CAUTIONARY NOTE ON HERBS
Most herbs can be used safely over long periods in small amounts. However, care should be taken when using herbs that have a. cumulative effect.
Golden seal should not be taken over long periods of time because of its effect on the intestinal bacteria which can affect the absorption of Vitamin B. Lily of the valley and ephedra should not be used with persons who are suffering from a history of very high blood pressue. Comfrey and foxglove are cumulative and poisonous in large amounts.
When collecting wild herbs, know the herb that you are gathering. It is not difficult to incorrectly identify wild herbs. A good rule is that if you are not sure, do not use it.
Do not use essential oils in large doses as they are concentrated and may cause irritation in contact with the eyes or mucous membranes.
FORMS OF HERBAL PREPARATIONS
Infusions: Decoctions:
Percolation:
Made with the use of spirits where the herb cannot be heated or when the drug only gives up its principles to spirit. Are the most concentrated form of the drug. They are made by concentrating the chemicals in liquid by evaporation, high pressure. 28gm of drug = 28gm of liquid Are made by pouring boiling water over the herb and letting it stand for half an hour and then straining the liquid off. A decoction of the drug requires heat. Cold water is poured over the herb and then the mixture is boiled for twenty minutes, cooled and strained.
A very effective way of obtaining the fluid, soluble part of a drug. This is obtained by allowing the fluid to drip through the drug time and time again in a percolator, until nearly all the soluble matter is extracted from the drug.
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LIVER HEALTH
Certain herbs, such as dandelion and milk thistle, act as cholagogues, helping maintain a healthy liver. It also must be remembered that if the liver is not functioning properly then toxins will manifest themselves elsewhere in the body. Quite often skin disorders such as dermatitis and acne, can be directly related to a poorly functioning liver.
Most blood-cleaning herbs per se, act on the organs that eliminate toxins from the body and help them in their job. Dandelion has been said to have the ability to dissolve gallstones and combines well with blueberry for use in the treatment of cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder), jaundice and gallstones. Three cups of dandelion coffee daily will help maintain a healthy liver. Another herb used for liver disease is boldo.
Zinc helps the liver release the storage of vitamin A. The B group of vitamins is also important for a healthy liver. Again, correct nutrition so that you eat a balanced diet, control weight and abstain from alcohol and toxic drugs such as paracetamol, which can affect the liver.
SUPPLEMENTS
Milk thistle 1 ml of 1:1 fluid extract 3 times daily
dandelion tea Bio Zinc 3 cups daily 1 tablet daily
Sustained Release
Multi B Vitamin
Formula 1 tablet daily
sodium sulphate 200 mg 1 tablet three times daily
A herbal complex containing blueberry, boldo and dandelion will help maintain proper liver function.
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FLUID RETENTION
Many people, especially women, suffer with the problem of fluid retention. For women, just before menstruation, fluid is retained, breasts can be painful, and ankles and fingers can become swollen.
If you suffer with this problem of fluid retention then look at diet. Consuming too much sodium chloride, or salt, can lead to fluid retention.
Drink more water. Many people think that if you drink water you will retain more and more fluid. This is not the case. Drink 6 to 8 glasses a day. Many foods included in our diets are natural diuretics. Celery is one, cucumber is another, even apples are slightly diuretic, so include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet.
Take herbs which have diuretic properties. They include celery seed, juniper berries, dandelion leaf and parsley piert. Juniper can irritate the kidneys and should not be taken if suffering from any kidney infection. Juniper is also contra-indicated in pregnancy. Dandelion is not irritating to the kidneys.
The vitamin B6 and the mineral sodium phosphate are nutrients that have diuretic properties and can help remove excess fluid. Vitamin B6 is of particular value in the treatment of pre-menstrual fluid retention.
SUPPLEMENTS
celery and juniper formula 2 tablets 3 times daily or as
herbal diuretic formula 1 tablet 3 times daily
(based on 1500 mg
dandelion)
vitamin B6 25 mg daily
water 6 glasses daily
Low sodium diet
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CANCER: MEDICAL RESEARCH
Medical research has also found that the natural antioxidant nutrient beta-carotene, found in yellow and green vegetables may also help prevent cancer and reverse changes in cells that precede the development of cancer.
Dr Peter Greenwald, Director of the National Cancer Institute. Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, stated that people should be urged to eat foods rich in nutrients believed to have cancer preventing properties. These are vitamins A,C,E, B12, folic acid, beta-carotene, selenium and fibre. Evidence has shown that taking antioxidant supplements may help prevent such cancers as lung, breast, cervical, bladder, colon, oesophageal, stomach and skin.
Antioxidants are needed in our diets to help control free radicals, and these free radicals if uncontrolled, may be the cause of many cancers. To provide maximum protection against the free-radical disease in cancer a continuous supply of the antioxidant nutrients must come from our diet. Some antioxidant nutrients such as selenium are lacking in Australian soils and a lack of this and other antioxidants may decrease our bodies’ natural protection process against cancer.
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ANTIOXIDANTS
Antioxidants can prevent free radicals damaging your cells. These free radicals are a by-product of the metabolism of oxygen. The same radicals cause an apple to go brown when cut and exposed to the air, or butter to become rancid. Commonsense tells us that if our cells are damaged it will show in the form of premature ageing and reduced resistance to infection. Antioxidants, such as vitamins A, C and E, in correct dosages provide the tools to remove the impurities. This allows the cell membrane to be properly protected, hence ensuring that the cell lives its full, normal life.
The main antioxidants are beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, certain amino acids such as DL-methionine, zinc and B6. Certain trace elements such as selenium, which is found in garlic, is also a very important antioxidant. Much scientific research has now been carried out into the use of antioxidants such as A, C and E to show whether or not they can prevent premature ageing or slow down the ageing process in animals. The results of these tests have been promising and in animal experiments, the length of life has been increased.
These studies also showed that ageing spots or amyloidoisis can be decreased with the use of antioxidants. Professor Linus Pauling, the twice Nobel Prize recipient and Professor of Chemistry at Stanford University in the USA, has suggested that we all should be taking antioxidants to help combat the pollutants, poisons and toxins that exist in our atmosphere, our water and our foods. He believes that if we do take antioxidants, it is possible to add twenty-five years to our life.
Further evidence is given when Dr Mark Florence, Senior Research Scientist for the CSIRO, states, ‘I have studied the effect of anti-oxidants for 10 years and there are good biochemical reasons why they should work.’ He also stated, ‘I would confidently advise people to take them.’
I am sure that, with the agreement of eminent people such as Dr Florence, Dr Linus Pauling and many other researchers, antioxidants do work. It is possible to increase our quality of life and build the immune system to a level where we can help combat many of the normal viral cold, flu and other ailments that plague our everyday lives.
I confidently recommend a formula containing beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamins Bl, B5, B6, methionine and zinc. There is ample evidence to show that these, in combination, are the best form for an antioxidant preparation. The addition of garlic would be an extremely good idea because of its trace elements, anti blood-clotting and cholesterol-lowering properties. The ancient Chinese herb, ginseng has the ability to improve or increase physical and mental capacity and improve resistance to viral infection.
What we are looking for is a formula which lengthens lives and improves the quality of life.
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