Re: I consider myself proof that herbal remedies DO help hepatitis C sufferers

February 26, 2006

LOL , this was an old article . I dont put much faith in modern or herbal cures to be honest . I do know that alot of the herbals can be liver toxic if not administered properly . And the people that usually do the studies against the herbals are usually working with the pharmaceutical companies , they try to protect their assets ...money

I consider myself proof that herbal remedies DO help hepatitis C sufferers

MAJOR CAVEATS:

1. Chinese Herbals are individual specific formulations. (the mixture I take changes almost every time I get blood work drawn.)

2. This study used "processed" herbs in pill or capsule form. NOT FRESH

3. Chinese Herbals are slow acting, and require two to three months use to accumulate in the body.

4. Herbal treatments should be administered by trained and knowledgeable practitioners

Opinion: This study was designed to prove that herbals don't help. I looked at the abstract that is sited in this story. Here are the names of the medical participants. (Mrudula Jakkula, MD, MS; Tacey A. Boucher, PhD; Ulrich Beyendorff, Lic Ac, Dipl CH; Shirley M. Conn, RN; E. , MA; J. Nolan; Craig J. Peine, MD; H. Albrecht, MD) I don't find one Chinese name. Further,the abstract omits, perhaps intentionally, where the funding for this "research" comes from. I am skeptical, and fear that this was study was paid for by some large pharmaceutical company, but I can't be certain. If a study is funded by a University, (normally unbiased) or an entity that stands to gain by the results, they are usually mentioned in the abstracts.

To each there own. But as some judge China because the State controls the media, I hope we all understand who controls and manipulates the media in the U.$.

Love to all,

Chris

Eat well, sleep well, be well!elizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1@...> wrote:

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/briefs/infectiousdiseases/hb040917c.htm?track=rss9/17/04Chinese herbsThere is no proof that herbal remedies help hepatitis C sufferersBy Helen FieldsNot everyone can tolerate the side effects of interferon, the standard treatment for hepatitis C. That leaves a lot of hepatitis C carriers stuck with fatigue and a less healthy life, which has led many to try herbal treatments. But the data on herbs are inconclusive. A group of Minnesota researchers tried out some traditional Chinese herbal medicines that are used extensively in Asia to treat hepatitis C.What the researchers wanted to know: Do Chinese herbal medicines help hepatitis C patients?What they did: The researchers recruited patients through clinics and advertising. Patients were excluded if they'd had antiviral treatment recently, if they had other liver disease, or if they consumed more than two alcoholic drinks a day. Forty-five patients entered the study, and 31 made it all the way through the follow-up visits. Half the subjects took a combination of 10 traditional Chinese herbs and the other 10 took a placebo; no one knew whether a patient was getting the herbs or the placebo. Both groups took the tablets twice a day for 12 weeks. At several office visits, the participants were asked how they were doing and had blood taken to check on their liver and kidneys.What they found: The herbal medicines were no different from the placebo. Liver function was the same in people taking herbs and placebo. Neither group had less virus at the end of the trial, and quality of life showed no improvement, either. Side effects were mild, and there were about the same number in the two groups.What it means to you: The evidence on using herbs for hepatitis C is still shaky.Caveats: This is a very small pilot study. Most of the subjects were middle-aged, white, and male, so the results might not apply to others.Find out more: Information on Radix astragali, one of the 10 herbs in this study, from a database of Chinese herbs http://www.herbasin.com/database/huangqi.htm It's a pleasure having you join in our conversations. We hope you have found the support you need with us. If you are using email for your posts, for easy access to our group, just click the link-- Hepatitis C/Happy Posting

February 26, 2006

I don't know how many times I have to tell you people, "I don't like to cry." , can I email you directly? Chriselizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1@...> wrote: LOL , this was an old article . I dont put much faith in modern or herbal cures to be honest . I do know that alot of the herbals can be liver toxic if not administered properly . And the people that usually do the studies against the herbals are usually working with the pharmaceutical companies , they try to protect their assets ...money I consider myself proof that herbal remedies DO help hepatitis C sufferers MAJOR CAVEATS: 1. Chinese Herbals are individual specific formulations. (the mixture I take changes almost every time I get blood work drawn.) 2. This study used "processed" herbs in pill or capsule form. NOT FRESH 3. Chinese Herbals are slow acting, and require two to three months use to accumulate in the body. 4. Herbal treatments

should be administered by trained and knowledgeable practitioners Opinion: This study was designed to prove that herbals don't help. I looked at the abstract that is sited in this story. Here are the names of the medical participants. (Mrudula Jakkula, MD, MS; Tacey A. Boucher, PhD; Ulrich Beyendorff, Lic Ac, Dipl CH; Shirley M. Conn, RN; E. , MA; J. Nolan; Craig J. Peine, MD; H. Albrecht, MD) I don't find one Chinese name. Further,the abstract omits, perhaps intentionally, where the funding for this "research" comes from. I am skeptical, and fear that this was study was paid for by some large

pharmaceutical company, but I can't be certain. If a study is funded by a University, (normally unbiased) or an entity that stands to gain by the results, they are usually mentioned in the abstracts. To each there own. But as some judge China because the State controls the media, I hope we all understand who controls and manipulates the media in the U.$. Love to all, Eat well, sleep well, be well!elizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1@...> wrote: http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/briefs/infectiousdiseases/hb040917c.htm?track=rss9/17/04Chinese herbsThere is no proof that herbal remedies help hepatitis C sufferersBy Helen FieldsNot everyone can tolerate the side effects of interferon, the standard treatment for hepatitis C. That leaves a lot of

hepatitis C carriers stuck with fatigue and a less healthy life, which has led many to try herbal treatments. But the data on herbs are inconclusive. A group of Minnesota researchers tried out some traditional Chinese herbal medicines that are used extensively in Asia to treat hepatitis C.What the researchers wanted to know: Do Chinese herbal medicines help hepatitis C patients?What they did: The researchers recruited patients through clinics and advertising. Patients were excluded if they'd had antiviral treatment recently, if they had other liver disease, or if they consumed more than two alcoholic drinks a day. Forty-five patients entered the study, and 31 made it all the way through the follow-up visits. Half the subjects took a combination of 10 traditional Chinese herbs and the other 10 took a placebo; no one knew whether a patient was getting the herbs or the placebo. Both groups took the tablets twice a

day for 12 weeks. At several office visits, the participants were asked how they were doing and had blood taken to check on their liver and kidneys.What they found: The herbal medicines were no different from the placebo. Liver function was the same in people taking herbs and placebo. Neither group had less virus at the end of the trial, and quality of life showed no improvement, either. Side effects were mild, and there were about the same number in the two groups.What it means to you: The evidence on using herbs for hepatitis C is still shaky.Caveats: This is a very small pilot study. Most of the subjects were middle-aged, white, and male, so the results might not apply to others.Find out more: Information on Radix astragali, one of the 10 herbs in this study, from a database of Chinese herbs http://www.herbasin.com/database/huangqi.htm It's a pleasure having you join in our

conversations. We hope you have found the support you need with us. If you are using email for your posts, for easy access to our group, just click the link-- Hepatitis C/Happy Posting

February 26, 2006

Anytime you like , u can email me at elizabethnv1@...

I consider myself proof that herbal remedies DO help hepatitis C sufferers

MAJOR CAVEATS:

1. Chinese Herbals are individual specific formulations. (the mixture I take changes almost every time I get blood work drawn.)

2. This study used "processed" herbs in pill or capsule form. NOT FRESH

3. Chinese Herbals are slow acting, and require two to three months use to accumulate in the body.

4. Herbal treatments should be administered by trained and knowledgeable practitioners

Opinion: This study was designed to prove that herbals don't help. I looked at the abstract that is sited in this story. Here are the names of the medical participants. (Mrudula Jakkula, MD, MS; Tacey A. Boucher, PhD; Ulrich Beyendorff, Lic Ac, Dipl CH; Shirley M. Conn, RN; E. , MA; J. Nolan; Craig J. Peine, MD; H. Albrecht, MD) I don't find one Chinese name. Further,the abstract omits, perhaps intentionally, where the funding for this "research" comes from. I am skeptical, and fear that this was study was paid for by some large pharmaceutical company, but I can't be certain. If a study is funded by a University, (normally unbiased) or an entity that stands to gain by the results, they are usually mentioned in the abstracts.

To each there own. But as some judge China because the State controls the media, I hope we all understand who controls and manipulates the media in the U.$.

Love to all,

Chris

Eat well, sleep well, be well!elizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1@...> wrote:

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/briefs/infectiousdiseases/hb040917c.htm?track=rss9/17/04Chinese herbsThere is no proof that herbal remedies help hepatitis C sufferersBy Helen FieldsNot everyone can tolerate the side effects of interferon, the standard treatment for hepatitis C. That leaves a lot of hepatitis C carriers stuck with fatigue and a less healthy life, which has led many to try herbal treatments. But the data on herbs are inconclusive. A group of Minnesota researchers tried out some traditional Chinese herbal medicines that are used extensively in Asia to treat hepatitis C.What the researchers wanted to know: Do Chinese herbal medicines help hepatitis C patients?What they did: The researchers recruited patients through clinics and advertising. Patients were excluded if they'd had antiviral treatment recently, if they had other liver disease, or if they consumed more than two alcoholic drinks a day. Forty-five patients entered the study, and 31 made it all the way through the follow-up visits. Half the subjects took a combination of 10 traditional Chinese herbs and the other 10 took a placebo; no one knew whether a patient was getting the herbs or the placebo. Both groups took the tablets twice a day for 12 weeks. At several office visits, the participants were asked how they were doing and had blood taken to check on their liver and kidneys.What they found: The herbal medicines were no different from the placebo. Liver function was the same in people taking herbs and placebo. Neither group had less virus at the end of the trial, and quality of life showed no improvement, either. Side effects were mild, and there were about the same number in the two groups.What it means to you: The evidence on using herbs for hepatitis C is still shaky.Caveats: This is a very small pilot study. Most of the subjects were middle-aged, white, and male, so the results might not apply to others.Find out more: Information on Radix astragali, one of the 10 herbs in this study, from a database of Chinese herbs http://www.herbasin.com/database/huangqi.htm It's a pleasure having you join in our conversations. We hope you have found the support you need with us. If you are using email for your posts, for easy access to our group, just click the link-- Hepatitis C/Happy Posting

February 26, 2006

LOL! I just *knew* wouldn't be able to let that post pass! Great, well thought out reply there

anne

I consider myself proof that herbal remedies DO help hepatitis C sufferers

MAJOR CAVEATS:

1. Chinese Herbals are individual specific formulations. (the mixture I take changes almost every time I get blood work drawn.)

2. This study used "processed" herbs in pill or capsule form. NOT FRESH

3. Chinese Herbals are slow acting, and require two to three months use to accumulate in the body.

4. Herbal treatments should be administered by trained and knowledgeable practitioners

Opinion: This study was designed to prove that herbals don't help. I looked at the abstract that is sited in this story. Here are the names of the medical participants. (Mrudula Jakkula, MD, MS; Tacey A. Boucher, PhD; Ulrich Beyendorff, Lic Ac, Dipl CH; Shirley M.! Conn, RN; E. , MA; J. Nolan; Craig J. Peine, MD; H. Albrecht, MD) I don't find one Chinese name. Further,the abstract omits, perhaps intentionally, where the funding for this "research" comes from. I am skeptical, and fear that this was study was paid for by some large pharmaceutical company, but I can't be certain. If a study is funded by a University, (normally unbiased) or an entity that stands to gain by the results, they are usually mentioned in the abstracts.

To each there own. But as some judge China because the State controls the media, I hope we all understand who controls and manipulates the media in the U.$.

Love to all,

Chris

Eat well, sleep well, be well!elizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1@...> wrote:

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/briefs/infectiousdiseases/hb040917c.htm?track=rss9/17/04Chinese herbsThere is no proof that herbal remedies help hepatitis C sufferersBy Helen FieldsNot everyone can tolerate the side effects of interferon, the standard treatment for hepatitis C. That leaves a lot of hepatitis C carriers stuck with fatigue and a less healthy life, which has led many to try herbal treatments. But the data on herbs are inconclusive. A group of Minnesota researchers tried out some traditional Chinese herbal medicines that are used extensively in Asia to treat hepatitis C.What the researchers wanted to know: Do Chinese herbal medicines help hepatitis C patients?What they did: The researchers recruited patients through clinics and advertising. Patients were excluded if they'd had antiviral treatment recently, if they had other liver d! isease, or if they consumed more than two alcoholic drinks a day. Forty-five patients entered the study, and 31 made it all the way through the follow-up visits. Half the subjects took a combination of 10 traditional Chinese herbs and the other 10 took a placebo; no one knew whether a patient was getting the herbs or the placebo. Both groups took the tablets twice a day for 12 weeks. At several office visits, the participants were asked how they were doing and had blood taken to check on their liver and kidneys.What they found: The herbal medicines were no different from the placebo. Liver function was the same in people taking herbs and placebo. Neither group had less virus at the end of the trial, and quality of life showed no improvement, either. Side effects were mild, and there were about the same number in the two groups.What it means to you: The evidence on using herbs for hepatitis C is still shaky.Ca! veats: This is a very small pilot study. Most of the subjects were middle-aged, white, and male, so the results might not apply to others.Find out more: Information on Radix astragali, one of the 10 herbs in this study, from a database of Chinese herbs http://www.herbasin.com/database/huangqi.htm It's a pleasure having you join in our conversations. We hope you have found the support you need with us. If you are using email for your posts, for easy access to our group, just click the link-- Hepatitis C/Happy Posting

February 26, 2006

This is all great but you know this issue isn't black

or white. I used to be all for herbs and even annoyed

at people who couldn't understand the truth about them

etc. However- now I have quickly changed my mind for

several reasons. First of all- many herbs can be

deadly - if you are taking them and need an emergency

transplant certain herbs will contribute to rejecting

that transplant. Others have deadly affects with

combinations of western medicine- for the drug

companies- well you should be happy that we have an

FDA b/c other countries that don't are largely at risk

from the foods and medicines that they have which go

untested. It's not all 'poor' herb companies b/c the

richer drug companies can test their product and the

herbs can't...In fact the drug companies that pay for

the FDA approval at least have to list the known side

affects and it even explains what combinations can be

lethal..where the herb companies can continue

advertising their product (many times falsely) and

they are not responsible if you are at risk or if

something happens to you. Many don't want to have the

expensive tests done b/c their product doesn't

actually work and they don't want to have to show that

to people. I am not saying this to be against your

herbs but people should get the other side b/c there

has been some biases on some parts of you all- things

in this world aren't always separated into 'good' or

'bad' there are grey areas...and a lot of drug

companies aren't these evil doers trying to get only

your money....many go out of business for the

investments in their drugs and they (even with the

high costs) go our of business b/c of the needed tests

and the fda approval etc. This takes years and it

doesn't suggest that we see all that's going on. We

see a drug is expensive so we automatically assume

that it means scam. This is hardly the case. Herbs

can't back up their claims so the people are at risk.

Thanks,

--- anne <kanga2@...> wrote:

> LOL! I just *knew* wouldn't be able to let

> that post pass! Great, well thought out reply there

>

> anne

> I consider myself

> proof that herbal remedies DO help hepatitis C

> sufferers

>

> MAJOR CAVEATS:

> 1. Chinese Herbals are individual specific

> formulations. (the mixture I take changes almost

> every time I get blood work drawn.)

> 2. This study used " processed " herbs in pill or

> capsule form. NOT FRESH

> 3. Chinese Herbals are slow acting, and require

> two to three months use to accumulate in the body.

> 4. Herbal treatments should be administered by

> trained and knowledgeable practitioners

> Opinion: This study was designed to prove that

> herbals don't help. I looked at the abstract that

> is sited in this story. Here are the names of the

> medical participants. (Mrudula Jakkula, MD, MS;

> Tacey A. Boucher, PhD; Ulrich Beyendorff, Lic Ac,

> Dipl CH; Shirley M.! Conn, RN; E. ,

> MA; J. Nolan; Craig J. Peine, MD;

> H. Albrecht, MD) I don't find one Chinese

> name. Further,the abstract omits, perhaps

> intentionally, where the funding for this " research "

> comes from. I am skeptical, and fear that this was

> study was paid for by some large pharmaceutical

> company, but I can't be certain. If a study is

> funded by a University, (normally unbiased) or an

> entity that stands to gain by the results, they are

> usually mentioned in the abstracts.

> To each there own. But as some judge China because

> the State controls the media, I hope we all

> understand who controls and manipulates the media in

> the U.$.

> Love to all,

> Chris

> Eat well, sleep well, be well!

>

> elizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1@...> wrote:

>

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/briefs/infectiousdiseases/hb040917

> c.htm?track=rss

> 9/17/04

> Chinese herbs

> There is no proof that herbal remedies help

> hepatitis C sufferers

> By Helen Fields

>

> Not everyone can tolerate the side effects of

> interferon, the

> standard treatment for hepatitis C. That leaves

> a lot of hepatitis C

> carriers stuck with fatigue and a less healthy

> life, which has led

> many to try herbal treatments. But the data on

> herbs are

> inconclusive. A group of Minnesota researchers

> tried out some

> traditional Chinese herbal medicines that are

> used extensively in

> Asia to treat hepatitis C.

>

> What the researchers wanted to know: Do Chinese

> herbal medicines help

> hepatitis C patients?

>

> What they did: The researchers recruited

> patients through clinics and

> advertising. Patients were excluded if they'd

> had antiviral treatment

> recently, if they had other liver d! isease, or

> if they consumed more

> than two alcoholic drinks a day. Forty-five

> patients entered the

> study, and 31 made it all the way through the

> follow-up visits. Half

> the subjects took a combination of 10

> traditional Chinese herbs and

> the other 10 took a placebo; no one knew whether

> a patient was

> getting the herbs or the placebo. Both groups

> took the tablets twice

> a day for 12 weeks. At several office visits,

> the participants were

> asked how they were doing and had blood taken to

> check on their liver

> and kidneys.

>

> What they found: The herbal medicines were no

> different from the

> placebo. Liver function was the same in people

> taking herbs and

> placebo. Neither group had less virus at the end

> of the trial, and

> quality of life showed no improvement, either.

> Side effects were

> mild, and there were about the same number in

> the two groups.

>

> What it means to you: The evidence on using

> herbs for hepatitis C is

> still shaky.

>

> Ca! veats: This is a very small pilot study.

> Most of the subjects were

> middle-aged, white, and male, so the results

> might not apply to

> others.

>

> Find out more: Information on Radix astragali,

> one of the 10 herbs in

> this study, from a database of Chinese herbs

> http://www.herbasin.com/database/huangqi.htm

>

> It's a pleasure having you join in our

> conversations. We hope you have found the support

> you need with us.

>

> If you are using email for your posts, for easy

> access to our group, just click the link--

> Hepatitis C/

>

> Happy Posting

>

February 26, 2006

This is all great but you know this issue isn't black

or white. I used to be all for herbs and even annoyed

at people who couldn't understand the truth about them

etc. However- now I have quickly changed my mind for

several reasons. First of all- many herbs can be

deadly - if you are taking them and need an emergency

transplant certain herbs will contribute to rejecting

that transplant. Others have deadly affects with

combinations of western medicine- for the drug

companies- well you should be happy that we have an

FDA b/c other countries that don't are largely at risk

from the foods and medicines that they have which go

untested. It's not all 'poor' herb companies b/c the

richer drug companies can test their product and the

herbs can't...In fact the drug companies that pay for

the FDA approval at least have to list the known side

affects and it even explains what combinations can be

lethal..where the herb companies can continue

advertising their product (many times falsely) and

they are not responsible if you are at risk or if

something happens to you. Many don't want to have the

expensive tests done b/c their product doesn't

actually work and they don't want to have to show that

to people. I am not saying this to be against your

herbs but people should get the other side b/c there

has been some biases on some parts of you all- things

in this world aren't always separated into 'good' or

'bad' there are grey areas...and a lot of drug

companies aren't these evil doers trying to get only

your money....many go out of business for the

investments in their drugs and they (even with the

high costs) go our of business b/c of the needed tests

and the fda approval etc. This takes years and it

doesn't suggest that we see all that's going on. We

see a drug is expensive so we automatically assume

that it means scam. This is hardly the case. Herbs

can't back up their claims so the people are at risk.

Thanks,

--- anne <kanga2@...> wrote:

> LOL! I just *knew* wouldn't be able to let

> that post pass! Great, well thought out reply there

>

> anne

> I consider myself

> proof that herbal remedies DO help hepatitis C

> sufferers

>

> MAJOR CAVEATS:

> 1. Chinese Herbals are individual specific

> formulations. (the mixture I take changes almost

> every time I get blood work drawn.)

> 2. This study used " processed " herbs in pill or

> capsule form. NOT FRESH

> 3. Chinese Herbals are slow acting, and require

> two to three months use to accumulate in the body.

> 4. Herbal treatments should be administered by

> trained and knowledgeable practitioners

> Opinion: This study was designed to prove that

> herbals don't help. I looked at the abstract that

> is sited in this story. Here are the names of the

> medical participants. (Mrudula Jakkula, MD, MS;

> Tacey A. Boucher, PhD; Ulrich Beyendorff, Lic Ac,

> Dipl CH; Shirley M.! Conn, RN; E. ,

> MA; J. Nolan; Craig J. Peine, MD;

> H. Albrecht, MD) I don't find one Chinese

> name. Further,the abstract omits, perhaps

> intentionally, where the funding for this " research "

> comes from. I am skeptical, and fear that this was

> study was paid for by some large pharmaceutical

> company, but I can't be certain. If a study is

> funded by a University, (normally unbiased) or an

> entity that stands to gain by the results, they are

> usually mentioned in the abstracts.

> To each there own. But as some judge China because

> the State controls the media, I hope we all

> understand who controls and manipulates the media in

> the U.$.

> Love to all,

> Chris

> Eat well, sleep well, be well!

>

> elizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1@...> wrote:

>

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/briefs/infectiousdiseases/hb040917

> c.htm?track=rss

> 9/17/04

> Chinese herbs

> There is no proof that herbal remedies help

> hepatitis C sufferers

> By Helen Fields

>

> Not everyone can tolerate the side effects of

> interferon, the

> standard treatment for hepatitis C. That leaves

> a lot of hepatitis C

> carriers stuck with fatigue and a less healthy

> life, which has led

> many to try herbal treatments. But the data on

> herbs are

> inconclusive. A group of Minnesota researchers

> tried out some

> traditional Chinese herbal medicines that are

> used extensively in

> Asia to treat hepatitis C.

>

> What the researchers wanted to know: Do Chinese

> herbal medicines help

> hepatitis C patients?

>

> What they did: The researchers recruited

> patients through clinics and

> advertising. Patients were excluded if they'd

> had antiviral treatment

> recently, if they had other liver d! isease, or

> if they consumed more

> than two alcoholic drinks a day. Forty-five

> patients entered the

> study, and 31 made it all the way through the

> follow-up visits. Half

> the subjects took a combination of 10

> traditional Chinese herbs and

> the other 10 took a placebo; no one knew whether

> a patient was

> getting the herbs or the placebo. Both groups

> took the tablets twice

> a day for 12 weeks. At several office visits,

> the participants were

> asked how they were doing and had blood taken to

> check on their liver

> and kidneys.

>

> What they found: The herbal medicines were no

> different from the

> placebo. Liver function was the same in people

> taking herbs and

> placebo. Neither group had less virus at the end

> of the trial, and

> quality of life showed no improvement, either.

> Side effects were

> mild, and there were about the same number in

> the two groups.

>

> What it means to you: The evidence on using

> herbs for hepatitis C is

> still shaky.

>

> Ca! veats: This is a very small pilot study.

> Most of the subjects were

> middle-aged, white, and male, so the results

> might not apply to

> others.

>

> Find out more: Information on Radix astragali,

> one of the 10 herbs in

> this study, from a database of Chinese herbs

> http://www.herbasin.com/database/huangqi.htm

>

> It's a pleasure having you join in our

> conversations. We hope you have found the support

> you need with us.

>

> If you are using email for your posts, for easy

> access to our group, just click the link--

> Hepatitis C/

>

> Happy Posting

>

February 26, 2006

Your claim about not seeing a chineese persons name in

the study is silly. First of all there are many

studies that show some minorities are more at risk for

depression etc. b/c of ill treatment and unfairly they

don't have the resources to buffer this. OFten, the

people conducting the study are not of the minority

that they are studying and are we to reject the claims

and not try to impliment sources for the people being

studied because there wasn't one of the minority

person conducting the study? Many herb companies make

millions on their product - many herbalists make a lot

of money and they have never conducted research to

back up their claims. They make money as well and they

don't have to sift through the red tape to get it

done. they can charge what they want and there is

nothing anyone can do about it. It's a business just

like fda approved medicines...I am not claiming that

all herbalist and chinese doctors are scammers but I

can tell you that there are people with good and bad

intentions on every side.

--- anne <kanga2@...> wrote:

> LOL! I just *knew* wouldn't be able to let

> that post pass! Great, well thought out reply there

>

> anne

> I consider myself

> proof that herbal remedies DO help hepatitis C

> sufferers

>

> MAJOR CAVEATS:

> 1. Chinese Herbals are individual specific

> formulations. (the mixture I take changes almost

> every time I get blood work drawn.)

> 2. This study used " processed " herbs in pill or

> capsule form. NOT FRESH

> 3. Chinese Herbals are slow acting, and require

> two to three months use to accumulate in the body.

> 4. Herbal treatments should be administered by

> trained and knowledgeable practitioners

> Opinion: This study was designed to prove that

> herbals don't help. I looked at the abstract that

> is sited in this story. Here are the names of the

> medical participants. (Mrudula Jakkula, MD, MS;

> Tacey A. Boucher, PhD; Ulrich Beyendorff, Lic Ac,

> Dipl CH; Shirley M.! Conn, RN; E. ,

> MA; J. Nolan; Craig J. Peine, MD;

> H. Albrecht, MD) I don't find one Chinese

> name. Further,the abstract omits, perhaps

> intentionally, where the funding for this " research "

> comes from. I am skeptical, and fear that this was

> study was paid for by some large pharmaceutical

> company, but I can't be certain. If a study is

> funded by a University, (normally unbiased) or an

> entity that stands to gain by the results, they are

> usually mentioned in the abstracts.

> To each there own. But as some judge China because

> the State controls the media, I hope we all

> understand who controls and manipulates the media in

> the U.$.

> Love to all,

> Chris

> Eat well, sleep well, be well!

>

> elizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1@...> wrote:

>

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/briefs/infectiousdiseases/hb040917

> c.htm?track=rss

> 9/17/04

> Chinese herbs

> There is no proof that herbal remedies help

> hepatitis C sufferers

> By Helen Fields

>

> Not everyone can tolerate the side effects of

> interferon, the

> standard treatment for hepatitis C. That leaves

> a lot of hepatitis C

> carriers stuck with fatigue and a less healthy

> life, which has led

> many to try herbal treatments. But the data on

> herbs are

> inconclusive. A group of Minnesota researchers

> tried out some

> traditional Chinese herbal medicines that are

> used extensively in

> Asia to treat hepatitis C.

>

> What the researchers wanted to know: Do Chinese

> herbal medicines help

> hepatitis C patients?

>

> What they did: The researchers recruited

> patients through clinics and

> advertising. Patients were excluded if they'd

> had antiviral treatment

> recently, if they had other liver d! isease, or

> if they consumed more

> than two alcoholic drinks a day. Forty-five

> patients entered the

> study, and 31 made it all the way through the

> follow-up visits. Half

> the subjects took a combination of 10

> traditional Chinese herbs and

> the other 10 took a placebo; no one knew whether

> a patient was

> getting the herbs or the placebo. Both groups

> took the tablets twice

> a day for 12 weeks. At several office visits,

> the participants were

> asked how they were doing and had blood taken to

> check on their liver

> and kidneys.

>

> What they found: The herbal medicines were no

> different from the

> placebo. Liver function was the same in people

> taking herbs and

> placebo. Neither group had less virus at the end

> of the trial, and

> quality of life showed no improvement, either.

> Side effects were

> mild, and there were about the same number in

> the two groups.

>

> What it means to you: The evidence on using

> herbs for hepatitis C is

> still shaky.

>

> Ca! veats: This is a very small pilot study.

> Most of the subjects were

> middle-aged, white, and male, so the results

> might not apply to

> others.

>

> Find out more: Information on Radix astragali,

> one of the 10 herbs in

> this study, from a database of Chinese herbs

> http://www.herbasin.com/database/huangqi.htm

>

> It's a pleasure having you join in our

> conversations. We hope you have found the support

> you need with us.

>

> If you are using email for your posts, for easy

> access to our group, just click the link--

> Hepatitis C/

>

> Happy Posting

>

February 26, 2006

Your claim about not seeing a chineese persons name in

the study is silly. First of all there are many

studies that show some minorities are more at risk for

depression etc. b/c of ill treatment and unfairly they

don't have the resources to buffer this. OFten, the

people conducting the study are not of the minority

that they are studying and are we to reject the claims

and not try to impliment sources for the people being

studied because there wasn't one of the minority

person conducting the study? Many herb companies make

millions on their product - many herbalists make a lot

of money and they have never conducted research to

back up their claims. They make money as well and they

don't have to sift through the red tape to get it

done. they can charge what they want and there is

nothing anyone can do about it. It's a business just

like fda approved medicines...I am not claiming that

all herbalist and chinese doctors are scammers but I

can tell you that there are people with good and bad

intentions on every side.

--- anne <kanga2@...> wrote:

> LOL! I just *knew* wouldn't be able to let

> that post pass! Great, well thought out reply there

>

> anne

> I consider myself

> proof that herbal remedies DO help hepatitis C

> sufferers

>

> MAJOR CAVEATS:

> 1. Chinese Herbals are individual specific

> formulations. (the mixture I take changes almost

> every time I get blood work drawn.)

> 2. This study used " processed " herbs in pill or

> capsule form. NOT FRESH

> 3. Chinese Herbals are slow acting, and require

> two to three months use to accumulate in the body.

> 4. Herbal treatments should be administered by

> trained and knowledgeable practitioners

> Opinion: This study was designed to prove that

> herbals don't help. I looked at the abstract that

> is sited in this story. Here are the names of the

> medical participants. (Mrudula Jakkula, MD, MS;

> Tacey A. Boucher, PhD; Ulrich Beyendorff, Lic Ac,

> Dipl CH; Shirley M.! Conn, RN; E. ,

> MA; J. Nolan; Craig J. Peine, MD;

> H. Albrecht, MD) I don't find one Chinese

> name. Further,the abstract omits, perhaps

> intentionally, where the funding for this " research "

> comes from. I am skeptical, and fear that this was

> study was paid for by some large pharmaceutical

> company, but I can't be certain. If a study is

> funded by a University, (normally unbiased) or an

> entity that stands to gain by the results, they are

> usually mentioned in the abstracts.

> To each there own. But as some judge China because

> the State controls the media, I hope we all

> understand who controls and manipulates the media in

> the U.$.

> Love to all,

> Chris

> Eat well, sleep well, be well!

>

> elizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1@...> wrote:

>

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/briefs/infectiousdiseases/hb040917

> c.htm?track=rss

> 9/17/04

> Chinese herbs

> There is no proof that herbal remedies help

> hepatitis C sufferers

> By Helen Fields

>

> Not everyone can tolerate the side effects of

> interferon, the

> standard treatment for hepatitis C. That leaves

> a lot of hepatitis C

> carriers stuck with fatigue and a less healthy

> life, which has led

> many to try herbal treatments. But the data on

> herbs are

> inconclusive. A group of Minnesota researchers

> tried out some

> traditional Chinese herbal medicines that are

> used extensively in

> Asia to treat hepatitis C.

>

> What the researchers wanted to know: Do Chinese

> herbal medicines help

> hepatitis C patients?

>

> What they did: The researchers recruited

> patients through clinics and

> advertising. Patients were excluded if they'd

> had antiviral treatment

> recently, if they had other liver d! isease, or

> if they consumed more

> than two alcoholic drinks a day. Forty-five

> patients entered the

> study, and 31 made it all the way through the

> follow-up visits. Half

> the subjects took a combination of 10

> traditional Chinese herbs and

> the other 10 took a placebo; no one knew whether

> a patient was

> getting the herbs or the placebo. Both groups

> took the tablets twice

> a day for 12 weeks. At several office visits,

> the participants were

> asked how they were doing and had blood taken to

> check on their liver

> and kidneys.

>

> What they found: The herbal medicines were no

> different from the

> placebo. Liver function was the same in people

> taking herbs and

> placebo. Neither group had less virus at the end

> of the trial, and

> quality of life showed no improvement, either.

> Side effects were

> mild, and there were about the same number in

> the two groups.

>

> What it means to you: The evidence on using

> herbs for hepatitis C is

> still shaky.

>

> Ca! veats: This is a very small pilot study.

> Most of the subjects were

> middle-aged, white, and male, so the results

> might not apply to

> others.

>

> Find out more: Information on Radix astragali,

> one of the 10 herbs in

> this study, from a database of Chinese herbs

> http://www.herbasin.com/database/huangqi.htm

>

> It's a pleasure having you join in our

> conversations. We hope you have found the support

> you need with us.

>

> If you are using email for your posts, for easy

> access to our group, just click the link--

> Hepatitis C/

>

> Happy Posting

>

February 26, 2006

Sorry about my spelling- didn't mean to offend anyone

meant Chinese :-)

--- Rath <kdrath@...> wrote:

> Your claim about not seeing a chineese persons name

> in

> the study is silly. First of all there are many

> studies that show some minorities are more at risk

> for

> depression etc. b/c of ill treatment and unfairly

> they

> don't have the resources to buffer this. OFten, the

> people conducting the study are not of the minority

> that they are studying and are we to reject the

> claims

> and not try to impliment sources for the people

> being

> studied because there wasn't one of the minority

> person conducting the study? Many herb companies

> make

> millions on their product - many herbalists make a

> lot

> of money and they have never conducted research to

> back up their claims. They make money as well and

> they

> don't have to sift through the red tape to get it

> done. they can charge what they want and there is

> nothing anyone can do about it. It's a business just

> like fda approved medicines...I am not claiming that

> all herbalist and chinese doctors are scammers but I

> can tell you that there are people with good and bad

> intentions on every side.

>

> --- anne <kanga2@...> wrote:

>

> > LOL! I just *knew* wouldn't be able to let

> > that post pass! Great, well thought out reply

> there

> >

> > anne

> > I consider myself

> > proof that herbal remedies DO help hepatitis C

> > sufferers

> >

> > MAJOR CAVEATS:

> > 1. Chinese Herbals are individual specific

> > formulations. (the mixture I take changes almost

> > every time I get blood work drawn.)

> > 2. This study used " processed " herbs in pill or

> > capsule form. NOT FRESH

> > 3. Chinese Herbals are slow acting, and require

> > two to three months use to accumulate in the body.

> > 4. Herbal treatments should be administered by

> > trained and knowledgeable practitioners

> > Opinion: This study was designed to prove that

> > herbals don't help. I looked at the abstract that

> > is sited in this story. Here are the names of the

> > medical participants. (Mrudula Jakkula, MD, MS;

> > Tacey A. Boucher, PhD; Ulrich Beyendorff, Lic Ac,

> > Dipl CH; Shirley M.! Conn, RN; E.

> ,

> > MA; J. Nolan; Craig J. Peine, MD;

> > H. Albrecht, MD) I don't find one Chinese

> > name. Further,the abstract omits, perhaps

> > intentionally, where the funding for this

> " research "

> > comes from. I am skeptical, and fear that this

> was

> > study was paid for by some large pharmaceutical

> > company, but I can't be certain. If a study is

> > funded by a University, (normally unbiased) or an

> > entity that stands to gain by the results, they

> are

> > usually mentioned in the abstracts.

> > To each there own. But as some judge China

> because

> > the State controls the media, I hope we all

> > understand who controls and manipulates the media

> in

> > the U.$.

> > Love to all,

> > Chris

> > Eat well, sleep well, be well!

> >

> > elizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1@...> wrote:

> >

>

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/briefs/infectiousdiseases/hb040917

> > c.htm?track=rss

> > 9/17/04

> > Chinese herbs

> > There is no proof that herbal remedies help

> > hepatitis C sufferers

> > By Helen Fields

> >

> > Not everyone can tolerate the side effects of

> > interferon, the

> > standard treatment for hepatitis C. That

> leaves

> > a lot of hepatitis C

> > carriers stuck with fatigue and a less healthy

> > life, which has led

> > many to try herbal treatments. But the data on

> > herbs are

> > inconclusive. A group of Minnesota researchers

> > tried out some

> > traditional Chinese herbal medicines that are

> > used extensively in

> > Asia to treat hepatitis C.

> >

> > What the researchers wanted to know: Do

> Chinese

> > herbal medicines help

> > hepatitis C patients?

> >

> > What they did: The researchers recruited

> > patients through clinics and

> > advertising. Patients were excluded if they'd

> > had antiviral treatment

> > recently, if they had other liver d! isease,

> or

> > if they consumed more

> > than two alcoholic drinks a day. Forty-five

> > patients entered the

> > study, and 31 made it all the way through the

> > follow-up visits. Half

> > the subjects took a combination of 10

> > traditional Chinese herbs and

> > the other 10 took a placebo; no one knew

> whether

> > a patient was

> > getting the herbs or the placebo. Both groups

> > took the tablets twice

> > a day for 12 weeks. At several office visits,

> > the participants were

> > asked how they were doing and had blood taken

> to

> > check on their liver

> > and kidneys.

> >

> > What they found: The herbal medicines were no

> > different from the

> > placebo. Liver function was the same in people

> > taking herbs and

> > placebo. Neither group had less virus at the

> end

> > of the trial, and

> > quality of life showed no improvement, either.

> > Side effects were

> > mild, and there were about the same number in

> > the two groups.

> >

> > What it means to you: The evidence on using

> > herbs for hepatitis C is

> > still shaky.

> >

> > Ca! veats: This is a very small pilot study.

> > Most of the subjects were

> > middle-aged, white, and male, so the results

> > might not apply to

> > others.

> >

> > Find out more: Information on Radix astragali,

> > one of the 10 herbs in

> > this study, from a database of Chinese herbs

> > http://www.herbasin.com/database/huangqi.htm

> >

> > It's a pleasure having you join in our

> > conversations. We hope you have found the support

> > you need with us.

> >

> > If you are using email for your posts, for

> easy

> > access to our group, just click the link--

> > Hepatitis C/

> >

> > Happy Posting

> >

February 26, 2006

Sorry about my spelling- didn't mean to offend anyone

meant Chinese :-)

--- Rath <kdrath@...> wrote:

> Your claim about not seeing a chineese persons name

> in

> the study is silly. First of all there are many

> studies that show some minorities are more at risk

> for

> depression etc. b/c of ill treatment and unfairly

> they

> don't have the resources to buffer this. OFten, the

> people conducting the study are not of the minority

> that they are studying and are we to reject the

> claims

> and not try to impliment sources for the people

> being

> studied because there wasn't one of the minority

> person conducting the study? Many herb companies

> make

> millions on their product - many herbalists make a

> lot

> of money and they have never conducted research to

> back up their claims. They make money as well and

> they

> don't have to sift through the red tape to get it

> done. they can charge what they want and there is

> nothing anyone can do about it. It's a business just

> like fda approved medicines...I am not claiming that

> all herbalist and chinese doctors are scammers but I

> can tell you that there are people with good and bad

> intentions on every side.

>

> --- anne <kanga2@...> wrote:

>

> > LOL! I just *knew* wouldn't be able to let

> > that post pass! Great, well thought out reply

> there

> >

> > anne

> > I consider myself

> > proof that herbal remedies DO help hepatitis C

> > sufferers

> >

> > MAJOR CAVEATS:

> > 1. Chinese Herbals are individual specific

> > formulations. (the mixture I take changes almost

> > every time I get blood work drawn.)

> > 2. This study used " processed " herbs in pill or

> > capsule form. NOT FRESH

> > 3. Chinese Herbals are slow acting, and require

> > two to three months use to accumulate in the body.

> > 4. Herbal treatments should be administered by

> > trained and knowledgeable practitioners

> > Opinion: This study was designed to prove that

> > herbals don't help. I looked at the abstract that

> > is sited in this story. Here are the names of the

> > medical participants. (Mrudula Jakkula, MD, MS;

> > Tacey A. Boucher, PhD; Ulrich Beyendorff, Lic Ac,

> > Dipl CH; Shirley M.! Conn, RN; E.

> ,

> > MA; J. Nolan; Craig J. Peine, MD;

> > H. Albrecht, MD) I don't find one Chinese

> > name. Further,the abstract omits, perhaps

> > intentionally, where the funding for this

> " research "

> > comes from. I am skeptical, and fear that this

> was

> > study was paid for by some large pharmaceutical

> > company, but I can't be certain. If a study is

> > funded by a University, (normally unbiased) or an

> > entity that stands to gain by the results, they

> are

> > usually mentioned in the abstracts.

> > To each there own. But as some judge China

> because

> > the State controls the media, I hope we all

> > understand who controls and manipulates the media

> in

> > the U.$.

> > Love to all,

> > Chris

> > Eat well, sleep well, be well!

> >

> > elizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1@...> wrote:

> >

>

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/briefs/infectiousdiseases/hb040917

> > c.htm?track=rss

> > 9/17/04

> > Chinese herbs

> > There is no proof that herbal remedies help

> > hepatitis C sufferers

> > By Helen Fields

> >

> > Not everyone can tolerate the side effects of

> > interferon, the

> > standard treatment for hepatitis C. That

> leaves

> > a lot of hepatitis C

> > carriers stuck with fatigue and a less healthy

> > life, which has led

> > many to try herbal treatments. But the data on

> > herbs are

> > inconclusive. A group of Minnesota researchers

> > tried out some

> > traditional Chinese herbal medicines that are

> > used extensively in

> > Asia to treat hepatitis C.

> >

> > What the researchers wanted to know: Do

> Chinese

> > herbal medicines help

> > hepatitis C patients?

> >

> > What they did: The researchers recruited

> > patients through clinics and

> > advertising. Patients were excluded if they'd

> > had antiviral treatment

> > recently, if they had other liver d! isease,

> or

> > if they consumed more

> > than two alcoholic drinks a day. Forty-five

> > patients entered the

> > study, and 31 made it all the way through the

> > follow-up visits. Half

> > the subjects took a combination of 10

> > traditional Chinese herbs and

> > the other 10 took a placebo; no one knew

> whether

> > a patient was

> > getting the herbs or the placebo. Both groups

> > took the tablets twice

> > a day for 12 weeks. At several office visits,

> > the participants were

> > asked how they were doing and had blood taken

> to

> > check on their liver

> > and kidneys.

> >

> > What they found: The herbal medicines were no

> > different from the

> > placebo. Liver function was the same in people

> > taking herbs and

> > placebo. Neither group had less virus at the

> end

> > of the trial, and

> > quality of life showed no improvement, either.

> > Side effects were

> > mild, and there were about the same number in

> > the two groups.

> >

> > What it means to you: The evidence on using

> > herbs for hepatitis C is

> > still shaky.

> >

> > Ca! veats: This is a very small pilot study.

> > Most of the subjects were

> > middle-aged, white, and male, so the results

> > might not apply to

> > others.

> >

> > Find out more: Information on Radix astragali,

> > one of the 10 herbs in

> > this study, from a database of Chinese herbs

> > http://www.herbasin.com/database/huangqi.htm

> >

> > It's a pleasure having you join in our

> > conversations. We hope you have found the support

> > you need with us.

> >

> > If you are using email for your posts, for

> easy

> > access to our group, just click the link--

> > Hepatitis C/

> >

> > Happy Posting

> >

February 26, 2006

, I have said many times that herbs, and all other medicines should only be used with proper supervision. So here we agree. Everything can be deadly if abused or misused. As for the FDA, I don't think I need to start listing the errors they have made, nor the medicines they have recalled after declaring them safe. They rely on the information the drug companies give them. You end by saying that "Herbs can't back up their claims so the people are at risk." Hmmm True enough I guess. But herbs are not patented, and are widely available for anyone to grow for themselves. An herb grown in CA will have different properties than the same species grown in Canada. The soil is different, the air and water. If you did a study of all drugs, I bet you would find there is a large number of drugs out there with very few side effects, and that many of them are derived from plants,

fungus, or some other naturally occuring substance. Mother Nature/God/Evolution provided us with natural remedies for most natural illnesses. Death's Head, a type of very toxic mushroom, has a natural antidote. Milk Thistle. Science causes us to disbelieve all that it can not prove. I wonder if science can quantify the effect of love on cooking, or teaching, or gardening. I love you all, but science can't prove it. Eat well, sleep well, be well! Rath <kdrath@...> wrote: This is all great but you know this issue isn't blackor white. I used to be all for herbs and even annoyedat people who couldn't understand the truth about themetc. However- now I have quickly changed my mind forseveral reasons. First of all- many herbs can

bedeadly - if you are taking them and need an emergencytransplant certain herbs will contribute to rejectingthat transplant. Others have deadly affects withcombinations of western medicine- for the drugcompanies- well you should be happy that we have anFDA b/c other countries that don't are largely at riskfrom the foods and medicines that they have which gountested. It's not all 'poor' herb companies b/c thericher drug companies can test their product and theherbs can't...In fact the drug companies that pay forthe FDA approval at least have to list the known sideaffects and it even explains what combinations can belethal..where the herb companies can continueadvertising their product (many times falsely) andthey are not responsible if you are at risk or ifsomething happens to you. Many don't want to have theexpensive tests done b/c their product doesn'tactually work and they don't want to have to show thatto

people. I am not saying this to be against yourherbs but people should get the other side b/c therehas been some biases on some parts of you all- thingsin this world aren't always separated into 'good' or'bad' there are grey areas...and a lot of drugcompanies aren't these evil doers trying to get onlyyour money....many go out of business for theinvestments in their drugs and they (even with thehigh costs) go our of business b/c of the needed testsand the fda approval etc. This takes years and itdoesn't suggest that we see all that's going on. Wesee a drug is expensive so we automatically assumethat it means scam. This is hardly the case. Herbscan't back up their claims so the people are at risk.Thanks, --- anne wrote:> LOL! I just *knew* wouldn't be able to let> that post pass! Great, well thought out reply there> > anne> ----- Original

Message ----- > From: Hunter > Hepatitis C > Sent: Sunday, February 26, 2006 8:11 PM> Subject: I consider myself> proof that herbal remedies DO help hepatitis C> sufferers> > > MAJOR CAVEATS:> 1. Chinese Herbals are individual specific> formulations. (the mixture I take changes almost> every time I get blood work drawn.)> 2. This study used "processed" herbs in pill or> capsule form. NOT FRESH> 3. Chinese Herbals are slow acting, and require> two to three months use to accumulate in the body.> 4. Herbal treatments should be administered by> trained and knowledgeable practitioners> Opinion: This study was designed to prove that> herbals don't help. I looked at the abstract that> is sited in this story. Here are the names of the> medical participants. (Mrudula Jakkula, MD,

MS;> Tacey A. Boucher, PhD; Ulrich Beyendorff, Lic Ac,> Dipl CH; Shirley M.! Conn, RN; E. ,> MA; J. Nolan; Craig J. Peine, MD;> H. Albrecht, MD) I don't find one Chinese> name. Further,the abstract omits, perhaps> intentionally, where the funding for this "research"> comes from. I am skeptical, and fear that this was> study was paid for by some large pharmaceutical> company, but I can't be certain. If a study is> funded by a University, (normally unbiased) or an> entity that stands to gain by the results, they are> usually mentioned in the abstracts.> To each there own. But as some judge China because> the State controls the media, I hope we all> understand who controls and manipulates the media in> the U.$.> Love to all,> Chris> Eat well, sleep well, be well!> > elizabethnv1

wrote:> >http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/briefs/infectiousdiseases/hb040917> c.htm?track=rss> 9/17/04> Chinese herbs> There is no proof that herbal remedies help> hepatitis C sufferers> By Helen Fields> > Not everyone can tolerate the side effects of> interferon, the > standard treatment for hepatitis C. That leaves> a lot of hepatitis C > carriers stuck with fatigue and a less healthy> life, which has led > many to try herbal treatments. But the data on> herbs are > inconclusive. A group of Minnesota researchers> tried out some > traditional Chinese herbal medicines that are> used extensively in > Asia to treat hepatitis C.> > What the researchers wanted to know: Do Chinese> herbal medicines help > hepatitis C patients?> > What they did: The researchers

recruited> patients through clinics and > advertising. Patients were excluded if they'd> had antiviral treatment > recently, if they had other liver d! isease, or> if they consumed more > than two alcoholic drinks a day. Forty-five> patients entered the > study, and 31 made it all the way through the> follow-up visits. Half > the subjects took a combination of 10> traditional Chinese herbs and > the other 10 took a placebo; no one knew whether> a patient was > getting the herbs or the placebo. Both groups> took the tablets twice > a day for 12 weeks. At several office visits,> the participants were > asked how they were doing and had blood taken to> check on their liver > and kidneys.> > What they found: The herbal medicines were no> different from the > placebo. Liver function was the same in people> taking

herbs and > placebo. Neither group had less virus at the end> of the trial, and > quality of life showed no improvement, either.> Side effects were > mild, and there were about the same number in> the two groups.> > What it means to you: The evidence on using> herbs for hepatitis C is > still shaky.> > Ca! veats: This is a very small pilot study.> Most of the subjects were > middle-aged, white, and male, so the results> might not apply to > others.> > Find out more: Information on Radix astragali,> one of the 10 herbs in > this study, from a database of Chinese herbs > http://www.herbasin.com/database/huangqi.htm > > > > > > It's a pleasure having you join in our> conversations. We hope you have found the support> you need with us. > > If you are using email for your

posts, for easy> access to our group, just click the link--> Hepatitis C/> > Happy Posting >

February 26, 2006