Tag: Fenugreek

The Other Herbs I Love

Posted on by Diogenes II

 

Five years ago, I wrote about nine of my most cherished herbs. Now, I will list sixteen more.

 

Bhumi Amalaki: I previously wrote about herbs good for the liver, like kutki, eclipta alba and guduchi. Now I’ll add another ayurvedic herb, Bhumi Amalaki. This herb goes well with kutki, in rejuvenating a dying, fatty liver. In Peru, it’s known as chanca piedra — the stone breaker. If you want to protect your gallbladder from gallstones or surgery, think Bhumi Amalaki. It is also protective of the kidneys — removing excess oxalate crystals. These features will also relieve chronic abdominal pain and painful urination.

Bhumi Amalaki may also be useful for those suffering from diabetes, Hepatitis B, and HIV.

Other names: phyllanthus niruri, Bhumi amla

 

Jiaogulan: an herb originating from Southern China, this is known as the “Immortality herb”. People who drink this herb as a tea, seem to live longer, healthier lives. Containing 82 saponins called gypenosides, it is extremely useless for those with both pre-diabetes and diabetes. May also reduce visceral and subcutaneous fat.

Other names: Gynostemma Pentaphyllum, Southern Ginseng

 

Astragalus: this herb shares certain similarities with Jiaogulan — also sharing anti-aging characteristics, presumably by keeping the telomeres of cells healthy. Astragalus is famously known as a kidney cleanser, reducing protein loss, while increasing excretion of unwanted uric acid. This consequently improves blood pressure and heart function.

 

Andrographis: known as the “King of bitters” for a reason: because it is a very bitter herb. This bitterness helps make everything else sweet: improving arthritic conditions, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Its immune system regulator and strengthening abilities help improve many conditions: asthma, flu, common cold, bronchitis, COPD, COVID, TB, Lyme disease and even malaria. The key is to taking this herb at the onset of these conditions — preferably within 72 hours.

There is also credible evidence that andrographis may show improvement of the hard to treat inflammatory bowel disease Ulcerative colitis.

There is also credible evidence that this herb may show beneficial for certain cancers!

Other names: Andrographis paniculata, Green chiretta, Kalmegh

 

Pau d’arco: from the Amazon rainforest of South America and the inner bark of the tabebuia tree, while improving immune system function, this herb is famous for relieving candida overgrowth in women. Containing compounds known as naphthoquinones, it is known for being anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and maybe even anti-cancer!

Do not consume in high doses!

Other names: Tabebuia avellanedae, Taheebo and Lapacho

 

Neem: like andrographis, an extremely bitter herb from ayurveda. For temporary use only — may dry the body and skin. Not for pregnant or breastfeeding women, as may cause spontaneous abortion. Very antiparasitic, antiviral, antibacterial, antiseptic,  antifungal and anti infection. Purifies the blood and may reduce blood sugar.

 

Punarnava: like andrographis, may be good for Ulcerative colitis due to its anti inflammatory properties. May also be helpful for Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Literally meaning “the one that renews”, punarnava has a whole body cleansing effect, including as a diuretic. May also be helpful for weight loss and those with Rheumatoid arthritis.

Other names: Boerhaavia diffusa

 

African Geranium: from South Africa, very antibacterial and antiviral and proven exceptionally effective for upper respiratory tract infections: common cold, laryngitis (voice box), pharyngitis (sore throat), rhinosinusitis (sinuses); and even lower respiratory tract infections: acute bronchitis; tuberculosis.

Other names: Pelargonium sidoides, South African geranium, Umckaloabo (a brand name)

 

Mullein: like African geranium, helps with inflammation and infections of the lungs. As an expectorant, may reduce mucus. Very useful and effective for those suffering from sleep apnea. May also be helpful in treating other inflammation and infections throughout the body, including ear infections.

 

Arjuna: from ayurveda and from the bark of the Terminalia arjuna tree, this herb contains triterpene glycosides that may improve heart function and reduce chest pain. Other compounds have been isolated like arjunetoside, oleanolic and arjunic acids, that may contribute to improvement of the left ventricle of the heart, thus improving blood flow throughout the entire body.

 

Dan shen: like Arjuna, a Chinese (TCM) herb that may improve heart function by reducing excess platelets in the blood. Excess platelets causes congestion in the blood and make blood flow harder. As a consequence of this herb, blood becomes thinner and blood vessels become wider. All of this manifests as reduced chest pain, blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.

Other names: Salvia miltiorrhizao, Chinese Red Sage

 

Hawthorn: like Dan shen, hawthorn is good for the heart. Flavonoids like rutin and quercetin may help heart muscle contract better, increasing blood and oxygen supply to the heart muscle. This may thus decrease chest pain or irregular heartbeat. May also be a credible option for those suffering from the beginning stages of heart failure.

The most effective part of this herb for improving heart conditions is the flowers. Leafs and berries can also be used but are less effective.

 

Blue Vervain: this is the herb for anxiety, depression and insomnia. Known for its calming effect on the nervous system, the verbenalin, an iridoid glycosides, in blue vervain may increase sleep onset and duration. One side effect may be strange dreams or nightmares.

Blue vervain may also be effective against epilepsy, including the classic tonic-clonic seizures.

Other names: Verbena hastata, American vervain

[Should not be confused with its sister plant, common vervain — the European plant version (aka Verbena officinalis).]

 

Dragon’s Blood: a natural red resin (from tree sap), often used in rituals, extracted from a variety of tropical trees called Dragon trees, primarily, Croton lechleri. Commonly used for digestive issues including internal ulcers. Has antimicrobial properties and can help heal receding gum if used as a mouth rinse. Also used for external ulcers, and other skin wound to accelerate healing. May reduce arthritic pain when used topically.

If used internally, for short term use only — about one week at a time.

Other names: Sangre de Grado

 

Persian Saffron: known as the sunshine spice and the most expensive spice in the world. Effective for anxiety and depression, this spice is known for providing relief of PMS symptoms in women, even by just inhaling the herb. It may also improve sleep quality, reduce cravings, and manage diabetes. May also lubricate sex organs and increase sexual desire.

Pregnant women should not use this spice!

Saffron has many fake competition, so it is important to do research to make sure you’re getting authentic saffron. Look for saffron from Persian or Iranian origin.

Even though saffron may show beneficial in tackling certain degenerative diseases, like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and also in certain cancers, it is important to remember that saffron is a spice, and should only be used safely in small amounts, at about 15 mg twice per day.

Other names: Crocus sativus

 

Fenugreek: like saffron, may also increase sexual desire in both sexes, by balancing hormones like estrogen and testosterone. May manage blood sugar and diabetes by slowing sugar absorption in the stomach and stimulating insulin more effectively. Increases milk supply in breastfeeding women. High in iron, excess may cause gastrointestinal issues.

 

Caution should be taken while using herbs with any medication, if pregnant or breastfeeding and two weeks before surgery. Typical side effects — though rare — may include: nausea, vomiting, dizziness, stomach upset, skin rash, anemia, constipation and/or diarrhea.

Optimize Your Testosterone Levels

Posted on by Diogenes II

 

Testosterone is a hormone — not a male or female hormone — but just a hormone, that simply happens to be produced some 20 times more in men’s testes than in women’s ovaries. It is also a steroid hormone, which means that it’s fat-soluble — allowing it to penetrate and enter directly into cells, as opposed to non-steroid hormones — which sit on the outside of cells. Testosterone is also an anabolic steroid, which means it builds things and supplies things (like protein) for muscle building and (collagen) for bone building. It is also a sex hormone — which means it makes people competitive, aggressive and sometimes unreasonably sensitive. In this article, I will discuss the pathway that decreases testosterone, and the ways to optimize this hormone.

Many articles point out the analysis that testosterone is produced — or rather, manufactured — in the testes of men, and ovaries of women, and adrenal glands of both sexes. But this hormone is greatly affected by the conditions of one particular organ — the largest internal organ: i.e., the liver. Low testosterone levels do not simply indicate that you need to increase your testosterone levels — it indicates that there is some type of malfunction somewhere — highly suspectably initiated in the liver.

But how is testosterone created?

Our body metabolizes cholesterol from the food we eat and from the synthesis of cholesteryl ester that the liver produces. Cholesterol makes hormones, including the hormone pregnenolone. Metabolized pregnenolone is turned into Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and progesterone. DHEA and progesterone are converted into many other hormones, including testosterone. As previously mentioned, testosterone cannot simply be classified as a male hormone because testosterone can and often do turn into estradiol — a form of estrogen (the so called female hormone). In the bone and brain, testosterone is easily converted to estradiol, by the aromatase enzyme. In the central nervous system, it is this estradiol that serves as the most important feedback signal to the hypothalamus. In many animals, it is this estradiol that masculinizes the brain of the male fetus.

Interestingly, testosterone distribution throughout the body appears surprisingly stingy. Most scientific articles you read will say that about 98 percent of testosterone is strongly or weakly bound to proteins, and about 2 percent is free testosterone, ready for immediate use. Unfortunately, much of what they know about the binding up of testosterone by proteins is pure speculation, based off of hypotheses, and not facts. There are many proteins that are responsible for storing and carrying testosterone, the main ones being sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), human serum albumin (HSA), and to a lesser extent, corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) and orosomucoid. And then we have after these, “free testosterone”. But the “binding up” or distribution of testosterone by protein is greatly influenced by age. If SHBG — which has a strong bind — is being bound to testosterone at a rate of 65 percent, then that person must be somewhere around 65 years old — or young and ill. If the SHBG is 49 percent, then you ought to expect that person to be somewhere around 49 years old! So SHBG percentage increases with age.

In fact, after about age 30, men naturally or unnaturally lose testosterone levels by 1 or 2 percent each year thereafter — so by the time he reaches the age of 60, that man would expect a testosterone loss anywhere from 30 to 60 percent. The increase of SHBG is an indicative sign of increased toxic heavy metals and a decrease in liver function. So protein-binding increase, like that of SHBG, should be an indicator of increased age, or increased disease! Furthermore, when there is increased heavy metals and liver dysfunction, that opens the way for testosterone to turn into estradiol. This explains why so many men experience dramatically increased estrogen levels and lowered testosterone levels after age 50.

And there is that mighty co-relation between cholesterol and testosterone. In fact, cholesterol is the raw material of testosterone; and a defect in cholesterol directly affects testosterone. If your cholesterol numbers are uncomfortably high, then your testosterone numbers may show uncomfortably low. Being that that raw material — cholesterol — is made in the liver, and testosterone is made from cholesterol — alas — a testosterone problem is most likely coming from a liver problem! And if your cholesterol numbers are, conversely, uncomfortably low, then this low may be too low for the necessary production of adequate testosterone.

Low testosterone levels may also be indicative — a sign — that the liver is storing too high amounts of free iron. This is not a good thing. The liver does not like to store high, free iron because, this damages said organ. It may surely prove wise to get [one’s] ferritin levels tested. Any level over 60 is indicative of too much free iron being stored in and dispersed by the liver. This nowadays is a major cause of decreased testosterone levels in both men and women.

Generally speaking, men between the ages of 40 to 60 should seek a total testosterone number of over 500; and optimally, over 650. Premenopausal women should aim for around 35, and postmenopausal, around 30 or higher. Testosterone increase may enhance sex-drive for both men and women. Noteworthy, the most accurate testosterone test results is obtained at around 8 am in the morning.

So to optimize your testosterone levels, consider rejuvenating the liver therefore. An ayurvedic herb called kutki will help do that. It is no coincidence that kutki also reduces high LDL and its cholesterol and that that herb reduces oxidation of LDL and cholesterol. Other herbs that may be helpful for the liver are burdock root and artichoke extract.

There are also other herbs that will optimize testosterone and the liver, namely fenugreek and ashwagandha. It is well known that both fenugreek and ashwagandha indirectly provide the raw nutrients that boost and optimize testosterone levels in both sexes — male and female. Ashwagandha, used short term, increases sperm volume in men, muscle size, bone strength and sleep quality in both sexes — critical assets needed for testosterone optimization. Fenugreek increases libido. Fenugreek may also manage glucose levels in the blood and increase insulin sensitivity. This increased insulin sensitivity works in favor with testosterone production.

And there are minerals that optimize testosterone levels — namely zinc, selenium, boron, and magnesium. For example, zinc prevents the aromatase enzyme that turns testosterone into estrogen from that process,  thereby by default, helping to accelerate testosterone and sperm production in the testes. Magnesium and boron help activate free testosterone. It is important that you obtain the right type of mineral, preferably in the natural food-base form, rather than the synthetic. For zinc, try Nutrigold Zinc Gold, for selenium, try Food Research Selenium E, for boron, try Vibrant Health Super Natural Boron, and for magnesium, try malate, taurate, glycinate and/or citrate.

And there are vitamins that optimize testosterone levels — namely vitamin D, E and K — the fat soluble vitamins. It seems as no surprise that testosterone has an affinity to fat soluble vitamins, since testosterone is a fat-soluble hormone.

Still another supplement to consider in boosting testosterone is a natural form of vitamin C. As I’ve stated, one of the binding proteins of testosterone is, corticosteroid-binding globulin. Corticosteroid is a constituent of the hormone cortisol.  An unbalanced rise in cortisol decreases testosterone production. Taking natural vitamin C reduces that rise in cortisol. There is an herb-berry called amla — very popular in ayurveda — that contains both natural vitamin C, polyphenols, and copper. These nutrients work in synergy to help build back a better liver, intestines, lymphatic system and colon — things that are all needed to optimize one’s testosterone levels.

Then we also cannot forget about the B vitamins. The [stress] hormone ADRENALINE turns [on] cortisone (inactive) into cortisol (active). But the body is suppose to turn cortisol back into cortisone to prevent long term damage, with an enzyme called 11beta-Hydroxysteroid. But for this enzyme to work, we need dietary niacin to turn the [NADP] cycle into ATP — and that’s also why so many men AND women are low on testosterone! The bottom-line here is, we need daily and adequate amount of B vitamins!

And finally, to deal with free, unbound iron building in the liver, try IP-6/Inositol (on an empty stomach) for a few months. Keep in mind that IP-6 chelates not only iron — but also other minerals (and vitamins) like calcium and zinc. So be sure to increase these with food-base supplements, or nutrition.

Though they are becoming increasingly popular, I still cannot recommend either pine pollen or the herb tribulus terrestris for testosterone issues. Pine pollen contains natural testosterone, which may — over time — atrophy the testes, ovaries and other organs from producing testosterone naturally. You do not want to add testosterone to your body — you want to harness and encourage the organs that produce it, to optimize it. Therefore, tribulus terrestris comes with too many side effects, and will not directly optimize or boost your testosterone levels; and is best to avoid, unless you are using it for specific other reasons.

So to optimize your testosterone levels, consider fixing the liver with:

  • Kutki (Burdock root or artichoke extract may work as well)

And, to nutritionally build back the body, try: 

  • Fenugreek
  • Ashwagandha
  • Zinc: Food Research Zinc Complex or Nutrigold Zinc Gold
  • Selenium: Food Research Selenium E ***
  • Boron: Vibrant Health Super Natural Boron
  • Magnesium: DaVinci Laboratories TRI-MAG 300
  • Vitamin D: Nutrigold K2+D3 Gold ***
  • Vitamin C: Amla
  • Vitamin B: Nutrigold B Complex Gold or FOOD RESEARCH B Stress Complex
  • IP-6/Inositol
  • ***Vitamin E: see above – Food Research Selenium E 
  • ***Vitamin K2: see above – Nutrigold K2+D3 Gold

Defeat Diabetes

Posted on by Diogenes II

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Diabetes — type 2 diabetes i.e. — cannot simply be defined as high blood sugar or having too much sugar in the blood. High blood sugar is only a symptom of diabetes. What diabetes really is is a metabolic dysfunction affecting the entire biological system of the body, including the endocrine system, the circulatory system and the lymphatic system. These systems malfunctioned because of a disruption of the flow of energy into cells and the metabolic waste out of cells. We often think of insulin as the hormone that guides glucose into cells. But insulin has a greater, multipurpose task — to guide potassium, magnesium and other minerals out of and back into cells. If there is not adequate potassium or magnesium in these cells, then these cells cannot utilize glucose — the birth of insulin resistance.

So, we see that insulin resistance happens for a reason — because the cells do not have the minerals to metabolize the carbohydrates and protein we digest. You might think the simple solution may be to add potassium and magnesium to our diet, so that insulin can then allow glucose into the cells. But that would be the case only if enough damage has not already been done.

In the days, weeks, months or years that cells were not allowing insulin to usher glucose into them — insulin resistance — these cells were suffering malnutrition and dying. The blood vessels on the farther regions of our body, like the toes and feet, where blood circulation was jeopardized, took the brunt of the hit. Hence we often hear of diabetics becoming amputees. During those years when these cells were suffering from malnutrition, the blood took a hit, with high levels of insulin and glucose roaming, with no place to go, and causing destruction where ever they lay. The blood then became thick. Then the liver took a hit — because the liver needs aging, thin blood to turn into bilirubin and to make bile for that liver. Then the liver took a greater hit, by becoming congested with thick glue-like bilirubin from thick blood, that was not properly becoming the constituent of bile.

Furthermore, the cholesterol ingested from food and made by the liver piled up with no where to go due to the lack of proper bile formation and flow. Then the bile in the liver and gallbladder became sludge. Then the sludge became intrahepatic stones, and extrahepatic stones in the gallbladder. Then the gallbladder became clogged, unable to release bile for digesting fats and other nutrients from foods. Then the cholesterol that constituted a part of bile raised circulating cholesterol numbers because of being stuck in bile. Then our triglycerides — the stored sugars in fat cells — started rising in the liver and in the blood. So now, not only do we have high blood sugar and high insulin, but we also have high blood cholesterol, high bilirubin, high triglycerides, and yes, eventually even high blood pressure!

Then that clogged blood and clogged liver now clogs the pancreas. Now the pancreas which delivers enzymes and hormones across its narrow pancreatic duct or directly into the bloodstream, begins to misfire, producing either too much insulin and then as time goes by, too little insulin. Now not only do we have a fatty liver, from high triglycerides forming — we now have a fatty pancreas, an exhausted fatty pancreas working on overdrive.

Now the lymphatic system which usually drains large metabolic waste, and large protein debris, turns into a highway with a major traffic jam at all of the hundreds of major lymph nodes. This is manifested visibly with an enlarged stomach, and a stiff neck desperately needing a massage.

Then the kidneys — which do the hardest work – filtering junk from the blood, take a hit. They can no longer filter these large particles and other toxins that should have been processed already by the liver, the pancreas and the lymphatic system. The kidneys then become like a clogged fishing net that is unable to drain out the seaweeds of filth caught in the mesh lines of its net. Now we have high uric acid building up in the kidney walls and the ureter, leading to sciatic pain for some people. Now we have kidney stones slowly forming, constituting mainly of calcium, for some other people.

So now we see that diabetes is not just a high blood sugar problem — it is an internal pandemic of great bodily proportion. Reducing sugar intake at this point will not fix the problem — it only delays it. Fixing the problem involves nourishing the cells with the nutrients they need, like potassium, magnesium, copper, zinc and sodium, while simultaneously repairing the damages that cascaded from a lack of such nutrients, and the great damages that high insulin and glucose in the blood created.

Fixing this internal diabetic pandemic involves reshaping a fatty liver into a healthy liver, a fatty pancreas into a vibrant pancreas and opening the pancreatic ducts and bile ducts that have been clogged with sludge or gallstones; and removing uric acid or kidney stones from the walls of the kidneys. All of this involves eating healthy foods, staying properly hydrated, staying away from unhealthy foods and unhealthy drinks, using herbs and other supplements that nourish the body instead of harming it.

These herbs that help the system work properly again include bitters, like artichoke, kutki, guduchi, andrographis, ginger, swedish bitters and others like them. Manjistha is needed to help clear the traffic jam in the lymphatic system. Things that help the system also include lumbrokinase enzymes to help rebuild and clear up the pancreas. (Boluoke is a patented lumbrokinase enzymes product made from real earthworms.) Dandelion is also needed for proper kidney function, and olive leaf extract for the blood.

In dealing with slowing the rate of glucose absorbing or building in the blood, there are excellent herbs to deescalate the process of hyperglycemia, namely fenugreek (my favorite); quality, organic jiaogulan tea (gynostemma pentaphyllum) and banaba leaf (not banana).

There are vitamins that will help metabolize glucose more efficiently, especially vitamin B1 (thiamine), which is greatly depleted when there is too much sugar in the blood. So we need to replace this vitamin. Brands like allithiamine or thiamax in small doses, for a short period of time, would be ideal.

There are minerals that will help metabolize glucose more efficiently, especially chromium, potassium and magnesium. A natural food-base source of chromium is: Nutrigold Chromium Gold. Potassium rich food include yam and coconut water. Magnesium is found in leafy greens and supplements like magnesium malate or taurate.

But what are the main culprits that causes us to develop diabetes in the first place? Perhaps that answer lies in the world of consuming excess animal products, like muscle meat, fish, chicken, eggs and milk. These foods when used in excess, and especially when fried, often, cause insulin to raise higher than even consuming sugary foods. Furthermore, often eating these foods fried or grilled create damaging advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) to develop in the blood and clog blood vessels and capillaries from receiving the nutrients they truly need.

But how do we know we have diabetes in the first place? Good question! Frequent thirst and irritating nightly urination are classical indicators. Diabetes is a silent killer, and most people who have it, or are developing it, do not know either, until some dramatic event calls them into action. Most doctors test glucose levels which indicate the amount of glucose in the blood at that specific moment. But the glucose test can be deceptive. It may show normal even when something is terribly wrong. A more accurate test is the HbA1c test. This test tests for glucose attached to haemoglobin in blood from the prior two or three months. An ideal number should be between 4% to 5.6%. And 5.7% to 6.4%  indicates pre-diabetes. And 6.5% or greater is full blown diabetes. Another test is called the HOMA-IR (i.e. Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance). This tests for the amount of fasting insulin in the blood, that your body needs to keep your blood sugar levels in check. An ideal number should be less than 1.0. The normal HOMA-IR value for a healthy adult ranges from 0.5 to 1.4. And 2.0 to 2.9 indicates some insulin resistance. And 3.0 or greater is full blown insulin resistance! High fasting insulin is indicative of inflammation. Inflammation raises LDL cholesterol.

So where should we start in preventing or reversing diabetes?

  • To manage excess glucose and excess insulin in the blood immediately, use chromium, vitamin B1 and fenugreek, as mentioned above.
  • To fix the liver, try a bitter herb, like artichoke extract or kutki.
  • To keep the lymphatic system flowing, try manjistha.
  • To fix the pancreas, try lumbrokinase enzymes, specifically Boluoke, which is a natural product and not synthetic.
  • To heal the kidneys, try dandelion root.
  • To revitalize the blood, try olive leaf extract. 
  • And of course, eat properly, avoiding the wrong type of milk, excess animal muscle meat, and avoid excess fried foods, while simultaneously increasing magnesium and potassium rich vegetables like bok choy, yu choy, asparagus, yam, black beans, kohlrabi, parsnip, (crimini) mushrooms and black garlic.

Addendum:

  • Intermittent fasting done correctly will also help
  • So does exercise
  • So does reducing stress, thereby improving sleep quality