ASTRAGULUS (The Protector)

Botanical name:  astragulus membranaceous

Common name:  Huang Qi 

Habitat:  The grassy hills and the thickets along hillsides in areas such as the northwestern region of China the province of Manchuria and the country of Mongolia are places where astragulus grows in the wild.  If cultivated the astragulus herb is grown by sowing the seeds during the spring or autumn.  The herb thrives well in sandy and well drained soil, which is exposed to plenty of sunlight throughout the year.  Autumn is the usually time when roots of four year old plants are harvested. 

Healthy info:  Astragulus is an herb from China and, though not specifically indicated for live and endocrine imbalances, is such a wonderful tonic herb for the entire system.  Astragulus builds and strengthens the entire system and gives energy to the internal organs.  It is used for wasting diseases, for strengthening the immune system, and for improving digestion and the assimilation of nutrients.  A valuable tonic herb, it is especially recommended for those under thirty-five.  Astragulus is pleasant tasting and can be used daily in tea or tincture form.  In China, it is often cooked in soup or served with veggies and grains to improve the health of the entire family. 

The Benefits of Astragulus 

Fluid Balance.  Astragulus balances body fluids, which helps to stabilize every body process from healthy cell production to toxin elimination.

Heart Tonic.  Astragulus strengthens the cardio vascular system, lowers blood pressure, and stimulates circulation to make your hearts job easier.

Immune Energy.  Astragulus invigorates your immune responses.  Its and herb that can help you recover from exhaustion, illness, surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.  It has been shown to revitalize white blood cells, and stimulate the production of natural antibodies and natural interferon which your body used to fight diseases.  It helps to restore adrenal function, and provide antiviral resistance.  If you get fatigued easily, catch every cold or flu that comes around, and struggle with infections that recur, astragulus is the tea to use to fortify your immunity.  A stronger immunity is your best weapon against premature aging and disease.

Protective Energy.  In Chinese medicine, astragulus is used to strengthen a unique form of energy that is called “protective energy,” which helps us adapt to external factors such as bad weather changes, and defends us against germs or microorganisms in the environment.  They locate this energy beneath the surface of the skin and along the outside of the body the first line of defense against harmful influences.

Special Feature:  Facilitator

Astragulus works like a catalyst to enhance the healing properties of other herbs.  When you combine one tea bag of astragulus with one tea bag of your “special needs” herb tea, you get a tonic for energy and renewal.  Many herbalists recommend astragulus and dong quai to balance hormonal chemistry in both women and men. 

Beneficial part: root

Astragulus and Orange Tea

Astragulus is sweet-natural and plan tasting. But when you add a spritz of orange, you can get a delightful flavor that’s like an English breakfast tea.

YUM!

Ref:

• 20,000 Secrets of Tea, Victoria Zak pg. 77-78
• Herbal Healing for Women, Rosemary Gladstar pg 79

 Submitted by: Jyll Renee’, Master Herbologist (Click here to learn more about Jyll Renee.)

What is Fibromyalgia?

 
Latin = Fibro = Tissues
Greek = Myo = Muscles
Greek = Algos or Algia = Pain

Fibromyalgia – Is a chronic condition of widespread pain in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments you will feel fatigued a lot of the times.  The Multiple tender points of pain are particularly in the neck, shoulder, upper back, upper chest, elbows, low back, hips and thighs.

Epstein Bar Virus (EBV) – Several reports say that Fibro may be caused by EBV that a person might have had this at some point in their life.  EBV will infect 50% of children by the age of 5 and 95% of adults.  This might cause a number of different diseases later in life.  These infections produce mild symptoms like colds, runny nose, flu like symptoms in some cases it can be has extreme has Mono.

Symptoms and Conditons

• Sleeplessness
• Irritable bowel
• Headaches
• TMJ
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Restless legs
• Poor circulation
• Feeling depressed
• Weight gain

Things That Cause Fibromyalgia to Worsen

•  Illness
• Emotional trauma (such has death in the family or a close friend)
• Hormone changes (menopause or “change of life” this affects men also)
• Lack of exercise
• Physical trauma (an injury such as a car accident)
• Stress

Medications -  Many suffering with fibromyalgia might be on medications such as:

• Muscle Relaxants
• Anti depressants (e.g. Trazadone helps with sleep)
• Anti–seizure drugs
• Pain meds

The Holistic Approach

Now we will take a Holistic approach to Fibromyalgia, looking at diet, sleep, stress, activity and pain.  We will use herbs, dietary supplements, talk about massage, chiropractic care, managing blood sugar.

Ionic Footbath:  This helps to release the toxins in the body that cause worsening of symptoms.

Stress – I use the Bach flower remedies for stress.  Using this you can regain some joy in your life.  The Bach Flower Remedies are simple mixtures of water, flowers essences and brandy which work to heal emotional problems, restoring mental harmony and preventing physical illness from taking hold.  Developed as a complete system by Dr. Edward Bach, they are safe, simple and effective.  Back Flower remedies are unique in the way they treat the person, addressing emotional states in a holistic way, allowing the body to react creatively when worn by stresses in life.

Irritable bowels – I use Marshmallow root to heal.  Due to its high mucilage content, marshmallow is soothing, healing plant, useful in treating inflammation and ulceration of the stomach and small intestine.  This herb also soothes the urinary and respiratory tracts.

Sleeplessness – I use Passion flower to promote a good nights sleep.

Passion Flower (Passiflora Incarnata)

• Traditional Uses – Passion Flower has been used traditionally all over the world as a natural remedy for sleeplessness .
• Current uses – Passiflora Incarnatais used as a sedative and for insomnia and can relieve anxiety and nervousness. Active ingredients include flavinoids, cyanogenic glycosides, alkaloids and saparin.
• One of nature’s safest and most effective tranquilizers, Passiflora also helps to relax and to relieve muscle tension. High tension levels, anxiety and stress are often implicated in people suffering from chronic constipation and other digestive complaints. Passion flower is an excellent herb for those wishing to replace their current anti-depressant medications.
• There are no reported adverse side effects from the consumption of Passiflora Incarnata. Being a sedative it will cause drowsiness 

Diet-  A common thread in many cases of Fibro seems to be a tendency to feel better when refined sugar, caffeine, alcohol, fried foods, red meat, and highly processed foods, are kept to a minimum.  Eating healthy can benefit Fibro sufferers.  Drink plenty of water and take a supplement.

Weight gain and controlling sugar intake – Diet is a must with Fibro.  Watch the intake of Gluten!  Gluten will aggravate digestion.  This is a special type of protein found in most types of cereals and in many types of bread, rye, wheat and barley to name a few, many cereals also have gluten.  A list of grains that do not have gluten wild rice, corn, buckwheat, millet, amaranth, oats,  sunflower seeds.

Gymnema sylvestre – this herb controls the absorption of sugar.  I use this herb with diabetics.  Gymnema may be the classic “anti-sugar” herb. In India, its name literally means “The Sugar Destroyer.” Gymnema offers several unique benefits in this formula.

• It significantly reduces the metabolic effects of sugar by preventing the intestines from absorbing the sugar molecules during the process of digestion, and it accomplishes this through a different mechanism than any of the other ingredients. The active molecule in gymnema, called gymnemic acid, works by “filling” the sugar receptor sites in the intestine – making them unavailable to ingested sugars.
• It reduces the symptoms of glycosuria (sugar in the urine).
• It has been shown to regenerate the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, especially the beta cells. In tests on diabetic rats, the pancreas doubled in size and grew new insulin-producing cells. This is very significant.
• It stimulates the insulin secretion of the pancreas.
• Over time, it reduces the taste for sugar in much the same way that it prevents absorption in the intestine. The gymnemic acid blocks the receptor sites of the taste buds. (In fact, put some on your tongue, and it will kill all taste for sugar for a couple of hours.

Tea- Rooiboos tea is a wonderfully healthy and good tasting tea with tons of benefits, it will also help you to sleep like a baby.

Exercise- When you are feeling bad, one tends to slow down activity.  None the less symptoms will progress more rapid without activity.   Without activity sleep and digestive systems slow down, leading to insomnia and intestinal sluggishness.  Swimming in a heated pool is not only physical but soothing to the joints and muscles.  (suggest YMCA)  Low-impact aerobics, brisk walking, or biking are other good activities to do.  Always start out slow 5 min. a day then increase.

LEARN MORE ABOUT JYLL RENEE’, MASTER HERBOLOGIST

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Common name: 

Botanical name:  Berbis Vulgaris

Habitat:  Barberry is a thorny shrub with yellow flowers, small red fruits and leaves are narrow at the base and narrow and serrated on the edges, it grows along with other shrubs at the edge of fields or the outskirts of forests.  It’s a decorative herb through its nicely colored flowers and fruits which last throughout the year including winter time and through its leaves that change color during the autumn season.  Barberry is often cultivated as a hedge in parks and gardens.  A very beautiful plant to have in your gardens at home!

History:  Barberry is one of the oldest medicines.  Not too long ago thousands of lives were being saved with the help of mixtures prepared from barberry root.  This herb has been used throughout the time for its medicinal characteristics, in traditional Chinese medicine; barberry was mentioned more than 3000 years ago.

Info:  Among the most recommended uses of barberry are against diarrhea (and in its more serious form – cholera), against fever, anemia and also against hangovers.  Its also efficient against a considerable number of infections – malaria or the lung infections, while controlling the secretions of the mucous membrane.  It has a strong sedative effect, decreases blood pressure and is also a uterine stimulant.  Barberry can be administered to help correct the growth of the spleen.  Berberine may also have anti-viral properties and research shows it dilates the arteries and lowers blood pressure.

Personal info:  We make a liver/gallbladder detoxification formula with barberry bark.  Barberry is one of the best remedies for correcting liver function and promoting the flow of bile.  It is indicated when there is an inflammation of the gallbladder or in the presence of gallstones.  When jaundice occurs due to a congested state of the liver, Barberry is also indicated.  Studies show the main ingredient berberine, activates the macrophages (literally, “big eaters”), white blood cells that devour harmful microorganisms.

Properties:  haemostatic (stops bleeding), vasodilator (relaxes smooth muscles surrounding veins), anti-bacterial, cholagogue, alterative

*this herb should not be used during pregnancy as the alkaloid berberine stimulates the uterus.

Ref:

• www.liveandfeel.com/medicinalplants/barberry  3.14.11
• The New Age Herbalist, Richard Mabey  pg. 29

 Submitted by:  Jyll Renee’, Master Herbologist (Click here to learn more about Jyll Renee.)

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EPHEDRA

by Jyll Renee, Master Herbologist

Botanical name: Ephedra gerardiana, E. sinica, E. equisatina

Common name: Ma huang (Chinese species), Joint-pine, Mormon tea, Brigham tea

Habitat: These plants occur in dry climates over a wide area mainly in the northern hemisphere, across southern Europe, north Africa, southwest and central Asia, southwestern North America

Used for: asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, hay fever, allergic rashes, weight loss

Info: Ephedra is the world’s oldest medicine. The Chinese discovered ephedra more than 5000 years ago. The alkaloid ephedrine, first isolated by a Chinese scientist in 1924, has antiasthmatic and stimulant properties. Both the Native American varieties as wells as the Chinese Ma huang have been used for the treatment of arthritic and rheumatic problems. Ephedra stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, which makes it particularly useful for the treatment of asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, whooping cough, hay fever and urticaria.

Research has shown that ephedra increases metabolism and helps promote weight loss, relaxes the air passages in the lungs to help treat asthma and cough, promotes perspiration to help a person recover from a minor cold and helps promote urination to help relieve edema. It was probably not used for weight loss until modern food abundant times.

Ephedra has been widely researched for its thermogenic (fat burning) properties. Research shows that ephedra helps promote the loss of fat while helping spare lean muscle tissue, a highly sought-after property that prescription diet medications still have not been able to reproduce.

Personal info: We use ephedra for asthma in a “0” capsule form

Properties: Diaphoretic, stimulant, diuretic, decongestant, antirheumatic, astringent

Ref:
The Way of Herbs, Michael Tierra, L.Ae, O.M.D.
www.ephedra.com 10-24-2010

Submitted by:  Jyll Renee, Master Herbologist (Click here to learn more about Jyll Renee.)

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WHAT IS AN HERBAL TINCTURE?

 In Medicine  a tincture is an alcohol based extract of leaves or other plant material, or solution of a non-volatile substance (like iodine).  In Herbology, tinctures are potent, alcohol based, liquid extracts made using fresh plant material in liquid base such as vodka, brandy, vegetable glycerin, or even apple cider vinegar (all of which are safe for human consumption).

 WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TINCTURE AND AN EXTRACT?

The terms are often used interchangeably by herbalists.  The pharmacological definition of  a tincture is a liquid herbal made using most often alcohol as the solvent,  but occasionally glycerin, vinegar and water.  (If a solvent other than alcohol is usede used, the tinctures will not store indefinitely like tinctures made with alcohol.)  The pharmacological definition of an extract the concentrated substance obtained by dissolving a drug in some solvent, as ether or alcohol, and then evaporating the preparation.  In this instance, extracts are much more concenrated than tinctures.

But again, please note that many herbalists use these terms interchangably.  Sometimes herbalist refer to a tincture as a liquid herbal made using alcohol as the solvent and refer to extracts as a liquid herbal using oil as the solvent.

It is always best to clarify this when purchasing tinctures and extracts, if concentration of the herb is a concern for you.

Click Here for Commonly Used Herbology Terms and Defintions

WHY MAKE EXTRACTS AND TINCTURES?

• Extracts and Tinctures are more powerful and last longer than dried herbs.
• It is much cheaper than buying ready made herbal products.
• You can make approximately one quart of your own extract or tincture for the price of a few ounces of tincture at retail stores.
• You can control the quality of the product you are making by starting with herbs you collect yourself or purchase through a reputable source. You are also ensured of the purity of the final product.
• You can custom-make special combination formulas.
• There is something to be said about getting involved in your own health. Some herbalists say that you benefit by absorbing some of the herb through the skin and from the aroma.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN HERBAL TINCTURES

THE ITEMS YOU WILL NEED:

1. Dried or fresh herbs. (Fresh herbs are the best – one of the advantages of tincturing yourself is that you can preserve the fresh attributes of the plant.  If you are using fresh herbs, pick through them removing any damaged or dirty parts, but don’t wash them.)  Click here to view our Materia Medica.  Click here to see a list of easy-to-find herbs useful for making tinctures.
2. 80 -100 proof vodka or rum (NEVER use rubbing, isopropyl or wood alcohol!!!)  ( I like using 100 proof vodka.  “100 proof” means it is exactly half water and half alcohol. This makes figuring dosages easy as most  herbal dosages are based on the assumption that a tincture was made at 50% – 1/2 water, 1/2 alcohol.  Also, tinctures made using alcohol as the solvent  last indefinitely.   If you are concerned about ingesting the alcohol, Rosemary Gladstar recommends placing the bottle of tincture in boiling water for 1-2 minutes which will remove about 1/2 the alcohol.)
3. Wide-mouthed glass jars with lids (mason jar or equivalent).
4. Unbleached cheesecloth or muslin.
5. Labels and markers.

 MAKE THE TINCTURE:  STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

1. Chop herbs finely.
2. Pour the amount of herb you desire into the glass jar and slowly pour in the alcohol or other menestrum until the herbs are entirely covered. Then add an inch or two of additional liquid.
3. Seal the jar tightly so that the liquid cannot leak or evaporate. Put the jar in a dark area or inside a paper bag and let the herbs liquid soak (macerate) for 4-6 weeks. (The longer the better).
4. Shake the jar every day during the maceration period of 4-6 weeks. This keeps the herbs from packing down on the bottom of the jar and helps to extract their herbal properties. Some believe it brings some of the old “medicine making” magic back into the process — you can sing to your tincture jars, play special music, perform Reiki or other energy procedures…what ever your imagination or intuition inspires you to do!
5. When ready to bottle, strain the herbs from the menestrum through a large strainer lined with cheesecloth or muslin. Save the liquid, which is now a potent tincture, and pour into another jar or glass bowl. Squeeze the saturated herbs, extracting the remaining liquid until no more drips appear, pouring this in with the previously strained tincture. Compost the herbs. Rebottle into dark colored bottles or jars and label appropriately.
6. Store in a cool, dark place out of reach of children. The tinctures will keep almost indefinitely.

ADDITIONAL TIPS ON EXTRACTS AND TINCTURES

• If you are using dried herbs, plan to use 1 part herb to 3 parts menestrum.  If you are using fresh herbs, plan to use 1 part herb to 1 part menestrum.  (More menestrum is needed with dried herbs, as they will rehydrate while macerating.)
• If using fresh herbs, running the herbs through a blender with the menestrum can more finely chop the herbs and help to extract the properties more thoroughly and quickly. 
• You should plan to start your tinctures on the day of the new moon and let them sit at least 2 weeks until the full moon – this adds a natural drawing power.
• 200 grams dried or 300 grams of fresh herbs (chopped) to one liter of liquid is needed.  Some herbalists use a measurement of 1 part herb to 3 parts liquid. For exact tincture ratios, please consult a herbal textbook.
• Rum helps hide the taste of bitter herbs.
• Distilled water, vinegar or glycerol can be used to make nonalcoholic tinctures.
• Standard dosage is 1 teaspoon, 1-3 times daily, diluted in tea, juice or water.
• A  wine press or juicer may be used to extract liquid from the herbs.
• Several herbs can be combined into a tincture formula.

Experiment and have fun!

Sources:

• Gladstar, R. (2008). Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing.
• Herbal Tincture Recipe for Aromatherapy/Skin Care. AromaWeb.com. Extracted July 22, 2010 from http://www.aromaweb.com/recipes/herbaltincturesrecipe.asp
• Making Herbal Tinctures. Herbal Remedies Info.  Extracted July 22, 2010 from http://www.herbalremediesinfo.com/tinctures.html
• Satchell, M. “How to Make Your Own Herbal Tincture from Any Loose Herb” extracted from http://www.kcweb.com/herb/tincture.htm

Recommended Reading

• Ortho’s  All About Herbs by Maggie Oster
• Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health by Rosemary Gladstar
• Secrets of the Chinese Herbalists by Richard Lucas
• Sunset Herbs:  An Illustrated Guide by The Editors of Sunset Magazine
• The Herbal Drugstore by Linda B. White, M.D.
• The Natural Physicians’s Healing Therapies: Proven Remedies Medical Doctors Don’t Know by Mark Stengler, ND
• The Scientific Validation of Herbal Medicine by Daniel B. Mowrey, Ph.D.
• The Way of Herbs by Michael Tierra, L.Ac., O.M.D.

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• Shop at MotherNature.com for Great Deals on Thousands of Health & Wellness Products!
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• Self Sufficient Life Website
• Super Antioxidant Juice MonaVie for a daily dose of Acai – the highest rated antioxidant currently known on the planet!
• Ultimate Guide to Vitamins and Minerals Book Info

Daily supplements of zinc may reduce measures of anger and depression in young women. That’s what Japanese researchers found in a current study.

A daily supplement of 7 mg of zinc as zinc gluconate was associated with significant decreases in measures of anger-hostility and depression-dejection, scientists from Daigaku Junior College and Seitoku University reported in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

On the other hand, multivitamin supplements did not affect the mood state of women who participated in the study.

“Although our findings are preliminary and should be interpreted with caution, they may prompt further investigations to evaluate the relationship between zinc nutriture and mood states in women,” wrote the researchers.

Zinc deficiency affects 30% of the world’s population, and mood swings are reportedly common symptoms of mild zinc deficiency. In order to test if zinc supplements could affect mood, the Japanese researchers recruited 30 young women and randomly assigned them to receive either multivitamins, or multivitamins, plus zinc, for 10 weeks.

The multivitamins were given to all to avoid vitamin deficiencies, and the supplement provided 50% of the Japanese recommended dietary allowances of vitamins A, D, B-1, B-2, B-12, niacin and folic acid.

At the end of the study, only women who received the additional zinc supplements showed significant increases in blood levels of zinc and reductions in scores of depression and anger.

Similar studies in lab animals showed that only females experienced increases in aggression levels when zinc-deficient, and the new data appears to support this anger-reducing effect in women following zinc supplementation, said the researchers.

“Our results suggest that zinc supplementation may be effective in reducing anger and depression,” they concluded.

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 64(3):331-333, 2010

Source: Swanson, L. (April 2010.) Lee Swanson Research Update. “Zinc May Ease Female Anger and Depression.” Extracted verbatim with permission on April 27, 2010 from http://www.swansonvitamins.com/health-library/articles/nutrition/zinc-may-ease-female-anger-and-depression.html?SourceCode=INTHIR363

Note:  This article references ORAL zinc supplementation, not zinc nasal spray.   Zinc nasal sprays, such as Zicam have been shown to cause loss of smell.  ”While zinc is critical for maintenance of normal smell function through its action as a cofactor in carbonic anhydrase VI, given directly into the nostrils at high concentrations, it can initiate direct toxic destruction of the olfactory epithelium with which it comes into contact in its spray form.” (http://www.tasteandsmell.com/apr04.htm)

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Courtesy of

Special Thanks to Kim Thomas for forwarding this article to LuminEarth.

Are apricot seeds a source for a natural substance that kills cancer cells without destroying the cancer victim’s health and wealth? The essential ingredient has been called laetrile or vitamin B 17. If there is any merit to it, why is this information being suppressed? Why are people who have been cured or have cured others being censured and imprisoned? Could be there is something to the claims.

Keep in mind that the cancer industry world wide is estimated at a 200 billion dollar a year industry. There are many in various associated positions within that industry who would be without a job if that cash flow dried up suddenly with the news that there are cheaper, less harmful, and more efficacious remedies available. Big Pharmacy would virtually vanish.

What is B17, or Laetrile Anyway?

In 1952, a biochemist named Dr. Ernst Krebb, Jr. in San Francisco decided that cancer was a metabolic reaction to a poor diet, and a missing nutrient from modern man’s diet could be the key to overcoming cancer. His research led to a compound found in over 1200 edible plants throughout nature. That compound is amagdylin,

Amagdylin is found with the highest concentration and necessary enzymes in apricot seed kernels. A primitive tribe, the Hunzas, were known to consume large amounts of apricot seed kernels. The hard pit had to be broken to get into the soft kernels. There was no incidence of cancer with them at all, ever. And they had long, healthy life spans. Laetrile was created by simply extracting amagdylin from the soft apricot kernels, purifying it and putting it into a concentrated form.

Amagdylin is a nitrioloside. Nitriolisides are difficult to categorize since they are in foods but not foods themselves. As a nitrioloside, amagdylin resembled the B complex structures, so Dr. Krebb called it B17 since by that time 16 types of B vitamins had been isolated.

Dr. Krebb injected himself with laetrile to ensure there would be no toxic side effects. He conducted further lab animal and culture experiments to conclude that laetrile would be effective in the treatment of cancer. By the way, the FDA standard for drug safety is known as LD 50, LD stands for lethal dose, and the 50 is the percentage threshold of lab animals poisoned to death by the drug tested. As long as the percentage killed is under 50%, FDA will approve it!

Since laetrile is derived directly from a food substance in nature and not chemically developed in a laboratory, it is impossible to patent. And of course it’s not toxic. In other words, just as with all natural healing substances, Big Pharma and the AMA can’t make a fortune from the substance and from the remedies for the long term side effects. There have been several testimonies from cancer victims who cured themselves by chewing large quantities of the apricot seeds alone.

The seeds are more available to consumers now than laetrile because in 1971 the FDA banned laetrile. Laetrile is difficult, but not impossible, to purchase. The seeds are actually the soft almond shaped, bitter tasting kernels from inside the pits. A few users prefer extracting those soft kernels from the pits themselves. But the soft kernels are available and inexpensive.

So How Does It Work?

Amagdylin contains four substances. Two are glucose; one is benzaldyhide, and one is cyanide. Yes, cyanide and benzaldyhide are poisons if they are released or freed as pure molecules and not bound within other molecular formations. Many foods containing cyanide are safe because the cyanide remains bound and locked as part of another molecule and therefore cannot cause harm.

There is even an enzyme in normal cells to catch any free cyanide molecules and to render them harmless by combining them with sulfur. That enzyme is rhodanese, which catalyzes the reaction and binds any free cyanide to sulfur. By binding the cyanide to sulfur, it is converted to a cyanate which is a neutral substance. Then it is easily passed through the urine with no harm to the normal cells.

But cancer cells are not normal. They contain an enzyme that other cells do not share, beta-glucosidase. This enzyme, virtually exclusive to cancer cells, is considered the “unlocking enzyme” for amagdylin molecules. It releases both the benzaldyhide and the cyanide, creating a toxic synergy beyond their uncombined sum. This is what the cancer cell’s beta-glucosidase enzyme does to self destruct cancer cells.

Amagdylin or laetrile in conjunction with the protective enzymes in healthy cells and the unlocking enzymes in cancer cells is thus able to destroy cancer cells without jeopardizing healthy cells. Chemotherapy, on the other hand, kills a lot of other cells and diminishes one’s immune system while killing an undetermined amount of cancer cells.

Those cancer cells tend to return elsewhere because the patient’s general health was reduced from the pervasive chemo toxins. The cancer industry has declared the bench mark for curing cancer as being cancer free for 5 years. It’s estimated that of those who undergo the AMA big three for curing cancer, surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, no more than 3% make the 5 year cancer free mark. Besides the treatments’ debilitating effects, they are much more expensive!

But for someone with cancer, it takes a considerable amount of daily B17 consumption to enable the amagdylin to reach the cancer cells with beta-glucosidase. That’s because some of the amagdylin molecules will be neutralized by the normal cells containing rhodanese.

Many practitioners who use laetrile have an 85% cure rate among cancer victims who did not undergo much of the standard cut, burn, and poison that is main-stream – while the cure rate for those who come to laetrile therapy as a last resort after all that conventional medicine could only have a 15% recovery rate. There is a clinic in Mexico that claims a 100 percent cure rate!

The Medical Mafia’s Suppression

Since around 1920, practitioners of alternative cancer therapies and remedies and their messengers have been marginalized, harassed, imprisoned, and even killed. Federal agencies have been used to bring about bogus charges or IRS tax liens that are enforced by US Marshals the way Dr. Gary Glum was hassled for even writing books on Essiac Tea. See Natural News article “Essiac Tea: A Cancer Cure Big Pharma Doesn’t Want You To Know About.” http://www.naturalnews.com/026928_c….

A young Brooklyn man, Jason Vale, was imprisoned because he refused to stop telling others on TV and in lectures how he cured himself of cancer using those nasty apricot pit kernels! Jason is a more recent public example of the Medical Mafia’s grip on the legal system regarding B17. Laetrile, which is non toxic, was banned by the FDA in 1971.

Shortly after the 1971 laetrile ban, a practicing physician in San Francisco, Dr. John Richardson, who had been using laetrile successfully on cancer patients, came to his friend G. Edward Griffin, a published investigative journalist, and asked Griffin if he could write up something to help him and others continue using laetrile on their cancer patients.

G. Edward Griffin’s research evolved into his groundbreaking book, World Without Cancer. This book not only explained laetrile and chronicled several cancer cures, but Griffin’s investigative nose led him down the rabbit hole and into the underbelly of the cancer industry’s efforts at keeping alternative cancer cures from the light of day. That’s how he discovered that the Sloane-Kettering Cancer Institute had buried documentation from scientists’ research, which proved laetrile was “highly effective” at curing cancer.

Griffin received those documents himself from a Dr. Ralph Moss, who had been told to cover up that evidence and claim that laetrile was worthless. He refused and left his position as PR manager with Sloane-Kettering. Since that time in 1977, Dr. Ralph Moss has gone on to write or edit several books on cancer cure options. It’s always encouraging to see an insider come out! Someone else filled Dr. Moss’s vacant position and lied the lies about laetrile that filled the medical journals.

And what about those medical journals? Lately, the most prestigious New England Journal of Medicine dropped its standard of not allowing articles contributed to the journal from anyone who was receiving money from Big Pharma, as long as it’s less than 10 grand annually. If they didn’t drop that standard, there wouldn’t be enough articles to fill the journal! Of course, most medical journals are glossy ad forums for Big Pharma anyway.

Both G. Edward Griffin with World Without Cancer and Phillip Day in his book Cancer: Why We’re Still Dying to Know the Truth, make it very clear that the cancer industry does not really want a cure. Even non-profit organizations get millions in donations from the brainwashed, huddled masses along with funding for promoting Big Pharma. A non-profit organization can and will have key people working for 6 figure plus annual salaries, by the way.

Doctors mostly do as they are trained and told; medical journals contain false reports and lies. Cancer foundations have breast cancer months or whatever as PR to get people into the disease industry’s money mill as early as possible, and at the top, there is Big Pharma. It’s all about money and career. Not about public health and “The War on Cancer.”

So far in mainstream medicine, it’s been a losing battle with more getting cancer than ever. Around 1 out of 3 is destined to get cancer these days, and more are dying from cancer after conventional treatments. Talk about pandemics! All this with lots of cash going their way, enabling some to live a lush lifestyle and others hanging on to their comfy, secure jobs at the expense of our health.

Meanwhile, too many true humanitarian doctors and herbalists and writers concerned with the truth wind up being treated like criminals or nut cases, sometimes with their lives destroyed. That’s tragic. And so is the fact that millions suffer and die while being conditioned against using effective and less painless procedures.

Laetrile Treatment

There are many success stories from people using just laetrile or apricot pit kernels. The usual recommendation for prevention is around 5 to 7 over the course of a day. For actual cancer cases use 2 to 3 times that. Some say one kernel for every 10 lbs of body weight. For maintenance after a cure, go back to 5 to 7 per day.

Some laetrile therapists have patients use vitamin B15 tablets and digestive enzymes such as papaya’s papain and pineapple’s bromalene. Too many apricot pit kernels can create nausea or dizziness. There are no recorded deaths or disabilities from the apricot seeds or laetrile, however. Although some success has been recorded with patients undergoing conventional therapy and using laetrile, it’s not recommended. Eventually most of those who combine the two get off the chemo or die anyway.

There are many practitioners and writers who recommend you combine other alternative cancer therapies while taking laetrile or using the apricot pits – especially if you go for it alone at home. It should be obvious to Natural News readers that a foundation of healthy food and less stress is necessary. A fundamental lifestyle change has to be a part of any permanent cancer cure. In addition, a little eclectic mix and match with other alternative therapies seems like a good approach.

For example, Gerson’s cancer cure therapy’s juicing protocol with the right type of juicer and using coffee enemas to detox the liver could be added with laetrile use. It’s hard to go wrong with that healthy combination. See Natural News article on the Gerson Therapy for more details here:
http://www.naturalnews.com/027004_c…

Do your own research by starting with the source links below this article. Those sources are for more than showing the author has done his homework. The author intends for you to use them as a springboard for your own research. Why waste your money and health on toxic remedies when so much is available as alternatives for far less money and negative side effects?

Sources:

Excellent interview of G. Edward Griffin on laetrile and the cancer industry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFnP…

An excellent overview of different cancer cure options
http://www.1cure4allcancer.com/the_…

A vast, indexed and categorized free source of cancer cure options with details you can use – It’s the free online bible of cancer cure options
http://www.cancertutor.com/index.html

Information on apricot seeds with more details
http://www.detailshere.com/cancerap…

Vitamin B17 – contains information on supplements to include with B17 and a list of foods with B17, also a few caveats on using B17
http://www.detailshere.com/cancerb1…

Author Phillip Day’s blog
http://www.credence.org/

Sources:

NaturalNews.com, extracted in entirety with permission on April 9, 2010 from http://www.naturalnews.com/027088_cancer_laetrile_health.html

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Back pain affects about 8 out of 10 people. But there are many steps you can take to avoid it. One of the best things you can do to prevent back pain is to exercise regularly and keep your back and abdominal muscles strong.

Here are some quick pointers to prevent back problems:

• Always stretch before any strenuous physical activity (in fact it would be wise to engage in a regular stretching program like active isolated stretching, which is what I use every day)
• Don’t slouch when standing or sitting
• Sit in chairs or car seats with good lumbar support
• Switch sitting positions often and periodically walk around or gently stretch muscles to relieve tension
• Don’t bend over without supporting your back
• Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes
• Sleep on your side to reduce any curve in your spine, and always sleep on a firm surface
• Lift with your legs, keeping your back straight
• Try to control your weight
• If you smoke, quit; smoking reduces blood flow to the lower spine and causes the spinal discs to degenerate

Also, to keep your spine strong, as with all bones, you need to get enough vitamin D every day.

Source:  Live Science March 16, 2010

Dr. Mercola’s Comments:

According to statistics from the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), approximately 31 million Americans experience low-back pain at any given time. Fifty percent of all working adults say they have back pain, and it’s one of the most common reasons for missed work.

The ACA also estimates that Americans spend at least $50 billion annually on back pain treatments!

So what causes back pain?

Naturally, accidents and sports injuries can be the cause of the pain, but a number of other factors can contribute to back pain, including:

• Poor posture
• Obesity
• Poor physical conditioning facilitated by inactivity.
• Psychological/emotional stress
• Internal disease, such as kidney stones, infections, blood clots
• Osteoporosis (bone loss)

Here we’ll take a look at several all natural, non-drug, non-surgical remedies for this common problem.

Pain in the Back? Look to the Front!

Many people fail to realize that many times the pain actually originates from the opposite side of where it hurts.

For example, the very act of sitting for long periods of time ends up shortening the iliopsoas muscles that connect from your lumbar region to the top of your femur, at the front.

When these muscles are shortened, it can cause severe pain when you stand up as they will effectively pull your lower back (lumbar) forward. Many people end up going through drastic medical procedures to “fix” this type of pain, or end up taking pain killers for extended periods of time, when in fact it can be easily remedied by massaging the iliopsoas muscle to release it.

(Please note that this type of massage should ONLY be done by a qualified massage therapist, as your vena cava – a large diameter vein – runs nearby. In rare instances, if a person is prone to aneurisms, pushing on the vena cava could cause an aneurism. This massage technique is a deep one, but should be done gently.)

You can also use mild stretching to counteract the shortening of your iliopsoas, especially if you sit for long periods of time every day.

Likewise, having firm abdominal muscles is like having a built-in internal corset that not only holds your gut in, but also stabilizes your spine, vertebrae and discs. Many can completely eliminate their back pain simply by developing stronger abdominal muscles.

Chiropractic as a First Line of Defense for Acute Back Pain

Seeing a qualified chiropractor is certainly a wise option if you suffer from back pain. I am an avid believer in the chiropractic philosophy, which places a strong emphasis on your body’s innate healing wisdom and far less reliance on band-aids like drugs and surgery.

Chiropractic, osteopathic, and naturopathic physicians receive extensive training in the management of musculoskeletal disorders during their course of graduate healthcare training, which typically lasts from 4-6 years.

Due to their comprehensive training in musculoskeletal management, numerous sources of evidence have shown that chiropractic management is much safer, and less expensive, than allopathic medical treatments, particularly for low-back pain.

One such study, published in 1993, found that chiropractic management of low-back pain is superior to allopathic medical management in terms of safety, effectiveness, and cost, concluding:

“There would be highly significant cost savings if more management of LBP (low-back pain) was transferred from medical physicians to chiropractors.”

In addition, researchers have also found that chiropractic adjustments affect the chemistry of biological processes on a cellular level!

What that means is that chiropractic care can affect the basic physiological processes that influence oxidative stress and DNA repair, so in addition to addressing any immediate spinal misalignment that might cause pain, it can also address deeper dysfunction in your body.

Many people do not realize that there’s a whole lot more to chiropractic care than just pushing bones into place. In fact, “vitalism” is a basic foundation of chiropractic philosophy. It’s the recognition that your body has an intrinsic, innate life force that guides and directs your body’s healing process.

I previously published an article on this topic, written by Dr. Ben Lerner, the chiropractor who developed The Center for Maximized Living, and I encourage you to read through it for more information.

But getting back to back pain specifically, a paper published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in 2007 titled Diagnosis and Treatment of Low Back Pain: A Joint Clinical Practice Guideline from the American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society concluded the only recommendation for active treatment of acute low back pain in people who do not improve with other self-care options is spinal adjustment.

For chronic or subacute low back pain, they recommend using “intensive interdisciplinary rehabilitation, exercise therapy, acupuncture, massage therapy, spinal manipulation, yoga, cognitive-behavioral therapy, or progressive relaxation.”

If you need help finding a chiropractor near you, this easy-to-use online resource can help you locate a chiropractor in your area.

This Little-Known Technique Can Work Wonders for Many

If you suffer from back pain and you’ve never heard of neuro-structural integration technique (NST), now’s the time to bone up.

Unlike massage or other manipulations that try to force a change, NST simply “resets” your body to heal itself. The results are profound and lasting, and usually apparent within two or three sessions.

NST is a gentle, non-invasive technique that stimulates your body’s reflexes. Simple movements are done across muscles, nerves and connective tissue, which helps your neuromuscular system to reset all related tension levels, promoting natural healing.

It is completely safe and appropriate for everyone from highly trained athletes, to newborns, pregnant women, and the elderly and infirm.

I will be offering a great NST DVD shortly, which can teach you more about this exciting system. For a more in-depth explanation of NST, please see this previous article written by Michael Nixon Levy who developed the technique.

To find an NST therapist near you, see our NST Therapists Page.

The Psychological Factors of Back Pain

Few people want to be told that their pain is psychological or emotional in origin, but there’s quite a bit of evidence that backs this up. Underlying emotional issues and unresolved trauma can have a massive influence on your health, particularly as it relates to physical pain.

In a 2004 study, 100 patients were followed over the course of four years. None of them had back pain at the onset of the study. The participants instead underwent psychological tests, which were then compared to see which types of people remained pain free and which developed back pain.

Not surprisingly, those who did poorly on the psychological tests were three times more likely to report having experienced back pain by the end of the study.

I certainly believe that your emotional health and your ability to effectively address your stress is an essential component of optimal health, and can have a major influence on whether or not you’re effective in eliminating your pain. And so do many other doctors and scientists from various fields of medicine.

Dr. John Sarno, for example, is a psychiatrist who uses mind-body techniques to treat patients with severe low back pain. His specialty is those who have already had surgery for low back pain and did not get any relief. This is one tough group of patients, yet he has a greater than 80 percent success rate using techniques like the Emotional Freedom Technique/Meridian Tapping Technique (EFT/MTT).

It’s unfortunate that so many people dismiss these types of treatment strategies simply because they seem “too simple to be effective” – just like NST mentioned above. We’ve been indoctrinated to believe that getting well involves radical, often painful treatment, when in most cases the complete opposite is true.

Your body is constantly striving to achieve and maintain equilibrium in all aspects, and oftentimes all it needs to heal is a gentle reminder of what “normal” is.

Massage for Pain and Stress Relief

Massage is yet another simple method that can help ease both pain and anxiety.

Massage releases endorphins, which help induce relaxation, relieve pain, and reduce levels of stress chemicals such as cortisol and noradrenaline — reversing the damaging effects of stress by slowing heart rate, respiration and metabolism and lowering raised blood pressure.

Stronger massage stimulates blood circulation to improve the supply of oxygen and nutrients to body tissues and helps your lymphatic system flush away waste products.

It eases tense and knotted muscles and stiff joints, improving mobility and flexibility.

It is a particularly effective therapy for stress-related tension, which experts believe accounts for as much as 80 to 90 percent of disease.

Final Thoughts

With such successful alternatives available, there are few good reasons to turn to pharmaceutical or surgical band-aids that do nothing to treat the underlying causes of your pain, but might cause additional harm in the process.

Last but certainly not least, as this Live Science article above states; keeping your spine strong also requires sufficient amounts of calcium and vitamin D. But I don’t agree with the author’s recommendation to get your vitamin D from your diet if you’re unable to get sufficient amounts of sunshine.

Sure, milk and many other foods are fortified with vitamin D, but they’re far from good sources of this essential nutrient. Pasteurized milk and other processed milk products, for example, are detrimental to your health for several reasons, and fortified foods are clearly inferior, if not downright hazardous to your health.

For more information on how to optimize your vitamin D levels, please refer to this previous article.

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by

Spring is here and many are reading or thinking about detoxification and body cleansing protocols. The amount of information and number of products on the market with incredible promises are bound to confuse many. 

To detoxify and cleanse really means to help body eliminate excess waste and toxic build up. This is important because many of our discomforts and unwanted conditions at their root have toxin and waste accumulation in our bodies. That is why many of those discomforts and unwanted conditions are often resolved by regular application and implementation of a thorough holistic detox and body cleansing protocol. There are many ways to do this and some of the most popular include fasting, Master Cleanse, liver flush, herbal detoxifying teas, vegetable broths, juice fasts, media fasts, etc.

 It is very important to realize that your personal practice of detoxification and body cleansing is a very personal experience and really needs to be tailored to you personally and well understood by you. Only when you understand the “Why?”, “When?”, and “How?” of your protocol will you be able to truly embrace it and gain the most benefit from it. It is also very important to define for yourself your expectations and goals of the regular practice of holistic detox and body cleansing. There are no one-time drinks or pills that will with one sip resolve all of the challenges ahead of you. It is your responsibility to objectively assess your own state of well-being and to take steps accordingly to improve and create the level of wellness you envision for yourself. There are many wonderful health practitioners and wellness consultants who can help you collect all the pieces of the puzzle, but it ultimately has to be you personally to put the puzzle of your well-being together. Holistic Detox and Body Cleansing is one of those important pieces of the puzzle.

A thorough holistic protocol shall be cleansing and rejuvenating for physical, mental and spiritual well-being. It shall be tailored to your personal needs and shall offer a time for cleansing and rebuilding your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual bodies. Ideally, your program will be based on real raw organic foods and herbs. On that base of a good cleansing diet each day of your ideal protocol will include some form of movement for your physical body. Implementing several forms of hydrotherapy at various times of day is of vital importance as well. To offer nurture and cleansing to your finer bodies, meditation, mindfullness, presence, and aromatherapy are two tools of great importance. Furthermore, it is important that your protocol address your major eliminative organs and systems in proper order and with proper amount of time allotted for each. That will ensure the most success and the least discomfort in your personal program.

Your experience is of utmost importance. The time you dedicate and invest in your personal wellness will pay you back with state of increased well being which is the basis for your growth and success in all other areas of life. Without your health and personal wellness and strength, you cannot help others or effectively and productively perform in any of your personal or professional endeavors. When contemplating and thinking about weather or not you have enough time, patience, and energy to take care of your own health, remember that without your own wellness and strength, nothing else you look to achieve in life is truly going to matter.

Many practitioners note a long list of reasons for cleansing and it most often includes the following: illness prevention, symptom relief, eliminating a specific condition, providing rest to organs, purification, rejuvenation, weight loss, clearing the skin, improving flexibility, improving fertility, enhancing the senses, increasing creativity, motivation, productivity, relaxing, energizing, etc. All of these are wonderful reasons to contemplate and choose to implement a detox protocol.

Thorough and personalized holistic detox and body cleanse is a healthy living skill of critical importance. Regular implementation of your protocol is one of the most important gifts you can give yourself and a very important investment in your personal state of well-being.

Ideally, you would prepare everything for your time of detox and cleansing ahead of time. In our practice it has shown to greatly improve everyone’s experience if they learn and understand how each of the steps affects them and why they may choose to have it as a part of their personal protocol. It is even better if one has time and space to prepare all of the herbal formulas at home, but when that is not possible it helps to learn how a specific herbal formula is prepared even if it is being purchased already prepared. That not only ensures selection of appropriate and quality formula, but also empowers one with knowledge and understanding so that in future they can adjust their protocol as needed and make some or all of the formulas on their own. 

Many books and publications also talk at length about toxicity symptoms that can serve as reasons for one to begin practice of this important healthy living skill. They most often include: headaches, allergy symptoms, constipation, fatigue, immune weakness, sleepiness , sleeplessness, indigestion, congestion, digestive problems, depression, irritability, frequent colds, bad breath, sinus congestion, skin rashes, acne, and many more. However, if we objectively assess the state of our environment, food sources, and personal lifestyle, we must realize that waiting for many of these symptoms to bother us and create problems in our daily life is truly not in our best interest. Embracing the practice of annual or bi-annual detox and body cleansing is a skill that can go a very long way in lessening the effects of stress, environmental toxicity, lifestyle and career demands, food quality, media ‘pollution’, etc.

Here at the Avokado Studio some of our dearest memories and stories come from empowering others to learn and implement this practice into their own lives. Detox Protocol Consultations and Classes are designed with that intention and structured to provide support throughout creation of your personal protocol. It is designed to provide you with knowledge and information about each step. In addition to that it also provides you with the knowledge and ability to prepare and create all of the herbal and food formulas and recipes for your personal holistic detox & body cleansing protocol.

We trust that this brief article will inspire you to create your own protocol this year or to build and improve the one you may already be practicing. If you would like additional support and guidance it will be my honor to help you along the way. Please feel free to email any of your questions to daniela@bodyandmindstl.com

 In Health, Abundance, Love, and Light,

Daniela Sales
Reiki Master Teacher and Wellness Consultant
The Avokado Studio of Arts for Creative Living
http://bodyandmindstl.com

FREE Herbal Remedy Recipe every month! Sign up for our email newsletter at http://bodyandmindstl.com

Disclaimer: The statements in this article are for educational purposes only and have not been evaluated by or sanctioned by the FDA. Only your doctor can properly diagnose and treat any disease or disorder. The remedies discussed herein are not meant to treat or cure any type of disease. The user understands that the above information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician or a pharmacist.

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