Herbs and Herbal Supplements

[maikeru]

Don't know if this has been mentioned in the thread... I was watching a cooking show a while ago and the chef mentioned a great way to store herbs from your garden is to freeze the herbs in ice cubes (diced or whole leaves), pop them out of the tray when they are frozen solid, then to store them in an airtight container or bag placed in the freezer or ice box for future use. When you need them, you defrost the cubes with "fresh" herbs ready to go. Should work for mints, basil, thyme, oregano, and several other herbs I saw him using in his recipes. I assume you can store medicinal herbs in a similar manner.

[Michaelangelica]

Rosemary Chicken Protects Your Brain From Free Radicals

 

ScienceDaily (Nov. 2, 2007) — Rosemary not only tastes good in culinary dishes such as Rosemary chicken and lamb, but scientists have now found it is also good for your brain. A collaborative group from the Burnham Institute for Medical Research (Burnham Institute) in La Jolla, CA and in Japan, report that the herb rosemary contains an ingredient that fights off free radical damage in the brain

Rosemary Chicken Protects Your Brain From Free Radicals

 

Why does every generation have to re-invent the wheel in their own "philosophic/scientific' world view?

 

Shakespeare could have told the researchers this.

Rosemary is for remembering, remembrance.

"There's Rosemary for you, that's for remembrance! Pray you, love, remember."

William Shakespeare (Ophelia in Hamlet)

Dry up your tears, and stick your rosemary

On this fair corse; and, as the custom is

Romeo and Juliet,

Shakespeare talks about Rosemary celebrating our comings and goings (somewhere WWW search engines will not find it for me).

Golden gilded sprigs of Rosemary were given to brides.

Remembering the Marriage Vows or the loss of a friend.

Sprigs of Rosemary were thrown into graves

 

Students used to drink a tea of fresh Rosemary sprigs to help them remember for exams.

 

 

Too much Rosemary tea will elecvate BP.

 

BTW

It is much better for lamb ( Roasted lamb leg -Ummo).

 

If you grow a few plants you can use the woody stems for shiskabobs

 

It is such an easy herb to grow.

It just needs the sun and no water.

 

There are a lot of varieties these days even a tumbling pretty ground-cover

 

"Rose marinus" the Rose of the sea.

If you are near the sea grow it and not just one variety.

Some have blue some have white some have pink flowers, some are bushes some are ground-covers or trailing plants

I saw a wonderful example of this in N.Zland wher every floor of a car park had trailling Rosemary comming from it

A fantastic green waterfall..

 

It is said that originally the flowers were white and when the Virgin Mary dried her clock over it the flowers turned to blue.

Drying clothes on a Rosemary hedge was a common practice as it's fragrance repelled moths.

[Racoon]

In a few months I can start a brand new herb garden! w/ a few of the perenials already in place.

 

Here are some Chinese Herbal references and resources.:

You can find the 50 Fundamental herebs here at the wiki link.

Chinese herbology - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Chinese herbs have been used for centuries. The first herbalist in Chinese tradition is Shennong, a mythical personage, who is said to have tasted hundreds of herbs and imparted his knowledge of medicinal and poisonous plants to the agricultural people. The first Chinese manual on pharmacology, the Shennong Bencao Jing (Shennong Emperor's Classic of Materia Medica), lists some 365 medicines of which 252 of them are herbs, and dates back somewhere in the 1st century C.E. Han dynasty. Earlier literature included lists of prescriptions for specific ailments, exemplified by a manuscript "Recipes for 52 Ailments", found in the MaWangDui tomb, sealed in 168 B.C.E.

 

 

 

Quality Chinese Herbs - Complete Herb List

 

The Chinese Herb Academy -- Articles Library

 

Product Herbal List of Ageless Herbs-Chinese Herb Formulas Listing

 

 

I've used Cordyceps for extra energy. Basically its a caterpillar fungus :rolleyes:

but I liked using it. will get some more this spring

 

 

INTRODUCTION TO THE USE OF CHINESE HERBS

 

CHINESE HERBS FOR ASCENSION

 

additional info on how to prepare your herbs ---> How to Take Chinese Herbs

[Michaelangelica]

I remember reading a story about Chinese herbs that astounded me.

Perhaps it was aprophical, but I don't think so.

It was about some researchers looking for the 'active ingredient" in a mixture of over thirty TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine)herbs.

They found it, trialled it, but found it did not work quite as well as the 30 herb mixture.

So being good scientists they though "The must be a catalyst."

So they looked for a catalyst, found it, mixed it with the previously found active ingredient and trialled it again.

Still the new compound did not work as well at the Thirty Herb Mixture

(By now you know where I am going with this ?)

Back the scientists went to the 30 herb mix and again found another catalyst.

Yes you're right the two catalysts and the "active ingredient" still did not work as well as the old thirty herb remedy.

Back and forth they went but could never replicate the equal effectiveness of the Old Remedy by trying to replicate it chemically.

 

Now my memory of this is a bit hazy, it might have been 24 herbs in the remedy, I'm not sure. I have even forgotten what the remedy was for -but, that is not important to my point.

 

What astounds me is, occasionally, I have a bet on the State Pools Lottery. I have to pick a mere 6 numbers out of 40 possible numbers to win countless millions. Despite many attempts I have, as yet, proved unsuccessful in such a seemingly-easy task.

 

The Chinese pulled 30 herbs out of countless million/billion (?) plants and put them together in such a way as only that particular mix of herbs was the most effective remedy.

This is truly, almost magically, astounding. It suggests a knowledge and familiarity with plants that is profound.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

One other TCM story

A friend, who always goes to conventional doctors here, visited China just after Whitlam and Nixon opened up relations with China. Everyone on the tour got some gastric bug. The Chinese asked if the visitors would like to see a "Western" doctor or a Traditional Chinese one. Surprisingly, my friend was the only one who chose to see a TCM doctor. (He is an old commie at heart).

All the other members of the group saw a western doctor and were given anti-biotics, all were very sick for a week.

My friend was given some "truly foul" herb decoction to take and was hale and hearty within 48 hours.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[Racoon]

:eek::):) :)

 

 

BBC NEWS | Health | Medicinal plants 'facing threat'

 

 

 

Hundreds of medicinal plants are at risk of extinction, threatening the discovery of future cures for disease, according to experts.

Over 50% of prescription drugs are derived from chemicals first identified in plants.

 

But the Botanic Gardens Conservation International said many were at risk from over-collection and deforestation.

 

Researchers warned the cures for things such as cancer and HIV may become "extinct before they are ever found".

 

The group, which represents botanic gardens across 120 countries, surveyed over 600 of its members as well as leading university experts.

 

They identified 400 plants that were at risk of extinction.

 

These included yew trees, the bark of which forms the basis for one of the world's most widely used cancer drugs, paclitaxel.

 

Hoodia, which originally comes from Namibia and is attracting interest from drug firms looking into developing weight loss drugs, is on the verge of extinction, the report said.

 

And half of the world's species of magnolias are also under threat.

 

The plant contains the chemical honokiol, which has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat cancers and slow down the onset of heart disease........[more]

[Michaelangelica]

Study: Beetroot Helps Beat Hypertension

Submitted by News Account on 5 February 2008 -

In demonstrating that nitrate is likely to underlie the cardio-protective effect of a vegetable-rich diet, researchers at Barts and The London School of Medicine have discovered that drinking just 500ml of beetroot juice a day can significantly reduce blood pressure.

Study: Beetroot Helps Beat Hypertension | Scientific Blogging

 

Beetroot is used a lot on sandwiches and hamburgers in Australia.

MacDonald's even had a time when it replaced its awful pickle with Beetroot .

Still 500mls a day is a lot even for an Ozzie

 

Dr. Duke comes up with Pineapple as another plant high in nitrate. that is often put on REAL hamburgers here too.

Dr. Duke's

Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases

 

Plants Containing NITRATE

Ordered by quantity

 

Species Part Quantity Reference

Ananas comosus (L.) MERR. -- Pineapple Fruit 1,200 ppm DUKE1992A

[Michaelangelica]

Coca-Cola Exploring Chinese Medicine for Beneficial Nutrients

(NaturalNews) The Coca-Cola Company has announced the launch of a new project designed to devise ingredients for beverages from traditional Chinese medicines. Coca-Cola has established a permanent research center in Beijing, at the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. Researchers from the company will work together with staff from the academy to analyze traditional Chinese medicines for potential nutritional benefits, then to figure out ways to incorporate these ingredients into beverage formulas.

 

The move comes as sales of carbonated beverages continue to decline in the United States

. . . .

Coca-Cola Exploring Chinese Medicine for Beneficial Nutrients

 

A new cocaine?

[Michaelangelica]

This is a nice little website with a whole stack of herbs I have never heard of.

I would be interested if anyone else has first hand experience of any of them.

Herbal Medicines/Plants Approved by the DOH | Nursing Crib

Nice pics. too that they won't let you copy.

[modest]

I once was told by a doctor:

"There's no drug that will make a healthy person more healthy"

In response to some question I had about a supplement. I've spent some time wondering if this is always true or not. For instance: is fish oil only a good supplement for someone with a heart condition. If not, would it be considered part of a healthy diet?

 

I've wrestled with this when walking past the supplements at the pharmacy many times. Whatever the answer, I've found this thread a very good source of knowledge.

 

-modest

[Monomer]

I once was told by a doctor:

"There's no drug that will make a healthy person more healthy"

In response to some question I had about a supplement. I've spent some time wondering if this is always true or not. For instance: is fish oil only a good supplement for someone with a heart condition. If not, would it be considered part of a healthy diet?

 

I've wrestled with this when walking past the supplements at the pharmacy many times. Whatever the answer, I've found this thread a very good source of knowledge.

 

-modest

 

 

I think most people's diets are not quite adequate and we live in a stressful, polluted environment, so even though you're seemingly healthy you probably aren't quite getting enough vitamins and minerals. Have a read of this:

eHealthandWellness Supplements for Healthy People

[Michaelangelica]

I once was told by a doctor:

"There's no drug that will make a healthy person more healthy"

In response to some question I had about a supplement. I've spent some time wondering if this is always true or not. For instance: is fish oil only a good supplement for someone with a heart condition. If not, would it be considered part of a healthy diet?

 

I've wrestled with this when walking past the supplements at the pharmacy many times. Whatever the answer, I've found this thread a very good source of knowledge.

 

-modest

I agree

Given that doctors, prescription drugs and hospitals are our leading cause of death.

 

There is a whole group of herbs called 'adaptogens' that do improve heath, Things like Ginseng and Gotu Kola and others.

There is no such concept as "adaptogen" in Western Conventional Medicine.( Even my spell check is having trouble with the word.)

Ginseng is especially interesting as it has a lot of well researched beneficial effects on the entire circulatory system. In rat studies it helped stressed animals survive.

 

I agree with Monomer that people's diet is generally poor.

But you would be amazed how much. For example I was once asked (when I sold herbs) by a lady what was good for 'digestive problems' and ulcers. I made a few suggestions and she trotted out more complaints arthritis, sleeplessness, tiredness, irritability.

Finally I stopped and asked her who we were talking about. "O my husband. He is 57 and will be retired as an invalid soon"

What does he eat?"

I asked

"Well he can't eat much, or keep much down, so he eats steak and sweet tea."

How much sugar does he use in the tea?"

Defensively, she replied, "I've told him he uses too much sugar"

Again I tried, "How much, is too much?"

"We go though seven to ten pounds of sugar a week." she replied

I was a bit shocked, surprised and stunned by this reply.

And she wondered why he was sick?!!

This is the Twentieth century in an affluent Western Country.

It turned out this guy was living on copious cups of strong sweet tea and well (over) cooked steak. That's all. How could he/she not know this was a bad diet that would ruin his health?

How come a doctor had not asked the questions I asked?

I am not even a half trained medical person.

 

It saddens me to see young (and some older ) checkout operators who don't know the names of many fruits and vegetables at the supermarket cash register. (They are a bit better nowadays as they are sent to in-house training-school to learn the names; and the checkout monitors have "pictures" of the fruit/vegetables with a name.) I asked one young man, working in the Fruit and Veg section of the Supermarket, once if the fresh figs had started to come in yet. He asked me what they were and what they looked like. How sad; How much does he loose of life?

 

Most (97%) kids are not taught to garden or to cook at school.

 

At an exclusive boys private school in Northern Sydney some years ago the graduated "Old Boys" Union donated a multi-million dollar kitchen to the school so the young boys could learn to cook. The Old Boys felt that this had been a gaping hole in their own education.

 

I was once treated by an ortomolecular specialist, taking heaps of all types of supliments and restricting my intake of some foods like wheat and milk. Within a few months I felt the best I have ever felt.

Nowadays I live on a restricted income and cannot afford some of the foods and supliments I would like to buy. Sea food is especially expensive here now with most of it being exported to Japan.

Some supliments are unesesarily expensive. I noticed some Ginseng tablets (about 50+?) in the Chemist the other day that had only a few micrograms of ginseng in them for $14.95. Yet I can buy a bag of whole chopped ginseng root at china town for $7.

Cheap herbal teas just don't seem to be around in outer suburbia.

Even Aspirin, at 50-75c a packet, is being taken off the shelves as a 75c sale is not worth the shelf space. (I use it for me and my plant cuttings!). It is "replaced" now with $5+ packets of panadol or ibuprofen.

[modest]

Thank you both.

 

I think you are correct that an inadequate diet is what needs supplementing. Personally, I need to both monitor my diet better and start taking at least a multivitamin.

 

There is a strong history of heart problems in my family and an ounce of prevention...

 

Thanks again,

 

-modest

[CerebralEcstasy]

There is a strong history of heart problems in my family and an ounce of prevention...

 

There is in mine as well. The heart related incidents offer no chance for recovery, I've lost my mother at 42, my grandmother at 52, and an uncle at 37.

 

Needless to say I'm 34, I have three children and I really don't want to leave them orphans. So I read..... and here's what I've found.

 

Hypertension or High Blood Pressure - Nutrition, Herbs, Supplements - cardiologychannel

 

Eat whole, fresh, unrefined, and unprocessed foods. Include fruits, vegetables, garlic, onion, whole grains, soy, beans, seeds, nuts, olive oil, and cold-water fish (salmon, tuna, sardines, halibut, and mackerel).

 

Low sodium-high potassium diet. Most people are aware that reducing sodium (salt) intake can help reduce blood pressure. However, that may not be the whole picture.

 

Restricting sodium intake to lower blood pressure appears to work better if accompanied by increasing potassium intake. Keep in mind that reducing sodium intake involves more than not using a salt shaker, but also reading processed and prepared food labels for the sodium content.

 

Avoid salt, sugar, dairy products, refined foods, fried foods, junk foods, and caffeine.

Eliminate food sensitivities. Use an elimination and challenge diet to determine food sensitivities.

 

Drink 50% of your body weight in ounces of water daily (e.g., if you weigh 150 lbs, drink 75 oz of water daily).

 

Supplements

 

Supplements are intended to provide nutritional support. Because a supplement or a recommended dose may not be appropriate for all persons, a physician (i.e., a licensed naturopathic physician or holistic MD or DO) should be consulted before using any product. Recommended doses follow:

 

Calcium—Take 800-1500 mg daily.

Vitamin C—Take 1000 mg daily.

Coenzyme Q10—Take 50 mg two times daily.

Flaxseed meal—Grind 2–4 tablespoons daily. Flaxseed meal is a better choice due to its fiber, lignan, and vitamin content, but flaxseed oil (1 tbsp daily) can be substituted.

[modest]

Thank you CerebralEcstasy for all the good info. I'm afraid the only thing you mention that I do well is drink that much water. I noticed a few years ago that I felt better doing so and it has become habit.

 

Unfortunately, eating healthy has not become habit; but, I'm starting to work on it.

 

Thank you again,

 

-modest

[CerebralEcstasy]

Thank you CerebralEcstasy for all the good info. I'm afraid the only thing you mention that I do well is drink that much water. I noticed a few years ago that I felt better doing so and it has become habit.

 

Unfortunately, eating healthy has not become habit; but, I'm starting to work on it.

 

Thank you again,

 

-modest

 

You're quite welcome. One of the things you'll find amazing when you start changing your eating habits is how good you feel.

 

I'm not good at eating healthy either, so I use a site advertized by the dieticians of Canada to track the foods I eat, to see what my daily caloric intake is, and what nutrients I'm getting from the foods I eat.

 

While Eatracker isn't exactly 100% it's good enough to closely monitor calories, nutrients, exercise and so forth. Based on your entries, it tells you how many calories you should be eating that day, based on your activity level.

 

I looked at one person's rating of the site, and wanting to smack them upside the head.

 

I think we can all figure out that if the site says - to maintain your current weight eat X amount of calories. We can also use deductive reasoning to figure out that if we take in less we'll lose weight, if we go overboard and take in more then we can expect to gain.

 

eattracker.ca

 

I also recently learned a lot about the genetics behind heart disease, if you're interested - I'll write more later.

[modest]

I also recently learned a lot about the genetics behind heart disease, if you're interested - I'll write more later.

 

Yes, I'd very much appreciate that. I just started a thread on the topic. It's something I've been thinking about a lot lately:

 

http://hypography.com/forums/medical-science/15508-preventing-heart-disease.html

 

~modest

[Monomer]

Although I originally posted this here I thought it also might be worthwhile in this thread.

 

Obesity And Heart Disease May Be Reduced By Herbal Remedy

 

With unprecedented levels of obesity across the Western world, and incidence of associated heart disease, cancer and diabetes rising, there is a major drive to find new treatments. Scientists from Germany have recently discovered that extracts of a traditional herbal remedy derived from Tabebuia impetiginosa can act to delay the absorption of dietary fat in animal models. They believe that the extract could be incorporated into a food supplement which may not only reduce obesity, but also lessen the risk of development of type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease.

 

Dr Roos and his team have shown that Tabebuia extract can reduce levels of triglycerides, a breakdown product of fat, in rats after they have been fed a fatty meal. "This result shows the extract may have a potential use in treating obesity," he observes. "However, as coronary heart disease and diabetes have also been shown to be associated with higher triglyceride levels after eating, we believe a food-supplement based on Tabebuia could reduce the incidence of these diseases as well. What is more, as obesity in developing countries is also on the increase, such extracts, taken as a capsule or added to food, may be a cheaper alternative for the rural population to pharmaceuticals."

 

Although it is clear that Tabebuia extract can act to inhibit the absorption of dietary fat, the scientists have not yet identified the exact compounds within the extract that are responsible for the effects. "The actual substances involved are probably even more active than the extract," says Dr Roos. "We are currently in the process of identifying these compounds, and will then test long-term efficiacy and safety in miniature pigs whose physiology is closer to that of humans than rat physiology is, before moving onto human trials. At this point, we hope to be able to develop the extract, either as a food supplement or in a medicinal context."

 

 

Tabebuia impetiginosa - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia