article on herb and healing

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[ Up ] [ Fu-zheng ] [ Standardization ] [ Immune Response ] [ How Herbs Heal ] [ Herbal Classifications ] How Herbs Help Us Heal Herbs, unlike man-made drugs, can assist the immune system throughout its entire response to an invader. One common way herbs intercede is by modulating, activating, and potentiating macrophages and T-cells to do a better and more efficient job in whatever area they are needed within this complex system. Drugs, or any man-made agents, can't do this. A plant, which is a living and breathing entity, has the ability to understand and work in synchrony with the body's internal needs, in harmony with vital force within us, to heal and give life. Immune activation is only one way that herbs, and many other foods as well, fight cancer. Cancer, because its inception and growth is a multistage process, provides many possible points of intervention where herbs can be used for their various anticarcinogenic activities. The following section gives some examples. ANTICARCINOGENIC ACTIVITY OF PHYTOCHEMICALS IN HERBS AND FOODS Many commonly used herbs, plants, fruits, and vegetables have been shown to possess cancer chemopreventive effects within their diverse pharmacological properties. Since cancer usually evolves over a long period of time, agents that inhibit or retard one or more of its stages could affect the overall course of the disease. Certain micronutrients (like the polyphenolic compounds found in tea) possess potent cancer-preventive abilities.The blocking and suppressing agents found in specific herbs and foods (see table 4.1) are capable of the following anticancer activities: Inhibition of cancer formation by blocking or diverting carcinogenic material away from the cell, allowing it to be metabolized by the liver to a less toxic, more excretable substance. Prevention of cancerous substances reacting with the cell's DNA by meeting the carcinogen before it can do any damage and enhancing its excretion through metabolism. Repair of DNA that has been damaged by carcinogens. Retardation of cancer promotion by decreasing or turning off promotional factors that would otherwise be used for cancer promotion and proliferation. One of the most important effects of the blocking agents found in herbs and foods is the inhibition of tumor formation by curbing the arachidonic acid cascade (see table 4.2). This effect is particularly evident in high-quality fats that include omega-3 fatty acids. Studies showing the ability of arachidonic acid inhibitors to prevent carcinogenesis have been more prevalent than studies of any other group of agents (with the possible exception of retinoids). Another important feature of blocking agents is their ability to prevent the attack of oxygen radicals. For example, the phenolic and polyphenolic compounds found in green tea are potent antioxidants. Their ability to inhibit cancer, however, is multifunctional and includes the capacity to activate certain detoxifying systems. Suppressing Agents Suppressing agents prevent the evolution of cancer in cells previously exposed to doses of carcinogenic agents (see table 4.3). They do this by: Preventing the endogenous formation of attacking molecules and/or inactivating those that might have already formed. Directly counteracting the consequences of genotoxic events. Producing differentiation. Selectively inhibiting cellular proliferation of potential cancer cells. Table 4.1 Blocking Agents That Inhibit Carcinogenesis Blocking Agent Herb or Food Where Found Aromatic isothiocyanates Broccoli Curcuminoids Turmeric Coumarins Red clover, dong quai Conjugated dienolinoleic acid Meat, dairy, whole milk yogurt (organic only and in small amounts) Dithiolethiones Brussels sprouts Ellagic acid Pomegranates, berries, nuts Flavones Licorice, ginkgo, onions Glycyrrhetinic acid and related triterpeniods Licorice Glucarates Yogurt Indoles Cabbage Organosulfides Garlic, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts Phenols (catechin) Green tea Tannins Black tea, green tea Terpenes Aromatic oils, orange peel, lemon peel, rosemary Table 4.2 Blocking Agents Effective Against Tumor Promotion Blocking Agent Herb or Food Where Found Curcuminoids Turmeric Chalcones Quercetin Flavoniods Grape seed extract, hawthorn Glycyrrhetinic acid and related triterpenoids Licorice Inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism Ginger, turmeric, boswellan, omega-3 fatty acids Organosulfides Garlic, onions Phenols (catechin) Green tea Protease inhibitors Soy, legumes Tannins Black tea, green tea Table 4.3 Suppressing Agents Effective Against Exposure to Carcinogens Suppressing Agent Herb or Food Where Found Aromatic isothiocyanates Broccoli Epigallocatechin gallate Green tea Inhibitors of arachidonic acid cascade Turmeric Inositol hexaphosphate Legumes, grains Protease inhibitors Soy products Terpenes Orange peel Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

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Sorcy, that was a great article. Thank you.

 

Take good care.

 

Love,

Renee and Jerry