Feverfew - Tanacetum parthenium is a relative of the common
daisy, found originally in Europe and spread throughout the world by deliberate
planting. It's been
widely used in herbal medicine since the time of the ancient Greeks to calm
hysteria, control inflammation and reduce pain, particularly migraine headaches.
Modern research confirms that Tanacetum parthenium is a serotonin antagonist,
which accounts for its calming effects, it reduces the synthesis of prostaglandins
with far reaching anti-inflammatory effects, suppresses leukotriene release
by basophils, mast cells, macrophages and lung tissue that participate in allergic
reaction, and lowers the production of thromboxanes by platelets which inhibits
vascular and bronchial smooth muscle contractions and platelet aggregation.
Research has shown it to be nontoxic,
but because of its effect on platelet aggregation, which can increase blood
clotting time, caution should be used when combining it with anti-clotting drugs.
Celery Seed - Apium graveolens, grown throughout the world,
is used widely in herbal medicine and foods, and is listed by the FDA as GRAS**.
In herbal medicine it is used for rheumatism, arthritis, gout, fluid retention,
and to calm digestion and stimulate appetite. Medical and scientific research
confirm the safety of Apium graveolens and show it provides potent anti-inflammatory
effects, reduces uric acid in the blood and aids liver function by protecting
liver cells from chemical toxins and lowering cholesterol.
Boswellia serrata, also known as Frankincense, has long been
used in European and Indian herbal medicine as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic.
Recent research shows benefits in osteo and rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and
ulcerative colitis. Studies are underway for its use in the treatment of gliomas
and other cancers. It has been shown to block the production of pro-inflammatory
leukotrienes, but unlike other NSAIDs, it does not disrupt glycosaminoglycan
synthesis which can accelerate damage to cartilage. Research shows that it is
non-toxic and no adverse events have been reported.
Bromelain is a mixture of protein-digesting enzymes made from
the stem of the pineapple, Ananas comosus, and is listed by the FDA as GRAS**.
It is useful for digestive disorders and a wide range of conditions associated
with inflammation caused by infection or injury. Animal and human research show
that it modulates inflammation by preventing the build up of bradykinins and
kallidins that cause swelling and helps speed wound healing related to surgery
or trauma. Toxicity studies show that it is safe, but it has been shown to enhance
absorption of antibiotics and anticoagulants and should be used with caution
combined with these medications.
Papain
is a protein digesting enzyme derived from the milky sap of unripe papaya, Carica
papaya. It is cultivated in Australia and tropical regions throughout the world
and used in cooking as a meat tenderizer and an herbal treatment to aid digestion,
combat intestinal parasites. Research shows that it is non-toxic and it is listed
by the FDA as GRAS**.
Corydalis Root, Corydalis turtschaninovii, is an herb that
originated in China and is cultivated throughout the Pacific Rim. It is used
in traditional medicine as a tonic for the circulatory system, and for its pain
relieving and calming effects. Scientists have isolated a number of active ingredients
that show a wide range of actions on the nervous system. In human research,
a double-blind study showed that heart arrhythmia patients exhibited significant
improvement. Other studies showed improvement in sleep in insomnia patients
without sedative like side effects, and showed it was effective reducing nerve
pain, and pain from dysmenorrheal and headache. Toxicity studies show that it
is an exceptionally safe herb, no adverse events have been reported, and no
herb-drug interactions are suspected.
Cayenne, Capsicum frutescens, is red-pepper used commonly in
many of the world?s culinary and medicinal traditions and is listed by the FDA
as GRAS**. Studies of traditional use in ethnic groups around the world show
associated benefits in terms of the gastrointestinal health, thermoregulation
and nutritional uptake. Analysis of its constituents, reveal many active dietary
phytochemicals that exhibit potent anti-viral, antibacterial, anti-mutagenic
and anti-carcinogenic effects. Human studies show that oral use decreased appetite
and subsequent protein and fat intake, and stimulated carbohydrate metabolism
at rest or during exercise. All adverse events relate to external use in pepper
spray or accidental over exposure to the skin, none due to ingestion, and no
herb-drug interactions.
Wheatgrass, Triticum aestivum, is common wheat harvested in
the sprouting stage at seven days of growth. It is a concentrated food source,
rich in chlorophyll, amylase, lipase, superoxide dismutase and other enzymes,
iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium and more than 80 minerals, 18 amino acids,
beta carotene and many vitamins. It has been widely used since the 1930?s when
U.S. research showed that it was beneficial as a dietary supplement for animals.
There have been no reports of side-effects or interference with any drugs, and
no contraindications.
Tumeric, Curcuma longa L., native of India and grown throughout
the Pacific, has long been used as a spice and medicinal herb as a digestive
aid, for fever, infection dysentery, arthritis, jaundice, liver and gall bladder
problems. In terms of modern research, there are more than 100 published peer-review
studies on this herb, establishing tumeric?s hepatoprotective, antiinflammatory,
anti-carcinogenic, and antimicrobial properties, and its use in cardiovascular
disease, gastrointestinal disorders and to speed wound healing. Many of these
benefits are attributed to its anti-inflammatory activity resulting from the
down regulation of COX-2 enzymes and the cytokines TNF and IL-1, and its antioxidant
activity that supports higher activity of the enzymes superoxide dismutase,
catalase and glutathione peroxidase, demonstrated to protect hemoglobin from
oxidation and inhibit lipid perioxidation. These mechanisms have also demonstrated
nematocidal anti-protozoal,
anti-bacterial activity, anti-viral and anti-tumor activity. It is listed by
the FDA as GRAS**.
Shark cartilage is the skeletal material of shark and has been
consumed as a health food in traditional Chinese medicine for its broad anti-aging
benefits. Recent scientific studies have confirmed its benefits for the treatment
and prevention of degenerative joint disease. It is an excellent dietary source
of chondroitin sulfate and other glycoaminoglycans that rebuild cartilage, and
calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and other bone building minerals. No sharks
are caught in the manufacture of this product, the sharks used are harvested
for sale as seafood, the cartilage is a by-product. Toxicity studies have shown
it to be safe and non-toxic at all but extremely high doses.
**GRAS - Generally Recognized As Safe is a designation applied
by The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Food Safety &
Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) after review of toxicology and other safety data for
compounds, allowing their use as food additives.
**Consult with
a veterinarian before giving DGP to pregnant or nursing animals, because of
ingredient herbs effect on platelet aggregation, which can increase blood clotting
time, caution should be used when combining it with anti-clotting drugs also
with antibiotics and NSAIDs.
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