Homeopathy, Vitamin D

Natures Rx Feb.2010

In the November 2009 issue, I addressed a question on homeopathy. I recently heard my old buddy Dr. Dean Edell make disparaging remarks about it, going so far as to say that Congress won’t do anything about this hocus pocus because they are afraid of our powerful lobby. Folks, in a weird way he is right. We do have the most powerful lobby in the country, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.  Congress should be damned afraid of us.  Check for yourself, the natural products industry in total can’t come up with the lobbying money of even one pharmaceutical company agri-business or food processor. But we have the vote.
Check out the DVD ”Food Inc.” or Michael Moore’s films about the health industry. Then you tell me who has the power in Washington. We, the PEOPLE actually have the last word, unfortunately our”representatives” like to push us up against the wall before we act. Act we have and act we will.
 Back to the main issue of homeopathy. I admit it is hard to fathom how a greatly diluted ingredient can have such an effect on the body, but to say it is all in our head is ludicrous. Answer me this, then. When homeopathic remedies are administered to animals and they respond and recover how did the person convince the dog or horse that it would work? Hmmmmmm.

Dear Jonathan, I recently was told by my doctor that I am deficient in Vitamin D. He prescribed 50,000 units. Isn’t that a high dose?  Anita, Springfield

Dear Anita, it does seem high compared to what used to be recommended, but that is a question for your doctor. I am sure he knows what he is doing for your situation. In general, everyones vitamin D levels are low. The government raised the level a couple of years ago. People who live in the northern part of the country do not get the sunlight which helps your body to produce vitamin D. Women especially are at a disadvantage because many of their skin products contain sunscreen products to protect against wrinkles and skin cancer.  Many of our customers are taking a supplemental 1-2,000 units of vitamin D-3 to help normalize their amounts.  There was a big push for the vitamin to help with your calcium absorption ( we have discussed this in past columns) What has been taking center stage is the latest studies showing  low levels of vitamin D being associated with increased incidence of colds and flu and other studies showing definite anti cancer activity. I am sure your high dose prescription is only for a short time to get your blood levels up to par, then you will probably be able to use a supplemental amount as I described earlier.

Dear Jonathan, I am taking a cholesterol medicine and the doctor noted my liver enzymes were not normal. I have to take the medicine, but I am worried about possible damage to my liver. Do you have any suggestions.  Beth, West Springfield

Dear Beth, I will do another column on cholesterol in the near future. In the meantime, try Milk Thistle.
It is the best liver tonic available. It can lower cholesterol, help normalize liver function, and even help regenerate liver tissue. It is an amazing gift of nature.

Asthma

NATURES Rx    December 2009


Hello friends, recently I have received a surprising number of questions concerning asthma.  After talking to several people it appears that raking leaves is the culprit. Stirring up dust dirt and mold spores
Has triggered quite a few reactions. Granted this is not the only reason, but if you have been having problems and you have been doing yard work, it might be something to explore.
  It is estimated over 12 million Americans have asthma. There are two types. One is triggered by allergies ,one  has no known cause.  Some nutrients that may be helpful include magnesium, zinc, B vitamins and vitamin C. Other nutrients include beta glucan, CoQ 10, quercetin, essential fatty acids, MSM, and probiotics.
  Herbally, Astagalus, Butterbur, Elderberry, Eyebright Ginger, Mullein, Licorice and Nettle root have been found to help. From the Ayurvedic tradition comes Boswellia ,Khella, and Coleus Forskohli. One of the best remedies was Ma-Huang, or Chinese ephedra, but because some stupid and greedy marketers put it into diest pills and some stupid athletes and other people decided to take way over the recommended doses while taking other medicines  some seriuous problems arose. The Food and Drug Administration pulled MaHuang off the shelves several years ago.( Gee whiz, I thought the FDA said they didn’t have the authority to do that. Hmph, guess they were wrong.) You still may find asthma or respiratory formulas that contain American ephedra, or Brigham tea. The American form is milder, but it is hard to find. HERBARIUM has several products for asthma. Kathy’s DETOX tea is a favorite and is very effective for any and all respiratory problems, as is HERBARIUM brand Respir-ease. Buried Treasure hads a liquid formula that shares many of the same ingredients as the DETOX tea. B&T brand makes several homeopathic formulas for adults and children that can safely be used even if you are on inhalers. Finally there are several essential oils that can help  including Eucalyptus, Rosemary,tea tree, Pep

Flu Shot & Alternatives

Nature’s Rx February 2009


Dear Jonathan, I recently heard on the news that everyone should get a flu shot and that the standard treatment is not working.  I hear a lot of people say they got the flu after taking the shots.  What do you recommend?      Ed- Agawam.
Dear Ed, I recommend you do what is best for you.   Talk with your doctor. I am not here to say don’t get a shot.  There are many people who are at great risk due to other illnesses, compromised immune systems, the young, the elderly, etc.  And they must do what is most beneficial for their health and well being.  Some people would not think of skipping their flu shots and there are others who would not get a shot if you paid them.  That is their choice. Many people have jobs and activities that put them in contact with sick people, be it retail work or a typical office environment. People will also not take care of themselves with enough rest and let themselves get run down which is a perfect opening for the flu bug.
 I have always thought the best way to avoid getting the flu is to keep your immune system functioning at peak levels. Remember, even getting the flu shot is not a guarantee you won’t get the flu.   In the natural realm there are some very effective products that can keep you as healthy as you can be and increase your chances of not getting the flu.

One of the best items in the well being arsenal is Elderberry (Sambucus nigra). Researchers in Israel found compounds in the elderberry that help to blunt the protein “spikes” of the flu virus which prevents the virus from penetrating the cell wall and turn your cells into virus factories. Add to that good ol’ vitamin C and you have a great combination. The vitamin C helps to strengthen the cell walls, so the C builds a tougher barrier; the elderberry blunts the spike, and good bye virus!

Zinc is a healing nutrient that is required for a robust immune system. Zinc lozenges are especially good as the zinc coats your throat and disrupts the virus’s ability to reproduce. This little trick was discovered by accident when a doctor couldn’t get a person to swallow her zinc tablets and suggested she suck on it. As it turned out she reported her sore throat had disappeared and the doctor was inspired to do further investigation.
Echinacea (angustifolia) is a traditional herb for colds and flu. It is anti-viral, anti-bacterial and works as an immune system modulator.
Goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis) is a well known herb used to help relieve fever, chills and achiness. It is often taken in combination with Echinacea.
Homeopathically, you may have heard of Oscillococcinum. This is a combination that many people swear by. These are usually found in three dose packages. Follow the instructions and you can knock out the flu before it has a chance to get you.
 There are a variety of medicinal mushrooms which can work well to guard against the flu. You can take these mushrooms individually, in prepared formulas or add them to your diet. Being of Polish extraction, I love a good hearty mushroom soup in the winter and when I can add medicinal mushrooms to the recipe that is just the icing on the cake!
Look for Agaricus blazei, Ice Man polypore, Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), Maitake (Grifola frondosa), Shitake (Lentinula edodes), Pearl Oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus) or Cordyceps, (Cordyseps sinensis). These mushrooms have very powerful anti viral and immune enhancing activities.
One of the best products I have ever come across is call ACF (Acute Cold and Flu) formula by Buried Treasure. It is a liquid combination containing just about every cold or flu fighter you can think of, and it does the trick.
  There are dozens of other herbal and nutritional supplements available, too numerous to name for this article, but if you can start with any combination of the aforementioned items, you will be that much farther ahead in the game.

I know we have been focused on the flu, but colds are still knocking people for a loop. All of the items I have written about also fight colds. Besides, when you are coming down with something you do not know if it is a cold or flu, so why not use a combination of herbs that are anti viral, anti bacterial and immune enhancing?  So whether you get a flu shot or not, there are many natural l ways of protecting yourself and your loved ones.

"Natural Male Enhancement" and ED

** This article originally published in Prime Magazine June 2008**

Dear Jonathan, I‘ve got to ask. I have seen the commercials about male enhancement. They seem pretty convincing. Is there any truth to what they claim?    
-Curious

Sigh….. I‘ve tried to avoid this issue but,… I contacted one of these companies after watching their infomercial (rhymes with benz).  I got a list of the ingredients, many of which seemed rather benign. There were several however, that I cannot identify, which makes me leery.  What also bothered me was the fact the customer service representative could not even pronounce the ingredients correctly (licorice for example). Their website explains their product increases blood flow to the erectile chambers and somehow stems the outflow, hence, you get bigger. I asked about high blood pressure and they told me it is not recommended if you have pressure problems.  But what if you do not ask? How many guys have tried the product without knowing the consequence? My other concern is not based on anything but conjecture. How much is too much? Can constant increases cause stretching or tissue damage? Think about a balloon. The first time you blow it up and let the air out, it’s a bit misshapen, keep blowing it up and it really loses a lot its shape and elasticity. Is this possible by too much of a good thing? Unfortunately, I do not have an answer.

Another company sells a topical cream which contains peppermint oil. Peppermint oil!? Have you ever noticed how your face tingles after using a mint shaving cream? This is not exactly the place I want to apply peppermint oil if you follow my drift.

Now, there are some products found individually and in combination that have a track record for safety and efficacy.

MACA is a root and radish like vegetable from South America that is used for food and medicine. According to UMASS researcher Chris Kilham, MACA contains a variety of compounds to help your body develop energy and endurance, enhance immunity, a cardio tonic ,adaptgen and aphrodisiac. It is very useful for both sexes for lack of libido and hormonal imbalance. It is non-toxic and has no known side effects or contraindications.

CATUABA is well known in Brazilian herbal medicine as a central nervous system stimulant and aphrodisiac. In addition to treating impotence, it is used for many nerve conditions including insomnia, sciatica and neuralgia. Summary: Aphrodisiac, nervine, anti-anxiety, tonic, libido stimulant, antiviral, antibacterial and cardiotonic. No known contraindications or drug interactions.

MUIRA PUAMA, also known as “potency wood” is another Amazon rainforest herb. In recent clinical research, Muira puama extracts have been reported to have adaptogenic, antifatigue, antistress and beneficial effects on the central nervous system. The traditional medicine history for Muira puama is filled with stories of its use dating back many centuries. Summary: Useful for erectile dysfunction, impotence, libido enhancement, male tonic, central nervous system tonic, anti depressant, cardiotonic, hypotensive and memory enhancer.  Very safe and effective.

YOHIMBE. This African tree bark was used for many years for erectile dysfunction. Yohimbe stimulates erectile tissue in both sexes, enhances sensitivity and helps increase sperm count and motility.    Long term or overuse of Yohimbe can cause nervousness and increased blood pressure. There are concerns that over use can cause over stimulation or irritation to erectile tissue and could contribute to erectile dysfunction. Yohimbe is best used sparingly, or in a combination. If you suffer from heart or kidney disease, or if you have high blood pressure, it would be best to avoid using Yohimbe.

DAMIANA has historically been used as an aphrodisiac and mild sedative. Damiana has been used by both sexes to increase libido and is also helpful for anxiety and depression. There are no known contraindications or drug interactions.

  There are many other herbs that have a history of use as aphrodisiacs, such as the Ginsengs, along with foods such as chocolate and oysters. Yes they can help, just do not trust what you see or read on the internet. The Rule of Thumb:  Believe 50% of what they say, and Do Not Buy Their Product! The HERBARIUM carries many of the aforementioned herbs, from reliable sources. KNOW YOUR SOURCE!  Over the years I have seen some pretty weird products for male enhancement, with some strange ingredients, and it never ceases to amaze me that people would ingest this stuff without having the slightest idea of what the ingredients were or what they could do. Honestly, when I see these infomercials, I feel sleazy and dirty just watching them.   If you are going to do it,  do it right.  

Make the Most of Hand Sanitizer

Here it is only September and we are already getting reports of flu and other viruses.

The pat answer is to use hand sanitizer, but this is a bad plan. Most of the commercial hand sanitizers  and all the the stuff in hospitals are the same strength and concentration.

This is a problem. The more you expose the germs to the same thing, the faster they can develop an immunity to them. this is how the ‘superbugs” and MRSA developed. This is how antibiotics became less and less effective. Why this is not obvious is beyond me.

If you want to really help yourself ,add essential oils to your sanitizer. Even better, add a mixture of oils, in sufficient strength to kill the viruses and bacteria. For example, add about 20-30 drops of lavender and 20 drops of tea tree oil . next batch try 10 lavender and 30 tea tree oil. If you keep changing up the mixture, the bacteria and virus cannot mutate fast enough and you can stay healthy.

Fall Cold & Flue remedies/ prevention

Natures  Rx  November 2007


Welcome to Autumn, or what is passing for the season this year. As I write this column it is 76 degrees outside and I must admit, it is a funny feeling to be telling you about getting your natural medicine chest in order for the cold and flu season.  Ah well…

There are numerous herbs that may help stimulate the immune system and combat cold symptoms.  There are numerous ways to take them, depending on your preference.
Most of the herbs can be brewed into a tea, or infusion. Alcohol or glycerine extracts are commonly used and are stronger than the infusion method. An alcohol extract will deliver both water and fat soluble compounds. If you really do not like the taste,  capsules and tablets are available. Remember, the following  is just a list of possible herbs. It is not necessary to use all of them, though you will find many in combination .
Goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis) this is one of Mother Nature’s most powerful and effective antibiotics with anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. We use Goldenseal in much the same fashion that a pharmaceutical antibiotic would be used, that is, for 10-14 days and then stop. Goldenseal does not destroy the good bacteria in your gut, but it is an endangered species, and recent over-harvesting has seriously diminished the natural stock. Try to use this herb sparingly, or according to directions.
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), Elecampagne (Inula helenium) and Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) help support respiratory function and help relieve cough and congestion
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) contains anti-viral compounds. Israeli researchers found this extract great for fighting the flu virus.
Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum) and Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) help promote healthy adrenals and a normally functioning respiratory tract.
Gargling with thyme, goldenseal, garlic or Echinacea is helpful o relieve a sore throat
Mushrooms especially Shitake, Maitake or Reishi are powerful foods, rich in 1, 3 beta glucan and helps support innate and adaptive immunity. Pound for pound, mushrooms are incredibly nutrient dense and health promoting foods.
Echinacea. Despite the reports you may have read about Echinacea not having any effect on curing a cold, the evidence does show it effective for preventing secondary respiratory attacks, shortening the duration of a cold and relieving the symptoms
One great cold and flu remedy that is often overlooked but very effective is Matris fowlasoupis, or Mom’s Chicken soup. There is actually a great deal of evidence pointing to using the chicken soup as a health aid. It’s warm, thins mucous, soothing to the mucous membrane, easy on the digestion, and depending on how much garlic and vegetables you add to the stock, a very nutrient rich food
Recently on our radio show, we discussed the uses for Hawthorn berry (Crategus oxycantha)
Hawthorn is first and foremost of the heart tonics, and so much more. Hawthorn has a normalizing effect on the heart, improves cellular metabolism, increases blood flow to the heart, and strengthens the hearts contractions, thereby improving blood flow throughout the body. Hawthorn contains flavinoids which have been shown to dilate peripheral coronary blood vessels, and Hawthorn is a rich source of procyanidins which exert antispasmodic and sedative effects. Conditions which Hawthorn has been used to treat include regulating high and low blood pressure, angina, Reynaud’s syndrome, hypertension, and insomnia, rhythmic disturbances, strengthening venal and arterial walls. To top it all off, Hawthorn exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties.

People have asked me about a new weight loss product that is being heavily advertized as the only FDA-approved weight loss aid on the market. I recently had a chance to check it out, and I am sorry to say, don’t get your hopes up.    From what I can determine, ALLI is nothing more than a repackaged version of OLESTRA. Remember Olestra? It was supposed to be added to all kinds of fatty foods and it would inhibit your absorption of the fat.  The one BIG side effect was”, loose or more frequent stools that may be hard to control, or gas with an oily discharge” This is exactly the wording from ALI’s pamphlet.  ALLI‘s pamphlet puts most of the weight (no pun intended) on you. You have to commit to lose weight gradually, reduce your caloric and fat intake, exercise, eat smaller portions, and more.  Sounds like any basic weight loss program, which doesn’t need ALLI.
There are natural products which can aid in weight loss, without these kinds of side effects, but that will be discussed in a future column.

Prostate Health

**This article originally published in Prime Magazine  June 2009**

Happy Father’s Day! How’s your prostate? Granted, all men are not fathers, but all men have prostates and all men will experience some form of prostate problems during their lifetimes.
I recently read where Proscar, the brand name of finasteride, is making a comeback. For what medical reason I do not  know. More than a dozen years ago studies showed Saw Palmetto extract (Serenoa repens) out- performed  Proscar. The results of a three year study showed Proscar use resulted in decreased libido, ejaculatory dysfunction or impotence as compared to the placebo group. Proscar also took longer to act (6-12 months)on fewer people (37%), only showed moderate results in treating  BPH or benign prostatic  hyperplasia  and did not block the binding of DHT(Dihydrotestosterone) at cellular binding sites.
Compare those results with the use of a standardized Saw Palmetto extract (85-95% fatty acids and sterols). Saw Palmetto saw 90% positive results in 90 days or less, inhibited the production of DHT, inhibited binding at cell sites, had no sexual side effects and cost considerably less than the prescription!
When saw palmetto is combined with other herbs such as Pygeum africanum, Nettle root, pumpkin seeds and vitamins, the results can be very impressive.

I am sure many readers will say “  I tried saw palmetto and it did not work.” Let me tell you about the after-market and standardization.  Not all saw palmetto is the same. One company I am familiar with blends several batches of  herb in order to produce a guaranteed potency extract. This ensures a consistent quality of extract. Others  companies will “spike” their herbal extracts with the minimum amount of  a particular ingredient to show it is “standardized”. Others have used the word standardized because each capsule contains the same amount of herb! In the secondary market, companies will buy up the spent product from the primary companies, and spike what is left. It is about the same as someone using a tea bag to brew tea, then the next guy takes that same bag and sells it to you while saying ‘scout’s honor, this is 100 % tea.”
 Read your labels and ask questions of knowledgeable people. Caveat emptor!