Guest guest Posted February 8, 2003 Report Share Posted February 8, 2003 Fri, 7 Feb 2003 14:40:01 -0500 WC Douglass In the same vein Daily Dose February 7, 2003 ************************************************************** Getting a leg up on varicose veins Until recently, diseases of the veins, such as varicosities (varicose veins) and lymphedema (swelling of a body part), were considered, for the most part, to be untreatable, except for surgery and physical means such as bandaging. But research has started to emerge showing that there may be safe, effective herbal treatments available for the dangers associated with varicose veins. Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a nebulous term indicating that the patient's vein circulation is failing and, as a consequence, the blood is " backing up " in the tissues and in the veins themselves. When blood backs up in the tissues, it produces edema (swelling). When blood pools in the veins, it causes the hated varicosities. Things can get ugly with serious varicose veins. A reddish- brown discoloration of the lower leg may develop, but the risks extend beyond the cosmetic. Patients with venous insufficiency often complain of a dull ache in their leg(s) that worsens with prolonged standing and is alleviated when the legs are elevated. Recent studies have shown that a product called Pycnogenol, made from pine bark extract, significantly improves symptoms of CVI. Pycnogenol is available from many health food stores. Take 100 milligrams three times a day for two months. Another herbal therapy that has shown dramatic results in treating varicose veins is horse chestnut extract. A 1996 study involving more than 5,000 patients with CVI found that horse chestnut extract improved symptoms of swelling and leg heaviness significantly. Horse chestnut extract is also available in most health food stores. Take 600 milligrams per day. ************************************************************** Pick a peck of hot peppers When I was a kid, I heard all sorts of horror stories about what hot peppers could do to you from burning a hole through your stomach to giving you an ulcer. Contrary to those wild tales, peppers aren't toxic at all. First of all, hot peppers contain even more vitamin C than oranges. Also, capsaicin, the hotshot chemical in peppers, is an anticoagulant, so it may help prevent heart attacks and strokes. But the latest pepper research shows that capsaicin (and a related compound called resiniferatoxin) may even be useful for skin cancer. When applied to human skin cells, this substance caused the cancerous ones to dies (most likely for lack of oxygen). The compounds may eventually be used in skin patches or creams that could treat or prevent skin cancers. Chili peppers are quite nutritious, and I'm a firm believer that everyone should include them in their diet. Even if you have a " weak stomach " , give them a try; you might be pleasantly surprised. Keeping the heat on the medical mainstream, William Campbell Douglass II, MD ************************************************************** Copyright ©1997-2003 by www.realhealthnews.com, L.L.C. The Daily Dose may not be posted on commercial sites without written permission. ************************************************************** ************************************************************** If you'd like to participate in the Real Health Forum, search past e-letters and products or you're a Real Health r and would like to search past articles, visit http://www.realhealthnews.com ************************************************************** To learn more about Real Health, call (800) 851-7100 or visit http://www.agora-inc.com/reports/RHB/WRHBCC11/home.cfm ************************************************************** IMPORTANT: We have a strict anti-spam policy. It is our intention to honor all " remove " requests promptly. However, if you do not follow the instructions below and simply hit reply instead, we may not receive your request and cannot guarantee that you will be removed from the list. ************************************************************** Gettingwell- / Vitamins, Herbs, Aminos, etc. To , e-mail to: Gettingwell- Or, go to our group site: Gettingwell Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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