Remedies Forhttp://www.herbalremedydatabase.com/remedies-for/en-US2010-03-13T11:00:40ZSquarespace Site Server v5.9.2 (http://www.squarespace.com/)Systemic Yeast Infectionhttp://www.herbalremedydatabase.com/remedies-for/systemic-yeast-infection.htmlLisa Barger2010-01-29T17:04:28ZHerbal Remedies For herbal remedies for systemic yeast systemic yeast infection
System-wide yeast is characterized by an overgrowth of Candida organisms in the human digestive system. Although a number of these yeast-like fungi can be found in the body, the one most often blamed for systemic yeast is the one scientists call Candida albicans and it's the species most often responsible for vaginal yeast infections in women.
Diet's Role In Systemic Yeast Infections
Very few clinical studies have been done on the connection between systemic yeast and foods however many people who believe they have the condition have reported good results after eliminating or reducing their intake of certain foods. Dairy, refined sugars and foods with high level of yeast have all been blamed.
And they may be right. A 1984 study directly linked dairy, artificial sweeteners and sucrose to overgrowths of yeast in women. In this study, the levels of sugar in the women's urine was directly tied to their intake of diary foods and their use of certain sugar substitutes.
When women in this study restricted their intake of those foods they saw up to a 90% reduction in the number of yeast infections they experienced the following year. And some reported no yeast infections at all.
But if certain foods can encourage systemic yeast, other foods may be able to discourage it, too. Yogurt is a perfect, if somewhat old-fashioned, method for dealing with yeast and now we not only have scientific proof that it works; we also know how it works.
In your digestive tract live several species of germs. These make up what doctors call your "flora". One of the keys to a healthy digestive system is keeping your "good" flora balanced with your "bad" flora. And the bacterium Lactobacillus acidophilus is certainly one of the "good" guys. Widely referred to as "probiotics", beneficial bacteria like L. acidophilus restore your body's digestive flora to healthy levels and proportions.
Herbal Remedies for Systemic Yeast Infection
To date, no actual human studies on herbal remedies for system yeast infections have been done but a number of herbs have been proven to have anti-yeast and anti-fungal activities in in vitro experiments. Not surprisingly, these are the same herbs that have a long history of herbal use as well.
Garlic
Dozens and dozens of studies have looked at the lowly garlic clove and found that freshly chopped garlic demonstrates potent antimicrobial actions. While no study has looked at it specifically for systemic yeast syndrome, in vitro tests have found it more effective than the most common anti-fungal prescription drug.
Sources:
Horowitz, B., et al. (1984). Sugar chromatography studies in recurrent Candida vulvovaginitis. Journal of Reproductive Medicine.
Wagner, R., et al. (1998). Variable biotherapeutic effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus isolates on orogastric and systemic candidiasis in immunodeficient mice. Revista Iberoamericana de Micología.
Arora, D., et al. (1999). Anti-microbial activity of spices. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents.
]]>Irritable Bowel Syndromehttp://www.herbalremedydatabase.com/remedies-for/irritable-bowel-syndrome.htmlLisa Barger2010-01-04T16:56:16ZHerbal Remedies For herbal remedies for IBS herbal remedies for irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome used to be called "spastic" colon. It is twice as common in women than men and more likely to strike young adults. It is often associated with stress--especially poorly managed stress--and this fact has made it difficult for its sufferers to be taken seriously.
Do Food Allergies Cause IBS?
Food allergies have long been blamed for the symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome but scientific studies suggest that only a small number IBS patients have food allergies or intolerances. And even when food intolerances are suspected, experts can't agree on exactly how to go about identifying them. Some experts believe that traditional allergy tests can't properly identify conditions like lactose or gluten intolerances; other experts claim that elimination diets are ineffective because a particular food has to be re-introduced then consumed in large quantities and at frequently intervals to be ruled out (or in) as an offender.
Herbal Remedies for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Psyllium
IBS patients are often told to increase their intake of dietary fiber but if an undiagnosed gluten intolerance is at the heart of their IBS, these folks may find their symptoms actually getting worse instead of better. To minimize this risk, some experts now recommend psyllium instead. Pure psyllium powder is widely available and acts an insoluble fiber in the human digestive tract. It passes through largely undigested and "bulks" the stool. A number of studies have suggested that insoluble fibers psyllium may be far more effective at normalizing bowel movements than soluble fibers like those found in fruits and oats or rice.
Peppermint Oil
Cramping is a common complaint among IBS sufferers and a number of studies in recent years have suggested that enteric coated capsules of peppermint or peppermint with caraway oil may help a good number of irritable bowel patients. While other peppermint products--like peppermint leaf tea--have been studied, peppermint oil in specially-coated capsules is thought to offer the best chance for the oil to reach the intestines largely unaltered by stomach acids. Once in the intestines, the peppermint oil is believed to work directly on the smooth muscles of the digestive tract, easing spasms and soothing irritation.
Probiotics & Prebiotics
While supplements of so-called "good bacteria", or probiotics aren't actually herbal remedies, a growing body of research suggests that adding supplements of certain strains of bacteria to your diet may help normalize your body's already-existing flora. In addition, supplements of foods that act as "pre-biotics", or "food" for the good bacteria, may further support the digestive tract and minimize IBS flare-ups.
Melatonin
Melatonin is another nutritional supplement that isn't actually an herbal remedy for irritable bowel syndrome but is showing promise nonetheless. Melatonin is best-known as the hormone that helps regulate sleep but a growing body of research suggests that it may also help normalize bowel function and bowel transit time, especially in IBS sufferers who frequently battle constipation.
Sources:
Ford, A., et al. (2008). Effect of fibre, antispasmodics, and peppermint oil in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ.
Leicester, R., et al. (1982). Peppermint oil to reduce colonic spasm during endoscopy. Lancet.
Spiller, R. (2008). Review article: probiotics and prebiotics in irritable bowel syndrome.
Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics.
Lu, W., et al. (2009). The effects of melatonin on colonic transit time in normal controls and IBS patients. Digestive Diseases and Sciences.
]]>Ulcerative Colitishttp://www.herbalremedydatabase.com/remedies-for/ulcerative-colitis.htmlLisa Barger2009-12-28T16:00:00ZHerbal Remedies For herbal remedies for ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis, or UC, is inflammatory bowel condition not terribly unlike Crohn's. But unlike Crohn's disease, UC is limited to the colon and rectum. While only your doctor can diagnose UC, it is usually characterized by:
- Frequent watery diarrhea--often bloody and accompanied by a sense of urgency
- Abdominal cramps and sharp pains
- Sudden and/or dramatic weight loss
- Anemia
Do Food Allergies Play A Role In UC?
For decades doctors have suspected that food allergies play at least some role in the development of UC. In fact, some UC patients manage their disease purely through diet and other lifestyle modifications. But exactly what foods are suspect may vary from individual to individual. Some, for example, find that surgary foods cause flare-ups while others--including many scientists--can't find any link at all.
Dairy is another food that many UC patients cut out of their diets with mixed results. Raw fruits may bother some ulcerative colitis sufferers but not others, as well.
Herbal Remedies for Ulcerative Colitis
No herbal remedies have every been proven to cure colitis but a number of supplements have shown promise in the management of symptoms. When combined with other lifestyle modifications, herbal remedies and nutritional supplements can support a healthy digestive tract and perhaps even minimize flare-ups. Here are a few worth talking over with your doctor:
Nicotine:
While it's not strictly an "herbal" remedy, one of the most intriguing treatments for UC is nicotine. Nicotine encourages nerve cells in the colon to give up nitric oxide and this release has a relaxing and calming effect on the colon. While no doctor is going to encourage a UC patient to begin smoking, the nicotine patch is an option that has worked for some sufferers of this condition.
Flaxseed Oil
Although the fiber in flax seeds, like the fiber in many other foods, may aggravate symptoms of UC, the omega-3 fatty acids for which flax seed oil is so famous may reduce inflammation and help speed healing of the ulcers.
Frankincense
A 1997 study from Europe found that patients who were given extracts of frankincense, or Boswellia serrata, for 6 weeks actually did better than a standard pharmaceutical medication to which it was compared.
Sources:
Murakami, I., et al. (2009). Nicotine-induced neurogenic relaxation in the mouse colon: changes with dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis. Journal of Pharmacological Sciences.
Gupta I., et al. (1997). Effects of Boswellia serrata gum resin in patients with ulcerative colitis. European Journal of Medical Research.
Simopoulos, A. (1999). Essential fatty acids in health and chronic disease. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
]]>Herbal Remedy Database Returns Tomorrowhttp://www.herbalremedydatabase.com/remedies-for/herbal-remedy-database-returns-tomorrow.htmlLisa Barger2009-12-27T15:34:22Z
Just a reminder . . . our Herbal Remedy Database returns tomorrow in full-force. We have some exciting pieces coming up this week and hope to see you then.]]>The Christmas Legend of Rosemaryhttp://www.herbalremedydatabase.com/remedies-for/the-christmas-legend-of-rosemary.htmlLisa Barger2009-12-24T20:00:58Zrosemary
One of the best-known come to us from Spain. As the legend goes, rosemary's blue flowers were originally white instead of blue but as the Holy Family hid behind a rosemary bush to escape pursuing soldiers, the plant was so honored to have played such a crucial role in Christianity's most sacred story that the white blossoms turned blue to commemorate the event.
]]>Henna Tattoo Warning Misleadinghttp://www.herbalremedydatabase.com/remedies-for/henna-tattoo-warning-misleading.htmlLisa Barger2009-12-23T19:21:35ZHerbs In The News hennaPediatrics warned parents away from temporary tattoos made with henna. Henna dye is made from the dried and the powdered leaves of Lawsonia inermis--a plant native to a large area of Asia and the Middle East.
Henna has been used for centuries for both commercial and personal uses. The Indian practice of mehndi uses henna and in recent years, variations of the art have gained in popularity in the U.S., as well.
So when the experts at such a large medical journal issued a warning against henna-based skin dyes, parents worried. But as we soon realized, the title of the piece, "Temporary henna tattoos may lead to permanent problems," was more than a little bit misleading.
The truth is, the henna itself is actually perfectly safe for the vast majority of users. The problem occurs when the henna is artificially darkened with a chemical known as para-phenylenediamine, or PPD. PPD--which is widely used in commercial hair dyes--has long been known to act as a sensitizer. Allergic reactions can occur without any prior warning and can be quite dramatic when they do.
To find out if the henna dye you're about to have applied has PPD in it, just ask. And look at the dye before it's applied. Plain henna should be dark green or dark brown. PPD-added henna will look nearly black in the bowl and very, very dark on the skin.
]]>Myrrh Lowers "Bad" Cholesterolhttp://www.herbalremedydatabase.com/remedies-for/myrrh-lowers-bad-cholesterol.htmlLisa Barger2009-12-22T15:24:30ZHerbs In The News myrrh
Myrrh, which is a resin taken from trees in the Commiphora genus, has been used for centuries (at least) to treat a staggering number of medical conditions. In traditional Chinese medicine it is primarily employed to move Qi. This makes it a favorite remedy for any condition thought to be related to stagnant energy, like arthritis.
In the Middle East, myrrh is easily one of the most popular herbal medicines. It is used mainly as an antiseptic and is a very popular ingredient in oral care products.
But this study looked at myrrh for its ability to lower LDL, or low-density cholesterol. Researchers gave myrrh (and other herbs) to lab rats and studied its effect on cholesterol. What they discovered was that the animals who were fed diets supplemented with myrrh saw falling rates of the so-called "bad" cholesterol and rising levels of HDL, or "good" cholesterol while they were on the special diets.
Exactly how myrrh, which isn't safe for everyone, may someday change the way humans treat high cholesterol isn't clear.
Source:
Al-Amoudi, N. (2009). Hypocholesterolemic effect of some plants and their blend as studied on albino rats. International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition and Public Health.
]]>Guan Mu Tong Linked to Cancerhttp://www.herbalremedydatabase.com/remedies-for/guan-mu-tong-linked-to-cancer.htmlLisa Barger2009-12-21T23:24:11Zmu tong
The problem isn't actually the plants that make up the remedy but a chemical in them--aristolochic acid. Science has long known about aristolochic acid's ability to dramatically increase the risk of certain cancers but this was the first large study to look also at plants know to contain it. Aristolochic acid is especially common in plants from the birthwort family.
How worried are experts? The scientists behind this study are urging everyone who has used Guan Mu Tong to be vigilant about urinary tract cancer screenings.
They are also calling for a complete ban on any herb found to contain aristolochic acid in the future.
Source:
Lai, M., et al. (2009). Population-Based Case–Control Study of Chinese Herbal Products Containing Aristolochic Acid and Urinary Tract Cancer Risk. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. (Advance Access.)
]]>US Won't Allow China's Herbal Flu Treatment Any Time Soonhttp://www.herbalremedydatabase.com/remedies-for/us-wont-allow-chinas-herbal-flu-treatment-any-time-soon.htmlLisa Barger2009-12-20T19:21:34Zephedra herbal remedy for h1n1 jin hua qing gan
Although it may not do much for the worst cases, it has been proven effective in people with mild infections. It reduces and shorten fevers as well as easing sore throats and coughing, says the director of the Beijing Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
The remedy was tested in more than 2 dozen Chinese hospitals with no reported side effects. An entire course of treatment costs less than $15 American dollars. If efforts to officially license the remedy are fruitful, the product could hit the market as an "approved" treatment for H1N1 as early as January 2010.
Don't look for Jin Hua Qing Gan here in the U.S. any time soon. The formula contains ephedra which was banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration back in 2004 after several weight-loss drugs made with high levels of the herb were linked to a handful of deaths.
]]>Coldshttp://www.herbalremedydatabase.com/remedies-for/colds.htmlLisa Barger2009-12-18T15:32:38ZHerbal Remedies For herbal remedies for cold herbal remedies for the common cold
Using Herbs & Supplements to Prevent or Treat a Cold
Probiotics
In addition to the harmful bacteria that live inside your body, there are also colonies of so-called "good" or "beneficial" bacteria that are vital to your health. Some health experts believe that by supplementing with capsules of these germs you can strengthen your immune system and lower your risk of catching a cold in the first place.
Vitamins and Minerals
We've all heard about vitamin C and its effect on the cold. Experts may still be arguing this point decades after Nobel Prize winner Linus Pauling first proposed it but a growing body of evidence suggests that vitamin C--taken regularly--may both prevent a cold and lessen the duration of one once you catch it.
Zinc isn't a vitamin but this mineral is strongly linked to immunity and a number of zinc-based products have hit the market in recent years. Some of these products contain a form of zinc that appears to be utterly useless in the fight against the common cold but zinc gluconate just might cut your "sick time" by a day or more.
Echinacea
Perhaps no herbal cold remedy has been more contested that echinacea. Known botanically as Echinacea purpurea, this native American flower has long been used by herbalists to treat and prevent a variety of infections. Unfortunately, science hasn't been quite as kind and the scientific support has been mixed.
Garlic
Although a 2009 Cochrane review found the evidence for garlic "poor quality", there's no doubt that garlic has potent anti-microbial actions. And even the researchers behind this study had to agree that at least one good study has found that regular consumption of garlic helped study volunteers reduce their sick days by one full day or more.
Sources:
Leyer, G., et al. (2009). Probiotic effects on cold and influenza-like symptom incidence and duration in children. Pediatrics.
Heimer, K., et al. (2009). Examining the evidence for the use of vitamin C in the prophylaxis and treatment of the common cold. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
McElroy, B., et al. (2002). Effectiveness of zinc gluconate glycine lozenges (Cold-Eeze) against the common cold in school-aged subjects: a retrospective chart review. American Journal of Therapeutics.
Shah, S, et al. (2007). Evaluation of echinacea for the prevention and treatment of the common cold: a meta-analysis. The Lancet.
Lissiman, E., et al. (2009). Garlic for the common cold. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
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