The Womens Conference, Health, Wellness and What? Menopause?

Posted by Cathy on October 25, 2010

I just returned from a night at the Women's Conference in Long Beach, the premier convention for women. Our 1st lady of California, Maria Shriver does a fantastic job and in fact tomorrow First Lady Obama will be speaking. What I love about the conference is that's it's predominantly women attending, (4000 tonight), great women's products, and great speakers. One exception, I saw a lone male strutting around topless. (ok he was part of a dance group) All the women I saw were goo goo eyed over him. Ok he had a great body but posing for pictures with him??…a bit over the top for me. Maybe because he was the only walking testosterone in the building.

What Donna Karan and her Urban Zen organization are doing is quite amazing. I was very impressed to hear about the level of internal healing that is coming from her pursuits at the Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. Urban Zen brings yoga and an entire Complementary Medicine program to hospital patients and personnel. Changing the face of the hospital environment. Kudos to her and her vision.

I spoke with a lot of interesting folks. Someone dared tell me there was no herbal cure for menopause symptoms such as hot flashes. She believes HRT therapy is completely safe, regardless of the studies show cancer rates sky rocketing for women on artificial hormones. Clearly she had not done her homework and knew nothing about Chinese herbs or Chinese herbal medicine. I hope I cleared up some of her misconceptions. Chinese herbal medicine is the oldest documented medicine on the planet and has been used continuously for over 2000 years.

It's easy to understand why Americans don't know this. Our media is dominated with prescription drug commercials and promises of a new pill or vaccine. Herbs cannot be patented so drug companies want to keep us in the dark ages. But the light continues to shine. Alternative medicine messages, including Chinese herbs, naturopathic medicine and yoga booths dominated the Women Conference. Messages like Donna Karan's are meeting a welcome and receptive audience. You can't stop change and you can't hold down women. They want safe answers for menopause symptoms and natural solutions to preventing breast cancer.

Also, an amazing organization called The Breast Cancer Fund, the only organization giving truly preventative advise. That topic is another blog, coming soon.

Thanks for reading.

The Best Foods and Herbs For Fighting Breast Cancer

Posted by Cathy on October 22, 2010

Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness month I wanted to post a few tips on the best foods and herbs for breast cancer patients. Really everyone should eat the foods on this list. But if you or a friend are in the midst of this horrible disease the Chinese herbs mentioned may be especially beneficial. Celeb’s like Sheryl Crow used diet, herbs and acupuncture during her bout with breast cancer, and much was written about simply because of her celebrity status. Why it takes a celeb to bring this info front and center I’m not sure.

Preventing cancer in the first place should be our goal, so incorporating these foods and herbs into your daily diet is always a good idea.

The Best Herbs for Breast Cancer

Herbs for breast cancer often includes herbs that help relieve symptoms associated with radiation and chemotherapy treatments. These symptoms include nausea, vomiting, mucositis (inflammation of the mucous membranes of the digestive tract), and fatigue.

An important review by the internationally known Cochran Library included 542 breast cancer patients undergoing or having recently undergone chemotherapy. The seven studies they reviewed found that Chinese herbs offer relief of symptoms and enhance the immune system. “The results suggest that using Chinese herbs in conjunction with chemotherapy or Chinese medicinal herbs alone may be beneficial in terms of improvement in marrow suppression and immune system, and may improve overall state of quality of life”

Ginger is the main Chinese herb recommended to relieve nausea. Some herbs are used because they are known to have some anti-cancer properties. These include red clover, ashwagandha and curcumin.

The Best Foods for Breast Cancer

Broccoli sprouts and other members of the Brassica family such as kale, chard, turnips and bok choy have been found to be beneficial foods for breast cancer patients. Flax seed is an absolute must. Flax is a great source of alphalinolenic acid, which is an essential omega-3 fatty acid found in plants and has essentially the best anti-cancer properties. Chia seeds are a great source of fiber and omega-3s.

Don’t forget tomatoes. They are high in lycopene, a proven cancer prevention compound according to the Univ. of Michigan. Lycopene is an antioxidant that is structurally similar to beta-carotene.

Dark leafy vegetables (dandelion greens, spinach, swiss chard, mustard greens, argula) and yellow orange fruits (papaya, mango) are good natural sources of beta carotene. Beta-carotene is also called pro-vitamin A is a proven cancer fighter.

Eat well and be well!

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/o/cochrane/clsysrev/articles/CD004921/frame.html

Learn to Unplug and Recharge By Sleeping

Posted by Cathy on October 18, 2010

“I can’t speak for all women, but I want to get more sleep, says Arianna Huffington, the Co- Founder and Editor-In-Chief of the Huffington Post a nationally syndicated columnist, and author of twelve books. Arianna Huffington was a speaker at The Womens Conference 2009 and had this to say about sleep. . .

“The prevailing culture tells us that nothing succeeds like excess, that working 80 hours a week is better than working 70, that being plugged in 24/7 is expected, and that sleeping less and multi-tasking more are an express elevator to the top.”

“I beg to differ. There is nothing that negatively affects my mood, my productivity, or my effectiveness more than lack of sleep. I’ve had to learn to unplug and recharge. To trade multi-tasking for uni-tasking — and, occasionally — no-tasking. It’s left me healthier, happier, and more able to try to make a positive difference in the world.”

“My eyes have been opened to the value of regularly closing them.”

I couldn’t agree more with Arianna! Our fast paced, high tech world that never sleeps is creating a world of insomniac’s who wish nothing more than… well a good nights sleep. Weight gain is blamed on lack of sleep, as is an increase in depression and death, (due to drivers falling asleep behind the wheel). .

Consider the Nurses’ Health Study conducted by Harvard University found that getting too little sleep is linked to a greater risk of getting breast cancer, colon cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

If you suffer from a lack of sleep check into natural sleep aids such as iSleep Herb Pack, an all natural sleep aid used in Asian cultures for generations. Because, a good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures for just about anything that ails you.

Celebrating John Lennon and His Visits to a Chinese Herbal Medicine Doctor

Posted by Cathy on October 8, 2010

When John Lennon was shot, the world lost a hero. If you are like me, you remember where and when you heard this news. It was a sad day. In honor of what would have been John's 70th birthday, I celebrate his brilliance.

John Lennon was always ahead of his time, even in the 1970's. John and Yoko visited "a practitioner of Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture for spiritual and physical cleansing and healing" acording to an article in the New York Times today. This news has apparently never before been made public. The doctor, originally from Shanghai China was an immigrant and living with his family in San Mateo, CA. It was reported that Keith Moon, the drummer for The Who, also came to Dr. Hong for treatments and may have been the liaison that brought John and Yoko to him.

Years later, it was reported that John sent the family money and saved them from poverty. Barbara Hong, the daughter of the Chinese herbal doctor said, "Lennon liked to joke ..and play his harmonica, and one day he shared a new tune. “He played it on our piano,” Barbara Hong said. “He said, ‘This is a song I’m going to release soon. It was “Imagine.”

Imagine that happening in your living room. Thank you John for your vision to see the value in Chinese Medicine when it wasn't even a licensed health modality in the 1970's. We wish you were alive to see the state of Acupuncture and herbal medicine today. I know you would be pleased to see how treatments like what you received from Dr. Hong are now available from coast to coast and Chinese herbs are on every continent in the world. Imagine what another 30 years will bring us!

New York Times article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/08/us/08bcjames.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

Jujube, What Makes It Such a Great Sleep Aid?

Posted by Cathy on September 27, 2010

What is this funny little fruit, known as jujube, and why is it known for promoting a deeper, more restful sleep? In Chinese herbal medicine it is the seed of the fruit or spiny zizyphus. Laboratory studies of zizyphus extract have confirmed the sedative effects. In fact, the latest research from France concluded the seeds of the fruit are rich in fatty acids and a host of other beneficial compounds which can benefit those who are looking for a natural sleep aid.

Jujube seeds are about the same size as a typical apple seed. The seeds have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and in other ancient cultures for hundreds of years. The seeds are most commonly used for their sedative effects especially common as a sleep aid. Yet, unlike so many other sedative plants or man made drugs, zizphus is extremely safe. Drinking zizphus tea has been reported to have no toxicity even in huge doses such as 50 grams per kilogram of body weight, even for 30 consecutive days.

Modern pharmacology evaluation of zizyphus seed oil and zizyphus extract suggest that with prolonged feeding (to mice) they can reduce serum triglycerides and cholesterol (mainly LDL), and reduce fatty degeneration of the liver. These same properties have also been attributed to the triterpenes of ganoderma and ginseng. Connect here to articles on ginseng and ganoderma.

Jujube has increasingly become popular as a source of over-the-counter natural sleep aid. In this just released study, different extracts of the Zizyphus exerted antioxidant activity. Hence, it is possible that the antioxidant activity of Zizyphus might be due to the presence of different vitamins and fatty acids. The study also showed that Zizyphus decoction (cooked in water) exerted an immmuno-supressive activity. Jujube is one of the main ingredients in our natural herbal sleep tea. For more information on our iSleep Herb Pac sleep aid click here.

References:

Wu Shuyun, et al., Effects of zizyphus seed oil and zizyphus extract on decrease of serum lipoprotein and inhibition of platelet aggregation, China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 1991.

The study quoted can be found at: http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1472-6882-10-54.pdf
Zizyphus lotus L. (Desf.) modulates antioxidant activity and human T-cell proliferation
Authors: Chahid Benammar1§,2, Aziz Hichami2, Akadiri Yessoufou2, Anne-Marie Simonin2, Meriem
Belarbi1, Hocine Allali 3, and Naim A Khan2

Chinese Herbs May Soon Help Those With Cocaine Addiction

Posted by Cathy on September 26, 2010

The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy has just received a prestigious $3.7 million grant to develop a drug which would treat cocaine addiction. The drug is based on a molecule originally discovered in the extract of Chinese herbs. Jia Bei Wang Ph.D is a professor of pharmaceutical science and was awarded this grant, the largest ever given by the NIH, National Institute of Health.

Wang and her collaborators from the University’s schools of pharmacy and medicine will develop a drug from a compound called l-tetrahydropalmatine (l-THP), which is the active ingredient in some Chinese herbal medicines. Under the grant, the team also plans to conduct human trials to test the effectiveness of the new drug. If proven effective, it will be the first drug developed from Chinese herbs and approved in the United States, and possibly anywhere in the world, to treat cocaine addiction.

Congratulations go to Dr. Wang and her team for receiving the grant. We look forward to the results five years from now. We’ve always known Chinese herbs can treat a myriad of diseases, from PMS, insomnia, pre-diabetes to alcohol addiction. Dr. Wang has extensively studied the Chinese research on 1-THP and six months ago she provided IDA with samples produced in China. The agency found it to have a unique profile, says Wang. “Chinese medicine is a big treasure box, which I always had in mind as a possible resource to treat drug addiction,” she says

“Cocaine addiction is a major health concern in both urban and suburban communities and l-THP may be the first effective medication for the treatment of cocaine abuse and addiction approved in this country,” says Natalie D. Eddington, PhD, FAAPS, dean of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. “Dr. Wang’s clinical research is critical and timely, and if successful, it will augment and strengthen the cognitive-behavioral approaches used currently to treat cocaine addiction.

more info here: http://www.oea.umaryland.edu/communications/news/?ViewStatus=FullArticle&articleDetail=10555

President Clinton Loses Weight With the Help of Herbs

Posted by Cathy on September 22, 2010

Former President Clinton wanted to get into shape for his daughters wedding. Sounds familiar, what almost every parent hopes to do, but not all can achieve this goal. So how did he do it? He changed his eating habits and added herbs! “It changed my whole metabolism,” Clinton says. “And I lost 24 pounds. And I got back to basically what I weighed in high school.”

In the video below President Clinton talks about changing his diet and the protein drink he makes to start his day. One of the herbs in the morning protein drink is a famous Chinese herb called He Shou Wu. This herb has been studied and used since ancient times to increase stamina and rejuvenate the body. Something clearly worked well for Clinton. This Chinese herb is also well known for increasing sexual vitality and longevity. Both men and women can use it for fertility. If you are interested in adding He Shou Wu to your protein shake or drinking it as a tea, we provide only the highest quality herbs and He Shou Wu concentrated granules here at Pac Herbs.

2000 Year Old Herbal Remedies Found in Greek Shipwreck

Posted by Cathy on September 16, 2010 with 1 Comment

Picture a Roman merchant vessel sailing 2000 years ago in the Mediterranean. It’s nearly to it’s destination when a storm blows in, the ship is slammed into rocks near the shore and sinks to the ocean floor. The ship and it’s cargo sits at the bottom of the ocean until just recently when Archeologists excavate it, under water. Then several years after glass jars holding 2000 year old pills were excavated, analysis finally reveals their content. The pills are herbal medicine. It is believed they were part of a medical kit, assumed to be used by sailors to stay healthy on long voyages. DNA analysis has now proven several herbs and vegetables were the components of these pills.

But the pills are only part of the story. A sort of medical chest was found, maybe a physician was on the ship. The archaeologists found a cup used for bleeding, a surgery hook and 136 drug vials made of wood and several tin containers holding flat green tablets. The herbal pills were sealed and completely dry even though they have been on the sea floor for 2000 years. (That is absolutely mind blowing.)

It took an international authority on medicinal plants of antiquity Alain Touwaide, at the Smithsonian Institution and the Institute for the Preservation of Medical Traditions in Washington, D.C. to identify the ingredients. (I didn’t even know we had a Medical Traditions Preservation institute, need to check that out.)

The findings were presented last week at the Fourth International Symposium on Bio-molecular Archaeology in Copenhagen, Denmark. The herbal remedies were a combination of many plants including carrot, radish, parsley, celery, wild onion and cabbage, alfalfa, yarrow and some hibiscus were also part of the mix.

“The plants match those described in ancient texts such as those by the ancient Greek physicians Dioscorides and Galen. According to Touwaide, “Preliminary analysis of these tablets seems to confirm that the ancient doctors used common plants for their treatments.” Whatever they were used for or however they were ingested or used topically it is certainly incredible to have a specimen that is in tact 2000 years later.

We have always been able to read about herbal remedies in ancient manuscripts but to hold them in our hands and be able to analyze them must be unbelievable. Finding this ancient herbal medicine reminds us of our reliance on herbs throughout history. As the saying’s go, history repeats itself and what goes around comes around.

More on this story here: http://greece.greekreporter.com/2010/09/10/2000-year-old-pills-found-in-greek-shipwreck/

From Dr. Mercola, Buyer Beware With Herbs and Tea

Posted by Cathy on September 14, 2010

If you are buying herb supplements, especially Chinese herb supplements, which are virtually unregulated or controlled in America, you must see what Dr. Mercola has to say. Many Western countries including Canada, Germany, Japan and Australia have strict regulations regarding who can sell herbal supplements and who can import herbs. But not here in the states. America is a bit like the wild west. Anything pretty much goes!

Don’t get me wrong, government regulation can and does get completely out of control, but we do need some standards of quality assurance. ‘Consumer labs’ does provide reports on everything thing from Chinese herbs to vitamins and other natural supplements so this is always a good place to check on the brands you purchase.

We are proud to offer only the highest quality, tested and certified herbal products on the market. Our manufacturer, (see our virtual factory tour here) is known worldwide for it’s pharmaceutical factory processing with state of the art equipment. All Pacific Herb products undergo laboratory assurance tests for potency, pesticide contaminants, and toxicity testing. Do your herbal supplements go through this testing?

. Dr. Mercola on the importance of knowing where and how your herbs are processed. The first minute are two he talks about adaptogenic herbs the remainder is about the importance of herbal processing and quality

Stay Healthy As the Seasons Change, Try Some Chinese Herbs

Posted by Cathy on September 12, 2010

health news, use Chinese herbs and Chinese medicine as the seasons change

by Jennifer Dubowsky

As the weather begins to change and children return to school, colds and flu become prevalent once again. Take a minute to adjust your diet and even add a Chinese herb or two to keep you healthy as the seasons change. Here's a few suggestions for foods and herbs.

Foods – Eat more cooked and fewer raw foods. Sour, astringent foods like lemon, lime, pickle, vitamin C, seaweed, and sourdough bread can all benefit your health. Enjoy spicy/pungent foods like onion, garlic, radish, horseradish, and cabbage. Hearty concentrated foods like root vegetables, soy products and barley are also foods for the Fall. Pumpkin, winter squash (I'll soon be posting a new recipe for winter squash soup), and sweet potato are all great choices. Almonds, apples, and pears (especially Asian apple pears) are beneficial to the respiratory system.

The Chinese herb know as Astragalus, or Huang Qi is a Chinese herb that is often used to boost immunity and aid resistance to illness by increasing phagocytosis and your white blood cell count. Chinese research has shown it to have a protective effect against the common cold when taken consistently for two to eight weeks. Astragalus works best as a long-term preventive measure. It is best to take it as a tea through the cold and flu season to enhance immunity and prevent illness. For more information on Astragalus in an immune boosting soup, check my previous post here.

Protect – As the weather changes, it is easy to catch colds and flus. Protect the back of your neck from the winds with a scarf or collar. Isn't this one of those duhh's…. but why do so many people ignore this?

Funny and Real, Rantings on “Period” Pain

Posted by Cathy on September 10, 2010 with 1 Comment

I just love this, it's an "actual letter", and was PC Magazine's Editors' Choice award-winner for the best letter sent via e-mail from an Austin, Texas woman sent to Proctor and Gamble regarding one of their feminine products. You have to read the whole thing, because it just gets funnier as it goes on. Period pain, is never something any woman chooses and far too many women suffer needlessly. We encourage you to check out our natural alternative, PMS Relief. It really can make a difference!

Dear Mr. Thatcher,

I have been a loyal user of your 'Always' maxi pads for over 20 years and I appreciate
many of their features. Why, without the LeakGuard Core or Dri-Weave absorbency,
I'd probably never go horseback riding or salsa dancing, and I'd certainly steer
clear of running up and down the beach in tight, white shorts.

But my favorite feature has to be your revolutionary Flexi-Wings. Kudos on being
the only company smart enough to realize how crucial it is that maxi pads be aerodynamic.
I can't tell you how safe and secure I feel each month knowing there's a little
F-16 in my pants.

Have you ever had a menstrual period, Mr. Thatcher? I'm guessing you haven't.
Well, my time of the month is starting right now. As I type, I can already
feel hormonal forces violently surging through my body. Just a few minutes from
now, my body will adjust and I'll be transformed into what my husband likes to call
'an inbred hillbilly with knife skills.'

Isn't the human body amazing?

As Brand Manager in the Feminine-Hygiene Division, you've no doubt seen quite
a bit of research on what exactly happens during your customer's monthly visits
from 'Aunt Flo'. Therefore, you must know about the bloating, puffiness, and cramping
we endure, and about our intense mood swings, crying jags, and out-of-control behavior.
You surely realize it's a tough time for most women.

The point is, sir, you of all people must realize that America is just crawling
with homicidal maniacs in Capri pants… Which brings me to the reason for my letter.
Last month, while in the throes of cramping so painful I wanted to reach inside
my body and yank out my uterus, I opened an Always maxi-pad, and there, printed
on the adhesive backing, were these words: 'Have a Happy Period.'

Are you kidding me? What I mean is, does any part of your tiny middle-manager
brain really think happiness – actual smiling, laughing happiness, is possible during
a menstrual period? Did anything
mentioned above sound the least bit pleasurable? Well, did it, James? FYI,
unless you're some kind of sick S&M freak, there will never be anything 'happy'
about a day in which you have to jack yourself up on Motrin and Kahlua and lock
yourself in your house just so you don't march down to the local Walgreen's armed
with a hunting rifle and a sketchy plan to end your life in a blaze of glory.

For the love of God, pull your head out, man! If you have to slap a moronic message
on a maxi pad, wouldn't it make more sense to say something that's actually pertinent,
like 'Put down the Hammer' or 'Vehicular Manslaughter is Wrong'.

Sir, please inform your Accounting Department that, effective immediately, there
will be an $8 drop in monthly profits, for I have chosen to take my maxi-pad business
elsewhere. And though I will certainly miss your Flex-Wings, I will not for one
minute miss your brand of condescending bull. And that's a promise I will keep.

Always…

Wendi Aarons
Austin , TX

Thank you Wendi, we couldn't have said it any better. We would love to send you some PMS Relief Herb Pac's, let us know where to send them. Thanks for making all our days, even days on the rag, a little brighter.

A Story on The After Birth, How Valuable Is A Human Placenta?

Posted by Cathy on September 6, 2010 with 2 Comments

Ok, this topic makes some heads turn. I’m sitting at Starbucks talking about my friend who had her placenta cooked and dried and put into capsules after the birth of her baby. My Starbucks neighbor started giving me strange looks. Is it just me or if you’re going to eaves drop, is it polite to then give the person a crazy look? I would have engage the fellow eaves dropper in a friendly conversation on the subject but he split after he heard this story.

So, here is the story. In China and other parts of the world, the human placenta is considered a valuable source of nutrients. The placenta is that which feeds the baby during pregnancy and is otherwise known as “The After-Birth” because it is expelled from the uterus after a birth. The first Emperor of China used human placenta with Chinese herbs for health reasons some 2200 years ago and it has been used and documented in various culture every since.

Granted, most of us are not familiar with this concept and understandably it can turn some people’s stomachs. The topic came about because of this article in a Chinese newspaper about the selling of human placentas at some smaller Chinese hospitals. Of course, this is actually illegal. They have the same laws in China regarding the ownership of the placenta as we do here. The mother is the legal owner but she usually gives up her right to it and in that case the hospital should dispose of it as medical waste. Well, entrepreneurs are everywhere and when opportunity knocks, they answer. In China some unscrupulous types were buying placentas cheap at various hospitals and selling them for profit, and apparently business is good, there is both a supply and a demand.

In America, some mothers do return home with their placenta’s in a cooler. Some bury it in the yard for religious reasons other will have a Certified Placenta Encapsulation Specialist (there really is such a profession) come to their house, cook it with Chinese herbs and pack it into capsules to supplement the new mothers health.

The preparation work and cooking of the placenta is quite a detailed process and should only be attempted by someone who has the proper training and knowledge. Cooking the placenta with Chinese herbs is said to improve the blood building and is considered a powerful yang tonic. The placenta is full of natural oxytocins which are responsible for contracting the uterus, enhancing milk supply, increasing energy and the hormones it contains most probably help with postpartum depression. Historically Chinese Medicine has used human placenta for those who have low energy.

For you expectant mothers, I happen to know Sara Pereira in Los Angeles who is qualified specialist in placenta cooking with Chinese herbs. You can reach her at mommyfeelgood.com, I definitely recommend it!

Another blog on the topic of human placenta, Tom Cruise on Oprah talked about eating Katie’s placenta.

Tag: Chinese Herbs