Posted by: essentialhealth | November 16, 2007

NingXia Wolfberry-21 Reasons to Drink NingXia Red Daily

 
The wolfberry, a perennial plant (member of the solanacea family of plants), grows to a height of 3 to 5 feet. The fruit is very red, juicy, and oblong when ripe. Its health benefits have been known and used for thousands of years.
 
The fruit contains 19 amino acids and over 20 trace minerals (including germanium, a mineral rarely found in food) The wolfberry has more protein than whole wheat. This alone sets the wolfberry apart as a major source of phyto-nutrients.
 
21 Reasons to Drink NingXia Red Daily
 
1. The Ningxia Wolfberry provides ample antioxidants to strengthen the immune system. Anti-oxidants permeate cell walls and attack free radicals before they damage the DNA of the cell nucleus.
 
2. Antioxidants of this berry fight arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosisaiding the circulatory system—including the heart.
 
3. The Ningxia Wolfberry is powerful in helping the liver function properly. The liver is one of the most vital organs in the body–it’s our cleansing machine.
 
4. Helps the eyes–cataracts, glaucoma, and visual acuity. This berry contains a complete array of antioxidant carotenoids including beta-carotene and zeaxanthin. In fact the Ningxia Wolfberry has the highest source of carotenoids in all known foods. Beta-carotene is best known as a nutrient for the retina. 2
  
5. Cancer Help. The main constituent of the wolfberry is Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharide (LBP), and according to studies in China, LBP helps cancer patients rebuild their white blood cell count, enhancing phagocytes and the activity of natural killer cells which bind to cancerous cells, as well as improving major classes of T-cells.  “…increase the antibody reaction to the T cell-antigen.” 3
 
6. More Cancer Help. Acetone extract from the Ningxia Wolfberry inhibits gene mutation, Some scientists say the fruit is a good supplement to prevent liver cancer. 4  Also, studies show objective regression of cancer in patients with malignant melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and others. Results also indicated LBP may be used as an adjuvant in the biotherapy of cancer. 5

7. Minerals and vitamins act as enzymes and co-factors in the digestion process.
 
8. Studies on seniors in China produced amazing results (many people live beyond 100 years of age in wolfberry growing areas). Increases in Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD) the hemoglobin were found in serum in all participants. In other words wolfberry “…….may help slow the aging process.”
 
9. Protects against the free radical attack on mitochondrial DNA–our energy furnaces inside each cell. Antioxidants fight against mitochondrial destabilization.
 
10. Helps lower blood sugar–and in many tests at least stabilizes blood sugar.
 
11. It is important that cell walls maintain their malleability for nutrients to cross this membrane. The free radical scavengers found in the Ningxia Wolfberry strengthen the cell wall and support efficient transport of flavonoid nutrients in the cell and waste products out of the cell.
 
12. Strengthens the brains neuro-transmitters against pervasive fee radical activity, thus fighting against dementia and other forms of memory loss.
 
13. Promotes a sense of well-being, and has had noticeable results in tests and anxiety. The tissues of the body (including the brain) are assisted in avoiding oxidative stress.
 
14. Has a B-Vitamin complex essential to the body. In addition these vitamins are vital for converting food to energy.
 
15. Cells need to communicate, especially those in the brain and nervous system. The synaptic responses are protected and fortified by the same polyphenols (flavonoids) that this berry uses to protect itself.
 
16. Provides powerful anti-fungal and anti-bacterial action because it contains solavetivone (an amino acid). Properties in the food fight viruses—it’s anti-viral.
 
17. Reduces pain caused by inflammation because the berry contains Beta-Sitosteral, a remarkable anti-inflammatory.
 
The Ningxia Wolfberry is high in protein (more than whole wheat), an essential cellular building block.

19. The Ningxia Wolfberry, unlike most berries, contains natural vitamin E–a restorative antioxidant with too many health benefits to list here.
 
20. A healthier romantic life. The wolfberry increases overall health performance, including sexual response. One herbalist wrote, “Wolfberry can make a young wolf out of an old man.”
 
21. This berry dubbed ”A complete body health motivator” has many unique polysaccharides, not found in any plant on the planet.
 
References:
 
1. Ben cao Gang Mu; Physicians Handbook; Ming Dynasty 1368-1644 AD
2. Benzie, Dr. Iris F., MD; Hong Kong Polytechnic University; 2005; The British Journal of Medicine.
3. Guifan, Huang, et al; Immune Boosting Effects from Fu Fan Wu 2: Yang Zong Wan; (Chinese Herbs, 1990, 12 (6):27
4. In-Vitro Anti-Mutation Effect of Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharide (LBP). (Chinese Herbs, 1991)
Journal of Chinses Herbal Medicine; 1994. Note: Japanese Research Scientists also stated the wolfberry could inhibit the growth of cancer cells. 

Posted by: essentialhealth | November 13, 2007

How to Use and Apply Quality Essential Oils-part 1, Diffusing

Various ways of using essential oils can bring you a wide range of benefits — from uplifting you emotionally or healing you physically to flavoring food or cleaning the dishes. Experiment with the following applications to find the ones you most enjoy.

DIFFUSING
 Diffusing essential oils in your home or office is a perfect way to help you relieve tension, dispel odors, and create an atmosphere of peace and harmony. When diffused, essential oils have been reported to improve the immune system and create a feeling of balance and well-being. Start by diffusing oils for only 15 to 30 minutes per day. As you become accustomed to the oils and recognize their effects, you may increase the time.

Diffusing essential oils releases oxygenating molecules as well as negative ions, which reduce bacteria in the air. Young Living’s diffuser uses a special air pump custom-designed to disperse the oils in a microfine vapor so they stay suspended for several hours and freshen the air with natural fragrances. The diffuser disperses oils without the heating or burning that can render the oil therapeutically less beneficial.

Research shows that cold-air diffusing certain oils may:
*Reduce bacteria, fungus, mold, and unpleasant odors
*Promote relaxation, relieve tension, and clear the mind
*Help in weight management

*Improve concentration, alertness, and mental clarity

This is the most perfect way to improve your home, work or study environment, either to help you relax, relieve tension and headaches, dispel odors, or just create an atmosphere of peace and harmony. Essential oils, when diffused, have been reported to improve immune function and create a feeling of balance and well-being.

Posted by: essentialhealth | November 8, 2007

Antibiotics vs. Therapeutic-Grade Essential Oils

Here is a facinating article from Dr. Joan Barice with scientific research included.

Dr. Joan Barice, MD, was a key speaker this year at the Young Living Convention in Washington DC.

by Joan Barice, MD

Speaking as a medical doctor, all physicians are aware of the increasing
problem of resistance of bacteria to antibiotics. This is especially a
problem with bacteria which cause life threatening infections. It is a result of
overusing antibiotics, and of using them when they are not appropriate.

Overusing antibacterial soaps may also contribute to the problem. Prevention
is best, of course. Allowing natural immunity to work when infections are
self-limiting or not likely to cause serious consequences is also important,
as is not treating viruses with antibiotics which won’t work anyway.

Essential oils can be very effective in treating many bacterial, viral and
other infections, without causing resistance. The natural variation in the
chemical constituents in whole plants depending on climate, altitude, and
other factors protects against this resistance, as do the many chemical
constituents in whole oils as opposed to using one isolated “active”
ingredient.

The problem is, most doctors are not trained in using oils, but are well
trained in using potent antibiotics. If you are trying to enlighten a
doctor, who generally has had no training on essential oils, I would suggest
providing scientific references that give the available evidence of the
effectiveness of essential oils in treating infections.

We are impressed by scientific research and usually will not listen to
“anecdotal” evidence” that it worked for some people. Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt’s
book Medical Aromatherapy, healing with essential oils, has been suggested
and is a great reference. I have used it to give talks to medical doctors
about essential oils.

Published articles on essential oil research, especially those in medical
journals would be very good. Here are just a couple examples:

Our own EODR cites some research:
1998: Chao studied a blend of oils patterned after that used by 15th century
thieves containing cinnamon, rosemary, clove, eucalyptus and lemon was
diffused in a closed room in which bacteria cultures were sprayed. There was
an 82% reduction in M. Luteus, a 96% reduction in P. Aeruginosa, and a 44%
reduction
in S Aureus bioaerosols following 10 minutes of exposure.

Another study compared the effectiveness of essential oils to antibiotics -
preliminary results showed cinnamon and oregano are comparable with
penicillin and ampicillin in inhibitory activity against e coli and staph
aureus.

From a medical journal:
TEA TREE OIL: THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE ANTIMICROBIAL HYPE
Because of increasing resistance to antibiotics, interest in finding
alternatives is strong. Tea tree oil (TTO) has been widely used in
Australia for 80 years and is active against many micro-organisms.

A pilot study of 30 MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)
carriers comparing routine mupirocin nasal ointment and triclosan skin wash
with TTO ointment and wash, showed one third were completely cleared by TTO
but only 13% by conventional treatment.

In another trial of TTO in the treatment of herpes cold sores, the oil was
found to assist healing to a similar degree as topical 5% acyclovir. The
oil
has about 100 components but 7 terpenes and their related alcohols
constitute
80 to 90% of the whole oil. Several of these components have been shown to
reduce levels of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. Terpenes are
lipophilic and partition into the phospholipid layer of cell membranes,
disrupting normal structure and function. Allen, P., LANCET 2001, 358 (9289)
1245

or: Janssen AM et al, 1987. Antimicrobial activity of essential oils:
1976-1986 literature review. Planta Med 53 (5) 395-398.

This article is not in a medical journal, but still would be good to use as
evidence: Antiviral and Antimicrobial Properties of Essential Oils, by
Dominique Baudoux, available on the internet at
http://www.positivehealth.com/permit/Articles/Aromatherapy/baud55.htm

Schnaubelt’s book has a list of some basic research, including the
following:

1960: Maruzella demonstrated antibacterial and antifungal effects of
hundreds
of aromatic compounds
1987: Deininger and Lembke demonstrated antiviral activity of essential oils
and their isolated components
1973: Wagner and Sprinkmeyer in 1973 did research on a 170 year old blend of
distilled oils still available in Germany. The effects of melissa and the
other oils in Kosterfrau Melissengeist had been empirically known since
Paracelsus (about 1500). They concluded that, with varying degrees of
intensity, there was an inhibiting influence on all the bacteria tested,
(Pneumococcus,
Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphlococcus aureus haemolyticus, Neisseria
catarrhalis,
Streptococcus haemolyticus, Proteus vulgaris, Hemophilus influenza,
Haemophilus
pertussis, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli-Aerobacter group, various
Corynnebacteria, and Listeria) and stated the large spectrum of this
inhibitory action is as broad as or even greater than that of wide-spectrum
antibiotics.

They also showed KMG has sedative and spasmolytic properties.
1995 Deininger et al. Demonstrated the broad spectrum of antibacterial,
antiviral, antifungal activity of essential oils and their components as
well as
effectiveness for upper respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urogenital
systems
and for nervousness and arterial conditions.

Included many different bacterial species, aflatoxin forming fungi,
quantitative proof of the antiviral effectiveness of different essential oil
constituents with special attention to their cell toxic effects on human
cells. Showed antiviral effects against herpes and adenoviruses with a broad
spectrum of activity. Showed oils including Klosterfrau mellisengeist
terpenes could be shown curatively and preventively in animal experiments
after otherwise lethal herpes injections were administered, and induce a
significant increase of immunoglobulins.

Schnaubelt lists even earlier basic science research showing it has been
known a long time that essential oils have antimicrobial effects:

1800-2002: Numerous animal and in vitro studies – evidence that all
essential
oils are antiseptic, some more than others and that many are effective
against certain fungi, bacteria and viruses.
1881: Koch demonstrated the bactericidal action of essence of turpentine
against anthrax spores
1887: Chamberland demonstrated bactericidal activity of essences of oregano,
cinnamon and clove on bacillus anthracis
1910: Martindale showed essential oil of oregano is the strongest
plant-derived antiseptic known to date, 25 to 76 times more active than
phenol on
colobacillus

Because of our training, because we are not trained about essential oils,
and
do not want to harm our patients by using something we do not know anything
about, many doctors will insist on having still more research, and
conclusive
“evidence-based” research data before they will consider recommending oils
for
patients with an infection, and they will use antibiotics when they know
them to be effective treatment for a particular infection.

I know from my own experience that essential oils can be very effective, and
will not hesitate to use them when they are the most appropriate treatment.
If, on the other hand, I had a life threatening infection, and I do not have
time to try something that will take longer, and there is a medical
treatment that is known to be highly effective and safe, I would use it.
Hope this helps.

Joan Barice, MD
*****************

Posted by: essentialhealth | November 8, 2007

AROMATHERAPY OILS KILL SUPERBUGS

This was sent to me by MaryAnn Wallace -

AROMATHERAPY OILS KILL SUPERBUGS

– Tuesday, 21 December, 2004, BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation)

Essential oils could kill the deadly MRSA hospital ’superbug’, scientists
have claimed.

University of Manchester researchers found three of the oils, usually used
in aromatherapy, destroyed MRSA and E.coli bacteria in two minutes.

They suggest the oils could be blended into soaps and shampoos which could
be used in hospitals to stop the spread of the superbug. Hospital-acquired
infections, such as MRSA, kill an estimated 5,000 a year in the UK.

The Manchester study was triggered when complementary medicine specialists
at Christie Cancer Hospital asked university researchers to test essential oils.

Dr Peter Warn, who carried out the research, said: “When I tested the oils
in the lab, absolutely nothing grew. Rather than stimulating bacteria and
fungi, the oils killed them off.”

The essential oils tested were Patchouli, tea tree, geranium, lavender
essential oils and Citricidal trade mark (grapefruit seed extract).

The team tested 40 essential oils against 10 of the most infectious agents
found in hospitals, including MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus
aureus).

Two of the oils were found to kill MRSA and E.coli almost instantly, while a
third was found to act over a longer period of time.

Dr Warn says the essential oils could be used to create much more pleasant
inhalation therapies – which he said were likely to have a much higher
success rate than the current treatment, which is only effective in around 50% of cases.”

Dr Warn said: “We believe that our discovery could revolutionise the fight
to combat MRSA and other superbugs.”

But he said the team now needed around £30,000 in order to continue its research.

Jacqui Stringer, clinical leader of complementary therapies at Christie
Hospital in Manchester, instigated the oils research.
# # #
She said: “Our research shows a very practical application which could be of
enormous benefit to the NHS and its patients.

“The reason essential oils are so effective is because they are made up of a
complex mixture of chemical compounds which the MRSA and other superbug
bacteria finds difficult to resist.”

The Department of Health evaluates products which are claimed to prevent or
treat HAIs before it permits them to be used across the NHS.
end

Posted by: essentialhealth | November 8, 2007

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