Tag Archives: Herb

Ailments and Conditions, Blends and Mixtures, FAQ's/ ABC's, Herbs, Herbal Formulations, Quick Tips, Vitamins and Minerals

Some Supplement Combos to Avoid

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Recently I was asked to clarify which herbs could not be safely combined with other supplements. I thought, “sure, no problem,” knowing that there are literally hundreds of thousands of different herbs with countless compounds, properties and actions warranting another encyclopedia set’s worth of break down. And then it occurred to me that it would be of more benefit to just list some resources that I’ve relied upon to help me sift through the herbal options and determine the appropriate combinations to supplement.

Cover of "Prescription for Nutritional He...
Cover via Amazon

My most frequent go to are the books A Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Phyllis A. Balch and Staying Healthy with Nutrition, published by Celestial Arts Publishing. The first provides both quick reference lists of select herbs and more detailed supplement recommendations for various conditions. Staying Healthy…is an A-Z guide of all vitamins and minerals plus a breakdown of different diets with suggested appropriate recipes. For a list of medications and their corresponding restrictions the Physicians’ Desk Reference is a must have, but make sure you are referring to the most updated edition as the pharmaceutical world is an ever-changing one.

As said before, a full list of supplemental conflicts could very well absorb your computer’s memory stores. Let me be clear though, not because they’re so many conflicts, just that many supplements. Generally speaking, herbs, vitamins, minerals and their active compounds are safe when used properly. But when used outside of their recommended dosages and durations, some issues can arise. And more often, these issues are not at all the same types of risks associated with the misuse of prescription drugs. Usually any risks associated with natural substances fall within the following categories:

  • Interference with the absorption of other vital nutrients
  • Development of allergic reactions due to over use and/or too prolonged use
  • Competition with, interference with, or duplication of the actions of other supplements or medications

Below is a brief list of common herbs, courtesy of A Prescription for Nutritional Healing, along with some corresponding condition, supplement, and medication combinations to avoid.

Astragalus fever (condition)
Burdock iron (supplement)
Chamomile other sedatives (medications)
Damiana iron
Dandelion diuretics (medications)
Don Quai diabetes (condition)
Echinacea auto immune disorders (condition)-for   prolonged periods of time
Ephedra anxiety, diabetes, glaucoma, heart disease, hypertension, thyroid   disease (conditions);monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor drugs
Fever Few blood thinners, pain killers (medications)
Garlic anticoagulants (medications)
Ginger anticoagulants
Ginkgo blood thinners, pain killers
Ginseng asthma, heart disorders, high blood pressure, hypoglycemia, insomnia   (conditions)
Hops antidepressants (medications)
Horsetail vitamin B1-Thiamine
Juniper iron and other minerals
Kava Kava alcohol, anti-anxiety, antidepressants (conditions and medications)
Lady’s Mantle iron and other minerals
Peppermint iron
Uva Ursi pregnancy (condition)

Though the above should certainly not be used as a means of self medicating, it can make designing an appropriate and supportive nutritional supplement program a bit easier. Let your physician and health care professionals do the heavy lifting but take some time to do a little extra fact checking on your own.

Until next time…BeWell

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Ailments and Conditions, Antioxidants and Superfoods, Blends and Mixtures, FAQ's/ ABC's, Herbs, Herbal Formulations, Quick Tips, Vitamins and Minerals

Meet the Mac, A Guy and Girl’s Best Friend

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In my quest for truly effective energy enhancers that don’t overheat, over stimulate or become habit-forming to the system I happened upon Maca Root, or Lepidium Meyenii for the truly technical speakers. Now I’d passed this herb over several times because of its prevalence in men’s health and performance products; but it recently pulled me in after multiple female customers came in requesting it. So, I decided to give it a try. Let’s meet the Mac.

This herb hails from the Peruvian and Bolivian rainforests of the Andes Mountains. It is in fact a diet staple of those native to this region. Similar in size to a turnip, the Maca is a cruciferous root vegetable belonging to the potato family. It is able to grow in very cold harsh conditions where few others can survive, including potentially contaminating pests, which allows for a mostly organic cultivation of the plant.

The Reputation

Rumored to be the pregame fuel of the ancient Inca warriors, the root of the Maca plant is indicated for enhancements in strength, endurance, virility, sexual appetite and immunity. The roots are prepared as other vegetables of the kind-roasted, baked and/ or boiled, mashed and blended into porridge, but rarely if ever eaten raw. The leaves, less medicinally revered, can be eaten as a raw salad or cooked green. There are yellow, red, purple and black hued variations of the Maca, but the yellow seems to be the preferred food and the black may be the most healthful for the male reproductive system. All are apparently used to make Maca supplements.

Why it Works

The Maca’s reputation as a super herb is by no means unwarranted. For, its contents meet the majority of our nutritional needs. Richly diverse, it is a high carbohydrate food that still contains protein and approximately 20 different amino acids. It also houses some health benefitting fatty acids like linolenic, palmitic and oleic oils. And the vitamin and mineral contents surely contribute to its potency:

Lepidium meyenii maca
Image via Wikipedia

Energizing B Vitamins 1, 2 and 12

Blood building Iron and Copper

Bone nurturing Calcium, Magnesium and Phosphorous

Thyroid aiding Iodine

Immune Boosting Vitamins C and E with minerals Zinc and Selenium

Maca root also contains phytochemicals like tannins, saponin, beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol. Tannins are thought to help protect the body against viruses, infections and parasites. Saponins have shown the ability to help nutrients penetrate our bodies’ cellular walls, and beta-sitosterol is a type of plant cholesterol that helps reduce the bodies’ absorption of the less healthy animal based sterols. Stigmasterol, also a phytosterol, benefits us in the same way and is used by the body to make estrogen, testosterone and natural steroid type hormones that counteract inflammation and stress. All of these components combine to create an herb that is fully beneficial to both the ladies and gents.

What it Helps Most

Females                               Males                                    Both Genders

Anemia                                  Decreased virility                    Depleted energy

Menstrual issues                     Low sperm count & motility     Immune deficiency

Menopausal symptoms            Impotence                             Chronic Fatigue

Supplemental FYI

Maca powders are made from both the raw and dried roots. These are available for use in drink and smoothie mixtures, teas, capsules and liquid extracts.

Dosages may range from 100mg per serving for the pure powder to 500mg per serving for the encapsulated versions. Maca Root can be supplemented alone or formulated with other herbs and nutrients for specific health benefits. Always use a product as directed by the manufacturer’s label.

Current research indicates that supplemental Maca is generally safe; however, pregnant and nursing women are advised to consult with their physician beforehand for clearance. And anyone taking pharmaceutical meds should also speak with their doctor about possible negative interactions or interference with their prescriptions.

I’ve only been taking Maca Root capsules for a short time, but so far my experience has been good. I’m anemic, which is what really caught my eye with this herb, and it has made a positive difference in my overall energy levels and, therefore, mood. Many of my more mature female customers swear by it for hot flashes and hormonal balance. It is not a stimulant in the usual sense, so don’t expect to feel that caffeine like rush. The energy is more sustained and results in me feeling less worn through the day. If you’d like to give it a whirl, the following link has some great information and supplement options. Maca Root can also be purchased from your general health food and vitamin stores. Enjoy the new-found vigor! And until next week…

Be Happy, Be Strong and BeWell

Resources

http://www.wholeworldbotanicals.com/best-maca-root-product

http://www.ams.usda.gov/

Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lepidium_meyenii

Balch, Phyllis A. A Prescription for Nutritional Healing. NY, NY. The Penguin Group

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Antioxidants and Superfoods, Blends and Mixtures, FAQ's/ ABC's, Herbs, Herbal Formulations, Quick Tips, Vitamins and Minerals

Fall Starter Kit

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Autumn is here and though it is one of my favorite seasons, there are definitely things to be missed about the summer months. Its long days and light, refreshing foods keep us energized and even result in a more positive disposition. And though at times an aggravation, the higher temperatures result in better circulation and more frequent perspiration which naturally expels unnecessary buildup and blockages within the body. This, in turn, keeps us feeling lighter on our feet and more attentive to adequate hydration than full tummies. We are also less inspired to stand before a hot stove and therefore eat more raw fruits and vegetables. By default our bodies organically experience crucial processes and receive health enhancing nutrients they’d otherwise have to rely upon us to facilitate and supplement. Once again I must applaud Mother Nature for this brilliant strategy! And rather than dwell in our loss of the luxury to merely semi participate in our bodies’ wellness, let us embrace this transitional time and revisit some previously mentioned practices.

Cleanse- The start of a season is the perfect time to wash away all that has lingered from our foods, beverages and surrounding environments. It’s an opportune time for making new lifestyle resolutions and cleansing is the appropriate process to reset our systems and prepare our bodies for the coming changes. To achieve that squeaky clean feeling, I refer you back to my fav:  the Ultimate Cleanse by Nature’s Secret. Remember however, if you are still nursing that annoying end of season cold it is best to wait until you have recovered to begin the cleanse.

Strengthen & Tone– Post cleansing care will certainly be enhanced by the whopping 25 billion count of probiotic cultures found in the Green Vibrance super food powder. The ongoing benefit is its potent blend of antioxidant fruits, vegetables, grains and herbs. For those who are turned off by drinking green things, I promise you it is more than worth it. It tastes great in OJ and the color is even toned down a bit by the orange. Close your eyes, take a deep breath and leap!

Adapt & Defend– We most recently covered the importance of a strong and adaptable system to maintaining health and fending off illness; and this supplement is one of the most popular and trusted immune boosters on the market. The Wellness Formula contains the antioxidant VitaTrio, protective minerals Selenium and Zinc, Adaptogenic Herbs and immune system tonics like Astragalus Root, plus the more familiar flu fighters like Garlic and Echinacea. This supplement stays on my love list in part because of its versatility. There are dosing programs to both maintain an already healthy body and heal an ailing one. Use as directed, according to your current state of health, and feel secure in the knowledge that you are insuring wellness from all angles.

Regroup & Regenerate– One of the things I like most about the colder seasons of the year is the opportunities to snuggle up with warm drinks and teas. They are great end of the day treats and simple yet effective sleep aids. If you have not had the pleasure of a cup of Milk Thistle Tea, you simply must try it. The herb has a mild flavor and slightly creamy consistency that blends nicely with honey or agave. Milk Thistle is king in liver cleansing, toning and regenerating, and a healthy liver is fundamental to disease resistance. Please note though, the medicinal potency of this herb is thought to be diluted by water. So, you are better off drinking the tea for general wellness benefits and opting for the concentrated
capsules or tinctures when seeking stronger immunity boosts and healing.

A Final Farewell…

Paying Homage To Filling the Gap With
Long sunlit days providing natural Vitamin D3 for  stronger bones, happier dispositions, and healthier hearts 20 minutes a day of protection free exposure to  the sun, cod liver oil, or 400 IUs of supplemental D3 taken with 5000 IUs of Vitamin A for better utilization
Fresh seasonal apricots, avocados, berries, citrus fruits, melons, lettuces, tomatoes and watercress providing superior  nutrition and antioxidant protection Raw multi-vitamin, multi-mineral supplements like  the Garden of Life’s Vitamin Code series with live nutrients for easier, quicker and fuller absorption

And a Warm Welcome Back

…to apples, dates, cranberries,pears, plums and figs; garlic, shallots, ginger root, pumpkin, butternut squash,sweet potatoes, turnips, yams, oats and amaranth oh my!

Let us not forget the almonds, cashews, pistachios, pecans and all of their savory oils and butters.

Enjoy and even indulge in these fall gems as many of the most praised detoxifiers, immune enhancers, body builders and brain boosters originate from them. I could go on and on, but I’ve made myself hungry and now need a hearty meal to start the day!

Happy Fall Folks, Take Care and BeWell