History of Cat’s Claw

Cat’s Claw is a woody vine that is found in the exotic highlands and jungles of the Amazon rain forest. This rain forest, which spans an area of almost 2.3 million square miles, gives life to more plant and animal species than any other ecosystem in the world. It is estimated that there are between 35,000 and 80,000 different plant species that can be found in this Amazon region. No one knows all the medicinal properties that the flora found in the Amazon rain forest have to offer. This region has provided mankind with a large variety of therapeutic herbs, but its potential has barely been tapped. By conserving and respecting the Peruvian folklore of this region, Cat’s Claw was rediscovered. Cat’s Claw, which may be one of the Amazon’s most impressive health-promoters, has an alkaloid and phytochemical content that may distinguish it as one of the most important herbs of the 21st century. The bark and roots of this vine have been used throughout history by Peruvian tribes as an invaluable natural medicine. Peruvian tribal folklore often talks of decoctions and teas that are made from the Cat’s Claw vine and their ability to cure tumors, soothe arthritis, ease gastric upsets, and boost the immune system. It is considered a sacred botanical by the local Indians, as it grows wild in the highlands of the Peruvian Amazon and South America. The bark and roots of the vine have been used for generations by Ashanica Indians to treat many health problems that target the immune and digestive systems particularly. Cat’s Claw has long been valued by many Peruvian tribes for its treatment for dysentery, with many people speculating that the herb dates back to the time of the ancient Inca. The vine of the Cat’s Claw shrub commonly grows on the foothills and along the river banks of the Amazon. It takes a great deal of time to grow and mature, with more than twenty-years necessary for the plant to reach its full size of over one hundred feet in length. Cat’s Claw species usually grow in the regions from the Amazonian Basin in the south to the high jungle areas of Junin. It was named because of the thorns which cover the vine and look very similar to the claws of a cat. These small, hooked spines allow the vine to wind itself up the Peruvian trees so that it can seek more light, as it grows under the immense shade of the forest canopy. The vine produces a white or yellowish flower that is very fragrant and easily pollinated, and blooms in pairs on opposite sides of the stem. Although the leaves of the vine are attractive and glossy, the claw-like spines effectively keep intruders away, as they have latterly suspended men in mid-air who have gotten caught up on the vine’s hooks. Current harvesting of the Cat’s Claw vine involves only the bark, as the roots are carefully protected to preserve the plant. It is necessary to remember that many of the plant species that are found in the rain forests of the world must be conserved and protected.

Fenugreek - Uses and Side Effects

Fenugreek has been used for millennia both as a medicine and as a spice in Egypt, India, and the Middle East. Traditional medicinal uses include the treatment of wounds, bronchitis, digestive problems, arthritis, kidney problems, male reproductive conditions, boils, diabetes, cellulitis, tuberculosis, and GI problems. Investigations in animals have found the seeds to reduce serum cholesterol and glucose levels.Active components in fenugreek include mucilages, proteins, steroid saponins, flavonoids, and volatile oils. Trigonelline, an alkaloid found in fenugreek, is degraded to nicotinic acid (niacin), which may partially explain its ability to lower serum cholesterol levels. Steroid saponins may also lower blood glucose and plasma glucagon levels and enhance food consumption and appetite. The seeds contain up to 50% mucilaginous fiber that, because of their ability to absorb and expand, are commonly used to treat diarrhea and constipation. The seeds also contain coumarin compounds. Fenugreek is available as capsules, paste, powder, ripe seeds, dried seeds, and as a spice.Reported usesFenugreek is used to treat GI complaints and to relieve upper respiratory tract congestion and allergies. It’s also used to lower cholesterol, blood glucose, insulin, and hemoglobin AlC levels, to improve glucose tolerance, and as an appetite stimulant.Topically, a preparation of fenugreek is applied to treat skin inflammation, muscle pain, and gout, and to aid in the healing of wounds or skin ulcers.AdministrationExternal: A poultice is prepared by mixing 50 g of powdered fenugreek with 1 qt (1 L) of water, and applied topically to the affected area, as neededInternal: An infusion is prepared by steeping 0.5 g of fenugreek in cold water for 3 hours, and then straining. Honey may be used to sweeten the infusion. The dosage is 6 g by mouth, or a cup of tea taken several times a day.HazardsAdverse reactions to fenugreek include maple-syrup odor to urine, hepatotoxicity, jaundice, nausea, vomiting, increased bilirubin level, hypoglycemia, contact dermatitis (with external use), flushing, wheezing, watery eyes, numbness, rash, and angioedema (after inhalation, ingestion, or topical anesthesia).When taken with adrenergic blockers, there is an additive vasodilating effect that may lead to hypotension. There is risk of increased prothrombin time (PT) and International Normalized Ratio (INR), and potential risk of abnormal bleeding, when fenugreek is taken with anticoagulants such as aspirin, NSAIDS, heparin, low-molecular-weight heparins, and warfarin. Fenugreek also has the potential to decrease blood glucose levels when administered to those taking hypoglycemics, including insulin. A decreased uricosuric effect is noted with probencid and sulfinpyrazone. Because of the fibrous content in fenugreek seeds and its binding potential, absorption of drugs may be altered. Advise patient to avoid using fenugreek within 2 hours of other drugs.Pregnant patients should avoid use because of the herb’s potential abortifacient properties; alcohol and water extracts of the herb may stimulate uterine activity. Those with liver disease, peptic ulcers, or severe hypotension should avoid use because of the formation of nicotinic acid. Breast-feeding patients, and those who have had a previous allergic reaction to fenugreek or nicotinic acid, should also avoid use.Clinical considerationsIf patient is taking an anticoagulant, monitor PTT, INR, and PT. Monitor the patient for abnormal bleeding.Appearance of rash or contact dermatitis may indicate sensitivity to fenugreek.Nausea, vomiting, jaundice, or elevated bilirubin level may indicate liver damage and hepatotoxicity from nicotinic acid. If patient develops these signs or symptoms, he should immediately stop using the herb.If patient is pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breast-feeding, advise her not to use fenugreek.Caution patient that a rash or abnormal skin change may indicate an allergy to fenugreek and that nausea, vomiting, and skin color changes may indicate liver damage. Tell patient to discontinue use if such signs and symptoms appear.Remind patient not to take fenugreek at the same time as other drugs and to separate administration times by 2 hours.Tell patient to remind pharmacist of any herbal or dietary supplement that he’s taking when obtaining a new prescription.Advise patient to consult his health care provider before using an herbal preparation because a conventional treatment with proven efficacy may be available.Research summaryCurrent studies continue to elucidate the mechanism of fenugreek’s abilities to lower cholesterol and glucose levels. Recent studies also show the ability of the plant to decrease the quantity of calcium oxalate deposited in the kidneys.

Cancer is one such disease which requires scrupulous medical and surgical treatment. However, certain alternative therapies can also play an important role towards breast cancer treatment. When people opt for alternative therapies, they use it instead of conventional treatments altogether. For example : A person may use a special diet for treating cancer instead of undergoing chemotherapy or another conventional treatment. Traditional Chinese medicines, acupuncture, acupressure, herbal remedies and special nutritional or diet therapies, are also examples of alternative breast cancer treatment. Also, special nutritional or diet therapies are popular, alternative breast cancer treatments. One needs to understand, that our body is designed to heal by itself. But to make that happen, we should not try to injure a wound which will then not heal in itself. This is a common sense statement that I have made. Yet, I must say that many of us do injure our bodies, on a day to day basis, by the wrong ways of living and eating. If you continue to eat and live wrongly, then it will result in a disease of one type or the other. We then rush to doctors for treating our sickness or disease. However, mostly it is seen that doctors only know how to treat the symptoms of disease rather than addressing the root cause of the disease itself. There are many types of alternative breast cancer treatments that are available now. Some of them are as follows : Herbal medicine : The tropical periwinkle is used to treat breast cancer and other malignancies. This periwinkle alkaloid is used in the making of vincristine, which is a very powerful chemotherapy agent. However, this alternative breast cancer treatment should be conducted carefully. Herbal periwinkle extracts are highly toxic in nature. Hence, this drug form should be given under medical supervision only. Meditation and self hypnosis method : Women with advanced breast cancer stage, should participate in group support sessions that conduct meditation and self hypnosis methods. By doing so, they will increase their survival chances. The above mentioned alternate breast cancer treatment methods, mobilize the immune system to fight the further spread of cancer. Relaxation techniques help in removing stress and anxiety caused by cancer patient. This boosts the immune system of the body. 3) Nutrition Therapy : Nutritionist who use nutrition therapy as an alternative breast cancer treatment, will usually recommend supplements of beta carotene and vitamin’s C and E too. Orange and dark green vegetables are examples of good sources of beta carotene. It is also found that a low-fat diet is likely to help in cutting down the risk of breast cancer and its recurrence. It will help in preventing cancer and will slow down its growth. It is a known fact that foods with high in antioxidants are more effective. 4) Self treatment : Cancer patients, who have undergone mastectomy, usually are concerned about their physical appearance. However, those women who do not undergo immediate breast reconstruction can initially use a temporary prosthesis such as cotton fluff inserted into the regular bra. Prosthesis is not required after a lumpectomy, but it is recommended to wear a bra day and night, for many days, following the surgery period, in order to prevent traction of the wound and to assist the breast in regaining its previous shape. The patient can minimize swelling, by exercising the arm as soon as the surgeon gives a clear signal. The arm should be lifted as high as possible, several times in a day, in order to promote the flow of lymph. Exercises such as squeezing a rubber ball should also be performed. It is always recommended that the concerned person should wear loose fitting clothes and watches and purses should be used by the other hand which is good. For more information on breast cancer treatment go to http://www.understanding-breast-cancer-treatment.com

Smoking is depicted as the act of combusting, savouring and breathing in tobacco fumes. The vast majority of individuals affiliate the act of smoking with traditional cigars or cigarettes yet in that respect are additional products, some legal and others illegal that a person can smoke. Of course smoking is far from representing a modern tendency though the modern-day general media and film industries seem to have done their level best to make it appear trendy or fashionable to smoke. Historians tell us that the ancient Egyptians smoked tobacco as early as the 16th Century and the Mexican based Aztec civilizations still sooner. The Aztecs even had gods who are pictured as permitting themselves to be smoked by their people. The kick from smoking derives from nicotine, the compound naturally occurring in tobacco and which induces sensations of slight intoxication and giddiness. These euphoric type sensations are comprehended by a lot of individuals as being really relaxing. Nonetheless, smoking possesses risks and has been listed as one of the top five causes of death in people under sixty years of age in the U.S.A.

Nicotine

Nicotine is a chemical alkaloid that is found in several naturally growing plants, most notably the broad leaved tobacco plants. Nicotine is also found in some tea type plants as well as green peppers and tomato plants though in a good deal smaller densities. Nicotine itself is a powerful compound able to stimulate the human brain which is why smoking brings about slight dizziness.

The American Heart Association, which monitors wellbeing issues in America have stated that addiction to nicotine rates amongst the most arduous addictions to break.

Deaths

Figures show that every 12 months in the USA there are almost 500,000 deaths that are directly related to nicotine and smoking tobacco products. Many of these untimely deaths are a direct final result of lung cancer and additional associated health problems brought about by smoke from cigarettes and cigars. Smoking tobacco products can also cause a lowering in the bodies immune systems resulting in the patient becoming much more predisposed to additional conditions and illnesses may also lead to an early demise.

Passive Smoke

It’s no more any secret that smoking tobacco jeopardises other people who do not even smoke themselves but who chance to be in the same locality as individuals who are smoking. This is termed as secondhand smoke or side stream smoke. In modern edifices which feature air conditioner systems and fans, the air from any single portion of the construction may easily be transferred to all other sections of the building producing dangerous circumstances for non-smokers and smokers alike. This situation has been a part of the reasoning behind the recent pushing by a lot of governances to bring in new laws that forestall smoking in public places making it unlawful to smoke in such locals. This is coming about all over the world as more and more ruling bodies take on the obligation of protecting their populations.

Appetite Suppression

Smoking is known to lower an individual’s appetite. In that respect studies have been carried out which have disclosed that the nicotine absorbed from smoking tobacco nicotine in reality inhibits the appetite for carbohydrates. In third world nations where food shortfalls are common, this appetite suppression could lead to malnutrition as well as a number of other related conditions.

We already know that Nicotine is a harsh chemical and is bad for us. But what exactly does it do to us? This article will outline some of the things that it does to your brain.

First up lets take a quick look at what Nicotine is actually made up of. It’s a chemical called liquid alkaloid which is a mixture of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and sometimes oxygen.

It’s also potential harmful for not only the brain but the rest of the body, but since this article focuses on the brain, lets have a look at what it actually does:

1. The nicotine attaches itself to the pathways within the brain where the signals that are sent to your body via neurotransmitters can be slowed down or even blocked. That explains why in can sometimes be hard for a smoker to ‘get going’ in the morning until they’ve had that first cigarette. It can also explain why smokers are at a higher risk of brain tumors since the blood cannot flow so easily and could get blocked.

2. It also affects memory, in particular short term memory. Smokers are often the first to forget small things like where they left the keys and usually need a ‘boost’ from a cigarette or coffee for their brains to wake up and function normally again. Again in the extreme cases this can lead to dementia or alzhiemers disease.

This lack of energy and memory loss creates a vicious circle as the smoker starts to desire the cigarette to kick start their system again, yet creates more of a problem as a result. Not a great place to be in.

The good news is that if you give up, the brain will start to heal itself in as little as a month. With two months, all the nicotine will have left your body and you will be well on the road to recovery and better health.