Vitamin D to the Rescue - again!

I have written about the benefits of Vitamin D a few times before. I can't stress enough how important it is to maintain your blood levels of Vitamin D above 50ng/ml. Here is a video that talks about some of the benefits of this incredibly important substance:
The Real Story on Vitamin D

Stop Smoking Drugs Associated with Suicide, Self Harm & Depression

In a recent report in the continuing medical education publication Medscape, the authors reported:  

"Varenicline (Chantix, Pfizer or Champix) is associated with a significantly increased risk for suicidal behavior and depression, according to new research.

In a study of more than 13,000 cases of adverse events involving smoking cessation products over the course of 13 years, investigators found that 90% of the reports of self-injurious behavior or depression were associated with the use of varenicline. Bupropion and nicotine replacement products were responsible for the remaining 7% and 3%, respectively.

"This should not be a first-line drug. If you start with the others, [and] they don't work, and you have to use a drug, then you use Chantix. But you must monitor the mental status of patients who use it," coinvestigator Curt D. Furberg, MD, PhD, professor of public health sciences at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, told Medscape Medical News.

"Ideally, I think it should come off the market, but that is not realistic. So a more realistic recommendation is to restrict its use."

Well I have to agree with Dr Furberg - take this drug off the market! The moral of the story is: use willpower and natural medicine, acupuncture or other treatments to stop smoking and don't take your life in your hands by taking Champix or any other stop-smoking drug. But whatever you do, STOP SMOKING IMMEDIATELY - its never too soon or too late!!

Homeopathy Gives Significant Results in the Treatment of Fibromyalgia

I have recently come across a 2004 study published in the international journal Rheumatology. This trial examined the effectiveness of homeopathic treatment of patients suffering from the increasingly common problem of fibromyalgia. The results were overwhelmingly positive and illustrate what I have personally found in practice: fibromyalgia patients can benefit significantly from individualised homeopathic treatment!

In this trial, participants on active treatment showed significantly greater improvements in tender point count and tender point pain, quality of life, global health and a trend toward less depression compared with those on placebo.

The authors conclude: "the present study demonstrated that individualized homeopathy is significantly better than placebo in lessening tender point pain and improving the quality of life and global health of persons with fibromyalgia."

Why I also think that this trial is so important, is that it clearly shows how homeopathic treatment not only benefits the symptoms, but improves the person's overall state of health and physical and mental health, as opposed to regular anti-inflammatories and analgesics that simply mask the problem and may bring a host of side effects with them. 

If you suffer from fibromyalgia, find an experienced, registered homeopath soon!

Reference: I. R. Bell, D. A. Lewis, A. J. Brooks, G. E. Schwartz, S. E. Lewis, B. T. Walsh and C. M. Baldwin. Improved clinical status in fibromyalgia patients treated with individualized homeopathic remedies versus placebo. Rheumatology 2004;1

http://rheumatology.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2004/01/20/rheumatology.keh111.full.pdf+html

Catch me discussing the role of complementary medicine in South African healthcare on Bush Radio, 89.5FM in Cape Town at 12h30 today!

The Tree of Life

I though I would share this fascinating image of the evolutionary relationships between all plants, animals, fungi and bacteria. It has helped me to remember that we are all interconnected and come from a single source and also how medicines from the plant, animal, fungal and bacterial world can help us reintegrate with that source, become more connected to the world around us and become whole again

Buchu - one of our most famous exports!

Buchu 

Agathosma betulina / crenulata 

An amazing volatile oil -rich plant endemic to the Western Cape, is a fantastic medicine for digestive disturbances. 

If taken as a tea or tincture (Buchu Brandy is and old Cape remedy), it helps to enliven sluggish, underperforming digestive tracts. It is great for bloating, gassiness and fermentation in the gut, it wakes up and stimulates (like many other members of the Citrus family) digestive functions. Buchu may also be useful in some respiratory problems, and is a urinary antiseptic - helpful in certain types of cystitis and other urinary infections.

If you live in the Western Cape, grow some of your own!

http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantab/agathoscren.htm 

will give you some more information on this famous old Cape botanical medicine

Herbs for Spring: as seen on SABC 3's Expresso

Phytotherapy, or medical herbalism, can help with a wide variety of complaints. Herbal medicines can be used and prescribed in many forms such as tinctures, glycerites, powders, capsules, tablets, creams, oils and also water extracts called infusions (simple tea) or decoctions (boiled tea). Infusions and decoctions are simple and easy ways to prepare safe and helpful herbal medicines for yourself at home. Infusions are generally used for flowers and leaves and decoctions are used to extract the active ingredients from harder material such as roots, barks and seeds.

This morning on SABC's breakfast show, Expresso, I attempted to show how the herbs Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) and Nettle (Urtica dioica) can be used to make a tea which is anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and has anti-histamine effects. One or both of these herbs together, if drunk regularly (as an infusion), can help with allergies and hayfever prevalent at this time of the year. 

Nettle can also be used with Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and Burdock (Arctium lappa) to make a decoction which is excellent for gently cleansing and detoxifying the body. Spring is a good time to clear out accumulated wastes and to help the body switch from a storage type metabolism to a more 'summery' usage metabolism. These three herbs can help the body's organs of elimination and detoxification (skin, kidneys, lungs, skin and liver) to work more effectively and by so doing improve general health.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is also a fantastic tea for enhancing metabolism, improving digestion, increasing circulation and generally promoting health. In Ayurveda it is know as vishwabheshaja - the universal medicine! 

While generally these are very safe herbs, if you have any doubt or are on any medications, always consult a qualified and registered phytotherapist or homeopath. 

Recipes

For An infusion

Add 250ml freshly boiled water to 1 teaspoon dried or 2-3 teaspoons fresh herb. place a lid on the container to prevent essential oils from escaping (e.g. a saucer on your cup). Leave to stand for at least 5 minutes, strain and sip. A small amount of honey may be added if you feel the need. Infusions are generally taken warm and between 1 - 6 times daily depending on age, body size and health problems

For a decoction

add 30g of dried herb (e.g. Dandelion root) or up to 90g of fresh herb to 500ml cold water. Place on the stove and gently bring up to boiling point with the lid on.  Simmer very slowly for 10 minutes, then remove from heat and leave to cool down. Strain and drink a cup up to three times a day. This preparation will not keep more than a couple of days.

Keep yourself healthy with herbal medicines, but if you have a serious problem or your problem persists or gets worse or if you are unsure, please consult a suitably qualified practitioner!