Natural Remedies for Stroke.

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Green Remedies for stroke: JoAnn Guest. Here are a number of good herbal approaches to strokeprevention and treatment that you should be aware of.Garlic (Allium sativum).---Garlic is the best anti-clotting herb. According to my database, itcontains more anticoagulant compounds than any other herb--nine, tobe exact.It is a major herb for heart attack prevention because of itsblood-thinning effect and its ability to help control high bloodpressure.These same effects also help prevent ischemic stroke.If I were at risk for stroke, I'd increase my use of garlic incooking and also take garlic capsules, which are available at healthfood stores and many drugstores.Garlic's close relatives, onions, scallions, leeks,chives

and shallots, have similar benefits.GarlicA powerful healing herb, garlic was used to treat infected woundsand amebic dysentery during World War I.-Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba).Ginkgo is widely used in Europe to treat complications of stroke,including memory and balance problems, vertigo and disturbed thoughtprocesses. Many studies show that this herb increases blood flow tothe brain.Varro Tyler, Ph.D., dean and professor emeritus of pharmacognosy(natural product pharmacy) at Purdue University in West Lafayette,Indiana, endorses this herb as a stroke treatment in his excellentbook, "Herbs of Choice".Ginkgo also helps reduce fragility of the capillaries, the tinyblood vessels that fan throughout your body, which can help preventhemorrhagic stroke.In Europe, many elderly people take ginkgoregularly. I wouldn't be

surprised if this herb doesn't soon becomeincreasingly popular with elderly folks in the United States aswell.To take this herb, you'll need to buy a standardized extract. Ginkgoextracts are widely available in health food stores and drugstores.You can try 60 to 240 milligrams a day, but don't go any higher thanthat. In large amounts, ginkgo may cause irritability andrestlessness.--Pigweed (Amaranthus, various species)Pigweed is an excellent plant source of calcium, with 5.3 percent ona dry-weight basis. According to my calculations, about one-third ofan ounce of fresh pigweed leaves would provide 500 milligrams ofcalcium.(The Daily Value is 1,000 milligrams.)You can use the young leaves in salads or steam the more matureleaveslike spinach. You might also try pigweed pesto. To make the sauce,prepare your favorite pesto

recipe, but use pigweed instead ofbasil.Pigweed is not the only good herbal source of calcium. Here are someothers, in descending order of potency (on a dry-weight basis)lamb's-quarters, stinging nettle, broadbeans, watercress, licorice,marjoram, savory, red clover shoots, thyme, Chinese cabbage (bokchoy),basil, celery seed, dandelion and purslane.--Willow (Salix, various species).Willow bark is herbal aspirin, and has been shown in several studiesto reduce the risk of ischemic stroke by about 18 percent.(Herbal aspirincuts heart attack risk by about 40 percent in men and 25 percent inwomen.)I personally prefer the herbal route: teas made from willow bark,meadowsweet or wintergreen.I add a teaspoon or two of any of these dried herbs to either hotherbal teas or cold lemonade and drink two to three cups a

day.willow bark and the other aspirin-like herbs should be used topreventand treat ischemic stroke.They are powerfully anticoagulants.--Carrot (Daucus carota).In a Harvard study of 87,245 female nurses, consumption of carrots(and to a lesser extent, spinach) significantly reduced stroke risk.Womenwho ate five servings of carrots a week suffered 68 percent fewerstrokes than those who ate carrots less than twice a month.Carrots are rich in beta-carotene and other carotenoids, all membersof the vitamin A family. Other studies show that people can reducetheirrisk of stroke by as much as 54 percent if they eat lots of fruitsand veggies that are rich in beta-carotene and vitamins C and E.The message is clear: Eat more carrots.I munch them as snacks, includethem in my vegetable soups and juice them, too, sometimes

withgarlic.--English pea (Pisum sativum).It turns out that nearly all legumes contain genistein, whichappears tobe a cancer-preventive nutrient.Scientists now believe that a diet highin genistein-rich tofu, a soy product, is an important reason thatAsian women have such a low rate of breast cancer.In addition to guarding against cancer, genistein also appears tohave a significant anti-clotting effect, meaning that it may alsohelp preventischemic stroke and heart attack.I like English peas more than I like soybeans, so this relativelynew information was welcome news to me. Ialso eat lots of other beans and legumes. I suggest that you do,too.---Pineapple (Ananas comosus).Pineapple contains a compound known as bromelain that is best knownfor

its ability to break down proteins.It's a key ingredient in meattenderizers. But bromelain also has an anti-clotting action thatmight prevent ischemic stroke and heart attack.The bottom line: Eat morefresh pineapple.Scurfy pea (Psoralea corylifolia).These peas also contain genistein. After four long years ofsearching and researching, I finally have data to show that scurfypeas, consumedas a food (and reputed to be an aphrodisiac) in Asia, contain muchmore genistein than soybeans. I thank my colleague, Peter Kaufman,Ph.D., atthe University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, for helping me to determinethe genistein content of scurfy peas.Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus).Bilberries and their close relatives, blueberries and huckleberries,contain compounds known as anthocyanidins.Good European studies showthat these compounds help prevent blood clots and also break downplaque

deposits lining the arteries.In addition, some evidence suggests thatbilberries help to maintain capillaries.For all of these reasons, bilberries and their relatives might helpprevent ischemic stroke without increasing the risk of hemorrhagicstroke.Medical anthropologist John Heinerman, Ph.D., author ofHeinerman's Encyclopedia of Fruits, Vegetables and Herbs, says thatone glass of huckleberry juice taken twice a week can help preventstroke.Evening primrose (Oe-nothera biennis).The oil of this herb is rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), whichhas potent anti-clotting and blood pressure­lowering actions.I think it's quite useful in the prevention of stroke and heartdisease.Borage oil is also rich in GLA. You can purchase both of these oilsat health food stores. To use them, follow the package directions.Ginger (Zingiber officinale).This is another herb with

proven anti-clotting ability.In one Indianstudy, taking about two teaspoons of ginger a day for a weekneutralized the blood-clotting effect of 100 grams of butter. (Butplease don'tthink you can continue to eat butter if you up your ginger intake.Butter is very high in cholesterol, which contributes to strokes.)You might try using more ginger in cooking, or you could brew gingertea using one to two teaspoons of fresh grated root per cup ofboiling water. Steep until cool.Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)and other foods containing folate.A good deal of evidence shows thatnutritional approaches can help prevent stroke. Studies at TuftsUniversity in Boston and the University of Alabama in Birmingham,forexample, have demonstrated that folate can help prevent both heartdisease and stroke.Compared with people who consumed little folate,those who ingested the most were only half as

likely to shownarrowingof the 'carotid artery', the artery that leads to the brain.Folate is not plentiful in plants, but according to my database,spinach, cabbage, endive, asparagus, papaya, okra and pigweed allhave this important nutrient, so the more of these veggies you getin your diet, the better.Turmeric (Cucurma longa). Many studies show that the compound curcumin, which is found in thisherb, helps prevent the formation of blood clots.Turmeric is a key ingredient in most curry spice blends. You mightconsider eating more curry dishes or even making your own turmericcapsules. Many health food stores sell empty gelatin capsules.www.mothernature.comJoAnn Guestmrsjoguesthttp://lists.topica.com/lists/AlternativeOptions/ "Our ideal is not the spirituality that withdraws from life but the conquest of life by the power of the spirit." - Aurobindo.

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