Showing posts with label Dandelion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dandelion. Show all posts


by Paul Bergner
Inulin is major constituent of some of the most famous of the "old-standby" herbs, such as burdock root, dandelion root, elecampane root, chicory root, and the Chinese herb codonopsis. Botanically, inulin is a storage food in the plants of the Composite family. Inulin when injected interacts with complement system, which has resulted in rumors in herbal circles that it is immunostimulant. It is not digested or absorbed, however, (except perhaps in mico-amounts) and such effects are not observed with oral use. Inulin is recommended sometimes for diabetics; it has a mildly sweet taste, and is filling like starchy foods, but because it is not absorbed, it does not affect blood sugar levels. Despite the similarity of its name to insulin, inulin has no connection with that hormone either chemically or through physiological activity. Inulin is soluble in hot water, but only slightly soluble in cold water or alcohol, so is not present to any significant extent in tinctures. All the above herbs have traditionally been taken in decoctions, and in this form may deliver significant amounts of inulin.

Recent research has shown an important physiological action for inulin (Gibson, Roberfroid). Like some pectins and fructooligosaccharides, inulin is a preferred food for the lactobacilli in the intestine and can improve the balance of friendly bacteria in the bowel. Subjects in one trial were give 15 grams of inulin a day for fifteen days. Lactobacillus bifidobacteria increased by about 10% during that period. Gram-positive bacteria associated with disease declined. Bifidobacteria digest inulin to produce short chain fatty-acids, such as acetic, propionic, and butyric acids. The first two may be used by the liver for energy production, while butyric acid has cancer-preventing properties within the intestine (Spiller, 1994). Recent animal research also shows that inulin prevents precancerous changes in the colon (Reddy, 1997).

Table 1 shows the plants with the highest inulin content listed on the U.S. Department of Agriculture phytochemical database. Each of these plants, with the exception of Echinacea, have been used in ethnomedicine to improve intestinal health. Echinacea has not been traditionally consumed as a decoction or eaten in food quantities, and thus the amount of inulin ingested would not be significant. It would not necessarily be desirable to prepare it as a tea, because key immune-stimulating constituents are only soluble in alcohol. Saussurea is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine as a "spleen tonic" or digestive tonic. In some regions of China, Inula helenium is freely substituted for saussurea (Hsu). Note that elecampane, although pigeonholed by modern North American herbalists as a lung tonic, was used by the Eclectics both as a lung and digestive tonic (Felter). Another common Chinese digestive and "spleen" tonic that contains inulin is codonopsis, an ubiquitous ginseng substitute in contemporary traditional Chinese medicine.

Source : medherb.com



CANCER DIETARY ADVICE

The human body is made up of cells. In a healthy body these cells divide at a certain rate so that they can replace dying cells and aid in the repair of damaged tissues. If these cells divide at a rate which is too fast, a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor is formed. It is not known what causes the body’s cells to become damaged. However, there seems to be mounting evidence that oxidation or free radical damage seems to damage the cell’s membrane. This damage can initiate the cancer process. The possible causative factors to the development and growth of cancer can be divided into three categories – internal, external and lifestyle. • Internal factors may include genetic composition and infections. • External factors may include exposure to water and air pollution, unhealthy work environments, chemicals, pesticides and herbicides. • Lifestyle factors may include poor diet, stress, high alcohol consumption, smoking and too much sun exposure. Dietary Advice: • Reduce consumption of foods that contain natural carcinogens, as they may increase the risk of cancer, e.g., smoked, pickled or barbequed food. • Reduce the intake of fat or deep-fried foods. Cancers associated with high fat foods are breast, colon and prostrate cancer. • Eat fish at least 3 times per week. Including salmon, cod, mackerel, sardines and tuna. • Increase consumption of green vegetables and complex carbohydrates e.g. whole grain cereals and organic fruit and vegetables that are in season. • Garlic, shiitake mushrooms, champignons and ginseng contain Germanium, which seems to have a positive effect on cancer cells. • Check for food sensitivities. Many cancer patients are allergic or intolerant to milk and wheat. • Avoid smoking, tea, coffee, sugar and alcohol. • Increase foods high in zinc. These include pumpkin seeds, oysters, sunflower seeds, ginger and whole grains. • Increase foods high in selenium. These include oysters, mackerel, cashews, whole grain cereals, garlic and alfalfa. • Increase foods high in Vitamin A and Beta-carotene. These include apricots, mint, carrots, green leafy vegetables, spinach, dandelion greens, sweet potato and parsley. • Increase foods high in magnesium. These include almonds, cashews, soy beans, parsnips and wholegrain cereals. • Increase food high in Vitamin E includes wheat germ and its oils, sunflower seeds and its oils, almonds, sweet potato and leafy vegetables. • Do not eat poultry or beef that has come from hormonally treated animals. It is best to eliminate meat if possible and instead obtain moderate protein from plant sources such as green leafy vegetables, potatoes, sprouted seeds, grains, nuts and tofu. • Increase foods high in vitamin D, these include tuna, cod, herring and sprouted seeds. • Avoid any fruit that has been sprayed or treated with pesticides. Organic is best if possible. • Avoid saturated, cholesterol-rich animal fats including butter. These should be replaced with a moderate use of genuine cold pressed vegetable oils including sunflower seed oil, flaxseed oil, soybean oil or safflower oil. Try to avoid heating oils, as they can become rancid and damage cells. • Eat foods that have been found to be cancer protective. These include cabbage, broccoli, green pepper, eggplant, shallots, pineapple, apples, ginger, mint leaf, wheat, sprouts, lettuce, spinach and mustard greens. Most of these vegetables should be eaten raw or lightly steamed. • Do not eat any food that is contaminated with mould. Avoid all yeast foods including Vegemite, Promite, Bonox and Yeast powder. • It is best if possible to aim for an 80 per cent raw food diet. • Increase consumption of fibre rich foods and whole grain cereals, as they promote the production of butyric acid in the intestine. Reduce salt intake and increase potassium rich foods. These include all vegetables, citrus fruit, apricots, banana, potato, nuts, sardines, herring, avocado, sunflower seeds. • Include garlic in the diet due to its natural anti-biotic properties. • Nuts that are beneficial include almonds and walnuts. Peanuts should be avoided. • Include fermented foods such as Pawpaw leaf extract, sour kraut and apple vinegar. Juicing: The purpose of juicing is to normalize all the vital body processes, revitalize the liver and other digestive organs, cleanse the whole body of accumulated toxins, restore the digestive and assimilative functions of the stomach, intestinal tract , and in general, increase the body’s protective and healing capacity.
Short bursts of cleansing fasts on raw vegetable and fruit juices are recommended. Beetroot juice 100ml should be consumed daily. Other good juices include carrot, celery, leafy green vegetables, lemon and all dark coloured juices. Good fruit juices include apple and pineapple particularly. Of the fresh fruit and vegetable juices, approximately 6 cups should be consumed daily. The peel of oranges and celery seed oil contains limonene, which may be beneficial. Other Useful Tips: Meditation Visualisation Relaxation Affirmations 2 Natural Health – S.A.F.E products which may be useful to support the body through cancer. Green Barley Powder or Green Barley Plus – These products contain many high quality nutrients that are required by the body for correct cell division and function. Green Barley is a complete grown living food that has a comprehensive range of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and enzymes. Take up to 10-12 teaspoons per day. Start with one teaspoon per day and slowly build up. Paw Paw Leaf Extract – Contains a range of vitamins and minerals. It also has natural antibiotic properties, improves digestion and has anti-cancer properties. Start on 30ml 3 times per day. Oxygen-8 – Replenishes oxygen levels in the body. Healthy cells are rich in oxygen, cancerous cells cannot grow or thrive in an oxygen rich environment. Take 5 drops in 250ml water 3 times a day. Olive Leaf Extract- Used over many years and is renown for its anti-viral, anti- bacterial, anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties. It also aids to strengthen the immune system. Take 20mls 3 times per day. Citramin – Citramin is a liquid product that contains many minerals that the body requires for healing, promoting growth and assisting the chemical pathways in the body. Take 10ml 2 times per day. Coral Calcium- Alkalises the body. Cancer cannot thrive in an alkaline environment. Take 2 capsules or half teaspoon 2 times per day. Other 2 Natural Health SAFE products that may be of benefit include: Shark Cartilage, Co-Enzyme Q10, Vitamin C and Mineral Powder, Supa-C, Microfoods and Omega Complex.

Reference: Cancer Information and Support Society – Sydney Australia. SAFE Naturopath – Leonie Shrimpton, BHSc. Adv. Dip.Naturopathy

dipetik dari : herbaltraining.blogspot.com


petikan dari Sisipan Kesihatan, Utusan Malaysia 15 Mac 2009

SAYA mengalami masalah berat badan berlebihan dan perut buncit. Doktor turut menasihatkan saya supaya lebih waspada dengan kolesterol dan diabetes serta mencadangkan saya menjalani program detoksifikasi dan mengurangkan berat badan. Apakah suplemen yang boleh diambil untuk masalah ini?

JAWAPAN,

Mereka yang mengalami kegemukan di bahagian perut lebih cenderung untuk mendapat penyakit jantung, hipertensi dan juga kerintangan insulin.

Dari segi pemakanan, elakkan daripada mengambil makanan yang tinggi dengan lemak dan karbohidrat. Sebaliknya tingkatkan pengambilan sayur-sayuran.

Pengambilan karbohidrat seperti nasi yang berlebihan akan menjejaskan paras insulin yang akan memperlahankan metabolisme.

Akibatnya, ia akan disimpan dalam bentuk gula dan juga lemak yang akan terkumpul dalam badan.

Hati merupakan kelenjar terbesar dalam tubuh dan merupakan organ detoksifikasi utama yang melindungi tubuh daripada toksin berbahaya dengan menyingkirkannya secara berterusan.

Makan berlebihan, terutamanya makanan berlemak akan membebankan hati dan menjejaskan fungsinya untuk pemecahan lemak dan penyingkiran bahan kumuh daripada tubuh.

Apabila pemecahan lemak tidak sempurna, ia menyukarkan usaha mengurangkan berat badan dan tanda biasa masalah ini adalah perut buncit.

Herba milk thistle digunakan sejak tradisi sebagai tonik hati. Juga dikenali sebagai silymarin, bahan aktifnya silybin bertindak sebagai antioksida untuk mencegah kerosakan sel hati akibat radikal bebas.

Gabungan bersama Dandelion membantu aliran hempedu, memperbaiki pencernaan lemak dan memberi kesan pengekalan kesihatan hati.

Pengambilannya juga disarankan untuk mengatasi masalah purut buncit. Senaman dan aktiviti fizikal juga adalah amat penting untuk membakar lebih banyak lemak.

Pengurangan antara 500 hingga 1,000 kalori sehari seharusnya datang dari gabungan pengurangan pengambilan kalori dan aktiviti fizikal.

Senaman seharusnya dijadikan amalan rutin bagi pengawalan berat badan yang sihat.

Jika semangat ingin bersenam anda selalu dilunturkan oleh kepenatan dan kekurangan daya ketahanan, pengambilan Astaxantin mungkin boleh membantu.

Astaxantin berfungsi dengan membenarkan penghantaran lemak ke mitokondria secara berterusan untuk penghasilan tenaga.

Tenaga yang dihasilkan menambah daya ketahanan, meningkatkan stamina serta mengurangkan kepenatan.

Kelebihan ini membolehkan aktiviti fizikal diteruskan, lalu pengurangan berat badan serta ketegangan otot dapat dicapai.

Pengambilan Astaxantin bagaimanapun haruslah disertai dengan pemakanan sihat dan juga senaman.

Sumber : Utusan Malaysia Online