Being creatures of logic, the majority of us know when it is time to go to the doctor. Some are determined to be cured by natural methods only, but natural or herbal treatments are not always the logical way to go. There are cases where high tech methods or drugs are necessary. The following article was written by Dr. Daniel Casper for the AltMed forum on AOL discussing these issues. We bring it to you in its entirety.

Two recent New York Times articles symbolize our current approach to and understanding of modern health care. On March 3, Jane Brody discussed a recent article in The Quarterly Review of Biology, written by two Cornell University scientists. The authors suggest (convincingly) that people living in hotter climates favor spicy foods because certain spices have intrinsic antibiotic properties, thus making the food less likely to be spoiled and therefore, safer to eat. The most popular spices in these climates (garlic, onions, hot peppers, ginger, chili and cayenne, and coriander, among others) inhibit 75-to-100 percent of the bacteria to which they were exposed in laboratory testing. Interestingly, these same spices are used much less frequently in colder climates, where spoilage and bacterial contamination are less of a problem. The Cornell researchers analyzed popular recipes from 36 countries and found that the hotter the climate, the more spices were used in their recipes. Mixing weaker spices together produces a synergistic effect, augmenting overall antibiotic potency. The implication is that spices in the diet may provide a natural protective mechanism against certain bacteria. Complementary practitioners have claimed this for years.

In contrast, a March 1 article presents the cutting edge medicine currently so beloved by the media. This story profiled a previously healthy grandmother who suddenly collapsed from a ruptured intracranial aneurysm (a thin-walled area of a blood vessel near the brain, which balloons and then bursts) and was rescued from devastating disability or death by a new procedure. Under radiologic visualization, microscopic platinum wires were threaded into a major artery, then guided into the ruptured aneurysm; a weak current was passed through the wire, sealing off the aneurysm and stopping all bleeding. The woman, who was comatose and near death prior to the procedure, had 100 percent recovery.

Medicine today seems to have an almost schizophrenic quality. Newer, better, faster, and more expensive (and occasionally risky) techniques are constantly being developed to save us from deadly and debilitating conditions. Other scientists, however, shun these high tech methods, preferring instead to re-examine ancient or natural means of treating and preventing disease. Researchers on both sides are suspicious and critical of the others' efforts. Mainstream physicians joke about going to an herbalist after major trauma; their alternative counterparts point out that a more holistic, preventive approach to health would obviate the need for much of the costly, high tech medical weaponry currently being developed and used.

How do we reconcile these two healing systems? Does pursuing a 21st century health care machine automatically eliminate alternative therapies? Must someone who strictly follows a natural health care regimen reject high tech therapies on principle? As we have previously stated, a rigid approach to these questions will likely not result in optimum care. Complementary therapies provide many excellent and relatively nontoxic healing methods, many of which have yet to be discovered (or, frequently, rediscovered). Similarly, modern medicine can provide remarkable improvements or cures in many devastating illnesses.

If one's choice is between three-alarm chili and a 'gorilla-cillin' antibiotic, and the outcomes are equivalent, the chili will cost much less and will probably be infinitely more satisfying. If the end results are not equivalent, however, that antibiotic may prove to be the wisest and most cost-effective route. Using herbs to treat an acutely ill child with bacterial meningitis would not be appropriate; likewise, not every pediatric ear infection requires a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. The challenge, and the art, in all of health care is determining the safest and best treatment in each individual case. Too much dogma can prove a dangerous thing.

-- Daniel Casper, MD, PhD [J2S2 Dan]
-- Creative Director
-- J2S2 Online Productions, Inc.

Reprinted by permission of the AltMed Forum on AOL, copyright 1997-98, J2S2 Inc.

THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

In the case of that grandmother who suddenly collapsed from a ruptured aneurysm, obviously it would have been inappropriate to take her to an herbalist for emergency treatment. Herbs may have helped strengthen the walls of her blood vessels prior to her collapse, but they would not have saved her life after the rupture. I am in the camp with those who believe that an herbalist is beneficial after a major trauma and I believe the "holistic" preventative route is a wise choice, but if I collapsed with a ruptured aneurysm, you betcha I'd want the best high tech treatment available.

Like Dr. Casper said, "Too much dogma can prove a dangerous thing." And, I might add, a foolish thing on both sides of the fence. Thanks Dan, for helping to close the unnecessary gap between the "high tech" medical world and the "holistic" medical world. We can have the best of both worlds.

BLOOD VESSELS i.e. VEINS

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) improves venous circulation and tones the veins. It also lowers high blood pressure. We recommend this herb for varicose veins, but it is not selective. It tones other veins, too!

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) astringes the capillaries making it helpful for reducing bulging veins. It is also antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral.

In synergy, yarrow and calendula combine as an excellent tonic for blood vessels. Infuse 1 tsp of each herb in 2 cups water and drink 2-3 cups a day.

Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris syn. Thlaspi bursa-pastoris) is astringent and one of the best remedies for preventing or arresting hemorrhage. (Do not take during pregnancy.)

White Oak (Quercus alba) bark is astringent and antiseptic. According to Nicholas Culpeper the leaves and bark "do bind and dry very much" and are used "to stay the bloody-flux ... in both men and women."

Horsetail, Bottlebrush (Equisetum arvense) is an excellent clotting agent. It also speeds the repair of damaged connective tissue, improving its strength and elasticity. (Do not take for more than 6 weeks except under professional supervision.)

Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) is astringent and anti-inflammatory. It aids in toning the vein walls thus reducing bulging and distention. (Do not take without professional supervision.)

DEPURATIVES

A depurative is an agent that cleanses and purifies the system, particularly the blood. I'll list some herbs that are considered devurative here in alphabetical order...

Blind nettle (Lamium album), borage (Borago officinalis), burdock (Arctium lappa), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), desert tea (Ephedra spp.), echinacea (echinacea angustifolia), hemp agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum), nettle (urtica dioica), primrose (Primula officinalis), sarsaparilla (Smilax officinalis), sassafras (sassafras albidum), scurvy grass (Cochlearis officinalis), wild Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium), yellow dock (Rumex crispus), yellow toadflax (Linaria vulgaris), yerba santa (Eriodictyon californicum), and yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis).

Before using any of the above herbs please do your homework. Some are completely safe for use on a continuous basis, but some are not. We have probably addressed most of them before and you may be able to find them on our web site.

Our goal is to bring collective knowledge together to provide accurate herbal information, giving references whenever possible, for the purpose of being informed when choosing self-help and alternative approaches to health and lifestyle. At no time should this publication be considered prescription or treatment, nor should any information published herein be misinterpreted as such. The publishers can not be held responsible for the mishandling of information by its readers.

Please do not take herbal information lightly.
Remember our motto is ... When in doubt, don't!
Until next Monday I remain,

Herbally yours, Abby

Lynda "Abby" Trahan
Abby's Herb Company
P.O. Box 213
Round Top, TX 78954

lynda@abbysherbshop.com
www.abbysherbshop.com

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