| Herbal Pharmacy
Plants containing phytochemicals with antibacterial properties, in order of potency:
Coptis chinensis (Chinese goldthread) Coptis sp. (generic goldthread) Mangifera indica (mango) Coptis japonica (huang lia) Hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal) Hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) Phyllanthus emblica (emblic) Punica granatum (pomegranate) Quercus infectoria (aleppo oak) Berberis vulgaris (barberry) Phellodendron amurense (huang po)
Argemone mexicana (prickly poppy) Fragaria sp. |
| Herbal Pharmacy
Plants containing phytochemicals with anti-morning-sickness properties, in order of potency:
Persea americana (avocado) Triticum aestivum (wheat) Hordeum vulgare (barley) Oryza sativa (rice) Sesamum indicum (sesame) Glycine max (soybean) Lens culinaris (lentil) Avena sativa (oats plant) Zea mays (corn) Avena sativa (oats seed) Tamarindus indica (tamarind) Pisum sativum (pea) Theobroma cacao (cacao) Gossypium sp. (cotton)
Patient Stories
LAURIE
I started massage about three years ago. |
| We can also detoxify the body by supplying oodles of plant chemicals, called phytochemicals. These foods can be eaten cooked or raw, and should include vegetables of all sorts, fruits, and a few whole grains. Fruit and vegetable juices are especially important. You have to flood the system with nutritious fluids, such as carrot and green leaf juices. Apple juice should always be added because apples contain a material that is very good for cellular energy. |
Gary Null, Ph.D.
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 Furthermore, juices derived from plant sources provide abundant sources of phytochemicals and antioxidant vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.
The acidity of the body can have a profound effect upon health. According to Dr. Emanuel Revici, a renowned health educator and researcher who has dedicated a great portion of his life to devising treatments for pain, pain sensations can be substantially alleviated by altering our dietary habits. In his research, Dr. Revici succeeded in eliminating severe pancreatic cancer pain by raising the pH
Treatment
Nutrition level in his patients. |
| The valuable phytochemicals contained in aloe vera can help correct many chronic conditions, including indigestion, malabsorption syndrome, leaky gut syndrome, spastic colon, and ulcerative colitis.
•Chamomile...This is a gentle yet highly effective remedy for irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive disturbances accompanied by anxiety. A cup of boiled water can be poured over a heaping tablespoon of dried chamomile flowers and strained after several minutes. |
The Complete Book of Alternative NutritionSelene Y. Craig, Jennifer Haigh, Sari Harrar and the Editors of PREVENTION Magazine Health Books
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| Fruits and vegetables are loaded with thousands of different compounds known as phytochemicals, many of which have shown cancer-fighting potential in laboratory studies.
A vegetarian diet also supplies plenty of fiber—about 34 grams per day, compared to the 10 grams we get if we're eating a standard Western diet. Whole grains in particular are rich in insoluble fiber, a type that has been associated with reduced risk of colon cancer. And many fruits and vegetables have abundant soluble fiber, the kind that dissolves or forms a gel, as well as insoluble fiber. |
Robert Hass, M.S.
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 At this time, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) does not recommend supplements of vitamins, minerals, herbs, or other nutrients for the prevention of cancer, but it does recommend that everyone consume a diet rich in a special class of compounds called phytochemicals. I prefer the term phytonutrients because these compounds, found in all plant foods, are the dietary substances that save lives. |
Henry Pasternak, D.V.M., C.V.A.
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 Sterols/Sterolins
Plant sterols and sterolins are among the many phytochemicals, which have in recent years stimulated research into the healing and curing effects of plants against disease. Most of the research on this comes from South Africa.71 They are plant fats present in every plant (fruits and vegetables), and although chemically similar to the animal fat, cholesterol, they are totally different in biological functions. In the natural state, sterols/sterolins are bound to the fibers of the plant. Thus, they may make it more difficult to digest and absorb during normal digestion. |
Ralph Golan, M.D.
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 Such foods also provide specific cancer-fighting biochemicals, called phytochemicals. Allhyl sulfides from garlic, onions, leeks, and chives; dithiolthiones from broccoli; and isothiocyanates from cabbage, cauliflower, kale, brussels sprouts, col-lards, and other cruciferous vegetables trigger the formulation of glutathione S-transferase, an important enzyme involved in protecting a cell's DNA (genetic material) from carcinogens. Isoflavones from soybeans and other legumes block estrogen stimulation of cells, which may reduce the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. |
| Schardt, David. "Phytochemicals: Plants against Cancer." Nutrition Action Health Letter (Center for Science in the Public Interest): 21 (April 1994): 1, 9-11. April, 1994.
Siegel, Bernie, M.D. Love, Medicine, and Miracles. New York: Harper & Row, 1986.
Wainwright House, 260 Stuvyesant Ave., Rye, New York 10580,(914) 967-6080.
Walters, Richard. Options: The Alternative Cancer Therapy Book. Garden City, NY: Avery, 1993.
CERVICAL DYSPLASIA OR ABNORMAL PAP SMEAR
Butterworth, C. E., Jr., et al. |
J. Robert Hatherill
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 Umbelliferous vegetables are extremely rich sources of plant chemicals. phytochemicals are present in relatively high amounts in celery seed oil, and in fresh celery as well (in fact these are responsible for conferring the characteristic odor of celery).
Celery compounds also modify the detoxifying enzyme GST. For example, celery seed oil contains five natural products, many of which increase the activity of GST fivefold. Even more convincing data in studies with mice showed that celery seed oil decreased the number of mice with tumors, as well as the number of tumors per mouse. |
Margarita Artschwager Kay
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 Bearing these problems of naming in mind, I have documented one hundred genera of the plants most commonly used as medicines (see part 2) by the peoples of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, plants that produce phytochemicals capable of preventing or curing an illness. The traditional plant pharmacopoeias evolved to their present forms in each society through a unique combination of ecological, historical, and cultural factors.
The American and Mexican West
Much of the American and Mexican West is characterized as desert. |
J. Robert Hatherill
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| Chemopreventive Agents
This is a good place to define terms: þChemopreventive agent—a non-nutritive substance that has demonstrated protection against cancer þPhy to chemical—a plant substance that has shown biological activity þDesigner food—a food that is processed or supplemented with chemopreventive substances þFunctional food—a unique food or food group that has potent chemopreventive properties
But how are phytochemicals likely to prevent cancer? The promotion of optimal health with non-nutritive substances sounds odd. |
Alan Keith Tillotson, Ph.D., A.H.G., D.Ay.
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 Duke's database also lists individual phytochemicals that have been reported to be allergenic (see Resource Guide).
Hypersensitivity is a more common problem, affecting perhaps 1% of people who take herbal medicines. These are unexpected reactions of various sorts that other people do not have. Symptoms may develop such as elevated liver enzymes, nervousness, changes in blood pressure, or fatigue. If such responses occur, they are unpredictable, and patients should always discontinue the herbs and consult with their doctors. |
Glenn W. Geelhoed, M.D. and Jean Barilla, M.S.
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 But two phytochemicals found in tomatoes (p-coumaric and chlorogenic acid) can prevent the formation of nitrosamines. (Strawberries, grapes, carrots and green peppers, as well as other fruits and vegetables, also contain p-coumaric acid and chlorogenic acid.)
In addition, tomatoes contain another cancer-fighting substance -— lycophene, an antioxidant that may reduce your risk of cancers of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, colon and rectum. Some researchers suggest that you eat 7 or more tomatoes a week. |
Robert Hass, M.S.
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| This was the first report of the use of phytochemicals to prevent spontaneous prostate cancer metastasis. These preliminary findings suggest that some forms of pectin may be useful in preventing cancer cells from metastasizing to healthy tissue. Ordinary pectin, used to make jellies and jams, does not possess this cancer-stopping power. Once ordinary pectin has been chemically altered in the laboratory, however, it acquires its cancer-stopping abilities. Products containing modified citrus pectin are sold through health-food stores and mailorder companies. |
Phyllis A. Balch, CNC
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 Key nutrients in tomatoes include calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, iron, copper, manganese, vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin K, vitamin E, vitamin Bj (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), pantothenic acid, fiber, folate, and small amounts of lipids and amino acids. |
| Key nutrients in carrots include fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, copper, manganese, vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin K, vitamin E, vitamin Bj (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), pantothenic acid, folate, and small amounts of lipids and amino acids. |
| Key nutrients in sweet peppers include calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, copper, manganese, vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin E, vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), pantothenic acid, fiber, folate, and small amounts of lipids and amino acids. |
Henry Pasternak, D.V.M., C.V.A.
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| Isoflavones, genistein, and deidzein, three phytochemicals that have been shown to have antithyroid activity.32 The soy isoflavones and other chemicals inhibit thyroid peroxidase, a key thyroid enzyme.
If you are thinking that this might be a good treatment for feline hyperthyroidism, it is unlikely that cats will ingest enough soy protein to be of benefit; however, research in this area might prove interesting. |
Janet Zand, LAc, OMD, Allan N. Spreed, MD, CNC, James B. LaValle, RPh, ND
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 Eating a diet that includes generous amounts of a wide variety of fresh produce is still the best way to ensure that you are getting the fullest possible range of phytochemicals and in the balance that nature intended. problem is seldom identified. Most people will simply ignore an upset stomach, a mild case of diarrhea, or a temporary unidentified digestive disturbance, or treat these symptoms with an over-the-counter remedy of some kind without thinking much about it. |
Henry Pasternak, D.V.M., C.V.A.
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| Research has also shown that the Pacific yew is a rich source of beneficial phytochemicals (taxanes) that are unique to the North American variety.
The Pacific yew taxanes have unique anticancer mechanisms of action. Cancer cells replicate by sending out what are referred to as spindle fibers. At the end of these fibers, a new cancer cell forms. When the new cancer cell matures, the spindle fiber, which connects it to its parent cell, disintegrates. The new cell becomes separate and able to create more cancer cells. |
Margarita Artschwager Kay
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| Pharmacologically active phytochemicals found in plants of the American and Mexican West are very briefly defined in appendix B. Moreover, presence of the compounds mentioned above will be noted in the individual plant discussions in part 2. Yet these biomedical concepts may fail to address some of the reasons for a given medicinal plant's perceived (if not actual) efficacy. Lay theory of the medicinal actions of plants, or former theory now superseded by biomedical science, may differ from modern biomedical theory. |
J. Robert Hatherill
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| The major tea phytochemicals are catechin from green tea and thea flavins from black tea. Tea extracts also protect against radiation, and they lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels as well.
For a long time tea has been considered effective in mitigating diarrhea caused by bacterial infections. Human studies show lower risks of gastric cancer among those who drink large quantities of green tea.
In Japan many products such as candy, toothpaste, and beverages have been enriched with green tea extracts (Sunphenon). Green tea has also been discovered to inhibit cavity-producing bacteria. |
| Many of these phytochemicals have been linked to reduced cancer risk. Beyond this, organically grown produce has a much better taste!
Healthy Reasons to Eat Organic þFewer herbicide residues þFewer insecticide residues þFewer fungicide residues þFewer toxic metals þFewer toxic nitrates þMany more essential and trace minerals þNo hormones (organic cows are not given hormones to increase milk production)
1 Free-range refers to meat, poultry, and eggs produced with the freedom of the range, and animals not given hormones or growth stimulants. |
Jean Carper
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 The treatment then encompasses options of conventional therapies, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, plus a range of unconventional therapies, including nutrition, based on a macrobiotic, vegetarian, or
¦ 1AC m fish-vegetarian diet, and supplements of vitamins, minerals, botanicals, whole foods, phytochemicals, and other agents with documented scientific validity. Nutrition is but one of seven components of his therapy. Foremost is conveying hope, giving the patient a positive attitude, a passion for life, the idea that "you can fight for your life." Next is proper medical care. |
Prevention Magazine
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 You get so many important nutrients from leafy green vegetables—magnesium, iron, calcium, folate, vitamin C, and vitamin B6, plus all the heart disease— and cancer-fighting phytochemicals," says Michael Liebman, Ph.D., professor of human nutrition at the University of Wyoming in Laramie. "These are the most nutrient-dense foods that we have available."
Experts are quick to note, however, that American's favorite "salad starter"—the bland-tasting iceberg lettuce—doesn't count as a "leafy green" vegetable. Of all the foods in this powerhouse family, iceberg is the runt. |
| Health from the Garden
Researchers call these compounds phytochemicals or phytonutrients, terms that simply mean chemicals or nutrients found in plants. They're not there accidentally—they're Mother Nature's way of keeping her garden beautiful. Potent sulfur compounds in garlic and onions, for instance, act as bug repellents to keep the vegetables healthy. Vibrant pigments like beta-carotene, found in carrots and cantaloupe, put the vivid hues in the foods we eat. Other compounds protect plants from bacteria, viruses, and other natural enemies. |
J. Robert Hatherill
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| Unlike vitamins, phytochemicals should not be taken in the pill form found at the store. Eat whole organic foods rather than quick-cooking processed foods. Fresh food is better than frozen, and frozen food is better than canned.
We need to understand the role chemopreventives play in a healthy diet as well as we now understand the role of vitamins and minerals. The relatively few vitamins and minerals that exist each have precisely defined nutritional roles. In contrast tens of thousands of potentially important anticancer collages are present in whole foods. |
Margarita Artschwager Kay
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| Further, these compounds may potentiate the beneficial actions or mitigate the toxicity of other phytochemicals. In describing the phytochemistry of a medicinal plant, most pharmacologists feature only a few of the hundreds of compounds that have been identified and make no provision for possible interactions among them. While it is tempting to use a biomedical rationale to suggest why a particular plant part has been used to treat an illness condition, it is not always appropriate. |
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