Infertility causes
 
While the list is endless as to what may cause infertility, there are two main factors that often play a role:
 
Luteal phase defects

Many women experiencing delays in conception may have a dominance of the female hormone oestrogen, due to the impaired excretion of this hormone by the liver and bowel. This may be caused by diets high in fat and refined carbohydrates, as well as low levels of dietary fibre, obesity or even exposure to chemical substances with oestrogen-like effects (such as pesticides and plastic food wraps). Oestrogen dominance usually results in low progesterone levels, which can lead to a ‘luteal phase defect’. The luteal phase is the second half of a woman’s menstrual cycle and begins after ovulation and continues until menstruation occurs. It should normally be around 14 days in length, however if this is shortened to less than 10 days, you cannot sustain a pregnancy because the uterine lining begins to break down, bringing on menstruation and causing an early miscarriage.
 
Poor follicle production

When a woman ovulates, an egg bursts from a follicle. If conception has occurred, the corpus luteum (which is what remains of the follicle after ovulation) produces progesterone. This hormone allows a thick healthy uterine lining to develop, ensuring good implantation of the embryo. When inadequate follicle development occurs, the corpus luteum is of poor quality and the insufficient progesterone that results causes the uterine lining to be inadequate for the implantation of a fertilised embryo.
 
Herbal rebalance

If you are having trouble conceiving, there are two key herbs you should consider using.
 
False Unicorn root (Chamaelirium luteum): This strangely named herb is considered a uterine restorative. American Indians have been using it for hundreds of years to regulate and normalise the function of the ovaries, which produce the reproductive hormones necessary for optimum
fertility including preparing the uterus and making it more receptive to implantation. False Unicorn moderates menstruation, and also improves progesterone production by stimulating hormonal precursors to trigger progesterone release. Of all the herbs, False Unicorn has one of the strongest reputations for promoting fertility, however it is a very powerful and rare herb and therefore more expensive to purchase. Fortunately in many cases False Unicorn may only be needed for a few cycles to achieve results.
 
Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus castus): This herb is commonly used to correct hormonal imbalances. Most useful in the second half of the cycle, it can also assist in greatly reducing pre-menstrual symptoms and also in reducing hormonal acne in women. In a 1993 study of luteal phase defects, 52 women were given 20 mg of Chaste Tree daily, and after three months progesterone levels were normalised. There were no side effects and two of the women treated with Chaste Tree became pregnant.
 
Important note: If you suspect there may be a more serious cause for your delay in conceiving, consult your healthcare professional immediately
 
 
Article thanks to Herbs and Health Magazine Australia

What causes flagging libido?

Many factors affect libido, including your state of mind and diet. Low sexual desire can be a result of psychological problems or physical conditions. In order to find an effective solution, it is important to identify what has triggered it.

Possible causes include:

• Age. As you get older, many changes in the body occur that can affect sexual desire.
• Anxiety and stress. If you suffer from either of these conditions, it may cause temporary or more long-term decrease in sex drive, depending on the amount of stress or anxiety being experienced. This often leads to increased alcohol and tobacco consumption, both will also have a negative effect on libido.
• Medications. Certain medications, such as antihistamines, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, tranquillizers and appetite suppressants, may affect your sexual desire
• Health conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Parkinson’s disease, endocrine or neurological disorders and chronic pain, can also affect libido.
• Insomnia or inadequate amounts of sleep cause fatigue and reduced sexual desire.
  

It is important to understand the underlying cause of low libido. Sometimes there is a direct emotional cause which needs treatment and damiana is excellent in this regard. Sometimes the physical cause is simply exhaustion or adrenal tiredness and in these instances herbs such as ginseng can assist. Of course whatever the cause maintaining a healthy diet is vital plenty of nuts, seeds, brown grains, fresh fruits and vegetables.

Traditional use

Damiana is a small shrub that produces yellow flowers and grows throughout South America. It has been used for centuries by traditional native healers as a sexual enhancer and antidepressant. The Mexican Indians used it to support the nervous system and promote healthy sexual function. The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia cites indications for the use of damiana for ‘anxiety neurosis with a predominant sexual factor, depression, nervous dyspepsia, atonic constipation, and coital inadequacy.’ Damiana has also been known to help balance hormones in females, rejuvenating sexual weakness. Modern Mexicans drink an alcoholic beverage made of Damiana, popularly known as ‘the liquor for lovers’. It is also frequently prescribed by herbalists as a nerve tonic.

How does it work?

It’s hardly surprising that the plant is linked to such a wide range of therapeutic actions considering the numerous active ingredients it contains, these include fl avonoids, resins and tannin, which help stimulate many of your body’s biological processes. Damiana works to improve sexual dysfunction in men in a similar way to Viagra. It relaxes the small muscles within the artery walls of the arteries of the penis and allows more blood to pass through the arteries, which is what causes an erection. A study by Argentinian scientists, reported in the journal of Phytomedicine in November 2003, found that Damiana relaxed the arteries of the penis by 90 per cent on average, whereas Viagra caused only a moderate degree of relaxation – barely reaching 46 per cent. Laboratory studies suggest Damiana may interfere with blood sugar levels, so if you have a blood sugar condition, seek the advice of your healthcare professional before taking the herb.

A Nobel Prize winning factor

While many products claim to boost libido by increasing testosterone levels, this is not generally the problem with poor libido. Scientists earned a Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine in 1998 when they discovered the relationship between nitric oxide and blood vessels, low nitric oxide being the more likely cause of low libido. Nitric oxide is produced in response to messages from the brain, they trigger the release of nitric acid, which causes the smooth muscles of the spongy tissues inside the penis to relax and fill with blood, making an erection possible. Many men who are experiencing erectile dysfunction do not need to take prescription drugs; they simply need to increase their production of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is produced in various areas of the body, with one important area being in the walls of the arteries. Build up of plaque in the arteries can slow down the production of nitric oxide and also contribute to blocking the flow of blood to the sexual organs.

Other herbs for boosting sex drive

Sex can be a diminishing aspect in people’s lives, due to demanding lifestyles, stress and age. Herbal solutions may not address all the problems, however they can start the process and, at the very least, may help boost your energy levels. Two of the best herbs for increasing nitric oxide levels are Korean ginseng and Ginkgo biloba. They also act as overall body tonics and combat fatigue and stress, two of the most well known passion killers.

• Korean ginseng: This has been used in China as a sexual tonic for over 7000 years and is the world’s most popular herbal supplement. Ginseng is taken for its ability to boost energy and sex drive. It does this by combating fatigue and physical and emotional stress. It also acts as a general blood tonic to improve blood flow. In double-blind clinical trials, 60 per cent of men with erectile dysfunction experienced improvements after taking a ginseng extract for just eight to twelve weeks. Scientists have identified active constituents, especially ginsenosides, which may be responsible for some of ginseng’s antioxidant and health preserving properties. Ginsenosides have been shown in laboratory studies to increase the release of nitric oxide in erectile tissue.
• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo is used to improve blood flow around the body, including blood flow to the penis. In Chinese medicine it is frequently prescribed for low sex drive and has now become popular worldwide. It has many other benefits, but in terms of improving libido, its main function is the help it gives to blood flow.

Case Study

Megan, aged 27, visited her natural health practitioner because she was concerned about the irregularity of her periods over the past year and an unexplained 10kg weight gain. Megan ate well, exercised two to three times a week for 30 minutes, had always had a regular menstrual cycle and considered herself a ‘healthy person’. Megan had put her latest health issues down to stress. However she now wanted to start a family and after four months of trying unsuccessfully to conceive, it was time to seek help. Megan was diagnosed with a luteal phase defect and prescribed False Unicorn root, the aim being to first regulate Megan’s cycle. After four months of taking 2700 mg False Unicorn daily, her cycle was regulated. Five months after that Megan conceived and subsequently gave birth to a healthy son.

Recommended for women with a history of miscarriage it is generally recommended to take False Unicorn for the first half of your cycle prior to ovulation and then Chaste Tree after ovulation until menstruation occurs.

Visit Global Herbal Supplies for a full range of herbs

Article thanks to Herbs and Health Magazine Australia

Traditional use

Turmeric has been used for centuries by practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine and is considered a cleansing herb for the whole body. It was traditionally used as a digestive aid and for the treatment of fever, infections, arthritis, jaundice and other liver problems. It is also a spice, food preservative and colouring agent, giving curries their vibrant yellow colour. Turmeric helps to prevent food spoilage because it has an antibacterial action, and scientists believe this quality means turmeric may also offer the body protection from degenerative disease.

The Ayurvedic system has been used forcenturies in India and has its origins in Hinduism. Essentially, the aim of Ayurvedic medicine is to keep the healthy person healthy and to make the sick well. Ayurveda meaning the ‘science of life’ is a holistic system of medicine that combines natural therapies with a personalised, balanced approach that focuses equally on the wellness of the body, mind and spirit.

Health-giving properties

Turmeric is a rich source of beneficial phenolic compounds known as curcuminoids. The most commonly found phenolic compound, flavonoids, are found in other foods known for their anti-oxidant properties such as blueberries, red wine and garlic. Turmeric’s beneficial health effects include:

Anti-oxidant

• There is plenty of research to support curcuminoids having potent anti-oxidant properties. Curcuminoids have the ability to not only scavenge and neutralise harmful free radicals, but also to prevent their formation in the first place, which is why they are described as having ‘bioprotective’ properties or put more simply, are able to prevent future illness.

Anti-inflammatory

• Clinical trials have identified a number of different molecules involved in inflammation that are inhibited by turmeric, including leukotrienes and prostaglandins. The overall anti-inflammatory action of curcuminoids is also related to their well-known anti-oxidant properties. In a clinical trial involving rheumatoid arthritis sufferers, turmeric produced a significant improvement in all patients, and its therapeutic effects were comparable to those obtained with the commonly prescribed drug cortisone.  US researchers found that using an extract containing the major curcuminoids had the most effect, completely inhibiting the onset of rheumatoid arthritis. This research also suggests that turmeric may be of benefit in other inflammatory disorders, such as asthma and inflammatory bowel disease. The trial also showed that curcuminoid extract blocked the pathways affecting bone re-absorption, suggesting turmeric taken as a dietary supplement during perimenopause may prevent bone loss and osteoporosis.

Antiviral and antifungal properties

• A recent trial published in The Journal of Young Investigators, the anti-oxidant and antimicrobial capacities of turmeric extract were investigated to see if turmeric could be a potential alternative to common antibiotics. The trial established that turmeric extracts are effective antimicrobial agents against some multiple drug-resistant bacteria.

Immune stimulating

• Researchers are examining turmeric as a possible immune system stimulator that can modulate the activation of various immune cells. Researchers have suggested that perhaps turmeric’s reported beneficial effects in arthritis, allergy, asthma, atherosclerosis, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and cancer might be due in part to its ability to modulate the immune system.

 Cardioprotective

• A small study has shown the effect of turmeric supplementation on serum lipid peroxides, with supplementation leading to a significant reduction of serum lipid peroxide formation and a decrease in total cholesterol levels. Turmeric may therefore have a potential role in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Other preliminary research shows that turmeric extract lowers blood fats. One study at the Amala Cancer Research Centre in India found that a dose of 500 mg daily of turmeric extract for seven days resulted in a significant 11.6 per cent decrease in total blood cholesterol and a 29 per cent increase in HDL, the ‘good fats’.

Chemoprotective

• A small clinical trial has found that turmeric may reduce the size and number of precancerous growths in the intestinal tract, therefore reducing the risk of colon cancer. The low incidence of large bowel cancer in Indians first observed in the early 1990s may be partly due to the presence of turmeric in Indian cooking. Turmeric’s anti-oxidant properties contribute to its chemoprotective effect, stimulating a detoxifying cancer protecting enzyme.

Fighting Alzheimer’s disease

• The incidence of Alzheimer’s type dementia in India is low, and researchers from the University of California investigated the influence Indian cuisine might have on this. In lab tests the researchers found that the most active ingredient in the turmeric root, appears to help human immune cells remove the destructive substance that causes the build up of plaque in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.

Choosing turmeric supplements

A particular blend of curcuminoids, known as the C3 complex, has been shown to be more effective as an anti-oxidant than each of the individual components used alone, and this is now available in the form of a capsule – Turmeric capsules. Don’t think that merely adding large amounts of colourful turmeric powder to your meals will do the trick! Doses of food-grade Turmeric powder found in your local supermarket will not deliver the standardised amount of curcuminoids required to achieve a therapeutic benefit. Typically food-grade powders also contain unidentified and unquantified constituents that have not passed the stringent analysis of all therapeutic products sold in Australia!

How much do you need?

Toxicity studies on turmeric have found it to be a safe phytonutrient to consume. Clinical trials have used exceptionally high doses of turmeric, but the generally accepted suitable dose to gain a therapeutic effect is around 1500 mg (powdered rhizome) daily. If taking prescription medicines, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should seek the advice of a healthcare professional before taking turmeric supplements.

Article thanks to Herbs and Health Magazine Australia

An Italian trial published in a recent issue of the European Heart Journal claims that for people with coronary heart disease (CAD), supplementation with 100 mg of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) daily may boost naturally occurring anti-oxidant enzymes. CAD patients appear to have reduced levels of a major anti-oxidant enzyme system in blood vessel walls, and supplementation with CoQ10 increased these levels.

Olive leaf extract helps arthritis sufferers

A US trial has shown that supplementation with olive leaf extract for an eight week period decreased pain and inflammation, and improved daily activities for people suffering from osteoarthritis. This trial also showed that olive leaf extract is good for your heart. In arthritis sufferers olive leaf extract decreased homocysteine levels, indicating improved cardiovascular health.

Green tea may halve your risk of colon cancer

Regular consumption of green tea has a beneficial association with colorectal cancer risk. The results of a six-year Chinese study involving 70,000 women aged between 40 and 70 showed that regular consumption of green tea, which is rich in polyphenol anti-oxidants, was associated with a 37 per cent reduction in colorectal cancer risk. The best benefits were seen in those women who consumed the most tea for the greatest number of years. So the more you drink the better, although green tea does contain caffeine.

Cranberries fight ulcer causing bacteria

Drinking cranberry juice may enhance the power of antibiotics to clear the stomach of a bacteria known to cause ulcers and cancer, according to a study published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. Patients with the helicobacter pylori infection were given cranberry juice (250 ml twice daily) after a week-long antibiotic course. The juice was found to enhance the eradication of the bacteria by about 10 per cent. Interestingly, the beneficial effect was observed in women only and not men.

Article thanks to Herbs and Health Magazine Australia

Q: I dread the constant social gatherings at this time of year and the inevitable hangovers that follow – is there anything I can do to prepare my body for this time! Declan M. QLD

A: The best advice I can give is to drink less on these occasions! Or at least drink a glass of water between drinks. There are also some herbs and vitamins that will prove useful to you. St Mary’s Thistle (Silybum marianum) is a herb that supports the liver when it is under pressure from toxins such as alcohol or drugs. Your B group vitamins are of great benefit during times of stress and overindulgence and will help with your energy levels. So I would suggest start taking both these now to prepare your liver for the festive season.

Q: I have a hiatus hernia, and also reflux, I am a little self conscious of my embarrassing symptoms when I eat and drink. Ian R. TAS

A: Often, people with a hiatus hernia also have heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux. In order to reduce the reflux make sure your posture is upright for several hours after eating, consume small meal sizes, raise the head of your bed at least six inches (this allows gravity to keep the contents of your stomach where they should be!) and watch the foods you eat as certain foods can cause reflux. A traditional herb for soothing the digestive system is Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra), its mucilage content forms a smooth coating over inflamed or irritated membranes of the digestive tract. Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) is a great normaliser of stomach acids and can be used for disturbances of the gastrointestinal tract associated with flatulence, indigestion and gastric reflux. In addition to those herbs you can help relieve heart-burn and indigestion by chewing papaya and mint tablets, or even drinking a cup or two of soothing peppermint tea daily.

Q: I am currently five months pregnant with my second child, I am exhausted most of the time and would love to get more energy. With my first child I experienced some difficulty while breastfeeding with my milk production, is there anything natural I can take that will help me? Helena J. WA

 A: Firstly increasing your energy levels during pregnancy can be done gently by taking spirulina capsules. Spirulina is a blue-green algae which contains good levels of highly digestible protein, all the amino acids, minerals, vitamins and essential nutrients. In terms of promoting breast milk there are two key herbs - Blessed Thistle (Cnicus benedictus) and Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum). Blessed Thistle’s therapeutic properties date back to the 1500’s. It has an excellent ability to promote nourishing breast milk in nursing mothers and it is not harmful to the baby. Fenugreek has been found to have many uses including increasing breast milk in nursing mothers. The odour of fenugreek can be detected in the breast milk but only if you exceed the recommended dosage.

Article thanks to Herbs and Health Magazine Australia

Q: I have exams coming up and I am looking for something natural that will help improve my memory and my ability to cope with extended periods of study so I don’t runout of steam. Rebecca D. SA

A: The herb gotu kola (Centella asiatica) is an excellent brain and memory tonic. It is one of the most important rejuvenating herbs in Indian herbal medicine (Ayurveda) and, despite its name, contains no caffeine or cola. It is particularly valued for revitalising nerve and brain cells, promoting calmness and clarity, improving poor memory and lack of concentration and increasing meditation ability. It is also valued as a brain food, improving intelligence and reflexes by increasing blood supply to the brain. You can use this herb to enhance mental alertness, clarity and energy levels, without getting any of the ‘jitteriness’ some people experience with coffee. 

Q: I am a mum of three kids and work three days a week and study part time. My husband is often away on business and I am at the end of my tether. What do you recommend? Megan S. NSW 

A: It sounds like you are suffering from adrenal fatigue, commonly referred to as ‘burn out’. This condition is characterised by feeling tired, rundown, overwhelmed or anxious for no reason. You may also have trouble getting up in the morning and feel like you are constantly fighting another infection. Indian herbal medicine provides possibly the best fix, with the herb ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). Its active constituents not only directly rejuvenate the adrenal glands, but also put a stop to the vicious cycle that is symptomatic of adrenal fatigue. Studies have shown that ashwagandha increases stamina, eliminates anxiety and mental fatigue, and improves immunity, mood and sex drive

Q:  I suffer from vaginal thrush and every time I think it’s gone, it comes back again. I am sick of taking medications and creams. What can I do to rid this extremely irritating and frustrating condition from my body? Sonja H. VIC

A: Thrush (candidiasis) is one of 70 different species of the Candida (Candida albicans) yeast. This yeast usually lives harmlessly in small amounts in the bowel, mouth and vagina. However, when there is an overgrowth (sometimes after antibiotic or oral contraceptive use, or with some immune related disorders), symptoms such as vaginal itching, burning or thick white discharge may appear. The area may also become red or swollen. Also be aware that repeated episodes can simply be caused by re-infection by your partner who has not been treated.

Pau D’arco (Tabebuia heptaphylla) is a South American herb with antifungal activity. Traditionally used to treat a wide range of conditions, it recently has been found to be effective against Candida yeast infections when combined with an appropriate diet. It is available both as a tea and in capsules.

Pau D’arco can be combined with golden seal (Hydrastis canadensis). This soothing herb has anti-inflammatory properties. Its antimicrobial action also gives the herb its rightly earned reputation for being a natural antibiotic. Golden seal’s medicinal value and high demand has made it rare and this, compounded by the fact that the root takes three to five years to mature, is reflected in its high price.

To treat thrush, you also need to look at what you are eating. Steer clear of yeast, sugar and processed foods. Fresh is always best. You may also want to take a probiotic, such as acidophilus or bifidus, but take these at least 2 hours apart from Pau D’arco.

 Also, avoid using soaps or perfumed sprays in the genital area. Cotton underwear and loose clothing will also help.

Article thanks to Herbs and Health Magazine Australia

Unlike the West, where it is often viewed as a nuisance, menstruation in the Ayurvedic tradition is considered an essential process of cleansing and renewal. As a result, women are thought to be healthier and longer living than men, and menstrual blood is deemed sacred.

The queen of herbs

Asparagus root, or shatavari as it is known in Ayurvedic medicine, is often referred to as the ‘queen of herbs’ because it is said to promote love and devotion (the Hindu word shatavari actually translates as ‘capable of a hundred husbands’). It is also sometimes considered the female equivalent to Ashwagandha (Withania somniferia), a herb that is often used to increase energy and stamina, reduce anxiety and mental fatigue, improve immunity and boost sex drive in men.

From puberty to menopause

With its cleansing, nourishing, soothing and strengthening effects on the female reproductive organs, asparagus root can be used throughout a woman’s entire reproductive life cycle. Traditionally, it has been used to treat premenstrual syndrome, amenorrhea (lack of menstruation), dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), pelvic inflammatory diseases such as endometriosis, and the various symptoms of menopause. The herb also helps to build blood and support deep tissue, making it useful in preparing the uterus for conception. It can also act as a postpartum tonic by helping to increase lactation and normalising the uterus and fluctuating hormones. Asparagus root has even been shown to help in cases of infertility, by improving egg quality in older prospective mothers. During menopause, and for women who have had hysterectomies, the herb helps to boost the supply of female hormones that usually become deficient around this time. It can also soothe vaginal dryness, another typical result of the natural ageing process.

Evidence and availability

Until recently, asparagus root was only available to Western herbal practitioners in an alcohol tincture. Now it is available over the counter in capsule form. In addition to its role in female sexual health, asparagus root is also indicated for gastrointestinal disorders, such as heartburn, nausea and stomach ulcers, as well as for relieving constipation. Research results and years of use have shown asparagus root to be an extremely effective and low-risk prescription for all of the symptoms mentioned, but it should not be taken during pregnancy.

Asparagus root is commonly prescribed for:

• Irregular menstrual cycles
• Painful periods
• Uterine cramping
• Heavy periods
• Breast tenderness
• Hot flushes
• Painful sexual intercourse
• Hormone imbalances
• Low libido
• Excess vaginal discharge
• Poor breast milk supply
• Constipation
• Gastrointestinal reflux
• Gastrointestinal hyperacidity
• Gastrointestinal ulcers
• Inflammation
• Suppressed immunity

Case Study:

*I first met Susan doing a talk at a local community centre regarding menopause. She subsequently made an appointment to see me. She was 44 years of age, having regular periods but flooding and clotting requiring pad changes every 20 – 30 minutes with each menstrual cycle. She was experiencing depression and other common symptoms associated with perimenopause. She had previously self prescribed over the counter ‘menopause’ supplements, but this resulted in even heavier menstrual bleeding. This led me to believe that she either had fibroids or adenomyosis (a form of endometriosis), thus the oestrogenic supplements aggravated her condition. I suggested she return to her GP and request a pelvic ultrasound. The ultrasound showed extensive adenomyosis. I then prescribed her asparagus root. This lightened her periods extensively, Susan no longer worried about leaving the house. She was taking asparagus root everyday of the cycle and double doses on the heavy days. She was also experiencing hot flushes, fatigue and some depressive symptoms. We treated this with various liver tonics but found that sage worked the best to control the hot flushes. We used homoeopathics to control the depression and iron supplementation (due to history of heavy bleeding) to treat the fatigue. Four years later, we continue the treatment combinations of asparagus root and sage with full relief of reproductive symptoms associated with menopause and the existing adenomyosis.

*Tracey Yeend, ND, RN/RM, Cert Pharm, is a registered nurse, midwife and naturopath practising in South Australia.

Say goodbye to night sweats

The majority of menopausal women suffer with the distressing symptom of excessive sweating. In some women this plagues them day and night for others it may be a night-time only occurrence. Whatever the case many women agree this is the worst part of menopause! However it appears a traditional culinary herb may hold the solution for this age old problem. The herb, sage (Salvia officinalis) has been used for many years for the treatment of excessive sweating. Even if you are not in the menopausal category, if you are male or female and sweat or perspire a lot then this herb may provide a natural treatment for your symptoms.

Article thanks to Herbs and Health Magazine Australia

Q: I am currently recovering from a cold. When my symptoms started, I began taking Echinacea, and I   found my sniffles only lasted a couple of days! Can I continue taking Echinacea to prevent another cold? Maria, QLD. 

A: I’m glad the Echinacea was such a great help! However, a 1999 review of Echinacea’s use in upper respiratory tract infections suggested that the current evidence is stronger for supporting the use of Echinacea in acute treatment and quite modest for its use in prevention. I suggest you try Astragalus, a traditional Chinese herb that is useful in enhancing the body’s immune function during convalescence. It can be taken long-term over the winter months to build up your resistance and reduce the likelihood of catching a second bout of the cold or flu. But don’t throw away the Echinacea! Keep it and some vitamin C in the medicine cabinet for the family to take at the first signs of a cold.

Q: I know there are a few herbs that help boost breast milk production. Is one better than another? Chantelle, VIC. 

A: The main herbs used to boost breast milk production are Blessed Thistle, Fenugreek and Asparagus racemosa root. All are equally good in this regard, so your choice comes down to which of their other properties would be most beneficial. For example, Blessed Thistle is a gentle liver tonic that, due to its bitter action, may also stimulate the appetite of a baby who is a poor feeder. Fenugreek is an expectorant that can help relieve excess mucus and coughs, so might help if you have a cold or flu. Asparagus helps with minor menstrual irregularities and lightens bleeding, so may be the best choice if your period tends to be heavy or painful.

Article thanks to Herbs and Health Magazine Australia

In the beginning

As a boy, Gene Hughes would often come home from school and smell the pungent aroma even before he stepped into the house. He knew immediately his mother was making another one of her garlic sandwiches. “Taking herbs ran in my family”, he says and later as an adult, he found when a nagging stomach condition just wouldn’t go away, that a teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper eased his discomfort. The only problem was swallowing a spoonful of Cayenne Pepper was not an easy task. So when his wife suggested the idea of putting the powder into easy-to-swallow gelatine capsules, a revolutionary idea was born! In 1972 a small family business, Nature’s Sunshine Products was formed. As a pioneer in the natural health supplement industry, NSP were keen to help others to a healthier happier life and this became the cornerstone on which the business was based.

From those time-honoured kitchen table beginnings, NSP has grown and today is an international company at the forefront of the natural health industry. NSP today employs cutting edge technology to create high quality, pure and efficacious products.

Quality is mandatory

NSP strongly believes that uncompromising quality is not an option – it’s an obligation. It’s not a vague goal – it’s standard operating procedure.

Quality begins in the fields, where only the finest herbs and raw materials are selected. The company’s global sourcing of raw materials ensures that the highest quality ingredients are selected from many countries.

After herbs are harvested they are shipped to the NSP manufacturing faculty where they are subject to a series of in depth quality control tests to ensure purity, potency and cleanliness. All incoming raw materials are thoroughly tested before they are released for use in NSP supplements and those materials that don’t meet the stringent quality levels are rejected and not used.

Because quality is so important, NSP continually test raw materials and products throughout the entire production process. In all, NSP use more than 150 tests and procedures to ensure the quality of the raw materials and the finished products, which includes not only encapsulated herbs but also herbal combination formulas, vitamins, liquids, other natural supplements and skin care products. Before being released products are tested once again to ensure that each batch meets the label claim for potency and additional retention stability testing ensures all products continue to meet the label claims until the expiry date of the product.

Manufacturing

The US corporate head office has recently expanded its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility which of course meets or exceeds the current Australian government regulations and pharmaceutical quality standards. The 250,000+ square-foot facility includes a climate-controlled warehouse and cutting-edge laboratory equipment. High-quality products are manufactured here for distribution all over the world.

Being able to develop and manufacture their own product is one of NSPs greatest assets. This gives complete control over selecting ingredients, establishing efficacious products and creating stringent manufacturing specifications. Each finished product must meet exacting criteria to ensure quality and consistency.

Research and development

NSP has set up joint collaboration projects with leading research institutes around the world to create innovative new products. For instance NSP teamed with researchers from Ohio State University to study certain constituents of liquorice root and stolons and found that three compounds in particular possessed powerful antioxidant properties.

Vice President of NSP Health Sciences, Dr William Keller says “at Nature’s Sunshine we believe that original, basic science research is vitally important. Data from our research establishes the identity of ingredient actives and provides a correlation of these actives with the health benefit of our products.”

In Australia, herbal medicines are referred to as complementary medicines and are regulated as therapeutic goods by the Therapeutic Goods Administration or TGA. As such they must be manufactured according to pharmaceutical standards of good manufacturing practice (GMP) and be listed or registered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). (Further information: tga.gov.au/cm/ cmreg-aust.htm) From its humble beginnings to a major force in international health, NSP remains committed to the principles on which it was founded and believes that by providing the finest quality herbs and nutritional supplements to the world that individuals will take responsibility for their health to look and feel their best.

Whole plant part versus standardised extracts

NSPs signature product is its encapsulated herbs. The only manufacturing process that the encapsulated herb part is subjected to is powdering and insertion into a capsule – there is no need for unnecessary binders or fillers. NSP uses the most effective part of the herb in its supplements, for example Nature’s Sunshine Echinacea is from the root, traditionally the most effective part. The benefits of taking the whole plant part often outweigh those of the isolated components, given the complex chemical interplay of the whole plant part.

However, standardised herbal extracts do guarantee the potency of the active ingredient which can allow for a more accurate dose. There are instances where the evidence supporting a particular herb for a specific indication is based on a particular daily dose and therefore a concentrated herbal extract may be called for. NSP offers a range of standardised extracts for those herbs that require this type of approach.

Even though many cases may be due to an inherited tendency to produce excess amounts, elevated cholesterol is often caused by an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise. Stress also plays a big role, as prolonged stress elevates a hormone called cortisol which leads to an increase in cholesterol levels. One in two Australian adults over 25 are living with high cholesterol, greatly increasing their risk of heart disease. In 2008 the National Cholesterol Test surveyed more than 500 Australians about their knowledge of cholesterol and its health implications. Over 50 per cent incorrectly believed that the majority of cholesterol comes solely from food when, in fact, the body makes most of the cholesterol it needs. Nearly half of those surveyed try and manage their cholesterol through lifestyle changes, such as diet, exercise and weight loss, but this may not always be enough to lower cholesterol to an acceptable level.

What does cholesterol do in the body?

Some cholesterol is actually required for a number of functions, including insulating nerve fibres, ensuring nerve signals travel properly and making the hormones that carry chemical signals around the body. Moderate cholesterol is associated with higher levels of serotonin, the body’s natural ‘feel-good’ chemical. There are two types of cholesterol: HDL (the ‘good’ cholesterol) collects fats that have deposited in your arteries and delivers them back to the liver so they can be made into bile to help digest your next fatty meal. The ‘bad’ cholesterol, LDL, delivers cholesterol to places in the body where it’s needed but if there is too much of it, deposits it in unwanted places, such as the arteries.

How do I know if my cholesterol is high?

The short answer is you don’t, not without a blood test. Even slim people who consume plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables can have elevated cholesterol, particularly since the cholesterol obtained from food only accounts for about 25 per cent of your total levels. Having high cholesterol doesn’t usually produce obvious symptoms, except the noccasional fatty deposit called xanthomas that generally appear as yellow patches around the eyes. Left untreated, a build up of cholesterol on the artery walls can lead to atherosclerosis, angina or even a stroke

What about medications to lower cholesterol?

The class of medication most commonly used to lower cholesterol are the statins, which work by blocking the enzyme your body uses to make cholesterol. Although effective, they are not without side effects. A recent New Zealand study found that statins were reportedly involved in depression, memory loss, confusion and aggressive reactions. This could be because serotonin, the ‘feel-good’ neurotransmitter needed to be happy, is associated with cholesterol. If your cholesterol levels are too low, your serotonin levels can also be too low, leading to low mood. If you are prescribed statins, I recommend you also take a CoQ10 supplement, as evidence shows that taking statins depletes the body’s supply of Coenzyme Q10.

Are there natural alternatives to statins?

Yes, several supplements have been shown to be effective in lowering elevated LDL, and I would consider Globe Artichoke to be one of the most helpful cholesterol-lowering herbs. In one double-blind study, a dose of 1800mg Artichoke leaf extract was administered daily for six weeks. At the end of the trial the active group had a decrease in total serum cholesterol of 18.5 per cent compared to the placebo group’s 8.6 per cent. Not only is Globe Artichoke effective at lowering cholesterol levels in combination with a low fat diet, it also assists with symptoms of indigestion and dyspepsia. Globe Artichoke acts on the bile duct, allowing a regular release of bile to help digest dietary fats. Cynarin, the active component in Globe Artichoke, also exerts a protective function on liver cells, protecting them against alcohol, prescription medicine and even viruses.

What sort of reduction in my total cholesterol level can I expect by taking Globe Artichoke?

A typical example is Debbie, one of my patients whose total cholesterol reading was 6.1 before she started taking a Globe Artichoke supplement. Debbie took one 6 g capsule daily, followed a low-fat diet and walked regularly. After 12 weeks her total cholesterol reading was 4.1.

Are there any additional measures I should take?

If you make healthy eating choices and stay aware of the different kinds of fats in foods, then you’re well on the way to controlling your cholesterol levels. You should also make a commitment to exercise regularly. One recent review evaluated 25 different studies on exercise and cholesterol and found that, for exercise to have an effect on HDL cholesterol, participants needed to exercise for about two hours a week consistently – the longer the exercise session the greater the HDL boost. Aerobic exercise, such as walking or cycling, was found to be the most effective.

Can anyone take Globe Artichoke?

Most people can, except those with an allergy to plants in the daisy family. I recommend anyone with an existing liver or gall bladder condition to consult with their healthcare professional to determine the suitability of Globe Artichoke. Also, it is important to check in with your healthcare practitioner to monitor your cholesterol levels to ensure that your changes to diet, supplements and lifestyle have the desired results.