Herbal News

Varro E. Tyler, Ph.D., former Dean and Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Purdue University and internationally renowned expert in the field of pharmacognosy and botanical medicine, passed away on August 22, 2001. He was 74.

Tyler, affectionately known to his friends as Tip, was the author of more than 30 books and 350 scientific and educational articles, including Herbs of Choice and The Honest Herbal. He had a 30-year career at Purdue University serving as the dean of the School of Pharmacy and as the Lilly Distinguished Professor of Pharmacognosy. He officially retired in 1996, but soon launched a new career as consultant and adviser to the U.S. botanical dietary supplement industry, including serving as a consultant to the Committee for Responsible Nutrition and as Trustee of the American Botanical Council.

Herbal Musings joins the natural health community in sharing this loss while paying tribute to the tremendous contributions made by this extraordinary individual.

Ward Off Colds & Flu with Elderberry

A small study concluded that Sambucol, a proprietary standardized extract of black elderberry (Sambucus nigra), stimulates the healthy immune system by increasing production of inflammatory cytokines. Cytokine production was measured using monocytes derived from the blood of 12 healthy volunteers, which were incubated with four different Sambucol products: Sambucol Black Elderberry Extract, Sambucol Black Elderberry Syrup, Sambucol Immune System, and Sambucol for Kids. Of the four products tested for immune-stimulating activity, Sambucol Black Elderberry Extract demonstrated the most significant effect on cytokine production. The most dramatic increase observed was in production of TNF-a.

Barak V, Halperin T, Kalickman I. The effect of Sambucol, a black elderberry-based, natural product, on the production of human cytokines: I. inflammatory cytokines. Eur Cytokine Netw 2001; 12(2): 290-296.

Source: Herb Research Foundation

Nettle Effective for Treatment of Osteoarthritis Pain

Nettle sting as a treatment for osteoarthritis pain has a long history of traditional use, but few clinical studies have investigated the effectiveness of this practice. This small, placebo-controlled study showed that daily application of fresh stinging nettle leaf (Urtica dioica) was significantly more effective than placebo in relieving osteoarthritis pain at the base of the thumb. For the study, 27 people applied stinging nettle leaf to the painful area once daily for one week. After a five-week washout period, the treatment was repeated using placebo (Lamium album, or white deadnettle, which looks similar to stinging nettle but does not sting). Patients and physicians were both unaware of the treatment order; patients were told that the researchers were investigating two different types of nettle and that they might experience a harmless stinging sensation. According to the results, reductions in pain and disability scores were significantly greater with nettle treatment than with placebo. The investigators concluded, "The stinging nettle is a freely available plant and its sting seems a safe treatment for musculoskeletal pain."

Randall C, Randall H, Dobbs F, et al. Randomized controlled trial of nettle sting for treatment of base-of thumb pain. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine 2000; 93:305-309.

Source: Herb Research Foundation

Can Chocolate be Good for You?

How many times have you heard someone jokingly say that chocolate is a dietary staple belonging to that “other food group”? Well, the addition of this melt-in-your-mouth confection isn’t likely to be recommended as a dietary supplement anytime soon, but there is some good news for chocolate lovers. Recent studies indicate that chocolate may tickle more than your taste buds. In fact, in moderate amounts, it may actually provide some health-giving advantages.

While this may be music to the ears of those who pledge allegiance to the sweet stuff, it should be understood that there are a few inherent drawbacks to consuming chocolate. For one thing, a single ounce of solid chocolate contains approximately 150 calories and consists of 40-53% fat. In addition, chocolate is a plentiful source of phenylethylamine, a compound that behaves similarly to amphetamine and which can trigger an allergic response or migraine headache in certain people. If broccoli had such attributes, all but few of us would have little difficulty in practicing avoidance. But, simply the aroma of chocolate can lure even the most health-conscious consumer. Why is it so hard to resist this culinary indulgence? In part, the answer may lie in human evolution and in our biochemical make-up.

It might suffice to say that we eat a thing because it tastes good. But there are other reasons beyond this simplistic model of thought that govern food selection. Preferences for sweet things is evident in the womb, long before outside forces have a chance to impact us. Many experts believe this hard-wired propensity is related to basic survival skills. In nature, most edible, good-for-you foods have a sweet taste (such as berries and fruit) in contrast to the bitter flavor of many poisonous plants. And, for devout chocoholics, chocolate may be craved in order to alter brain chemistry to produce a “feel good” response, similar to that experienced with increased levels of serotonin and melatonin.

Ever since Columbus brought forth cocoa beans obtained from his fourth voyage to the New World in 1502, chocolate has been a confection of reverence in Europe. But, for more than 200 years after it’s introduction, chocolate was known only as a beverage. A solid form didn’t become available until the 18th century. In France, this version became a popular “instant” breakfast. In the U.S., the first chocolate bar, as we know it, appeared around 1910. Since chocolate was valued for its stimulating effect, it became standard issue for the U.S. armed forces during World War II. Today, giving fine chocolates as an expression of love is a long-standing tradition. What would Valentine’s Day be without it? But, chocolate may pave the way to a person’s heart in more ways than one.

A recent study published in the British Medical Journal, The Lancet, concluded that chocolate contains a significant amount of dietary antioxidants. Specifically, researchers are interested in the protective value of phenols (or phenolics), the naturally occurring chemicals responsible for keeping the fat in chocolate from becoming rancid. Phenols from other food sources, such as tea and red wine, have also been studied for their phenol content and are now being compared to those found in chocolate. While all of these foods contain antioxidant catechins, and the specific phenol epicatechin is common to each, they occur in varying degree and composition. For instance, chocolate contains four times the catechin content of tea. Researchers have also found that a 1.5 ounce piece of milk chocolate has a phenolic content and antioxidant affect nearly equivalent to a 5 ounce glass of red wine.

Why are phenols good for you? While researchers do not claim to have proven anything yet, there is mounting evidence that supports several theories that phenols may reduce the risk of heart disease. While studying what has come to be known as the “French Paradox,” scientists discovered a correlation between wine consumption and a surprisingly low incidence of heart disease in a sampling of the French population in spite of having high serum cholesterol levels. The apparent mechanism of phenols is to inhibit the oxidation of cholesterol in the blood, specifically low density lipoprotein (LDL), dubbed as the “bad” cholesterol. Oxidation of LDL is a leading cause of atherosclerosis (arterial plaque buildup), a major contributing factor in heart disease. However, while dietary phenols may prevent lipid peroxidation, they do not reduce serum cholesterol levels. This explains why the French residents involved in the French Paradox observation had high cholesterol levels but a relatively low rate of heart disease mortality. Other studies suggest that dietary phenols, including those found in chocolate, inhibit platelet aggregation and may promote “vasorelaxation.”

Aside from the role indicated in the prevention of heart disease, chocolate phenols may also affect immune function in humans. A recent study published in Cellular Immunology examined the effect of cocoa phenols on normal human blood lymphocytes in vitro. The researchers surmised that cocoa phenols regulate immune response by inhibiting mitogen-induced proliferation of T-cells, Ig production and IL-2 mRNA expression.

Other studies propose that chocolate-derived phenols exhibit anti-ulcer properties. In one recent study, the administration of cocoa phenols reduced gastric lesions and thiobarbituric acid secretion of the gastric lining in ethanol-induced ulcers in rats.

While chocolate may never be touted as a health food, it clearly does have some health-giving benefits to offer. Scientists now recognize that chocolate is an important source of dietary antioxidant phenols in addition to red wine and tea. In fact, just as an occasional glass of red wine is deemed healthy, indulging your sweet tooth with chocolate now and then may actually be good for you. Now, if scientists could just figure out how to get rid of all those calories…

References:

1. Arts IC, et. al. “Chocolate as a source of tea flavonoids.” Lancet 1999 Aug 7;354(9177):488

2. Osakabe N, et. al. “Effects of polyphenol substances derived from Theobrona cacao on gastric mucosal lesion induced by ethanol.” Bioscience, Biotechnology, Biochemistry 1998 Aug;62(8):1535-8

3. Osakabe N, et. al. “The antioxidative substances in cacao liquor.” Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology (Tokyo) 1998 Apr;44(2):313-21

4. Sanbongi C, et. al. “Polyphenols in chocolate, which have antioxidant activity, modulate immune functions in humans in vitro.” Cellular Immunology 1997 May 1;117(2):129-36

5. Kondo K, et. al. “Inhibition of LDL oxidation by cocoa.” Lancet, 1996 Nov 30;348(9040):1514

___________________________________

Herbal Profile...

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)

Family: Caprifoliaceae

Common names: Bore Tree

History: A fragrant flowering tree, Elder gets its name form the Anglo-Saxon word aeld to mean "fire." The soft pith of young elder branches is easily removed, leaving a hollow tube or pipe. Presumably, these tubes were once used to blow on a fire in order to encourage the flames. But these pipes were also representative of early toys and musical instruments still popular today - pop-guns, flutes and whistles. Culpepper referenced the familiarity of elder when he wrote, "It is needless to write any description of this [Elder], since every boy that plays with a pop-gun will not mistake another tree for the Elder."

Elder wood has long been revered for its quality and strength. The tree is also graced with mystical powers and many ancient superstitions are associated with it. Judas reputedly repented his traitorous acts by hanging from an elder. The Dutch believed that elder trees were home to Hylde-Moer, or the Elder Mother, who hid among the branches. It was considered unwise to cut the wood of elder without first securing permission from Hylde-Moer. To do so would result in the tree spirit haunting whatever object the wood was obtained to make, as well as the humans that harbored it. There is also a persistent belief that the Cross of Calvary was made of elder, as an old rhyme relates:

'Bour tree-Bour tree: crooked rong
Never straight and never strong;
Ever bush and never tree
Since our Lord was nailed on thee."

Medicinally, elder has been used for bruises, purging, to deter insects, as an eye wash and to treat colds and flu for centuries. Of these applications, the last holds particularly veritable promise. In fact, elderberry is one of the most important remedies to be found in your medicine chest when it comes to beating the sniffles.

In the 1980s, virologist Madeline Mumcuoglu, Ph.D., set out to determine by what mechanism elderberry successfully defeats the flu. She found that the action of elderberry extract was to prevent viral hemagglutinin, or the process of the invading cells using their spike-like projections to introduce its enzyme into healthy cell membranes. She further noted that the viral enzyme is also neutralized in the presence of elderberry extract.

Constituents:rutin and quercertin (flavonoids), vitamin C, anthocyanins

Cautions: None known.

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Aromatherapy With Valerie Ann Worwood

Worwood begins with the mixing of oils. The video sleeve contains a guide to which oils work for specific desired results (for instance, lemon oil is good for the body and soul, for use as a sedative, and for increasing concentration), and she mixes a few concoctions to illustrate. She then moves on to first aid, healing cuts and burns, stimulating aching feet, and helping a young child fall asleep.

Next is aromatherapy in beauty regimes. The face massage is soothing, and she claims it will help release tension, increase circulation, improve texture, and revitalize the face. Scents in baths and showers follow, and then the section on stress, tension, and self-massage.She finishes the video with environmental perfuming--scenting your living space.

Aromatherapy With Valerie Ann Worwood

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~ Recipes ~

Pistachio Cardamom Cake

Serves 12

CAKE
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup semolina
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted pistachios, plus 12 whole pistachios
1/2 cup nonfat plain yogurt

SYRUP
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon peel
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Butter a 7-by-11-inch baking dish. With an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Add the vanilla.

In a separate bowl, combine the semolina, cardamom, cinnamon, and salt. Grind 1/2 cup of the pistachios in a spice grinder to the consistency of a coarse meal and stir into the dry ingredients.

In alternating batches, add the yogurt and the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition, to form a smooth batter.

Spread the batter into the prepared baking dish. Bake for about 30 minutes, until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Meanwhile, about 5 minutes before the cake is done, combine the water, sugar, lemon peel, and lemon juice in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil rapidly for about 2 minutes and then remove from the heat and set aside.

When the cake is room temperature, cut it in half lengthwise and then cut it into thirds crosswise to form six square pieces. Cut each square on the diagonal to make 12 triangular pieces. Pour the syrup evenly over the cake and gently press one whole pistachio into the center of each triangle of cake.

Excerpted from The Moosewood Cookbook

Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats : Your A-Z Guide to Over 200 Conditions, Herbs, Vitamins, and Supplements by
Dr. Shawn Messonnier,
Prima, 2001

Book Excerpt

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in Pets
by Dr. Shawn Messonnier

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common cause of gastrointestinal problems in cats and dogs. IBD is a group of conditions characterized by inflammation of the intestinal tract and associated with
(chronic and persistent) gastrointestinal signs. The signs most commonly seen in pets with IBD often reflect the location of the intestinal lesions (inflammation.) Vomiting, diarrhea, and/or weight loss occur. Lesions affecting the stomach and upper small intestine are more likely to cause vomiting, whereas lesions of the lower small intestinal tract and colon are more likely to cause diarrhea.

Causes of IBD are numerous. Most commonly, the cause is never identified
and the disease is classified as idiopathic (meaning we can't identify the cause.) While there is no known cause of idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease, most doctors suspect some type of allergy as this is an immune disease. The allergy or sensitivity might be due to the diet (many mild cases can respond to dietary manipulation,) bacterial antigens, or self-antigens (an autoimmune disorder.)

Most pets with inflammatory bowel disease are treated with various
antiinflammatory medications, including
corticosteroids such as prednisone, sulfasalazine, or (in serious cases) the chemotherapy agent azathioprine; these therapies are often combined with antimicrobial medications (tylosin, metronidazole.) Usually the pet is treated with a high (immunosuppressive) dose of
antiinflammatory medication and is slowly (over several months) weaned off of the medicine or weaned to the lowest dose which controls clinical signs. As you mentioned, there is potential danger in using high doses of corticosteroids, including side effects such as pancreatitis, increased susceptibility to infection,
and gastrointestinal ulceration or
perforation. These side effects are quite rare in cats as they are more resistant to side effects from steroids than dogs.

A new drug called budesonide has been used in people and there is some
information on using it in dogs and cats. It is a steroid that is poorly absorbed orally and acts locally in the gastrointestinal tract, which would mean that it has less chance of causing systemic side effects such as those seen with corticosteroids. Cost would be the major disadvantage as it cost more than generic prednisone.

A study done by Dr.'s Alan Stewart and Joel Bolineck, reported in the journal of the ACVIM (1997) showed that budesonide not only noticeably diminished side effects over prednisone, but also offered superior effectiveness for the control of the disease. The quality of life also
dramatically improved for all participants
including those animals that had been maintained on prednisone.

Natural Therapies

Before starting therapy, the correct diagnosis is important. As mentioned, causes of inflammatory bowel disease are
numerous and include: parasites (whipworms, Giardia,) fungi (histoplasmosis, protothecosis,) bacteria
(Salmonella, Campylobacter, pathogenic E. coli,) food allergy/hypersensitivity, cancer (lymphosarcoma, adenocarcinoma,) and idiopathic (unknown cause named by the type of pathogenic white blood cells seen in biopsy specimens such as eosinophilic, lymphocytic-plasmacytic, or
granulomatous.) Most commonly, the idiopathic classification of inflammatory bowel disease is seen in dogs and cats. While there is no known cause of idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease, most doctors suspect some type of allergy as this is an immune disease. The allergy or sensitivity might be due to the diet
(many mild cases can respond to dietary manipulation,) bacterial antigens, or self-antigens (an autoimmune disorder.) Allergies to food components usually involve cereal grains (wheat, barley, and oats, all of which contain gluten, a common dietary protein in many cereal grains,) meats, and rarely eggs.

There are several natural therapies may be helpful in controlling the disease.

The amino acid glutamine serves as a fuel for the cells that line the intestines (it serves as a primary energy source for the mucosal cells which line the intestinal tract.) Because stress on the intestinal cells increases the need for glutamine as the body replaces the cells lining the
intestinal tract, it is often recommended for pets with inflammatory bowel disease. Glutamine, being one of the body's amino acids, is thought to be a safe supplement when taken at recommended dosages. Because many anti-epilepsy drugs work by
blocking glutamate stimulation in the brain, high dosages of glutamine may overwhelm these drugs and pose a risk to pets with epilepsy. If your pet is taking antiseizure medications, glutamine should only be used under veterinary supervision.

Plant enzymes work by increasing digestion and absorption of nutrients from the diet. They are quite helpful as part of a regimen to control signs seen with inflammatory bowel disease.

A natural diet is also important. Many pets with mild disease can respond to just dietary changes.

Probiotics are healthy bacteria that are given to replace the bacteria lost in pets with chronic vomiting or diarrhea. Healthy bacteria can produce fatty acids that are used by the intestinal cells for nutrition.

Products containing bentonite clay can help as the clay serves to adsorb toxins
found in the GI tract.

These natural therapies have allowed many patients to decrease their need
for corticosteroids and other medicines that have more serious side effects.

Dr. Shawn Messonnier is the author of The Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats and can be reached at naturalvet@juno.com.

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~ Recommended Reading ~

The Doctors Book of Herbal Home Remedies : Cure Yourself With Nature's Most Powerful Healing Agents : Advice from 200 Experts on More Than 140 Conditions by Varro E. Tyler

The Carpal Tunnel Helpbook: Self-Healing Alternatives for Carpal Tunnel and Other Repetitive Strain Injuries

The Four Agreements Companion Book : Using the Four Agreements to Master the Dream of Your Life

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