Herbal News

Comfrey is commonly sold as pills or teas for intestinal problems, cough, stomach ulcers and as a salve to treat wounds, sprains and bruises. According to the FDA, comfrey products may contain up to three varieties - common comfrey, prickley comfrey and Russian comfrey - all of which contain alkaloids known to be toxic and that are suspected carcinogens.

The U.S. Pharmacopeia issued a monograph several years ago discouraging consumer use of comfrey, particularly emphasizing its dangers for children, pregnant or nursing women and people with liver disease. The USP cites reports of liver damage in humans after short- or long-term oral use of comfrey in various forms, including leaves, roots, pills and teas. The report also urges people not to use topical comfrey on broken skin because of the possibility of systemic absorption.

While no deaths have been associated with comfrey usage, there have been several cases of illness reported from consuming the herb over the last four years.

FDA Approves DHA in Infant Formula

The U.S. FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition has given their approval for a Maryland-based company for its algae-source nurtitonal oils - docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) to be added to infant formulas sold in the U.S.

The decision comes from much research on the benefits of DHA on the heart, brain and vision and in pediatric research. Of particular influence, was an 18-year study published in Pediatrics in 1998 that followed more than 1,000 children from infancy to adulthood. The researchers concluded that breastfed infants were "more intelligent" and attained greater academic achievement than formula fed babies. The researchers determined that DHA levels are critical in early brain development and that breast milk is high in this important fatty acid. Supplementing infant formulas with DHA will provide equal benefit to infants who cannot or will not be breast fed.

Flax Seeds Shrink Breast Tumors

A recent Canadian study divided a group of postmenopausal women with breast cancer into two test groups - one group ate 25 grams of flax seed oil in a muffin every morning, while the other group consumed a muffin without it. Significant reduction in tumor size was seen in the women who were getting the flax seed oil, results that are comparable to the drug tamoxifen.

You can buy capsules of flax seed (you must refrigerate them) or sprinkle the seeds on cereal, salads, add to soups, casseroles or baked goods.

Source: Haggans CJ, et. al. Effect of flax seed consumption of urinary estrogen metabolites in postmenopausal women. Nutr Cancer 1999;33:188-95.

Canada Approves Medicinal Cannabis

Last week, Canada became the first country in the world to permit the cultivation and medicinal use of cannabis for people suffering from chronic diseases such as asthma, multiple sclerosis, cancer and degenerative muscle and bone diseases.

Possessing, growing and selling cannabis for recreational use is still a crime in Canada but with a doctor's certification, patients may pursue the use of cannabis as a medicinal without fear of prosecution.

This ruling is in direct opposition to a recent Supreme Court ruling in the U.S. that strictly prohibits the use of cannabis entirely, affecting the legal distribution of medicinal cannabis in California and other states where it had been permitted previously.

Results of First Placebo-Controlled Study of Saw Palmetto in U.S. Presented to AUA

The results of a first-ever placebo-controlled study of the effects of saw palmetto on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were presented last week at the American Urological Association (AUA) annual meeting in Anaheim, CA.

Using needle biopsies to extract prostate tissue from patients before and after treatment with either saw palmetto or placebo, researchers noted a 32 percent decrease in dihydrotestosterone (DHT) – a hormone associated with BPH – in the saw palmetto treated patients after six months of treatment. No statistically significant changes in DHT levels were noted in the placebo-controlled patients.

The results support existing data from previous studies that indictate that saw palmetto may be an effective treatment for reducing the symptoms of BPH which affects an estimated 50 percent of men over the age of fifty.

In Germany, the Commission E, a panel of medical and pharmacy experts within the German government, has approved the use of saw palmetto for early stage BPH at the dosage of 320 mg per day.

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Herbal Profile...

Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum)

Family: Compositae

Common names: Veriegated Thistle, Our Lady's Thistle, Marian Thistle

Range: Native to the Mediterranean, naturalized in Australia and Western U.S.

History: Early Christians believed that the Virgin Mary once fell upon this thistle resulting in its milky white resin to run and the nickname of Our Lady's Thistle was born. The young leaves were once a popular vegetable (with the outer prickly edges removed) as Bryant writes, "The young shoots in the spring, cut close to the root with part of the stalk on, is one of the best boiling salads that is eaten, and surpasses the finest cabbage." The leaves were also sometimes baked into pies. The seeds can be ground and added to dishes. Whole seeds are a favorite snack of goldfinches. The flower heads were also once prepared and served in a similar manner as the artichoke.

Milk Thistle has been dubbed the "liver herb" because of its demonstrated ability to help detoxification and new cell generation. The presence of silybin protects the liver from deathcap mushroom poisoning, jaundice, hepatitis and cirrhosis. As Westmacott wrote in 1694, "It is a Friend to the Liver and Blood: the prickles cut off, they were formerly used to be boiled in the Spring and eaten with other herbs; but as the World decays, so doth the Use of good old things and others more delicate and less virtuous brought in."

Chat Events

Wednesday, August 1, 2001 11:00 PM PDT/ 8:00 PM EDT
Herbal Musings Place to Muse
Come on out and meet your fellow members of this community!

To Enter this Chat: http://www.delphi.com/herbalmusings/chat

Wednesday, August 1, 2001 12 noon PDT/ 3 PM EDT
Nourishment
How can you turn your everyday food preparation and casual eating habits into more conscious, deliberate experiences? How can your body and spirit benefit from this new attention? Chat with Deborah Kesten, nutritionist and author of "'Feeding the Body and Nourishing the Soul," when she explains how other cultures approach nourishment and how we can add more meaning to our own hurried mealtimes.

Wednesday, August 22, 2001 12 noon PDT/ 3 PM EDT
Don’t Let Death Ruin Your Life
The passing of a parent is always deeply felt by the family members who are left behind, and sometimes the loss is devastating. Years after her father's sudden death, author Jill Brooke forged her path to healing and growth by writing "Don't Let Death Ruin Your Life." Her advice is compassionate and practical. She, herself, had a close call with death and now has important advice for parents: begin recording your legacy for your children through letters, pictures, and videos.

To enter these chats: http://www.onebody.com

Note: More chat opportunities with OneBody.com will be announced as they are being scheduled.

Have questions about using or preparing herbs? Let other members help! Post in the Message Boards.

~ Recipes ~

Creamy Chicken & Basil Fussili

6 ounces uncooked rainbow rotini
--spiral pasta about 2 cups
2 cups frozen cut broccoli
1 cup lowfat sour cream
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups diced cooked chicken breast
3/4 teaspoon dried basil leaves
4 1/2 ounces sliced mushrooms
4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

In large saucepan or Dutch oven, cook rotini to desired doneness as
directed on package, adding broccoli during last 5 minutes of cooking time.

Meanwhile, in medium saucepan, combine sour cream and flour; blend well.

Stir in milk. cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until hot but not boiling. Stir in chicken, basil, mushrooms and 3 tablespoons of the cheese. Cook until thoroughly heated.

Drain rotini and broccoli; return to saucepan. Add chicken mixture; toss to coat. Place mixture in serving dish or on serving platter; sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon cheese.

Herbed Pasta with Sun-dried Tomatoes

1 pound dried pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 package sun-dried tomatoes
1 cup dry vermouth
1/4 teaspoon hot red-pepper flakes
1 teaspoon dried whole oregano
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil (or 1 tbsp dried basil)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Place the sun-dried tomatoes in a medium bowl and cover with boiling water. After 15 minutes, drain and set aside.

While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a skillet, add the onion, and sauté until it is translucent. Then add the garlic and sauté for a minute more.

Add the vermouth, red-pepper flakes and herbs to the skillet. Mix well and cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes.

Pour mixture over cooked, drained pasta. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and toss well. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

~ Site Reviews ~

Vegetarian-Recipe.com answers the question, "What do I do with that hunk of Tofu?" Here you'll find information about food additives, internal cleansing, "friendly" bacteria and much more. And, with tons of tempting recipes to choose from on this site, you'll never have to ask the above question again. Get great cooking tips, features and healthy recipes with their free newsletter!

The Celtic Connection - A place where followers of Wicca, Witchcraft, Shamanism, Druidry and Pagan beliefs meet to celebrate the magickal life.

United Plant Savers: United Plant Savers' mission is to protect native medicinal plants of the United States and Canada and their native habitat while ensuring an abundant renewable supply of medicinal plants for generations to come.

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Get Your Herbs, Flowers and Organic Gardening Supplies in the Garden Center!

Find all your herbal supplements from A-Z at low, low prices in the Wellness Center.

~ Recommended Reading ~

The Sacred Path Workbook: New Teachings and Tools to Illuminate Your Personal Journey

by Jamie Sams

A valuable new companion to the bestselling Sacred Path Cards--a workbook that enhances the cards' power by providing further applications of the Native Teachings to discover personal truths and one's path in life.

Sacred Path Cards : The Discovery of Self Through Native Teachings

This extraordinary tool for self-discovery draws on the strength and beauty of Native American spiritual tradition. Developed by Native American medicine teacher Jamie Sams, this unique system distills the essential wisdom of the sacred teachings of many tribal traditions and shows users the way to transform there lives.

The 44 beautifully illustrated cards, each endowed with a particular meaning and message, may be drawn individually for a daily lesson or laid out in a series of spreads that open up different paths to inner knowledge. Used with the accompanying text, which explains the various forms of methods and interpretation and divination, the cards are a powerful tool for enhanced self-awareness and positive change.

Former Byrds member John York has created the perfect complement to these cards with his Sacred Path Songs, a 41 minute audio cassette that includes the Omaha Tribal Prayer and an Invocation by Jamie Sams. York's enchanting songs are played on traditional Native American instruments and are a beautiful accompaniment to the cards.

Other Titles Worth a Look:

The Animal Wise Tarot

Rainbow Spirit Journeys : Native American Reflections, Meditations and Dreams

Earth Medicine : Ancestors' Ways of Harmony for Many Moons

Other Council Fires Were Here Before Ours : The Medicine Stone Speaks from the Past to Our Future

Mother Earth Spirituality : Native American Paths to Healing Ourselves and Our World

Native Wisdom : Perceptions of the Natural Way

For other titles, visit the Herbal Musings Book Store

Music Selections...

Lakota Pipe & Ceremonial Songs

Tribal Waters: Music From Native Americans

Tribal Fires: Contemporary Native American Music

Walk in Beauty

Moon Spirits

For other titles, visit the Herbal Musings Music Store