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Autumn Greetings
Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower. - Albert Camus
Do you find yourself commenting on the weather more often this year? I do.
As I begin writing this newsletter it is snowing and has been snowing the entire day: It is mid-October - the season of gathering nature’s bounty before winter calls us to rest. I try to live my life in harmony with the seasons and Autumn is my favorite: a time to go apple picking, to decorate for Halloween, to go for long walks while enjoying the beautiful leaves, to put our gardens to rest…. but, today it is snowing. I’m sure it won’t last, and beautiful fall days are ahead; however, a day like today is disconcerting to both people and plants. We feel out of balance. Is this a message from Mother Nature and are we listening?
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What To Do About The Flu? With flu season upon us and swine flu fatalities  and fears continually making headlines, many of you are contemplating whether to receive a flu vaccination. If you are deciding not to take a flu vaccine, you will be interested in some information you won’t find reported in the main stream media: In some heavily populated countries where vaccines are not readily available people are relying on medicinal herbs with immune-boosting properties, such as Astragalus and Reishi Mushroom to help protect against the H1N1 virus commonly known as swine flu. http://cms.herbalgram.org/herbclip/news.html?year=2009 One excellent product available at some health food stores, and from my on-line dispensary, is Astra-8 by Health Concerns. This is a combination of Astragalus and medical mushrooms that I find very effective for enhancing the immune system and respiratory function. I’m in good company recommending this formula since Dr Weil often mentions it in his newsletter. More preventative measures include daily supplements of Vitamin D and probiotics. Read on -
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Is Sunshine More Than Just a Home Remedy For Colds and Flu?
In recent studies, people with low levels of Vitamin D – also known as the sunshine vitamin – were more likely to catch cold and flu than folks with adequate amounts. People with the worst Vit D deficiency were 36 per cent more likely to suffer respiratory infections than those with sufficient levels. Among asthmatics, those who were Vitamin D deficient were five times more likely to get sick than their counterparts with healthy levels.
Americans of all ages are deficient and need more Vitamin D; most likely a result of avoiding exposure to the sun – our best source - and we can’t reach optimum levels from food alone. Researchers believe that if you’re exposed to a flu virus and you have sufficient vitamin D levels, your cells will be better equipped to fight off that  organism and you won’t get an infection. Respected health care professionals are conservatively recommending supplemental Vitamin D3 for children at 1,000 IU’s and adults 2,000 IU’s daily. Sounds like a lot; however, an international unit (IU) is a different method of measuring and cannot be compared to a milligram. Yes, you can overdose on Vitamin
D, but it is unlikely at these levels. I prefer liquid D3 supplements with 1 single tasteless drop equal to 1,000 IU’s. Consult with your physician if you suspect you might need higher levels for the short term to correct a severe deficiency. Also, consider testing after several months of supplementation to determine if you have reached optimum levels.
References for More Information on Vitamin D:
www.PubMed.com - a service of NIH and the National Library of Medicine, has over 2,000 citations on Vitamin D research including the following:
Archives of Internal Medicine: Adit A. Ginde; Jonathan M. Mansbach; Carlos A. Camargo Jr Vitamin D Level, Respiratory Tract Infections, and Controlled Trials Arch Intern Med, Aug 10/24, 2009; 169: 1443 - 1444.
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And If You Get The Flu? If you are exposed to the flu, or begin to show symptoms, there are herbs that will help prevent illness and/or shorten the duration. Yin Qiao Formula is a 150 year old Chinese herbal formula and is regarded as highly effective in combating cold and flu. It contains nine herbs including lonicera, forsythia, peppermint and licorice. If you are a client or have attended my classes, you know that I have been recommending this formula for years to take when traveling, when exposed to colds, flu and when feeling vulnerable. It is available in soft gel capsules on my website dispensary as Yin Qiao Jie Du by Kanion Pharmaceutical Co. Note: References are available when you click on this product in my dispensary at www.elementalsherbs.com client access code 00Herb.
Sambucol, a black elderberry extract, shortens the duration of flu symptoms, according to several studies over the past 10 years. It is also delicious and easy to get children to take this medicine. Keep In mind that Sambucol is for treatment not for prevention and research is based on the extract not on capsules or tablets.
http://www.naturalnews.com/026354_elderberry_Tamiflu_immune_system.html
And let’s not forget the healthy habits that help prevent the flu virus from spreading – frequent washing of hands and getting a good nights sleep.
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 Walnuts – Heart Healthy and Delicious: They're a tasty way to beat a snack attack or add some crunch to brownies. And some of us already know they have the best omega-3/omega-6 fatty acid ratio. But there's another reason to love walnuts—it turns out they may have the power to lower your high cholesterol. Scientists at Harvard School of Public Health recently reviewed 13 studies with a combined total of 365 participants. They concluded that diets rich in walnuts can significantly lower cholesterol levels.
The good stuff didn't stop with cholesterol, either. Other results showed that walnuts can help with inflammation and keeping body weight in check. Numerous studies have concluded that omega-3s help reduce the potential for heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and clinical depression. How many walnuts are recommended to appreciate the health benefits? I did a search and found that 1 oz - or 14 shelled halves per day – was the average serving. Crushed walnuts are delicious sprinkled on salads or try keeping a small dish near your computer for snacking with some dried cranberries. The bottom line is that walnuts contribute nutrients essential to a healthy lifestyle.
http://www.walnuts.org/walnuts/index.cfm?LinkServID=D6B0095E-1D09-2E94-8F206B9DC5834F84&showMeta=0
http://www.citrona.com/han_scienceUpdate_200412.pdf
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St John’s Wort – Hypericum Perforatum
St John’s Wort Proven As Effective As SSRI’s In Patients With Major  Depression in the current Meta-Analysis St. John's Wort has been used for thousands of years to treat depressive symptoms, and is currently one of the top selling herbs in the United States. Most studies focused on its use in treating mild to moderate depression where SJW was most effective. This meta analysis of earlier studies suggests that hypericum extracts are superior to placebo in patients with major depression as well and have similar effects as standard anti-depressants with fewer side effects.
The St. John’s Wort products available on the market vary to a great extent. It is important that products be made from whole plant material not just concentrations of some constituents. This is a basic tenant of herbal medicine. Early on, scientists in the U.S. often made the mistake of concentrating what they believed were the active ingredients of SJW and omitting others. The results were inconclusive at best and significantly less positive than studies performed in Europe where they used the whole plant in their extracts.
If you wish to use a product it is advisable to consult a health care professional. Side effects are usually minor and uncommon; however, the researchers note the possible effect of SJW on other pharmaceuticals a patient may be taking.
This plant has an interesting history: St John’s Wort was once considered magical because the plant's red sap resembles blood. Legend suggests that the herb got its name because the plant first "bled" red in the Middle Ages after St. John the Baptist was beheaded. Also, the flowers of this plant bloom around late June, coinciding with the feast of St. John.
http://cms.herbalgram.org/herbclip/365/review110581-365.html Linde K, Berner MM, Kriston L. St John's wort for major depression. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2008, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD000448. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000448.pub3. Linde K, Berner MM, Kriston L. Centre for Complementary Medicine Research, Department of Internal Medicine II, Technische Universitaet Muenchen, Wolfgangstr. 8, Munich, Germany, 8
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 Acid Reflux Drug Causing Acid Reflux?
Evidence that a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) induces the symptoms it is used to treat. This was the conclusion of a study appearing in the July issue of Gastroenterology Magazine. Acid reflux drugs that promise to soothe and calm the pain of your discomfort can actually cause acid reflux, heartburn, and indigestion. In the study, PPI’s did produce acid reflux symptoms in healthy volunteers who took the medication for eight weeks. It was concluded the PPI’s did cause an acid “rebound” effect which can create dependency. We need stomach acid to break down and digest our food, but we don’t want it to rise up our esophagus. PPI’s neutralize stomach acid and long term use will likely impair your digestive function.
In my clinical experience some people want a “quick fix” and others have difficulty sticking with the diet and lifestyle changes that eliminate acid reflux. For those who wish to try a natural approach the following suggestions are helpful.
- Identify and eliminate trigger foods - this may include tomatoes, raw onions, coffee, tea, soda, fatty foods, fried foods, orange juice, some dairy products and even mint for some people. Don’t be discouraged. You probably don’t have problems with the whole list.
- Eat small meals to avoid over-filling your stomach
- Do not eat for 3 hours before bedtime
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Elevate the head of your bed - an extra pillow doesn’t work. Try placing a thick board under your headboard.
- Licorice and Slippery Elm tablets – two herbs that are helpful for healing ulcerations and for coating the digestive tract. Chew two tablets before meals and at bedtime. Capsules will not work. Also, Slippery Elm Tea is helpful.
Reimer C, et al "Proton-pump inhibitor therapy induces acid-related symptoms in healthy volunteers after withdrawal of therapy" Gastroenterology 2009; 137: 80-87.
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End Note: It is sunny and 70 degrees as I put this issue to bed. I’m going outside to work in the garden and enjoy this lovely day. Autumn Blessings
If people do not revere the Law of Nature,
It will inexorably and adversely affect them.
If they accept it with knowledge and reverence,
It will accommodate them with balance and harmony.
Lao Tzu
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Pam Leahy, RH (AHG) HHC
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