ANTIOXIDANTS: THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH

 What are antioxidants?

            Antioxidants are natural compounds known to protect the body’s tissues against oxidative stress, illness, and the premature aging caused by free radical damage.

What are free radicals?

            A free radical is an atom that contains at least one unpaired negative-charged electron.  The free radical seeks to bond with something, stealing an electron to complete itself.  In so doing it creates another free radical, leaving behind a trail of damage.  This damage leads to premature aging and may be a contributing cause to cancer.  Free radicals are created by exposure to radiation, the sun or medical x-rays.  Environmental pollutants such as tobacco smoke, automobile exhaust, pesticides, solvents, formaldehyde, and everyday chemicals expose us to free radical damage.  Medical drugs, chemotherapy, and anesthetics also contribute to free radical oxidation.  In the diet, high temperature cooking of fats creates large numbers of free radicals.  Processed foods, additives, and alcohol also contribute to the problem.

How do antioxidants work?

            Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by binding to their free electrons and ending the chain of damage.  Antioxidants work synergistically, so it is better to take a blend of different ones rather than a huge dose of only one kind.  Variety is key!

Where do I find antioxidants?

            They are abundant in many fruits and vegetables.  Most berries and deep colored fruits are excellent sources.  The number one fruit to eat is the American blueberry, which a relative of the European bilberry and similar in antioxidant properties.  The bilberry provides 50X the antioxidant protection of Vitamin E and 10X the protection of Vitamin C.  The second fruit of choice for antioxidant value is the apple.  Apples may inhibit cancer, increase cell proliferation, decrease fat oxidation, and lower cholesterol.  Also, adding 4 cups of green tea to your daily diet, may provide additional cancer protection.  Turmeric (curcumin) also prevents the formation of free radicals and neutralizes them.  Turmeric stops pre-cancerous changes in the DNA and interferes with the enzyme action leading to the progression of cancer.  Turmeric is more than 5X as powerful as Vitamin E as an antioxidant.  

            Do you want to be healthy and stay young?  Add a variety of antioxidants to your diet and in supplemental form to protect yourself from free radical damage.

COMFREY

          Comfrey is a cell proliferant…providing speedy healing for wounds.  In fact, you must be careful to clean out the wound well before using comfrey, or you may find it heals over with infection underneath.  The plant is mucilaginous; the roots are very sticky.  This quality makes it soothing to respiratory or digestive systems, where it has traditionally been used with success for emphysema and ulcers.  Comfrey stops bleeding and soothes inflammation.

          Historically, a paste of comfrey and water was used to form a cast to set broken bones.  Hence, its reputation as a “bone knitter”.  Comfrey contains allantoin, a chemical that promotes the growth of new cells.  It is also high in calcium. 

          There have been cautions on internal use for comfrey since the 1990’s.  Rats were tested by giving large doses of pyrrolizidine alkaloids extracted from comfrey and they developed cancer tumors.  However, rats that were given the whole comfrey plant and not just the extracted alkaloids did not develop tumors.  Perhaps the FDA might also want to ban tomatoes and potatoes, as they have the same alkaloids. Bruce Ames, Ph.D., of U.C. Berkeley published data in the journal, Science, that comfrey taken internally is less toxic or carcinogenic than an equivalent amount of beer.

Most herbalists cannot recommend comfrey taken internally because of these cautions.  If you do decide to use comfrey internally, keep these cautions in mind and do not use it for an extended period of time.

In the garden, comfrey grows vigorously to 4 ft.  Be careful where you plant it, as it is difficult to get rid of once established.  It is a hardy perennial with dark green hairy leaves and blue/purple flowers.  It can be kept trimmed to be a hedge.  Both the leaves and roots are used medicinally.

My favorite use of comfrey is in combination with marshmallow as a fomentation, compress, or soak for wounds and inflammations.

To make a fomentation: boil 2 cups of water, pour over 1 tbsp. marshmallow leaf and 1 tbsp. comfrey leaf (dried), steep for 15 minutes, strain out herbs, dip a clean white cloth (no dyes) in liquid and placed on inflamed area.  The liquid may be reheated and used several times; keep in the refrigerator for up to three days.

EMOTIONAL HEALTH WITH BACH FLOWERS

What Are BACH Flower Remedies?

Dr. Edward Bach, a well-respected biologist, discovered during observations of his patients, that a person’s mental outlook influenced their recovery.  Bach recognized that disease was the result of a conflict between the soul, mind, and body.  If you can change a person’s attitude towards life to a positive one, you can restore balance and reduce negativity.  In 1936 as a result of his research, he created 38 flower “essences” which restores this imbalance.  These remedies are non-toxic and are safe for children or pets!

Bach stated, “Seek the outstanding mental conflict in the person, give him the Remedy that will overcome that conflict, and (give) all the hope and encouragement you can, then the virtue within him, will itself, do all the rest…treat the cause, not the effect.”

What Do Bach Flower Remedies Accomplish?

The flower remedies ease emotions such as anger, fear, anxiety, or depression, bringing forth the well-being of the person.  They work to alter a person’s attitude towards life; restoring a positive outlook.  Each time the remedy is taken, the negative emotions are reduced until balance is restored.  The remedies may be divided into seven categories:  fear, uncertainty, disinterested, loneliness, easily influenced, despondent, and over-caring.  Bach flowers may give you more confidence, courage, endurance, hope in the future, self-reliance, tolerance of others, more will-power, and selfless love.

What is Rescue Remedy?

Rescue remedy is a combination of five of the Bach flower essences:  Impatiens, Star of Bethlehem, Cherry Plum, Rock Rose, and Clematis.  This is the first aid remedy for any emergency or shock…it de-stresses, calms, and relaxes.

Why should I Consider Bach Flower Remedies?

Emotions do influence physical health.   Sometimes we must address the underlying emotional problem in order for the body to heal.  Bach flower remedies may help a person to release these toxic emotions in a healthy way, changing their thinking to a positive and balanced pattern.  If emotions are running your life, I encourage you to take steps to find balance and healing…Bach flower essences can help.