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The latest news in herbal and nutritional supplements for your health. |
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Contents Cat’s Claw May Reduce Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis Ginseng Berry Extract Shows Promise in Treating Diabetes & Obesity Recipes ~ Herbal Rubs for Grilling Season Natural Pet Care: Herbal Profile: Wormwood Recommended Reading & Listening Marketplace Herbal Conferences
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Cat’s Claw May Reduce Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis According to a recent study published in the Journal of Rheumatology, an extract of cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa), when taken in conjunction with prescription medications, may reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. This preliminary trial involved 40 subjects who were already taking the prescription medications sulfasalazine or hydroxychloroquine, and who were given either 60 mg per day of cat’s claw or a placebo for 24 weeks. Then, all participants received the cat’s claw extract for an additional 28 weeks. Each participant was examined periodically for joint pain and swelling, morning stiffness and blood measurements indicating inflammation. During the first 24 weeks, joint pain was reduced by 53% in the cat's claw group. In the subsequent 28 weeks, those who had already been taking cat’s claw continued to experience significant reductions in joint pain and stiffness, compared with initial measurements. In the placebo group, taking the cat’s claw extract in the second phase of the study also led to a significant decrease in joint pain and number of swollen joints, compared with the first phase of the trial. Source: Mur E, Hartig F, Eibl G, Schirmer M.
Randomized double-blind trial of an extract from the pentacyclic
alkaloid-chemotype of Uncaria tomentosa for the treatment of rheumatoid
arthritis. J Rheumatol 2002;29:678–81.
Ginseng Berry Extract Shows Promise in Treating Diabetes & Obesity An extract from the ginseng berry shows real promise in treating diabetes and obesity, reports a research team from the University of Chicago's Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research. In the June issue of the journal Diabetes, they show that the extract completely normalized blood glucose levels, improved sensitivity to insulin, lowered cholesterol levels, and decreased weight by reducing appetite and increasing activity levels in mice bred to develop diabetes. They tested the extract by injecting it once a day into mice with a gene defect that causes weight gain and type 2 diabetes. They found that --- * Daily injections of 150 mg/kg of the ginseng berry extract restored normal blood-sugar levels in diabetic mice. Blood-glucose levels fell from 222 mg/dl (quite high for a mouse) to 137 mg/dl (normal) within 12 days. Treated mice also had better scores on a glucose tolerance test, which measures how quickly the mice could remove excess glucose from the blood. * The extract caused diabetic mice, which were also obese, to lose more than 10 percent of their body weight in 12 days. Untreated mice gained five percent of their weight in 12 days. The treated mice ate 15 percent less and were 35 percent more active than untreated mice. Once the injections stopped, weight gain gradually resumed. * The extract improved insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity, both of which were abnormal in mice with diabetes. Treated diabetic mice had 30 percent lower cholesterol levels than untreated diabetic mice (117mg/dl versus 169mg/dl). * The extract had no detectable effect on normal mice. Tests using a ginsenoside Re alone found that it had all of the anti-diabetic but none of the obesity-fighting activities of the extract.
___________________________________ Herbal Profile...
Common names: Green Ginger Range: Europe, Siberia, and U.S. History: The Romans aptly referred to common wormwood as absinthium from the word absinthial to mean "bitter." After rue, wormwood is recognized as the most bitter herb known. But, its name probably comes from the Anglo-Saxon wermode which translates to "mind preserver." The Greeks attribute the herb to the goddess Artemsia and cherished it as a remedy for hemlock poisoning and even the bite of the sea dragon. Wormwood was part of an old St. Luke's Day tradition for young lovers. To gain vision of ones true love, one would anoint them self with a mixture of dried marigold, wormwood marjoram, thyme and vinegar and honey. Then while lying in bed, this chant would be said: "St. Luke, St. Luke, be kind to me, In dreams let me my true-love see." Wormwood was once a traditional stuffing for goose and provides the bitter flavor in vermouth and, until it was banned in the U.S. in 1915, it also flavored absinthe. Absinthe was considered a dangerous beverage which lead to wormwood poisoning. Prior to its ban in France in the same year, many noted artists enjoyed it, including Toulouse-Lautrec and Van Gogh. In fact, some experts believe that Van Gogh's fondness of absinthe lead to hallucinations and his eventual suicide. Wormwood is know for its ability to deter fleas and moths and, if grown as a companion plant in the vegetable garden, can deter deer and small animals. It's thujone content makes it a dangerous herb in volume, however, so care should be taken that it is not mistaken for a culinary herb.
Constituents: bitters, thujone, azulenes, sesquiterpene lactones (absinthin)
What We're Talking About... Stop Unlawful Eviction of Pagan Family! This story is just unbelievable. Please read about it and do whatever you can to help! Skin Care During PregnancyFind out how to keep your skin looking good during this time. Try one of these formulas or add your own!
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Herbal Conferences
| June 7–9: A Practitioner’s Guide to Herbal
Medicine: Complementing Current Medical Practice with Traditional
Herbs, Philadelphia, PA. Simon Mills and Kerry Bone join
Jefferson Medical College Faculty to explore therapeutic principles of
traditional herbal medicine and their relevance to contemporary
medical practice. CME credits available for physicians. Contact: Dr.
Jaclyn Gleber, 130S. 9th St., #723, Philadelphia, PA. Ph:
215/503-3131; fax: 215/503-2348. Email: jaclyn.gleber@mail.tju.edu;
website: http://www.TJU-CE.org.
June 7–9: NNFA Marketplace: 65th Annual Natural Products Trade Show and Convention, Las Vegas, NV. Contact: National Nutritional Foods Association, 3931 MacArthur blvd., Suite 101, Newport Beach, CA 92660. Ph: 800/966-6632, ext. 237; fax: 949/622-6266. Email: conventions@nnfa.org; website: http://www.nnfa.org. June 7–11: Lost in the Woods, United Plant Savers Sanctuary, Rutland Ohio. A conference on the sustainable cultivation of medicinal plants with emphasis on “at risk” plants, identification of wild medicinal plants, ecological herbalism, plant conservation principles and techniques, and bioregional herbalism as a healthy way of living. Teachers include Steven Foster, Cascade Anderson Geller, and others. Contact Cindy Riviere, PO Box 77, Guysville, OH 45735. Ph: 740/662-0041; fax: 740/662-0242. Email: plants@plantsavers.org; Website: http://www.plantsavers.org. June 15–16: Medicinal Herbs of Early Summer, Shinbone Valley Farm, Menlo, GA. Learn to grow, harvest, and preserve medicinal and edible herbs with Ginger Kogelschatz and Patricia Kyritsi Howell. Contact: Botanologos, PO Box W, Mountain City, GA 30562. Ph: 706/746-5485. Email: pkh@botanologos.com; website: http://www.botanologos.com. June 16–20: Drug Information Association (DIA) 38th Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL. Call For Abstracts. The deadline to submit your abstract is September 10th. Your session abstract should not exceed 300 words. A session is 90 minutes in duration and usually comprises 2-3 speakers and a panel discussion/Q&A period. Contact: DIA, 501 Office Center Drive, Ste 450, Fort Washington, PA 19034-3211. Fax: 215/641-1229. Website: http://www.diahome.org/docs/Events/Events_index.cfm. June 17–28: International Training Program in New Crops: Aromatic, Botanical and Medicinal Plants, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. Topics include: germplasm collection and preservation, crop production, natural product extraction, processing, quality control, new product development and marketing. Contact: Cook College Office of Continuing Professional Education, The State University of New Jersey, 102 Ryders Ln., New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8519. Ph: 732/932-9271; fax: 732/932-8726. Website: http://www.cook.rutgers.edu. June 19–21: 6th Annual Natural Business Market Trends Conference: Succeeding in the LOHAS Market, Broomfield, CO. Topics include organic products, renewable energy, complementary medicine, socially responsible investing, alternative transportation, green building, recycled products, personal development, and ecological lifestyles. Contact: Natural Business Communications P.O. Box 7370, Boulder, CO 80306-7370. Ph: 303/442-8983; fax: 303/440-7741. Email: info@lohasjournal.com; website: http://www.naturalbusiness.com/fr_curric.html. June 19–23 International Symposium on Integrated, Wholistic Studies, St. Paul, Minnesota. Keynote:Change and Balance: the Healer's Odyssey in the New Millenium, by Dr. Brent Davis,DC research herbalist, chiropractor. Program integrates body work modalities, herbalism, naturopathy, flower essences, somatic practice, movement and yoga. Preregistration required. Earlybird deadline May 8 $375, Full payment $495 thereafter, workstudy $125, applications due May 15. Contact Lucy Jackson Ph 877/677-4009, email wholisticenergyed85@yahoo.com. June 20–21: Herbal Medicine Retreat for Beginners, Rabun County, GA. Harvest wild herbs and make your own medicines during a weekend dedicated to the basics of herbalism. Contact: Botanologos, PO Box W, Mountain City, GA 30562. Ph: 706/746-5485. Email: pkh@botanologos.com; website: http://www.botanologos.com. June 21–23: 6th International Herb Symposium: “Voices of the Herbal Renaissance,” Wheaton College Campus, New England. This event is a fundraiser for United Plant Savers. Learn from herbal teachers, elders, and healers from around the world including Dr. Tieraona Low dog, Christopher Hobbs, David Hoffman, Rosemary Gladstar, and more. Contact: IHS c/o Sage Mountain, PO Box 420, E. Barre, VT 05649. Ph: 802/479-9825. Email: sagemt@sagemountain.com; website: http://www.sagemountain.com. June 22–27: Annual Meeting of the Society for Economic Botany, “Origin, Evolution, and Conservation of Crop Plants: A Molecular Approach,” New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY. Sponsored symposium plus contributed papers and poster sessions, plenary speakers, committee meetings, discussion groups, receptions, dinners, and awards presentation. Website: http://www.econbot.org. June 27–28: Naturally Safe: The Challenge to the Herbal
Medicine Industry, Brisbane, Australia. Contact: Karen Hanna,
Norsearch Conference Services.
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Source: American Botanical Council (ABC) DISCLAIMER: The contents herein are not intended and should not be construed as being in any form or manner an attempt at diagnosis, therapy or medical advice. While the editors and contributors strive for accuracy, neither collectively nor individually do we assume responsibility for injury and specifically disclaim any warranty, express or implied, for any products or services mentioned herein. If a medical condition exists, we suggest that you seek competent attention and or/counseling by a qualified health practitioner. Copyright 2002, The Herbal Muse Press
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