GHS Natural Health Blog

Your health questions answered

Kerrie Marks BHSc (Comp Med) , Dipl Nutr, DBM is our resident natural health practitioner specialising in herbal medicine and nutrition.

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.

Diuretics

Diuretics are used to eliminate excess fluid, aid the process of detoxification through the kidneys and assist urinary conditions such as infections or stones. They are also beneficial for conditions associated with lymphatic congestion, skin diseases and rheumatic or arthritic complaints. Increasing the flow of urine (diuresis), these herbs help to purify the blood.

Burdock root was traditionally used by America’s 19^th century Eclectic physicians as a diuretic to treat urinary tract infections, kidney problems and painful urination. It was also prescribed for arthritis and skin conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, acne and dandruff.

Corn silk acts as a diuretic, soothing and toning irritated urinary tract linings. It was traditionally used to relieve fluid retention and aid urinary complaints.

Dandelion leaf  is considered one of the strongest herbal diuretics, useful for treating fluid retention from most causes. It is also a good natural source of potassium. During the Middle Ages, Europeans believed in the Doctrine of Signatures – the idea that a plant’s physical characteristics revealed its healing value. Under this doctrine, any juicy plant (such as Dandelion) was linked to urine production.

Emmenagogues

Emmenagogues are remedies that balance female hormones and thereby regulate menstruation.

Black Cohosh root is a traditional North American herb that was used to ease menopausal symptoms and menstrual complaints such as PMS with cramps. The root contains triterpene glycosides, compounds that are believed to act on a hypothalamus-pituitary gland level, which has a secondary effect on the female reproductive system. Black Cohosh is believed to be slightly oestrogenic, meaning it acts like the female sex hormone oestrogen.

Chaste berries, also known as Vitex agnus castus, works via the pituitary gland to normalise menstrual irregularities and counteract the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome including irritability, depressed mood and headaches. Vitex was traditionally used to increase lactation and lowerlibido hence the ‘chaste’ berry.

Galactagogues

Galactagogues are remedies used by women during lactation to promote the flow of breast milk.

Asparagus racemosa root, also known as Shatavari, is commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine to strengthen female hormones, promoting fertility and stimulating breast milk.

Blessed Thistle is a bitter herb that is useful as a liver tonic and for its ability to increase and enrich the fl ow of breast milk. Blessed Thistle is recommended for any woman who wants to increase their breast milk production or keep feeding for longer.

Fenugreek seeds were commonly eaten by Indian women to increase breast milk production. Today, they are still commonly used as a galactagogue during lactation, but also as an expectorant for the respiratory system.

Immune enhancers

Immune enhancers are substances that help influence immune function, strengthening the body’s natural defences.

Astragalus restores and strengthens the body’s immune response. It stimulates the activity of macrophages – a

type of white blood cell the body produces to mop up and destroy foreign material and infectious micro-organisms. Astragalus is used long-term as an immune-stimulant to reduce the incidence of the common cold and flu or in convalescence. It is not recommended to take Astragalus in the acute phase.

Cat’s Claw is native to Peru and contains immune stimulating properties that enhance immune function, so is a useful remedy during the winter months when the immune system is often weak.

Echinacea is an immune-stimulant that enhances macrophage activity (see Astragalus). It is often prescribed in the acute phase of upper respiratory tract infections, including common colds, influenza and bacterial sinusitis, to reduce the severity of symptoms.

This year more than ever, we’re all keen to avoid catching colds and flu, Herbs & Health bring you the latest remedies.

You’re probably already taking care of your health by making sure to include plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables in your diet, tossing a couple of cloves of garlic in your stir-fries, and making sure you get enough sleep. If you’re not already, it’s also a good idea to take herbal medicines that naturally promote immunity and help your body fight viruses and other infectious organisms.

While you’re at it, think about herbs to support your nervous system too. Why the nervous system? Psychological stress and the way your body reacts to it are intimately related to your immunity.

In particular, your stress levels influence your likelihood of becoming sick when you’re exposed to viruses that cause colds and flu, and if you do get sick, they also contribute to the severity of your symptoms. This is illustrated by a clinical study in which researchers measured the stress levels of 394 people before exposing them to one of five respiratory viruses. Afterwards, tests showed that the likelihood of contracting the virus (as shown by antibody reactions in the bloodstream) increased according to how stressed the participants were; people who had low stress levels had a 74 per cent chance of being infected by the virus, while those who with high stress levels became infected 90 per cent of the time.

Bearing in mind that we don’t come down with a cold every time we encounter a virus, it’s perhaps even more important that in this study, once they were infected, people with high stress levels were also significantly more likely to develop cold symptoms than those with low stress levels. These results support those from another study, which found that people with higher levels of stress experience more severe flu symptoms (including increased mucus production) than people with less stress. During times of acute (short-term) stress, the immune system – like the body’s other defences against danger – tends to be activated, ready to swing into action.

Chronic stress (continuing for longer than a month) has the reverse effect, dampening the activity of key components of the immune system. It’s logical therefore that the types of stress that have the greatest impact on your resistance are those that persist over long periods (such as family difficulties, caring for a sick family member, ongoing work problems, or unemployment). And unfortunately, the longer the stressful situation continues, the more likely you are to get sick.

Herbs to support immunity

Herbalists and naturopaths traditionally take a holistic approach to building resistance to infection, combining herbs with three different actions: adaptogens, immune tonics and antimicrobials.

Adaptogens

Adaptogens are herbs that help the body adapt to physical and/or emotional stress and return to a normal state of balance. Their use in strengthening immunity is validated by data showing that an individual’s resistance to respiratory infections like colds and flu is correlated with their levels of the stress hormone cortisol, one of the key markers of the body’s stress levels (and responsible for many of the physical symptoms we associate with ongoing stress).

Rhodiola: The herb Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) has only become available in Australia relatively recently, but has an extensive tradition of use in Europe. In clinical trials, it has been shown to relieve a range of stressrelated problems, including fatigue, anxiety, low mood and poor attention span. It has also been shown to reduce cortisol release in patients who are suffering stress burnout, so may be a particularly useful choice if you’re going through a stressful time and are keen to support your immune system while also boosting your energy levels and improving your ability to cope.

Withania: Like Rhodiola, the herb Withania is considered an adaptogen and has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine to help the body cope with stress. In animal studies, that stress-coping effect has also been shown to improve immune function, increasing the numbers of certain immune cells, and promoting the activity of others. More recently, Indian researchers measured the changes in key immune cells before and after healthy participants consumed two doses of Withania a day for four days, and demonstrated increased activation of the immune system. Research also suggests that, like Rhodiola, Withania may help to reduce plasma cortisol levels, and therefore may help to offset many of the negative effects of chronic stress, perhaps including reduced resistance to infection.

Immune tonics

Around the world, different herbs have traditionally been used to support the body’s defences and build resistance to infection. Many are taken at low doses as preventive remedies, and then increased to higher doses if infections take hold. In general, these herbs tend to be most effective when treatment is started as quickly as possible after the onset of symptoms.

Andrographis: Native to Asia, Andrographis has been traditionally used to rid the body of heat, as in fevers and to dispel toxins from the body. Laboratory studies indicating that the herb stimulates immune function via a number of different mechanisms are supported by clinical studies that show it can provide relief from many of the typical symptoms of colds, such as sore throats, runny nose, sinus pain, fatigue, fever, mucus production and headaches. When taken at the first sign of symptoms, it has also been shown to aid faster recovery from colds.

Echinacea: The North American herb Echinacea stimulates the immune system via a number of different mechanisms, many of which have been well documented. For example, it has been shown to promote phagocytosis (the process by which immune cells engulf and destroy invading organisms), and is also known to boost the numbers of key types of immune cells and stimulate the activity of others. Numerous studies also indicate that Echinacea is an effective treatment for upper respiratory tract infections, and as with Andrographis, the effects appear to be most pronounced when taken as quickly as possible after the symptoms appear.

Olive leaf: Echinacea and Andrographis are often taken in combination with olive leaf, an antioxidant-rich remedy that (amongst other uses) has traditionally been used to stimulate immunity and treat infections.

Cat’s Claw and Astragalus: Other herbs prescribed to boost immune function include the Amazonian vine Cat’s Claw, and the traditional Chinese medicine Astragalus. The traditional reputation of both these herbs is supported by laboratory studies confirming their immunomodulating activity.

Antimicrobials

Herbs that fight infection provide valuable support to immune and nervous system supporting remedies, and may help you over-come infection more quickly if you get sick.

Golden Seal: Golden Seal is traditionally indicated as a tonic for the mucous membranes (including those of the throat, nose and sinuses). Today, many herbalists consider it to be the most important of all antimicrobial remedies because the herb (and isolated alkaloids from it, especially berberine) has broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa and parasites, leading to its use in a wide range of infective conditions. In laboratory studies, Golden Seal also exhibits a number of immune-modulating activities.

Pau D’Arco: Fungal infections such as Candida are notoriously difficult to overcome, especially as the organisms involved have a tendency to develop resistance to the pharmaceutical drugs used to treat them. When treating fungal conditions with herbs, it pays to use a remedy that’s specifically indicated for the purpose. Probably the best choice is Pau D’Arco, a herbal medicine from South America, where it has traditionally been used to treat both bacterial and fungal infections (as well as for other health disorders) and has also demonstrated antifungal activity in laboratory studies. Pau D’Arco is available in both the traditional tea (decoction) form, and as an easy-to-swallow capsule.

Case Study

Susan had been suffering from recurrent thrush on a monthly basis when she first consulted a natural health practitioner. Further investigation revealed that she had been taking the oral contraceptive pill for years and averaged four courses a year of antibiotics for minor infections such as sinusitis and tonsillitis. She worked full time and was always on the go. Her diet was adequate but could be improved, particularly as she was rather partial to a regular glass or two of wine to relieve her stress.

Susan decided to discontinue the oral contraceptive pill and was prescribed a course of herbs to rebalance her hormone levels. Once her cycle was regular, it was time to address the issue of frequent thrush episodes. A fi nger prick blood test confirmed the presence of candida albicans. Her natural health practitioner began to treat this with the herb Pau D’Arco at 3,000 mg per day, and placed Susan on an anti-candida diet eliminating all foods containing yeast and sugar for a period of two weeks and gradually reintroducing some of these foods. Susan focused on a maintenance diet of foods which have minimal or low sugar content such as fresh fruit and vegetables, wholegrain breads and pastas. She also included probiotic supplements daily to help rebalance the micro-organisms in her gut.

As the candida symptoms improved Susan was treated with immune boosting herbs such as garlic and golden seal to boost her immune system and reduce the chances of her developing sinusitis or tonsillitis in the future. This eliminated the need to take antibiotics which made her body susceptible to candida in the first place.

Susan continues to follow the maintenance diet and drinks only the occasional glass of wine and says she feels much healthier and best of all has not experienced any thrush or sinusitis since.

Tips for controlling the spread of infection

1. Wash hands regularly – even when they aren’t visibly dirty – with soap and water or with an alcohol-based product that does not require water.

Always wash your hands:

• after you’ve been to the toilet;
• after coughing, sneezing or

blowing your nose;

• after being in contact with

someone who has a cold or flu;

• before touching your eyes, nose

or mouth; and

• before preparing food and eating.

2. Cover your mouth and nose when

you sneeze or cough.

When you cough or sneeze you should:

• turn away from other people;
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue;
• use disposable tissues rather than a

handkerchief (which can store the virus); and

• put used tissues into the nearest bin.

With the average age of first-time Australian mums increasing, many couples concerned about their ability to conceive are seeking natural ways to boost their fertility.

While you can’t turn back time, you can effectively reduce your biological age by two years if you follow a healthy diet and supplement with essential fertility nutrients and herbs for at least four months before conception, claims leading fertility expert Francesca Naish.

The benefits of supplementing

In addition to vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, various herbal extracts can help to balance hormone levels and promote fertility. As well as helping the body do what comes naturally, they are also beneficial for your overall health. Herbs contain antioxidants and other important compounds that boost immune function, fight off illness and benefit your cardiovascular system, to name a few! So you are not only boosting fertility, you are promoting general wellness at the

same time. Often a combination of herbal extracts is the most effective tool, each working

synergistically with the other.

Tribulus (Tribulus terrestris): Better known for its perceived benefits in building muscle, the positive effects this herb has on both male and female fertility are sometimes overlooked.

Tribulus acts as a general fertility tonic and aphrodisiac and is used to restore vitality and reduce the physiological effects of stress. In one study, Tribulus extract given at a dose of 750 mg per day for five days, demonstrated an increase in sex hormone production for both men and women. In another study 36 infertile women were given Tribulus; 6 per cent became pregnant as a result of normalised ovulation; 61 per cent demonstrated normalised ovulation

and no pregnancy; and 33 per cent demonstrated no effect from Tribulus. Studies also show that protodioscin, the active component of Tribulus, has several beneficial effects on sperm production, improving the quantity and quality of sperm produced as well as sperm motility (the

ability to swim and reach the female egg). In a double blind study of 45 infertile married men, 36 were treated with Tribulus daily for three months. The control group of nine men were given a

placebo for the same period.  Spouses of eight of the men in the treated group achieved pregnancies after their husbands’ treatment, whereas no pregnancies occurred in the spouses of the men in the control group. The researchers also noted improvements in sperm quality and

composition after the treatment period. The recommended daily dose of Tribulus extract standardised to contain a minimum of protodioscin is 240 to 360 mg. It is best used on days five to 14 of the menstrual cycle for enhanced female fertility. Males can take this supplement continuously.

Asparagus (Shatavari): Not to be confused with the humble vegetable you buy in the supermarket, Asparagus racemosa is extremely useful for both male and female sexual and reproductive health due to its tonic and rejuvenative properties. In males, Asparagus root has been shown to improve seminal qualities by increasing sperm count and motility. In females, it nourishes and cleanses the blood and reproductive organs, as well as regulating premenstrual symptoms and minor imbalances in the menstrual cycle. Asparagus is often used to control excessive menstrual bleeding because of its healing effect on the endometrium. Asparagus root

improves egg quality in older prospective mothers and also breast milk production in nursing mothers. The recommended dose is 2 g daily.

Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus): Also known as Vitex (Chaste Tree berries) are one of the most well known natural fertility herbs for women. It stimulates the pituitary gland, which produces the female sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone, and stimulates the ovulation process. Particularly useful when there is a low level

of progesterone production, this herb acts as a rejuvenating tonic to the reproductive system. More specifically, Chaste Tree has been used successfully by women suffering from irregular ovulation and by women with shorter luteal phases (the period between ovulation and the end of the menstrual cycle). Chaste Tree has also been shown to restore normal ovulation after discontinuing use of birth control pills. The recommended daily dose of the powdered berries or fruit is 1.5 g.

Withania (Ashwagandha): In Sanskrit, Ashwagandha means ‘the smell of a horse’ because the strong odour of the fresh root resembles horse urine. It is also considered to bestow the sexual vitality of a horse on the user and is traditionally used in cases of sterility and infertility. In India, Withania is regarded as one of the best male rejuvenating tonics, promoting sperm production, blood flow and tone to the reproductive organs. It also regulates hormonal function in men. The traditional recommended daily dose of the powdered root is 2 g daily.

Coenzyme Q10: A 2004 study demonstrated daily supplementation with coenzyme Q10 can help improve sperm movement in infertile men. Coenzyme Q10 is active in the testes and plays an important role in forming membranes and other structures within cells by fighting the effects of oxidative stress. Researchers looked at the effects of daily oral supplementation with 200 mg of coenzyme Q10 in 22 infertile men with low sperm motility. At the start of the study, researchers found the men had lower-than-normal levels of coenzyme Q10 in their seminal fluid. After six months of supplementation with the antioxidant, the men experienced a significant increase in these levels. The researchers also found a significant increase in sperm motility, which was linked to the rise in coenzyme Q10 levels. Coenzyme Q10 may also protect the ovaries in older mothers, a likely result of its antioxidant properties.

The jury is in

Foresight, a British Medical Association for the promotion of preconception, conducted a study between 1990 and 1993, using a nutritional and lifestyle modification preconception care programme. The results were nothing less than remarkable. There was a tenfold reduction in the expected incidence of miscarriage and birth defects and more than an 80 per cent success rate with unexplained infertility. Out of the 367 couples in the study, 327 (89 per cent) successfully became pregnant and 327 children were born. All the babies born were healthy. Among the 204 couples with infertility problems, 175 (86 per cent) were able to achieve a healthy pregnancy. These results clearly demonstrate that herbs and supplements play an important role in achieving a trouble-free pregnancy and a happy, healthy baby.

One of the greatest abilities of the Liver is that it can regenerate itself. This should provide a great deal of hope for anyone suffering from liver disease. There are a few things that you need to do in order to turn your scarred liver into a brand new healthy liver. Follow the steps below:

Start consuming Dandelion (that plant that probably grows all around your home). The leaves of the Dandelion plant can be picked, washed, and mixed in with your salads. But you can also find Dandelion tinctures or other forms of Dandelion extracts at your local health food store. Dandelion is extremely useful for the health of the liver and related organs and glands. (Note that a poorly functioning liver will only bring DOWN the function of other organs and glands). It has been used to successfully treat liver disease, such as hepatitis and liver insufficiency.

If you only had one choice for picking a natural cure for liver disease it should be Milk Thistle Seed Extract (…fortunately you have more than one choice, so why not use all of them, it will only speed up your healing). There are a few reasons why Milk Thistle Seed Extract (also referred to as “Mte”) is beneficial to the liver and liver regeneration. Firstly, it protects the liver from toxins. Toxins, like Alcohol (the number one cause of Cirrhosis), compete against Mte for space on the cell membrane of the liver…except they always lose against the much stronger Mte. If your liver has Mte (milk thistle seed extract) all around itself, therefore preventing harmful toxins from destroying the liver, then the liver actually has time to regenerate. Also, Mte increase protein synthesis, which means that it speeds up the regeneration of destroyed liver tissue.

Another huge benefit of Milk Thistle Seed Extract is its interference with the enterohepatic circulation. Now, you might be wondering what the enterohepatic circulation is? Toxins are constantly being cycled back in forth between the gastrointestinal tract and the liver. Each time the toxins pass by the liver, the liver gets damaged. However, Mte interrupts the first absorption of toxins and then it helps prevent the re-absorption when the toxins are recycled. Cells that are not yet poisoned are therefore protected and become sites for new liver cell growth. In time a full restoration of the liver can be achieved.

I don’t want to sound repetitive so all I’m going to say about Artichoke is that it has the same healing properties as Milk Thistle. That being said I would use both Milk Thistle Seed Extract and Artichoke extract to heal my liver (along with a regular consumption of Dandelion extract). The human liver will regenerate itself, by using the above mentioned natural healers we can restore our livers faster. Don’t give in to taking pharmaceutical drugs they cause way too much damage to the liver, even if they are meant to heal your liver. Use natural cures and you will heal your liver faster, safer, and cheaper.

There are many other ways to speed up the recovery of your liver. Things like Acupuncture, Acupressure, Reflexology, Magnet Therapy, Essential Oils, Homeopathic Medicine, Home Remedies, Healing Crystals, and other Healing Herbs can all be used simultaneously to increase the restoration of the liver.