Sunday, August 7, 2011

What Is Hepatitis?

What Is Hepatitis?

Symptoms, Causes and Treatments

The word hepatitis comes from the Ancient Greek word hepar (root word hepat) meaning 'liver', and the Latin itis meaning inflammation. Hepatitis means injury to the liver with inflammation of the liver cells.

What is the liver?

The liver is the largest gland in the human body. It weighs approximately 3 lb (1.36 kg). It is reddish brown in color and is divided into four lobes of different sizes and lengths. It is also the largest internal organ (the largest organ is the skin). It is below the diaphragm on the right in the thoracic region of the abdomen. Blood reaches the liver through the hepatic artery and the portal vein. The portal vein carries blood containing digested food from the small intestine, while the hepatic artery carries oxygen-rich blood from the aorta.

The liver is made up of thousands of lobules, each lobule consists of many hepatic cells - hepatic cells are the basic metabolic cells of the liver.

The liver has a wide range of functions, including:

  • Detoxification (filters harmful substances form the blood, such as alcohol)
  • Stores vitamins A, D, K and B12 (also stores minerals)
  • Protein synthesis (makes certain amino acids - the building blocks of proteins)
  • The production of biochemicals needed for digestion, such as bile
  • Maintains proper levels of glucose in the blood
  • Produces 80% of your body's cholesterol (cholesterol is vital)
  • The storage glycogen (also converts glucose to glycogen)
  • Decomposing red blood cells
  • Synthesizing plasma protein
  • The production of hormones
  • Produces urea (the main substance of urine)

Hepatitis can heal on its own with no significant consequence, or it can progress to scarring of the liver. Acute hepatitis lasts under six months, while chronic hepatitis lasts longer.

Most liver damage is caused by 3 hepatitis viruses, called hepatitis A, B and C. However, hepatitis can also be caused by alcohol and some other toxins and infections, as well as from our own autoimmune process (the body attacks itself).

About 250 million people globally are thought to be affected by hepatitis C, while 300 million people are thought to be carriers of hepatitis B.

Not all forms of hepatitis are infectious. Alcohol, medicines, and chemical may be bad for the liver and cause inflammation. A person may have a genetic problem, a metabolic disorder, or an immune related injury. Obesity can be a cause of liver damage which can lead to inflammation. These are known as non-infectious, because they cannot spread form person-to-person.

How many types of hepatitis are there?

There are five main types of hepatitis that are caused by a virus, A, B, C, D, and E - plus types X and G.

  • Hepatitis A - this is caused by eating infected food or water. The food or water is infected with a virus called HAV (Hepatitis A Virus). Anal-oral contact during sex can also be a cause. Nearly everyone who develops Hepatitis A makes a full recovery - it does not lead to chronic disease.

  • Hepatitis B - this is an STD (sexually transmitted disease). It is caused by the virus HBV (Hepatitis B Virus) and is spread by contact with infected blood, semen, and some other body fluids. You get Hepatitis B by:
    • Unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person (unprotected sex means without using a condom) Using a syringe that was previously used by an infected person (most commonly happens with drug addicts and people who inject steroids).

    • Having your skin perforated with unsterilized needles, as might be the case when getting a tattoo, or being accidentally pricked. People who work in health care risk becoming infected by accident in this way. Sharing personal items, such as a toothbrush or razor, with an infected person.
    • A baby can become infected through his mother's milk if she is infected.
    • Being bitten by someone who is infected.

The liver of a person infected with Hepatitis B swells. The patient can suffer serious liver damage due to infection, resulting in cancer. For some patients the hepatitis becomes chronic (very long-term or lifelong). Donated blood is always tested for Hepatitis B.

  • Hepatitis C - Hepatitis C is usually spread through direct contact with the blood of a person who has the disease. It is caused by the virus HCV (Hepatitis C Virus). The liver can swell and become damaged. In hepatitis C, unlike hepatitis B, liver cancer risk is only increased in people with cirrhosis and only 20% of hep C patients get cirrhosis. Feces is never a route of transmission in hepatitis C. Donated blood is also tested for Hepatitis C.

  • Hepatitis D - only a person who is already infected with Hepatitis B can become infected with Hepatitis D. It is caused by the virus HDV (Hepatitis D Virus). Infection is through contact with infected blood, unprotected sex, and perforation of the skin with infected needles. The liver of a person with Hepatitis D swells.

  • Hepatitis E - a person can become infected by drinking water that contains HEV (Hepatitis E Virus). The liver swells but there is no long-term consequence. Infection is also possible through anal-oral sex.

  • Hepatitis X - if a hepatitis cannot be attributed to the viruses of hepatitis A, B, C, D, or E, it is called Hepatitis X. In other words, hepatitis of an unknown virus.

  • Hepatitis G - this is a type of hepatitis caused by the Hepatitis G virus (HGV). Usually there are no symptoms. When there are symptoms they are very mild.

What are the signs and symptoms of hepatitis?

Many people with Hepatitis experience either mild symptoms or none at all. Remember that an infected person's feces are always infectious to other people. When symptoms appear, they usually do so about 15 to 180 days after the person has become infected.

The acute phase of hepatitis - symptoms

The initial phase of hepatitis is called the acute phase. The symptoms are like a mild flu, and may include:

  • Diarrhea
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Mild fever
  • Muscle or joint aches
  • Nausea
  • Slight abdominal pain
  • Vomiting
  • Weight loss

The acute phase is not usually dangerous, unless it develops into the fulminant or rapidly progressing form, which can lead to death.

As the patient gets worse, these symptoms may follow:

  • Circulation problems (only toxic/drug-induced hepatitis)
  • Dark urine
  • Dizziness (only toxic/drug-induced hepatitis)
  • Drowsiness (only toxic/drug-induced hepatitis)
  • Enlarged spleen (only alcoholic hepatitis)
  • Headache (only toxic/drug-induced hepatitis)
  • Hives
  • Itchy skin
  • Light colored feces, the feces may contain pus
  • Yellow skin, whites of eyes, tongue (jaundice)

Patient outcomes after the acute phase depend on various factors, especially the type of hepatitis.

What is chronic viral hepatitis?

Patients infected with hepatitis B and hepatitis C can develop chronic hepatitis. Doctors define chronic hepatitis as hepatitis that lasts longer than 6 months. In chronic hepatitis, the viruses live and multiply in the liver for years or decades. For unknown reasons, these patients' immune systems are unable to eradicate the viruses. The viruses cause chronic inflammation of the liver. Chronic hepatitis can lead to the development over time of extensive liver scarring (cirrhosis), liver failure, and liver cancer. Liver failure from chronic hepatitis C infection is the most common reason for liver transplantation in the European countries. Patients with chronic viral hepatitis can transmit the infection to others.

How is viral hepatitis diagnosed?

Diagnosis of viral hepatitis is based on symptoms, physical findings as well as blood tests for liver enzymes, viral antibodies, and viral genetic materials.

Symptoms and physical findings

Diagnosis of acute viral hepatitis often is easy, but diagnosis of chronic hepatitis can be difficult. When a patient reports symptoms of fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, darkening of urine, and then develops jaundice, the diagnosis of acute viral hepatitis is likely and can be confirmed by blood tests. On the other hand, patients with chronic hepatitis due to hepatitis B and hepatitis C often have no symptoms or only mild nonspecific symptoms such as chronic fatigue. Typically, these patients do not have jaundice until the liver damage is far advanced. Therefore, these patients can remain undiagnosed for years to decades.

Blood tests

There are three types of blood tests for evaluating patients with hepatitis: liver enzymes, antibodies to the hepatitis viruses, and viral proteins or genetic material (viral DNA or RNA).

Liver enzymes. Among the most sensitive and widely used blood tests for evaluating patients with hepatitis are the liver enzymes, called aminotransferases. They include aspartate aminotransferase (AST or SGOT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT or SGPT). These enzymes normally are contained within liver cells. If the liver is injured (as in viral hepatitis), the liver cells spill the enzymes into the blood, raising the enzyme levels in the blood and signaling that the liver is damaged.

The normal range of values for AST is from 5 to 40 units per liter of serum (the liquid part of the blood). The normal range of values for ALT is from 7 to 56 units per liter of serum. Patients with acute viral hepatitis (for example, due to hepatitis A or hepatitis B) can develop very high AST and ALT levels (sometimes in the thousands of units per liter range). These high AST and ALT levels will become normal in several weeks or months as the patients recover completely from their acute hepatitis. In contrast, patients with chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection typically have only mildly elevated AST and ALT levels, but these abnormalities can last years or decades. Since most patients with chronic hepatitis are asymptomatic (no jaundice or nausea), their mildly abnormal liver enzymes are often unexpectedly encountered on routine blood screening tests during yearly physicals or insurance physicals.

Elevated blood levels of AST and ALT only means that the liver is inflamed, and elevations can be caused by many agents other than hepatitis viruses, such as medications, alcohol, bacteria, fungus, etc. In order to prove that a hepatitis virus is responsible for the elevations, blood must be tested for antibodies to each of the hepatitis viruses as well as for their genetic material.

Viral antibodies. Antibodies are proteins produced by white blood cells that attack invaders such as bacteria and viruses. Antibodies against the hepatitis A, B, and C viruses usually can be detected in the blood within weeks of infection, and the antibodies remain detectable in the blood for decades thereafter. Blood tests for the antibodies can be helpful in diagnosing both acute and chronic viral hepatitis.

In acute viral hepatitis, antibodies not only help to eradicate the virus, but they also protect the patient from future infections by the same virus, that is the patient develops immunity. In chronic hepatitis, however, antibodies and the rest of the immune system are unable to eradicate the virus. The viruses continue to multiply and are released from the liver cells into the blood where their presence can be determined by measuring the viral proteins and genetic material. Therefore in chronic hepatitis, both antibodies to the viruses and viral proteins and genetic material can be detected in the blood.

Examples of tests for viral antibodies are:

  • anti-HAV (hepatitis A antibody)
  • antibody to hepatitis B core, an antibody directed against the inner core (nucleus) of the virus (core antigen)
  • antibody to hepatitis B surface, an antibody directed against the outer surface envelope of the virus (surface antigen)
  • antibody to hepatitis B e, an antibody directed against the genetic material of the virus (e antigen)
  • hepatitis C antibody-antibody against the C virus

Viral proteins and genetic material. Examples of tests for viral proteins and genetic material are:

  • hepatitis B surface antigen
  • hepatitis B DNA
  • hepatitis B e antigen
  • hepatitis C RNA

Other tests. Obstruction of the bile ducts, from either gallstones or cancer, occasionally can mimic acute viral hepatitis. Ultrasound testing can be used to exclude the possibility of gallstones or cancer. For more information, please read the Ultrasound article.

Treatments for hepatitis

  • Hepatitis A - There is no treatment specifically in allopathy for hepatitis A. Doctor will advise the patient to abstain from alcohol and drugs during the recovery. The vast majority of patients with Hepatitis A will recover spontaneously. In the herbal therapy “LIVOCLEAN” Tablets is best remedy for Hepatitis A.

  • Hepatitis B - A patient with Hepatitis B needs to rest. He will require a diet that is high in protein and carbohydrate - this is to repair damaged liver cells, as well as to protect the liver. If this is not enough, the doctor may prescribe interferon. Interferon is an antiviral agent. Permanent cure in the herbal therapy NFL Introduces a herbal product “LIVOCLEAN” Tablets.

  • Hepatitis C - A patient with Hepatitis C will be prescribed pegylated interferon and ribavirin. In the herbal therapy “LIVOCLEAN” Tablets are best remedy for Hepatitis C.

  • Hepatitis D or E - So far, there is no effective treatment in allopathy for either Hepatitis D or E but in the herbal therapy “LIVOCLEAN” is best remedy.

  • Non-Viral Hepatitis - If the patient has non-viral hepatitis, the doctor needs to remove the harmful substance. It will be flushed out of the stomach by hyperventilation or induced vomiting. Patients with drug-induced hepatitis may be prescribed corticosteroids in allopathy. All non Viral Hepatitis Symptoms cure with “LIVOCLEAN” Suffeciently.

How to prevent hepatitis

How to prevent Hepatitis A

  • Wash your hands with soap after going to the toilet
  • Only consume food that has just been cooked
  • Only drink commercially bottled water, or boiled water if you unsure of local sanitation
  • Only eat fruits that you can peel if you are somewhere where sanitation is unreliable
  • Only eat raw vegetables if you are sure they have been cleaned/disinfected thoroughly
  • Get a vaccine for Hepatitis A if you travel to places where hepatitis may be endemic

How to prevent Hepatitis B

  • Tell the partner if you are a carrier or try to find out whether he/she is a carrier
  • Practice safe sex
  • Only use clean syringes that have not been used by anyone else
  • Do not share toothbrushes, razors, or manicure instruments
  • Have a Hepatitis B series of shots if you are at risk
  • Only allow well sterilized skin perforating equipment (tattoo, acupuncture, etc.)

How to prevent Hepatitis C

  • If you are infected do not let others share your toothbrush, razor, manicure equipment
  • If you are infected cover open wounds
  • Do not share needles, toothbrushes, or manicure equipment
  • If your skin is to be pierced, make sure equipment is well sterilized (tattoo, etc.)
  • Go easy on the alcohol
  • Do not share drug equipment

How to prevent Hepatitis D

  • Use the same guidelines as for Hepatitis B. Only a person who is infected with Hepatitis B can become infected with Hepatitis D.

How to prevent Hepatitis E

  • Do the same as you would to protect yourself from Hepatitis A infection.

How to prevent Alcoholic Hepatitis

  • Go easy on the alcohol, or abstain from consuming alcohol

How to prevent Toxic/Drug Induced Hepatitis

  • Make sure you know about the lethal contents of all chemicals
  • Make sure the spray is not pointing at you
  • Make sure you wear protective gear if you have to

Sunday, July 31, 2011

LIVOCLEAN



LIVOCLEAN
INGREDIENTS

Benefits of Asparagus

The asparagus is a member of the lily family. Here is a list of some of the health benefits of asparagus followed by a list further explaining those health benefits.

Asparagus:

1 - can detoxify our system

2 - has anti-aging functions

3 - is considered an aphrodisiac

4 - can protect against cancer

5 - reduces pain and inflammation

6 - can prevent osteoporosis and osteoarthritis

7 - reduces the risk of heart disease

8 - can help prevent birth defects

The Reasons Asparagus Keeps Us Healthy:

1 - As a detox - asparagus has 288 milligrams of potassium per cup. Potassium is known for reducing belly fat (see belly fat link below). It also contains 3 grams of fiber which cleanses the digestive system. It has virtually no natural sodium so no bloating during PMS, has no fat or cholesterol, and one cup has only 40 calories. According to a clinical dietician at UCLA Medical Center, asparagus in the ultimate in detox vegetables.

2 - For anti-aging purposes - asparagus is rich in potassium, vitamin A, and folate. It is also very high in glutathione - an amino acid compound with protent antioxidant properties; a must as an anti-aging deterrent. Glutathione (GSH) is an antioxidant that protects cells from toxins such as free radicals.

3 - As an aphrodisiac - the asparagus is considered a psycho-physiological aphrodisiac because of its shape. It is said to trigger the mind to have a physiological response. The French word for asparagus is asperge; asperge is a slang word for penis.

4 - Against cancer - asparagus in high in folate which is now known to be an important protection against cancer. Note: Folate is found naturally in leafy green vegetables, and citrus fruits. While folic acid is said to be the same as folate, folic acid is the supplemental form. It is always recommeded that you get health benefits from eating healthy whole foods.

5 - Reducing pain and inflammation - it is the folate that helps reduce inflammation.

6 - Preventing osteoporosis and osteoarthritis - asparagus has vitamin K which studies have shown can help prevent osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Vitamin K aids in bone formation and repair. It is also necessary for the synthesis of osteocalcin. Osteocalcin is the protein in bone tissue on which calcium crystallizes. Asparagus has been listed as the number one source of vitamin K.

7 - Reducing the risk of heart disease - it is the folate that has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease.

8 - Preventing birth defects - getting enough folate (doctors often recommend the folic acid supplement) is especially important for women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Having a folate deficiency has been correlated with increased risk of Spina Bifida (a spinal cord birth defect) and also anencephaly (a neural tube defect). Folate helps to regulate embryonic and fetal nerve cell formation and may also help to prevent premature births.

Additionally, studies have shown that the nutritional benefits of asparagus can help prevent and treat urinary tract infections and kidney stones. Overall, asparagus is rich in potassium, vitamin A, folate, glutathione, and vitamin K. It is high in fiber, has no sodium, is low in calories and has no cholesterol or fat

Asparagus Has Potential to Benefit Hepatitis C

Research out of Korea suggests that asparagus is a liver protector, a notion that could benefit Hepatitis C sufferers.

Everyday choices such as what to eat for dinner can have an impact on someone with Hepatitis C. Because certain foods can help liver function while others may hinder it, nutritional awareness is a key component of any Hepatitis C health regimen. More specifically, eating asparagus has demonstrated the capability to protect the liver from toxicity.

From a basic dietary perspective, increasing the proportion of fruit and vegetables per meal is guaranteed to support your liver's health. Produce contains fiber and is packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that optimize cellular function. For someone with Hepatitis C, this translates to helping fortify and protect liver cells from the inflammation and cellular damage of a chronic liver virus. However, choosing asparagus as your veggie might offer someone with Hepatitis C more help than previously thought.

According to an article published in the Journal of Food Science, "an extract from asparagus may increase the function of enzymes in the liver and boost the metabolism of alcohol." Researchers from Korea concluded that, "the leaves of A. officinalis, which are normally discarded, have the potential for use in therapy designed to protect the liver from various harmful insults."

Although the information given by investigators is insufficient to launch an asparagus eating campaign, the news comes as no surprise to many alternative healthcare providers. Due to its anticancer effects, asparagus has been used for centuries as an herbal medicine in Asia. In addition, asparagus is purported to have the following properties:

· Anti-fungal
· Anti-inflammatory
· Diuretic

Packed with high levels of folate, amino acids, potassium and Vitamins B and C, asparagus officinalis is a common vegetable that is widely consumed worldwide. According to researchers at the Institute of Medical Science and Jeju National University in Korea, asparagus extract may alleviate alcohol hangover and protect liver cells against toxins.

Researchers analyzed the components of young asparagus shoots and leaves to compare their biochemical effects on human and rat liver cells. They found that the cellular toxicities of chronic alcohol use were significantly alleviated in response to treatment with asparagus leaf and shoot extract.

However, these findings do not provide a solution for someone with Hepatitis C who wants to drink alcohol. This is because there is no amount of alcohol that is safe for someone with Hepatitis C. However, these results can be extrapolated and applied to Hepatitis C in a different way:

· Alcohol use causes oxidative stress on the liver just like Hepatitis C causes oxidative stress on the liver.
· Because asparagus extract protects liver cells from oxidation (and subsequent damage) from alcohol, it will also likely protect liver cells from oxidation (and subsequent damage) from a hepatitis virus.

When Not to Eat Asparagus
Asparagus contains naturally-occurring substances called purines. Certain individuals who are susceptible to purine-related problems should not eat a lot of asparagus. Since purines can be broken down to form uric acid, excess accumulation of purines in the body can lead to excess accumulation of uric acid. Thus, those with ailments due to uric acid buildup should be advised to limit or avoid purine-containing foods - like asparagus. Examples of such ailments include gout and kidney stones.

Even though the Korean research focused on how asparagus could protect the liver from the effects of alcohol, the biological mechanism of aiding liver function applies to all potential liver toxins - including Hepatitis C. Exempting people with purine-related health concerns, those managing chronic Hepatitis C will do themselves a favor when considering asparagus to star in their meals.



Medicinal Uses and Benefits of Neem azadirachta indica

Medicinal Parts Used: All parts of the plant are used

Bacterial, Viral and Fungal Conditions

  • AIDS
  • fungal infections
  • malaria
  • mononucleosis
  • sexually transmitted diseases
  • shingles
  • yeast infections

Blood Conditions

  • blood disorders

Brain and Nervous System Conditions

  • headache
  • nerve disorders

Cardiovascular Conditions

  • heart diseases

Gastrointestinal Conditions

  • digestive problems

Genitourinary Tract Conditions

  • kidney problems

Immune System Conditions

  • allergies
  • strengthens the immune responses of the body's overall immune system

Liver Conditions

  • hepatitis

Metabolic Conditions

  • diabetes

Respiratory System Conditions

  • colds
  • influenza
  • sore throat

Reproductive System Conditions

  • birth control remedy for both men and women

Skin Conditions

  • acne

Other

  • cancer
  • earache
  • fatigue
  • fever
  • food poisoning
  • periodontal diseases
  • ulcers

Action:

  • antibacterial [an agent that destroys bacteria; bactericide]
  • antiviral [an agent that destroys viruses]
  • antiseptic [an agent for inhibiting the growth of microorganism on living tissue or destroying pathogenic or putrefactive bacteria]
  • Neem tree has anti-inflamatory, antibacterial, anti-viral, antifungal, blood purifying and antiseptic properties.
  • It also has insecticidal properties, reduces fever and acts as a tonic and detoxicant increasing vitality.
  • Neem leaves have traditionally been used by Indian herbalists to treat malaria and leprosy.
  • Neem oil and leaves are also effective against various skin infections especially boils and ulcers.
  • Neem is also effective in treating eye and ear infections.
  • Neem leave stimulate the immune system, improve liver function, detoxify the blood, and also enhance the body's circulative, respiratory and digestive system.
  • Neem twigs are also used to clean teeth, prevent breath odour and protect teeth from infection.


CARDUUS MARIANUS

Botanical Name

Silybum Marianum, Carduus Marianus
About Milk Thistle

The dried fruit of the Milk Thistle plant is used to produce modern herbal extracts. Milk Thistle has been used medicinally for over 2,000 years for liver and gall bladder problems. It's known for opening “obstructions” of the liver and spleen and has been used for the treatment of jaundice.

Nutritional Role of Milk Thistle

The active constituent in milk thistle is a flavonoid complex called silymarin, which is also a potent antioxidant. Silymarin is a group of flavonoids known as silibinin, silidianin, and silicristin, which are believed to help repair liver cells damaged by alcohol and other toxic substances. Milk thistle may protect liver cells by preventing and removing these toxins. It has been shown that silymarin can regenerate injured liver cells and has the ability to block fibrosis, a process that leads to cirrhosis of the liver. Individuals that have these type of inflammatory liver conditions due to alcohol abuse or hepatitis, may benefit from this herb. Milk thistle also changes bile makeup and may reduce the risk of gallstones.

Traditional Uses of Milk Thistle

  • For anti-inflammation properties
  • For antioxidant properties
  • For detoxification
  • For liver, spleen, and gallstones
  • For jaundice
  • For antidote to poisonous mushrooms


Research on the Historical Usage Guidelines of Milk Thistle

If you are taking medications, or being treated for liver disease, you should consult your health professional before using Milk Thistle.


Milk Thistle Facts for Informational Purposes Only

Readers should not use this information for self-diagnosis or self-treatment, but should always consult a medical professional regarding any medical problems and before undertaking any major dietary changes. This information is not meant to be substituted for medical advice.

How Milk Thistle Works

Milk Thistle seeds contain substances collectively known as silymarin. The main active constituent is silybin, which improves the function of the liver and kidneys and prevents and repairs damage.

Silymarin inhibits the factors responsible for liver damage and stimulates the growth of new liver cells to replace injured ones. Toxins that attack and remain within the liver produce or act as free radicals - highly reactive molecules that damage other molecules, including those in cells. Silymarin prevents free-radical damage by acting as an antioxidant, one that is even more powerful than vitamin E.

Silymarin has been shown to increase the glutathione content of the liver. Glutathione takes up and gives off hydrogen, and is fundamentally important in cellular respiration. The effect of silymarin on the system is to pump out poisons, therefore, by increasing the glutathione content of the liver, it gives it an increased capacity for the process of detoxification.

The liver can also be damaged by the action of leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are compounds produced by the transfer of an oxygen molecule to polyunsaturated fatty acids, a reaction caused by the enzyme lipoxygenase. Silymarin is a potent inhibitor against this enzyme and fights against leukotriene formation. Silymarin's most powerful component is silybin.
Silymarin may also be an important factor in the treatment of psoriasis, because of the cause of this condition is over-production of leukotrienes. Psoriasis has also been shown to be linked to a high level of circulating endotoxins such as those found in gut bacteria. If the level of endotoxins or toxins increases until the liver is overwhelmed, or if the liver's ability to filter and detoxify is inhibited, then the existing psoriasis becomes worse.
Silymarin has the ability to stimulate protein synthesis, an action that results in an increase in the production of new liver cells to replace old ones, but which does not increase malignant cells, thus exerting both protective and restorative influences.

Another protective role played by silymarin involves the way in which toxins are cycled continuously between the gastrointestinal tract and the liver, which cannot avoid causing some liver damage. Silymarin interrupts that cycle. More than 90% of the silymarin that is absorbed through the intestines ends up in the liver. From there it is passed into the intestines, along with bile and then as much as 50% is reabsorbed through the intestines. Hardly any silymarin reaches the bloodstream and only 5-7% is eliminated in urine. It is repeatedly recycled through the intestines and liver, moving from blood plasma to bile and concentrating its beneficial effects in the liver cells. These cells are protected from damage by circulating toxins and so can act as centres for the generation of new cells. Eventually, complete restoration of the liver is possible. Silymarin has proved to be particularly effective in protecting against liver damage that is caused by alcohol and chemical toxins.

Milk Thistle's stimulating, decongestive action is also useful in the treatment of problems of the kidneys, lungs, heart, bladder and uterus. It also ensures a sense of well-being and good health.

Main Effects

  • Reverses alcohol damage.
  • Speeds recovery in viral and alcohol-induced hepatitis.
  • Slows progression of cirrhosis and extends life expectancy.
  • Protects against side-effects of some pharmaceutical drugs.
  • Improves liver function in cases of chemical poisoning.
  • Helps reverse liver damage.
  • Improves circulation.
  • Promotes bowel movement via an increase in blood flow.
  • Improves kidney function and urination.
  • Clears the skin of rashes and some skin diseases.
  • Assists in countering the pain and discomfort of menstrual and premenstrual problems.
  • Milk Thistle extract is absorbed into the blood very quickly and reaches its full potential one hour after it has been taken.
  • Depending upon the type and severity of a patients disease, a course of treatment that includes Milk Thistle may start to show significant results in as little as seven days, but in severe cases of cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis, full remission may take two years.
  • In cases of general debility and biliousness, an improvement will be felt after a week to ten days. If the skin has a jaundiced hue, this will eventually disappear.

Milk Thistle is also considered to be a "natural interferon booster".

Camel Milk Has Benefits

Most people may have not been too familiar with camel milk. But it turns out this milk has many benefits for human body and have a better nutrient content that is known as a ‘superfood‘.

Camel milk has been widely consumed in almost all Arab countries, this milk tastes slightly saltier than other milk and is often produced as cheese.

UN organizations dealing with food (Food and Agriculture Organisation / FAO) said that camel milk is rich in vitamin B note, C and iron content 10 times faster than cow’s milk.

In addition to mineral and vitamin contents are high, research has shown that antibodies contained in the alleged camel milk could help fight cancer, HIV, AIDS, Alzheimer’s and hepatitis C.

Camel milk could be a useful addition to food because it contains calcium and vitamin B and has a saturated fat content less than cow’s milk,” said a spokesman from the British Nutrition Foundation, as quoted by BBC News, Tuesday (31/05/2011).

Another advantage of camel milk is it does not contain two powerful allergens that have been found in cow’s milk, and has a component of the immune system that may provide benefits to children who are allergic to milk and other foods.

Potential components of the immune system in camel milk is expected to help fight some diseases. The researchers speculate that the small size of immunoglobulin or antibodies found in camel milk is easier to allow it to target the disease-causing foreign substances (antigens) that damage a person’s immune system.

Dr. Reuven Yagil, an expert on the physiology of Israel who conducted the study for 5 years said that camel milk can be overcome autoimmune disorders that suppress the immune system of a person.

But it still needed further research, because scientific evidence that there has not been enough to prove the effectiveness of camel milk in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Dandelion (lion's tale) Taraxacum officinale

Botanical Classification

Family

Asteraceae

Genus and specie

Taraxacum officinale

Other names

Taraxacum, foreign dandelion, wild endive, piss-a-bed, lion's tale or tooth as well as pu gong ying.

Description of the herb dandelion

Dandelion herb is really just a weed, an annoyance to many gardeners. Its leaves were seen as being shaped like lion’s teeth by the French, who called it dente de lion which has been rendered dandelion in the English language.

Dandelion is a perennial with a thick tap root. The saw-toothed leaves form a rosette at the base of the plant. Solitary, bright yellow flowers appear from spring to autumn. Ribbed fruits bearing tufts of fine, white hairs follow flowers. Dandelion is well known as a garden weed.

Parts used

The whole plant is used in herbal preparations - the leaves, roots and flowers.

Properties

Dandelion is a bitter-sweet, cooling herb that has diuretic, laxative effects. It also stimulates liver function, improves digestion and reduces swelling and inflammation.

It contains sesquiterpene lactones (tetrahydroridentin B and taraxacolide B-D-glucoside), phenolic acid derivative (taraxacoside), triterpenoids (taraxasterol and its derivatives), potassium and inulin.

Therapeutic uses

  • Internal use
    • Dandelion is used internally for gall bladder and urinary disorders, jaundice, cirrhosis of the liver, dyspepsia and constipation, edema associated with high blood pressure and heart weakness.
    • The bitter substance in the herb also stimulates digestion.
    • In Chinese medicine it is used for lung and breast tumors, abscesses as well as hepatitis.
    • The high content of inulin makes it useful for people with diabetes.

Dandelion has been used by Chinese & Indian herbalists for thousands of years. They understood the benefits of dandelion herb for boils, bronchitis, colds, hepatitis, obesity, pneumonia, ulcers & more.

Animal Research on Hepatitis and Dandelion Leaves

The May 2010 issue of "Food and Chemical Toxicology" reports on a study in which researchers gave hepatitis to Sprague-Dawley rats, which developed elevated liver enzymes and inflammation of the liver cells. When treated with water extracts from dandelion leaves -- in other words, dandelion leaf tea -- however, enzyme levels and liver lesions decreased significantly, apparently because this extract reduced inflammatory response and oxidative stress. An article in the September 2010 issue of "Phytotherapy Research" reinforced this finding. In this study, rats with hepatitis who were given water extracts of dandelion leaves showed reduced liver damage compared to controls.

Human Research on Dandelion-containing Herbal Preparations

A Chinese researcher, Z. Chen, studied the effects of a traditional herbal preparation containing one species of dandelion, Taraxacum mongolicum, on patients with chronic hepatitis B. The results of this randomized, double-blind study, which was published in the February 1990 issue of "Chinese Journal of Modern Developments in Traditional Medicine," showed that liver enzymes were significantly more likely to return to normal levels in patients given the compound containing dandelion. Of the 51 people receiving the treatment, eight were effectively cured, while in the control group, only one person was cured.

Gotu Kola -Uses and Benefits

Alternative Names:

Hydrocotyle,Bramhi, Centella asiatica, Hydrocotyle asiatica, Indian Pennywort, Marsh Penny, Centella,indian water navelwort, Talepetrako, Teca, Water pennywort .

Brahmi in Ayurveda,"the Goddess of Supreme

Wisdom",

Herb Description

Gotu kola ( Centella asiatica) is a small herbaceous plant of the family Apiaceae deep-rooted to India and Southeast Asia. It is usually found growing naturally almost tropical, boggy regions of India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Madagascar, and South Africa. It is also grown in similar climates of Eastern Europe and some other parts throughout the world. Gotu kola is used as a medicinal plant in Ayurvedic medicine & traditional Chinese medicine .

Gotu kola is a vine-like plant has a long history of use to elevate wound healing & cure skin infections.For many thousands of years gotu kola has been used to cure a numerous conditions including hepatitis, syphilis, stomach ulcers, mental fatigue, epilepsy, diarrhea, and fever. Gotu kola's extract are used as drugs in Europe for the treatment of wound healing defects.

Both the leaves & roots of gotu kola contain compounds used in a numerous herbal preparations. In Ayurvedic medicine Gotu kola is used to cure the disorders of anxiety, insomnia, agitation, memory loss, epilepsy and hyperactivity.Gotu kola also help to boost blood flow through the veins in the legs.It has also been known one of the "miracle elixirs of life" due to the legend has it that an ancient Chinese herbalist lived for longer than 200 years as a result of taking the herbaceous plant .

Boerhavia diffusa (Punarnava)
A safe and effective herbal known for its liver protective action. It is useful in alcohol induced liver problems.

Concentrated Extracts Of :

Boerhavia diffusa (Punarnava)


Pharmacology :

Boerhavia diffusa (Punarnava)
:Used in Liver diseases and as diuretic .It balances all doshas (vata, pitta and kapha) in the body. Being a good liver stimulant, fresh punarnava leaves are used to cure viral jaundice. However, its juice can also be used along with any other therapy while treating various other liver disorders an excellent remedy for jaundice. The root of plant is a remedy for intermittent fevers and intermittents with infracts of the spleen and liver. Also as a good tonic and diuretic.

Clinical Information :

Indications : Hepatic Health

Active chemical components include flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, triterpinoids, lipids, lignins, carbohydrates, proteins and glycoproteins. Some of the most important active components include puranavine and punarnavoside.

Punarnava has been extensively researched, with findings backing up its traditional uses. It has been demonstrated that punarnavoside is diuretic, (Gaitonde et al 1974) anti-inflammatory, (Bhalla et al 1968) anti-fibrinolytic, (Jain and Khanna 1989) antibacterical (Olukoya et al 1993) and anti-convulsant (Adesina 1979). Punarnava has also been shown to be hepatoprotective and choleretic, cardiokine, anti-cancer and anti-oxidant. It should always be considered in Hepatitis C because it has demonstrable hepato-protective action. Sony and Bhatt demonstrated effectiveness of an herbal mixture containing Punarnava in entamoeba histolytica (1995). It is also anti-fungal.

Sarsaparilla

Family: Smilacaceae

Synonyms: Smilax medica
Common Names: Sarsaparilla, salsaparrilha, khao yen, saparna, smilace, smilax, zarzaparilla, jupicanga
Part Used: Root

From The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs:

SARSAPARILLA

HERBAL PROPERTIES AND ACTIONS

Main Actions

Other Actions


· detoxifies organs

· relieves pain


· cleanses blood

· kills fungi


· aids absorption

· reduces inflammation


· kills bacteria

· kills germs


· stimulates digestion

· reduces fever


· increases urination

· immunomodulator


· protects liver

· fights free radicals


· promotes perspiration

· relieves rheumatism


PLANT CHEMICALS

Sarsaparilla contains the plant steroids sarsasapogenin, smilagenin, sitosterol, stigmasterol, and pollinastanol; and the saponins sarsasaponin, smilasaponin, sarsaparilloside, and sitosterol glucoside, among others. The majority of sarsaparilla's pharmacological properties and actions have been attributed to these steroids and saponins. The saponins have been reported to facilitate the body's absorption of other drugs and phytochemicals, which accounts for its history of use in herbal formulas as an agent for bioavailability and to enhancement the power and effect of other herbs.

Saponins and plant steroids found in many species of plants (including sarsaparilla) can be synthesized into human steroids such as estrogen and testosterone. This synthesis has never been documented to occur in the human body - only in the laboratory. Yet plant steroids and their actions in the human body have been a subject of much interest, sketchy research and, unfortunately, disinformation - mainly for marketing purposes. Sarsaparilla has been marketed (fraudulently) to contain testosterone and/or other anabolic steroids. While it is a rich source of natural plant steroids and saponins, it never has been proven to have any anabolic effects, nor has testosterone been found in sarsaparilla or any other plant source thus far.

Flavonoids in sarsaparilla have been documented to have immune modulation and liver protective activities. A U.S. patent was awarded in 2003 describing these flavonoids to be effective in treating autoimmune diseases and inflammatory reactions through their immunomodulating effects. Sarsasapogenin and smilagenin were subjects of a 2001 U.S. patent which reported that these Smilax steroids had the ability to treat senile dementia, cognitive dysfunction, and Alzheimer's disease. In the patent's animal studies references, smilagenin reversed the decline of brain receptors in aged mice and restored the receptor levels to those observed in young animals, reversed the decline in cognitive function, and enhanced memory and learning. These studies, however, have not been published in any peer-reviewed journals - only in the context of the patent, thus far.

Sarsaparilla's main plant chemicals include: acetyl-parigenin, astilbin, beta-sitosterol, caffeoyl-shikimic acids, dihydroquercetin, diosgenin, engeletin, essential oils, epsilon-sitosterol, eucryphin, eurryphin, ferulic acid, glucopyranosides, isoastilbin, isoengetitin, kaempferol, parigenin, parillin, pollinastanol, resveratrol, rhamnose, saponin, sarasaponin, sarsaparilloside, sarsaponin, sarsasapogenin, shikimic acid, sitosterol-d-glucoside, smilagenin, smilasaponin, smilax saponins A-C, smiglaside A-E, smitilbin, stigmasterol, taxifolin, and titogenin.

BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES AND CLINICAL RESEARCH

Clinical research has validated the traditional use of sarsaparilla for skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, acne, and leprosy. In 1942, it was reported in the New England Journal of Medicine to improve the condition of psoriasis dramatically. There the results of a clinical study with 92 patients was detailed which reported that it improved psoriasis lesions in 62% of cases and completely cleared lesions in 18% of cases. One of the possible mechanisms of action in psoriasis is sarsaparilla's blood cleansing properties. Individuals with psoriasis have been found to have high levels of endotoxins circulating in the bloodstream (endotoxins are cell wall fragments of normal gut bacteria). Sarsaponin, one of sarsaparilla's main steriods, was found to bind to these endotoxins and remove them, thus improving psoriasis.

This endotoxin-binding action is probably why the root has been used for centuries as a "blood purifier." Other health conditions associated with high endotoxin levels include eczema, arthritis, and ulcerative colitis. Sarsaparilla's effective use in the treatment of leprosy has been documented in a 1959 human trial. The effectiveness of sarsaparilla in the treatment of adolescent acne caused by excessive androgens has received some experimental support as well.

A 2001 U.S. patent was filed on sarsaparilla (Smilax china) for psoriasis and respiratory diseases. This patent cited clinical observations and studies with children and human adults with Psoriasis vulgaris, pustular psoriasis, erythroderma psoriaticum lesions, and associated itching-reporting marked clinical improvements with dosages of 3-6 g daily. It also reported that, upon discontinuation of sarsaparilla after only two months of treatment, there was further gradual remission of lesions and no side effects. In addition, this patent indicated sarsaparilla was shown to be a preventative and therapeutic agent for respiratory and allergic diseases such as acute bronchitis, bronchial asthma, asthmatic bronchitis, and chronic bronchitis. Again, these studies and observations reported in the patent have yet to be published in any peer-reviewed journals.

Sarsaparilla has long been used in the treatment of syphilis. Clinical observations in China demonstrated that sarsaparilla was effective (according to blood tests) in about 90% of acute and 50% of chronic cases. In the 1950s the antibiotic properties of sarsaparilla were documented; other studies documented its antifungal and antimycobacterial activities. Its anti-inflammatory activity has been demonstrated in several in vitro and in vivo studies, using different laboratory-induced models of arthritis and inflammation. One of these studies attributes the beneficial effect for arthritis to sarsaparilla's immune modulatory action. Sarsaparilla also has demonstrated liver protective effects in rats, with researchers concluding that it is able to prevent immune-mediated liver injury. Improvement of appetite and digestion has been noted with sarsaparilla, as well as its diuretic actions in humans. The root has been reported to have stimulatory activity on the kidneys in humans and, in chronic nephritis, it was shown to increase the urinary excretion of uric acid.

Main Actions (in order):
blood cleanser, immunomodulator (selectively reduces overactive immune cells), antimutagenic (cellular protector), detoxifier, tonic (tones, balances, strengthens overall body functions)

Properties/Actions Documented by Research:
anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antimutagenic (cellular protector), blood cleanser, detoxifier, diuretic, hepatoprotective (liver protector), immunomodulator (selectively reduces overactive immune cells), neuroprotective (protects brain cells)

It is a medicinal plant that contains minerals such as: Aluminum, Calcium, Chromium, Cobalt, Phosphorus, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Potassium and Zinc, among others.
Sarsaparilla is a medicinal plant native to the Amazon, known in America and Europe for its excellent healing properties and therapeutic blood purification, blood sugar, atherosclerosis, diabetes, removes excess high cholesterol, high triglycerides, acid , arthritis, rheumatism, gout, cramps, numbness, leg swelling, fever, clean mucus and unhealthy adiposity, bronchi, lungs, asthma, choking, coughing, impurities of various kinds, cramps, stomach and intestinal inflammation, chronic gastritis, cysts and fibroids of the uterus and ovaries, diverticulitis, glaucoma, farsightedness, cystitis, headache, bad breath, cirrhosis, hepatitis, anti carcinogenic, liver purifying.