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-Sir Thomas Pope Blount (1649-1697) 

 

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Contents

Willow Bark Effective for Pain

Echinacea Studied for its Effect on Immune Function

Get Involved

Herbal Crafting & Cooking:

Lavender & Chamomile Body Powder

Patchouli Bath Oil

Creamy Fennel Risotto

The Natural Vet is In...

Recommended Reading & Listening

Marketplace

An Herb to Know: Rue

Herbal Conferences


 

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Willow Bark Effective for Pain

Willow bark (Salix alba) is considered the forerunner of modern aspirin and has been used as an anti-inflammatory for centuries. Aspirin was developed in the late 19th century based on the chemical salicin found present in the inner white pith of willow bark.

A new study that demonstrated the efficacy of willow bark in checking pain was recently published in Rheumatology.  The study involved 228 subjects with low back pain that were divided into two groups.  One group was treated with 240 mg of salicin per day, while the other was treated with 12.5-mg of the anti-inflammatory drug rofecoxib (Vioxx®) for four weeks.  In all measures of pain relief, willow bark was found to be as effective as rofecoxib, a member of a new class of anti-inflammatory agents known as COX-2 inhibitors.

COX-2 inhibitors are considered to be superior to ordinary anti-inflammatory drugs because they are less likely to cause gastrointestinal side effects.  Previous European clinical trials have shown that willow bark also has a very low incidence of causing gastrointestinal distress but may cause allergic reactions in some individuals.  However, it is interesting to note that more than twice as many participants in the rofecoxib group as in the willow bark group had to leave the study because of severe gastrointestinal complaints (7.9% vs. 3.5%).

Source:  Rheumatology 2001;40:1388–93

 

Echinacea Studied for its Effect on Immune Function

In one of the first human studies of its kind, researchers found evidence to support the immune-boosting qualities reputed to be offered by the herb echinacea.  In fact, the herb may boost the part of the immune system  responsible for destruction of viruses and bacteria.  While the exact mechanism is still unclear, researchers believe that echinacea stimulates the body to secrete enzymes that nutralize enzymes produced by invading bacteria for the purpose of penetrating healthy cell membranes.

The study, pubished in the July 2002 issue of Alternative Medicine Review, assigned 48 healthy women to one of six treatments: (1) an extract of E. purpurea, (2) E. purpurea and E. angustifolia, (3) ultra-refined E. purpurea and E. angustifolia, (4) E. purpurea, E. angustifolia and larch arabinogalactan, (5) larch arabinogalactan or (6) placebo.  After four weeks, those taking E. purpurea and E. angustifolia and also those taking E. purpurea, E. angustifolia plus larch arabinogalactan had significant increases in the production of properdin - a marker of immune function - by 21% and 18%, respectively. Subjects in those two groups also showed improvements in overall physical and emotional health.

 

 

 

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Burt's Bees Facial in a Kit

Burt's Bees Facial in a Kit

 

 

 

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An Herb to Know...

Photo courtesy of  Herbal Nexus

 Rue (Ruta graveolens)

Common names: Herb of Grace

Family: Rutaceae

Range: Native to southern Europe 


History: The name rue comes from the Greek rhute or reuo meaning to "set free." The Greeks used rue to protect themselves from withcraft as it was during medieval Europe years later. Rue was also believed to be capable of giving one "second sight" and Roman painters regularly partook of rue salad too preserve their eyesight. It was rue, combined with eyebright (Euphrasia), that was given to Adam by John Milton's angel to purge his sight in Paradise Lost.

Mithradates (132 BC-AD 63) launched his rule of Pontus in Asia Minor by doing away with his competitors by poison. In order to prevent suffering the same fate, he took daily quantities of opium, aconite and other poisons to build up a resistance. Rue was the primary ingredient in his antidote formulas. Alas, his secret formula was secret no more when it was found upon his body after being stabbed to death.

The Greeks also employed rue in their secret tonics such as "Drink of the Apostles" and the "Drink of Antioch." Rue was once a component of holy water, earning it the nickname of Herb of Grace. To the Talmud, the ancient book of Hebrew law, rue was considered such an important healing agent that it declared no tithe should be imposed on it. Rue was also an ingredient in the famous Four Thieves Vinegar used to thwart the plague during the Middle Ages.

Rue was once a popular remedy for earache it is was strewn about the house to deter fleas. Culpeper recommended rue to ease "the shaking fits of agues" or pains in the joints. 

"Here in this place 
I'll set a bank of rue, sour herb of grace; 
Rue, even for ruth, shall shortly here be seen, 
In the remembrance of a weeping queen" 
--Shakespeare, Richard III

 
 

Herbal Crafting & Cooking

Lavender & Chamomile Body Powder

1 cup white Clay
2 cups cornstarch
1 tsp orris root powder
1/8 cup dried lavender
1/8 cup dried chamomile
4 drops lavender essential oil
2 drops chamomile essential oil

Combine all ingredients and blend well. Package in glass or plastic containers (old spice jars work well).

 

Patchouli Bath Oil

Also great to use for massage work!

Blend together:

3 teaspoons sweet almond or grapeseed oil
2 drops each:
sandalwood essential oil
patchouli essential oil
orange essential oil
4-6 drops vanilla essential oil

 

Creamy Fennel Risotto

1 tablespoon olive oil
1-1/2 cups diced white onion
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon toasted fennel seeds
1-1/2 cups arborio rice
41/2 cups vegetable or chicken stock
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups diced fennel bulb
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/3 cup minced parsley
2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts

1. Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan until hot but not smoking. Add onion and toss to coat with oil. Reduce heat to medium and continue to cook, stirring often, until onion is wilted, about 8 minutes. Stir in garlic, fennel seeds and rice. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until rice turns a milky-white color. Don't allow rice to brown.

2. Immediately stir in 1-1/2 cups stock, salt and 1 cup fennel bulb. Reduce heat to low and stir the risotto constantly until all stock is absorbed. Continue to stir in additional stock, 1/2 cup at a time, until all stock is used and the rice is tender and creamy. This process will take about 25 minutes. If after all the stock is added the rice is not tender and creamy, add more stock or water until the desired consistency is reached. Stir in remaining fennel bulb, red pepper flakes and parsley. Serve sprinkled with pine nuts.

 

The Natural Vet is In...

Dear Dr. Shawn:  "Can you tell me something about a new drug for arthritis
called Deramaxx? My 9-year-old lab Max has been taking Rimadyl for over a year but this new product sounds like it might be better for him. He's doing OK but I worry about long-term problems that can occur by
using this drug. What are your
thoughts?"

A:  "First, I would strongly recommend against using Rimadyl in labs (and I try to avoid it in golden retrievers as well) since labs have an idiosyncratic reaction that can involve fatal liver failure. I would prefer if an NSAID needs to be used in these breeds to use EtoGesic or Deramaxx, which so far have not caused these idiosyncratic reactions. Second, I am totally opposed to using NSAIDS for long term control of arthritis.

There are many safer and less expensive alternative therapies. To date, I have never had to treat any dog with arthritis with chronic NSAID therapy. Deramaxx belongs to a new class of NSAIDS that preferentially inhibit activity of the COX-2 enzyme (the bad enzyme that causes pain,
inflammation, and cartilage damage) while minimizing inhibition of the COX-1 enzyme (the good enzyme which maintains normal
function of the kidneys and gastrointestinal system.) However, there is still some COX-1 inhibition.In people, the new COX-2 products (Vioxx, Celebrex) are usually incorrectly prescribed for anyone with mild joint pain.

These more expensive products do NOT work any better than less expensive generic NSAIDS and are best used for people requiring chronic NSAID therapy who are also predisposed to side effects from other NSAIDS. Deramaxx product literature reveals erosions of the intestines
at 2.5 times label dose, and as dose increase so does kidney damage. To quote the company's own literature, "All dogs should undergo a thorough history and physical examination before the initiation of NSAID therapy. Appropriate laboratory
tests to establish hematolgical and serum biochemical baseline data prior to administration of any NSAID is recommended." Sadly, few dogs have this extensive and regular testing prior to chronic administration of NSAIDS, which is why I see their owners bringing them in for second opinions for treatment of serious side effects (fortunately, I have been able to help all of these pets with aggressive integrative therapies.) My best recommendation is to use NSAIDS as-needed for control of severe pain in
dogs with arthritis (or in the immediate postoperative period following any surgery in which pain is possible, such as spaying and neutering) and rely on more natural therapies (acupuncture, herbs, homeopathy, joint supplements, etc.) for
long term relief."

Shawn Messonnier, DVM, is author of Shawn Messonnier, DVM, is author of The Arthritis Solution for Dogs, The Allergy Solution for Dogs, and the award-winning The Natural Health Bible
for Dogs & Cats. He can be reached at naturalvet@juno.com.

 

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Recommended Reading & Listening...

 

Herbal Conferences

 

October 9–11: Health Ingredients Japan: Ingredients for Health, Functional and Organic Foods, Tokyo, Japan. In US Contact: Ms. Cecilia Lu, CMP Asia Ltd – New York Office, 600 Community Dr., Manhasset, NY 11030. Ph: 516/562-7855; fax: 516/562-7854. Email: cxlu@cmp.com.

Oct. 9-13: Native Plant Internship with Peter Heus, Hinton, WV.  Join Peter at his own Enchanter’s Garden Nursery and surround yourself with hundreds of native species. Learn seed gathering, preparation of woodland beds, transplanting techniques and study the language of the land with ethnobotanist Susan Leopold. Contact Dreamtime Center for Herbal Studies. Ph: 540/675-1122. Email: drmtime@shentel.net; website: www.dreamtimeherbschool.com.

October 10–13: American Herbalists Guild Symposium 2002: Comparative Medicine for Clinical Practice, Lake Geneva Campus of Aurora University, Williams Bay, WI. 40+ workshops by leading herbalists, including: Matthew Wood, David Winston, Roy Upton, Lesley Tierra, Amanda McQuade Crawford, Tieraona Lowdog, Christopher Hobbs, “Herbal” Ed Smith, Chanchal Cabrera, Jill Stansbury, Jonathan Treasure, Mitch Coven, Michael Tierra, Aviva Romm, Althea Northage-Orr. CE credit for nurses, pharmacists, acupuncturists, and NDs. Keynote address by Norman R. Farnsworth. Preconference intensives on Oct. 9. Contact AHG, 1931 Gaddis Rd, Canton, GA 30115. Ph: 770/751/6021. Fax: 770/751/7472. Email: ahgoffice@earthlink.net. Website: www.americanherbalist.com.

October 11–13: World Conference Ethnotherapies, University of Munich, Germany. Topics will cover healing methods and healing systems of traditional societies from all over the world There will also be a focus of integration of alternative and traditional medicine and political discussion concerning modern medicine and world health projects. Contact: ETHNOMED Institute for Ethnomedicine, Melusinenstr. 2, D-81671 München, Germany. Fax: ++49-89-40 90 81 29. Email: ethnomedizin@web.de; website: www.institut-ethnomed.de.

October 11–13: Cancer Integrative Medicine: State of the Science– Research From Around the Globe, Chicago, IL. Provides an interdisciplinary perspective of current research, clinical trials, and practical information specific to cancer integrative medicine. Contact: CIM c/o Cancer Treatment Research Foundation, 3150 Salt Creek Lane, Arlington Heights, IL 60005. Ph: 888/221-CTRF (2873). Website: <www.CTRF.org>.

October 12: Herb Days at Festival Hill. Round Top, TX. Tours begin at 11am with luncheon and lecture and last until 2pm. $30 per person. Contact: The Herbal Forum at Round Top, P.O. Box 23 Round Top, Texas 78954. Ph: 979/249-3973. Fax: 979/249-3961.

October 12-13: International Symposium on Modern Technology in Chinese Herbs-Quality Control. Taichung, Taiwan. Sponsored by the Ministry of Education. Contact: China Medical College, Institute of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences. Ph: 886-4-2203-0380. Fax: 886-4-2208-3362. E-mail: yschang@mail.ccmc.edu.tw.

October 13–17: IFEAT International Conference, “Central & Eastern Europe: A Source and a Market for Essential Oils and Aroma Chemicals, Warsaw, Poland. Main topics include the production of essential oils and aroma chemicals, the regional market for flavor and fragrance ingredients, and the impact of outside investment. Contact: IFEAT Executive Secretary, 6 Catherine Street, London WC2B 5JJ, United Kingdom. Ph: +44 (0)20 7836 2460; fax: +44 (0)20 7836 0580. Email: ifeatadministrator@fdf.org.uk; website: www.ifeat.org.

October 18-21: International Sympsoum on the Chemistry of Essential Oils, Terpenes and Aromatics, Tokushima, Japan. Topics will include all aspects of eesential oils and related natural products ranging from analysis, biosynthesis, biotechnology, aromatherapy and chemistry to bioactivity. Contact: Dr. Y. Asakawa Tokushima Bunri Univesity, Yamshiro-cho, Tokushima 770, Japan. Ph: ++81/622-9611 Fax: ++81/88-655-3051. Email: teac46@ph.bunri-u.ac.jp; website: p.bunri-u.ac.jp/teac/e-teac46.html.

October 19: Southern Ohio Ginseng Conference: Cultivation, Ecology & Marketing of American Ginseng. Ohio State University, Piketon, Ohio. Contact: Cynthia Brunty Ph: 740/767-2090 Email: cynthiab@ruralaction.org

October 19-20: Oregon Herb Festival. Ashland, OR. Workshops, herb walks, and exhibits, and a conference for herbalists and other health professionals. Ph: 800/ 252-0688. Website: www.botanicalmedicine.org.

October 19-20: Pioneer Days, Orlando, FL. The Herb Society of Central Florida shares in Pioneer Days 29th anniversary with herbal seminars, vendors, crafts, food, and much more. Contact: Ph: 407/628-3850, Website: communitylink.icflorida.com/groups/HSCF

October 21: Saskatchewan Nutraceutical Network 5th Conference and Annual General Meeting. Radisson Hotel, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Presentations and workshops on the nutrition industry, herb safety and efficacy, and good manufacturing practices. Ph: 306/652-2782. Fax: 306/933-7208. E-mail: info@nutranet.org. Website: http://www.nutranet.org/.

October 21-22: “Phytochemicals: Mechanisms of Action,” Buena Park, CA. The Fourth International Phytochemical Conference will explore research linking phytochemicals to health promotion and disease prevention. Contact: Dr. Mark Meskin, Program chair, Dept. of Nutrition, CSPU. Ph: 909/868-2226. E-mail: pc02@accessbusinessgroup.com. Website: www.csupomona.edu/~agri/humannutrition/html

October 21–26: Clinical Herbal Medicine Training, Ashland, OR. This is an in-depth learning opportunity for health care professionals and senior students of medicine and natural healing, offered by the Centre for Natural Healing. Program is conducted by Donald R. Yance Jr, MH, CN, SFP, Chanchal Cabrera MNIMH, AHG, and Suzanne E. Sky Lac, MTOM. Contact: Andrea Luchese, Centre for Natural Healing, 300 N. Pioneer St, Ashland, OR 97520. Ph: 541/488-3133; fax: 541/488-6949. Website: www.centrehealing.com.

October 22: Herb Days at Festival Hill. Round Top, TX. Tours begin at 11am with luncheon and lecture and last until 2pm. $30 per person. Contact: The Herbal Forum at Round Top, P.O. Box 23 Round Top, Texas 78954. Ph: 979/249-3973. Fax: 979/249-3961.

October 24–25: 1st Annual Holistic Cosmetic Symposium, Aveda Institute Minneapolis, MN. Topics include: energy and the Earth, plants and spirituality, essential oils, natural products, and more. Contact: Katherine Martin, Aveda Research and Development, 4000 Pheasant Ridge Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55449. Ph: 763/783-4233. Email: kmartin@aveda.com.

October 26-29: Conference on Plant-Made Pharmaceuticals: Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. Organized and supported by multiple international biotechnology, farming, and drug associations along with the governmanets of Canada and Quebec. Fax: 418/658.6699 E-mail: cpmp2002@mediom.qc.ca. Website: http://www.molecularfarmingassociation.com/.

October 28–31: 8th International Symposium on Ginseng, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Organized by the Korean Society of Ginseng. Topics include culitvation and production, chemistry, pharmacology and biochemistry, clinical studies, and more. Contact: Chang Ho Lee, PhD, General Secretary, Rm #804 Seocho World Officetel, 1355-3 Seocho-dong, Seocho-Ku, Seoul 137-862, Republic of Korea. Ph: 82-2-3473-8772; fax: 82-2-3474-2330. Email: ginsengsociety@hanmail.net; website: www.ginsengsociety.org.

October 29: Festival Hill’s Herbal Seminars series: A Final Harvest of the Herb Garden. Round Top, TX.. Seminar includes buffet luncheon, printed materials and supplies, tastings, a garden tour and Festival Hill plant treasures. $60 per person, 10 AM-3PM. Contact: The Herbal Forum at Round Top, P.O. Box 23 Round Top, Texas 78954. Ph: 979/249-3973. Fax: 979/249-3961.

 

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