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| Herbal Remedies Natural Health Newsletter, December 2002, Issue 210
<H3>Herbal Remedies USA Newsletter December 2002,</H3>
Herbal Remedies December, 2002 Newsletter Issue 216
Sponsored by www.HerbalRemedies.com
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Fertility The Natural Way
Fertility problems for men and women have dramatically increased not only in the US but in many countries as well. If you look it up you may be shocked to learn that many scientists are calling this decline a "crises"! Some scientists believe that at the current rate of decline in fertility the human race is headed toward extinction! More and more couples planning to have a baby will have trouble conceiving, many are turning to natural fertility treatments to help them have a family.
Natural fertility treatment plans can be extensive and really should to be adjusted to suit your individual needs. The natural approach to fertility has been enormously successful, largely because natural treatments encompass the many, many elements that can be at the root of your fertility problems. A study conducted by the University of Surrey showed that couples with a previous history of infertility who made changes in their lifestyle and diet and took nutritional supplements had an 80 percent success rate. Given that the success rate for assisted conception (invitro-fertilization) is around 20 percent, it's worth considering these options.
Pre-conception a four month plan
Why a four month plan? Because it takes about four months for immature eggs (oocytes) to mature enough to be released during ovulation. It also takes at least three months for sperm cells to develop, ready to be ejaculated. This means that when you are trying to improve your fertility, you and your partner need to have a four-month period to get ready. This is called 'pre-conception care' and it's very important to take as much care during this period as it is during a pregnancy itself.
Although it goes without saying that a healthy diet is crucial to a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby, many people are unaware of the fact that diet can help to correct hormone imbalances that may affect your ability to
conceive.
The most common cause of infertility is 'unexplained', which means that doctors can find no specific or identifiable medical explanation. But if a couple fails to become pregnant, there is obviously something causing the
problem. It's no good labeling infertility 'unexplained'. The answer is to look deeper, at lifestyle factors, nutritional deficiencies and even environmental elements.
Xenoestrogens
Xenoestrogens are essentially environmental oestrogens, coming from pesticides and the plastic industry. They are known to cause miscarriages. When you are trying to conceive, one of the most important things you need to do is to balance your hormones. It is extremely important to avoid anything that might cause an imbalance, and one of the main culprits is the xenoestrogens. One of the best ways to eliminate an excess intake of xenoestrogens is to buy organic produce and don't eat or drink anything in plastic plates and cups for the pre-conceptual period.
Alcohol
Alcohol will affect both you and your partner. In fact, drinking any alcohol at all can reduce your fertility by half and the more you drink, the less likely you are to conceive. One study showed that women who drank less than 5 units of alcohol a week (equal to five glasses of wine) were twice as likely to get pregnant within six-months compared with those who drank more.
Research has also shown that drinking alcohol causes a decrease in sperm count, an increase in abnormal sperm and a lower proportion of motile sperm. Alcohol also inhibits the body's absorption of nutrients such as zinc, which is one of the most important minerals for male fertility.
As difficult as it may seem, you should eliminate alcohol from your diets for at least four months in order to give yourself the best possible chance of conceiving.
Caffeine
There is plenty of evidence to show that caffeine, particularly in the form of coffee, decreases fertility in women. Drinking as little as one cup of coffee a day can halve your chances of conceiving. However one study showed that coffee may increase sperm motility in men if drank before making love, so make yours decaf and his espresso.
Smoking
Smoking has definitely been linked with infertility in women. It can even bring on an early menopause, which is a particularly important consideration for older women who may be trying to beat the clock. Smoking can decrease sperm count in men, making the sperm more sluggish, and it can increase the number of abnormal sperm.
Supplements
There is now a great deal of scientific knowledge about the use of nutritional supplements and their beneficial effects on both male and female fertility. These supplements can be very effective in re-balancing your hormones, as well as improving you and your partner's overall health, which are so vital for successful conception.
Supplements are necessary because even the best diet in the world will not contain all the nutrients you need to give you the best chance of conceiving.
Folic Acid
It is now known that folic acid can prevent spina bifida in your baby, and it is essential that you get plenty both before and during pregnancy. And that's not all: folic acid is undoubtedly important, but it is just part of the very important B-complex family of vitamins that are necessary to produce the genetic materials DNA and RNA. Together with vitamin B12, folic acid works to ensure that your baby's genetic codes are intact. Remember: it's not enough to take folic acid alone when you are trying to become pregnant. All of the B vitamins are essential during the pre-conceptual period. Research has shown that giving B6 to women who have trouble conceiving increases fertility and vitamin B12 has been found to improve low sperm counts.
Zinc
Zinc is the most widely studied nutrient in terms of fertility for both men and women. It is an essential component of genetic material and a zinc deficiency can cause chromosome changes in either you or our partner, leading to reduced fertility and an increased risk of miscarriage. Zinc is necessary for your body to 'attract and hold' (utilize efficiently) the reproductive hormones, estrogen and progesterone.
Zinc is found in high concentrations in the sperm. Zinc is needed to make the outer layer and tail of the sperm and is, therefore, essential for the health of sperm and, subsequently, your baby. Interestingly, several studies have also shown that reducing zinc in a man's diet will also reduce his sperm count.
Selenium
Selenium is an antioxidant that helps to protect your body from highly reactive chemical fragments called free radicals. For this reason, selenium can prevent chromosome breakage, which is known to be a cause of birth defects and miscarriages. Good levels of selenium are also essential to maximize sperm formation. Blood selenium levels have been found to be lower in men with low sperm counts.
Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)
These essential fats have a profound effect on every system of the body, including the reproductive system and they are crucial for healthy hormone functioning. In women EFAs are necessary for higher egg production. For men essential fatty acid supplementation is crucial because the semen is rich in prostaglandins which are produced from these fats. Men with poor sperm quality, abnormal sperm, poor motility or low count, have inadequate levels of these beneficial prostaglandins.
Vitamin A
This vitamin needs to be mentioned because there is a lot of confusion about its use before and after pregnancy. Many health practitioners now advise that no vitamin A is taken during pregnancy. This advice is incorrect, and it can be dangerous to assume that any vitamin or other nutrient should be avoided during the gestational period. Vitamin A has important antioxidant properties, and the consequences of Vitamin A deficiency during pregnancy can be devastating. For one thing, vitamin A is essential for healthy eyes. Animals studies show that vitamin A deficiency during pregnancy has produced new-born animals with no eyes and eye defects.
It is only when the vitamin A is in the form of retinol (in other words, the animal form of vitamin A) that there is a problem. It has been found that retinol can cause birth defects if taken in excess of 10,000iu a day. Beta-carotene, which is one of the vegetable forms of vitamin A, does not carry any risks.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, and studies show that vitamin C enhances sperm quality, protecting sperm and the DNA within it from damage. Some research has indicated that certain types of DNA damage in the sperm can make it difficult to conceive in the first place, or it can cause an increased risk of miscarriage if conception does take place. If DNA is damaged, there may be a chromosomal problem in the baby, should the pregnancy proceed. Whether or not DNA damage does have these effects has not been conclusively proven, but it's worth taking vitamin C and the other antioxidants as a precautionary measure. Vitamin C also appears to keep the sperm from clumping together, making them more motile.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is another powerful antioxidant and has been shown to increase fertility when given to both men and women. Men going for IVF treatment with their partners have been given vitamin E, and fertilization rates have, as a result, increased from 19 to 29 percent. It has been suggested that the antioxidant activity of vitamin E might make the sperm more fertile.
L-Arginine
This is an amino acid found in many foods and the head of the sperm contains an exceptional amount of this nutrient, which is essential for sperm production. Supplementing with L-arginine can help to increase both the sperm count and quality.
Note: People who have herpes attacks (either cold sores or genital herpes) should not supplement with arginine because it stimulates the virus.
L-Carnitine
This amino acid is essential for normal functioning of sperm cells. According to research, it appears that the higher the levels of L-Carnitine in the sperm cells, the better the sperm count and motility.
A well balanced multivitamin/mineral supplement will contain these (read your labels) and other nutrients for optimum health. Women should consider taking prenatal vitamins during this pre-conception period.
Herbs
Herbal treatment is aimed at restoring hormone imbalances, and encouraging ovulation if it is not occurring. It will also give you the best possible chance of maintaining a pregnancy, should you conceive.
Agnus Castus (Vitex or Chaste tree berry) This is the herb of choice for helping to restore hormone imbalance and increasing fertility. In one study 48 women diagnosed with infertility took Chaste tree berry daily for three months, 7 of them became pregnant during that time and 25 of them regained normal progesterone levels.
Agnus castus works to restore hormonal balance and can be used where there are hormone deficits as well as excesses it:
- Regulates periods
- Restarts periods which have stopped
- Helps with heavy bleeding
- Increases the ratio of progesterone to estrogen by balancing excess estrogen.
Nettle leaves have high mineral and chlorophyll content, making it excellent for the hormonal system.
Red Raspberry Leaves are an effective uterine tonic and have great amounts of calcium. It is most effective when combined with Red Clover.
Dong Quai Root is helpful in normalizing menstrual cycles. It is also known as a fertility enhancer. Best results occur during the days between ovulation and menstruation and discontinuing from the beginning of menstrual flow to ovulation.
False Unicorn Root is also a strong uterine tonic. It is known as "the" herb for infertility. Take 5-15 drops of the tincture per day during this pre-conception period to strengthen the uterine muscle.
Caution: You should not take any of the above herbs if you are taking, Birth Cntrol Pills, Fertility drugs, HRT or any other hormonal treatment or other medication unless they are recommended by a registered, experienced practitioner.
More tips
Sometimes the answer is as simple as changing the pH or acid environment of the vagina. A woman's vagina has a naturally high acid content. This is to prevent infection which is good but this acid environment can also kill sperm and in cases where the sperm count is low can lessen the chances of fertilization. Douching before intercourse with distilled water lowers the pH level and can increase your chances of becoming pregnant.
It takes two is obvious but what some couples don't understand is that certain events must take place before a woman's body is ready for the sperm to enter the cervical opening. Many women do not secret enough vaginal fluid (mucus) to lubricate. During female orgasm this natural fluid is released and the cervical opening is widened, all making for a safe passage as the sperm makes it way to the egg. Natural lubrication is best and using a topical stimulant can increase the mucus content of the vagina. If this fails to work, using an egg white at room temperature has been successful. Separate the egg, (discarding the yolk) let the egg white warm to room temperature, (sit about an hour) and insert into the vagina, just before intercourse, using a small bulb syringe.
In the Book Store
Wise Women Herbal for the Childbearing Years: This is a complete herbal pharmacopoeia for dealing with every problem that might arise before, during and after pregnancy and childbirth.
Vitamin Bible for the 21st Century: America's #1 reference book for all aspects of vitamin and mineral supplements. Includes more information on nutriceuticals, supplements, herbs and homeopathic medicines.
Everything Herbal: This book guides the reader through the many
herbal choices, products and therapies available today and explains in clear, easy-to-understand terms the best herbs to use for hundreds of health concerns.
Complete Encyclopedia of Natural Healing: This unique and reliable health reference takes off where other sources end by offering a comprehensive listing of some of today's most common diseases and their simple, natural, inexpensive cures.
Also see our section on pregnancy and prenatal care.
Copyright 2002 Herbal Remdies USA LLC & Deb Jackson
Deb Jackson is an herbalist, freelance writer, editor, artist. You can see more of her work including, descriptions and pictures of medicinal plants at www.naturesherbal.com
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Dealing With Male Menopause
About ten years ago, David seemed to have everything going in his favor. He was successful and well liked at work and had recently finished building a new house for his family-an incredible accomplishment. But David suddenly seemed
to be subdued and lost in thought. His wife explained the problem. "Dave is turning 40, and he's feeling a little depressed," she said. "He realizes that he's getting to old to realize his dream of becoming a pro-baseball player."
Such feelings are common among men. Between the age of 40 and 55, sometimes a little earlier or later in life, men go through what's being called the "male menopause." The change is not as sharply defined as menopause in women, who by their early 50s start producing substantially less estrogen. Most men don't suffer a significant drop in their testosterone levels until well into their 60s.
Rather, the male menopause encompasses a cluster of physical and psychological changes: your strength and stamina decline, sex drive weakens (though sometimes it increases), and the risk of prostate problems increases. In a nutshell, you're looking and feeling older. Realizing that you're in the second half of your life may have also alter your attitudes toward work, family, and friends. With all these changes, it's not surprising that many men, like David, begin to lose their sense of direction in life, or dwell on what they haven't accomplished.
But middle age doesn't have to be this way. "Male menopause is not the beginning of the end, as most fear, but the end of the beginning," says Jed Diamond, a psychotherapist and author of Male Menopause (Sourcebooks, 1997, $22.95). "It is the passage to the most passionate, powerful, productive, and purposeful time of a man's life."
While aging is inevitable, improving your diet and making some modest lifestyle changes can slow down the process and help you stay active and maintain a more youthful vigor. Here are five areas to focus on to be a better, healthier man.
Maintain Your Sexual Potency
Virtually every man would like to remain sexually potent and active throughout his life. But a recent study left more than egos flagging: researchers found that some degree of impotence-the inability to achieve an erection-affects 52 percent of men ages 40 to 70. Furthermore, the prevalence of complete impotence, or erectile dysfunction, triples between middle and old age.
Spending too much time thinking about your sexual performances can lead to the bedroom equivalent of stage fright. However, the principal physical cause of impotency is cardiovascular. To become erect, your penis needs flexible blood vessels. With advancing age, cardiovascular diseases take their toll on penile blood vessels, just as they do on the heart. Conversely, whatever improves heart function-diet, vitamin supplements, exercise-can usually enhance sexual potency. That's one reason why vitamin E, well known for preventing heart disease, has long been associated with sexual performance.
Several herbs have also been shown to increase sexual potency. In a German study, researchers reported that Ginkgo biloba increased penile arterial blood flow in half the men who took it. In Asia, ginseng (Panax ginseng) has long be used as a sexual tonic-one recent study found it to be rich in protective antioxidants that work much the way vitamin E does. Yohimbe, obtained from the bark of Pausinystalia johimbe, increases sexual potency in about one-third of the men who take it. It's the basis of the only anti-impotency drug currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration. However, yohimbe should never be combined with antidepressants, including St. John's wort, because of the risk of side effects.
Low levels of some hormones, such as dehydoepiandrosterone (DHEA) and testosterone, can also affect sexual potency and overall stamina. But you don't always have to take hormones to
boost their levels. Simple stress-reduction exercises have been found to double DHEA levels. Likewise, zinc can boost testosterone levels in men who are deficient in the mineral.
Stay Fertile
Even if you're not interested in becoming a father, it's important to remain fertile: the health of your sperm is often an indicator of your overall health. Sperm are especially vulnerable to hazardous molecules called free
radicals, which cause damage through a process known as oxidation. In a recent study, Hideya Kodama, M.D., Ph.D., of Akita University, gave antioxidant supplements (containing 200 mg of vitamin E, 200 mg of vitamin C, and 400 mg of glutathione daily) to 14 infertile men for two months. Sperm concentrations and motility (swimming ability) improved and the number of deformed sperm decreased. During the next six months, wives of two of the men became pregnant.
In another study, at the Serlin Maternity Hospital, Israel, Ami Amit, M.D., gave 200 IU of vitamin E daily for three months to 15 men with normal sperm counts but low fertilization rates. According to Amit's article in Fertility and Sterility, the vitamin quickly improved the fertilization rate of the men by about 30 percent.
Many urologists routinely encourage their infertile patients to take antioxidants. Marc Goldstein, M.D., director of the center for male reproductive medicine and microsurgery at the New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center, New York City, asks his infertile patients to take vitamin C (1,000 mg/day), vitamin E (400 IU/day), selenium (200 mcg/day), plus a multivitamin/multimineral supplement that contains 20 mg of zinc. The mineral is needed for the body's production of testosterone.
Be Kind To Your Prostate
The prostate gland manufactures and stores much of your seminal fluid, the gooey transport medium for sperm. By the time you reach your early 50s, you're likely to have experienced some prostate problems.
Prostatitis, a painful inflammation of the prostate, affects nearly all men at some time. When caused by bacteria, it's easily treated with an antibiotic. However, many cases of prostatitis are not caused by infection. Antioxidants may be of benefit because they tend to have an antiinflammatory effect. In a recent study, Daniel A. Shoskes, M.D., of the University of California's Harbor Medical Center, Torrance, Calif., gave 1-2 grams of quercetin (an antioxidant flavonoid) to 18 men with chronic non-bacterial prostatitis.
Shoskes reported that 10 (56 percent) of the 18 men had some improvement in symptoms. "Several patients with complete resolution had a return of symptoms when they stopped quercetin only to have them abate when
they resumed quercetin," he explained. "Oral quercetin can alleviate symptoms in a significant proportion of men with refractory [difficult to treat] hard-core chronic prostatitis."
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), more commonly known as an enlarged prostate, interferes with the normal flow of urine. As a consequence, men sometimes suffer from "dribbling" or a feeling that they have not fully emptied their bladder.
Prescription drug treatments for BHP can cause unpleasant side effects, including impotence and a loss of libido. In contrast, three herbal products, widely used in Europe, can usually reduce BPH symptoms safely within
a couple of months. Extracts of berries from saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), a species of palm tree, are probably the most widely used herbal treatment for BPH. Studies have shown that pygeum (Pygeum africanum) and stinging nettles (Urtica dioica) are beneficial as well. Each is available in tablet or capsule form.
According to a Chinese study, men with a history of prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia, have a six-fold risk of developing prostate cancer. Long-term consumption of various nutrients can lower this risk. Harvard University researchers have found that diets high in tomatoes and tomato sauces, rich in the antioxidant lycopene, reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 45 percent.
Last year, Harvard researchers also reported that beta-carotene supplements can lower the risk of prostate cancer among men who generally do not eat fruits and vegetables. And just recently, British researchers found that men eating large amounts of green peas, baked beans, and garlic had a very low risk of developing prostate cancer.
Keep Your Heart Healthy
Coronary heart disease, characterized by fatty deposits and
hardening of the arteries is the leading killer of American men. Some simple dietary changes and supplements can keep your heart healthy-even in the face of a high-fat diet.
High-fat diets prevent arteries from dilating, or relaxing, and that interferes with the heart's ability to pump blood. You can substantially lower
your fat intake by avoiding deep-fried foods, such as french fries and fried chicken. However, don't make the mistake of adopting a zero-fat diet. That's because your body needs a little fat to make testosterone and other hormones.
A recent study by Gary D. Plotnick, M.D., of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, found that supplements of vitamin C (1,000 mg) and vitamin E (400 IU) blocked the effects of high-fat meals. Vitamin E also prevents the oxidation (free radical damage) to cholesterol, which may be a greater cardiovascular risk factor that cholesterol perse. A couple of years ago, British researchers found that people taking 400-800 IU of natural vitamin E had a 77 percent lower risk of suffering a heart attack. To lower cholesterol levels, take natural beta-carotene, garlic, or the niacin form of vitamin B3. (Note: niacin will cause a flushing, tingling sensation for about one hour, but it stops with regular use.)
In addition, folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12 lower the risk of coronary heart disease by reducing blood levels of homocysteine, which damages blood vessel walls. Also, don't forget about maintaining the health of your capillaries, the microscopic blood vessels that form the foundation of your body's cardiovascular system. Consider taking 1,000 mg of vitamin C and 25-50 mg of Pycnogenol® (a flavonoid complex) daily.
Stay Strong As You Age
Strength decreases with age, along with muscle tone. But with a combination of exercise and supplements, it is possible to stay reasonably fit and strong. The key is increasing production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP),
the chemical that actually stores and releases energy in muscle cells.
Several nutrients play key roles in increasing ATP levels and energizing your muscle cells. Alpha-lipoic acid, found in spinach and red meat, helps muscle cells burn glucose (blood sugar), and German researchers recently reported that it increased ATP levels. Carnitine, a component of protein, transports fats into cells where they're also burned for energy. Richard Kunin, M.D., of San Francisco, recommends carnitine to treat fatigue in his patients.
Coenzyme CoQ10, a vitamin-like nutrient, promotes the production of ATP. Some cardiologists, such as Peter Langsjoen, M.D., of Tyler, Texas, use it to increase energy levels in heart muscle. Others have used CoQ10 to
successfully treat muscular dystrophy. Another component of protein, creatine, helps cells recycle and reuse ATP. A recent study by William J. Kramer, Ph.D., of Pennsylvania State University, University Park, found that creatine supplements increased strength during weight-lifting exercises.
Used individually or as a group, these nutrients increase the production of ATP. However, their effect is amplified with exercise. So get moving: walk, jog, ride a bike, go swimming, or lift some weights.
By Jack Challem, The
Nutrition Reporter™ Originally published in Let's Live magazine. Copyright©
1997 by Jack Challem. All rights reserved. Syndrome X: The Complete Nutritional Program to Prevent and Reverse Insulin Resistance
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Antibiotic Over use is Creating Superbugs
Even when used carefully, all organisms can develop some resistance to antibiotics over time. "It is a perfectly natural phenomenon for a living organism to develop the means of survival in a hostile environment," wrote French microbiologist Jacques Acar in a 1997 article in World Health.
The historical scourge known as the bubonic plague killed up to one-third of Europe's population in the 1300s. But in modern times, it has been controlled handily with the help of antibiotic drugs such as streptomycin, gentamicin and chloramphenical.
That is, until 1995, when a plague infection in a 16-year-old boy from Madagascar failed to respond to the usual antibiotic treatments. This first documented case of an antibiotic-resistant plague, reported in the September
1997 New England Journal of Medicine, eventually succumbed to another antibiotic.
In the United States and globally, many other infectious germs, including those that cause pneumonia, ear infections, acne, gonorrhea, urinary tract infections, meningitis, and tuberculosis, can now outwit some of the
most commonly used antibiotics and their synthetic counterparts, antimicrobials. According to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., drug resistance may have contributed to the 58 percent rise in infectious disease deaths among Americans between 1980 and 1992.
Antibiotic resistance isn't a new problem; resistant disease strains began emerging not long after the discovery of antibiotics more than 50 years ago. Penicillin and other antibiotics, which were initially viewed as miracle drugs for their ability to cure such serious and often life-threatening diseases as bacterial meningitis, typhoid fever, and rheumatic fever, soon were challenged by some defiant strains.
"What's different now," explains David Bell, M.D., an expert on antimicrobial resistance with the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "is that we've reached a situation where it's no longer an isolated problem of this bug or that bug; virtually all important human pathogens treatable with antibiotics have developed some resistance."
Experts say that doctors are sometimes quick to prescribe antibiotics for all sorts of symptoms, even though antibiotics work only against bacterial infections, not viruses such as the flu or the common cold. More than 50 million of the 150 million antibiotic prescriptions written each year for patients outside of hospitals are unnecessary, according to a recent CDC study.
Sometimes, doctors lack knowledge about the symptoms and natural course of respiratory illnesses, which contributes to overuse, according to a CDC editorial in the Sept. 17, 1997, Journal of the American Medical
Association. Also, many doctors have told CDC they sometimes write prescriptions simply to meet patient demands.
Every time a patient takes penicillin or another antibiotic for a bacterial infection, the drug may kill most of the bacteria. But a few tenacious germs may survive by mutating or acquiring resistance genes from
other bacteria. These surviving genes can multiply quickly, creating drug-resistant strains. The presence of these strains may mean that the patient's next infection will not respond to the first-choice antibiotic therapy. Also, the resistant bacteria may be transmitted to others in the patient's community.
Experts say the risk is greatest for those in hospitals, nursing homes, and other settings where people tend to be sick often. In these environments, people may be taking an array of antibiotics (one researcher
estimates that 25 to 40 percent of hospital patients get intravenous antibiotics), increasing the chance of a resistant germ originating within their own bodies. Also, hospitalized patients are surrounded by others whose
infectious diseases may spread, and their immune systems may be weakened and incapable of beating the infectious bugs.
Organisms that have already developed defenses against antibiotic attack include:
- Staphylococcus aureus. This bacterium, which is the biggest cause of infections in patients in U.S. hospitals, can infect burns, skin, and surgical wounds. Since 1996, at least four patients--three in the United States and one in Japan--reportedly were infected with a strain that was partially resistant to normal doses of the powerful, last-resort antibiotic vancomycin. Some strains of S. aureus have already shown resistance to all
antibiotics other than vancomycin, raising the fear that an invincible strain is near at hand.
- Enterococcus. This organism can cause everything from urinary tract to heart valve infections. Some strains can outmatch many previously effective antibiotics.
- Streptococcus pneumoniae. Up to 30 percent of the strains of this bacterium, which can cause pneumonia, meningitis, and ear infections, are at least partially resistant to antibiotics in the penicillin family, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Despite the frightening trend, most people aren't likely to encounter a "superbug" that can outsmart all antibiotics, says Mark Goldberger, M.D., director of the Food and Drug Administration's division of special pathogen and immunologic drug products. "For the average person walking around on the street, the risk at the moment remains low."
Excerpts in this article taken from the FDA website
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/1998/698_bugs.html
What you can do to protect yourself naturally.
- Garlic - the infection fighter
"Garlic has been used for thousands of year in folk medicine as an infection fighter. Research studies have confirmed that it has serious immune system enhancing capacities/potential. Don't cook it if you want to use it to boost your immune system. For the full effect don't chew it just swallow it and let its powerful alkaloids (active ingredients) be absorbed directly into your
digestive tract. If you have a delicate stomach you will want to start with half a small clove." Miranda Castro FSHom
- Bee Propolis- The Most Natural Antibiotic
The bactericidal qualities of this natural medicine have been known since the beginning of written history. Propolis is now considered an important part of dietetics and a natural cure by the World Health Organization. A natural antibiotic, propolis has no side effects and has also been shown to fight bacterial strains that have become resistant to synthetic antibiotics.
- Olive Leaf Extract-The Total Antimicrobial
The olive branch, a centuries-old symbol for peace, may contain in its leaves our best weapon against a host of disease-producing bacteria. As more bacteria mutate and resist commonly prescribed antibiotics, scientists are searching for alternatives. One option may lie in the leaves of the green olive tree.
- Neem-The Ultimate Herb
The seeds, bark and leaves contain compounds with proven antiseptic, antiviral, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and antifungal uses. Neem is one of the most powerful blood-purifiers and detoxifiers in Ayurvedic usage. Over thousands of years, neem has been used by hundreds of millions of people and no hazards have been documented for normal dosages.
- Tea Tree Oil-Immunostimulant
As early as 1923, clinical trials in Australia began to provide scientific evidence for tea tree's antiseptic and bactericidal properties. Its 'cure-all' effects made it standard issue in the first aid kits of the Australian Army and Navy during World War II. Tea Tree oil is an effective bactericide killing a broad spectrum of bacteria and a range of stubborn fungi. It is safe for healthy tissue and does not inhibit normal cell growth and rejuvenation. Tea Tree oil is a powerful organic solvent and will actually dissolve the lumps of white blood cells which make pus. The oil contains numerous chemicals known as terpenoids. The oil kills fungus and bacteria, including those resistant to some antibiotics. A single blind study has shown topical application of 5% tea tree oil in people with acne is as helpful as benzoylperoxide and has fewer side effects. Tea tree oil contributes to an extremely effective antibacterial shampoo.
- Grapefruit Seed Extract-The Virus Killer
There are many herbs and essential oils that kill enterococcus, staphylococcus and other bacteria as well as viruses, which antibiotics are unable to treat. One of the most popular is grapefruit seed extract, or GSE, made from the seeds and connecting tissue of citrus fruit. Grapefruit seed extract (GSE) is being used to kill bacteria like Strep, Staph, Salmonella, E. Coli, and also
to fight Candida, Herpes, Influenza, parasites, fungi and traveler's diarrhea. This has been proven in laboratories all over the world, and is supported by feedback from doctors, veterinarians, farmers and consumers. Non-toxic,
biodegradable, economical, with no harmful side-effects
- Golden Seal and Echinacea-Powerful Infection Fighters
Golden Seal was listed from 1860 to 1926 in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia. It was primarily used for inflammations of the mucous membranes. Studies indicate the presents of hydrastine, berberine and canadine which are antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antibacterial. Echinacea is considered a valuable alternative to antibiotics. This herb has very strong immune-activating abilities it activates the white blood cells to fight off both bacterial and viral infections. Modern scientific studies now validate Echinacea's traditional usage as a topical agent to help the body repair skin wounds, and internally to enhance the immune system. The active constituents in Echinacea which are thought to bolster the body's defense are known as
polysaccharides. Polysaccharides stimulate the activity of macrophages, white blood cells which destroy bacteria, viruses, other foreign invaders, and even wayward cells. It also activates the body's production of interferon, a
specific protein which protects cells against the invasion of viruses. Used in combination these are very powerful.
For more information and other great products to boost your immune system Click Here
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Herb of the Month
Lemon Balm
Melissa officinalis
Other Names: Balm, Balm mint, Bee balm, Blue balm, Dropsy plant, Garden balm, Sweet balm, Lemon balm, Melissa
Habitat: Common throughout Europe, it is mostly cultivated in the United States. But grows wild in sunny fields and along roadsides. It is a perennial and is easily cultivated by seed or root division in rich, sandy or loamy soil. The branched upright stem is square and grows to about 3 feet in height.
The leaves are bright green growing in opposite pairs they are ovate and serrate. The whole plant has fine hairs and a lemony scent when crushed. The flowers are yellow-white to rose colored or even bluish, two lipped, bilabiate they grow in clusters at the joints or some times on small branches at the joints. Blooming from about July to August.
Properties: Lemon Balm is edible and medicinal. Used as a medicinal plant throughout recorded history. The Greek physician Dioscorides would apply Lemon Balm to scorpion or animal bites for its antibacterial properties, and then
give the patient wine infused with Lemon Balm to calm their nerves. Fresh leaves can be added to salad or used in egg dishes and can be used to make sauces for fish, poultry and pork. Dried or fresh the whole plant is used to make cool refreshing drinks or warm relaxing teas.
The leaves and young flowering shoots are antibacterial, antispasmodic, antiviral, carminative,
diaphoretic, digestive, emmenagogue, febrifuge, sedative, and tonic. Balm contain a volatile oil citral and citronella which is strongly antispasmodic and aids in calming nerves, relieving menstrual cramps, insomnia, depression, hyperthyroidism, upset stomach, and colic in babies. Leaf tea is good for fevers, colds, and headache. Fresh crushed leaves are applied to wounds and insect bites. The essential oils in the fresh plant, particularly citronella make it a most effective insect repellent when crushed and rubbed on skin or clothes.
Research has shown that the plant contains polyphenols, that
can help significantly in the treatment of cold sores and combat the herpes simplex virus. Also contains the constituents geranial, neral, linalool, geraniol, geranylacetate, methyl citronellate, trans-beta-ocimene, germacren, eugenol), and Rosmarinic acid. Added to bath it relieves muscle tension and soothes irritated skin. The oil is often added to skin preparations and perfumes. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy and is very pleasant used in potpourris.
Click here to find many Lemon Balm products!
Folklore: In ancient times Balm was planted by ones front door to drive away evil spirits. It was also used to draw bees to the hive. Avicenna, an 11th century Arab herbalist said "it causeth the mind and heart to become merry"
TRY THESE RECIPES
Breakfast tea: 2 tsp. chopped leaves added to 1 cup boiling water steep 5 to 10 min. strain add honey and, or lemon.
Cold highnooner: 2 tbsp. per cup of cold water, let stand for 6 to 8 hours. Strain, add ice peppermint sprig and sweeten to taste.
Copyright 2001 Deb Jackson at Nature's Herbal & Herbal Remedies USA LLC
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Herb and Ailment Questions & Answers:
Q. I have had an ear infection for over nine months now and nothing helps, I have been to the doctors for antibiotics several times. It feels like there is water in my ear all the time especially when I go to bed at night and there is a draining of a watery smelly substance. Is there anything that you can recommend?
A. NutriBiotic Ear Drops are excellent for ear infections. Most likely your sinuses are draining into your ears at night. Sleeping in a more upright position will prevent this. A great many people still use ear cones (candles) for this problem as the smoke penetrates,
soothes and dries the nasal and sinus cavities.
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Q. I have a condition know as dry eye. Is there a natural treatment for this?
A. For immediate relief, when eyes feel dry use Eye Rinse Concentrate Formula. Also, there is a new Japanese
study appearing in this month’s issue of Ophthalmology, the clinical journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Eye M.D. Association, in which people with noninflamed obstructive meibomian gland dysfunction (a major cause of Dry Eye), receiving castor oil eye drops six times daily for two weeks each showed significant improvement, compared with the eyes receiving the placebo. However, this treatment has been used for eye problems since biblical times!
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Q. Do you know any herbal remedies for rosacea on the cheeks?
A. Rosacea can worsen and spread to other areas of the face even the chest. It is best to see a dermatologist right away. No one seems to know what causes rosacea and at present there is no cure. However
there is some evidence to suggest that mineral deficiencies may be an underling cause. Copper is a mineral which is essential for healthy skin.
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Q. I heard that red skin moles are actually the beginning of skin cancer, is this true? What supplement can be taken to eliminate them?
A. No, they are not cancer, at least in most cases. However if one becomes inflamed or grows rapidly you should have it checked by a Doctor immediately. Red moles are called cherry angiomas and they're little collections of blood vessels that occasionally bleed. They're inherited, some refer to them as birthmarks, people can have 100's of them. Doctors at the UT Houston Dermatology Clinic remove them with intense pulses of laser light. Pau D'Arco tincture rubbed on the moles topically should dissolve them.
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Q. I have some kind of rash over most of my body and the dermatologist can not figure out what is causing it. The tests all came back and say that I have a yeast infection in my hair follicles. I took antibiotics and it worked at first but then it came back even worse! What can I do?
A. There is a natural yeast which is present on the skin. Yeast is a bacteria, we have good and bad bacteria on our skin and in our bodies. Sometimes due to diet or antibiotic use, the good bacteria is killed
allowing the yeast (Candida) to grow out of control. Using a strong antibacterial like Grapefruit Seed Extract Liquid Concentrate topically will kill the yeast but also kill the good bacteria. After such a treatment you should replenish the good bacteria (lactobacillus) by taking a supplement which contains lactobacillus to keep the yeast from growing back. This is something the medical profession often neglects to tell us! Also, yogurt (plain) is a source of this good bacteria. Rub it on your itchy skin and the itching should stop immediately.
Do you have a Question for us? If so Please send in your questions to newseditor@herbalremedies.com
We will answer all email ASAP!
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Protect Your Children form Colds and Flu
YUCK! Mommy NO! Sound familiar? The medicine doesn't work if the child will not take it! Yet most effective cold and flu remedies don't have a very appealing taste. THIS ONE DOES! Sambucol for Kids contains Elderberries, which not only taste good, but protects your child by supporting the immune system. This delicious berry flavored syrup also contains echinacea and propolis. It is the only clinically researched elderberry extract. Sambucol was awarded the
best new herbal product in 1996, and has won three consecutive Vity Awards as the best elderberry product.
Comes in Adult formula too. AND IT"S ALL ON SALE NOW for a very low PRICE! Click HERE to find this and many other great Cold and Flu SALE items.
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For assistance or to purchase products by phone call toll free in the USA 1-866-467- 6444 or World Wide 1-307-577-6444 or e-mail your questions to newseditor@herbalremedies.com We will answer all email in the next issue of the newsletter as space allows.
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Disclaimer
Informational material and representations have been provided by the manufacturers of the listed products. The statements regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products and the information provided is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information on this Web site and in emails is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your child's condition.
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