Re: chinese herb dangers

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Germander has been linked to 30 cases of acute liver failure Chaparral, comfrey and skullcap have all been linked to liver problems and the shiitake mushroom has been associated with dermatitis Chinese herbal medicines have been linked to a host of adverse effects and are often contaminated, especially with heavy metals Echinacea, if used for more than eight consecutive weeks, could cause liver toxicity and therefore should not be used with drugs such as anabolic steroids, amiodarone, and methotrexate which are toxic to the liver. Feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginseng, and Ginkgo biloba all affect bleeding time and should not be taken by patients using warfarin Until more data is available, St. 's wort should not be taken with monoamine oxidase inhibitors or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors like

Prozac and Paxil. Licorice, plantain, hawthorn, and ginseng may interfere with digoxin therapy and valarian root should not be taken when barbiturates are used. Evening primrose oil and borage are contraindicated in patients taking anticonvulsants and licorice can offset the pharmacological effect of the potassium-sparing diuretic spironolactone Immunostimulants such as Echinacea and zinc should not be given with immunosuppressants such as corticosteroids (prednisone, etc.) and cyclosporine and are contraindicated in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus Chinese medicine alleviates irritable bowel syndrome CAMPBELLTOWN, AUSTRALIA. It is estimated that 10-20 per cent of the population of the United States and Australia suffers from irritable bowel syndrome

(IBS). This chronic or recurrent condition is characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation or diarrhea. Traditional Chinese herbal remedies are routinely used in China to treat the condition, but so far have not been generally accepted by conventional Western medicine. This may now change as medical researchers at the University of Sydney have just released a report showing that Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is indeed effective in the treatment of IBS. Their year-long, randomized, double-blind, placebo- controlled trial involved 116 patients with IBS diagnosed by gastroenterologists. The patients were randomized into three groups. The first group of 38 patients received individualized CHM (prescribed by Chinese herbalists), the second group of 43 patients received a standard CHM for IBS (supplied by Mei Yu Imports, Sydney, Australia), and the third group of 35 patients received a placebo. All participants took five capsules three times daily during the

16-week treatment period. At the end of the treatment there was a significant improvement among the patients who had received CHM. According to evaluations carried out by gastroenterologists 59 per cent of the patients in the standard CHM group had markedly improved their condition as compared to 40 per cent in the individualized CHM group and 19 per cent in the placebo group. Patients receiving CHM also reported that the treatment had resulted in the IBS causing less interference in their lives. The patients were re-evaluated 14 weeks after the end of the treatment. At this time, only the patients who had received individualized CHM still showed significant improvement. The researchers conclude that Chinese herbal medicines can be effective in the management of irritable bowel syndrome.Bensoussan, Alan, et al. Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with Chinese herbal medicine. Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 280, November 11, 1998, pp. 1585-89

Lower your cholesterol naturally LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA. A high cholesterol level is generally believed to be associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis and heart disease. Cholesterol levels can be lowered through dietary changes or by prescription drugs. Now researchers at the UCLA School of Medicine report that a natural supplement based on Chinese red-yeast-rice is highly effective in lowering cholesterol levels. Red yeast rice is a fermented rice product on which a red yeast (Monascus purpureus) has been grown. It was first described in 800 AD and has been widely used in China for many years. The UCLA double-blind, placebo-controlled study involved 83 healthy men and women with elevated cholesterol levels. The participants were randomly assigned to receive either four red-yeast-rice capsules daily (containing a total of 2.4 grams of the yeast-rice) or four placebo capsules. All participants were following a diet similar to the

American Heart Association Step I diet (less than 30 per cent of energy from fat, less than 10 per cent of energy from saturated fat, and less than 300 mg cholesterol daily). Blood samples for cholesterol analysis were drawn at the start of the study and after 8, 9, 11 and 12 weeks when the study ended. After eight weeks the average total cholesterol level in the red-yeast-rice group was almost 50 mg/dL (1.19 mmol/L) lower than in the placebo group and after 12 weeks the cholesterol level in the rice-yeast group had dropped by 40 mg/dL (1.03 mmol/L) as compared to a 5 mg/dL (0.13 mmol/L) drop in the placebo group. Average low density cholesterol (LDL) concentrations dropped by over 20 per cent after eight weeks (1.0 mmol/L or 39 mg/dL) in the rice-yeast group while no change was observed in the placebo group. The level of high density cholesterol (HDL) did not change in either group. No adverse effects of the red-yeast-rice were observed. The researchers conclude that

red-yeast-rice is a safe and effective supplement for lowering cholesterol levels and point out that it is almost 10 times cheaper than conventional cholesterol-lowering drugs. NOTE: This study was supported in part by Pharmanex Inc., the manufacturer of the red-yeast-rice supplement Cholestin.Heber, , et al. Cholesterol-lowering effects of a proprietary Chinese red-yeast-rice dietary supplement. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 69, February 1999, pp. 231-36Havel, J. Dietary supplement or drug? The case of Cholestin. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 69, February 1999, pp. 175- 76 Ginger and turmeric fight cancer KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA. Ginger, turmeric and other members of the Zingiberaceae family of rhizomes have a long history of use in Malaysian traditional medicine. Ginger, for example, is widely used in the treatment of stomach problems, nausea, vomiting, epilepsy, sore throat, cough, bruises,

wounds, childbirth, sore eyes, liver complaints, rheumatism, asthma, and many other disorders. Researchers at the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia now report that several members of the Zingiberaceae family effectively block the promotion of cancerous tumors. They tested 11 different species and found that seven of them had strong anti-tumor properties. Their test involved a short term assay of the inhibitory effect of extracts of the rhizomes (roots) on human cancer cells. They found that turmeric (Curcuma domestica) extracts (turmeric root extracted with petroleum ether, chloroform or ethanol) completely inhibited further growth of the cancer cells. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) extracts, especially the chloroform extract, also inhibited further growth, but the concentration of extract was more critical than for the turmeric extracts. The researchers conclude that turmeric, ginger and other Zingiberaceae rhizomes may be useful in preventing the

promotion of cancer and that populations with high risks of cancer should be encouraged to include them in their diet. Further work is now underway to isolate the active components in the plants.Vimala, S., et al. Anti-tumour promoter activity in Malaysian ginger rhizobia used in traditional medicine. British Journal of Cancer, Vol. 80, No. 1/2, April 1999, pp. 110-16 Tim Parsons knoxville,tn 37931 865-588-2465 x107 work www.knoxville1.com

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Thanks for the info Tim!Hillbilly Tim <knoxweb1@...> wrote: Germander has been linked to 30 cases of acute liver failure Chaparral, comfrey and skullcap have all been linked to liver problems and the shiitake mushroom has been associated with dermatitis Chinese herbal medicines have been linked to a host of adverse effects and are often contaminated, especially with heavy metals Echinacea, if used

for more than eight consecutive weeks, could cause liver toxicity and therefore should not be used with drugs such as anabolic steroids, amiodarone, and methotrexate which are toxic to the liver. Feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginseng, and Ginkgo biloba all affect bleeding time and should not be taken by patients using warfarin Until more data is available, St. 's wort should not be taken with monoamine oxidase inhibitors or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors like Prozac and Paxil. Licorice, plantain, hawthorn, and ginseng may interfere with digoxin therapy and valarian root should not be taken when barbiturates are used. Evening primrose oil and borage are contraindicated in patients taking anticonvulsants and licorice can offset the pharmacological effect of the potassium-sparing diuretic spironolactone Immunostimulants such as Echinacea and zinc should not be given with immunosuppressants such as corticosteroids (prednisone, etc.) and cyclosporine and are contraindicated in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus Chinese medicine alleviates irritable bowel syndrome CAMPBELLTOWN, AUSTRALIA. It is estimated that 10-20 per cent of the population of the United States and Australia suffers from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This chronic or recurrent condition is characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation or diarrhea. Traditional Chinese herbal remedies are routinely used in China to treat the condition, but so far have not been generally accepted by conventional Western medicine. This may now change as medical researchers at the University of Sydney have just released a report showing that Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is indeed effective in the

treatment of IBS. Their year-long, randomized, double-blind, placebo- controlled trial involved 116 patients with IBS diagnosed by gastroenterologists. The patients were randomized into three groups. The first group of 38 patients received individualized CHM (prescribed by Chinese herbalists), the second group of 43 patients received a standard CHM for IBS (supplied by Mei Yu Imports, Sydney, Australia), and the third group of 35 patients received a placebo. All participants took five capsules three times daily during the 16-week treatment period. At the end of the treatment there was a significant improvement among the patients who had received CHM. According to evaluations carried out by gastroenterologists 59 per cent of the patients in the standard CHM group had markedly improved their condition as compared to 40 per cent in the individualized CHM group and 19 per cent in the placebo group. Patients receiving CHM also reported that the treatment had resulted in

the IBS causing less interference in their lives. The patients were re-evaluated 14 weeks after the end of the treatment. At this time, only the patients who had received individualized CHM still showed significant improvement. The researchers conclude that Chinese herbal medicines can be effective in the management of irritable bowel syndrome.Bensoussan, Alan, et al. Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with Chinese herbal medicine. Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 280, November 11, 1998, pp. 1585-89 Lower your cholesterol naturally LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA. A high cholesterol level is generally believed to be associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis and heart disease. Cholesterol levels can be lowered through dietary changes or by prescription drugs. Now researchers at the UCLA School of Medicine report that a natural supplement based on Chinese red-yeast-rice is highly effective in lowering cholesterol levels.

Red yeast rice is a fermented rice product on which a red yeast (Monascus purpureus) has been grown. It was first described in 800 AD and has been widely used in China for many years. The UCLA double-blind, placebo-controlled study involved 83 healthy men and women with elevated cholesterol levels. The participants were randomly assigned to receive either four red-yeast-rice capsules daily (containing a total of 2.4 grams of the yeast-rice) or four placebo capsules. All participants were following a diet similar to the American Heart Association Step I diet (less than 30 per cent of energy from fat, less than 10 per cent of energy from saturated fat, and less than 300 mg cholesterol daily). Blood samples for cholesterol analysis were drawn at the start of the study and after 8, 9, 11 and 12 weeks when the study ended. After eight weeks the average total cholesterol level in the red-yeast-rice group was almost 50 mg/dL (1.19 mmol/L) lower than in the placebo group

and after 12 weeks the cholesterol level in the rice-yeast group had dropped by 40 mg/dL (1.03 mmol/L) as compared to a 5 mg/dL (0.13 mmol/L) drop in the placebo group. Average low density cholesterol (LDL) concentrations dropped by over 20 per cent after eight weeks (1.0 mmol/L or 39 mg/dL) in the rice-yeast group while no change was observed in the placebo group. The level of high density cholesterol (HDL) did not change in either group. No adverse effects of the red-yeast-rice were observed. The researchers conclude that red-yeast-rice is a safe and effective supplement for lowering cholesterol levels and point out that it is almost 10 times cheaper than conventional cholesterol-lowering drugs. NOTE: This study was supported in part by Pharmanex Inc., the manufacturer of the red-yeast-rice supplement Cholestin.Heber, , et al. Cholesterol-lowering effects of a proprietary Chinese red-yeast-rice dietary supplement. American Journal of Clinical

Nutrition, Vol. 69, February 1999, pp. 231-36Havel, J. Dietary supplement or drug? The case of Cholestin. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 69, February 1999, pp. 175- 76 Ginger and turmeric fight cancer KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA. Ginger, turmeric and other members of the Zingiberaceae family of rhizomes have a long history of use in Malaysian traditional medicine. Ginger, for example, is widely used in the treatment of stomach problems, nausea, vomiting, epilepsy, sore throat, cough, bruises, wounds, childbirth, sore eyes, liver complaints, rheumatism, asthma, and many other disorders. Researchers at the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia now report that several members of the Zingiberaceae family effectively block the promotion of cancerous tumors. They tested 11 different species and found that seven of them had strong anti-tumor properties. Their test involved a short term assay of the inhibitory effect of extracts of the

rhizomes (roots) on human cancer cells. They found that turmeric (Curcuma domestica) extracts (turmeric root extracted with petroleum ether, chloroform or ethanol) completely inhibited further growth of the cancer cells. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) extracts, especially the chloroform extract, also inhibited further growth, but the concentration of extract was more critical than for the turmeric extracts. The researchers conclude that turmeric, ginger and other Zingiberaceae rhizomes may be useful in preventing the promotion of cancer and that populations with high risks of cancer should be encouraged to include them in their diet. Further work is now underway to isolate the active components in the plants.Vimala, S., et al. Anti-tumour promoter activity in Malaysian ginger rhizobia used in traditional medicine. British Journal of Cancer, Vol. 80, No. 1/2, April 1999, pp. 110-16 Tim Parsons

knoxville,tn 37931 865-588-2465 x107 work www.knoxville1.com See the all-new, redesigned .com. Check it out. Jackie