Diabetes Research Uses Chinese Herbs Effectively

Posted by Cathy on March 17, 2011 with 3 Comments

In a recent study published in the Feb. 2011 World Journal of Gastroenterology, a combination of Chinese herbs known Yi Qi Zeng Ming Tang, (YQZMT) has been found effective for insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic rats. The Chinese herbs in the formula were found to ameliorate insulin resistance and did not cause an increase in body weight. This may make a suitable adjunct therapy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in humans.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a long history in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In comparison to Western medicine, the use of traditional Chinese medicine and botanicals has less side-effects and proven efficacy. According to the Cochrane Library, an international organization that evaluates medical research, when they examined 16 clinical trials of 15 different Chinese herbal medicines, they found that the herbs generally helped lower blood sugar levels in people with “pre-diabetes” that can progress to type 2 diabetes.

Yi Qi Zeng Min Tang (YQZMT) is a traditional Chinese herbal formula whose chief herb is Radix Astragali or Astragalus (Huang qi) and has been shown to alleviate glucose intolerance and insulin resistance.[1]

When Astragalus has been used in conjunction with other herbs, it proves more valuable for glucose homeostasis for diabetics and pre-diabeties.

The 10 Chinese herbs in the formula are: Radix Astragali, (Huang Qi) mung bean seed, Perillae (zi su ye) , Phellodendri (Huang Bai), Pollen Typhae (Pu Huang), Serissa foetida, Cinnamomi (gui zhi), Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata (fu pian, fu zi), Coptis (huang lian) , and Rhizoma Alismatis (ze xie).

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is dramatically increasing throughout the world. The pathogenesis of the disease involves abnormalities in glucose and lipid metabolism, including inadequate insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells and insulin resistance. The results from this study showed the diabetic rats had reduced serum glucose levels, lower body weight and lipid levels than the control group of rats who were not given the YQZMT formula. The results suggests this TCM herbal formula can produce marked improvement and is a viable treatment for diabetes mellitus and its complications.

1. Astragalus – The Ultimate Immune Booster

2. Herbal Sugar Options You Should Know

3. New Diabetes Drug From A Chinese Herb

See World Journal of Gastroenterology study here: http://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/full/v17/i8/987.htm

1. Hoo RL, Wong JY, Qiao C, Xu A, Xu H, Lam KS. The effective fraction isolated from Radix Astragali alleviates glucose intolerance, insulin resistance and hypertriglyceridemia in db/db diabetic mice through its anti-inflammatory activity. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2010;7:67.[PubMed]

New Research Supporting This Chinese Herb for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Posted by Cathy on March 7, 2011

I originally posted this article about Rheumatoid Arthritis and the Chinese herb known as Thunder God Vine about a year ago. Since new research on this herb has just been published and I am continually asked how Rheumatoid Arthritis can be helped with herbal medicine, it's time for a re-post.

The new research from John Hopkins School of Medicine isolated an extract in the traditional Chinese medicinal plant also known as lei gong teng, which works by blocking gene control machinery in the cell. The research was published in the March issue of Nature Chemical Biology, and suggests that the natural product could be a starting point for developing new anticancer drugs.

"Extracts of this medicinal plant have been used to treat a whole host of conditions and have been highly lauded for anti-inflammatory, immuno-suppressive, contraceptive and anti-tumor activities," says Jun O. Liu, Ph.D., a professor of pharmacology and molecular sciences at Johns Hopkins. "We've known about the active compound, triptolide, and that it stops cell growth, since 1972, but only now have we figured out what it does."

But the RNAPII enzyme complex actually requires the assistance of several smaller clusters of proteins, according to Liu, which required more investigative narrowing down. If you choose to read the whole article there's a link at the bottom. As the researchers discover more on triptolide they also discover that plants have more than one active chemical constituent. When they try to isolate one protein so they can patent a drug and sell it for billions, they often find it's not so easy because plants have many chemical components that work together and isolation of a single solitary protein will not necessarily give the same desired effect as when the whole plant is used.

Plants/herbs can not be patented. This is why there is so much new research on herbal medicine that have been used for thousands of years. Research, such as this at John Hopkins, is not looking to validate the effects of Chinese herbal medicine, they are looking for plant compounds that can be isolated and then reproduced as drugs. Drugs that can sell for millions. In comparison to a new drug, thunder god vine and other Chinese herbs cost pennies and they work.

If your suffering with Rheumatoid Arthritis or know someone who is read on.

A study was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in August 2009 on a Chinese herb used for rheumatoid arthritis, (RA). This study found that after six months of taking this herbal remedy more patients in the Chinese herb group had improved, than the group taking a sulfasalazine.

The Chinese herb used in this study was a single herb known as Lei Gong Teng or Thunder God Vine. Herbal remedies such lei gong teng or in latin Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TwHF) have been used and documented for treating inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. It’s understandable that people with RA are looking to treat their disease with herbal remedies such as Chinese Medicine and Chinese herbs because Western medicine has no cure for RA, only symptomatic relief with many side effects to the medications.

Find articles referenced at these addresses:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110303153118.htm

http://www.annals.org/content/151/4/I-36.full

Rheumatoid Arthritis Responds Well To This Herb

Posted by Cathy on March 7, 2011 with 1 Comment

If your suffering with Rheumatoid Arthritis or know someone who is, this should interest you.

The only limitation to this study was it’s duration. The studies time frame was too short to show whether lei gong teng helped to prevent joint destruction.

Reference

http://www.annals.org/content/151/4/I-36.full

Dr. Oz And Dr. Weil Talk About Herbs for Menopause

Posted by Cathy on March 2, 2011

Dr. Andrew Weil, founder of the Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona recently appeared on The Dr. Oz Show. The topic of supplements and herbs was discussed, especially those for menopausal hot flashes and night sweat flair-ups. Dr. Weil suggested eating fresh ground flax seed, which is high in omega-3 and fiber, sprinkled on cereal or otherwise taking 20 mg of black cohosh twice daily in supplement form or as tea. I agree with Dr. suggestions but….

What if black cohosh worked better when combined with a few other herbs? (Kind of like chicken soup. You add the chicken but if you add spices, carrots and celery it just taste a little better.)

What if the herbs for menopause symptom relief had been proven effective by hundreds of clinical studies?

What if a herbal tea that relieved hot flashes and night sweats was available in the U.S.?

What if you knew this menopause relief herbal tea was completely safe to take long term and has been used my millions of people?

What if you knew the herbs in menopause relief herb tea has been used for one thousand years, continuously throughout parts of the world.

What if you knew this menopause relief herb tea was included as part of the health insurance prescription coverage in Japan?

What if you could drink this blend of herbs as a tea that taste delicious?

What if this menopause relief tea cost less than $1.00 per day?

What if all the was true and you could buy it right here?

For less than the cost of a cup of coffee you can stop suffering from night sweats and hot flashes. We guarantee it. As do the governments of Japan, Germany, and China which all include it as part of the national health insurance programs. Why are these countries so far ahead of the U.S.? I believe Dr. Weil and his team ask the same question.

Thank you Dr. Weil and his team of doctors Russell Greenfield, Jim Nicolai and Victoria Maizes which have brought Integrative Medicine front and center stage on shows like Dr. Oz. I whole heartedly applaud them for embracing integrative medicine in the U.S. In other parts of the world, particularly China, Taiwan, Germany and Japan and Australia, Integrative medicine is more universally practiced and taught in the medical schools.

Dr. Oz went on to say that Dr. Weil had a secret supplement that he couldn’t live without. It turned out to be a supplement that Dr. Weil highly recommended taking once a day containing containing acetyl L-carnitine (1000 mg) and alpha-lipoic acid (300 mg) daily. Dr. Weil said that the benefits of the supplement will also help reduce aging.

Chinese Medicine and Insomnia Symptoms

Posted by Cathy on February 27, 2011

Insomnia, whether for a prolonged time or a short duration is a dreaded cycle that can drive us to the brink of insanity. There nothing worse than being so tired all day long that we just can’t think straight. When you finally hit the pillow you sleep only a few hours and can’t get back to sleep. People cope with insomnia in different ways, some start their day at 4 AM because “there is just no sense in staying in bed” others rely on prescription drugs. Regardless of how you decide to cope with the lack of sleep here’s a quick look at insomnia from the Chinese medicine perceptive. This little insight or different perspective, may help you change whatever is going on in your life that’s affecting your sleep patterns

Chinese Medicine, practiced continuously now for over 2000 years, categorizes insomnia into 4 main groups.

1. Insomnia due to over-thinking or disharmony between work and rest. When it’s time to sleep your mind should not be thinking of all the days plans, all that worries you or what needs to be done tomorrow. Your mind should simply not be talking to you. Your mind should be active during daytime hours and quiet at night. There are many techniques in Chinese medicine to help you quiet your mind such as Tai Qi, meditation, exercise and other stress reducers. A proper discussion of these techniques will be addressed in another article. Herbal medicines can help stop these over thinking habits and help quiet your mind without being addictive.

2. Insomnia due to sickness or advancing age. When we are extremely weak and/or recovering from an illness it is not uncommon to have sleeping difficulties. During this time both qi and blood are deficient which nourish our heart, kidney and spleen channels of Chinese medicine. Rebuild and replenish yourself with a proper diet and supplements and this pattern will subside.

3. Insomnia due to panic, anger and excessive worry will gradually lead to chronic insomnia. This pattern is especially worrisome because of it’s chronic, (ongoing) nature. Emotions that are buried and not addressed during the daytime hours may in a sense, haunt us at night. These emotions cause a deficiency of heart qi and transform and flare up disturbing the mind at night. Dealing with emotional problems during waking hours will prevent this type of insomnia.

4. Insomnia due to spicy, fatty, raw and even cold food late at night. This type of insomnia is the easiest to change. Simply stop eating 3-4 hours before going to bed. Over eating from a Chinese Medicine perspective leads to phlegm and heat and both interfere with restful sleep. The body cannot optimize digestion late at night. Your body needs time to process the foods eaten during the day and clean itself out.

These four patterns cover the gamut of sleeping problems in Chinese medicine. Some people suffer from just one pattern, (typically # 1) others suffer from a combination of them. Once you identify your pattern you can take steps in your life to make the necessary changes to give your body and your mind the rest it needs.

Avoid a Human Energy Crisis

Posted by Cathy on February 17, 2011

Do you have an energy crisis every afternoon or even once in a while? Our busy lifestyles can create havoc for our endocrine systems, our bodies energy fund and storage bank. Chinese herbs work naturally and effectively to replenish your energy at the source of the problem, targeting your endocrine system.

The endocrine system acts like the main control panel in our body. It secretes hormones which act as messengers telling the body how to function properly. We depend on our endocrine glands for all our energy. They are responsible for your mood, mental function, immune system, physical growth and reproduction. If something throws off the control system you may feel tired, depressed, gain weight, experience infertility, digestive issues and have trouble with body temperature regulation regardless of the outside temperature.

The endocrine system includes the adrenal glands, thyroid gland, pituitary gland, pineal, pancreas, and reproductive glands. All areas of your health are effected by your endocrine glands.

This is where Chinese herbs work best. If your tired in the afternoon, ginseng and other herbs in our Power Booster can give you refreshing boost of energy when you need it. No caffeine or sugar, just natural Chinese herbs. They work and have been proven to work for over 1000 years. This is not some new 5 hour energy mix of caffeine and sugar. This is botanicals, a natural source of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, carbohydrates, saponins and other compounds your body recognizes and needs.

If your experiencing hot flashes or night sweats it’s the endocrine system running low on natural coolant. Whether it’s your car or your body, you’ve got to feed it what it needs. When your low on coolant herbal remedies such as our Menopause Relief can help rebuild it and nourish it.

Low Energy is a Sign of Compromised Health

The cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine’s viewpoint of health has always been maintaining health and wellness by preventing illness through a healthy life style and proper nutrition. If proper food is not enough then herbs are added to the diet to supplement one’s health. When the body’s natural intelligence is awakened with Chinese herbs, it can restore the natural balance and your body will respond by providing the energy you need to feel good all day, everyday.

Integrating Supplements and Chinese Herbs Into Western Medicine

Posted by Cathy on February 16, 2011

It's been nearly a month since I had a chance to listen to an incredible group of M.D's talk about what "Wellness" looks like today. So I've had a little time to discuss the topic and think it over.

Is wellness not missing work? Is it simply feeling healthy? Wellness, no doubt looks and feels different for different people. I believe wellness starts with the right information. Information on how to stay healthy no matter what age you are and information on how to be well if you don't feel well now.

But what else? What do you really need, to stay "well"? Are wellness supplements needed and which ones will really make a difference? This was the central theme of the 8th annual conference called Natural Supplements: An Evidence Based Update held in San Diego by the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine. If you are not familiar with the term Integrative Medicine it's about time you should be.

Dr. Tieraona Low Dog, one of the many incredible presenters over the weekend said it best, "Integrative medicine just makes sense—it is a re-emergence of viewing the patient as a whole human being, a person with a rich story, a history and set of beliefs and a culture that you must consider in the co-creation of a treatment plan." Dr. LowDog is on the faculty of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona where she currently serves as the Director of the Fellowship. Dr. Andrew Weil has this to say about her, "Dr. Low Dog is one of the world's leading authorities on botanical medicine & dietary supplements."

Over the course of three days of lectures there was an wealth of information, certainly too much for this blog.

But in regards to "Wellness" a review of natural supplement research presented by Dr. Joseph Betz discussed the "Best Supplements of the Year". In his review of scientific literature, six of his top nine supplement list were Chinese herbs. Six on the "BEST of 2010" list. How Fantastic!! These 6 Chinese herbs have been studied repeatedly and systematic reviews have been published in the most popular medical journals.

They are: (in alphabetical order)

1. Bilberry – (Man Yue Ju) (Active ingredient Anthocyanidins)

2. Ginko Biloba – (Bai Gou)

3. Milk Thistle – Silybum Marianumn – (Shui Fei Ji)

4. Pepperment (Bo He)

5. Red Yeast Rice – (Hong Mi or Chi Qu)

6. Thunder God Vine – Tripterygium Wilfordi Hook (Lei Gong Teng)

Just for the record the other three natural supplements on Dr. Betz's list for 2010 were Pomegranate Juice, Echinacea and Cranberry Juice.

It will take at least another blog or more to talk about all the benefits of these amazing herbs. For now, we in Chinese herbal medicine fields feel somewhat vindicated that Western medicine is beginning to catch up and recognize what Asian cultures have known for centuries. Finally the Western literature begins to surface on Chinese herbal remedies.

Note: Dr. Joseph Betz works at the Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institute of Health (NIH)

Menopause Treatments and Hormone Tips

Posted by Cathy on February 13, 2011

It is possible to live through the menopausal years without suffering from hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats and other symptoms. Consider these menopause treatment options, when you are looking for a solution.

What was once standard therapy, Hormone Replacement Therapy, (HRT) has been proven much too risky because of the increased risk of breast cancer and heart disease. Now what’s a women to do?

Today Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy, (BHRT) seems to be coming more accepted. The difference is hormones in BHRT are derived from plants such as soy and yams rather than from the urine of pregnant horses.

But is taking unopposed estrogen a good idea? Our bodies normally maintain a delicate balance of hormones to keep it functioning optimally at any age. Today we have xeno-estrogens in our water, our cosmetics, our food and even on cash register receipts. So how do we know when our bodies have too much or not enough hormones?? As our livers work overtime to process all this estrogen, is adding more really such a good idea?

Some doctors are speaking out on this subject, warning that unless estrogen is balanced with progesterone, women could be putting themselves at risks..”To say it’s bio-identical doesn’t mean it’s safe,” Dr. Richard Boroditsky, a professor at the University of Manitoba’s department of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences. To avoid the risk of uterine cancer most women taking estrogen also need to take progesterone, he says. While most bio-identical therapies use progesterone creams, Dr. Boroditsky says women can’t be sure of the levels of hormones they’re absorbing. “We’ve known this for years – that if woman takes un-opposed estrogen, she increases her risk eight to 10 times over the normal chances of developing cancer of the uterus,” he says.

When you are looking for an answer carrying non of these risks, check into Eastern Medicine alternatives such as Chinese herbs and Menopause Relief Herb Pac. These types of herbal remedies have been used for centuries safely and without side-effects. The herbs we use do not mimic estrogen nor are they xeno-estrogens rather they gently reduce your body temperature by supporting adrenal function and nourish the dryness which occurs from the excessive heat. In Eastern medicine the classic herbal formula called Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan or Anemarrhena, Phellodendron, and Rehmannia cools the blood and nourishes the yin fluids.

At Pac Herbs we strive to bring herbal remedies to women who want a safe and effective answer to the uncomfortable symptoms that can accompany menopause and peri-menopause. Give our Menopause Relief herb tea a test run, you’ll see a noticeable reduction in symptoms with the first box of tea. It taste delicious while fueling your body with the natural nutrients it needs to support your adrenal glands as you gradually adjust to reduced hormone levels. Menopause is a natural body function which arrives as we age and all bodies need a little support to manage the change. Herbs are a gentler, kinder, time tested method of supporting this natural change.

Herbal Sugar Options – Choices You Should Know About

Posted by Cathy on February 9, 2011 with 1 Comment

Have you seen the TV ad on sugar? It says the body can’t tell the difference between cane sugar and corn sugar. Well if you were ever going to trust a TV commercial, I would not choose this one.

Want to know what’s safe and what’s dangerous in the sweetener world? Looking for a natural alternative to satisfy your sweet tooth?

High Fructose corn syrup (HRCS) is made by processing some of its glucose into fructose to produce a desired level of sweetness. But because of its processing, some brands can contain mercury a known neurotoxin. What’s worse, is studies show it suppresses the “full sensation” causing people to over eat. Studies in rats proved this theory.

Fructose comes from the sugar in fruits. .. but it also contains glucose and fiber and other nutrients.

Today, some 70% of packaged foods contain sugar, most of it the HFCS type. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, sugar and simple carbohydrates like refined grains and HFCS may increase your risk for heart disease and stroke through fat accumulation, metabolic syndrome, obesity, premature aging, and type 2 diabetes. This is nothing new. We’ve all heard that sugar is bad for us.

Here are some better natural choices when it comes to satisfying that sweet taste you love.

Stevia is a South American herb that is estimated to be some 150 to 400 times sweeter than sugar. Coca-Cola is even using it for a few of their low calorie drinks now. We added a little to our Menopause Relief after 100% of our taste testing women loved it with stevia. Sometimes Chinese herbs can be just a little off, but with stevia everybody can drink and enjoy Menopause Relief Herb Pack.

Xylitol and Erythritol: They look like sugar and taste like cane sugar, though some people find that xylitol has a laxative effect. Xylitol was originally isolated from birch sap. Erythritol occurs naturally in fruits and fermented foods.

Inulin: Isolated from Jerusalem artichoke, it is available as a powder or as artichoke syrup. Inulin is a long-chain polysaccharide that is mostly too long a sugar to absorb into the blood stream.

Lo Han Guo: Made from a Chinese herb. It’s a fantastic non-glycemic sweetener It is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat cough and laryngitis and is a common tea in parts of Asia. Because it can be difficult to find and it’s great for my diabetic patients.

Honey (raw, organic) is always the natural sweetener of choice. Look for wild honey because it is lower in free fructose and higher in trace mineral content, especially the richer dark varieties.

Maple syrup: Love it, always have. As a kid I worked harvesting and cooking the sap. It’s the only sustainably-harvested, large-scale, forest sweetener in the world. Maple is one of the richest source of minerals found in any sweetener. Look for organic maple syrup and maple crystals as an ingredient. YUM

Unsulfured, organic sugarcane molasses: It’s rich in vitamins and minerals and has been purported (like fresh sugar cane) to have “anti-stiffness factors” that break down detrimental calcification.

Coconut palm sugar: Now available as a sweetener. It is usually heat-processed, so try to find raw coconut palm sugar.

Chemical Additives in Your Herbs. To Sulfur or Not to Sulfur

Posted by Cathy on February 6, 2011

When purchasing dried fruit, 9 out of 10 people will pick the bag that looks prettier than the one that has fruit turned brown. Go beyond the beautiful color because that beautiful color is deceiving, it may even carry toxins. Sulfur dioxide is used to prevent discoloration in dried fruit and has significant side effects on some people. The most common reactions are diarrhea, allergies, headaches and asthma.

Now what about the herbs you buy?

Do your herbs contain sulfur dioxide (SD) and does SD effect the fundamental quality of the herbs?

Chinese herbs are derived from natural plant and mineral products. Like any natural product, they are vulnerable to mold and insect infestation. To control the decay and mold many herbal products and natural supplements are sprayed with sulfur based fumigation. This process kills bacteria, mold, insects and may also be used for bleaching/ cleaning raw herbs.

But can it change the chemical constituents of a particular herb? In some cases we know for a fact the answer is YES! Pac Herbs products are not fumigated with SD! We believe the byproduct of fumigation is unacceptable as it often changes the nature of the herb.

Sulfer dioxide is commonly used by some farmers to cosmetically improve the appearance of the herb Dioscorea, (Shan Yao) Pueraria Root ( Ge Gen) and dried ginger (Gan Jiang). In high sugar content raw herbs SD causes the herbs to taste more acidic, in herbs containing fatty oils such as persica (tao ren) used in our PMS Relief, fumigation leaves a pungent oil odor. Fragile herbs such as Chrysanthemum (Ju Hua) should never be fumigated with sulfur dioxide because it damages Chrysanthemum's fundamental qualities.

As a preservative, sulfur dioxide is often used in dried fruit because it's antimicrobial properties preserve freshness, reduce rotting and help maintain the appearance of the fruit. Sulfur dioxide is an important compound in wine making. It serves as an antibiotic and antioxidant, protecting wine from spoilage by bacteria and oxidation. The Center for Science in the Public Interest lists two food preservatives, sulfur dioxide and sodium bisulfate as being safe for human consumption except for certain individuals who may be sensitive to it, even in small amounts.

Our labs conduct sulfur dioxide residue tests before our herbs are processed to insure the our natural herbal products are sulfur free. When I visited wholesale herb markets in China, the un-sulfured herbs were noticeable different in color and price (see above picture) from the same herbs treated with sulfur. Untreated herbs were always more expensive, what does that tell you?

Center for Science in the Public Interest.. http://www.cspinet.org/reports/chemcuisine.htm#sulfites

Tackling Sleep Disorders in The Work Place

Posted by Cathy on February 3, 2011

Need something to keep you from dragging through your day? Want something to inspire you so the boss will notice what a great asset you really are? We all have those days where we are just dragging our butts to the office and sleep walking through our work day.

Here are a few tips I use to keep me going when the all I really want to do is go back to bed.

#1. Coffee works for a while, but I prefer natures superfuel, a straight up ginseng drink. It perks up my mental focus and gives me the energy to make it through the evening commute. Ginseng is one of the most studied Chinese herbs, it’s used world wide for treating stress, helps improve mental clarity and alertness.

#2. Fresh Air! Get your butt outside at lunch time and walk. It’s sounds easy when the weathers nice but no one’s going out there in the middle of winter. So hit the stairwell’s or the company gym treadmill if you have one. No-body is meant to stay sitting all day.

#3. Power Nap on your break! Take 15 minutes with an ipod and a eye mask and get away from it all. If you don’t have an ipod there’s plenty of great meditations on line or find some soothing music on Pandora. If all that fails, ear plugs are easy and cheap.

#4. Early to bed, early to rise, may not fit everyone’s lifestyle, but it does make for good advice if you’re trying to impress the boss and stay awake on the job. Try it a couple of times, you never know, it might just grow on you.

#5. Stay hydrated. Don’t reach for a soft drink or another cup of coffee which will dehydrate you even more. Your best bet is green tea. Green tea contains natural catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (say that one 5x fast) (EGCG) a powerful anti-oxidant. What sets green tea apart is the way it is processed. Green tea leaves are steamed, which prevents the EGCG compound from being oxidized.

Thanks for reading!! Drop us a comment with your suggestions.

Sexy New Natural Products like Sleep Aids through Science

Posted by Cathy on January 25, 2011

We can create better nutrition through science, right? We can isolate green tea extract and mix it into our processed cereal to create a heart healthy product, right? We can remove the curcuminoids from curcumin (which originates in herbs like turmeric) and add it to a chocolate bar to help reduce cholesterol, right? Through chemistry we can isolate every health polysaccarides, saponin, polyphenol and trace mineral and put them into a drink, a food bar or any other new product formulation and call it a "natural product", right?

Technically speaking the answers to the above questions are yes. But are we missing the forest from the trees. We have no long term historical use that eating chemically extracted and combined super foods is actually good for the human body.

Scientists/product developers are continually trying to improve upon nature for new natural product formulations for sleep, energy, hot flashes, well being, or … you fill in the blank. But maybe, just maybe, our bodies don't know how to handle this new nutrition. Does anybody stop and consider this is the first time in the history of man's diet that people are eating this way?

Do our genetics change overnight to process these nutritional supplements which we've never ingested before?

What's lost in the process is the human bodies response to this myriad of natural chemical components that maybe, just maybe were never meant to be together in the first place. Maybe a blueberry was never meant to cross paths with a chemically created biotin because the chemical components would never be found together in nature.

What I love about Chinese herbal medicine natural supplements is the lack of artificially created chemicals. Chinese herbs combined together with other Chinese herbs, have already passed the test of mans digestive system. The record books on Traditional Chinese herbal medicine far exceeds anything Guiness Books can duplicate, Chinese herbs are proven effective sleep aids, energy boosters, immune enhancers, the list goes on. They don't need science to extract their individual active components and marry them off to a vitamin supplement or other extracted ingredient. They have already been proven effective, no need for science to tell us which individual active ingredient works best with another. Natural ingredients work best synergistically together as whole foods for the whole body.

Before the microscope and before chemistry could explain which flavonol worked best with which gingerol, Chinese herbal medicine perfected the marriage of combining whole roots, barks, fruits, seeds etc. through thousands of years of use. They learned which plants worked best with each other. Not as a single ingredient extract, because nature never intended for us to use just one small chemical in the apple. Nature provides us the whole apple to eat and enjoy as a whole. When we piece meal the phyto-nutrients from the juice or the skin, we no longer have what nature intended. How can our bodies possibly know what to do with a single chemical when it's spent millions of years eating it whole.

The message here is easy, when your looking for a natural sleep aid, energy drink or hot flash natural treatment, look for ALL natural ingredients that contain plant names.. not chemical names.

Tag: chinese herbal medicine

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