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Tag: immune

  • Mutiple sclerosis: Beyond friendly immune system fires

    Mutiple sclerosis: Beyond friendly immune system fires

    I heard a man in his mid thirties speak last week. The pitchand tone of his voice were septuagenarian or older, ailing , drawn, tired and bore more testimonies of chronic fatigue, fear and, perhaps, depression. He had been married only a few months during which he suffered a stroke, lost motion in hands and legs  and was struggling to pick his way out of of this health abyss. His conditions are multiple sclerosis and stroke.

       Why these diagnoses bowl  challenged persons into  swoons is because many health authorities say it is a life long cul de sac from which there is no escape. There are others, though, who believe  this assumption is too definitive in a world where knowledge is constantly expanding and health challenges previously considered too mountaineous to surmount are  giving way. I hope I would be able to engage Mr Olajuwon Okubena, 81, producer of Jobelyn, for  comments on  Phytoalexin, a plant substance which may become in a few years the mightiest anti-inflammatory remedy of our time. Currently, researchers are rating it higher than antioxidants and phenolic compounds of plants which protect them against all sorts of environmental attacks and hoping that it will play significant roles in re balancing unbalanced human health. One of the component plant substances of Jobelyn, reported in several research journals, is a large concentration of phytoalexin. For now, researchers still cannot commercially extract it without compromising the healing potential. Mr Okubena, too, would like to bring it out of Jobelyn, concentrate it in a new formula of this leading Nigerian plant medicine which would, thereafter, be presented as a super herbal anti inflammatory. It is possible that, then,  inflammation as a cause of symptoms of multiple sclerosis would be overcome. But the battle to conquer this disease would need, also , to  uproot as well about 20 other possible causes of it.

    Multiple Sclerosis(MS)

    In this condition, some sections of the central nervous system (CNS) are degenerating, forming lesions, plaques and scars. The degeneration is called sclerosis. When the sclerosis are many, the condition is called multiple sclerosis. This condition may also affect nerves in the brain(causing shrinkage of the outermost layer), the optic nerve( causing vision problems), and the  spinal cord(producing a series of problems in muscles and organs). The presentation is like a part of the body , as in breast or colon cancer,instamentally dying when one is still alive.

    The CNS is a system of nerves which originate from neurons in the brain and are functionally connected to them. The nerves are like a wiring system through which the brain sends messages to all parts of the body and receives feedback information from them. Damage to any section, therefore , means communication impairment, break down or collapse. Many persons experience communication gaps from time to time but ignore them. Even when they see their doctors, the diagnosis may be missed. MS affects different persons in diverse ways, depending on the severity. Some experience temporary relief occasionally, only for the condition to again flare up mildly or violently, depending on how the fire is stoked. Some others may experience life-long or near life long remissions. Rarely, except under complications, is MS life threatening.

    Symptoms

    They  sometimes resemble symptoms of other problems and cause diagnostic mistakes. Some of them are

    A) Blurry vision: This may be passed off as onset of macular degeneration, cataract of the eye lens or even glaucoma or dry eyes, especially if  these conditions are, also, presenting symptoms and the physician does not go the extra diagnostic journey.

    B) Vertigo:The environment may swirl or turn around once in a while or often. Low blood sugar and low blood count , like pernicious and megaloblastic anaemia, may also account for this. Incidentally, vitamin B 12 deficiency, which may cause megaloblastic anaemia,  may  be a culprit behind MS.

    C) Chronic Fatigue: This may also be associated with chronic stress, depletion of stress hormones, fatigued or burnt out adrenal glands, mitochondrial challenges, malabsorption of nutrients. They are all linked to MS.

    D) Dizziness:When we are dizzy, we swallow choice blood tonics  without exploring the root cause.

    E) Impaired Speech: The tone or pitch of the sound of words may alter. This may be put down to such things as stress, infection at the back of the throat, inflamed tongue, misalignment of the jaws or dentiture challenges. So, while these may be addressed, the impaired nerve signals which may be causing them may be ignored.

    F) Numbness:  Many persons complain of numbness in hands and legs.The tendency is to assume poor blood circulation and ignore the CNS. A CNS investigation may be expensive. Many persons do not have the money for it, and they have no health insurance covers.

    G) Facial Paralysis:  MS usually strikes the 20 to 40  age bracket, especially women, but it may also strike older persons. Almost 10 years ago, I saw a young woman whose face twisted on one side. She was in her 20s. While older persons knew this could be a sign of partial stroke, they ruled it out believing that only old persons have strokes. In a few weeks, the facial paralysis and her slurry speech disappeared. Now,I wonder: Could this be MS in remission? If it is, this could be an early signal of MS which had been missed. The young woman soon came over it. This could be a remission for years before an exercebation. Happily, for some persons, a remission may be life long.

    H) Paralysis: In extreme cases, there may be paralysis in any part of the body. One side of the body may be partially immovable. Sometimes, complete immobility may occur. The MS may go into remission or a holiday, flaring up once in a while, but causing no serious problem if it is well managed with nutrition, plant medicines and lifestyle changes

    I) Constipation: It is often taken for granted. The standard charcoal test in Alternative Medicine educates us that the waste products of whatever we eat should be defeacated in about 18 hours, to prevent in the intestine a sludge of decaying or putrefying content on which all sorts of germs would feel, pumping out their waste matter, thereby damaging tissue. The net effect of a sluggish intestine and evacuation delays is that a leaking intestine may develop which may cause the often orchestrated auto immune factor in MS and other auto immune diseases such as diabetes, asthma, fibromyalgia and systemic lupus erytomatosus(SLE).

    J) Incontinence: This is an inability to “hold back” discharges. Bowel and urinary incontinence are well known. Some adults wear diapers. Some women wear pantie liners to absorb urine which drops before they reach the rest room. While these conditions may be caused by muscle weakness, especially the “gate-keeper” sphincter muscles of the anus, the urinary bladder and those in the lower esophagus and duodenum, it is better to check them further as the nerves which control these muscles may be giving way. When I speak of the lower esophagus sphincter muscle, I remember heart burn sufferers who consume antacids rather than check on the health of this “gate-keeper” between the lower oesophagus and the stomach.This muscle is designed to never allow stomach content to easily flow back to the esophagus which we call the throat. Even when we stand on our heads after a meal, this muscle should “lock up”. Where it does not, the acidified food may come up,burning the oesophagus. It is this burning we call heartburn or Gastro Esophagal Reflux Disease (GERD). After many years, heart burn may cause esophagal cancer which may be preceeded by esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus). The same event may occur in Duodenitis and Duodenal Cancer when acidic food from the stomach empties prematurely into the duodenum, an alkaline tissue.

    K) Tremours: When we hold hymn books in church to share with someone and the book begins to shake, a nerve tremour may be going on which may be forerunners of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, both of which are caused by nerve damage. In the labouratory, the blood of some persons cannot be easily taken with a syringe because blood vessels are shaking. Even in premature ejaculation (PE), the nerves may be telling a story or complaining. Magnesium, vitamin B1 (thiamine) at high dosages,balanced with vitamin B complex at slightly lower dosages, may resolve this affront. Evidence abound, also , that their chronic deficiencies  may precipitate MS

    L) Balance: When we begin to lose the sense of balance and experience falls, we may need to see an ENT (Ear,Nose and Throat ) doctor. MS may be at play or at work.

    M) Staggering Gait: Some persons cannot walk straight but in zig zag manner. Some even stagger. As MS affects young persons more than old persons,and women more than men, parents, friends, guardians and acquintances should be on the look out for some of these symptoms.

    N) Vision Loss: The eye is a complex organ in which the nerves play a crucial role in transporting electrical impulses from the environment to the brain and bringing back their interpretations and meanings. Currently, there is an assumption that glaucoma, one of the degenerative conditions  which may cause blindness, is not all about deterioration and demise of the optic nerve and the retina from oxidative stress and high intra occular pressure (IOP) against which eye specific antioxidants and pressure lowering eye drops are often deployed. It is now being assumed that changes in the neurons in the brain which controls the optic nerve may be responsible. These changes are said to be caused by deficiencies of neurotrophic factors in the brain which dispose some persons to Alzheimer’s and others to Parkinson’s. On  April 28, 2022, I published in The Nation newspaper the story of Joe Lovett, an American film maker who had become half blind from glaucoma for about 12 years. After his complete recovery on coconut oil dietary supplement, Joe Lovett wrote two books in which he detailed his experiences as a glaucoma sufferer and a free man. The books are titled: Stop Vision Loss Now and Prevent And  Heal Cataracts, Glaucoma.

    I believe my article on Joe Lovett was also published in www.olufemikusa.com and/or in MEDIUM, a writer’s online forum.

    What is MS?

    When I explain multiple sclerosis, I use the domestic electrical wiring cable as an example. Inside it are copper wires which conduct electricity from electricity source to an appliance. It is encased in a plastic covering.The plastic protects the copper wires from damage and from causing electrocution accidents.

     The nerve, almost like that, is a collection of nerve strands bungled together and wrapped up by certain materials which are themselves enwrapped. Finally, the entire bundle is wrapped by a fatty tissue called the Myelin Sheath. If the Myelin Sheath is damaged, the nerve fibres within its encasement may become damaged, partially impaired from transmitting signals or completely stopped from doing so. The various stages of this impairment or complete blockage are what manifest in the various symptoms of MS.

     Cause of MS

    Many authorities on this subject avoid being definitive. So, we can rely only on reasonable conjectures such as the following which, sometimes, respond to therapeutic management, anyway…

    A) Chronic infections such as those caused by bacteria, viruses and candida. When the skin of the arm is broken, germs may infect the tissue within. When the myelin sheath is broken, these germs can attack the nerve materials within.

    B) Free radical damage and a deficiency of antioxidants

    C) Auto immune attack. The intestine, said by many authorities to be “The Second Brain”, is often linked to auto immune diseases.The immune system is known to attack the brain and the nerves instead of protecting them. This may result from not chewing food properly and from eating foods which damage the intestine. Saliva in the mouth contains an enzyme called Ptyalin which breaks Polysaccharides or complex carbohydrates down into disaccharides. Many persons swallow their food and do not mix them well with saliva. Thus, polysaccharides do not get properly broken down. The intestine cannot easily digest polysaccharides. That is why polysaccharides must first be broken down into disaccharides by thiamine in the saliva of the mouth. The intestine is designed to break down Disaccharides into monosaccharides or glucose. Again, the intestine is designed to pass glucose, not polysaccharides or disaccharides into the blood stream. where it passes polysaccharides or Disaccharides, trouble will erupt in the organs which harbour them. Polysaccharides or Disaccharides are unknown to the immune system in the organs. Thus, wherever they migrate to in the organs, the immune system will recognise them as strangers or enemies and attack them and their hosts. It is, therefore, important to properly chew food, thoroughly mix it with saliva to aid digestion in the mouth. It is also important to aid digestion in the stomach and intestine with digestive enzymes from raw food and food supplements. In the immune system attacks, immune modulating herbs and adaptogens may help.

    D) Vitamin D is well noted in persons challenged with M.S. They should stay more under the sun and take vitamin D food supplements.

    E) Leaky Gut: The barrier against infiltration of larger molecules into the blood stream is broken by various other factors, including alcohol, white sugar, micro organism nibbling, free radicals, food allergies, especially from cow’s milk, wheat and soy intolerance, microplastics and heavy metal toxicity, pharmaceutical drugs, environmental toxins, food preservatives etc. I have a niece who cannot taste fish sauce without vomitting. There are persons who cannot tolerate honey or garlic. These are better eliminated from the diet. Nowadays, laundry, dish washing and bath soaps are loaded with chemicals. When not completely washed off cookware and service plates, they are eaten with food. Women who do not wear laundry gloves experience wrinkles in skin on the back of the hand, evidence of chemical attack from the soap.To cleanse the body, I always suggest Detoxification. My first choice is Maria Treben’s swedish bitters because it has no preservatives and is not alcohol extracted. Organic enema coffee may also help.

    F)Heavy metal toxicity is another possible cause of MS. Chelated minerals help out in this. Chlorella and cilantro do help, too.

    G) Inflammation:There are many anti inflammatory herbs in the Nigerian market. I will suggest some of them in Brain Care below.

    Brain Care

    The brain and the nerves belong together. Some of the remedies of their various challenges are essential fatty acids, GLA as in evening primerose oil, lecithin , thiamine,(vitamin B1), Neuro booster, a proprietary formula, gotu kola, ginkgo Biloba, magnesium( especially magnesium thraonate), grape seed extract, coconut oil, fermented vitamin A (a proprietary product), Lion’s mane mushroom. This mushroom was discovered during the second world war by a young, female Italian doctor. She was researching the healing process in damaged embryo nerves. She used several plant extracts without much healing success. Lion’s main mushroom extract brought resounding success. Today, Lion’s mane mushroom as a healing agent is recognised beyond nerve health therapies and employed even in cancer prevention and treatment.

     Antioxidant oils

    Antioxidants are crucial for the elimination of free radicals which are said to be the culprits behind more than 200 degenerative diseases including MS and stroke,both of which are forebears of paralysis. I have mentioned some antioxidants above. Antioxidant oils are also important because they are fats and intended for the protection and rebuilding of damaged fatty tissue as in MS.  Three important antioxidant oils are vitamin A, Vitamin E and Alpha Lipoic acid (ALA). Vitamins A and E are active only in fatty media. ALA is active in fatty and non fatty media.

     Jobelyn

    I promised to obtain from Mr Okubena comments on how this Nigerian herbal product may  feature in MS therapy. His words:

     “Jobelyn, derived from soghurm bicolor leaf, shows promise in supporting multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. According to the drug dictionary of the National Institute, Jobelyn contains high levels of polyphenols and three deoxyanthocyanidins, which have been scientifically studied for their antioxidant, anti inflammatory , immunomodulatory and chemopreventive properties.

        “In MS, the immune system mistakenly targets and attacks the myelin sheath in the nervous system. Jobelyn’s immunomodulatory effects, as mentioned in the definition, have the potential to regulate the immune response by increasing the activity of Natural killer (NK) cells and activating macrophages. The modulation could help reduce the immune system’s attack on the myelin SHEATH, potentially slowing down the progression of the disease.

       Furthermore, Jobelyn’s antioxidant properties may play a role in protecting against oxidative stress, which is believed to contribute to the development and progression of MS by scavenging free radicals and preventing tissue damage.

        While the potential benefits of Jobelyn for MS patients are promising, it is important to note that further research, including clinical trials specifically focused on MS , is necessary to determine its effectiveness and safety”.

  • Astragalus root, kidney failure, chemotherapy, immune boosting

    Introducing Astragalus to a health meeting last week, I faced the additional task of educating the audience that we were not discussing Asparagus. Readers of this column became fascinated by Asparagus a few months ago following reports of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-cancer properties, especially of its cleansing and healing effects on the genito-urinary system.

    With Astragalus coming up so soon after Asparagus, many people may become easily confused by these names. That is understandable. Even in the training seminars of the multi-level marketing companies, many distributors of their health products still get confused about arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis. Lucky are those who are advised that arteriosclerosis is the hardening of blood vessels by calcium and other deposit in their soft muscles, a cause of hypertension. Lucky, also, are those who can distinguish atherosclerosis as blockage of the inner space of these blood vessels by cholesterol, homocystaine and other deposits, another possible cause of hypertension. Arteriosclerosis hardens the blood vessels and makes them not to dilate as they should when blood flows through them, increasing tension. Atherosclerosis reduces the space for blood to flow through, making the heart to pump blood with more force than it should, stressing the heart and possibly creating grounds for its enlargement.

    In the case at hand, we must separate Astragalus from Asparagus as we do always separate arteriosclerosis from atherosclerosis.

     

    Asparagus

    Almost fat-less, loaded with folate, vitamin K, less endowed with other vitamins and minerals, and possessing no sodium, it helps bone density with vitamin K which helps calcium absorption into the bones, thereby helping to prevent fractures, especially of the hip bones, in elderly people. It is anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. For people who retain fluids, Asparagus is diuretic, cleans up the digestive system, frees it of constipation, thereby preventing colon cancer. The high level of follate (folic acid) supports pregnancy, encourages fetal growth and prevents neural tube and other defects and low birth way. Being an antioxidant, Asparagus can nail free radicals which are implicated in many cancers and other degenerative diseases. Accordingly, it is believed to protect the bone, breast, lungs, cervix, and colon against free radicals and the cancers they cause in those tissues. The growing rate of stress in all societies has led to a growth in the cases of depression. In stressful situations, the body produces inadequate amounts of Dopamine, Serotonin and Norepinephrine, hormones which help to stabilize the brain and keep the spirit high. As Asparagus supports the production of these hormones, it is seen as an anti-depressant herb. Studies suggest Asparagus reduces Cholesterol and Homocysteine levels and reduces blood sugar as well. There is a lot more to say of Asparagus. It beautifies the skin, balances female hormones and sorts out female problems, including a boosting of fertility, prevents kidney stones, knocks out hangovers, protects the eye, controls blood pressure, fights tuberculosis and epilepsy, checks internal bleeding and is a wonderful support for people who have challenges with their thyroid glands. We can go on and on…and on.

     

    Astragalus Root

    There are more than 2,000 species of Astragalus. But only two of them are used medicinally. Even then, it is their root that is used. Even then, still, there are harvested from Astragalus plants that are at least four years old. The medicinally useful Astragalus species are Astragalus membranaceus and Astragalus mongholicus.

    Their roots do what Asparagus does…and more, fighting and breaking down tumours, boosting immunity, reducing the negative impact of Chemotherapy, making chemotherapy more effective, elongating the lives of some kidneys beset with kidney failure, especially those caused by the complications of diabetes, preventing collagen degradation (a cause of eye problems and blindness), wiping out viruses (HIV, Hepatitis et.c). European and American researchers agree that Astragalus is effective for a wide range of ailments but say there are not enough clinical studies on them to make fairly settled assertions. They say some of the studies on this herb are poorly designed, and, so, make such a valid statement difficult.

    However, the Chinese who have used Astragalus for more than two thousand years to prevent and cure diseases do not consign themselves with clinical investigations as much as Euro-American researchers and physicians do, before they scientifically accept folk lore claims. While thinking about this column, I limited my self to three areas in which Astragalus root may be of benefits to radiant or ailing health, because of their prevalence in today’s Nigeria. These are Kidney health, lessening of chemotherapy side-effects and boosting of immunity. Kidney, Prostate and other uro-genital diseases are growing in number. Like the American Medical Association and the American Cancer Society which heavily supports chemotherapy and radiation for cancer treatment, the Nigerian Medical Association endorses these toxic therapies although they kill and severely maim many patients. Because many people do not eat well and live under stressful conditions, their internal hygiene is toxic and their immunity is poor, giving rise to an overgrowth of microorganisms, especially fungi, which have been implicated in cancers and other degenerative diseases. Any herb which supports kidney health, reduces chemotherapy side-effects and boost immunity among its many medicinal potentials, should be of high value to health in a society such as ours.

    One of the investigations into Astragalus root use comes from PubMed Health which says:

    “Chronic kidney disease affects increasing numbers of people around the world, but as yet effective strategies to control its progression has not been universally accepted. Astragalus is one of the most widely used herbs for treating kidney disease. We conducted this review to evaluate the benefits and potential harms of Astragalus for the treatment of people with chronic kidney disease.

    “We searched the literature published for up to July 2004 and summarised 22 studies involving 1,323 people with chronic kidney disease, including both on dialysis treatment or not.

    “Although we found some promising evidence suggesting that when given with conventional treatment, Astragalus may help to decrease the Serum Creatinine, reduce the amount of protein lost in the urine and diminish the effects of some complications, such as anaemia and malnutrition, evidence quality was low. We found that errors and omissions in study methods and reporting were likely to have flawed results among the studies we assessed. Possible adverse effects associated with Astragalus injection should be noted, although we had no relevant report from included studies.”

    In Science Direct, we learn: “Several types of herbal preparation have been used as supplementary therapies for the treatments of progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD), but the scientific evidence for their use is scarce. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of Astragalus membranaceus on renal outcome in patients with progressive CKD. The study population consisted of 35 patients with CKD stages 4 and 5 whose estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decreased over a 3-month period before the start of A membranaceus treatment despite the use of conventional therapy (from 14.6 ± 6.28 mL/min/1.73 m to 11.6 ± 5.24; mean ± SD, p < 0.05). Similarly, the eGFR of 15 patients with CKD stage 4 decreased over the same period despite conventional therapy (from 20.8 ± 4.59 to 16.7 ± 4.17; r = “1.298; p < 0.05), but increased after the initial period of 3 months of supplementary treatment with A membranaceus (to 18.6 ± 5.67; r = 0.973; p < 0.05) and remained at that level at 6 months (17.8 ± 5.60) and 12 months (16.3 ± 5.89).

    “However, in 20 patients with CKD stage 5, the beneficial effect of A membranaceus was limited to the first 3 months only (“3 months: 10.5 ± 2.7, baseline: 8.0 ± 2.75, 3 months: 8.4 ± 2.96, 6 months: 6.8 ± 2.45). A membranaceus had no significant effects on other laboratory parameters. Only seven patients (1 in stage 4 and 6 in stage 5) required dialysis within 12 months of A membranaceus treatment, whose eGFR at baseline was relatively low (7.4 ± 1.06).

    “The results suggest that A membranaceus can maintain stable levels of eGFR and delay the initiation of renal replacement therapy in patients with progressive CKD stage 4.

    “With increasing numbers of patients undergoing renal replacement therapy, the cost of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is rising worldwide. The number of patients requiring dialysis therapy in Japan has also increased almost linearly, about 10,000 a year, since surveys began in 1983, reaching 297,126 at the end of 2010. Therefore, it is important to establish strategies to delay the progression to end-stage kidney disease in CKD patients. However, despite significant advances in conventional medicine, no specific treatment is available for patients with stages 4 and 5 CKD. There is definitely a need for the use of combinations of different treatment modalities to control the progression of CKD, highlighting the importance of research on discovering new pharmacological agents for CKD. In Japan, not only traditional herbalists but also nephrologists have occasionally used herbal medicine for treatment of patients with CKD, including some imported from China, as part of combination therapy. Traditional herbalists usually prescribe a blend of several herbs such as Astragalus membranaceus, Angelica sinensis, Angelica acutiloba, Salvia miltiorrhiza , and rhubarb to patients with renal disease. Among these herbal medicines, formulations containing A membranaceus have often been used for renal disorders based on their diuretic action and reduction of proteinuria. In addition, A membranaceus is believed to have beneficial effects on other conditions such as diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular, digestive, hepatic, neurological, and allergic diseases. Several recent experimental studies using animal models of diabetic nephropathy and unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) renal fibrosis have highlighted the potency of A membranaceus. To our knowledge, however, there are only a few clinical case reports in the English literature on the effects of A membranaceus when used alone for membranous nephropathy.

    “The objective of our prospective study was to assess the efficacy of A membranaceus in progressive CKD when used in combination with conventional therapy.

    “As it is not randomised, we set up the primary endpoint to decline rate of eGFR before and after treatment with A membranaceus. Since several species of herbs are usually prescribed in combination, the present study is the first clinical trial on the use of A membranaceus alone.

    “Of the 41 patients who were initially enrolled in this study, six were unable to continue treatment with A membranaceus for 3 months, and their data were excluded from the analysis. The reasons for cessation of treatment were revocation of consent ( n = 3), start of dialysis therapy ( n = 1), diarrhea ( n = 1), and change of hospital ( n = 1). Therefore, the study population eventually consisted of 35 patients (15 with CKD stage 4 and 20 with CKD stage 5) who were treated with A membranaceus daily for more than 3 months.”

    (My apologies go to readers who may not have followed technical jargons in the study quoted above. The study was quoted for the benefit of our specialist doctors (Urologists) who read this column and are interested in incorporating herbal medicines into their practice.)

    ALTHOUGH Western researchers and physicians are not definitive on the  medicinal values of Astragalus root, especially in cancer treatment and immunity boosting, the Chinese are unrelenting in saying this herb has continued to work for them for thousands of years. Four of Western defenders of this herb are Michael McCulloch, Caylie See, Xiao-juan Shu, Michael Broffman, Alan Kramer, Wei-yu Fan, Jin Gao, Whitney Lieb, Kane Shieh, John M. Colford Jr. They put up a case for Astragalus root in jco.ascopubs.org saying in an abstract of their work:

    “Systemic treatments for advanced non–small-cell lung cancer have low efficacy and high toxicity. Some Chinese herbal medicines have been reported to increase chemotherapy efficacy and reduce toxicity. In particular, Astragalus has been shown to have immunologic benefits by stimulating macrophage and natural killer cell activity and inhibiting T-helper cell type 2 cytokines. Many published studies have assessed the use of Astragalus and other Chinese herbal medicines in combination with chemotherapy. We sought to evaluate evidence from randomized trials that Astragalus-based Chinese herbal medicine combined with platinum-based chemotherapy (versus platinum-based chemotherapy alone) improves survival, increases tumor response, improves performance status, or reduces chemotherapy toxicity.”

    The four men researched 1,305 publication. Of them all, 34 involved 2,815 patients. Twelve studies involving 940 patients reported reduced risk of death at 12months. Thirty other studies involving 2,472 patients reported “improved tumour response data” other studies indicated reduced risk of death in 24 months.

    The conclusion was: “we found evidence that Astragalus-best Chinese  herbal medicine may increase effectiveness (by improving survival, tumour response, and performance status) and reduce toxicity of standard platinum-best chemotherapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. However, affirmations of these conclusions in rigorously controlled, randomised trial is required before more firm conclusions about this therapy can be drawn.”

     

    Immunity

    Euro-American researchers and physicians become more dispassionate when death stares their communities in the face and their own brand of medicine has come to its wit’s end. The swine flu pandemic has brought Astragalus root to public limelight as an anti-viral and immune-boosting refuge. For thousands of years, the Chinese have used this herb for these purposes and more.

    Nicholas Reavley tells us in the New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements and Herbs:

    “Astragalus is one of the best researched immune system stimulants now available. It works like Echinacea, in that both herbs increase the number and activities of immune cells. However, Astragalus concentrates on building the immune system and, unlike Echinacea, it can be taken on a daily bases. Echinacea boosts immune system activity and promotes fast recovery, especially when taken at the onset of symptoms. The most potent formula has a peculiar tingling and numbling effect on the tongue.

    In the complete Encyclopedia of Natural Healing, Gary Null, Ph.D., tells us:

    “Astragalus is another ancient Chinese herb that is frequently combined with Ginseng to strengthen the body’s natural defences, namely the immune system.

    Cardiologist Stephen T., M.D., Sinatra says:

    “Examples of popular adaptogenic herbs include Astragalus, Ravex, Ginseng, Siberian Ginseng, Lonicera, and Glycyrrhiza also known as Licorice root. They herb Astragalus has been researched thoroughly. Studies have revealed that Astragalus is quite effective in enhancing immune function and can be used to treat a wide variety of illnesses ranging from the common cold to cancer. Instead of directly attacking infectious organisms, Astragalus helps the body by fortifying the existing immune system.”

    So, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Astragalus world.

  • ‘Nigeria not immune from earth tremor’

    The National President, Association of Water-well Drilling Rig Owners and Practitioners (AWDROP), Michael Ale, has said Nigeria is not free from earth tremor.

    Ale said: “The earth tremor, which occurred in Saki, Oyo State, was as a result of illegal drilling.

    “AWDROP has observed indiscriminate drilling practice persistence in all nooks and crannies of the country and the industry is being turned into an all-comers affairs. AWDROP is set to enforce the power vested on it by the National Council of Water Resources to partner state governments on the rejuvenation and revitalisation of abandoned borehole and the application and enforcement of code of practice on borehole drilling among drilling practitioners.

    “AWDROP hereby directs all its state chapters to partner with their respective state government to ensure the implementation of Code of Practice in borehole drilling, using best subjected practice judgment. Indication is that all Borehole Drilling Contractors must be registered by States Agencies in their respective state, pay their registration fees and obtain a drilling permit before any drilling operation. Borehole projects are to be strictly supervised by a Comeg registered Geologist or Hydro geologist” Ale said

  • ‘Garlic, ginger, thyme are immune boosters’

    ‘Garlic, ginger, thyme are immune boosters’

    Regular consumption of garlic, ginger, thyme and other natural antibiotics can boost the immune system and prevent infections, a naturopath, Dr Gilbert Ezengige, has said.

    He listed the antibiotics as goat weed (Imiesu-yoruba), Christmas bush (Èpa-Yoruba) and clove (Kanafuru-Yoruba), blue gum tree (eucalyptus oil) and aloe vera.

    According to Ezengige, sufferers of contagious diseases, sexually transmitted infections, airborne and water borne diseases require anti-microbial herbs.

    He said: “When meals are prepared with herbs, such as garlic, ginger, thyme, clove andxylopia aethiopica (Eru in Yoruba, Uda in Igbo), consumers may not be conscious of their healing potential in helping them to ward off infectious diseases. When they take fruits, such as lemon, grape, and melon (elegede in Yoruba; Anyu in Igbo), cashew, African star apple (agbalumo in Yoruba, Udara-Igbo), these beef up their immune system in prepraredness to combat harmful invading pathogens.”

    Explaining the causes of infections, Ezengige said: “Some infections are caused by harmful microorganisms (germs that can be seen only with the help of a microscope); others by organisms that can be seen. In some infection there are mixtures and interplay of micro and visible pathogens, which include bacteria, viruses, fungi protozoa and worms amongst others. For instance, antibacterial herbs for bacterial infections, such as typhoid fever and cholera, antiviral herbs for combating viral diseases such as common cold and herpes, antifungal herbs for treating fungi such as candida and athlete’s foot, anthelmintic or vermifuge herbs for expelling or killing intestinal worms abound in our environment.”

    Ezengige canvassed good personal hygiene and environmental sanitation, warning that without these, illnesses caused by harmful parasites and microorganisms will abound.

    He said: “The World Health Organisation (WHO) says infectious diseases are responsible for about 17 per cent of death yearly. They are also the second leading cause of death; number one is heart disease.”

    He continued: “Goat weed (Imiesu in Yoruba) can prevent diseases, such as sinusitis, e-coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. It is also used for dressing wounds. Goat weed is potent against stomach ulcer, pneumonia and dysentery. Christmas bush is used to treat urinary tract Infections, cough and parasitic worms; sore throat, venereal diseases and dysentery. Garlic bulb is used for treating infections caused by bacteria, fungi, parasites and for the treatment of respiratory infections.

    “Garlic inhibits helicobacter pylori that causes stomach ulcer, pinworms and ear infections, Aloe vera is used on infected or purulent wounds worm infestation, bed sores, eye irritations and infections. It is also effective against staphylococcus aureus and herpes and typhoid fever.”

    Blue gum tree (eucalyptus oil), he said, is an anti-microbial against staphylococcus aureus, candida albicans, helicobacter pylori, eschericia coli and salmonella.

    “It is for treating respiratory infections as it works as antiseptic and antifungal. People with pyorrhea (gum infection) and catarrh will find it useful. Clove is good for curing acute toothache and gum infection by applying the oil on the affected parts. This can also help to provide relieve for bloating, intestinal gas and bronchial catarrh as well as controls bad breath,” he added.

    Clove, Ezengige said, has antiseptic properties, which kill bacteria, round worms and fungi. “It is an anti-parasitic plant, which has herbal components for curing athlete’s foot,” Ezengige said.

  • Firm introduces immune booster

    Firm introduces immune booster

    To improve lives and ensure longevity, Organic India; a wellness company has introduced 26 immune boosting products in the country.

    This, Organic India, Managing Director, Dr Felix Adeduro, said would stop preventable deaths from diseases.

    Speaking at the launch in Lagos, Adeduro said the spate of deaths from preventable diseases prompted the introduction of the products by the company.

    He said: “It took four years for the company to get the approval from the Indian government to export the products into Nigeria. The products would help people strengthen their immunity. The immune system can be strengthened against viral and bacterial infections. Products, such as Tumeric formular; Bowel care; Liver-Kidney care; Ashwagandha, which inhibits and retards tumours, can reduce chronic fatigue, among others.”

    Adeduro said the plants used for the production of the products are cultivated naturally, without fertilisers or pesticides, “Every product is contained in glass bottles to avoid chemical interactions as it happens in plastic bottles, which reduces the organic potency of drugs.”

    According to him, the products were approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO); United States Department of Agriculture (USDA); European (EU) Organic Certification; National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

  • Natural immune boosters

    Eating a variety of colourful vegetables is just one easy (and delicious!) way to naturally strengthen your immune system.Infections are as inevitable as death and taxes. You spend your first years catching colds, influenza and strep throat. You sniffle, scratch, cough, vomit, ache, sweat and shiver.

    Your immune system remembers the microbes it has encountered and protects you the next go around. At the other end of life, your immune system wearies from years of fighting. In that great expanse of active, productive life in between, you still get colds and flus and “stomach bugs.” You may wonder why you are sick more or less often than your partner, co-workers and neighbours. You may wonder why one person hacking on the airplane successfully sickens the passenger to his right but not the one to his left. The answer is that not all immune systems function alike. A number of factors affect immune system health. Some you can’t control: The very young and the very old are vulnerable. Surgery and wounds give microbes a chance to sneak into the inner sanctum.

    Other risks include chronic disease, poverty, stress, living with lots of other people (dormitories, low-income housing), and drinking tap water (with its local microbes) in many foreign countries. Fortunately, there are ways you can strengthen your immune system.

    Malnutrition impairs immune function. French fries, soft drinks and bourbon don’t build strong white blood cells either. No, it’s those virtuous, self-righteous diets high in fruits, vegetables and nuts that promote immune health, presumably because they’re rich in nutrients the immune system requires. Adequate protein intake is also important; the source can be plant or animal.

    One substance to avoid is simple sugar. Brigitte Mars, herbalist and author of The Desktop Guide to Herbal Medicines, notes that sugary foods and juices impair immune function; research bears her out.

    If you’re a new mother, breast milk provides essential nutrients and immune system components to your developing child. Compared with formula-fed babies, those nourished at the breast have fewer serious infections.

    Stress Less: When you’re stressed, your adrenal glands churn out epinephrine (aka, adrenaline) and cortisol. While acute stress pumps up the immune system, grinding long-term duress taxes it. For instance, psychological stress raises the risk for the common cold and other viruses. Less often, chronic stress can promote a hyper-reactive immune system and aggravate conditions such as allergies, asthma and autoimmune disease.