By Jonathan Evans
Herbal Information Specialist for the Herbarium
Greetings folks. It is almost spring, and not a moment too soon. This month I would like to answer some readers’ questions instead of covering a particular topic.
Dear Jonathan,
I was recently diagnosed with lupus. NSAIDs help but I am concerned with the side effects of prednisone and cortisone. Are there any natural treatments for lupus?
— Jack
Dear Jack,
There are several options available for combatting lupus, depending on your particular symptoms.
For fatigue, a regimen of B vitamins, extra B-12, vitamin C, magnesium and zinc are suggested. Coenzyme Q-10, NADH, and ginseng are also suggested.
Magnesium and malic acid are used to reduce inflammation. These two items are mostly used for fibromyalgia, but the conditions can co-occur.
Another very important anti-inflammatory is pantothenic acid, which can help your body produce its own cortisone.
For digestive issues, enzymes and probiotics are strongly suggested. The prescriptions you are using can destroy your gut flora, making absorption of nutrients more difficult and further affecting your immune system.
We have a complete informational sheet available at the Herbarium. Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you are interested in receiving more information.
— Jonathan
Dear Jonathan,
I am experiencing awful hot flashes. I can’t sleep, I flush like crazy, and I have water running down my legs and arms. Someone told me this could go on for years. Help!
—Jennifer
Dear Jennifer,
There is help available. At the Herbarium, we have a product that combines black cohosh and fermented soy. This particular item has probably saved countless women from prison for not killing their partners. Seriously though, black cohosh contains phytoestrogens and has been used for centuries. It fills the same estrogen receptors in the body; fooling the body into thinking it has enough estrogen,without exerting a fraction of the hormone’s effect.
Women with estrogen-dependent tumors have safely used this approach. The fermentation of soyreleases more biologically active forms of isoflavones: genistein and daidzein.
While on this subject, please do not be confused by the term phytoestrogen, meaning plant estrogen. The plants do not contain estrogen, but as I mentioned before they have compounds that mimic estrogen without the side effects.
—Jonathan
Dear Jonathan,
I seem to get bruised at the slightest bump. I have black and blue marks all over to the point I look like a Dalmatian! It looks terrible, and is embarrassing. Do you know what causes this or how to get rid of it?
— Marcia
Dear Marcia,
You did not mention if you are on any blood thinning medicine. If you are, you will need to have a conversation with your doctor before trying any of the following.
If you are not on any medication affecting your blood, we have seen very good results using grapeseed extract, bioflavonoids, or ginkgo biloba. Any of these three products can help.
Grapeseed extract contains proanthocyanidin bioflavonoids, which are some of the most potent and highly available antioxidants known, are powerful free radical scavengers and anti-inflammatories. Grapeseed helps with capillary fragility and vascular strengthening.
Ginkgo biloba shares grapeseed’s antioxidant and free radical properties. Ginkgo is well known for its use in improving venous insufficiency and peripheral vascular problems, while helping to strengthen blood vessels.
Bioflavonoids are also found in citrus fruits and complement vitamin C activity. They are found in the flesh and white pulpy stuff that usually gets thrown away. Drinking orange juice misses the point and benefit of bioflavonoids, so eating the whole fruit is best. If you aren’t into citrus fruit, supplements are available
— Jonathan
Two research updates
Vitamin D: UK researchers have found vitamin D helps influence the behavior of melanoma cells in the lab by making them less aggressive. Find full information on this study at www.cancerresearchuk.org.
Walnuts and colitis: Walnut consumption may offer protection against ulcerative colitis and speed up gut healing according to researchers at Texas A&M and UConn Health Center for Molecular Oncology. For more information on this study go to www.uconn.edu.
Essential oils, again
Last but not least, if someone selling essential oils claims they have FDA approval for internal consumption they are sadly mistaken, misled, misinformed or flat out lying.
The FDA does approve essential oils in the manufacturing process, but have never approved it for regular consumption. Look it up. I have a nine-page letter from the FDA warning multi-level marketers and their representatives to cease making those claims. And if they refer to the “French Method-” same deal. Only doctors or pharmacists who have been through years of study are allowed to prescribe essential oils for internal use. As the Public Service Announcement on television says “ the more you know…”
— Jonathan
Send questions on botanical remedies to: Natures Rx: Jonathan Evans at herbarium258@gmail.com, or by regular mail to: The Herbarium, 264 Exchange St., Chicopee, MA 01013. If requesting additional info, include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Find The Herbarium online at www.theherbarium.com, call the store at 413-598-8119 or join our Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bUONF1
