Chinese Herb Research Now Includes GlaxoSmithKlein Pharmaceuticals

Posted by Cathy on

What's new in Traditional Chinese Medicine? 

Well for starters, bigger players want a piece of what they see as a huge potential profit maker.  Chinese herbs, have become the latest interest for drug companies.

The pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline is opening a new research unit in China to look at traditional Chinese medicine.

 

"Traditional chinese medicine is a well-established system of medical practice developed through thousands of years of empirical testing and refinement of herbal mixtures, and relies generally on clinical experience," said Zang Jingwu, senior vice president Glaxo and head of R&D China.

 

The relatively new R&D unit is working with academic TCM experts in China to develop new TCM products for the benefits of patients in China and the rest of the world. The strategy is to integrate the existing TCM knowledge of diseases with modern drug discovery.

 

"We are developing novel therapeutic TCM mixtures as prescription medicines through innovative extraction methods and combinations, and we use clinical data/evidence to differentiate from existing TCM products on the market," he said.

 

The company's R&D China center was founded in 2007 with a focus on neurosciences. So far, the center has developed into a fully integrated global R&D organization in China to deliver medicine globally and for China.

 

Only one question:  what will it cost us consumers?  Right now Chinese herbal products are cheap compared to drugs!  What can we expect once the big drug companies want a share of the market?

 

Reference:

ChinaDaily.com

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2012-09/07/content_15743913.htm

The Cool Cucumber, Natures Detox Veggie and Sleep Aid

Posted by Cathy on with 5 Comments

 

Americans don’t traditionally consider everyday foods as medicine.  But maybe we should take a few clues from Asian and Mediterranean societies that eat this cool food at the height of the hot weather.

 

Cucumber isn’t sold in pharmacies but it should be. In Chinese Medicine, cucumber is considered to have heat-dissipating, diuretic, laxative, and detoxifying effects.

The first recorded medicinal use of cucumbers was in the 7th century. Its major uses continue today and include: the treatment of excessive thirst, sore throat, laryngitis, acute conjunctivitis, and burns. In most Chinese homes, however, whether eaten raw or cooked as a soup, cucumber is used only for keeping cool in summer, when it is in season, or in early autumn to soothe dry lips and throat.

Because cucumbers have natural cooling properties according to Chinese Medicine food theory, they shouldn’t be eaten during the cold  winter months.  During the winter we need foods with warming properties.  The cooling properties of cucumbers also make it a perfect natural detoxifier, so stop throwing money away on detox programs and eat some cucumbers now that it’s summertime. 

Modern medical researchers found that cucumber is rich in vitamin E, which helps fighting against aging. Women like to put cucumber juice or film on the face to smooth skin and reduce wrinkle. Cucumber also contains vitamin B1, which is essential for our brain and nervous system.

Chinese Traditional Medicine (TCM) believes cucumber has the ability to soothe the nerves and aid in the treatment of insomnia.  This makes perfect sense because we all sleep better when our bodies are cooler and cucumber is one of the coolest vegetables. Studies also show extracts of cucumber seeds and stems may have an effect on high blood pressure. 

Wow, all this from a little vegetable you can find at every farmers market during the summer months.

What else is cucumber good for?  Here a list and some fun facts:

 

1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

 2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours. They also keep the body cool during the day which helps eliminate the need for sleep aids at night.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!

6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don’t have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don’t have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water. The chemicals released in the steam creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown to reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don’t have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

12. Looking for a ‘green’ way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won’t leave streaks and won’t harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.

13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing. This trick also works great on crayons and markers  kids may have used to decorate the walls!!

 

Traditional Chinese Herb For Prostate

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Herbs for prostate cancerA new drug is being resesarched for its early success in the treatment of prostate cancer. This is noteworth here because the drug is derived from a Chinese herb.

 

Like so many of our modern pharmaceuticals, the chemicals for this drug comes from a plnat which has been part of  Traditional Chinese Medicine Materica Medica for several centuries, and for prostate cancer treatment it looks very promising. 

 

The drug called Celastrol, is extracted from the "Thunder God Vine" Tripterygium wilfordii which has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.  There are many Chinese herbs with anti-inflammatory effects and you can read about some of them in other blogs listed below. 

 

The drug seems to suppress the activity of a protein called p23. New research shows that p23 independently plays a key role in the way prostate tumors are fueled by the male hormone testosterone.

 

"Excitingly, drugs that block p23 such as celastrol.. have shown early promise in treating several diseases, such as arthritis and asthma, meaning this research is already a step closer to the clinic," said study leader Dr Charlotte Bevan, from Imperial College London, whose findings are reported in the journal Molecular Endocrinology.

 

"The next stage will be to test the effects of such drugs on prostate cancer cells in the lab."

 

Dr Julie Sharp, senior science information manager at the charity, said: "These results provide an alternative route by which scientists could potentially target prostate cancer. What's more, p23 has a much more defined role in the cell than HSP90, meaning that drugs that target it could potentially have fewer side effects than HSP90 inhibitors. We hope these findings will lead to better treatment options for men with prostate cancer."

 

 

Mark Blumenthal Discusses What Everyone Wants to Know About Medicinal Plants

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What is our cultural heritage to plants?

 

Why should you know about medicinal herbs, Chinese herbs and the contributions of herbs, herbal drinks and herbal remedies?

 

One reason is  herbal medicine can be used safely as the first choice for self care and preventative care.  A cultural shift is occurring right now, herbal remedies ARE growing every year, we are returning to our roots and are cultural heritage.  This video explains it all.

 

http://newhope360.com/herbal/mark-blumenthal-discusses-abcs-mission-promote-medicinal-plants?cid=nl_nbj_weekly

Click here to learn more     http://newhope360.com/herbal/mark-blumenthal-discusses-abcs-mission-promote-medicinal-plants?cid=nl_nbj_weekly

 

Mark Blumenthal discusses these in the video below.  Mark is the founder of American Botanical Council (ABC) located in Austin Tx. He is is dedicated to disseminating accurate, reliable, and responsible information on herbs and medicinal plants. He is the Editor/Publisher of HerbalGram, an international, peer-reviewed quarterly journal. For six years he was an Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy, teaching the course “Herbs and Phytomedicines in Today’s Pharmacy.” Mark is the Senior Editor of the English translation of The Complete German Commission E Monographs–Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines (1998), Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs (2000), The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs (2003), and co-author of Rational Phytotherapy, 5th edition (2004). He has appeared on over 400 radio and television shows and has written over 500 articles, reviews and book chapters for many publications.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why Sleep Is Important Medicine

Posted by Cathy on

Clinicians and scientists from around the world gathered in Boston for a conference on SLEEP just recently. I had no idea sleep had turned into an annual conference attended by thousands of experts from around the world, but apparently this premier event blends the most current sleep research with the best clinical practices.

natural sleep aids

I wonder if they talked about Chinese herbs known to help sleep for over 1000 years?  Seems logical right, considering their history, safety rating and usage by billions of people everyday.  (laughing)  I’m guessing it wasn’t on the agenda since the conference was sponsored mostly by pharmaceutical giants with a huge stake in the sleep aid drugs they produce.

 

Anyway, I thought sleeping was something we were all born knowing how to do. When we are babies afterall, we are all pretty good sleepers. In fact most newborns are asleep more than awake in a single day. So what happens to us as we age? When did we become a society of sleep derived, sleep aid dependent, looking for the next caffeine jolt zombies? 

 

It's time to upgrade the way you sleep! Try iSleep Herb Pack!

 

I think some of us simply don’t want to sleep more than a few hours a night. There is just sooo much to do. Some of us want to fit more awaid minutes into a 24 hour day.  The problem with this attitude is historically we didn’t have electricity and entertainment into all hours of the night via the internet, television etc. So when it was dark, we slept. Seems are bodies are kinda programed that way after millions of years. 

 

Why does this matter?

 

All this matters because a long term study presented at the SLEEP2012 conference.  This study says not sleeping elevates your risk of stroke and at younger ages even if you are relatively healthy. For optimal function, sleep specialists recommend anywhere from 7 to 9 hours. The study, which lasted three years, examined 5,666 adults who were aged 45 and older. They reported their sleep habits and duration every 6 months. The investigators recorded daily health habits, risk factors for stroke, any symptoms of depression, demographic information, health related behaviors, and onset of first stroke like symptoms throughout the study period. However, the are quick to point out this is not proof of a cause and effect relationship.

 

According to data available from the National Sleep Foundation only 28 % of adults sleep 8 hours or more per night, down from 38% in 2001. It is unclear what why shortened sleep cycles were wide spread with those who suffered strokes, but the possibility of an elevated level of cortisol, a key stress hormone, may be ultimately responsible. The take home message here.. get a good night’s sleep every night. Sleep eight hours and don’t skimp on yourself.

 

Staying in bed longer might just be a lifesaver.

Curcumae, A Chinese Herb Proves To Be Cardio-Protective

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From the American Journal of Cardiology, April 2012

 

More great research results on the Chinese herb curcumae!

 

This herbal remedy was yet again put to the test, this time in a study on patients who had coronary artery bypass grafting.

Chinese herbs for osteoarthritis

 

Also known as Yu Jin or Tuber Curcumae, (curcuma), this remarkable herbal supplement has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries. Curcumae, found in tumeric, has been extensively studied for its blood moving abilities. 

 

It is well established that myocardial infarction, (heart attacks) are associated with a coronary artery bypass grafting procedure.  As a result of the poor outcomes of patients who have this grafting procedure, a study on the Chinese herb curcumae was undertaken to  evaluate whether this Chinese herbal remedy for blood stasis could be considered a cardio-protective therapy. 

 

"Previous studies have shown that curcuminoids decrease proinflammatory cytokines during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery and decrease the occurrence of cardiomyocytic apoptosis after cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury in animal models."

 

The aim of this study done was to evaluate whether curcuminoids, one of the chemical constiuients in curcumae could prevent heart attackes compared to a placebo. 

 

The conclusion:  4 grams of curcumin per day demonstrated a significant decrease in heart attacks after bypass grafting, compared with a placebo.   Postoperative C-reactive protein, levels were also lower in the curcuminoid than in the placebo group.

 

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of curcuminoids may account for their cardioprotective effects shown in this study

 

Reference:   Study Evaluated Effects of Curcuminoids on Acute Myocardial Infarction

Wongcharoen W, Jai-aue S, Phrommintikul A, et al. Effects of curcuminoids on frequency of acute myocardial infarction after coronary artery bypass grafting. Am J Cardiol. April 3, 2012;[epub ahead of print]. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2012.02.043.

Transparency In Supplement and Food Should Be a Priority

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At Pacific Herbs we believe WHOLE HEATEDLY in transparency.  We believe you should know what is in our Chinese herb products and what is not!    We tell it all because we know we have the highest quality control standards, ISO/GMP approved, natural herbal products on the market. We tell you where and how are herbs are manufactured.  We provide test result information and we use only purified water to process our herbs, no solvents! Who would want an herbal supplement that is not transparent in their standards?

This is information every consumer has a right to know!  The same goes for our food supply.   Wait, it is the same thing, herbs are food too.

Anyway, the citizens of California have an unprecedented opportunity to improve our nation’s food system.  This week, the California Secretary of State placed the California Right to Know Initiative for GMO Labeling on the November ballot. 

The saying “As California Goes, So Goes the Nation” could be happening this November.  When voters pass this GMO labeling of food ingredients we will have true transparency in our food supply. Consumers should push for the same standards in their herbal products.  We are proud to be a leader in this evolution in the natural products industry. 

I look forward to updating you in November.

Magnesium Stearate, The Dirty Little Secret of Supplements

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We believe quality products should NOT have fillers. 

The dirty little secret of the supplement industry is:

a filler is known as Magnesium Stearate.  Nearly every supplement contains it.

I often get questions about the most commonly found additives and filler, magnesium stearate.

Here are a few answers to the most common questions.

What is Magnesium Stearate?    An inactive filler, also known as magnesium salt,  used in most of the natural health supplements and herbal remedies on the market today. 

Where does Magnesium Stearate come from?  Magnesium Stearate is a bi-product of fatty acids, both animal and vegetable sources.  Stearic acid and calcium stearate are made by hydrogenating cottonseed or palm oil.  These fatty substances coat every particle of the nutrients, so the particles will flow rapidly.

 

Cottonseed oil has the highest content of pesticide residues of all commercial oils; cotton crops are heavily sprayed. In the hydrogenation process, the oil is subjected to high heat and pressure in the presence of a metal catalyst for several hours, creating a hydrogenated saturated fat. Hydrogenated vegetable fats contain altered molecules derived from fatty acids that may be toxic.

 

The metal catalyst used in the hydrogenation process may also contaminate the stearates produced (see Erasmus, Fats, and Oils). While toxicity is one problem, decreased absorption is another.

 

In a study published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Technology, the percent dissolution for capsules after 20 minutes in solution went from 90% without stearates to 25% with stearates. This delays the absorption of nutrients. Individuals with impaired digestion may have particular difficulty absorbing nutrients coated with stearates.

Another problem with stearates: concentrated doses of stearic acid suppress the action of T-cells, a key component of the immune system. The article “Molecular basis for the immunosuppressive action of stearic acid on T cells” appeared in the journal Immunology in 1990. Thus, prolonged administering of magnesium stearate at a high dosage weakens the immune system over a period of time.

 

Why do companies use it?  Magnesium Stearate is used as a lubricant so ingredients in supplements and vitamins don’t stick to the machinery during compression and mixing. When machines are working optimally, without clogging, production schedules and profitability can be controlled.   

 

Who regulates Magnesium Stearate?   The subcommittee of Codex Alimentarius, the world authority on international food standards has regulated magnesium stearate as a food additive. NO  Exposure limits have been established for Magnesium Stearate by OSHA or ACGIH.

Are regulations changing?   Yes, various committees on food additives are now looking for toxicity data on magnesium stearate.  Data has yet to be collected.

At the time of this writing, there is no clinical study data on how much magnesium stearate is too much and what constitutes a toxic load for human consumption.

Your healthiest choice is a herbal supplement and vitamin supplement without magnesium stearate.  Pacific Herbs uses no fillers or stearates in any of our products.   We package everything in airtight, moisture tight packets to preserve our natural herbal extracts and avoid the use of fillers, binders, and other unnecessary chemical ingredients.

Hormones and Your Health – Natural Solutions to Menopause Symptoms

Posted by Cathy on with 2 Comments

Hormones and Your Health – Natural Menopause Solutions

There is breaking news from the American Association for Cancer Research. A study presented in Chicago on March 31, 2012  proved long term hormone use dramatically increases a woman's risk factor for developing breast cancer.  Whether you use hormones or not (birth control or HRT) there are many great ways to reduce extra estrogen in your body.  

This video give you 6 easy tips to help you balance your hormones naturally.

 

Breaking News Hormones and Your Health

The study was conducted at Harvard Medical School where they studied over 100,000 registered nurses for approximately 25 years. The results found that the women who used any type of hormone therapy for more than 10 years had a significantly higher risk of developing breast cancer. The longer your hormone use, the higher your risks factor.

I wanted to talk about this because so many women take birth control pills when they are young and HRT (hormone replacement therapy) for menopausal symptoms as they age.

Now we have this long term study showing the results of this hormone use. Doctors like Dr. Wendy Chen the lead researcher of the study, is saying  women should use the lowest dose of hormones needed for the shortest time possible.

The good news is there are many ways to balance your hormones and reduce the estrogen in your body. I want to give you a couple easy and natural tips on how to do this.

1. First, try to eat meat that is hormone free. Whether it's chicken, beef or pork, look for meat that says raised without hormones. The same goes for milk. Certified Organic milk  (or raw organic) milk is the only milk that does not contain hormones.

2. Add a powdered green supplement to your diet everyday. Something that contains the herb milk thistle and or dandelion root and this will help your liver process estrogen and remove it from your body.

3. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, brussel sprouts and cauliflower all help reduce estrogen dominance. If these are not your favorite vegetables, you can take a supplement that does this is called indinol 3.

4. Drink filtered water is another good idea because there are large amount of hormones in our water supply.

5. Also reducing your caffeine intake will help balance your hormones and stop microwaving your food in plastic containers because this leach toxin that act as estrogen into your body.

6. If you are dealing with menopausal symptoms such as night sweats and hot flashes, there are natural alternatives to HRT – Chinese herbs have been used for centuries and are a safe solution. Pacific Herbs sells a Menopause Relief Herb Pack that works fast for these symptoms and is made from herbs that have more than 500 years of use.  You can find Menopause Relief here.

I hope you will research the new study results for yourself and please pass on this information to other women.  It could be a life saver.

 

Study link:   http://www.abstractsonline.com/Plan/ViewAbstract.aspx?sKey=489622a8-6ba9-4309-b54c-6e00a5886d06&cKey=726a2cb6-a357-418f-8fe2-cc997d8ce387&mKey={2D8C569E-B72C-4E7D-AB3B-070BEC7EB280}

More studies on Estrogen:

It is generally accepted that high levels of estrogen are associated with cancer of the breast, uterus and cervix; with cystic breast disease, uterine fibroids and endometriosis; with heavy bleeding and premenstrual syndrome; with depressed thyroid function; and with fluid retention and weight gain. Some lesser known associations are the following, as reported in the Nutri-Spec Letter of Guy R. Schenker, DC (1-800-736-4320):

Estrogen levels increase under the stress of injury, surgery, exposure to cold, infection and fasting. (Am J Vet Res, Feb 1998; Keio J Med, Sept 1989; Prog Clin Biol Res, 1989; J Clin Endocrine Metabl, 1974; Am J Clin Nutri, 1989)

Postmenopausal women with higher levels of circulating estrogen experience greater cognitive decline. (J Am Ger Soc 1998, Vol 46, Pages 816-21)

Alcoholism is associated with abnormally high levels of estrogen. (S Gastroienterol, Oct 1988 German)

Estrogen exacerbates symptoms of allergies and asthma. (Rev Pheumol Clin, Oct 1999, Vol 55, No 5, Pages 296-300; Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol, Sep 1998, Vol 81 No 3, Pages 243-6) One study presented evidence that the increasing incidence of asthma in children is due to the mother's oral contraceptive use prior to pregnancy. (Pediatr Allergy Immunol, Nov 1997, Vol 8, No 4, Pages 200-4.)

Estrogen can actually cause osteoporosis! (Menopause 1991 1(3):131-136) According to Dr. Schenker, between the ages of 21 and 40 there is a considerable increase in women's estrogen production. However, bone loss has been shown to actually begin around the age of 23 and progresses through the years when estrogen levels are actually rising. Weight gain patterns in middle age women can interfere with bone mass scans, leading to false conclusions about the effects of estrogen on bone health.

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Feel Compelled to include this information from Dr. John Foster MD

We are living in the age of estrogen. The food supply is laden with traces of herbicides, pesticides and petrochemical residues from plastics, all of which have estrogen-like, endocrine disrupting effects in animals and humans. These xenobiotics, or foreign biological substances, have been linked to abnormalities and cancers of human tissues that are hormone sensitive, including fibrocystic breast disease, breast cancer, cervical cancer and dysplasia, endometrial cancer, endometriosis and ovarian disease as well as prostatic hypertrophy and cancer.

How can we protect ourselves from these influences? Eating a whole food diet of organic or biodynamic foods, free of pesticides, is an important first step. Healthy water is the next. Municipal water supplies may be sources of many chemicals and water in plastic bottles can contain residues of polycarbonate plastics called phthalates, which are endocrine disrupters. It is important to drink only pure mineral water or water that has been treated by a reverse osmosis (RO) system.

Our bodies regulate and eliminate estrogens by the action of detoxifying enzymes in the liver. There are two pathways of estrogen oxidation and conversion, one of which converts it to a beneficial and non-toxic form 2-OH estrogen and another which converts it to the 16-OH estrogen form. The 16-OH form is carcinogenic and causes diseases of tissues that are responsive to hormones, including disorders and cancers of breast, uterus, cervix and prostate, and probably lung and colon. Xenoestrogens push the system toward the 16-OH pathway both directly and indirectly.

Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, kohlrabi, bok choy, Brussels sprouts and cabbage contain a substance called indole-3-carbinol (I3C) which is activated and liberated when the vegetables are crushed in a wet environment, that is, when they are chewed, chopped or pounded. In the presence of stomach acid, I3C combines with itself to form DIM (di-indollyl methane). DIM induces certain P-450 enzymes in the liver to block the production of the toxic 16-OH estrogens and enhance the production of the beneficial 2-OH forms.

Studies have demonstrated that DIM reduces the incidence of fibrocystic breast disease, cervical dysplasia, endometriosis and prostate enlargement. In fact, the 2-OH form is not only benign but also enhances the process of apoptosis, the spontaneous death of damaged and cancerous cells. DIM also acts as an active surveillance for cancer cells. This is very exciting and while there is much to learn and more to say, I can state with assurance that this phyto-nutrient may be one of the most important protective substances of this new century.

It is very important to eat cruciferous vegetables every day for protection against diseases that may be induced by exposure to environmental estrogens. As raw cruciferous vegetables contain goitrogens, it is best to eat them fermented, because fermentation neutralizes these thyroid-depressing substances. (Cooking also neutralizes the goitrogens, but also deactivates I3C.) In fact, low rates of breast cancer in Polish women have been attributed to their daily consumption of sauerkraut. (Science News 9/23/00)

The amount of vegetables needed to supply adequate DIM for full protection or as part of a program of cancer treatment is at least two pounds daily. Of course, it is not always practical or possible to eat such large amounts of pickled vegetables. Fortunately, DIM is available as a supplement. I recommend it to almost any patient over 40 and anyone with a family history of breast or uterine problems as well as cancer of the lung, colon or prostate. I also add DIM to any hormone replacement therapy program for an added safety factor to prevent the above diseases.

 

Wall Street Journal Reports on Placenta Popularity

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After nine months of gestation and then birthing a child, a women has every right to be exhausted.  What every new mother needs is a diet rich in nutrients and blood building foods to replenish her body.  The placenta is the secret that can return a woman’s vitality quickly.  

I’m happy to see the Wall Street Journal report on what seems incredulous, eating your placenta.   American hospitals have treated childbirth as practically a disease that needs medical intervention for decades. This growing phenomenon, of eating the placenta is as natural as childbirth and a welcome return to the wisdom of women.

A placenta holds a wealth of nutrients and should never be disregarded as medical waste.

Here’s the blogs I wrote on Eating Your Placenta, more than a year ago.   Enjoy!

Never quite sure what will inspire me to write a blog but seeing this video today did the trick.  This blog is about the human placenta and why women are now calling  “a placenta cooking lady” to prepare their placenta’s into pills to ingest after childbirth.   The placenta is attached to the fetus via the umbilical cord.  Once the baby is born the placenta and cord are considered medical waste (so we’re told) at the hospital.  We’ve known for some time the  umbilical cord  is a source of stem cell research and many wealthy parents now have the cord frozen and stored, a insurance policy of sorts for future medical needs.  Recently, in a return to ancient wisdom and in conjunction with science we are relearning about the tremendous nutritional value of the human placenta.  Chinese Medicine has understood this value for generations. Ingesting dried placenta in pill form can help a new mother recuperate from childbirth and reclaim some lost blood and nutrients.

 

You can have your placenta cooked, dried and placed into pills to supplement your child birth recovery.  Those that have used  placenta pills after birth swear they have a shorter recovery from postpartum hemorrhaging, more energy from replenished nutrients, increased milk production and no post-partum depression. In fact, a good friend of mine recently gave birth and she has just finished taking her placenta pills.  This was the first time she had placenta prepared into pills and she reported feeling energized and healthier than after her previous child births.  She said it was a little like a caffeine type energy boost without the caffeine and she had an extremely easy recovery overall.  This was her sixth child!

 

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, placenta is considered a powerful and sacred yang tonic. The placenta is cooked with a few herbs and wine.  Wine in Chinese medicine has a dispersing action and therefore helps to distribute the placentas nutrients throughout the women’s body.  The placenta is full of natural oxytocins which are responsible for contracting the uterus, it also contains  hormones which is believed to be the reason it helps with postpartum depression.  Historically Chinese Medicine has used human placenta for those who have low energy.  Interestingly, it is the only meat that comes from life, not death and other mammals do eat their placentas.  Maybe the animal kingdom has something to teach us.

Check out this link at Time Magazine, there is a short video showing the placenta being prepared,  in case you’ve never seen one.

This Chinese Herb and Common Spice Lowers Blood Sugar for Type 2 Diabetes

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Chinese herbs for diabetesThe rise in diabetes in the Western world is out of control.   Too many folks seem to ignore the role of diet in prevention and treatment of diabetes and yet something as simply as cinnamon consumption may be an way to improve blood glucose levels.

Cinnamon is a common spice and Chinese herb used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for centuries.  Cinnamon bark and twigs are often used in Chinese herbal medicine to enhance digestive function, promote the movement of qi, disperse the cold and fortify the kidney energy and pancreas.

A recent study from Germany published in the European Journal of Clincal Investigation shows a water soluble cinnamon extract can reduce fasting blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.

The cinnamon  (known as the Chinese herbs Gui Zhi and Rou Gui)  results further add to a growing body of clinical evidence demonstrating supplementation with cinnamon bark and twig extract may play an important role in managing blood sugar levels and improving insulin function.

The  study  done at the University of Hannover was both placebo controlled  and double-blind, designed to determine the effect of a water-soluble cinnamon extract on glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes. A total of 79 patients with type 2 diabetes not on insulin therapy but treated with oral medication or diet therapy were randomly assigned to take either a cinnamon extract or placebo capsule three times daily for four months. The cinnamon capsule contained 112 mg of water-soluble extract, an equivalent of one gram of cinnamon powder. The cinnamon extract group experienced a significant reduction in fasting plasma glucose levels (10.3%) versus the placebo group (3.4%). Changes in HbA1c and lipid profiles were not statistically significant.

“This study, together with a recent clinical trial utilizing Cinnulin PF, provides compelling evidence for the beneficial effects of a water-soluble cinnamon extract on blood sugar levels,” stated Tim Romero, executive vice president, Integrity Nutraceuticals International, marketer of Cinnulin PF. “We are excited to see in the coming months results of studies underway that further substantiate the efficacy and safety of Cinnulin PF.”

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Reference: American Botanical Council     http://cms.herbalgram.org/herbclip/257/review43853.html

 

More studies on Curcumin: 

Phase II trial of curcumin in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer

GoJi Berries For More Energy And Less Weight

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Chinese herbs for energyHave you tried goji berries yet?  Before you could only find them at Asian grocery stores and China town.  Now Whole Foods and health food stores everywhere are carrying them. 

Goji berries have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for more than 2500 years.  Sometimes they are also labeled as Lycium or Wolfberry.   Goji berries make a great snack that provide quick energy.  They have been used as a blood tonic herb in Chinese herbal medicine for this reason.  This is exactly why we included them in our Energy Booster Herb Pack.

They look a little like a dried raisin, but smaller and red in color.  Often selling for about $15.00 for half pound, they are NOT cheap!  But the health benefits of this Chinese herb are more than worth their weight. 

The value in these little berries has been demonstrated in hundreds of studies.   One of the most  recent studies done in the U.S. on goji berries found they can increase your metabolic rate and reduce body weight. So, if you're looking for a healthy snack food or a boost of energy, goji's are a great choice.

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References:

http://cms.herbalgram.org/herbclip/440/121151-440.html

J Am Coll Nutr. 2011;30(5):304-309.