In this Issue: 

Feature Herb: Rhodiola Rosea
Bring Your Body Back into Balance with this Russian Adaptogen

Is Green Tea for Everyone?
The Answer Plus Best Brewing Instructions For Green Tea

Possible Hope for Sufferers with Peanut Allergies
A Chinese Herb Formula is in trials at Mt Sinai Hospital in NYC

It’s Spring!  Spring Greens, Spring Tonics and Spring Cleaning  
Wild greens, blender creations and yes, spring detoxification programs

Note for Clients ordering herbs on my web site:  New access code

Health Bullets 

* Using a cell phone, even hands-free, while driving quadruples risk of accidents – an increase similar to drunk driving.

* Although feeding antibiotics to livestock is banned in the European Union, 70% of all antibiotics in the US are used for this purpose.

Greetings of the emerging Spring and welcome to the first edition of my email newsletter: a quarterly summary of selected health-news items gleaned from the professional literature I review each week. I will select items that I believe will be of interest to you, write a brief summary, include reference links, and offer my views, aka editorial comments, based on traditional wisdom and from my own experience as a practitioner and teacher for the past 15 years.   I welcome your comments and look forward to hearing from you.   Blessings of Spring, pam       

Feature Herb
Rhodiola Rosea Herbal Extract Shows Benefits in Mild to Moderate Depression:   In recent clinical trials, a standardized extract of the herb rhodiola rosea was shown to possess clear and significant anti-depressive activity in patients suffering from mild to moderate depression. Extracts of the root of this plant have a long history of use in the traditional medicine of Russia and the Scandinavian countries, but only recently has gained popularity in the U.S.  Rhodiola is an adaptogenic herb; one that strengthens the body’s resistance to the effects of physical or mental stress.  Modern research and centuries of traditional use shows R. Rosea also improves cognitive function, menstrual disorders, enhances libido, has cardio-protective effects, strong antioxidant properties and may be beneficial in weight loss programs.

In my clinical practice I am impressed and grateful for the benefits Rhodiola provides to clients with mild to moderate mood disorders, PMS, sleep problems and other stress related issues. I have been recommending this herb since 2003.  I find most people underestimate the damaging effects of stress on their health.  Dosage is very individual and I suggest working with your health care provider to determine what dosage works best for you. In the study mentioned above, dosage ranged from 350 mg to 700 mg per day. Caution:   R.Rosea is contraindicated when taking pharmaceutical drugs affecting the central nervous system. 

1. Rhodiola Rosea: A Phytomedicinal Overview
Richard P. Brown, M.D., Patricia L. Gerbarg, M.D., Zakir Ramazanov,Ph.D.
American Botanical Council
Herbalgram. 2002;56:40-52 [Read The Full Text]

NEWS ITEM TO WATCH 
Some Hope for Those Suffering With A Peanut Allergy:  There is hope that an ancient Chinese herbal formula renamed FAHF-2,  may be able to control allergic reactions to peanuts and other foods according to a report from researchers at New York City’s Mount Sinai School of Medicine.  In early experiments, the protection provided to mice with peanut allergies was very impressive, and the FDA approved human trials that started last year. Food allergies are both life-threatening and life-altering requiring vigilance around food. Over 3 million U.S. children have this allergy according to the National Center for Health Statistics.  I read the research report and noted that one of the primary herbs in the formula is Ganoderma Lucidum, Ling Zhi. also known as Reishi Mushroom.  Reishi has a long history of use in Chinese medicine and more recently has been identified as an adaptogenic herb that, in addition to modifying the effect of stress on the body, benefits  the heart, immune system, and the lungs.  More to come about Reishi in my next issue.   

US News & World Report
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology  February online Vol 115, Number 1
http://nccam.nih.gov/research/results/spotlight/012908.htm

Green Tea: Fabulous for Your Health
But Is It Good for Everyone? 

"Better to be deprived of food for three days, than tea for even one."
Ancient Chinese Proverb

What Asian peoples have known for centuries -  that green tea is not only a delicacy, when brewed correctly, but also an easy way to augment one's health and well-being - is now being verified and accepted by the medical profession in the Western world. Green tea contains extremely powerful antioxidants, which protect against health problems such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.  Green tea also benefits digestion, boosts immunity, helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure, helps with weight loss and reduces arthritic  inflammation.  Add to this, the latest research indicating green tea also prevents oxidative damage to brain cells. Drinking 2-3 cups per day will help keep your mind sharp. These benefits were realized with black tea as well. 

   American Journal of Clinical Nutrition July 2008
Health and Healing
Vol 19 No 4  April 2009

should everyone drink green tea?  Yes, but not in the same way. If you are one of my students or a client you know that I suggest modifying the temperature of green tea with herbs that benefit your constitution.  In brief: It doesn’t matter if you drink it hot or cold, Green Tea increases coldness within the body. To moderate this I suggest blending well with green tea for someone who is always cold.  A dash or two of cinnamon would also work.  In contrast, if you are always warm you might add some peppermint to your green tea to cool your interior and alter the flavor.   I often serve green  tea with lemon and ginger in my office and it is a popular brew even with those who say they don’t like the taste of green tea. 

brewing green tea:  The brewing of green tea is very important for appreciating the taste and extracting the medicinal compounds.   Unlike herb teas that are infused for 10 minutes or more, green tea is steeped for 2-3 minutes – some say less.  Last year, at a tearoom in San Francisco’s Chinatown, I sampled various green teas and asked the experts, “What is the best way to brew green tea?”  I was advised to steep the first cup for 1 minute and use the same leaves for a second cup that I steep for 2-3 minutes.  Most of the powerful antioxidants are extracted in the first brew.  If you are concerned about caffeine, note that Green Tea contains a natural protein called Theanine, which offsets the negative effects of caffeine. 

 In summary, if you think you don’t like the taste of green tea, try a different blend, brew it the Asian way and add one or two of the herbs I mentioned above.  The benefits to your health are definitely worth it.
Note:  Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are advised to avoid caffeine 

SPRING!  Some Seasonal Notes from Elementals Files
Spring Greens, Spring Cleaning and Spring Tonics 

Gourmet Greens Emerging :   When the snow melts,  new life  emerges from the earth. The cycle of the seasons never ceases to amaze me. Dandelions, plantain, clover, purslane, chickweed, lambs quarters, and nettles are some of my favorite enthusiastic growers that are available from Mother Nature’s garden.   Many chefs at 4 star restaurants include gourmet wild greens in their soups, salads and sauces and get rave reviews from their clientele for the unique flavors.   These wild plants are a superior source of nutrition and chlorophyll – a natural cellular detoxifier and the life blood of plants.  This link will take you to my website for more information about these wild plants and recipes for using them. http://www.elementalsherbs.com/herbal-information.htm#recipes

My Favorite Spring Tonic Recipe
Sarsaparilla Spring Blend    is one of my favorite tonics. Kids enjoy the taste of Sarsaparilla and that’s no surprise –it was the original flavor in root beer! (kids like it best with lots of honey)   I combine sarsaparilla with other root herbs plus lemon juice, ginger, honey and apple cider for a tasty and healthy blending of tastes that nourishes the liver and aids in detoxification.   This tonic will keep in the refrigerator for four or five days or your can freeze what you don’t use.  Enjoy!   Go to my website for the recipe:  http://www.elementalsherbs.com/herbal-information.htm#tonic

Spring Cleaning – Are you Feeling Sluggish and Tired?
consider a nutritional detoxification program to spring clean your body. Spring cleaning is a ritual ingrained in many of us from generations past.  We clean our house, our yard, even our car.  Here is an opportunity to give the same attention to your body.  A 21 day nutritional detox program will help rid the body of excess waste, help balance blood sugar, jump-start weight loss, reduce allergy responses, relieve joint pain and create an even flow of energy throughout your body.  I have been supervising nutritional detoxification programs for 10 years and have seen amazing changes in client’s well-being and health.  This program does not involve fasting.  You drink nutritional shakes and follow an anti-inflammatory diet under my supervision the entire 3 weeks. You will feel energized – not hungry. Small groups and one-on-one programs available.   Email me at pam@elementalsherbs.com  if you have questions or want more information.   Some of my clients even say its fun! 

NOTE TO CLIENTS: 
If you order herbs from my website you have noticed that Emerson Ecologics has a new format. They now ask for an access code. The code for everyone is 00HERB – those are zeroes not the letter “o.”  Ordering directly from the website is the fastest way to receive your herbs –  next day delivery for most of you.  Call me if you continue to have problems and thanks for your patience while the kinks have been worked out. 

Pam Leahy,  RH (AHG)  HHC  
Health consultations by appointment
Offices in Norwalk and Ridgefield, CT
(203)  438 1848   www.elementalsherbs.com 

Health Consultations | Workshops and Lectures | Nutritional Detoxification Programs