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Natural Antibiotics

Lavande / lavender

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Are there such things? You bet! Ancient civilizations have used them in the past. Traditional medical systems such as Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine texts are replete with information on natural germ fighting agents. In very recent times, just in 1987 in fact, one of the most comprehensive studies was conducted in Scotland that determined the most powerful antibacterial agents. These include the essential oils of thyme, cinnamon, clove and geranium. According to another study published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology, the oils of cinnamon, thyme and clove killed 92% of 25 different Gram negative and positive bacterial strains. As a side note, do you know that Listerine antiseptic was originally named after Joseph Lister, the Father of modern surgical antisepsis? The formula has the following essential oils, namely; thymol (from thyme essential oil), eucalyptol (from eucalyptus essential oil), methyl salicylate (from wintergreen essential oil) and menthol (from peppermint essential oil). A study done in 1999 published at the Journal of Clinical Periodontology showed that a mouthwash that had the essential oils of thyme, peppermint, wintergreen and eucalyptus, was more effective in improving oral health than an antiseptic that was fluoride-based. In 2006, powerful anti-fungal oils were identified by researchers and they include the following: essential oils of cinnamon, clove, lemongrass, geranium and thyme. They were all found to be equal or superior to a well-known anti-fungal medication. Other natural anti-fungal agents include garlic, caprylic acid (from coconut), melaleuca (tea tree oil) and Saccharomyces boullardii (an anti-fungal yeast). One common infectious cause of gastritis is H. pylori. Mastic gum has been used traditionally to treat this. Other agents were found to be effective in a study conducted at the Kyoto Prefectural University in Japan. These include the essential oils of manuka, cinnamon bark, carrot seed, savory, white grapefruit, clove and eucalyptus. Meanwhile, natural anti-viral agents include eugenol from clove oil (found to be effective against Herpes virus), peppermint oil, and manuka essential oil. Finally, what natural agents are effective against MRSA and VRE antibiotic-resistant bacteria? In studies done at the Western Infirmary in Glasgow, UK, it was found that melaleuca, lavender, peppermint and thyme essential oils showed the strongest activity against these germs. Anyway, I want to acknowledge Dr. Carolyn de Marco for providing a lot of great information regarding the use of essential oils. If someone is suffering from an infectious illness, work with your healthcare provider on how to improve your immune system so that you won’t get sick in the first place.

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I’ve got a headache!

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Headaches are not fun at all. I’m not the one who would take medications right away though. However, I’ll probably use them as a last resort (of course, after I exhaust all the natural remedies available). The usual treatment for headaches would either be Tylenol or Advil or other anti-inflammatory agents (and in case of migraine headaches, ergot alkaloid agents). Natural pain-relief agents include feverfew and petadolex. They’re generally effective for symptom relief. Some lose their effectiveness over time, especially if the cause or causes are not addressed properly. There are different causes of headaches and they include the following: chronic dehydration, stress, hormonal imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, food allergies, structural disorders, visual causes, metabolic disorders, and rarely, tumors. I’ll discuss the more common, easily treatable causes. Dehydration, of course could be easily corrected. ideally, a person needs to drink half of their body weight in ounces, more so if they’re active and sweating. Stress could be addressed by taking vitamins (B complex and C), minerals (Magnesium, Zinc), and adaptogens (ashwagandha, rhodiola). Meditation, massage therapy and prayer all do help. Hormonal imbalances could also be a culprit (progesterone deficiency in women). Nutrient deficiencies including that of magnesium (natural vasodilator and muscle relaxant) and essential fatty acids (anti-inflammatory) could also cause headaches. Food sensitivities can trigger headaches as well. If a person knows what they’re sensitive or allergic to, it’s best to avoid them. Otherwise, address the cause of food sensitivities such as a “leaky gut.” Finally, metabolic disorders such as hypoglycemia can also be a cause of headaches. In summary, addressing the root causes of illness yields better, longer-lasting results than just symptomatic treatment alone.

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Hair Supply

I like big hair and I cannot lie.

Why is it that we’re seeing younger people getting hair loss at such an early age? Is it just a genetic issue or does it have to do with environmental factors as well? I believe that it’s due to both. Genetic causes of chronic degenerative disease is only about 3-4%, compared to greater than 90% due to environmental causes.

There’s a lot we can do to prevent or even reverse hair loss. We have to know the factors that lead to this condition. One, there’s the issue of poor circulation. Our hair needs to be nourished. Poor circulation means less nutrients going to the hair follicles. What causes poor circulation? Dietary factors such as intake of trans-fats or hydrogenated oils as well as calcium build-up along the arterial lining can do that. Poor nutrition also leads to hair loss. Where do you think our hair comes from? It comes from our food. Hair is primarily protein. Therefore, an adequate intake of amino acids should lead to a full head of hair. But, it’s not just that. An adequate amount of certain vitamins, minerals and glycosaminoglycans are also needed for healthy hair. Nutritious food should contain adequate nutrients. However, this is not always true because certain produce, esp. ones that are produced through commercial, chemical farming are nutritionally deficient. Produce farmed bio-dynamically and not just organically, should contain adequate amounts of nutrients to help our body renew itself (and that includes the hair).

What about personal products that damage the hair or hair follicles? There’s a substance in hair gels or products that could actually clog the hair follicles and cause them to ultimately die. The one implicated the most is a chemical called PVP coplymer, a petrochemical product. Avoid this at all costs. There are other chemicals that could cause damage to cells in general such as pthalates and sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate. Just notice how more companies are touting that they don’t contain these products.

Another cause of hair loss is hormonal imbalance. Undiagnosed thyroid issues could cause hair loss. A testosterone metabolite called DHT could cause hair loss, thus the popularity of synthetic DHT blockers such as Propecia or Avodart. A more natural way to influence testosterone metabolism is through the use of zinc supplements (which by the way is a very common nutritional deficiency). Other natural DHT blockers include saw palmetto, lycopene (from tomatoes), pygeum and stinging nettle. Low testosterone levels in men as well as low estrogen levels in women could also lead to hair loss. Isolated HGH deficiency could cause regeneration and repair to slow down as we age. That means, less production of new tissue, including our hair.

What do you do to improve HGH levels? Besides exercise, there are amino acids that stimulate HGH release from the pituitary. The most effective one for people over the age of 40 is L-glutamine. Goji berries has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to stimulate HGH release from the pituitary. Otherwise, a peptide called HGHRH (analogue) could also be used. I found this as effective as HGH, with less side effects.

What are other natural remedies that could stimulate hair growth? An Ayurvedic treatment includes the use of neem hair oil. Traditional Chinese medicine may recommend fo-ti pr he she wou. Essential oils that stimulate hair growth include therapeutic-grade peppermint, cedarwood, rosemary, lavender, thyme and sandalwood. Minoxidil works for some people but it does work better combined with substances such as retin-A, aldactone, progesterone, azelaic acid, copper peptides, SOD, and copper-zinc binding peptides.

Procedures one should consider before the last resort (hair transplant) include the use of low level laser therapy and the use of a micro-dermaroller. Consult with your holistic health care practitioner before incorporating any of the above suggestions.

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Wow, that smells!

Shelves of perfumes

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I knew it! There’s something more to perfumes or colognes than the strong smell they give off. I often wonder why some people splash (or practically bathe) themselves with very strong scents. I guess some people use it to attract others while some use it to mask their body odors. It’s all good unless the smell is too strong or offensive. Ever gone to places where heavily perfumed people have been? Sometimes, the odor lingers for hours on end (maybe not that long). Apparently, there are other ways that synthetic colognes/perfumes could harm you. They could cause male infertility by damaging men’s sperm, according to a Harvard study done in 2006. This was also the conclusion made by the Environmental Working Group, who said that the secret ingredients in popular perfume brands are causing damage to sperm. One of the offending agents mentioned is diethyl phthalate (DEP), which is a xeno-estrogen or hormone-disruptor found in the colognes. So, if men want to stay virile (guys, if you wanna have babies) into their older age, stay away from those synthetic scented perfumes/colognes. A better option would be to use therapeutic-grade essential oils. They can be used as perfumes as well as for various ailments. In fact, the oils have been used since ancient times. Records their use have been found in the Ebers Papyrus and the Bible. However, don’t just get essential from anywhere including health food stores. Most of them are not prepared properly such that the oils practically no therapeutic value. If you’re going to use essential oils, make sure that they’re prepared properly. I know of a company that has the motto of “From Seed To Seal”. They have stringent quality control procedures in place such that I’m confident in using them myself and recommending them to my loved ones and my clients.

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Your Best Defense…..

Traditional Chinese medicine shop in Tsim Sha ...

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….is a healthy immune system. Every day, we encounter billions of germs. Not every one gets sick, however. Ever wonder why others fall deathly ill while others seem to be resistant to illness? The answer to that is a healthy immune system. We can nurture our immune system through a nutritious diet, pure water intake, stress reduction, sun exposure, adequate sleep and rest, exercise, the use of therapeutic grade essential oils (lemon, clove, cinnamon, etc.) and exposure to the earth’s electromagnetic fields. Easy to say, huh? Ways to lower our immune systems are easier to do and most people seem to have no trouble doing it. Fast food/highly refined diet, high-stress lifestyle, dehydration, inadequate sleep and rest, exposure to harmful EMF’s and negativity are just some of these.
In traditional Chinese medicine, practitioners were only compensated if their clients are well or stay well. They don’t get paid if their client’s get sick. Sounds like an interesting concept. However, it does make more sense. Keep someone healthy so they could fight off any illness and practitioners get paid well. It’s a win-win situation if you think about it.

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I Hate Radicals!

The lipid peroxidation mechanism shows a singl...

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Free radicals, that is! Free radicals are highly unstable atoms or molecules that have unpaired electrons. In order to maintain stability, they steal electrons from other molecules such as our cells thereby causing cell damage. A good analogy would be a codependent/clingy person. He or she always has to be with someone to thrive or even survive. That ain’t fun! Anyhow, excessive free radical formation leads to premature aging and nobody wants that. To fight against free radicals, we need to take antioxidants. Antioxidants are molecules that basically donates electrons to free radicals which then neutralize them and prevent them from damaging other cells. Antioxidants come in the form of vitamins (Vitamins A, C and E), minerals (zinc, selenium), amino acids (glutathione), herbs (ginkgo), essential oils (clove essential oil) and other nutrients (resveratrol). Antioxidants typically turn into free radicals once they donate their electrons. That’s why it’s always a good idea to take a good mix of antioxidants rather than just taking an isolated one. Among the antioxidants by the way, glutathione is the only one that doesn’t turn into a free radical. Neat, huh?

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The Darker Side of Beauty

Dermatology products

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What’s up with mercury in skin whitening agents, toluene in nail polish, lead in lipstick and other sorts of toxins found in beauty products? The fact is that a lot of personal care products such as shampoos, lotions, make-up and hair styling products contain ingredients that are linked to asthma, cancer, infertility and birth defects, among many others. Why do you think there’s a surge in incidence of chronic degenerative diseases? Aside from the fact that our food is not as nutritious (because of farming practices and the extensive use of pesticides), we are seeing a deluge of synthetic chemicals that have not been tested for safety. And even if they have, they’re usually tested singly and not in combination with other chemicals. This toxic soup of chemicals have harmful synergistic effects. Scary! Therefore, go natural as much as possible. Read labels too! Explore http://www.cleanbodycare.com for all natural body care.

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No More Shopping….

Thin plastic shopping bags

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…in plastic bags, that is. In an interesting article on AOL News, it stated that California may be the first state in the nation to totally ban plastic bags. San Francisco enacted a decree banning plastic bags a couple of years ago. Anyway, it’s about time that plastic bags are banned altogether because as environmentalists and anti-littering advocates say, they are unnecessary, unsightly and dangerous to wildlife. More importantly, plastic gives off chemicals that act as hormone-disruptors in the body, otherwise known as xenoestrogens. We are seeing a lot of hormonal imbalances as early as the pre-teen years because of the environmental toxins that are all around us. Thank goodness, people are now becoming more aware of how the environment influences our planetary and personal health. The use of paper bags however, may not be the best solution. It takes 14 million trees to create 10 billion paper bags, according to the article. The solution is to use recyclable bags or better yet, a Y3 tote bag (or your favorite designer bag) when shopping. Fortunately, there are different ways to detoxify the body of the harmful chemicals that come from plastic. Among these include the use of an infra-red sauna and if this is not available in your area, make sure that you do sweat regularly (through exercise, using a sweat lodge, dry sauna or steam bath). Another way to detox the body of xenoestrogens is through the intake of cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, kale, brussel sprouts, cauliflower or my favorite, bok choy. This can be accomplished through supplements such as Calcium D-glucarate or glutathione as well.

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