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

Sunday, 16 July 2017

Herbal Therapy: Chamomile, the Anti Hypertensive Natural Whole Herb Medicine?

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.
Many researchers has raised a question of their's effectiveness because of quality of the herbs due to geographic differences, time of grown and harvest, etc. I do believe that these questions can only be answered by experience herbalist.

Chamomile may be a next potential herbal medicine for reduced risk and treatment of hypertension, new studies suggested.

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.

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps out blood. High blood pressure means raising pressure in your heart. If it stays high over time it can damage the body in many ways.

According to the UFRPNPE B. P., Chamaemelum nobile aqueous extract (CNAE) exhibited hypotensive effect in high blood pressure rats.

Dr. Zeggwagh NA, the lead researcher said, " Single oral administration of CNAE (140 mg/kg) produced a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in systolic blood pressure (SBP) after 24 h of the administration " and "Daily oral administration of CNAE (140 mg/kg) during 3 weeks produced a significant reduction in SBP in the day 8 (p < 0.01) of treatment"

In fact, chamomile is not one of the herbal recommended for treatment of hypertension. but I do believe, the anti hypertensive property of chamomile may attribute to its antiplatelet and cholesterol-lowering activities.

Ellen Douglas, not the researcher in the study said, "Chamomile is not one of the specific recommended alternative therapies to address high blood pressure. But for people who experience blood pressure spikes due to stress, the tea may contribute indirect benefits".

Herbal Therapy: Cinnamon: The Best Whole Food Medicine for Patients with Hyperlipidemia

According to the Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, cinnamaldehyde (CA), an active and major compound in cinnamon reduced levels of triglyeride, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and increased high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), in C57BLKS/J db/db mice.

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.

Hyperlipidemia is abnormally elevated levels of any or all lipids or lipoproteins in the blood.

Also in C57BL/Ks db/db mice study, cinnamon extract significantly improved hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia possibly by regulating the protein with function in medicated glucose and lipid metabolism.

Furthermore, in rats fed high fat diet (HFD), oral administration of cinnamon polyphenol extract reduced the hyperlipidemia, inflammation, and oxidative stress through activating the proteins involved transfer gentic information of DNA into RNA and antioxidative defense signaling pathway.

Dr. Ghorbani A, the lead author at an joint study said, " the levels of triglyceride and total cholesterol in polyherbal mixture treated rats were significantly lower than those in diabetic control group (P < 0.05)" and "Our results demonstrated that this polyherbal mixture has beneficial effects on blood glucose and lipid profile and it has the potential to be used as a dietary supplement for the management of diabetes"

With all the information collected, cinnamon may have a potency in reduced levels of triglyeride, LDL cholesterol and increased HDL cholesterol in patient with hyperlipidemia, but the use of high quantity should only be given by herbalist in prevention of toxicity.

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

Sources
(1) Antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic action of cinnamaldehyde in C57BLKS/J db/db mice by Li J1, Liu T, Wang L, Guo X, Xu T, Wu L, Qin L, Sun W.(PubMed)
(2) Cinnamon Polyphenol Extract Inhibits Hyperlipidemia and Inflammation by Modulation of Transcription Factors in High-Fat Diet-Fed Rats by Tuzcu Z1, Orhan C2, Sahin N2, Juturu V3, Sahin K2.(PubMed)
(3) Antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic action of Cinnamomi Cassiae (Cinnamon bark) extract in C57BL/Ks db/db mice by Kim SH1, Choung SY.(PubMed)
(4) Antihyperlipidemic effect of a polyherbal mixture in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by Ghorbani A1, Shafiee-Nick R2, Rakhshandeh H2, Borji A3.(PubMed)

Saturday, 15 July 2017

Herbal Therapy: Garlic - The Whole Food Medicine for Reduced Risk and Treatment of Progression of Atherosclerosis

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), linking health benefits in prevention, management and treatment of diseases has placed an important role in human history over many centuries. The finding of whole food medication by renowned scientists all over world to replace the single ingredient of Western medicine with little or no side effect has been difficult due to no commercial benefit and patent right to producers.

Recent study suggested that patients with atherosclerosis may be benefits from adding aged garlic extract with supplement into their diet.
According to the UCLA-School of Medicine, Los Angeles, the effectiveness of garlic in reduced homocysteine and progression of Atherosclerosis is the result of the changing white (wEAT) and brown (bEAT) epicardial adipose tissue(form of visceral fat deposited around the heart) in plaque stabilization.

Garlic (Allium sativum) is a species in the onion genus, belonging to family Amaryllidaceae, native to central Asia, used popularly in traditional and Chinese medicine in treating common cold and flu to the Plague, blood pressure cholesterol levels, natural antibiotic, etc.

Atherosclerosis is a disease in which plaque builds up inside the arteries affecting the levels of oxygen in the blood as well as increased risks of heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral vascular disease.

In a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial (conducted 2005-2007), with 65 intermediate risk patients (age 60+/-9 years, 79% male), patients treated with a capsule containing aged garlic extract (250 mg) plus Vitamin B12 (100 microg), folic acid (300 microg), Vitamin B6 (12.5 mg) and l-arginine (100 mg) daily for a 1 year are found to associate with a favorable improvement in oxidative biomarkers, vascular function, and reduced progression of atherosclerosis.

(AGE) has shown to retard the progression of coronary calcification in patients with coronary artery disease in vitro and vivo,

Dr. Morihara N, the lead author at the joint study said, " Antiatherosclerotic activity of AGE is at least partly due to the suppression of inflammation and lipid deposition in the vessels during the early stage of atherosclerotic development".

In the total of 157 healthy postmenopausal women (age 65 ± 6) randomized study, 500 mg isoflavonoid-rich herbal preparation, including garlic powder, showed to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis progression through lowering high blood cholesterol.

Although garlic prevents the development of cholesterol-induced experimental atherosclerosis and possesses the direct anti-atherogenic activity, intake of garlic supplement should be taken with care to patients with ulcer.

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

FOOD HACK for Weight Loss
A Simple Cooking Technique That Cuts The Calories & Glycemic
Impact In Rice, Pasta, And Potatoes In Half

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

Sources
(1) Aged garlic extract with supplement is associated with increase in brown adipose, decrease in white adipose tissue and predict lack of progression in coronary atherosclerosis by Ahmadi N1, Nabavi V, Hajsadeghi F, Zeb I, Flores F, Ebrahimi R, Budoff M.(PubMed)
(2) Aged garlic extract supplemented with B vitamins, folic acid and L-arginine retards the progression of subclinical atherosclerosis: a randomized clinical trial by Budoff MJ1, Ahmadi N, Gul KM, Liu ST, Flores FR, Tiano J, Takasu J, Miller E, Tsimikas S.(PubMed)
(3) Aged Garlic Extract Suppresses the Development of Atherosclerosis in Apolipoprotein E-Knockout Mice by Morihara N1, Hino A2, Yamaguchi T3, Suzuki J3.(PubMed)
(4)
(5) Anti-atherosclerotic effects of garlic preparation in freeze injury model of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits by Sobenin IA1, Andrianova IV2, Lakunin KY3, Karagodin VP4, Bobryshev YV5, Orekhov AN6.(PubMed)

Food Therapy: Asparagus, the Natural Whole Food in Enhanced Male Reproductive Health

In a Rats study divided into five groups: Group I (control), Groups II-IV (AARR treated, 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg body weight, respectively, orally for 30 d) and Group V (standard control treated with sildenafil citrate, 5 mg/kg body weight), treatment of asparagus adscendens root (AARR) extract
group showed a significant increase of weight, testicular tubular diameter, the number of sperm counts and sexual behavioral parameters, including penile erections in comparison to other groups.

Dr. Bansode FW, the lead author said, "These results indicate increased anabolic, reproductive, and sexual activities by AARR treatment. Thus, the data provide scientific rationale for its traditional use as an aphrodisiac (in stimulates sexual desire) or for sexual disorders".

Asparagus is a flowering plant belong to species the genus Asparagus, native to the western coasts of northern Spain, north to Ireland, Great Britain, and northwest Germany, northern Africa and western Asia, used from early times as a vegetable and medicine, because of its delicate flavour and diuretic properties.

In vitro, Lyophilised aqueous extracts of Asparagus racemosus Willd. (AR) exerted a significant effect on the sperm counts, seminal fructose content and penile erection in improving male reproductive function.

Researchers also suggested that There is a directly correlated of erectile function with the penile effect of extracts on induced NO release.

Taking together, Asparagus may be the next potential whole food medicine for treatment of male sexual malfunction, including sexual desire, erectile dysfunction and infertility, etc., but further studies may be necessary.to confirm this potency.

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) Dose-dependent effects of Asparagus adscendens root (AARR) extract on the anabolic, reproductive, and sexual behavioral activity in rats by Bansode FW1, Arya KR, Singh RK, Narender T.(PubMed)
(2) Improvement of penile erection, sperm count and seminal fructose levels in vivo and nitric oxide release in vitro by ayurvedic herbs by Thakur M1, Thompson D, Connellan P, Deseo MA, Morris C, Dixit VK.(PubMed)
(3) Production and glycosylation of sperm constitutive proteins in the lizard Lacerta vivipara. Evolution during the reproductive period by Depeiges A, Force A, Dufaure JP.(PubMed)

Friday, 14 July 2017

Food Therapy: Asparagus, the Antidepressant Natural Whole Food

In an oral administration of methanolic extract of roots of AR (MAR) of the doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg daily for 7 days and then subjected to forced swim test(FST), the extract decreased immobility in FST and increased avoidance response in learned helplessness test (LH), indicating antidepressant activity.

Dr. said, " MAR has significant antidepressant activity and this effect is probably mediated through the serotonergic and the noradrenergic systems(involved neurotransmitter release in nervous system) and augmentation of antioxidant defenses"

Asparagus is a flowering plant belong to species the genus Asparagus, native to the western coasts of northern Spain, north to Ireland, Great Britain, and northwest Germany, northern Africa and western Asia, used from early times as a vegetable and medicine, because of its delicate flavour and diuretic properties.

Depression is a normal response as part of our daily lives such as the loss of s job, the death of a love one, and illness. Over 30 million Americans suffer from depression and the amount is increasing in an alarming rate.

Other extract, such as Extracts of Asparagus cochinchinensis (AC) also expressed the anti depressive effects, through inhibited oxidative stress cause of neuro cell damage and improved cell signal repose and signal transmitting.

Some researchers suggested that antidepressant activity of Asparagus racemosus (AR) may also be mediated by the neurotransmitters system, and cgonitive activities possibly through the cholinergic system involved neuromuscular junctions, preganglionic neurons of the sympathetic nervous system....

Furthermore, the study also showed that AR may be used as food and have potential drug-drug, drug-food and food-food interactions with drugs and foods, sharing the cholinergic and monoaminergic pathways in sending message between neuro cells, induced protective activities against development of depression.

The efficacy of Asparagus in ameliorated depression through neuroprotective effect by inhibited free radical causes of neuro cell damage and improved cell signal response and signal transmitting may require further mutli and lager size studies to confirm its validation.

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) Antidepressant activity of Asparagus racemosus in rodent models by Singh GK1, Garabadu D, Muruganandam AV, Joshi VK, Krishnamurthy S.(PubMed)
(2) The neuroprotective effects and possible mechanism of action of a methanol extract from Asparagus cochinchinensis: In vitro and in vivo studies by Jalsrai A1, Numakawa T2, Kunugi H2, Dieterich DC3, Becker A4.(PubMed)
(3) Asparagus racemosus competitively inhibits in vitro the acetylcholine and monoamine metabolizing enzymes by Meena J1, Ojha R, Muruganandam AV, Krishnamurthy S.(PubMed)
(4) Behavioural and neurochemical evaluation of Perment an herbal formulation in chronic unpredictable mild stress induced depressive model by Ramanathan M1, Balaji B, Justin A.(PubMed)

Herbal Therapy: Cat's claw, The Whole Herb Medicine for Improving Immune Activities

Immunomodulatory compounds exerted the above properties found in cat's claw include ajoene, arctigenin, β-carotene, curcumin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, ginsan, glabridin and quinic acid, according to Dr. Baraya YS, the lead researcher.

A herbal immunomodulators review, in vitro and in vivo, also suggested, cats claw expressed the regulation of informational molecules such as cytokines through alternation of immune function. Therefore, the medical plant may be a potential therapeutic modality for the treatment of many differing conditions involving cytokine, including inflammation and auto immune diseases.

Cat's claw found in the tropical jungles of South and Central America, is a genus Uncaria, belonging to the family Rubiaceae, used in traditional medicine over two thousand years as a tonic, contraceptive, anti-inflammatory and infectious agent, and to treat diarrhea, rheumatic disorders, acne, diabetes, cancer and diseases of the urinary tract, etc..

Auto immune diseases are the disorder caused by immune system attacks the body healthy cells.
Cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa) may be the next medical plant used for treatment of auto immune diseases through its stimulated immune effects.

Severe dengue is a disease associated to the changes in the endothelial barrier function due to the production of inflammatory mediators by immune cells, U. tomentosa exerted antiviral and immunomodulatory activities in inhibition of antigen and proinflammatory cytokine.

In fact, the significant effect in immunomodulation may introduce Cat's claw, as a promising candidate for clinical application.

The use of this herbal plant should be taken with care as toxicity has been found in some cases of overdoses.

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) Uncaria tomentosa increases growth and immune activity in Oreochromis niloticus challenged with Streptococcus agalactiae by Yunis-Aguinaga J1, Claudiano GS2, Marcusso PF2, Manrique WG2, de Moraes JR3, de Moraes FR4, Fernandes JB1.(PubMed)
(2) The Immunomodulatory Potential of Selected Bioactive Plant-Based Compounds in Breast Cancer: A Review by Baraya YS1, Wong KK2, Yaacob NS3.(PubMed)
(3) Modulation of cytokine expression by traditional medicines: a review of herbal immunomodulators by Spelman K1, Burns J, Nichols D, Winters N, Ottersberg S, Tenborg M.(PubMed)
(4) Immunomodulating and antiviral activities of Uncaria tomentosa on human monocytes infected with Dengue Virus-2 by Reis SR1, Valente LM, Sampaio AL, Siani AC, Gandini M, Azeredo EL, D'Avila LA, Mazzei JL, Henriques Md, Kubelka CF.(PubMed)
(5) Toxicological aspects of the South American herbs cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa) and Maca (Lepidium meyenii) : a critical synopsis by Valerio LG Jr1, Gonzales GF.(PubMed)

Thursday, 13 July 2017

Food Therapy: Asparagus, the Natural Whole Food for Reduced Risk and treatment of Ulcer

Intake Asparagus regularly may have a positive effect in reduced risk and treatment of ulcer.

Asparagus is a flowering plant belong to species the genus Asparagus, native to the western coasts of northern Spain, north to Ireland, Great Britain, and northwest Germany, northern Africa and western Asia. Asparagus has been used from early times as a vegetable and medicine, because of its delicate flavour and diuretic properties.

According to the University of Maiduguri, Methanolic extract of Asparagus pubescens root exerted protective against anti ulcer effects through regulating alpha(2)-adrenoceptor stimulation on vascular smooth muscle, in a dose-related manner.

In the study of Asparagus racemosus Willd. (methanolic extract) against indomethacin (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug), induced gastric ulcers, oral administration of Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari) crude extract significantly reduced ulcerindex when compared with control group in doses of 100 mg/kg/day.

Dr. Bhatnagar M, the lead author said, " Crude extract also significantly reduced volume of gastric secretion, free acidity and total acidity..........( probably due to sparagus racemosus exerted) an inhibitory effect on release of gastric hydrochloric acid and protects gastric mucosal damage".

In fact, asparagus anti gastric ulcer efficacy, can be observed through the significant increase of the total carbohydrate and total carbohydrate/protein ratio as well as reduced the ulcer index, volume of gastric secretion, free acidity, and total acidity.

Some researchers suggested, the anti ulcer activity of asparagus may also be a result of increased antioxidant in ameliorated damage of stomach lining caused by domino's effect of free radical production.

Sources
(1) Antidiarrhoeal and antiulcerogenic effects of methanolic extract of Asparagus pubescens root in rats by Nwafor PA1, Okwuasaba FK, Binda LG.(PubMed)
(2) Antisecretory and antiulcer activity of Asparagus racemosus Willd. against indomethacin plus phyloric ligation-induced gastric ulcer in rats by Bhatnagar M1, Sisodia SS.(PubMed)