Living with Asthma
-Safe and effective herbal remedies

As the parent of a young child who has just been diagnosed with asthma, I find myself wanting to learn everything and anything I can about this obviously annoying and potentially debilitating respiratory disease. Of course, there has been much journal discussion and media exploitation of traditional medicine’s remedies for asthma and its many related side effects.

However, an education in non-traditional remedies such as homeopathic remedies and time-tested and sometimes ancient herbal remedies can not only be beneficial to a fuller knowledge and education, it may also introduce to us options that we may not have known existed.

These remedies may, and can be more effective and safer for our children and ourselves.
Watching a child experience respiratory distress caused by asthma makes you feel helpless. However, keeping yourself informed of the many safe and effective herbal remedies that are readily available will empower you to make a quick and effective decision.

First, what exactly is asthma?

“Asthma is a lung disease that causes obstruction of the airways. During an asthma attack, spasms in the muscles surrounding the bronchi (small airways in the lungs) constrict, impeding the outward passage of the air. Asthma sufferers often describe this plight as ‘starving for air.’ Typical symptoms of an asthma attack are coughing, wheezing, a feeling of tightness in the chest, and difficulty breathing. An attack can last for a few minutes or several hours.” (Prescription for Nutritional Healing)

In other words, the small pathways that air can normally flow through are irritated and then close up. These pathways get so inflamed that it gets harder and harder for air to get through. The body’s natural reaction is to breathe harder and faster.

What causes an asthma attack?

There are two forms of asthma: allergic and nonallergic. However, it is important to know that both can happen at the same time.

“Common asthma-provoking allergens include animal dander, chemicals, drugs, dust mites, environmental pollutants, feathers, food additives (such as sulfites), fumes, mold and tobacco smoke.” (Prescription for Nutritional Healing) However, people can be allergic to almost anything. Therefore, this list only provides examples of several allergy causing substances.

Things that can trigger nonallergic attacks are adrenal disorders, anxiety, temperature changes, exercise, extremes of dryness or humidity, fear, laughing, low blood sugar, and stress. (Prescription for Nutritional Healing)

What can be done about it?

Recently Greatlife Magazine did an article about child asthma and shared that California’s Loma Linda University did a study involving Pycnogenol®. The study revealed that Pycnogenol® “had a positive effect on children with mild-to-moderate asthma.” (Greatlife Magazine [June 2005] citing Journal of Asthma (2004) 41: 825-832)

Pycnogenol® is a patented blend of bioflavonoids derived from the bark of French maritime pine trees. It helps to increase your metabolism which helps improve circulation by preventing the constriction of arteries and blood vessels. By building your endurance and energy, Pycnogenol® increases antioxidative enzymes and helps improve performance during exercise.

Pycnogenol® also helps to control and eliminate toxins created by environmental stress, thereby reducing your stress risk.

Below are some other recommendations for treating asthma:

Lobelia extract has been shown to be helpful during an asthma attack. It acts as a muscle relaxant thereby soothing the enflamed bronchial muscle allowing for an increased easier airflow.

Mullein Oil has been known to relieve bronchial congestion. The oil can stop coughs, unclog bronchial tubes, and help clear up asthma attacks.

Pau d’arco is a natural antibiotic that can also reduce inflammation. It can be found in many varieties such as tea, liquid compounds, and in capsule form.

Nettle (found in many varieties) can be helpful in relieving respiratory problems caused by asthma.

Asthma has been found to be hereditary. I have had my own annoying life struggle with asthma, as a nonallergic asthma sufferer. Normally, the onset of rain, temperature changes, and extreme humidity will create a struggle for me to breathe in enough air.

Please remember, everyone is different, and every person’s body has different needs, therefore, it is important to seek the advice of your healthcare professional before beginning self treatment if you think you or your child may have asthma.

Sources:

Greatlife Magazine [June 2005] citing Journal of Asthma (2004) 41: 825-832

Prescription for Nutritional Healing. Balch, Phyllis A., CNC and James F., M.D. Penguin Putnam, Inc. NY. 2000.

The "Herb that Curbs Binge Drinking" vs. the "Vine that Ate the South"
-The Facts about Kudzu

Kudzu (Pueraria lobata)

You may have heard about Kudzu lately on the news, CNN or MSNBC, as the herb that curbs binge drinking. A recent Harvard University related study discovered that test subjects (humans) who took Kudzu prior to consuming alcohol actually consumed less than those who took a placebo.

No one yet knows why, and the test was only performed on 14 volunteers, leaving much room for speculation. However, because Kudzu increases blood flow to the brain, and because alcohol goes where blood goes, it is thought that the brain receives “slow down your drinking” messages faster with Kudzu than without.

Taken after drinking, kudzu unfortunately won’t relieve your hangover, but if it does in fact curb your drinking the night before, you’ll be less likely to experience a hangover in the morning.
But, regardless of the plant’s ability to curb binge drinking, Kudzu, known in the US as the “vine that ate the south”, does have some redeeming (and proven!) qualities.

Kudzu consists of important phytochemicals and nutrients helpful in treating colds, flu, and gastrointestinal problems!

Phytochemicals are responsible for the color, flavor, and natural disease resistance in plants. In the human body, they help to prevent disease by fighting harmful carcinogens before they cause damage. The phytochemicals found specifically in Kudzu are Genistein, which has been shown to kill tumors by preventing the formation of the capillaries needed to nourish them and P-coumaric acid which interferes with certain chemical unions that can create carcinogens. Kudzu also contains Quercetin, a powerful bioflavonoid known to help treat asthma symptoms.

As well as the many important phytochemicals, Kudzu also provides calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and Vitamin B-12.

Kudzu, used for centuries in Japan and China as a food starch and medicine, has traditionally been known to suppress alcohol cravings, lower blood pressure, and relieve headache, stiff neck, vertigo, and tinnitus.

Wellfx.com has carried two Kudzu supplements, one by Nature's Way, the other by Nature's Herb, which have both been flying off of our shelves, so we've just added a new Kudzu supplement by Planetary Formulas called Kudzu Recovery!

Check out our quality Kudzu supplements below!

Sources:

CNN
Harvard Gazette
MSNBC
Prescription for Nutritional Healing. Balch, Phyllis A., CNC and James F., M.D. Penguin Putnam, Inc. NY. 2000.

NOW® Brand Product Line Expanded!
- Wellfx.com now carries over 900 quality NOW Products!

As mentioned in the April 2005 Newsletter, Wellfx.com has officially expanded our NOW product line to include over 900 quality vitamins, minerals, supplements, and herbs!

This allows us to offer you, our valued customer, a much wider selection as well as increased discounts and special sales! In fact, to thank you for subscribing to our monthly newsletter we'd like to offer you an exclusive $5.00 coupon to use towards your next purchase of NOW products! Simple type in the coupon code "now5" and receive $5.00 off of your order total.

Some great new products to look for are NOW herbal teas, a full line of CoQ10 supplements, additional vitamins and minerals, several new supplements specific for men and women, a huge selection of herbal supplements, and many new sports supplements!

NOW's mission statement is, "To provide value in products and services that empower people to lead healthier lives.” Wellfx.com is proud to offer such a full line of NOW products, thus enabling our customers to choose the products that suit their every need.

Sources:
NOW

The Herbal Extract
Why you should keep Witch Hazel in your cabinet this summer

Witch Hazel, hamamelis virginiana, is a leafy scrub native to the Atlantic seaboard of the U.S. It has been used by Native American communities for centuries.   The leaves are green and glossy on the tops, with dull gray bottom edges. The gold threadlike flowers bloom during mid-fall. The leaves and bark are used for medicinal purposes. In the nineteenth century, an alcohol based Witch Hazel extract was the most popular herb in the United States!

So, what makes Witch Hazel so important?

Witch Hazel Extract is a soothing topical astringent for ailments such as: sunburns, insect bites, varicose veins, cold sores, hemorrhoids, cuts, scrapes, and Eczema. Witch Hazel contains a powerful tannin called hamamelitannin. This tannin has been shown to constrict blood vessels to stem bleeding due to abrasions. This tannin is also shown to be helpful in toning veins responsible for hemorrhoids and other types of varicose veins. Other tannins present in this herb can reduce arterial swelling, fight infection, and keep wounds clean. Witch Hazel has also been shown to be beneficial in treating sunburns by reducing inflammation by 20-27%, when  most sun lotions only reduce inflammation by 10-12%.

The summer months are here, and the effect on your body can be fierce! So grab that camping gear, sunscreen, beach blanket, and don’t forget your Witch Hazel.