Ask The Herbalist

Reader Question: Are there herbs pets can take?

My dog has worms, and my cat gets frequent UTIs.  Are there any herbs that are good for pets that address either of these problems?

Thanks!

Dear Pet-Lover,

Yes. Worms in pets can be treated, with the right food and herbs.  Try these well-documented remedies:

Grind up seeds from fresh grapefruits, oranges, lemons, limes, or any other citrus fruit and add to food. Grapefruit seeds are a natural for killing, weakening, and repelling parasites.

Add a half capsule of cayenne pepper per 50 lbs of body weight to food daily. This can be stepped up to a half capsule per 25 lbs of body weight twice a day for one week for quicker results.

Try grinding up pumpkin seeds and add a quarter teaspoon for each 10 – 15 lbs. of body weight daily. Do this for two weeks and then add wheat bran to the dog’s diet; soak the bran in water and add an eighth teaspoon per 10 lbs. of body weight to larger animals and just a pinch for smaller ones.

Finally, find some black walnut hull at your local health food store and give your dog one capsule per day. Wrap it in a piece of cheese or something to get the dog to eat it.

If this does not seem to help, a visit to the vet is in order.

As for the cat's bladder infections, supplements of cranberry and buchu. But because a bladder infection can be so damaging to the kidneys, as well as painful for the cat, the cat and its urine should be examined by a vetrinarian.

Best of luck to you and your pets!

The Herbalist

High Blood Pressure and Herbs

Dear Herbalist,

What are the best herbs to take if a person has high blood pressure?  I'd like to avoid taking medication, and this is the first time I've had HBP.

Curious in California

Dear Curious,

I have been receiving this question a lot.  There are a number of herbs with properties that have helped with high blood pressure. In addition to avoiding salt in your diet, as well as avoiding processed foods and too much dairy, you might try:

Turmeric - traditionally used for many ailments, especially in India, this amazing East-Indian herb is found in curry dishes, but is also available in capsules. Turmeric extract contains curcumin which is a strong anti-inflammatory. Curcumin helps lower cholesterol and prevents clot formation. Its antioxidant ability improves blood flow and strengthens blood vessels. Turmeric also aids in liver metabolism.

Ginkgo Biloba - from the large tree indigenous to the mountains of China, gingko biloba improves blood circulation and dilates arteries, reducing blood pressure. Gingko also aids in improving memory and mental alertness due to increased blood flow to the brain.

Hawthorn Berry - Also known as the mayflower, hawthorn opens the coronary arteries and improves blood flow. Hawthorn berry is effective for hypertension because it reduces artery hardening and strengthens heart muscle, making it more effective in delivering blood to the body.

Olive Leaf- from the olive tree native to the Mediterranean region, olive leaf extract helps in lowering blood pressure and combats arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat.

Best of luck to you,

The Herbalist

Reader Question: Why does it seem that stress upsets my digestive system? Are there any herbal remedies to address this?

You are not alone in experiencing digestive issues when stressed.

During stressful times, the body increases its production of cortisol and other stress-induced hormones. In the short-term, this is a good idea. Cortisol helps increase physical strength, energy, and cardiovascular abilities.

 

 

But while these systems are heightened, the body compensates for the added use of energy by conserving energy in other systems where the demand appears less urgent.   Systems which can be slowed or even temporarily shut down include:    Digestive system and immue system.

 

High cortisol levels can also make it difficult to fall asleep at night. Skullcap is often effective in reducing the physical and mental effects of anxiousness and stress.

 

Prolonged stress disrupts the digestion system, causing symptoms such as:  Diarrhea, constipatin, cramping, incomplete digestion, bloating, heartburn, and reflux.

 

Chronic stress has been associated with many common ailments, such as: Irritable Bowel Syndrome, ulcers, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

 

A weakened digestive system has also been associated with food allergies.  Herbs that can help with digestive issues include adaptogens such as licorice, astragalus, ashwagandha, holy basil and skullcap.  All will help promote a more relaxed physical response to stress, and can help the body adapt to chronic stress more effectively, reducing the effect of stress on the immune and digestive systems much less. 

 

Digestive bitters can also help digestion by stimulating our taste receptors on the tongue, which subsequently stimulates enzyme production and bile flow. This action promotes healthy nutrient absorption and aids in the digestion of fats. Bitters are especially helpful after consuming fatty, heavy meals to speed the digestion process and eliminate feelings of bloating. The increased stimulation of bile supports the body's natural cleansing process, especially if digestion is sluggish.

Reader Question: Are flu shots effective?

Is it always a good idea to get a flu shot?  Who should get one? And are they truly effective at preventing the flu?  Is there an herbal equivalent that's as effective at keeping the flu away?

Thanks,

Ben

Good Question, Ben.

 

To get the Flu Shot – or not?

 

Flu shots. Are they effective?  Is it wise to get one? This is a controversial subject.  The WHO (World Health Organization) recommends that senior citizens receive annual flu shots, and reports that “flu shots reduce the risk of serious complications from the flu by 70-85%.”

 

However, the reality is that the viruses mutate from year to year, and the chances of targeting the correct virus is a bit of a craps shoot.  The 2007-2008 version of the flu shot cut the odds of getting influenza A or B by about 25%.  Which isn’t too bad, really.  But this type of the virus represented less than 15% of all cases of the flu. 

 

The other point to consider is that only 5-20% of the world’s population gets the flu each season.  The pharmaceutical and media hype surrounding the adverse effects of the flu often outweigh the real experience and genuine numbers of people suffering the flu. 

 

Many conservative physicians are now saying that healthy people under age 60 do not benefit from flu shots enough to warrant receiving them – this “benefit” being measured in terms of reduced odd of contracting the flu, days lost at work, or stopping the spread of the virus. 

 

Other health advocates take an even stronger position against the flu shot:

 

Consumer health advocate Mike Adams, author of "Conquering the Common Cold," called flu vaccine shots "one of the greatest medical cons perpetrated on the populations of the world," and questioned new U.S. policies pushing the vaccines on young children and expectant mothers.

"Flu shots only prevent colds in about 1 percent of people who get them, making them 99 percent useless,"

Adams

said. "They also inject unhealthy substances such as mercury preservatives directly into tissues, poisoning the patient with a chemical burden that accumulates with each flu shot."

The CDC (Center for Disease Control)  states that 90% of deaths from influenza occur among the elderly. Considering that nearly 65% of all deaths (from any cause) occur in this age group, it is nearly impossible to prove that flu shots significantly increase life expectancy in this group. The truth is that most people--young and old--will weather a bout of the flu without hospitalization or complications. 

 

What harm is there in the flu shot?

There is always some element of  risk when you intentionally introduce a virus to the body, even if it’s a dead virus. [could use more here] There is also a suspected link between flu vaccinations as Alzeheimer’s Disease.   Hugh Fudenberg, MD, an immunogeneticist and biologist with nearly 850 papers published in peer review journals, has reported that if an individual had five consecutive flu shots between 1970 and 1980 (the years studied), his/her chances of getting Alzheimer's Disease is ten times higher than if they had zero, one, or two shots.

What can you do instead to prevent getting the flu?

 

There are a number of simple and quite effective things you can do for yourself to prevent the flu. Some of the following recommendations are even arguably much more effective in keeping illness at bay than a flu shot:

 

 

• Wash your hands!  A common way people contract viral illnesses is by rubbing their nose or their eyes after their hands have been contaminated with a virus. The CDC states, "the most important thing you can do to keep from getting sick is to wash your hands."
• Get enough rest.  A worn down body equals a less effective immune system, and  is five times more likely to catch a virus, from the common cold to the flu.  Shoot for a minimum of eight hours a night, and when you feel yourself beginning to get sick, get at least an hour more each night.
• Eat a healthy diet.  A well-nourished body has a far better chance of fighting a budding illness than one which exists on chips and sodas.  Avoiding processed foods, refined sugars, and trans-fats is always a good idea, but during flu season, it’s even more important. 
• Exercise regularly.  A healthy blood flow ensures a healthier you.
• Drink plenty of purified water daily; this will flush toxins from the body more quickly and efficiently, and will result in a healthier, hydrated you.
• Wash your hands!  A common way people contract viral illnesses is by rubbing their nose or their eyes after their hands have been contaminated with a virus. The CDC states, "the most important thing you can do to keep from getting sick is to wash your hands."
• Use herbs. Astragalus and Ashwagandha are both good herbs to help build a stronger immune system. And if you feel yourself getting sick, switch to Echinacea for a boost to the immune system.

 

By taking care of yourself, getting enough rest, washing your hands frequently, and eating a healthy diet, chances are good that you can stay healthy this winter –without the help of a flu shot!

 

--The Herbalist

Acai Berry -- verdict still out...

Acai berry is a fruit -- a berry -- which reportedly boots energy levels and enhances metabolism.  It also is full of antioxidants.  This is a relatively recent use of the Acai though.  Energy and weight loss are not traditional uses for the berry. 

There is little information available about the real effectiveness of the berry supplement as a weight loss tool,as no viable studies have been conducted. There is, however, a fair amount of media attention, celebrity endorsement, and other personal stories shared about Acai Berry in terms of energy gain and weight loss.

If the antioxidant factor is important to you as well, be sure to buy organic, fresh supplements, as those will hold the antioxidant properties longer.

Reader Question: What is Acai Berry?

Dear Herbalist,

What is Acai Berry?  And how does it work?  More importantly, does is work?  Is it an herb?  How can I determine if I am buying a good quality product?

Thank you in advance for your input.

Sincerely,

Jan

Question: Can stress make you sick?

Absolutely.  Mental and emotional stress play a significant role in physical health.  When stress hormone production is increased, we know it. We feel it.  A poll last week indicated that eight out of ten people asked report feeling “extremely anxious” about the economic crisis we’re dealing with right now.  They’re worried about their jobs, keeping their homes, the plummeting value of their investments, the rising costs of filling their gas tanks and heating their homes. They’re worried about their futures, and by extension, their children’s futures.  And let’s face it, there IS a lot to worry about.  These are not arbitrary or fabricated concerns.  These are serious matters. People are stressed.

 

Increasing numbers of people are asking for supplements which can aid in the management of stress, or the body’s ability to cope with stress.  Some people will ask for something to help “calm their nerves” or “help them sleep”  or “stave off depression.”  However they may put it, the plea is often the same:  I need help dealing with chronic stress. What can I do to feel better, at least physically?

 

Mental and emotional stress do have a direct impact on the physical health of the body.  Every naturopath and even the majority of those practicing Western Medicine will agree on that:  Chronic stress is a significant contributor to illness and the body’s malfunctioning.  Chronic stress leads to depletion of the immune system, which leads to illness and disease. So yes. Stress can definitely make you sick.

Thankfully, Nature has provided ways that we can help ourselves. Without a prescription.  There are a number of ways that herbs can help the body adapt to stress.  People have been using adaptogens for centuries. And for good reason.  They really work. They help the body adapt to stress in ways that pharmaceutical medicine cannot quite duplicate.

 

Some adaptogens to try:  Ashwaghanda, Rhodiola, Maca, Astragalus.

 

Each of these are powerful adaptogens which promote a healthy response to stress. If you feel like your body could use a little assistance adapting to stress in your life, you may not need a pharmaceutical. Nature has plenty of offer. Give it a chance.

A Holistic Approach to Allergies

It's Autumn.  For many, that means hay-fever season.  If you’re finding yourself sneezing multiple times a minute, with eyes watering, or a chronically scratchy throat, you’re not alone. According to the Academy of  Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Allergic rhinitis affects 20% of adults and 40% of children. Allergic disease is the fifth leading chronic disease among people of all ages, and the third most chronic condition among children.  A recent nation-wide survey discovered that more than half (54.6%) of all  U.S. citizens test positive to one or more allergens (AAAI). Allergic rhinitis and asthma are the two leading causes of absenteeism due to chronic illness, resulting in an average of four days of work missed per year per affected employee.   82% of allergy sufferers report “not being themselves” or “just wanting to be alone” (McMenamin, The Cost of Hay Fever). Daily lives are impacted; productivity suffers.   In short, allergies are no small issue.

What is an allergy?

At its core, an allergy is an overreaction of the immune system. From a holistic point of view, the immune system is an extremely complex system, comprised of the white blood system (lymphocytes, granulocytes, macrophages, mast cells), as well as the entire system of mucous membranes. It also is intimately connected to the normally present bacterial colonies in the mucous membranes. 

An allergy is often not just an overreaction to an allergen (trigger substance); sensitivity to an allergen is, many times, merely the very tip of the proverbial iceberg. Only an organism with a disturbed internal milieu reacts allergically.  The internal milieu disturbance is usually not noticed, since it is chronic and tends to build up gradually over time.  The solution, then, is to address not just the symptoms of allergies, but the immune system as a whole. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways.

Toxins and the immune system

Reducing the toxic load in the body calms the immune system. A calmed immune system produces fewer antibodies. Reducing toxins decreases inflammation in the intestines, which helps the body and the immune system react less vigorously to potential allergens. Certain coloring agents commonly used in food and drugs, along with many synthetic preservatives, cause non-specific inflammation because they are dangerous and the body needs to eliminate them. The workload of the immune system is reduced when it is exposed to fewer synthetic food additives, such as artificial dyes and preservatives. Herbs that can aide with reducing toxicity include those that support the liver and elimination of these toxins:  milk thistle, dandelion root, burdock and artichoke.

Specific nutrients that reduce symptoms

Specific nutrients will reduce inflammation in the body and stabilize mast cells so they are slower to release histamines. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in cold water fish, help to improve respiratory function by reducing the amount of inflammatory leukotrienes the body produces.  Antioxidents, as well as many minerals, protect the lungs and stabilize mast cells. These vitamins and minerals are abundant in vegetables and fruits. Magnesium, found in whole foods, prevents smooth muscle tissue from a hyper-tendency to spasm. Increased consumption of vegetables, fruits and whole grains, and decreased consumption of synthetic chemicals can be helpful in reducing asthma and allergy symptoms.

About Histamines -- The histamine supply comes almost exclusively via the diet -- animal proteins, fish, shellfish (but also tomatoes) are very rich in histamines. Avoiding animal proteins, especially pork, venison,  and shellfish,  can be very important for allergy sufferers.  

Herbs that support the immune system and offer relief from allergy symptoms:

Stinging Nettles

A powerful study that included ninety-eight individuals that took part in a double-blind randomized study comparing the effects of a freeze-dried preparation of Urtica dioica (stinging nettles) with placebo on allergic rhinitis showed that the patients that used the Stinging Nettles had greater relief than the control group when it came to allergic nasal symptoms.  Over the decades, freeze-dried stinging nettles have been used to help patients suffering from sinus and overall allergy symptoms.

 

Quercetin

Quercetin, a flavonoid, is widely used in preventing allergic rhinitis. Research supports its ability to help inhibiting the release of histamine from MAST cells. Quercetin was found to significantly inhibit allergy induced histamine release in the nasal passages of allergic individuals, with approximately twice the histamine-blocking activity of the drug sodium cromoglygate.  Additional benefits include its ability to strength connective tissue and vascular integrity better allowing for the diminishing the allergic cascade.

 

NAC and Vitamin C

As reported in a review of the medical literature reported in Alternative Medical Review, “Urtica dioica and quercetin” along with “N-acetylcysteine, and vitamin C are safe, natural therapies that may be used as primary therapy or in conjunction with conventional methods.”  NAC has been shown to help clear the body of mucous resulting from allergies and respiratory illnesses.  N-Acetylcysteine is so effective in breaking up and helping alleviate excess mucous that it has been used in conventional medicine as well to treat respiratory ailments. Other benefits of using NAC is that it serves to help sustain the natural glutathione production within the body, and is a potent protective antioxidant for the respiratory tract.  In turn, vitamin C also serves to help the body in controlling the adverse effects of histamine while supporting enhanced immune function and providing antioxidant protection. 

 

The synergy of blending the powerful therapeutic effects of freeze-dried stinging nettles, quercitin, NAC and vitamin C provides effective overall support so that the  body can better withstand and fend off the allergic symptoms associated with the arrival of spring and summer. The best natural treatment for allergies incorporates both lifestyle modification, diet changes, and supplements. Fueling and nourishing the body’s natural defenses is essential when combating allergies and enjoying the beauty that comes with the arrival of autumn.

Study uses inactive form of St. John's Wort to find it "useless"

By Mike Adams

Natural News

On the heels of shocking revelations that top psychiatric research Dr. Joseph Biederman secretly took $1.6 million from drug companies while conducting psychotropic drug experiments on children, it has been learned that Dr. Biederman is now one of the key collaborators behind the latest efforts to discredit St. John's Wort. In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and widely reported in the mainstream media, Dr. Biederman and fellow cohorts "concluded" that the St. John's Wort herb is useless in treating ADHD in children.

What's astonishing about this study, as you'll learn in this article, is that all the children used in the study were given inactive forms of the St. John's Wort herb where the active ingredients had been oxidized and rendered useless! In other words, this clinical trial, which was widely reported in the mainstream media with headlines like "St. John's Wort Found Useless!" didn't test the herb's active ingredients at all! It sort of makes you wonder about the agenda of the people running the study, doesn't it?

Keep in mind that one of the study's authors, Dr. Biederman, is not merely on the take from drug companies that sell competing pharmaceuticals, but that he also lied about how much money he was being paid by drug companies, hiding the truth about his income by underreporting $1.6 million he took from psychiatric drug companies. See my report on that here: http://www.naturalnews.com/023408.html

Dr. Biederman has a clear financial interest in promoting patented prescription drugs for brain chemistry disorders while discrediting competing natural alternatives such as St. John's Wort. This blatant conflict of interest was not disclosed by JAMA, nor was it mentioned in the text of the study on ADHD and St. John's Wort. It appears Dr. Biederman would prefer his financial ties to Big Pharma continue to remain secret, even while producing questionable studies that desperately attempt to show that herbs don't work.

New Herb Use Data Base

The power of shared knowledge is amazing, and a new website is tapping into the knowledge of users around the world to create a database of what works in natural medicine. MamaHerb.com is gaining in popularity. It's worth checking out (and contributing to).

MamaHerb.com is New Wiki for User-Posted Natural Remedies

From Sfgate.com: Although there are several databases of natural remedies available online, the creators of Mamaherb say their Web site ( www.mamaherb.com) is the only resource for information provided by and updated by users. The Web site, which was launched in January, already has 8,450 treatments listed for 512 existing conditions.

Way to spread the news of natural remedies, MamaHerb!