July 2000

Contents

Celestial Seasonings Gets a New Owner 

Herbal Help for Varicose Veins

Peru Bans Export of Cat’s Claw

Herbal Formula May Help Prevent Degenerative Eye Disease

Herbal Profile

Book Recommendations

Chat Schedule

Member's Corner

Marketplace

Herbal Conferences

Celestial Seasonings, the well-known tea maker that produces 8 million herbal tea bags daily, acquired a new owner in May of 2000.  The $130 million tea giant was acquisitioned as a subsidiary of the Hain Food Group for $385 million.

Celestial Seasonings, known for their artistically illustrated packages and their creatively named teas - such as Sleepy Time and Red Zinger - began 30 years ago in a small warehouse.  In 1984, the company was purchased by Kraft and then sold back to the management team with a leveraged buyout in 1988.

Hain is one of the largest and most successful manufacturers of natural food products in the world and it is expected that they will maintain the philosophy that Celestial started out with in the 1970s - a quality natural product.

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Herbal Help for Varicose Veins

Varicose veins and feathery-looking spider veins are common problems for many people, particularly for women during pregnancy. Obesity, poor diet and poor circulation all play a role in developing varicose veins, which is actually a backward flow of blood in the legs due to diseased or damaged valves.

Tips for Stronger Veins:

- Cross your ankles when you sit, not your legs.

- Avoid hot baths using warm water instead.  Finish bath by splashing cold water on your legs.

- Skip the high heels.  Wear flat or low-heeled shoes instead.

- Elevate legs for 10 minutes, twice a day.

- Control your weight - lose excess pounds.  Eat a balanced diet high in fiber.

- Exercise regularly.

- Avoid standing or sitting for prolonged periods.

Herbal Relief with Butcher's Broom

Butcher's broom (Ruscus aculeatus) is a close relative of asparagus and contains agents that constrict blood vessels and reduce inflammation.  Studies conducted in the 1980s reveal that a combination of butcher's broom and vitamin C showed good results in treating varicose veins.

Other herbs often used to treat varicose veins include hawthorne and horse chestnut. (Note: the latter should not be taken internally during pregnancy or lactation.)

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Herbal Profile...

Kudzu (Pueraria lobata)

Used to: Treat high blood pressure, alcoholism and to prevent hardening of the arteries.  In tradition Chinese medicine, Kudzu has been used to treat allergies, migraine, measles and diarrhea since the 1st century A.D.

Region: Native to Chine.  Climbing perennial with large root sometimes growing to the size of a human adult.

Parts Used:  Root

Action: The glycosides daidzin and daidzein, when administered in animal studies, demonstrate an ability to inhibit alcohol cravings.  These glycosides also show an ability to improve circulation and reduce blood pressure.

Dosage: Tablets - 30 to 120 milligrams, 2-3 times per day.  Crushed root - 9-15 grams per day prepared as tea.

Contraindications:  None known at this time.