September/October 1998
Articles on the theme "Health Consciousness"
A Matter of Life and Death
by Sylvia Jackson
The writer, who is dying of brain cancer,
gives some advice concerning prevention and medical exams.
Magic Tea Plus
by Constance Felos
How an attorney and her client created an adventurous new paradism of health
consciousness. The recipe for a special herbal tea.
Health-Minded Living
by Bob Gonzalez
Some tips from the manager of a health
food store how to achieve and maintain optimum physical health.
Miracle Consciousness
by JoAnne Gregory
Miracles, fake or real? What is it
that makes miracles possible?
How's Your Subconscious?
by Patrick Plaskett
Habits and their effect on our health.
Changing bad habits. Creating a different future.
True Health Consciousness
by Carol L. Roberts, MD
A doctor talks about what you can do
to avoid visits to the doctor.
Becoming Health Conscious
by Dr. Audrey Craft Davis
The importance of our words and thoughts.
Becoming food conscious. Our attitude to things, especially money. Counting
our blessings. Awareness of others and the environment.
A Simple Clay Bath!
by Lauana Lei
How the writer, suffering from heavy
chemical/metal poisoning, recovered her health by taking a clay bath.
A Healing Education
by Barbara Bedingfield
An account by a Waldorf teacher of
the basic educational requirements for maintaining the health of a child.
Our Spiritual Source
by Rev. Pat Cross
On connecting with our spiritual source
to realize a true health consciousness. Using our spiritual powers to heal
ourselves.
Other Feature Articles
2000 and Beyond!
by David Findlay
Natural Health Q&A
by Dr. Scott Rubin
Parasites and allergies -- some natural
remedies.
What is . . . A Course In Miracles?
by Mary Barbara
How "A Course In Miracles"
came to be and some of its basic teachings.
Mineral Kingdom
by Judy Power
Featured stones for September and October:
Labrodorite and Opalized Quartz
Natural Health Q & A
by Dr. Scott A. Rubin
QUESTION
I have recently been diagnosed with parasites. What are my alternative options
other than medications?
ANSWER
Treatment of parasites with herbal vermifuges creates an environment intolerable for the organism, while producing little or no side effects to the host. Also other herbs to repair and soothe the mucosal membranes should be considered. Treatment with conventional drugs often produce significant side effects.
There has not been much information gathered concerning herbal vermifugal remedies, and many recommendations are traditional rather than scientific. There are, however, a few herbs that have been scientifically studied. Here are some traditional or folklore recommendations. Some remedies are better on protozoans, others on worms, some are overlapping.
Protozoan Vermufuges:
Golden Seal (hydrastis canadensis). Golden Seal and other berberine-containing plants have demonstrated significant anti-amoebicidal properties without side effects and are the best suited for protozoan infestation.
Garlic. Garlic extracts have shown impressive anti-amoebicidal activity; the active ingredient is allicin.
Other traditional vermufuges for protozoans: echinecea, elecamp, black walnut, turmeric, butternut bark, old beard (usnea burbata), grape fruit seed extract (citrus paradise), Oregon grape root (mahorica aqutolia), & cats claw (unecaria tunertol). There are more I'm sure.
Worm Vermafuges:
Ginger. Studies show that ginger is remarkably effective against some of the world's most dangerous parasites and is without side effects. This has been demonstrated on nematodes or roundworms (including anisakis, ascaris, and filaria) and trematodes or flatworms (schistosoma genus). Ginger's anthelmintic effects are thought to be due to the combinations of its pungent stimulants and potent enzymes.
In one study of anisakis (from ingesting raw fish), the ginger extracts within four hours caused more than 90% of the larvae to lose spontaneous movement and within 16 hours completely destroyed them. In comparison pyrantel pamoate, an anti-nemotodal drug, had no lethal effect even at relatively high concentrations. In another study of ginger extracts, 98% of the filariae in infected dogs were eradicated. Ginger has also been shown to abolish schistosoma in its early stages and reduce urine egg count samples in young children.
Traditional Vermafuges (Worms):
Garlic, butternut bark, black walnut, basil oil, clove, elecampane.
Mucosal Membrane Repair:
Deglycrrhizinated Licorice (DGL) has been demonstrated to improve the quantity and quality of protective mucous in the stomach and intestines, decrease bleeding, increase life span of intestinal cells, and improve blood flow to the intestinal lining. DGL is most effective if chewed and mixed up the saliva.
Aloe Vera is most widely known for anti-inflammatory and wound-healing activities.
Also elm bark, and raw cabbage juice. After these are introduced to the parasites it is important to eat simple foods. Classic homeopathy and some colonic treatments could also be very beneficial in eliminating the little suckers.
QUESTION
I have had chronic allergies on and off all of my life. What is the cause and what are some simple ways to help relieve them?
ANSWER
That's a big question. Here's a big response. Remember to simplify your diet, as well.
The basic allergy response is initiated by IgE response to contact with a previously encountered antigen. The basic production is influenced by helper T-Cell modulation. Reduction or suppression of IgE antibodies is influenced by suppresser T-cell activity. Thymectomy before antigen exposure abolishes IgE production capacity and thymectomy after (at least) double antigen exposure prolongs IgE activity, therefore thymus gland regulation of IgE activity is continuous and ongoing. Introduction of thymocytes or spleen cells suppresses hypersensitive IgE activity.
The mast and basophil cells are directed by IgE antibodies to produce the characteristic tissue changes seen in atopy. Hypersensitivity-driven mast cell response often starts a vicious cycle of increased epithelial permeability to antigens, which in turn produces increased IgE induced mast cell response and so on. Excessive consumption of PGE precursors or processed oil can lead to increased inflammatory activity. Conversely consumption of PGE or PGE precursors can decrease inflammation.
Nutritional Considerations:
Two aspects of allergy therapy should be considered: treatment of immediate inflammatory activity, and treatment of the underlying cause's malfunction.
Inflammatory Suppression:
Bioflavonoids produce three anti-allergic activities: inhibition of inflammation, tissue protection against the oxidative stresses produced by mast cell enzymes, and protection against secondary infection of weakened tissues resulting from inflammatory effects. These studies reveal impressive results in anti free radical activity, antihepatotoxic activity, inhibition of collagen destruction, inhibition of the release of inflammatory compounds such as histamine, serine proteases, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes. Bioflavonoids appear to be able to produce the anti-inflammatory effects by mast cell membrane stabilization and anti free radical activity by protection of allergy-induced inflammatory degraded tissues. Bioflavonoids have also been demonstrated to have anti-microbial properties. In some cases at very low dosage vs. bacteria, viruses and fungi.
Bromelain. Bromelain is well documented to have anti-inflammatory activity without side effects. Bromelain, as is true of all therapeutic enzymes, performs best when taken on an empty stomach at least an hour away from meals. Bromelain, is thought to produce its anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the production of kinins. Bromelain is found in concentrated amounts in pineapple.
Vitamin C/Beta Carotene. These vitamins are well known antioxidants and can protect against the oxidative stresses induced by inflammatory responses and/or secondary infections.
Lung Glandular. Supplementation with lung tissue may support regeneration of allergy-induced mucous membrane damage of the respiratory tract by providing all the essential amino acid sequences and other raw materials needed for reconstruction. Administration of radioactively tagged glandular tissue has been demonstrated to be incorporated into the corresponding glad/organs whose functions were concluded to be significantly improved.
Black Currant Seed Oil. Administration of PGE precursors such as black currant seed oil have been demonstrated to reduce allergy symptomatology in patients with atomic eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis in relation to inflammation, dryness, scaliness and significant itching, leading to overall skin improvement.
Underlying Allergy Causes:
Thymic and Spleen Glandular. Administration of thymocytes and spleen cells have been demonstrated to suppress IgE activity. It is thought that the IgE suppression was due to the direct effects of thymic control and/or suppressor T-cell modulation of IgE antibodies. Thymic glandular supplementation may also play direct roles in normalization of thymic function.
Parotid Glandular. The parotid and other salivary glands secrete concentrated amounts of secretory IgA antibodies which play major roles in the blocking and tagging of antigens. Parotid glandular supplementation may support normalization of parotid gland function and increased sIgA presence when warranted.
Montinorillonite. Montinorillonite is a clay that has significant adhesive properties which attract the highly charged antigenic properties.
Dr. Scott A. Rubin is a chiropractor, applied kinesiologist, and certified acupuncturist. His practice is located at The Center for Healing in St. Petersburg, FL. (727) 895-4625