Holistic Health Articles and Research Related to Herbal Medicines, Foods and Phytochemicals

Friday, 7 July 2017

Herbal Therapy: Cinnamon - The Best Whole Food Medicine for Anti Microbial infection

Essential oil found from cinnamomum zeylanicum, in the influenza and postinfluenza bacterial pneumonia infections resisted conventional antimicrobial agents, inhibited effectively against H1N1 and HSV1 viruses.

According to the study by the Kings and St Thomas's Hospital, natural essential oils extracted from cinnamon expressed antimicrobial activity among three oils against Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus aureus , Aspergillus oryzae , and Penicillium digitatum.

Cinnamon is a spice derived from the inner bark of tree, native to South East Asia, of over 300 species of the genus Cinnamomum, belonging to the familyLauraceae, use in herbal and traditional medicine as anti-fungal and bacteria level, to improve reproductive organ, prevent flatulence and intestinal cramping, and to treat indigestion, diarrhea, bad breath, headache, migraine, etc.

Dr. Liu Q, the lead author at the Liu Q, said," cinnamon,... possessed significant antibacterial and antifungal activities against food spoilage bacteria like Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens, pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, harmful fungi like Aspergillus flavus".

In vitro, trans-cinnamaldehyde showed to inhibit Clostridium difficile infection to the spore-forming bacterium.

Cinnamon and its essential oil may be the natural agent in use for prevention and treatment of microbial infection. Intake of whole herb and supplement should be taken with care. Overdoses have seen to induce toxicity.

Thursday, 6 July 2017

Food Therapy: Cruciferous Vegetables, the Best Natural Whole Food in Reduced risk of Diabetic Vascular Complications

Kyle J. Norton, Master of Nutrients
Health article writer and researcher; Over 10.000 articles and research papers have been written and published on line, including world wide health, ezine articles, article base, healthblogs, selfgrowth, best before it's news, the karate GB daily, etc.,.
Named TOP 50 MEDICAL ESSAYS FOR ARTISTS & AUTHORS TO READ by Disilgold.com Named 50 of the best health Tweeters Canada - Huffington Post
Nominated for shorty award over last 4 years
Some articles have been used as references in medical research, such as international journal Pharma and Bio science, ISSN 0975-6299.

Whole food(herbal medicine) used as medical treatment, linking health benefits in prevention, management and treatment of diseases has induced much interests in today renowned scientists.
But many researchers have raised question of herbal quality, because geographic differences, time of grown and harvest, etc. may effect their's potency. I do believe, these questions can only be answered by experience herbalists.

Diabetic vascular complications are caused by diverse group of highly oxidant compounds(advanced glycation end(AGEs) produced by modern heat-processed diet, inducing pathogenic significance in diabetes and several other chronic diseases.

Diabetes is a condition caused by insufficient insulin entering the bloodstream to regulate the glucose. It is either caused by cells in pancreas dying off or receptor sites clogged up by fat and cholesterol. In some cases, diabetes is also caused by allergic reactions of cells in the immune system.
Its complications may include renal failure and cardiovascular events.

Intake of Cruciferous Vegetables regularly may be beneficiary in reduced risk of diabetic vascular complications.

Cruciferous vegetables are the group of vegetables belonging to the family Brassicaceae, including cauliflower, cabbage, cress, bok choy, broccoli etc.

Dr, Yamagishi S, the lead author said, " the Inhibition of AGE formation, blockade of the AGE-RAGE interaction, and suppression of RAGE expression or its downstream pathways may be novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of vascular complications in diabetes"

Some researchers insisted that diabetic vascular complications may be blocked if food-advanced glycation end products aggravate the diabetic vascular complications via modulating the RAGE receptors in removal of AGE.

According to the Kurume University School of Medicine, sulphoraphane, a phytochemical compound found in cruciferous vegetables showed a potential effect against diabetic vascular complications, through its interference of pro inflammatory reaction, reduction of oxidate stress.

In cultured cells and experimental animals, sulforaphane suppressed inflammatory activation of vascular cells, induced potential beneficial effects to prevent vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis complication of diabetics.

Therefore, intake of Cruciferous Vegetables may reduce risk of diabetic vascular complication as sulphoraphane, a phytochemical compound in cruciferous vegetables not only inhibited the levels of advanced glycation end but also enhanced the production of Nrf2 in controlling of over 500 genes expression of cellular defense mechanisms.

Arthritis Is Curable
You Can Eliminate Osteoarthritis
By addressing the Underlying Causes through Clinical Trials and Studies

Ovarian Cysts And PCOS Elimination
Holistic System In Existence That Will Show You How To
Permanently Eliminate All Types of Ovarian Cysts Within 2 Months

Super foods Library, Eat Yourself Healthy With The Best of the Best Nature Has to Offer recommended by Kyle J. Norton

Back to Kyle J. Norton Home page http://kylejnorton.blogspot.ca

Sources
(1) Protective role of sulphoraphane against vascular complications in diabetes by Yamagishi S1, Matsui T1.(PubMed)
(2) Agents that block advanced glycation end product (AGE)-RAGE (receptor for AGEs)-oxidative stress system: a novel therapeutic strategy for diabetic vascular complications by Yamagishi S1, Nakamura K, Matsui T, Ueda S, Fukami K, Okuda S.(PubMed)
(3) The influence of sulforaphane on vascular health and its relevance to nutritional approaches to prevent cardiovascular disease by Paul C. Evans(PMC)
(4) Food-advanced glycation end products aggravate the diabetic vascular complications via modulating the AGEs/RAGE pathway by Lv X1, Lv GH1, Dai GY1, Sun HM2, Xu HQ3.(PubMed)

Herbal Therapy: Chamomile, the Natural Whole Herb Medicine for Reduced Risk and Treatment of Gastric Ulcers

Scientists from the respectable institution may have found an ingredient from herbal chamomile for treatment of Gastric ulcers with little or no side effects.

According to the King Khalid University, in ethanol induced Gastric ulcers, Chamomilla recutita (ACE), exhibited the expression of antioxidant glutathione in regulation of the herbal mediated effect on gastric ulcer.

Dr. Al-Hashem FH, the author of the study, said," Compared to non-ACE treated rats, the ulcer index (UI) decreased significantly in a dose-dependent manner in treated animals" and " glutathione(GSH) levels fell significantly after ethanol treatment; this decrease was prevented by ACE treatment".

Gastric ulcer, a type of peptic ulcer is a condition of a localized tissue erosion in the lining the stomach, inducing symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating, septic shock, Dyspepsia, Blood in stool, bleeding, etc.

Chamomile is also known as camomile, common name of many species daisy-like plants in the family Asteraceae, used in traditional medicine as antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory constituents and to treat menstrual cramps and sleep disorders, reduce cramping and spastic pain in the bowels, relieve excessive gas and bloating in the intestine, etc.

The herbal medicine Alpha-bisabolol, a bioactive component, in animal study also inhibited gastric mucosal damage. Oral doses of 50 and 100 mg=kg markedly attenuated the gastric lesions induced by ethanol to the extent of 87% and 96% in activation of cellular metabolism.

Furthermore, the commercial preparation (STW 5, Iberogast), containing the extracts of bitter candy tuft, lemon balm leaf, chamomileflower, caraway fruit, peppermint leaf, liquorice root, Angelica root, milk thistle fruit and greater celandine herb, tested in patients with gastric ulcer, not only lower the gastric acidity, but also inhibited the secondary hyperacidity.

In ethanol-induced acute gastric mucosal injury in rats, Matricaria chamomilla L. (Compositae) hydroalcoholic extract (MCE) exerted a protective effect against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal lesions, depending upon the reduction in lipid peroxidation and augmentation in antioxidant activity. Dr. Cemek M, the lead researcher at the Afyon Kocatepe University suggested.

There is no doubt that chamomile and combination of chamomile with other herbal medicines are found to express gastrointestinal effects in reduced risk and treatment of gastric ulcer. But effective doses should only be prescribed by herbalist to prevent toxicity.

Wednesday, 5 July 2017

Herbal Therapy: Cayenne, The Best Whole Herb Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Liver Cancer

Capsaicin (8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide), a major ingredient found in cayenne may be used as supplement for protection against liver cancer.
According to recent study by the Duksung Women's University, oral administration of Capsaicin inhibited HepG2 human hepatoblastoma cells, through its antioxidants activities in induction of apoptosis in oxidase-mediated generation of ROS.

Other studies insisted that cayenne, exerted protection against liver cancer, is the result of inhibition of cancer cells proliferation, migration and invasion of tumors, and induced tumors to radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Cayenne is also known as Cayenne Pepper, a red, hot chili pepper, belonging to Capsicum annuum, the family Solanaceae, native to sub-tropical and tropical regions, used in traditional medicine to increases metabolism, enhance circulatory system and stomach and the intestinal tract, adjust blood pressure, lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, treat frostbite, muscles, arthritis, rheumatism, low back pain, strains, sprains, bruises and neuralgia, etc.

Liver cancer is a condition of out of controlled growth of hepatocellular cells in the liver. Since the organ is a soft tissue with less nerve, most liver cancer patient are diagnosed in the later stage of the cancer. According to the statistic, liver cancer remains the fifth most common malignancy in men and the eighth in women worldwide.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common form of primary liver cancer.

In a 4-wk feeding of B6C3F1 mice at 6 wk of age, oral intake of cayenne group expressed not only body weight but also reduced hypoglycemia and cells involved generation of liver cancer.

Dr. Teel RW, autheor of the research said, " At concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 microM, capsaicin inhibited the biotransformation of (Aflatoxin B1(AFB1) produced by hepatitis viral) by modifying Phase I hepatic enzyme activity ( induced damage and injure of liver) "

Furthermore, in the inhibition of toxical metabolism, capsaicin also possessed antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic properties against many types of cancer.

Taking altogether, cayenne may process the anti liver cancer effect, but large quantity intake should only be prescribed by herbalists.

Herbal Therapy: Cinnamon: The Best Immunomodulatory Whole food Medicine

Intake of cinnamon may induce immunomodulatory effect in regular immune function against certain diseases such as auto immunity. According to the Kyung Hee University, water extract of cinnamon bark (CWE) exerted the effect on cytokine secretion and activation of T cells.

The immune system is the set of cells and their activity against antigens or infectious agents that comprises of the body's defense system against diseases. The immune system does a great job of keeping people healthy and preventing infections.

Sodium benzoate (NaB), a metabolite of cinnamon ameliorated clinical symptoms and disease progression of allergic encephalomyelitis caused by immune over reaction induced inflammation, through enriched regulatory T cell population, and down-regulated the expression of various contact molecules in T cells.

Dr. Pahan K said, "Sodium benzoate (NaB), a metabolite of cinnamon and a FDA-approved drug against urea cycle disorders in children, ......, regulates many immune signaling pathways responsible for inflammation, glial cell activation, switching of T-helper cells, modulation of regulatory T cells, cell-to-cell contact, and migration"

Orofacial granulomatosis (OFG) is a chronic inflammatory disorder with symptoms of inflammation such as lip swelling but also affecting gingivae, buccal mucosa, floor of mouth,.....
cinnamon- and benzoate-free diet, after 8 weeks of treatment, significantly improve both lips and oral site.

Furthermore, experiment of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) bark essential oil (CBEO) on human skin cells showed strong anti-proliferative effects on skin cells and significantly inhibited the production of several inflammatory biomarkers expressed by auto immunity.

Cinnamon may improve immune expression and reduce risk of auto immune diseases, intake of the whole herb should be taken with care in prevention of toxicity

Arthritis Is Curable
You Can Eliminate Osteoarthritis
By addressing the Underlying Causes through Clinical Trials and Studies

Ovarian Cysts And PCOS Elimination
Holistic System In Existence That Will Show You How To
Permanently Eliminate All Types of Ovarian Cysts Within 2 Months

Super foods Library, Eat Yourself Healthy With The Best of the Best Nature Has to Offer recommended by Kyle J. Norton

Back to Kyle J. Norton Home page http://kylejnorton.blogspot.ca

Sources
(1) Immunomodulatory effect of water extract of cinnamon on anti-CD3-induced cytokine responses and p38, JNK, ERK1/2, and STAT4 activation by Lee BJ1, Kim YJ, Cho DH, Sohn NW, Kang H.(PubMed)
(2) Immunomodulation of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis by cinnamon metabolite sodium benzoate by Pahan K1.(PubMed)
(3) Sodium benzoate, a food additive and a metabolite of cinnamon, modifies T cells at multiple steps and inhibits adoptive transfer of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis by Brahmachari S1, Pahan K.(PubMed)
(4) Improvement in orofacial granulomatosis on a cinnamon- and benzoate-free diet by White A1, Nunes C, Escudier M, Lomer MC, Barnard K, Shirlaw P, Challacombe SJ, Sanderson JD.(PubMed)

Tuesday, 4 July 2017

Herbal Therapy: Cayenne, the Natural Whole Herb for Antimicrobial Infection

Cayenne may be the next antimntimicrobial natural whole foods used for prevention and treatment of infection, inflammation and common cold.

According to the joint study lead by the Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, cayenne exhibited a broad-spectrum antimicrobial action, through its' immunomodulatory roles of mammal β-defensins(antimicrobial peptides) in regulated inflammation and activated the immune system.

Cayenne is also known as Cayenne Pepper, a red, hot chili pepper, belonging to Capsicum annuum, the family Solanaceae, native to sub-tropical and tropical regions used in traditional medicine to increases metabolism, enhance circulatory system and stomach and the intestinal tract, adjust blood pressure, lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, treat frostbite, muscles, arthritis, rheumatism, low back pain, strains, sprains, bruises and neuralgia, etc.

Thionins, a chemical compound found in cayenne is considered as an antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which regulate plant defense system against pathogens. such as Candida species, with IC50 ranging from 10 to 40 μg.mL(-1).
The chemical compound also exhibited anti antimicrobial effect through its antioxidant activity against oxidative stresses. In bacteria and yeasts induced infection and inflammatory diseases, it exhibited toxicity and induced changes in the membranes of all yeast strains, leading to their permeabilization..

Dr. Diz MS, the lead author in the study peptides from chili pepper seeds, said, " F1(peptides from chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) seeds) fraction exhibited strong fungicidal activity against Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe and also promoted several morphological changes to C. albicans".

In some yeast species, peptides isolated from cayenne also inhibited the growth of yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis, Pichia membranifaciens,

Intake of cayenne may improve the immunomodulatory activity in the body against microbial organisms induced infection and inflammation, but quantity intake should only be given by herbalist for prevention of overdoses' toxicity.

Arthritis Is Curable
You Can Eliminate Osteoarthritis
By addressing the Underlying Causes through Clinical Trials and Studies

Ovarian Cysts And PCOS Elimination
Holistic System In Existence That Will Show You How To
Permanently Eliminate All Types of Ovarian Cysts Within 2 Months

Super foods Library, Eat Yourself Healthy With The Best of the Best Nature Has to Offer recommended by Kyle J. Norton

Back to Kyle J. Norton Home page http://kylejnorton.blogspot.ca

Sources
(1) Defensin γ-thionin from Capsicum chinense has immunomodulatory effects on bovine mammary epithelial cells during Staphylococcus aureus internalization by Díaz-Murillo V1, Medina-Estrada I1, López-Meza JE1, Ochoa-Zarzosa A2.(PubMed)
(2) Thionin-like peptide from Capsicum annuum fruits: mechanism of action and synergism with fluconazole against Candida species by Taveira GB1, Carvalho AO2, Rodrigues R3, Trindade FG4, Da Cunha M5, Gomes VM6(PubMed)
(3) Thionin-like peptides from Capsicum annuum fruits with high activity against human pathogenic bacteria and yeasts by Taveira GB1, Mathias LS, da Motta OV, Machado OL, Rodrigues R, Carvalho AO, Teixeira-Ferreira A, Perales J, Vasconcelos IM, Gomes VM.(PubMed)
(4) Antimicrobial peptides from chili pepper seeds causes yeast plasma membrane permeabilization and inhibits the acidification of the medium by yeast cells by Diz MS1, Carvalho AO, Rodrigues R, Neves-Ferreira AG, Da Cunha M, Alves EW, Okorokova-Façanha AL, Oliveira MA, Perales J, Machado OL, Gomes VM.(PubMed)

Food Therapy: Whole Food Garlic for Reduced Risk and Treatment of Hypertension

Blood pressure medications have undoubtedly prevented many deaths from heart disease in the past 30 years, but they have many side effects such as damaging the kidney. If you can control your diet, such as making changes to lifestyle, maintaining ideal weight and diet with low salt, you could do just fine without the drugs.

In an adult men and women, participated in the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (2006-2008 to 2012-2014), intake of garlic is associated to reduce risk of hypertension by up 26%.

In support of the above, a randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial conducted on 56 CAD patients, aged 25 - 75 years old also suggested that treatment with garlic-based drugs can be an effective treatment for controlling BP in CAD patients and has no interaction with other drugs that CAD patients take, after 3 months of administration.

Dr. Takashima M the lead author at the Wakunaga Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd said, " aged garlic extract (AGE) is effective in reducing blood pressure of hypertensive patients,......AGE induced the concentration-dependent vasorelaxation of isolated rat aortic rings that had been precontracted with norepinephrine"

In fact, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Food Therapy, and Hypertension Control, garlic is of the food recommended to be used to facilitate hypertension control. Based on a statistical analysis of antihypertensive foods recommended in 20 books on the application of food therapy for hypertension control.

Taking altogether, garlic may be used as preventive and controlling effects for patients with or without high blood pressure. Some researchers insisted that garlic anti hypertension effect may be resulted of its anticoagulant property.

Arthritis Is Curable
You Can Eliminate Osteoarthritis
By addressing the Underlying Causes through Clinical Trials and Studies

Ovarian Cysts And PCOS Elimination
Holistic System In Existence That Will Show You How To
Permanently Eliminate All Types of Ovarian Cysts Within 2 Months

Super foods Library, Eat Yourself Healthy With The Best of the Best Nature Has to Offer recommended by Kyle J. Norton

Back to Kyle J. Norton Home page http://kylejnorton.blogspot.ca

Sources
(1) Antihypertensive effect of allicin in dexamethasone-induced hypertensive rats by Dubey H1,2, Singh A1, Patole AM2, Tenpe CR2(PubMed)
(2) Allium vegetable intakes and the incidence of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and type 2 diabetes in adults: a longitudinal follow-up study by Bahadoran Z1, Mirmiran P, Momenan AA, Azizi F.(PubMed)
(3) Does Garlic Supplementation Control Blood Pressure in Patients with Severe Coronary Artery Disease? A Clinical Trial Study by Mahdavi-Roshan M1, Nasrollahzadeh J1, Mohammad Zadeh A2, Zahedmehr A3.(PubMed)
(4) Traditional Chinese Medicine, Food Therapy, and Hypertension Control: A Narrative Review of Chinese Literature by Zou P1(PubMed)
(5) The anticoagulant rivaroxaban lowers portal hypertension in cirrhotic rats mainly by deactivating hepatic stellate cells by Vilaseca M1,2, García-Calderó H1,3, Lafoz E1,2, García-Irigoyen O3,4, Avila MA3,4, Reverter JC5, Bosch J1,2,3,6, Hernández-Gea V1,3, Gracia-Sancho J1,2,3, García-Pagán JC1,2,3(PubMed)