Guest guest Posted July 1, 2004 Report Share Posted July 1, 2004 Wheatgrass juice and living foods, I think, are also a must!! Other comments? Be Well, Misty L. Trepke http://www..com Good Morning! Herbs during Radiation Therapy I recently shared this information with one of our dear members and feel it could benefit all of us. Herbs to consider during radiation therapy are Reishi, Polygonum Multiflorum (fo-ti; ho shou wu) Root and Astragalus Membranaceous. Among the properties of these herbs are the ability to tonify and balance the immune system, provide energy as needed for hard work and to act as rejuvenators and anti-aging herbs which restore vitality and youthful appearance. They also are considered to be excellent blood purifiers and detoxifying agents. Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi or Ling Chih) has been shown to clinically inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and to act as immune modulators due to polysaccharides, increase production of RNA and DNA in bone marrow, produce immune enhancing response in mice, augment immunoglobulin G and expand the `memory' of T-cells. It has been successfully used to treat tumors and when combined with vitamin C, can `wake up' the immune system helping to prevent tumor formation. It has been demonstrated that Reishi can help reduce the side effects of many kinds of chemotherapy and radiation treatment and simultaneously contribute to the rebuilding of the immune system—an essential part of recovery from cancer. Ganoderma stimulates the production of interferon and interleukin-1 and –2, which are potent natural anticancer substances produced in our own bodies. Reishi has also been shown to lower blood cholesterol and blood fat levels, improve the condition of heart disease patients, lower blood pressure significantly in only 10 days and give an adaptogenic quality, providing the person with protection from a wide range of biological, environmental and social stresses. Reishi also contributes to pain relief and has a calming effect. As an anti-aging treatment, Reishi works as an anti-oxidant against free radicals, protects against the effects of radiation and has anti-inflammatory effects. Polygonum multiflorum (fo-ti; ho shou wu) root strengthens the tendons, ligaments and bones and prevents premature aging. Polygonum is useful not only for maintaining youthfulness but also for providing strength to the body. It is a perfect tonic. It provides strength, resilience and stamina to the body. Alone, or properly combined with other tonic herbs, Polygonum is also an ideal longevity-promoting, anti-aging tonic herb. Over the centuries ho shou wu's reputation has bordered on the mythical for it's power to produce longevity, increase vigor and promote fertility. Preparations of radix Polygonum multiflorum (ho shou wu) reduced the levels of cholesterol in the blood of rabbits with experimentally induced hypercholesteremia. Astragalus membranaceous ranks as one of the most potent health tonics in the world. Astragalus is said to strengthen the primary enegry of the body. Astragalus is famed for it's strengthening effects. It is therefore beneficial to those who tend to be physically active and require abundant physical energy. It enhances the function of the skin to eliminate toxins and to heal more quickly and effectively. Astragalus extracts have been proved to have potent immunomodulating effects in both animals and human. Water extracts of Astragalus enhance macrophage activity and reduce the activity of suppressor T- cells. The herbal extract increases natural killer cell cytotoxicity, helps antibody response and increases helper cell activity. Astraglaus improves the immune response in humans undergoing radiation and chemotherapy as a treatment of cancer. It is an extremely potent immune modulator, capable of building the immune response while while suppressing excessive immune activity, as occurs in autoimmune conditions (including allergies and arthritis). In addition, the total Astragaloside fraction has a similarly potent antioxidant activity, hundreds of times stronger than that of Grape Seed extract, Gingko biloba and Pine Bark extract. When a decoction of the root was given to mice over a three week period, their swimming duration increased, as did their body weight, suggesting the root may increase endurance. Further experiments indicated a positive result in reducing blood pressure, both by strengthening contractions of normal heart tissue and by it's blood vessel dilating action, which improves blood circulation. In studies with mice, it has also been shown to augment the interferon response to viruses. No toxic side effects have ever been reported. References: 1.Reishi Mushroom: Herb of Spiritual Potency and Medical Wonder by Terry Willard Ph. D. Sylvan Press, 1998. 2.The Ancient Wisdom of the Chinese Tonic Herbs by Ron Teeguarden. Warner Books 1998 3.Herbal Emissaries: Bringing Chinese Herbs to the West by Steven Foster and Yue Chongxi. Healing Arts Press, 1992 4.Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica by Dan Bensky and Andrew Gamble with Ted Kapchuk. Eastland Press, 1993 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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