Health related information and news from around the world.

Poor Circulation,

Poor circulation is a general term which includes conditions such as insufficient peripheral circulation (cold hands and feet) and ñàpillary fragility (a tendency to bruise easily). Treatment for the condition utilizes herbs which stimulate circulation and provide tone to the peripheral blood vessels and fine surface capillaries.

4 parts Angelica root

6 parts Dandelion root

6 parts Rosehips

1 part Ginger root

1 part Cayenne Pepper

1 part Cinnamon bark

1 part Clove buds

Infusion: 1/2-l cup 3 times per day

Poor circulation seems more common in women than men, and is especially felt during winter. The above formula can be taken as a ‘winter tonic’ by those who suffer from poor circulation, coldness, cramp, chilblains, etc. It can also be used to help overcome bruising problems associated with capillary fragility.

Haemorrhage and Bleeding

To arrest bleeding from cuts and wounds:

Shepherd’s Purse herb

Yarrow herb

Plantain leaves

Mullein leaves

Poultice or compress of any of the above herbs, fresh or dried: apply directly to affected area

Distilled Witch Hazel (Hamamelis Water)

Apply on cotton wool to affected area

For internal bleeding:

Shepherd’s Purse herb

Stinging Nettle herb

Yarrow herb

Plantain leaves

Mullein leaves

Cayenne Pepper

Infusion of any of the above alone or in combination: 1/2-I cup every 15-30 minutes until bleeding is checked

For severe bleeding or haemorrhage, internal or external, seek professional attention immediately. In emergencies the following remedy may be employed, together with standard first-aid procedures:

Shepherd’s Purse herb

Decoction of fresh or dried plant: 1/2-1 cup every 15-30 minutes until bleeding is checked – with external bleeding, employ a poultice (or apply the decoction as a compress to the wound) also

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Achillea millefolium

Action: Diaphoretic, antipyretic, hypotensive, astringent, haemostatic, stimulant, diuretic, antiseptic.

Systems Affected: General effects on the whole body.

Preparation and Dosage (thrice daily): Dried flowering plant, dose 2-4 grams by infusion.

Yarrow has been associated since ancient times with wound-healing and the stemming of blood-flow. Known as the soldier’s herb, it was supposedly used by Achilles to heal his warrior’s wounds, hence its generic name Achillea. Its fine feather-like foliage is reflected in the specific name millefolium (thousand-leaf). An aromatic perennial native to Europe, it is widespread in temperate zones.

The plant has several medicinal uses. It has a diaphoretic and tonic action which is employed in treating colds, flu and fever (for which purpose it is often combined with Elder flowers and Peppermint). It is also given to children for measles, chicken pox and other eruptive diseases. The hot infusion raises body temperature, equalizes the circulation and promotes perspiration.

It has a beneficial effect on circulation and is used as a specific treatment by professional herbalists for thrombotic conditions with high blood pressure. It is also of benefit in haemorrhoids and varicose veins.

Yarrow has a tonic effect on digestion and is used to treat dyspepsia, impaired liver function of nervous origin, diarrhoea and dysentery. It helps to regulate menstrual periods. The warm infusion relieves cramp and reduces excessive menstrual bleeding. It is also of use in menopausal disturbances.

The herb contains essential oils, which are antiseptic, and tannins, which are astringent. It can be applied directly to wounds (cuts, injuries and varicose ulcers) to stop bleeding and as an ointment to bleeding haemorrhoids. The fresh leaves, pounded, can be used as a poultice, or a strong infusion can be applied as a lotion or in compresses.

Yarrow is used as a cleanser for greasy skin. Repeated application of the infusion improves the complexion and helps to remove pimples and scabbing. The infusion is sometimes used with Chamomile as a shampoo for fair hair. The fresh leaf is used to alleviate toothache. Yarrow tea is sometimes used as a short term general tonic or pick-me-up.

Cautionary Notes: Excessive doses may cause headaches and dizziness.

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Petroselinum crispum

Synonyms, Apium petroselinum

Carum petroselinum

Action: Diuretic, emmenagogue, stomachic, carminative, tonic.

Systems Affected: Stomach, liver, gall-bladder, kidneys, bladder, uterus.

Preparation and Dosage (thrice daily): Dried root, dose 2-5 grams by decoction. Dried leaves, dose 2-5 grams of infusion.

Parsley is native to Europe but has been introduced to most parts of the world and is now extensively grown in gardens and as a commercial crop. It has been used as a food, as a garnish and as a medicinal plant since the time of the Greeks and Romans. It is probably the best known of all garnishing herbs and a number of varieties exists. The curly form is most favoured in English-speaking countries, but at least three other forms are commonly cultivated: the Neapolitan or celery-leaved; the fern-leaved; and the Hamburg or turnip-rooted.

Parsley seed is notoriously difficult and slow to germinate, taking up to eight weeks. The plain-leaved varieties withstand extremes of cold and dryness better than the curly-leaved varieties.

Parsley is rich in iron, calcium and other minerals, as well as vitamins and various trace elements. The essential oil contains apiol, which stimulates appetite and increases blood-flow to the digestive tract, uterus and mucosae, and myristicin, also found in nutmeg.

The decoction of the root stimulates kidney and bladder function, and is thus used to treat fluid retention, aching back in the lumbar region, gravel and stone in the kidneys and retention of urine.

A strong decoction of the root is used to regulate the flow in suppressed or irregular menstruation. Parsley also exerts an influence on the liver and gall-bladder and is sometimes combined with other herbs in treating jaundice and gall-stones.

The leaves are sometimes prepared as an infusion but are best taken fresh, as a salad vegetable. Their mineral and vitamin content is a useful adjunct in treating anaemia and general debility. For medicinal purposes the root is normally gathered when two years old.

Cautionary Notes: Parsley should not generally be taken where kidney inflammation exists, as it may over-stimulate and exhaust kidney function. It is important to take the proper dosage of Parsley, as very large doses taken frequently or for extended periods of time may cause abortion and polyneuritis. Excessive quantities of apiol and myristicin can induce fatty degeneration of the liver and kidneys and gastrointestinal haemorrhage.

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Couchgrass (Agropyron repens; Synonym, Triticum repens)

Action: Diuretic, urinary antiseptic.

Systems Affected: Kidneys, bladder.

Preparation and Dosage (thrice daily): Dried rhizome, dose 4-8 grams by infusion.

Native to Europe, Couchgrass is now widely distributed throughout the world. A well-known and troublesome weed to gardeners, the young leaves and stems are eaten by cats and dogs to induce vomiting.

The plant has a long history of medicinal use dating back to the time of Dioscorides and Pliny. A diuretic and urinary antiseptic, it is used to treat cystitis, urethritis, retention of urine and urinary stones or gravel. It is specific for cystitis with irritation and inflammation of the urinary tract.

The rhizomes are collected in autumn, stripped of the attached roots, cut into small strips and dried.

Cramp Bark     (Viburnum opuius)

Action: Antispasmodic, nervine, sedative, emmenagogue, astringent.

Systems Affected: Nerves, heart, muscles, urogenital organs.

Preparation and Dosage (thrice daily): Dried bark, dose 2-5 grams by decoction.

Also known as Guelder Rose, Cramp Bark is an attractive shrub growing up to 4 meters in height. The plant is indigenous to Europe, northern Asia and North America, but is now widespread as an ornamental. The wild Viburnum opulus, which bears fruit similar to cranberries, is the one used by herbalists, whereas a sterile, and thus non-fruiting, cultivar is often found in horticultural lists as the Snowball Tree.

As its name implies, Cramp Bark acts as an antispasmodic to the body, and is good for period pain, abdominal cramps and colic, muscle cramps, fits, fainting, neuralgia, convulsions, spasms and nervous disorders of all kinds.

Tonic and relaxant to the ovaries and uterus, it is regarded as specific for uterine dysfunction and for ovarian and uterine pain.

It is sometimes employed in acute cases of heart palpitations and rheumatism, and is also useful for asthma. It is helpful in cases of bed-wetting in children.

Cramp Bark works to best advantage when combined with other herbs such as Skullcap, Ginger, Angelica and Chamomile. It is highly regarded as an antispasmodic and is one of the best female regulators in nature.

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Essential Oils

Essential oils, some of which (Cloves, Eucalyptus, Peppermint, etc.) are commercially available, should be used with care. They are highly concentrated substances which can be irritating and even toxic in large amounts. Used externally as analgesics or rubefacients, they should be kept clear of eyes, nose, mouth and all mucous membranes. Normally only a few drops are used for rubbing into the skin, as applied in large amounts they can cause severe irritation and burning. Essential oils supply the active ingredients for salves and liniments such as Tiger Balm.

With a few exceptions, such as the use of Clove Oil for toothache, essential oils are not normally used internally. There have been several reports in America of toxic reactions and even fatal poisonings resulting from their misuse. Very small amounts are used extensively in liqueurs, perfumes, cosmetics, pharmaceutical preparations, incense and cooking, but essential oils should not be considered a form of medicine for internal use.

Tannins

Many herbs contain tannins, substances which bind up proteins and in so doing have an astringent effect. A correlation appears to exist between extensive drinking of tannin-rich teas and the occurrence of oesophageal and stomach cancer. In countries where black tea is consumed in large quantities the rate of such cancers tends to be high, but where black tea is commonly taken with milk this increased rate is not found. The tannins, it appears, become bound to proteins in the milk and are thus rendered insoluble.

Astringent herb teas should be used as needed, but excessive use is best avoided. When an astringent herb is used for properties other than astringency, a little milk can be added to neutralize the tannins. There is no reason, however, to avoid the occasional use of astringents, and their use from time to time as required is certainly no cause for alarm — it is rather the continued high intake of tannin-rich substances, as in black tea, which should be warned against.

Herbs particularly high in tannins are the roots and barks, such as Blackberry, Yellow Dock and Comfrey, and a few leaf herbs such as Peppermint and Cleavers.

High Blood Pressure

Those with a history of high blood pressure should avoid herbs that stimulate heart action or constrict blood vessels. Liquorice in particular should be avoided, but the cautionary notes for individual herbs should be consulted for relevant information. Such persons should generally use only small amounts of stimulants, instead using more of the nervine, antispasmodic and sedative herbs. However, three stimulants, Cayenne Pepper, Garlic and Yarrow, also seem to be useful in reducing blood pressure.

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All you need do is make clear, vivid images and, if possible, “feel,” “smell,” “hear,” and “experience” these images in your mind.

If you do know what actions your body should take, it’s fine to visualize this happening. For example, you might visualize the arteries in your head dilating during Stage 2, or constricting during Stage 3. If you aren’t sure exactly what arteries look like, symbols are equally effective. You can visualize arteries as a rubber hose, and smooth muscles as fingers clamping down on the hose and restricting the blood flow through it.

Although several popular visualizations are given later, no standard programming exists for creative imagery. You can simply make up your own visualizations and reinforce them with autogenic phrases that best fit the particular headache symptoms you wish to alleviate.

Avoid phrases that use the future tense, such as “My headache will have disappeared by next week.” Instead, use the present tense and phrase all suggestions as though your headache had already disappeared.

For example, “The pain in my eye (or temple) has already disappeared. As the ice numbs my headache pain, I feel perfectly comfortable and free of pain. Every vestige of headache pain has already disappeared. I feel very comfortable and at ease.”

All phrases must be strongly positive. Avoid negatives such as “I will not,” or “don’t” or “I won’t” or “I will try to.” Employ only strong, active, positive phrases and talk as though your headache or other symptoms had already vanished.

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• Warming the Scalp. If you can apply warmth to the scalp at the first hint of an impending migraine, the headache can often be aborted. Even if it materializes, after applying heat, the headache is usually mild and subdued.

Many female migraineurs have discovered the advantages of using a bonnet-type hair dryer. They have been largely displaced by the blower type, but can still be found. And countless millions remain stowed away in attics. If you cannot locate one, ask around among your women friends.

Although bonnet-type hair dryers have been used almost exclusively by women, they work just as well for male migraineurs.

At the first sign of an impending headache, set the dryer to “warm” and sit under it. Some women find the warmth so soothing that they often snooze for as long as half an hour. When they wake up, the headache is gone.

As you have probably guessed, the warm air dilates constricted arteries in the head during Stage 2, and the migraine sequence is broken. Lacking a hair dryer, you could use a hot towel.

Dip a medium sized towel in hot water at not above 112?F. Wring it out and wrap it in a single layer of another dry towel. Then arrange it on top of the head so that as much of the scalp as possible is covered. But moist heat seems to work better.

After several applications, use your fingers to massage your scalp. Using a rhythmic pattern, work right down to the ears and down the back of the neck.

Whether using a hair dryer or towel, stop immediately if you begin to experience actual headache pain—a signal that the headache has entered Stage 3. It’s then too late for any more heat therapy. Heat is beneficial only during Stage 2.

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While it is obviously wisest to obtain as much tryptophan as possible from the diet, some nutritionists have recommended taking an additional one gram daily in the form of L-tryptophan supplements. Until late 1989, these were available over the counter in most healthfood stores. However, at that time they were linked to a rare blood disorder called eosinophilia. Most L-tryptophan supplements were immediately recalled, and all stocks have since been removed from store shelves. When and if the FDA concludes that they are not the cause of eosinophilia, and are once more considered safe, they may again become available.

Should this occur, you will want to know that L-tryptophan supplements are usually available in 250 or 500 mg tablets. They metabolize rapidly in the bloodstream and can induce drowsiness within 30 minutes. Drowsiness, incidentally, is a good sign that tryptophan has reached the brain and has broken down into serotonin. For this reason, tryptophan nutrition is best carried out just prior to bedtime.

Most nutritionists suggest that, without medical supervision, tryptophan supplements should be limited to a maximum of one gram per day. (However, manufacturer’s labels have suggested that up to two grams may be taken.) Naturally, if any adverse side effects occur, dosage should be terminated immediately. In practice, adverse side effects are extremely unlikely but very large doses could possibly cause bladder problems. As pain tolerance increases, most nutritionists recommend reducing intake of supplements and relying, if possible, on dietary sources alone.

Prolonged intake of L-tryptophan may lead to depletion of vitamin B6. Too, a sufficiency of vitamin B3 is necessary to maintain tryptophan levels in the brain.

For optimum results, when and if L-tryptophan supplements again become available, it would seem best to combine tryptophan nutrition with daily supplements of vitamins Ñ and the  complex.

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The majority of clusters occur at night. Researchers believe that this may be due to a combination of shallow breathing and the daily low point in adrenal hormone output. (Normally, these hormones keep blood vessels from dilating.) These circumstances, which favor dilation, seem to set a regular time for clusters to appear. During a cluster bout, the victim is often awakened at the same time each night by the same blinding pain.

Whenever instability occurs in the balance of norepinephrine and serotonin, which control pain perception, clusters may also appear during the daytime. In fact, during a cluster bout, any food, substance or circumstance that stimulates vasodilation can trigger a cluster.

Clusters usually begin in men between the ages of 10 and 30, often in teenage boys who smoke. No family history connection has been found. Beyond causing a tendency to peptic ulcers, the pain appears to leave no lasting damage. But signs of suffering are often evident. By raid-die age, many cluster victims have acquired deep furrows in the forehead plus a cleft chin, square jaw and other craggy features, and a coarse, ruddy, wrinkled skin.

Fortunately, cluster headaches are relatively rare. At times, they may be confused with trigeminal neuralgia— tic douloureux. However, tic douloureux strikes in brief, painful jabs seldom lasting more than a few seconds, while clusters last for at least ten minutes.

Breaming pure oxygen is an effective remedy for most clusters at this stage. If oxygen is not available, hyperventilation—taking long, deep, rapid breaths—will often bring sufficient oxygen into the arteries to cause them to constrict and end the pain.

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Approximately 25 headache clinics exist in the U.S. The best are usually branches of major medical centers or universities, offer a multi-disciplinary (Whole Person) approach, and are staffed by specialists representing an array of disciplines, such as internists, neorologists, psychiatrist, physical therapists, and counselors. Other clinics may be operated by individual doctors with varying capabilities. It’s best to seek a certified facility,

Wink most can he depended on far an expert diagnosis, smaller clinics may not offer the same wide option of alternative therapies as large, multi-disciplinary clinics. To help evaluate a dime, check on the credentials of the staff and ask to see if they are board-certified in their field.

Most of America’s several hundred pain clinks are also capable of diagnosing headaches, but not all specialize in headache treatment. Although the clinic itself may offer a muitidisciplinary approach to pain relief, the headache department may offer only a single discipline. By comparison, virtually all bona fide headache clinics prefer a nondrag approach with emphasis on relaxation and biofeedback training, nutrition, massage, counseling and stress management. While some clinics accept patients without referral, others may require mat you be referred by your doctor.

The average physician is probably mute capable of determining whether your headaches are disease-related or benign, but may not be as adept at diagnosing your headache type, and so may prescribe an inappropriate medication. The average doctor is also often unaware of the alternative, nondnig therapies used by most headache clinics, and will tend to rely upon drugs.

it is fairly common, in fact, for headache clinics to discover a misdiagnosis by a family doctor, who has also prescribed the wrong medication When the medication is corrected and the patient introduced to other therapies, some patients are able in end their headaches in a short time.

stubborn eases, clinics may only he able to reduce the pain to manageable levels.

By contrast, benign chronic headaches can occasionally be permanently ended by a single therapy But it’s safest not to expect a magic bullet. Most clinic employ a holistic array of therapies dot work on body, mind and belief system simultaneously. By working together synergistically, each reinforcing the other, a selection of these thro pies can typically be expected to eliminate chronic migraine headaches in from 5 to 12 weeks.

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