Spices as Medicine: Part 2: Saffron

Highly prized throughout history and used as a flavouring, perfume, medicine, colouring and in ceremonies, saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. This fact alone gives it an air of reverence and magic. The spice consists of the fine threadlike stigma of the Autumn Crocus (Crocus Sativus) flower. Each flower contains 3 or 4  threads, which to this day are harvested by hand, and it takes 150 flowers to produce just 1mg. of saffron. Because of its cost, it is frequently adulterated with cheaper substitutes, so one needs to be sure of its quality. This was such an issue that in the 15^th century people convicted of adulterating saffron were burned or buried alive.

Next  to cardamom, saffron is my favourite spice to use in cooking. I love its pungent earthy flavour and remarkable colour, for example in saffron rice. It lends itself to sweet as well as savoury dishes. Although traditionally used as a medicine in the Middle East, it is more recently being incorporated into the modern herbal dispensary in the West.

Traditionally saffron was used medicinally for menstrual disorders, fever, coughs and colds, fertility problems, teething pain, depression and ‘general weakness’. In recent years, scientific studies have confirmed its effectiveness in many of these ailments.  Impressive results were found in research published in 2005 demonstrating improvements in patients with mild to moderate depression.  The effectiveness was similar to that found with prescription medications Prozac and Tofranil.

Another interesting study was done with people suffering mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. People treated with saffron extract showed a significant improvement in cognitive function. The saffron extract gave similar benefit to prescription medicine Aricept over a 22 week period. The saffron extract was tolerated better, with fewer side-effects than the prescription medicine.

Similarly, research studies have found benefit in PMS and macular degeneration. Saffron in medicinal amounts is usually well tolerated, although should be avoided in pregnancy.

Along with its use in depression, in clinical practice I have seen saffron used effectively for people experiencing grief.  A colleague of mine prescribes it along with a tincture of rose petals with excellent results. The combination tends to be very emotionally comforting.

Recently introduced in a liquid tincture form, saffron can be easily administered as a single herb, or as is my preference, combined with other herbs such as lemon balm, St. John’s wort, and bacopa to support the nervous system and cognitive functions.

Spices as Medicine: Part 1: Nigella (Black Cumin)

Variously known as nigella, black cumin and kalonji, these aromatic black seeds are used in curries and sprinkled on breads before baking.  They are also revered as a medicine in the Middle East. My friend Mohamed, an Egyptian perfume merchant, tells me there is an Arabic belief that ‘in the black seed is the medicine for every disease except death’. He tells me the traditional way of using the seeds as medicine is to take some in a teaspoon in honey every morning. I have tried this, and can report they have a bitter astringency that I find challenging.

Since nigella is recommended as a medicine for every disease, there are countless claims to its therapeutic use, including indigestion, fatigue, chest congestion, diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis and asthma.

As a practicing herbalist, I like to look at the scientific research to see whether it validates traditional uses of herbal medicines. A controlled study published in 2006 showed effectiveness in reducing symptoms of allergic rhinitis (hay fever). It showed similar benefit to a pharmaceutical anti-histamine. A further study showed significant improvement in immune function as measured in white cell activity.

Another study showed a 39% reduction in blood sugar levels in Type 2 Diabetics, with improvement in insulin levels. In addition, research showed a significantly decreased body weight and waist circumference in men with central obesity. Preliminary research also showed  improvement in cholesterol and triglycerides with a tiny dose of .7 g of powdered seed per day (less than ¼ teaspoon). Anti-tumour activity has been found in one of the constituents of the seeds, but further research is needed.

In the clinic I have found wonderful results with nigella in a herbal mix when treating chronic and acute sinus problems. I combine it with other herbs to obtain the best results. I also include it in weight loss mixtures.  Nigella has only recently been manufactured in a liquid tincture form. This is a non-traditional form of an ancient medicine.  Tinctures are extracted in alcohol and water to get the maximum active ingredients from the plant. Alcohol is not used in the Middle East, even in perfumes, because of cultural beliefs.  However I love the benefit of the liquid tincture in combining it with herbs of my choice to get the best therapeutic outcome. Having said that, nigella is a safe general tonic taken traditionally in a teaspoon of honey every day.

 

CONCERNED ABOUT CONTAMINANTS IN YOUR FISH OILS? YOU SHOULD BE.

One of the most popular supplements on the market is unfortunately the least understood. The humble fish oil varies hugely in price, potency and purity, and it is almost impossible for the consumer to make a wise choice. It benefits many chronic conditions including heart disease, arthritis, auto-immune diseases and mood disorders.   

Fish oils, in capsule or liquid form, may contain heavy metals including mercury, cadmium, lead and arsenic. They can also contain dioxin, a carcinogen (cancer-causing agent) which is an industrial pollutant that finishes up in waterways.  A small number of fish oil products are purified to remove these contaminants, but most are not.  Supplements may state ‘mercury tested’ on the label which implies they are mercury-free when they are not. An analysis of one such brand shows it to contain 10 times more mercury than a purified product.  
The reality is that all fish oil supplements in Australia have to be ‘mercury tested’ before they can be marketed, and they must meet the Australian Government standard of mercury levels. This level is not stringent, and one well-known brand contains 100 times more mercury than a purified supplement. But this level is considered ‘acceptable’. One problem with ‘acceptable’ levels of heavy metals is that one person may benefit from one capsule daily, whereas another person with a particular health problem may need to take 6 to 10 capsules daily. The person needing the higher dose will automatically be someone who has more health problems and therefore mercury toxicity is even more of a concern.
There is no government requirement that fish oils be tested for levels of dioxins, leaving the possibility that high levels will not be detected.  A further problem with contaminants is that most capsules described as ‘reflux-free’ or ‘enteric coated’ contain traces of plastics in the coating.
How does the consumer find out about these sources of toxins? It can be difficult. As a Health Practitioner and retailer, I insist that suppliers give me the results of the product analysis.  Nothing on the container makes this information available to consumers. My advice is to follow the recommendation of a qualified practitioner as we are aware of the brands which are purified to remove heavy metals and dioxin, and manufactured free of plastics.

Supplement choice is also confusing because of variations in potency.  Different brands may contain 1000mg per capsule, but one brand may contain twice as much active ingredient per capsule as another.  The amount of EPA and DHA (active ingredients) added together may be only 300 mg per 1000mg, or it may be 500-600mg for the same size capsule. This at least will be shown on the label. If someone buys the lower potency capsules, they will need to take twice as many to get the same result.
High dosages are necessary for an anti-inflammatory action.  This applies when treating arthritis, allergies, auto-immune disease, and cardiovascular disease.  In adults, six (6) high-potency capsules per day are recommended for anti-inflammatory action, which brings much improved pain relief. Many people take only one or two capsules, which will not give adequate pain relief.
Treatment of ADD, ADHD, behavioural problems (children, teenagers and adults) and mood disorders also require high doses. It is crucial to avoid the toxic overload of mercury on the liver, brain and immune system when treating these conditions.
For many purposes smaller dosages are sufficient. One or two purified high potency capsules per day is the recommended dose for cardiovascular health and general wellbeing.
Unsurprisingly, the purer quality high potency capsules are more expensive. This can be offset by the fact that half the dosage is needed. Unfortunately price is usually an indicator of quality with fish oil supplements, because of the additional processing involved to ensure the purity. Quality brands are also ‘nitrogen-flushed’ to prevent oxidation, as all natural oils are at risk of going rancid with exposure to air.
With all these problems, you may well ask whether we should bother with fish oil supplements. My answer is a resounding YES, because the benefits are great, and all the toxicity issues can be avoided with careful choice of the product.  
Trish Clough has been a practising herbalist for more than 30 years. The information in the column is meant for general interest only and should not be considered as medical advice.

HERBAL ANTIBIOTICS

Medicinal Herbs in our Dispensary

Many people choose to use herbal medicines for a variety of illnesses, but they believe if they need antibiotics, then a visit to the doctor is the only option. However, I would claim after 30 years working with herbal medicines, that the majority (but not all) of infections can be successfully treated with a carefully crafted mixture of herbs.  A herbal antibiotic must be individually tailored to suit the person, and must be formulated by a natural therapist with experience in this area of treatment.

The dramatic increase in antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections is a major concern in hospitals currently.  The widespread use of antibiotics is the cause of these mutations in the microbes.  I believe it is essential that prescription antibiotics are used only when absolutely necessary, and it is wise to seek alternative forms of treatment.  A part of the history of overuse has been the prescribing of antibiotics during viral illnesses, for the purpose of preventing a secondary bacterial infection.  Antibiotics do not treat the virus as such, as they are specific against bacteria only.  A more prudent approach would be to monitor the infection, and only use antibiotics if signs of a secondary infection occur.

Herbal antibiotic formulas do not encourage mutations of bacteria, which are unable to develop resistance because of the more complex multiple plant constituents.  On the other hand, a prescription antibiotic consists of a single chemical entity.

There is no one herb that works effectively as an antibiotic treatment on its own.  My tried and true approach is to formulate a combination of herbs. The mixture will include immune stimulation (herbs such as Echinacea and Andrographis), specific antibacterials (such as Goldenseal, Baptisia, Myrrh, Propolis, Calendula, Thyme), and lymphatic herbs (such as Fenugreek, Poke Root, Figwort). In addition, a mixture will include specific herbs to address the function of the organs or systems affected by the infection. These herbs vary, depending for instance if the infection is respiratory, urinary, skin or sinuses.  Treatment of viral infections will include specific antiviral herbs such as Lemon Balm, St. John’s Wort, or Thuja in addition to immune-stimulating herbs.  The use of St Mary’s Thistle, generally used as a liver herb, will make the treatment more effective as it acts on the cell wall of the bacteria to make the antimicrobial herbs more effective.

I would emphasise that these herbs should only be formulated by a professional, and I advise against self-prescribing.  A knowledge of dosing is important to achieve an effective outcome without side effects.

One memorable experience  I recall with the use of herbal antibiotics was a woman who presented with a severe sinus infection.  She had already taken 3 courses of prescription antibiotics, each of which improved the symptoms but the infection was not clearing up. She had also used a herbal treatment unsuccessfully. This seemed like quite a challenge, but I made her a strong herbal mix specific for a sinus infection. Within days she reported that her symptoms improved significantly, and were completely resolved by the end of a week’s course of herbs.

It may seem surprising that the herbal mixture was more effective than prescription antibiotics. I believe this is because the herbs were designed to address the sypmtoms which were driving the infection. Excessive mucus production provides a breeding ground for the bacteria, and this was addressed with the herbal mixture. After many weeks of illness, this patient was rundown with a weakened immune system.  The herbal mixture was designed to also support her immune system. 

As a herbalist I am not opposed to the use of prescription antibiotics when needed. However, I can see the use of herbal antimicrobials as the first step in non life-threatening infections as serving a broader community benefit.

KAVA – BENEFICIAL MEDICINE OR THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL?

The benefits of kava are considerable. Scientific research has confirmed its effectiveness in the treatment of anxiety, nervous tension, insomnia, stress, menopausal anxiety and mild depression. An Australian study published in 2009 showed significant benefits, comparable to the results achieved with prescription tranquilisers such as benzodiazepam.

 ‘Water-based extracts of the roots from the kava plant are used traditionally in many Pacific Island cultures for their mood-altering properties. Contrary to popular belief, kava is not banned, and has just been released on the market in a safe, water-based liquid extract by Queensland manufacturer Mediherb.  An advantage of this new liquid preparation is herbalists can formulate herbal mixtures combining kava with other medicinal herbs for effective treatments.  This new kava product is available from the Traditional Medicinals dispensary where qualified staff can be consulted. Kava is also available in a safe tablet form if people prefer this.

Despite centuries of use of kava in Pacific Island cultures, when taken out of its traditional milieu, kava has had a checkered and controversial history.  It was introduced to Indigenous communities in northern Australia from Fiji in the 1980s as it was believed it could provide a safer option to alcohol consumption. However, without the traditional cultural guidelines for appropriate use, and the fact that kava was frequently used alongside alcohol, many serious health and social problems occurred.  Complex regulations occurred, with kava variously classed as a food, a poison, a drug, a scheduled medicine, a dangerous good, and a prohibited botanical, with local Arnhem Land, State, Territory, and national restrictions at different times.

A voluntary withdrawal of all kava products was put in place in Australia in 2002 when German reports of liver toxicity were associated with the use of kava tablets. In the majority of cases, patients had also been taking other medications and some had pre-existing liver disease.  Research also indicated that, unlike the traditional water-based extractions of kava, some brands of tablets were manufactured using ethanol and acetone (yes, nailpolish remover!). These methods of extraction yielded active ingredient levels hundreds of times higher than traditional methods, and at these levels the compounds may have become toxic.

Considerable research was conducted, which confirmed the safety of kava using traditional water extraction methods. Ethanol and acetone preparations have been banned while water-based and pure rhizome products are approved. A cap on the quantity of kava lactones (naturally occurring active ingredients) in a preparation is in place to ensure safety. It is not recommended that kava be taken by people with a history of excessive alcohol consumption or liver disease. Modern science has confirmed its effective anti-anxiety and anti-depressant benefits. 

People might question whether kava should be used at all as a medicine, if excessive quantities can be toxic to the liver. However, many foods and medicines are beneficial in normal quantities but toxic in large amounts. It is possible to induce liver failure from excessive amounts of carrot juice (or wine). With current manufacturing and usage guidelines, kava is once again a beneficial adjunct to the herbal dispensary.  Much of the recent  problematic history of kava came about through it being taken out of its cultural traditions and also being commercialised  by pharmaceutical companies with insufficient understanding of its phytochemistry. Hopefully lessons have been learnt.’

Trish Clough has been a herbalist for more than 30 years and is the owner of Traditional Medicinals, 133 Keen Street, Lismore. Phone 0452 219 502 for further information.

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AN EMERGING EPIDEMIC - 'MAN-FLU'

With apologies for the sex role stereotyping.

Recently there appears to be a dramatic increase in the influenza virus known colloquially as 'Man-flu'. It is similar in many ways to other varieties of winter viruses, but there are some key
diagnostic indicators which health practitioners look out for.
The susceptible target is gender-and age-specific, only affecting adult males. Users of social media, and specifically Twitter, appear to be more susceptible. Current theories are that the virus has mutated to a form which can be transmitted via smartphone app software.
The predominant symptom of the man-flu, generally reported by other family members, is the tendency for the sufferer to be loquacious and complaining, with a dominance of the “poor me” response. Other symptoms can include fever, headache, streaming nose, and demands for
drugs.
Symptoms will usually resolve with supportive care. Other family members (and I use this term broadly) who provide hand-holding, soothing of fevered brow, attention to detail in providing
requested food and beverages, and a generally nurturing environment report quick resolution of symptoms.
Natural medicine support with herbal mixtures of immune support (such as Echinacea and andrographis), anti-viral agents (such as lemon balm), respiratory remedies such as elderflower, combined with Vitamin C will speed recovery and help prevent a secondary bacterial
infection occurring.
If the flu has caused chesty symptoms, I should point out that it is normal for a cough to persist up to 4 weeks after the virus has cleared up, and this should not to be seen as excessive
attention-seeking on the part of the man-flu sufferer. It will resolve with
time (or perhaps thyme?).

"AUSTRALIAN STORY" 4.7.2011 ON BOWEL CANCER

I was disturbed by the sad story of a young woman who had bowel cancer, and I was disturbed by the story of her experience with natural therapies. Taking the story at face value, as I have no knowledge of the people involved, I felt alarmed at the approach taken by the woman and her husband, and particularly her homeopath. I would like to reassure people that this story is absolutely not the usual approach taken by natural therapists.


All of the naturopaths and herbalists at Traditional Medicinals encourage clients to use medical tests when the symptoms warrant this. Any bleeding from the bowel should be tested, no matter what the age or apparent health of the client. With a diagnosis of bowel cancer, our natural health practitioners encourage the client to follow the advice of her/his medical specialist, and natural remedies are used safely and appropriately alongside this medical treatment. The medical treatment may involve surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation treatment.


We would never discourage a client from having medical treatment, but would respect someone's right to refuse treatment if the prognosis according to the cancer specialist is very poor and the side-effects likely to be distressing.


The woman concerned in "Australian Story" chose to use homeopathic treatment and believed that a positive attitude was essential to her healing. These choices were supported by her husband and her homeopath. I believe that this approach could be an adjunct to treatment, but that a broader approach is warranted. The danger with this approach, as the story revealed, is that signs of deterioration can be misunderstood as a "healing crisis", and also that the family is pressured to not express concerns about what they see before their eyes, for fear of introducing negativity. Clearly other family members in this story felt powerless and frustrated by the refusal of some to see what was really going on, that is the young woman was dying from the disease.


Natural remedies can make a significant contribution to the quality of life for someone with cancer. Remedies can be given to prepare the body for surgery, and to assist with recovery. Some herbal medicines can be safely given to help the person cope with the side-effects of chemotherapy. Blood-building and immune system support can be given at the appropriate stage in recovery from medical treatments. Healthy diets can also be tailored to the stages of recovery. Longer-term revitalising of health can be achieved through nutrition, supplements and herbal medicines as well as addressing stress and emotional wellbeing.


When someone is terminally ill, there is a role for natural remedies to provide a measure of symptom relief and to support the person emotionally during the latter stages of his or her life. These remedies can complement any treatments offered medically. Tragically for the young woman in "Australian Story" and for her family, there could have been a different outcome if her early symptoms had been investigated, and treatment decisions had involved both her medical specialist and her homeopath.