoes. As a result, researchers concluded that increased dietary intake of these foods may be beneficial in reducing colon cancer risk. Although this is compelling observational evidence, the definitive answer will not be available until a good, randomized, placebo controlled trial is conducted. Until then, it is certainly not a bad idea to consume the high-carotene foods, as they are generally healthy in many other ways.

St. John's Wort and Depression

2008-07-16T08:50:00.000-07:00

More Evidence to Support The Use of St. John's Wort in Depression

A recent article publsihed in the December 11th issue of the British Medical Journal examined the effectiveness of St. John's Wort versus imipramine and placebo in the treatment of moderate depression. In this multicenter trial conducted in Germany, 263 patients were randomized to receive either St. John's Wort (350 mg three times per day), imipramine (50 mg in the morning, 25 mg midday and 25 mg at night) or placebo (administered 3 times per day)for an 8 week treatment period. Patients were subsequently monitored and outcomes were assessed by utilizing the Hamilton depression and anxiety scales, the clinical global improvement scale, Zung's self-rating depression scale and an adverse event profile (The assessment scales denoted above are common tools in research and clinical practice for objectively assessing depression/anxiety parameters).

Scores obtained on all depression scales at 4, 6 and 8 weeks after initiation of treatment demonstrated equivalence between St. John's Wort and imipramine with a clear benefit of both over placebo. The rate of adverse events was similar between the placebo and St. John's Wort groups, both being less than the imipramine group.

This study, similar to many others conducted with St. John's Wort, demonstrates its efficacy in the management of moderate depression. Moreover, this trial provides evidence for a favorable adverse event profile for St. John's Wort as well. Independently, this trial is not large scale given the study population of 263 patients; however, the results are consistent with previous randomized controlled trials utilizing this herbal extract. Such reproducibility lends further justification for the utilization of St. John's Wort in patients exhibiting mild to moderate depressive symptoms.

Magnets:They're Not Just for Your Fridge!

2008-07-08T07:33:00.000-07:00

Magnetism is quickly becoming a household word. According to many researchers in the field of bio-magnetic health, magnetics can be used to balance individuals who have become unhealthy due to overexposure to too many positive producing magnetic fields.

In simple terms, health is a balance of negative/positive magnetic energy. The positive field, which is acid producing, can create such conditions as arthritis, mental confusion, fatigue, pain, insomnia and encourage fat storage. Some of the culprits are processed foods, caffeine, nicotine, toxic chemicals in abundance in cosmetics, colognes, agriculture, auto exhaust, over-the-counter and prescription drugs.

The negative field, producing alkalinity, increases oxygen, encourages deep sleep, reduces inflammation and fluid retention, relieves pain, promotes mental acuity and balance.

The balancers are living foods such as fresh raw vegetables and fruits, restful sleep, reduced consumption of the culprits and the use of negative field magnetic products.

There are a number of products available depending on where the most physical stress is being felt. Magnetic innersoles have proven extremely effective for foot pain, leg problems, including circulation sometimes associated with diabetic neuropathy. They are also used by many athletes or people who stand on their feet for long periods of time for overcoming fatigue.

Back wraps have been used by many for help with back pain associated with such conditions as weak muscles, injuries and arthritis.

Elastic knee and elbow tubes have been used for injury and inflammation in those areas.

Expansion bracelets have proven to eliminate the inflammation in the wrist associated with carpal tunnel syndrome and other pain and inflammation problems of neck and shoulders, including headaches.

The mattress pad is the all time favorite. Bombarding the body with its natural sleep field during the sleep cycles results in a good, deep restful night's sleep, waking with amazing energy, and if suffering from arthritis, often times pain free. Nighttime asthma problems have also been reported relieved.

Also, a magnetic treatment system is available for your home. If you have hard water, you may be interested to know that a half inch of scale lime build-up in your hot water heater can require 70% more energy use to heat the water. Drinking and bathing in magnetized water can improve many health conditions.

How long have magnetics been around? Nature manufactured the first magnet, lodestone, as molten lava spewed from erupting volcanoes cooling and hardening. Due to its iron content it absorbed the earth's magnetism and created the first magnets.

Is magnetic therapy new? No. In China, France, Japan and India, magnetic therapy has long been used to speed the healing of broken bones and soft tissue injuries. However, not all magnets are created equal and persons working with magnets should be aware of the difference. Remember, negative and positive have separate and opposite effects.

Seasonal Allergy Relief Naturally

2008-07-08T07:30:00.000-07:00

Spring and fall are the least popular seasons for most allergy sufferers. The usual disturbing symptoms of environmental (inhalant) allergies are often severe enough to interfere with productivity. Allergies to grasses, trees, molds, pollens, dust and other environmental pollutants can cause chronic sinus congestion, runny nose, postnasal drip, headaches, earaches, itching, eye irritation and infection, wheezing and sneezing, all with variable degrees of severity. Despite a greater awareness of natural ways to both prevent and treat seasonal allergies, most of the North American public is still resorting to the use of symptom suppressing drugs like antihistamines, decongestants and corticosteroids.

Antihistamines are used for hay fever and seasonal allergy relief. Derived from tranquilizers, they can cause drowsiness, depression, weight gain and serious cardiac complications when combined with antibiotics or other drugs. A recent editorial published in The Canadian Medical Association Journal (July 1, 1997; 157(1)) concluded that certain antihistamines can cause death due to serious cardiac arrythmias (heart beat irregularities). Other negative reports on the long term side effects of antihistamines (weight gain), decongestants (strokes) and steroids (ulcers) have prompted many with environmental allergies to seek safer, more natural alternatives.

Clean Up the Diet

To begin with, several good studies have shown a positive correlation between sugar consumption and allergic symptoms. Eliminating refined sugar and foods containing chemical additives from the diet is a good place for most allergy sufferers to start. Seasonal allergic symptoms are often diminished by eating more foods like garlic, onions, horseradish, citrus, carrots, greens, cayenne or other hot peppers as tolerated, provided you are not allergic to them.

The diagnosis and elimination of unsuspected food allergies (usually to dairy and wheat products, yeast, corn, chocolate and eggs) can also have a significant beneficial effect for environmental allergies. Several studies show that people allergic to grass pollens also reacted to tomatoes, peanuts, wheat, apple, carrot, celery, peach, melon, eggs and pork.

To find out which foods aggravate symptoms of seasonal allergies, an elimination diet can be done. This involves the removal of suspected foods from the diet for at least two weeks followed by systematic re-introduction of these foods, noting reactions. An increasingly popular alternative to this elimination-provocation technique is blood tests called RAST or ELISA that measure the levels of antibodies directed against various foods.

Although one does not necessarily notice any specific allergic reactions on an immediate basis after consuming certain foods, there may be delayed reactions, the net effect of which cause an abnormal immune response in the form of chronic sinus congestion, runny nose, wheezing and sneezing. Dark circles and swelling around the eyes are common signs of unsuspected delayed food allergies, especially in children.

Clean up the Environment

The use of HEPA air filters, humidifiers or dehumidifiers in the home can often make a big difference in preventing allergic symptoms. So can water filters that remove chlorine and other chemicals from both drinking and bathing water. Ionizers and other types of air cleaners in the car are also a good idea, especially if one spends over half an hour each day in the car.

If you are allergic to pollen, wear sunglasses to keep pollen from getting into your eyes. Never rub your eyes while you are outdoors as this could lead to swelling around the eyes. Always change your clothes, shower and wash your hair to remove pollen. Washing your hair before going to bed is important to avoid bringing pollen into bed with you to inhale.

Nasal douching with a warm saline solution (a 1/4 teaspoon of salt to one cup of warm water) several times daily rinses pollen grains, mold, airborne pollutants and other irritants off nasal tissues and soothes irritated mucous membranes.

Correct Nutritional Deficiencies

Environmental allergies can also be lessened by correcting nutritional deficiencies, especially to zinc, selenium, carotenoids, vitamin C and vitamin E. Studies on vitamin C have shown that in very high doses, it has antihistaminic effects but without the weight gain and the adverse cardiac consequences. High dose vitamin C often also increases energy and enhances muscle strength. The only side effect of vitamin C is loose bowel movements or diarrhea if the dose taken is too high for the given individual.

Deficiencies in essential fatty acids (omega-3 from fish oils and omega-6 from evening primrose oil) can aggravate most allergic conditions as well as cause dry skin, eczema or, in women, worsening premenstrual syndrome.

Use Nutritional Supplements

Several other food supplements may be of help to chronic allergy sufferers: vitamin A, pantothenic acid (vitamin B 5), vitamin B 6, and the bioflavonoids, especially quercetin, grape seed extract or pycnogenol. Bicarbonate powder (calcium, magnesium and potassium bicarbonate mixture) is another drug alternative that can be used to neutralize acute allergic reactions in many individuals.

Quercetin stabilizes mast cell membranes and prevents histamine release (500 to 1,000 mg at least three times a day). Pycnogenol (pine bark extract) or grape seed extract is another useful natural antihistamine. I suggest 300 mg per day until symptoms clear, then half that dose thereafter for several months. When taking quercetin, adding 250 Ð 500 mg. Of the pineapple enzyme, bromelain, is a very good idea since bromelain improves the absorption of quercetin from the gastrointestinal tract.

Rutin, hesperidin and catechin are other bioflavonoids that are effective for some individuals; dosages range from 1000 to 3000 mgs. daily as needed. These can be used along with quercetin for more serious cases.

Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), helps form adrenal hormones that deflect stress and allergic reactions. Try 500 mg three or more times daily. Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine. Take it to bowel tolerance levels (6,000 mg or more in divided doses throughout the day).

New findings suggest that for each additional milligram (mg) of vitamin E consumed in the diet there is an allergy antibody lowering effect of over 5 per cent. The higher the blood concentrations of vitamin E, the lower the level of an antibody family called IgE, a marker for the degree of allergy in the body. Asthma and numerous diseases associated with allergy may therefore directly benefit from vitamin E supplementation (400 IU Ð 3200 IU daily). (The Lancet, November 4, 2000).

Many doctors who have prescribed vitamin E for decades have noted anecdotally that people who suffer from various conditions benefit from high doses of vitamin E. These ailments include seasonal allergies, hay fever, asthma, autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, thyroiditis, lupus and many other types of immune system disorders. In my practice I have consistently seen IgE and other high antibody levels return to normal with daily doses of 3,200 IU of vitamin E combined with high-dose essential fatty acids (fish oils, evening primrose oil, hempseed oil).

Use Herbal Remedies

To reduce mucous and nasal congestion, try the herb stinging nettles, one to two capsules (500 mg.) every four hours as needed.

Curcumin, an extract of tumeric, has been shown to be as effective an anti-inflammatory remedy as prescription cortisone. Unlike steroids, curcumin has virtually no side effects. In selected cases, treatment of bacterial overgrowth, parasites or a chronic candida ("yeast syndrome") infection improves allergies.

Other herbs with an anti-inflammatory or anti-allergy effect are licorice root, ephedra (controversial these days), lobelia, eyebright, cayenne, horehound, fenugreek and mullein.

Use Immune Modulating Supplements

The use of natural remedies in the form of herbs and other food extracts has become an increasingly popular way of both up-regulating a sluggish immune system or down-regulating an overactive one. Aside from vitamin E discussed earlier, there is a long list of immune modulating supplements. The most notable of these include astragalus, bovine colostrum, echinacea, larch arabinogalactan, medicinal mushrooms (reishi, maitaki, shitake), mild silver protein, oil of oregano, probiotics (e.g. lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacteria), sterols and sterolins (beta-sitosterol) and transfer factor. One or a combination of these can make a dramatic impact on optimizing immunity.

Use Other Alternatives

Homeopathy, acupuncture, chiropractic and massage are other therapies that have been reported to help those with seasonal allergies. The choice is yours but itÕs always wise to discuss any drug alternatives with your health care provider.

For more information on all these remedies and the natural approach to illness in general, see the Encyclopedia of Natural Healing (Alive Books, 1998; medical editor: Zoltan P. Rona, M.D., M.Sc.; 1-800-661-0303).

Other References

Boccafogli A, Vicentini L, Camerani A, Cogliati P, D'Ambrosi A, Scolozzi R. Adverse food reactions in patients with grass pollen allergic respiratory disease. Annals of Allergy 1994; 73:301-8.

de Martino M, Novembre E, Cozza G, de Marco A, Bonazza P, Vierucci A. Sensitivity to tomato and peanut allergens in children monosensitized to grass pollen. Allergy 1988;43:206-13.

de Blay F, Pauli G, Bessot JC. Cross-reactions between respiratory and food allergens. Allergy Proceedings1991;12:313-7

Mittman P. Randomized, double-blind study of freeze-dried Urtica dioica (stinging nettle) in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Planta Med 1990; 56(1):44-7.

Herbal Remedies For Women

2008-02-07T10:23:00.000-08:00

Throughout most of history, women have been the guardians of the family or community's health, using nature's gifts of plants, seeds, roots and berries to soothe, energize or heal the ailments of their families and neighbors. The knowledge about these herbal remedies which were their only medicinals was then carefully passed down to the children, at least until 2-3 generations ago when Western medicine - and its emphasis on pharmaceutical drugs and surgery - became the norm. So much information was lost or forgotten in our rush to 'modern' medicine.

This is less true in some of the European countries, such as Germany, where herbals are frequently prescribed. They even have a government commission (Commission E) which evaluates the effectiveness and safety of herbs from around the world. There is currently a groundswell of interest in the US and other countries to bring herbals back into our lives, particularly when they can maintain and even improve a person's health and vitality.

Although the use of herbal remedies has not been recognized by the traditional Western medical community, their advice is not as revered, given the scientific research that is now substantiating the benefits of many herbal remedies. Unfortunately, many of the plants which were part of some old herbal remedies may not even be available anymore.

However, just because they're natural, don't assume that all herbs and botanicals are safe. They are not!!! Ever heard of the Hemlock Society?? Even those herbs that are safe for one age group may not be safe for a different age group - or for women during their reproductive years. So let's focus on those herbal remedies that have been shown to be both effective and safe for women. They really can provide benefits that are most helpful to women.

To say it very succinctly, herbal remedies are sought by most women for 2M's and 2P's. 'M' stands for Migraines and Menopause. 'P' stands for Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Pregnancy. For instance, women seek herbs and herbal formulations to avoid the multitude of unpleasant changes that occur right before menstruation when hormones create such havoc - leading to sugar and carbohydrate cravings, bloating, breast tenderness, uterine cramping, headaches, irritability, mood swings, fatigue, depression and sleeplessness. That's a lot to ask from a plant! But there are some very effective herbal remedies for women.

Here are examples of herbs that are very effective in women, their benefits, and how they act in the body:

Cramp Bark - prevents or reduces uterine cramping and discomfort, especially helpful for PMS

Dandelion Root - acts as a mild diuretic and a tonic to relieve the fatigue a woman often experiences when her hormone levels are high

Red Raspberry - uterine tonic, helping to nourish yet relax uterine smooth muscle and reduce or eliminate painful menstruation

Valerian Root - helps to reduce anxiety and provides a mild sedative effect for better, sounder sleep (especially helpful in PMS and menopause)

Chaste Berry (Vitex) - reduces prolactin levels and allows the hormones to return to normal, balanced levels; very valuable for PMS and menopause

Kava Kava - a Pacific island plant that offers anti-anxiety, analgesic (pain relief), muscle-relaxing, and diuretic benefits

Feverfew (parthenolide) - exceptional for preventing migraines, and ameliorating them if they occur; to be effective there must be 250 micrograms of parthenolide, the active ingredient in feverfew

There are many other herbs and botanicals that are beneficial to everyone, including women - such as echinaceae, ginseng, garcinia cambogia, gymnema sylvestre, ginger, butcher¹s broom and chamomile. But be careful! There are many herbs that are referred to as 'women's herbs' found in over-the-counter preparations that are dangerous and should not be used.

Herbs Women Should Avoid

There's a balance in what we want a government to do for us. On the one hand, we want it to protect our food, drug and water supply. On the other hand, we want freedom of choice in selecting home remedies and over-the-counter drugs. In that balance between protection and freedom, there is a 'buyer beware' area where some potentially harmful agents may be found in the herbal preparations and nutritionals which we can purchase. So let's review the list of herbs that women shouldn't use.

Some of these herbs should never be used, and some of them should not be used by women during their reproductive years or when they are pregnant. Pay careful attention to this list: many of these herbs are contained in herbal preparations you can buy legally at the health food store. Remember, just because they¹re legal doesn¹t mean they're safe - especially for women.

Here are examples of herbs that may be found in available products, yet should not be used by women. The reasons why are also given so you can be more knowledgeable about them.

Alfalfa - can aggravate SLE (systemic lupus erythematosis) and other auto-immune diseases, which women are more likely to develop (3:1 vs. men)

Angelica (dong quai) - absolutely not to be used during pregnancy or if you experience a heavy menstrual cycle! (Who's left?!) Extreme caution required at all times because excess dosage can negatively affect blood pressure, heart rhythm and respiration

Ephedra (ma huang) - just can't recommend this drug (ephedrine) because of its effects on the heart and blood pressure; women in particular are at risk of stroke when using the amounts found in some popular weight loss potions

Pau D'Arco - this herb has been used in many herbal preparations, but its active ingredient has been shown to be toxic in human studies

Borage Seed Oil - contains levels of unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids, a substance whose long-term intake may cause toxicity

The following list contains herbs and botanicals that may be beneficial, but should not be used by pregnant or nursing women.

Cascara - a useful mild laxative but since it enters the mother's milk supply, it shouldn't be used by pregnant or nursing women

Aloe - the gel can be used on the skin, but the liquid is a very potent laxative that should not be used internally by pregnant women, children or the elderly

St. John's Wort - provides a mild anti-depressant effect; but because it is an MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitor, users should avoid tyramine-containing foods such as red wine, cheese, yeast, and pickled herring. Not to be used during pregnancy, or concurrently with other anti-depressant medications

This is certainly not a complete list, yet does emphasize the herbs that women could get into difficulty with because they didn't look at the label of an over-the-counter product. Make it a practice to read the ingredient list of every herbal or natural product. Remember, just because it's legal doesn't mean it's safe.

What is Reiki?

2008-02-06T20:45:00.000-08:00

Reiki is Universal Life Force Energy. The Japanese word Reiki consists of two parts--Rei, which is universal and boundless, and Ki, which is the vital life force energy that flows through all living beings.

Through much searching, it was rediscovered by Dr. Mikao Usui at the end of the nineteenth century. The Usui system is one of the simplest and most natural healing methods of treatment that can be utilized for the health and well being of people, animals, places and things.

Through a gentle laying on of hands the practitioner transmits the healing energy. It can also be transmitted through absentee healing. The Reiki channel does not use their own energy but allows the divine lifeforce to flow through them. Know that as you give, you receive the benefits of Reiki.

Reiki works through the following:

Balancing energy points on the body to create harmony and relief of tension and stress, due to our busy lives of today.
Builds a focused source of energy to allow for the natural healing to occur, bringing forth the compassion we all as a whole need.
It enhances and nurtures self and others back to a general state of well being.
It is an opening up of doorways into a greater awareness of our connection to the deeper self.
Eliminates toxins from the body.
Stimulates the mind to the greater accesses of the universe.
Can be used on animals and plants and even thought forms.
Enhances all when combined with other forms of healing modalities.
Reiki senses within its flow the application of where, when, and how it is to be utilized.

The study of Reiki:

With the clear intent of the student a conscious decision is made to take Reiki I. Through the attunement of a Reiki Master and after experiencing the wonderful benefits from applying Reiki I to self, family, pets and friends, the practitioner may choose to continue to the next degree which is Reiki II.
With the build up of Reiki energy being transmitted through the practitioner's body there will be many positive changes in their world. In Reiki II the student receives the absentee symbols which amplify the sending of the healing energy.
The next step which will complete the Reiki degrees is Reiki III (Mastership). You will receive the master symbol and further instruction into the world of Reiki. The opportunity to teach after completion of the third degree is now open to the individual. Using discernment you are to allow a proper amount of time between your completion of the third degree and you as the teacher if you so choose.

Vitamins recommended dosage & Uses

2006-12-25T11:58:00.000-08:00

There are two types of vitamins - water-soluble and fat-soluble. Water-soluble vitamins are not stable in foods and are easily lost in cooking and processing. They are required daily in sufficient amounts. To make sure you are getting adequate amounts, supplementation may be necessary. The B-vitamins are commonly added back to enrich processed grains like breads and breakfast cereals.

Fat-soluble vitamins can be stored in body tissues, so we can function for periods of time without obtaining them from the diet. Because they are stored, toxic levels can occur more easily from regular increased intake of these vitamins, particularly vitamin A.

Water-Soluble Vitamins:

Vitamin B1 - Thiamine
Vitamin B2 - Riboflavin
Vitamin B3 - Niacin and Niacinamide
Vitamin B5 - Panthothenic Acid
Vitamin B6 - Pyridoxine
Vitamin B12 - Cobalamin
Biotin
Choline
Folic Acid - Folate
Inositol
PABA--Para-aminobenzoic acid
Vitamin C - Ascorbic Acid
Bioflavonoids

B1 - Thiamine

What is it?

The first B-vitamin to be discovered and named, thiamine supports our metabolism and the brain and nervous system. Thiamine's best sources come from the coverings of grains - wheat, rice and oats - and this vitamin is easily lost in the cooking and processing of foods. B1 is also found in vegetables, legumes and seeds and nuts. It functions in glucose (sugar) metabolism, brain neurotransmitter production and learning capacity in children.

What are the benefits?

Used clinically in nervous system problems, such as Bell's palsy, multiple sclerosis, and neuritis; Thiamin is also helpful for skin conditions and for tissue healing after surgery.

What are the long term effects and precautions?

Deficiency can lead to beri-beri with fatigue, weight loss, and body swelling; Toxicity is uncommon, with 200-300 mg dosages handled without problems.

What is the recommended dosage?

Only 2-3 mg is required to prevent deficiency. However, 10 -50 mg is probably more optimum, with 25-50 mg most commonly used. Since this vitamin is used up in alcohol drinkers, it is needed more with alcohol use and in those going through alcohol detoxification.

B2 - Riboflavin

What is it?

This is the active B-vitamin that gives the urine that yellow-green fluorescent color when it's excreted through the kidneys, often referred to as the "expensive urine" of vitamin takers. Found some in grains, fruits and vegetables, riboflavin is higher in brewer's yeast, liver and oily fish.

What are the benefits?

Riboflavin functions as part of two coenzymes that help generate energy from foods, and also supports healthy skin, hair, and nails.

Vitamin B2 is used to support eye tissue, in dealing with stress, helping with fatigue and skin conditions. This "energy" vitamin is helpful for stress and is needed more for women taking estrogens (for birth control or menopause) or after antibiotic use.

What are the long term effects and precautions?

Too much riboflavin does not appear problematic, while deficiency is common and can cause a variety of ill effects from fatigue and skin rashes (dry, cracked skin at the corners of the mouth) to eye and nerve problems.

What is the recommended dosage?

Usual supplements are about 15-50 mg.

B3 - Niacin and Niacinamide

What is it?

Niacin, named from nicotinic acid, is a vitamin found in and added to foods, and is also used as a "drug" to lower cholesterol levels. Niacin causes the famous "flush," a vascular stimulation in the small capillaries that also releases the allergic mediator, histamine, from the cells.The form of B3 known as nicotinamide does not cause this flushing. The best sources of niacin are peanuts, organ meats, poultry, and fish. It is also found in legumes, whole grains, avocados and dried fruits.

What are the benefits?

Niacin is used to help lower cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, support sugar metabolism and reduce allergic reactions. Niacin can be converted to the amino acid tryptophan in the body. It functions in enzymes that are involved in more than 50 different metabolic reactions.

What are the long term effects and precautions?

Niacin deficiency disease is called pellagra and is characterized by dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia (brain dysfunction. There are other common symptoms from B3 deficiency. Toxicity is infrequent in reasonable doses, but there can be liver irritation from higher amounts of time-released niacin products.

What is the recommended dosage?

Vitamin B3 needs are about 15-20 mg daily, while common intakes with supplements are 25-50 mg. Therapeutic levels go up to 3,000 mg daily.

B5 - Panthothenic Acid

What is it?

Vitamin B5 is important to many body functions and is known as the "anti-stress vitamin" because it supports the adrenal glands. Panthothenic acid comes from the Greek word "pantos," meaning everywhere. And it is found in most foods and is also made by the intestinal bacteria.

What are the benefits?

Besides adrenal support, pantothenic acid as part of Coenzyme A, helps cells release energy from the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. Vitamin B5 is good for stress and fatigue, around surgery and during recovery from illness or injury.

What are the long term effects and precautions?

There is no known toxicity. Deficiency can lead to fatigue, adrenal weakness, problems in blood sugar metabolism, and premature graying of the hair.

What is the recommended dosage?

The minimum requirements are only about 10 mg daily, yet more common intakes are 100-500 mg daily.

B6 - Pyridoxine

What is it?

Vitamin B6 is likely the most important B-vitamin, with its many life-supporting functions in metabolic reactions. It is contained in small amounts in many whole foods, with higher amounts in wheat and organ meats. Many grain products are enriched with pyridoxine.

What are the benefits?

B6 is needed for functions that turn food into energy, for protein metabolism, and for healthy nerves. Pyridoxine and pyridoxal-5-phosphate, the active coenzyme, is used clinically for a wide variety of conditions - PMS, pregnancy and its associated nausea, carpal tunnel syndrome, problems of the nerves, water retention, and more.

What are the long term effects and precautions?

Some reported toxicity, which is rare, involves neuritis with high doses, like 2,000 mg daily. Deficiency is much more common with problems of the nerves, skin, and energy.

What is the recommended dosage?

Typical amounts are 2-3 mg up to 200-300 mg for clinical uses.

B12 - Cobalamin

What is it?

This red vitamin is one of the more mysterious of the Bs. Known as the "energy vitamin," all of the B12 functions are not yet clear. B12 is only found in animal-based foods, such as eggs, cheese, fish and meats. Vegetarians must be attentive to their vitamin B12 intake.

What are the benefits?

Cobalamin functions in creating nerve coverings, called sheaths; it also supports growth, appetite, and red blood cell production. It is used clinically, often as injections, in a wide range of problems that affect energy, weight and the nervous system.

What are the long term effects and precautions?

Vitamin B12 deficiency disease is called pernicious anemia, characterized by low red blood cell count and neurological problems.

What is the recommended dosage?

While only several micrograms (one milligram is 1,000 micrograms) is required to prevent deficiency, often people take up to a few milligrams for improved energy.without any toxicity.

Biotin

What is it?

Biotin was discovered by deficiency symptoms experienced by people who consumed a large quantity of raw eggs. It is found in small amounts in many foods, including rice, yeast and egg yolks. Biotin is also made by intestinal bacteria.

What are the benefits?

Biotin functions in fat metabolism and the synthesis of fatty acids. It is used to help support fat and carbohydrate metabolism in diabetics.

What are the long term effects and precautions?

Biotin is without known toxicity, while deficiency is not thought to be common either. However, it may occur after sulfa antibiotic treatment.

What is the recommended dosage?

Recommended intake is about 300-400 mcg.

Choline

What is it?

Choline, along with inositol, is one of the "lipotropic vitamins," meaning it helps the body utilize fats normally. It can be made from the amino acid glycine, and it is found in lecithin, which is present in soybeans. Choline is also found in egg yolks, peanuts, leafy greens, yeast and wheat germ.

What are the benefits?

Choline, as phosphotidylcholine, is part of soy lecithin, and helps in the emulsification of fats. It is an integral part of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is essential for transmission of electrical energy across nerves. Choline supplements are often used in neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, as well as for gall bladder and liver problems.

What are the long term effects and precautions?

Toxicity is not known for choline, while deficiency may affect fat metabolism and cause fatty growths.

What is the recommended dosage?

The average needs are about 500 mg daily, while therapeutic levels may be higher at 1,000-1,500 mg daily.

Folic Acid - Folate

What is it?

A key B-vitamin, folic acid comes from the Latin word "folium," meaning foliage. This vitamin is primarily found in leafy green vegetables. Recently linked to neurological birth defects, folic acid has been added to a variety of processed foods. Folate is found in spinach, kale, chard, broccoli, and there is some in corn, legumes, bean sprouts, and wheat.

What are the benefits?

Folic acid, as its coenzyme tetrahydrofolic acid (THFA), functions in many areas, including red blood cell formation (with vitamin B12), and in protein and amino acid metabolism and utilization.

What are the long term effects and precautions?

Deficiencies are relatively common and can lead to anemia, fatigue, irritability, loss of appetite, and mental symptoms.

What is the recommended dosage?

Requirements of folic acid are 400 mcg in adults and 800 mcg in pregnancy. More can be used, even up to 10-20 mg therapeutically without toxicity.

Inositol

What is it?

Another lipotropic vitamin, inositol is found in soy lecithin as phosphatidylinositol, which helps to emulsify fats. Inositol is found in whole grains, molasses, wheat germ and nuts.

What are the benefits?

Inositol supports cell structure and integrity of the membranes. It is, thus, important for protecting against disease, especially viruses. It is used to help fat metabolism and prevent cardiovascular disease, and to support healthy hair and skin.

What are the long term effects and precautions?

No clear concerns about toxicity or deficiency, although deficiency may be related to hair and skin problems, elevated cholesterol, and eye health.

What is the recommended dosage?

No known requirements, however, 500-1,000 mg is a therapeutic range.

PABA--Para-aminobenzoic acid

What is it?

PABA is actually part of the folic acid molecule, and it is also made by the intestinal bacteria. It is found in eggs, molasses, rice, yeast and liver.

What are the benefits?

PABA functions with THFA in protein metabolism, blood cell formation, and is important to hair, skin, and intestinal health. It is used to support healthy hair and to heal skin conditions, such as vitiligo, a depigmentation. It is also commonly used as a sunscreen.

What are the long term effects and precautions?

PABA may cause some irritation in high amounts, while deficiency may generate fatigue, irritability, and digestive upset.

What is the recommended dosage?

There is no specific requirement. It is taken in amounts of 50-1,000 mcg.

Vitamin C - Ascorbic Acid

What is it?

Likely the most important and most commonly used vitamin, ascorbic acid is found naturally in citrus fruits, bell peppers, rose hips, tomatoes and strawberries.

What are the benefits?

Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, anti-allergy and anti-viral. Regular use may protect us from getting cancer. Functionally, vitamin C is important to tissue strength, supporting collagen and cartilage. It also helps protect cell membranes. It is commonly used for supporting immune function and for protecting from viral disease and cancer. It may also help people with high cholesterol, cataracts, diabetes, allergies, asthma and periodontal disease.

What are the long term effects and precautions?

It is not uncommon for people to take 10-20 grams daily without problems of toxicity.

What is the recommended dosage?

Minimum requirements to prevent vitamin C deficiency, called scurvy, is 60 mg. It is commonly taken in 500-1,000 mg doses.

Bioflavonoids - Catechin, Quercetin, Rutin, Hesperidin

What is it?

An important class of nutrients, bioflavonoids are often found in vitamin C-containing foods. Common sources include the white rinds of citrus fruits, and many fresh fruits and vegetables, including grapes, cherries and berries. Bioflavonoids support the strength and permeability of blood vessels.

What are the benefits?

Many bioflavonoids act as antiinflammatories, while others, such as quercetin and catechin, help to reduce allergic responses.

What are the long term effects and precautions?

Toxicity is not known, while deficiency may affect the blood vessels.

What is the recommended dosage?

There is no RDA for bioflavonoids, but some should be taken along with vitamin C. This nutrient is commonly available as mixed bioflavonoids in 50-500 mg dosages.

Fat-Soluble Vitamins:

Vitamin A
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Vitamin K

Vitamin A - Retinol and Beta-Carotene

What is it?

Vitamin A is found naturally in orange and yellow fruits and vegetables as beta-carotene, and in animal fats, such as egg yolks, as true vitamin A, retinol. Beta-carotene is a double vitamin A molecule and must be converted to vitamin A in our body.

What are the benefits?

Important functions include skin and tissue health, good eyesight, growth in youngsters, and actions as an antioxidant in cancer protection. Key uses of vitamin A in therapy are for treating acute infections, skin problems especially acne, poor night vision, and for protecting the body from the cell-disturbing effects that chemicals have, which is what the cancer-preventive effects are for both vitamin A and beta-carotene.

What are the long term effects and precautions?

There can be toxic effects from taking too much vitamin A over time, while beta-carotene's only adverse effect is giving the skin an orangish color. Deficiencies of A affect the skin, immune function, and eyesight.

What is the recommended dosage?

Recommended daily intake of vitamin A is 3,000-10,000 IUs, depending on age and health state, while common beta-carotene uses are between 10,000-50,000 IUs.

Vitamin D-Calciferol

What is it?

Made by our body in the skin when we are exposed to sunlight, it is known as the "sunshine vitamin." It is found in fish, egg yolks, and butter, but mostly in a fortified form in foods.

What are the benefits?

Vitamin D is essential to calcium absorption and utilization by the bones. It also helps support teeth and prevents osteoporosis, along with adequate calcium and regular exercise.

What are the long term effects and precautions?

It is often included in multivitamins and bone building formulas to help assimilation and metabolism of calcium and phosphorus, so separate supplementation is usually not needed.

What is the recommended dosage?

About 200-400 IUs, especially during times of low sun exposure.

Vitamin E-Tocopherol

What is it?

Vitamin E is an important antioxidant that protects our cells and tissues from damage by free radicals generated by chemicals and oxidized fats. It is found naturally in vegetable oils, nuts and seeds. Tocopherol also prevents the oxidation/rancidification of fats and oils.

What are the benefits?

This vitamin is sometimes referred to as the "virility vitamin" or "antisterility vitamin" because of its support and protection for the sexual and reproductive organs. Used particularly for its antioxidant function in preventing degenerative diseases of the cardiovascular and neurological systems; it also may be an important protector against cancer.

What are the long term effects and precautions?

Toxicity is very uncommon, while deficieny makes us more susceptible to free radical damage from environmental, food and chemical exposure. Lack of this vitamin may place sexual and cardiac functions at risk.

What is the recommended dosage?

Common levels of recommended intake are 200-1,600 IUs, with usual amounts being 400-800 IUs.

Vitamin K - Phylloquinone

What is it?

Essential to normal blood clotting, Vitamin K is found naturally in leafy green vegetables, yogurt, eggs and some oils, especially fish oils. It is also made by human intestinal bacteria.

What are the benefits?

Vitamin K is used commonly in newborns to support initial blood clotting function and in people with bruising and bleeding disorders. It is also used to counteract an excessive amount of the blood-thinning medicine, Coumadin.

What are the long term effects and precautions?

Toxicity is quite rare, while deficiency can lead to easy bruising and poor clotting of the blood.

What is the recommended dosage?

About 300 mcg daily is the optimum intake of vitamin K from the diet and supplements.

Nutritional supplements

2006-12-25T11:56:00.000-08:00

Overview
The use of nutritional supplements primarily vitamins and minerals has become extremely popular is recent decades. With the advances of production companies, the expanding knowledge and experience of nutritional practitioners and the great interest of the general public in supporting and protecting their health this field has grown incredibly fast.

Most Americans use some type of nutritional supplement, either regularly or when they are under stress or feel unwell. And it is clear that there is value in adding supplements to the modern-day diet. The soil in which our food is grown is depleted of nutrients and processing depletes it further. We suffer from daily exposure to toxic chemicals and stress. We all can benefit from some level of support through the addition of nutritional supplements to our diet.

A good diet and appropriate supplements have much greater value in preventing disease than in treatment. However, the right diet and supplement program can offer help in correcting medical problems and setting the body right again.

Vitamins
Vitamins function along with enzymes in chemical reactions necessary for energy production and keeping all our body organs functioning. They are often referred to as coenzymes.

There are 13 different known vitamins, each with its own special role to play. With the exception of a couple of the B vitamins that are manufactured by intestinal bacteria, we must obtain them from food or nutritional supplements.

Vitamins are essential for growth, vitality and health. They are also helpful in digestion, elimination and resistance to disease. Depletions or deficiencies can lead to a variety of both specific nutritional disorders and general health problems, depending on what specific vitamin is lacking in the body.

Minerals
Minerals are elements from the earth that are required, or essential, in human nutrition and a wide variety of body functions. From calcium and iodine to iron and zinc, these nutrients are absorbed from soil and water into the plants and animals we consume. Our body does not manufacture any of these minerals. Thus, we must get them regularly from our diets and nutritional supplements.

However, we do store some, as in bone calcium, and these may be retrieved to maintain the blood and body activities. When the soil is depleted of minerals, as it commonly is with today's aggressive agricultural practices, we may not be obtaining these essential nutrients, and we can become mineral deficient. In growing youngsters and adults, we may then experience problems in sexual maturation (zinc), bone strength (calcium and phosphorus), anemia (iron), or thyroid dysfunction (iodine).

How Qigong Works & Uses

2006-12-25T11:52:00.000-08:00

Qigong Defined
Qigong is an ancient Chinese self-healing practice that encompasses breathing exercises and physical relaxation, encouraging a kind of meditative mental state. All aspects of the practice work in harmony. By consciously focusing on the breath and the patterns of movement, performed in slow motion, a state of deepened relaxation develops.

One of the oldest healing arts in the world, as many as 200 million Chinese perform this tranquil ritual daily, utilizing between 3,000 and 5,000 different styles of the practice. Some styles involve movement while others are done sitting or standing.

Qigong is based upon the principle that we are energetic beings and that we have the ability to collect and transform electromagnetic energy and then apply it. When our levels of energy (qi), are depleted, the practice of qigong helps us to restore our reserves. Most of us have trouble generating enough qi by ourselves to prevent or overcome disease. Therefore, the practice of qigong is helpful in generating appropriate levels of energy.

These benefits alone would make the practice worth doing. However, there are additional reasons to consider including qigong in your life. Medical researchers have found that this practice is tremendously healing. Some of its measurable benefits include:

Increases oxygen In essence, this practice provides a kind of tune-up to your metabolism - the internal chemistry of your body. But unlike vigorous exercise, qigong and tai chi actually conserve and generate energy. Vigorous exercise has its benefits, but for anyone coping with illness, conserving energy is a useful feature.
Helps clear your body of toxins Your body is protected by the lymphatic system. You've probably noticed the swollen lymph glands in your neck when you have a sore throat. Lymph is a colorless fluid that washes through your system, carrying toxins and germs with it. In qigong, the rhythmic movements, deep breathing, and postures "pump the lymph," enhancing your immune function.
Enhances mental alertness and poise This benefit speaks for itself - the more alert we are, the easier everything becomes. Efficient functioning of your nervous system means less of a sense of stress. In addition, qigong tends to promote "the relaxation response"-a phase in which the body relaxes and rebuilds. This state is initiated through deep, slow breathing, coupled with the intention to relax.

How Qigong Works
Qigong can be anything from a 10-second relaxation exercise to an average hour a day of a particular form of practice.

How long does it take to relax? In its simplest form, you can do qigong in 10 seconds. First, simply decide to relax. This is a purposeful change of consciousness. Second, take a deep breath. Third, exhale and relax.

And that's it. This immediately activates a natural healing mechanism within you. Perhaps it is hard to believe that something so simple could have value. This practice can shift your physiology and turn on the healer within.

You can do this practice frequently throughout the day if you wish. It requires almost no effort whatsoever. Unless you close your eyes during this moment of relaxation, no one will know that you are doing it. You can even take relaxation breaks when you're with your friends or in the middle of a business meeting. If you close your eyes momentarily, you'll be able to relax even more deeply.

Other forms may require some physical movement or simply standing in place in a particular position for an extended period of time. You can even do qigong when you're sick. - lying-down qigong. From the Chinese viewpoint, external movement is the least important part of the qigong exercise. Internal activity and conscious breath is the essence of the healing practice.

You can either do your own qigong practice, or you can choose to see a qigong practitioner who is trained in working with energy.

FAQs about your personal practice:

When? It's typical for people in China to practice qigong or tai chi for about an hour in the early morning (from around 6 to 7). Frequently they practice in groups, as small as two people or as large as 200. Just as often, people do qigong alone and can be seen in the parks practicing quietly among the trees. Remember that you can do gong any time and any place that is appropriate.
For how long? People who are well and want to increase their energy and endurance will usually benefit from at least 20 minutes of daily practice - up to 40 or 60 minutes at a time. Many people experience profound vitality if they practice regularly. For those with mild illness, the same schedule will help to enhance health. To improve more quickly, practice more frequently.
Will my practice change over time? It is likely that over the years you will try a number of methods. To begin, you may want to practice at home for 20 to 30 minutes a day. Later you may add a one-hour weekly class. At some point you may find that you practice qigong or tai chi for 2 hours on the weekend and only do the 15-minute short form during the week. You are encouraged to allow your interest in qigong to grow, change, and evolve.

Uses of Qigong
The practice of qigong is useful to calm the mind and reduce stress. It can also help in treating virtually any human affliction because of the correlation between a balanced energy flow and optimal health.

Qigong is especially helpful in treating or preventing the following health conditions:

arthritis, rheumatism, and general neck and back pain
circulatory problems, including high blood pressure, hypertension, heart diseas
digestive conditions, including chronic hepatitis, indigestion, ulcers
flu, common cold, and other respiratory afflictions
headaches
insomnia
kidney and other urinary system conditions
liver problems
problems with the ears, nose, and throat
reproductive system problems

Benefits of Qigong
Qigong is a noninvasive method of healing the body. As a result of generating the proper amount of qi for your body, many people find they can move into better health and have more energy. Many of the qigong exercises can be done anywhere, and don't require special equipment.

Some recent research findings demonstrate its broad range of benefits:

Qigong in combination with medication Using both approaches was found to enhance improvement for patients with asthma, high blood pressure, and cancer (Qigong Institute, 1999).
High blood pressure In a study of two groups of patients monitored over 20 years, those who practiced qigong had more normal blood pressure readings and lived longer (Chinese study, 1993).
Diabetes People who walked or did walking qigong after a meal had more stable blood sugar than those who did not. In addition, those who did walking qigong had a more moderate pulse than the walkers (Japanese study, 1999).
Chronic pain In patients with chronic pain, 82% of those who did qigong reported less pain by the end of the first training session, and 91% had less pain by the last session, weeks later (New Jersey Medical School, 1999).
Asthma Patients with asthma who practiced qigong had reduced hospitalizations, took less sick leave, and needed fewer antibiotics (German study, 1998).

The Role of Qigong in Prevention
Qigong has been traditionally used by the Chinese for health maintenance, the prevention of disease and as a longevity practice. Qigong experts claim that this practice is useful in preventing cancer, which according to the Chinese medicine worldview is the result of blocked qi, which over time manifests as malignancies.

Precautions
The disciplined approach to qigong practice (about one hour a day) is not recommended for people with mental difficulties or for those who are very emotional. Pregnant women (after the first 3 months) are also advised to avoid the disciplined approach.

As with everything, use moderation and common sense. If you are experiencing any type of serious physical or mental illness, check with a physician knowledgeable about qigong. Progress gradually and stay in your comfort zone.

If you have a serious illness
To increase health in severe disease, it is important to neither practice too little or too much. These self-healing practices are powerful and highly refined. Build up the practice as you build your strength. More can be better, but only when you are ready for it. Start slow and simple, and as your vitality grows, increase your practice.

When the Shanghai Cancer Recovery Society receives a new patient who is near death, the only qigong method they teach is a simple breath practice. In addition the patient is introduced to person after person, day after day, who has healed themselves. The combination of the simple breathing practice plus dozens of sincere personal testimonials conveys tremendous healing power.

As the patient becomes stronger, simple hand gestures are added to the breathing practice. Next, they sit in a chair and perform the hand motions. Then they stand and perform the movement. Finally, they do the Cancer-Recovery-Walking-Form of qigong. At this point, they go and visit with new patients and tell their story.

Recommended Resources
What is the best way to learn qigong ?

First educate yourself.
Then you'll be ready to begin seeking a teacher.

If you want to teach yourself this healing art, choose a form of qigong that is very simple and work with it until you become comfortable with your practice. Educate yourself through books and videos. If you seek formal training later, you will have background knowledge that will help you select the approach right for you.

The possibilities for study and apprenticeship are endless. All told, the many forms and variations of qigong are said to number between 3,000 and 5,000. Some of these practices are thousands of years old and have been refined and perfected over time.

The movements and forms that are the simplest and easiest to learn are qigong methods that involve only a few instructions. For example, spontaneous qigong is simply a practice of allowing the body to move "with the spirit." Another cherished form is Guo Lin, developed in the 1970s by a woman with cancer who healed herself using qigong .

According to Chinese tradition, the secrets of healing can only be gained through a teacher. And it is difficult to learn a system of breath and movement from a book, an audiotape, or a video. In order to learn the more complex forms of qigong , the consistent input of a teacher is indispensable.

But great teachers say that "the practice of qigong itself is the teacher." The student learns by doing. So while it is useful to begin with a teacher, some of your most meaningful learning experiences will come from within your own personal practice.

Facilities that often offer qigong classes include YMCAs, university sports programs, community recreation centers, adult education programs, hospitals, complementary medicine clinics, HMOs, retreat centers, and martial arts schools. In some cities, such as San Francisco Santa Barbara, and Santa Monica, people independently practice qigong and tai chi in the parks. Sometimes there are even free classes.

In China, huge groups practice together, following the movements of the most skilled in the group. In many groups there is a teacher, and in many others, people practice independently. Some people go from group to group and practice five or six forms of qigong or tai chi before leaving for work.

To learn qigong , sample a number of methods and teachers. Later you may want to focus on a single style of practice for a while. You may try a number of different forms or even teachers before you find the one that really fits your personal preferences.

Recommended Reading

Awakening the Medicine Within, a video by Roger Jahnke, Health Action (1995).
Qigong Empowerment by Shou-Yu Liang, Way of the Dragon (1996).
Qi Gong for Beginners: Eight Easy Movements for Vibrant Health by Stanley Wilson, Sterling Publications (1997).
Qigong for Health, a video by the Immune Enhancement Project of San Francisco, CA.
The Healer Within by Roger Jahnke, Harper San Francisco (1997).
The Way of Qigong by Ken Cohen, Ballantine Books (1997).