wild rose college of natural healing lesson 7 · breathing is something that we all take for...

Wild Rose College of Natural Healing HERBOLOGY 101

Wild Rose College of Natural Healing Terry Willard Cl.H PhD. ©2017 1

Lesson 7 The Respiratory System,

Expectorants and Demulcents

INTRODUCTION

Breathing is something that we all take for granted. In and out, usually at an unconscious level. In the lesson on digestion we said that digestion represented the IN-channel. Respiratory is both an IN-and-OUT channel. We breathe in oxygen and eliminate carbon dioxide, as well as other material. We also noted in the digestion section that Chinese Medicine teaches that food is a way to build up postnatal Qi. Oxygen, or the energy that it carries, is another very important form of postnatal Qi. We can go many days without food, but die in minutes if we don't breathe. Our cells need oxygen to work. The oxygen is the fuel that runs the cells so they can use the nutrients from the foods. These two forms of postnatal Qi are necessary to run our body. As an elimination organ, the lungs eliminate carbon dioxide (the end result of sugar metabolism) and toxic materials in the form of gas

Read Chapter 10, pages

175 - 183

Fig 7.0



and particles in the mucous lining. Faulty mechanisms here will inhibit both absorption of oxygen and elimination of 'spent' gases.

The anatomy of respiration Fig 7.1

Alveoli Sacs

Alveoli sacs are like a bunch of grapes, with a surface area equivalent to a tennis court: (65-85 square meters) There are approximately 300 million of them

Fig 7.2



When you realize that the surface area of the alveoli is 65 - 85 square meters (the size of a badminton court) you have to admit that is pretty amazing. This surface area makes the lungs a very efficient mechanism to absorb oxygen out of the air. This same mechanism is one of the most efficient processes for getting many volatile substances straight into the bloodstream. This approach was used extensively by Amerindian, First Nation peoples. The use of smudges was a fast way to get an herbal into the body. These traditional smudges were dried herbs that were mixed

Bronchial tubes and the structure of respiration

Fig 7.3

Mechanics of Breathing: The thoracic cage enlarges during inspiration, drawing air into the lungs via the air passages. The enlargement is produced by flattening of the diaphragm and by an increase in the vertical length of ribcage, by contraction of the intercostal muscles. During expiration, these muscles relax, making the cavity smaller.



with a bit of water and placed on a coal. This resulted in a steam that would be breathed in. For many herbs with volatile ingredients, it was an efficient way to get the effects easily. Smoking of course grew out of this and has become a social problem. Nicotine gets into the bloodstream very quickly because of the rich blood supply in the lungs. Other chemicals, including various street drugs, also enter our blood stream via this route. Air pollutants can also enter into our lungs very easily. The cilia and mucous membranes of the lung lining are fortunately very efficient at cleaning our lungs on a regular basis. Let’s look at herbs that enhance the mucous membranes of our body, the expectorants and demulcents.

TYPES OF RESPIRATORY HERBS

Expectorants Expectorants work on quality and quantity of mucous secretion. They also aid in the discharge and ejection of morbid materials from the respiratory system. They do this by stimulating cilia action and creating a need to cough and spit. A subcategory of expectorant is the emetic which stimulates vomiting.

Demulcents Demulcents soothe the mucous membranes, coating, shielding and lubricating it. Emollients are a subcategory, soothing external surfaces. The formula that we most frequently employ in the clinic for respiratory problems is the Clinical Respiratory Formula.

Clinical Respiratory Formula

Ephedra (Ma Huang) (Ephedra sinica) 3 parts Mullein Lf (Verbascum thapsus) 1 “ Goldenseal Rt (Hydrastis canadensis) 1 “ Coltsfoot leaf (Tussilago farfara) 1 “ Marshmallow Rt (Althaea officinalis) 1 “ Lobelia Hb (Lobelia inflata) 1 “ Cayenne pepper (Capsicum minimum) 1 “

Read pages 184 – 185

down to Comfrey

Ephedra sinica

(Berberis sp.)

Fig 7.4



One of the first things you might notice is that this formula doesn't contain comfrey as in the original formula. As we will see when we get to the section on comfrey, there has been a fair amount of controversy over potentially dangerous pyrrolizidine alkaloids in this plant. It has therefore been suspended from use internally until more conclusive information can be found in this area. This formula is specific for dilating the bronchial tubes while cleansing the mucus from the bronchials, lungs and sinuses. It is also useful for stopping congestion due to air-borne allergies. The major ingredient is Ma Huang, which has been used in China for over 5,000 years for respiratory problems. Its major chemical, ephedrine, has been used in many Western pharmaceuticals since 1923, due to its bronchial dilating properties, via the autonomic nervous system. Ma Huang is also a great cleanser of the respiratory tract. Mullein leaves and Coltsfoot were heavily employed by First Nation Peoples for lung congestion. Many generations of smoking resulted in practical remedies for this area. Marshmallow is a demulcent that feeds while soothing mucous membranes. Goldenseal, as we have seen is specific for building the mucous membranes throughout the body. It will aid in regulating quality and quantity of mucus in the respiratory tract. It also has strong antibiotic factors.

Lobelia works on the autonomic nervous system, as well as being specific for the lungs. It has been heavily employed in “stop smoking” programs as well as for asthma. Cayenne aids in blood supply to the respiratory tract,

while producing substance P that has shown to inhibit mast cell histamine release due to air-borne allergies.

Lobelia

(Lobelia inflata)

Fig 7.5



Essential Oils in Respiratory Treatment

Prepared by Blaine Andrusek (…as excerpted from Aroma-therapy course)

Essential oils have been popping up everywhere in recent years, with a wave of Aromatherapy products seemingly created for every imaginable need. It may well be ‘on trend’ and has become rather sophisticated, but the use of volatile oils has been with us for thousands of years – as part of incense and perfume yes, but also in combating respiratory distress through the use of smudging and steam inhalations. Even turpentine was used medicinally not so long ago, and in dire need, some of us would still use it for extreme bronchial congestion. As herbalists, we will all do our part in retraining the public about the evils of excess mucus forming food, and blocked Qi. We may think of Kevin Costner in “Field of Dreams” and the film’s recurrent theme…."Build it, and they will come." Although modern medical dictionaries may define catarrh as ‘obsolete’ – if the term is, the condition certainly isn’t! We continue to see cases of recurrent infections, often respiratory and apt to be bronchioles in adults, and rather sadly, Eustachian tubes and inner ears in children. Even Louis Pasteur, the man responsible for the germ theory of disease, tried to recant his theory before he died. “The microbe is nothing; the terrain everything.” While we may point out the efficacy of certain herbs in assisting the body to flush the mucus membranes and restore energy flow, many of our medical counterparts continue to fight the bacterium directly. Recent surveys show that 50 to 70 per cent of acute bronchitis patients walk away with a prescription for antibiotics. This continues despite the fact that several major, randomized, double blind studies have shown them to be not only ineffective, but also further the development of drug-resistant strains. Essential oils offer us the opportunity to do it all! The unique chemistry of many aromatics allows us to ‘clean house’, flushing out excess mucus, while simultaneously eliminating bacterial, fungal and even viral infections through direct contact. Highly effective on the physical plane, oils may also support underlying nervous and emotional issues. They’re a perfect choice as part of a holistically minded treatment. Any leaf oil, that is, any oil distilled from aromatic leaves or needles, where the plants breathe, will help you breathe. This is a simplistic but quite valid overview. Let’s look a



little closer at the chemistry, methods of application, and precautions. A state of catarrh anywhere in the respiratory system is rather like an old boat tied to a dock. The security guards, your tonsils, may be ineffective, and allow the boat to be taken over by undesirables, such as airborne microbes. Their numbers increase, the party rages on, and soon the whole wharf district is infected. Without the boat, the likelihood of infection is minimal. Orally administered antibiotics have no way of leaving the underlying tissue and gaining access to the boat. They may wipe out any pathogens jumping in for a swim, but those on deck are quite safe, and soon learn not to swim without protective suits – selective mutation and drug resistance. We gave them time to think! Inhalation of essential oils on the other hand, puts the aromatic compounds in direct contact with ‘the boat’. Deep breathing for a minute or so is what we might think of as an ‘air strike’. Depending on the blend of oils, organic alcohols, or phenols if required, will kill most bacteria and fungi, and many viruses. Oxides, as found in all leaf oils, stimulate the mucus glands, effectively ‘cutting the moorage lines’ and the boat starts to drift. Simple hydrocarbon terpenes begin to dissolve the morbid sludge, and sensing this, the nerves stimulate the cough response, to blow our boat out to sea. This expectorant action is even more pronounced if we use oils containing powerfully mucolytic ketones. Oxides, most notably 1,8 cineol, are present in many of the Labiatae (Hyssop, Lavender, Peppermint, Basil, Oregano, Sage and Thyme) and Myrtaceae families (Eucalyptus, Melaleuca or Tea Tree, Myrtle and Bay). They are also found in the Lauraceae family (Rosewood, true Camphor, Bay Laurel, Ravensara and Litsea cubeba). Infection fighting alcohols are also found in many of these same oils. Terpenes are found in all essential oils to some degree, but are highest in needle oils like Pine and Spruce, and also any of the citrus’s. Oils high in ketones such as some types of Eucalyptus, Hyssop and Sage could become neuro toxic if overused.



These are only indicated where extreme catarrh is evident however, and perform so well that their use is seldom required for more than a day or two. Ketone rich oils must be avoided in pregnancy. Most of these oils may be used full strength for inhalation, but will irritate sensitive skin, so are safer if diluted somewhat for adults, and down to about 5% for young children. As essential oils are not water soluble, we dilute them by adding any vegetable oil such as Safflower or Grapeseed. Take a few drops in the palm of one hand, rub your palms together, and then cup your hands over your nose and mouth. Keep your eyes closed to avoid irritation, and try and avoid contact with your more sensitive facial skin. Deep breathe through both mouth and nostrils so as to treat every bit of sinus, throat and bronchial tissue. This ‘air strike’ will leave you feeling warm, awake and refreshed, as more oxygen is now reaching every cell of the body. If you are stimulated to cough, do not suppress it, as this is the much desired expectorant action. If your lungs are clear, none of these oils will stimulate coughing. This may be repeated every forty-five minutes or so during an acute illness, and also done periodically as a prophylactic, if in the company of contagiously ill people. Using the oils in a steam room, or simply in a bowl of hot water with a towel over your head, is very relieving once you’re home for the day. Rubbing a few drops on the soles of the feet will help too, as this will slowly be absorbed into the venous system, and thence make its way to the heart and lungs. This application is especially worthy at bedtime, or before going to work, as it lasts for hours afterwards. Topical applications such as on the throat and

upper chest are also a good idea, but stick to the 5% range for this. Oils of this type also work very well for ear infections. Inhale often, and apply the oils around the outside of the ear area, but never inside the ear directly, as irritation will be likely. Two highly recommendable oils in this area are Eucalyptus radiata and Ravensara aromatica. The former is very high in infection fighting alcohols, yet contains virtually none of the ketones that stimulate the deep cough response, and risk toxicity if overused. There

are nearly 700 species of Eucalyptus, and their chemistry varies substantially. Most common are E. globulus and E. polybractea, both of which have some ketones, and may be a better choice if more

expectorant action is required.

Eucalyptus radiata

Fig 7.6



Ravensara is a powerful anti-viral, and yet extremely smooth compared to almost any other leaf oil. It’s wonderfully suited for those with a nervous temperament, and a good choice when dealing with asthma or sinusitis, particularly with children. Taken orally in small doses (3-5 drops, 4-5 times daily) it works well for treating the flu, and also is well known for combating Herpes – both simplex and zoster. There are virtually no known contraindications for this oil. Oils such as these allow a wonderful option for asthmatics to minimize their use of inhalers. They are well suited before any obvious physical or emotional stimuli, and allow a little less of the associated dependency stigma. Oils should be introduced cautiously however as there are many different types of asthma, and it is possible that someone with inflammatory type asthma could react negatively. In twenty years of clinical use, and having helped hundreds of clients with histories of respiratory distress, I have personally had no trouble with Ravensara or E. radiata and continue to use caution with each new client. On a more cautionary note however, many of the leaf oils should be avoided with epileptics. Hyssop, Rosemary, Sage, Peppermint, and the ketone-rich types of Eucalyptus may be too stimulating. Remember that over-breathing, even for a healthy individual, stimulates a temporary alkaline shift in blood pH. The associated excitability of various neurotransmitters could lead to cerebral convulsions in those with a predisposition.

SPECIFIC BOTANICALS

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)

This is an herb that has become highly controversial in the 1990’s. Many herbalists have used it extensively over several years with no ill effects. But chemists have identified a group of chemicals in comfrey called pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Other pyrrolizidine alkaloids have been known to be toxic in botanicals like hellebore (Helleborus

niger & related spp.), therefore it seems logical that these too might pose health risks. A related species, Russian Comfrey, has been shown to be carcinogenic in rats whose diet contained 8% of it. This has lead many governments to ban comfrey for internal uses. There are only four questionable cases of human toxicity with the use of comfrey (see the article inserted on the next page!). This is a very low incidence when you consider the large amount of comfrey consumed

Read pages 185-196

Comfrey

(Symphytum officinale)

Fig 7.7



world wide. Interestingly, another ingredient (beta-sitosterol) in comfrey has been shown to fight several models of cancer. Also present in comfrey is the major beneficial chemical for bone healing, allantoin. This is still one of the best healing agents around. I wouldn't hesitate for a moment in using comfrey myself if I had a broken bone. I have drunk many a gallon over my life. I would not advise a patient to take it due to these legal and political reasons though. Yes, another sacrificial lamb. A very important herb bites the dust. The following article summarizes the current ‘official’ response to the comfrey controversy. Besides being able to knit broken bones and such, comfrey is also anti-inflammatory.

Comfrey (Symphytum officinalis) Toxic or Not? An article excerpted from the Canadian Association of Herbal Practitioners newsletter

Introduction

Few herbalists, who have been practicing for more than five years, have not seen the wonders that comfrey roots and leaves can perform. Over the 40 years of comfrey use at Wild Rose College we have seen some miraculous cure rates. This herb has been a prominent part of Western and Eastern materia medica for thousands of years. Few herbs have remained in such popular regard, for such a long time. Information about possible toxicity of comfrey has been discussed for a long time, but in the early eighties, herbalists could still point to no record of human toxicity caused by comfrey. This is no longer true. There is now a large number of animal (and a few cases of human) deaths related to comfrey.

The Culprit

The cause for concern about comfrey is a well-known group of chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA’s). These chemicals are known to be hepatic toxic, often causing malignant tumors in the liver.1 They also have toxic effects on other organs, most commonly the spleen and cardiopulmonary areas. Not all pyrrolizidines are toxic however. Toxicity only occurs in the presence of an unsaturated pyrrolizidine ring (see Figures 1&2).

Comfrey

(Symphytum officinale)

Fig 7.8



The ultimate toxic chemicals are oxidative reactions (catalyzed by mixed functional oxidases and cytochromes) leading to pyrrole-like intermediates. Covalent linkages to proteins (RNA and DNA) are the result of this reaction. The pyrrole intermediates are mostly trapped by the liver

(presumably to prevent system toxicity) causing most of the problems in the liver area.2 Binding in the liver has been shown by radioisotope labeling of compounds. There is no doubt that pyrrolizidines are generally toxic to man and animals alike. There are many thousands of cases of human toxicity, both by acute single dosages and through long-term consumption, of PA’s. The major cause of problems and often death associated with pyrolizidines is

veno-occlusive disease. Acute syndromes of veno-occlusive disease are vomiting and diarrhea. The liver is usually enlarged and ascites (fluid collection in the abdomen) is often present. Accompanying swelling or jaundice is common. In some cases the disease process is rapid with death in one to a few weeks. In subacute and chronic conditions, the liver (and sometimes spleen) enlarge, causing progressive fibrotic degeneration often ending in cirrhosis -- progressive liver failure with a high levels of mortality.3



The important factor is that over 99% of all toxic PAs come from plants other than comfrey. It is tempting for the scientific community to draw conclusions from the effects of other PA-containing plants, but is this an accurate comparison? Since 1980 there have only been four cases in the world literature of comfrey toxicity. All cases had complications along with very high consumption levels. The following summary reviews the scientific literature:

Effect on Animals

❖ The most quoted paper is one called, ‘The structure and toxicity of the alkaloids of Russian Comfrey, a medicinal herb and item of human diet’.4 The pure alkaloids were injected intraperitoneally into two week old rats, as a single or as multiple doses, over nine weeks. Strong evidence of hepatic toxicity was found. Critics point to the young age of the rats and the extremely high dosage. The dosage is equivalent to 28 times the body weight. It is obviously a larger dosage than a human can consume, even over nine weeks (translating into 19,880 leaves). Would some of the other chemicals within comfrey lower the incidence of toxicity if it was taken as a whole herb, orally, in humans? Is the toxicity rate the same in humans as two week old rats? These are important research questions. It should be noted that even though rats are susceptible to these alkaloids, sheep are resistant to them.

❖ The most quoted paper5 on whole plant studies, is the feeding of

leaves and/or roots to rats as food, for 480-600 days. Again the comfrey was Russian comfrey. Liver tumors were found in the rats at the end of the study. All but three of the tumours were benign. The plant seems to be hepatic toxic, but not carcinogenic. The problem is that this paper is the paper most often cited in the literature to prove that comfrey is carcinogenic, when in truth it proves it is not.

❖ A Japanese study6 did show tumours in rats fed Symphytum

officinalis in dietary concentrations between 5% and 33%. The roots are apparently much more powerful than the leaves.

❖ Topical studies of comfrey have actually been shown to control tumours in rats that spontaneously produce tumours. There was a 59% better survival rate in test animals as compared to a control group.

Human Toxicity



There are only four cases in the literature of human toxicity; all include large dosages and complications. 1. A 49 year old lady was admitted to hospital with what was diagnosed as veno-occlusive disease. She was taking two capsules of comfrey pepsin daily and consuming lots of herbal tea. It was presumed (not proven) that the comfrey was the cause.7

2. A 13 year old boy, admitted to hospital with veno-occlusive disease. He was suffering from Crohn’s disease for three years. After little success with pharmaceuticals, his parents sent him to try acupuncture and comfrey as prescribed by a naturopath. His underlying problem of Crohn’s could have made him more susceptible to this problem, as hepatic vein thrombosis is known to occur in some Crohn’s patients. Comfrey was considered the culprit. Dosages, extraction technique and frequency of consumption of comfrey were not reported.8

3. A 47 year old woman had symptoms of allergies and fatigue, so a homeopathic doctor recommended comfrey tea. She drank 10 cups a day, as well as taking handfuls of pills daily for over a year. After four years of continuous, but more moderate doses, she showed liver toxicity. After four more years she showed veno-occlusive syndrome.9

4. A 23 year old man who had a history of following varying health fad type diets was admitted to hospital with veno-occlusive disease, later to die. He ate steamed comfrey on a regular basis. For 1-2 weeks before the onset of his symptoms he ate 4-5 steamed young comfrey leaves every day.10 All of the above cases have complications with other health related problems, as well as added confusion and controversy over the cause of the veno-occlusive disease.

Conclusion

We have used comfrey for almost three decades at Wild Rose College, but we no longer use it with clients. We do not feel the controversy is over. Much more study is needed, but at this critical time of growth and general acceptance of herbology as a healing art, we have decided to act on the side of caution and not use it with clients.



For Comfrey has been used for centuries without cause for alarm. Comfrey has so many great benefits. The majority of studies have been done on Russian comfrey. Rat studies don’t prove human conditions. The dosage was very high in the animal studies. The studies do not conclusively prove that comfrey is hepatic toxic. Alkaloid content varies from species to species and from leaf to leaf. The time of the day seems to influence alkaloid content. Alkaloid content is higher in the plant on average in the afternoon than in the morning. Leaves are less toxic than roots. Occasional, infrequent usage should be safe.

Against The symptoms of PA toxicity can be slow, taking months if not years to show up. Is the chance of killing a patient worth such benefits? What is the cost/benefit ratio? There have been some studies showing hepatic toxicity of S. officinalis. There have been at least four human cases, even though the associated data is suspect. There have been toxicity reports from dosages clearly within human possibility. Proving conclusively that a plant product causes lung cancer is filled with political side-issues (e.g. tobacco). Does the average comfrey product come with a PA analysis? The leaves appear to be the problem in one reported death. Infrequent, “pulsed” dosages seem to increase the toxic effect of some PAs.

The debate over comfrey is still raging on after 25 years, and still there are so many question left unanswered. Is some comfrey so low in PA’s that it is of no concern? What is, if any, an acceptable dosage of PA’s? Does the soil, climate, genetic structure or any one of many



factors we don’t understand, influence PA’s? The PA’s can be extracted and some companies sell PA-free comfrey, which the Canadian government has agreed are ok to sell. Do we have the same problem with coltsfoot or borage? It seems at this point, there are more questions than there are answers. External use is permitted. In Britain, comfrey is allowed to be used internally by Medical Herbalists only. In Australia, comfrey is banned. In Scandinavian countries, it is available for external use only. In Poland, it is banned outright. References Two good general review articles are:

Keith Stelling; How Safe are Comfrey and Coltsfoot?;Canadian Journal Of Herbalism; Vol14 #4; July 1993. Midge Whitelegg; A Defence of Comfrey (Symphytum officinalis); Dec 17 1992. 1. Westendorf J; Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids - General Discussion- and other chapter in Adverse Effects of herbal Drugs 1 New York Springer-Verlag 1992. 2. Weston C.F.M. Et Al; Veno-occlusive disease of the liver secondary to ingestion of comfrey; Br. Med. J. 295:183; 1987. 3. Ridker P.M. et al; Hepatic veno-occlusive disease associated with the consumption of pyrrolizidine-containing dietary supplements; Gastroenterology 88: 1050- 1054; 1985. 4. Culvenor C, et al; Structure and toxicity of the alkaloids of Russian comfrey, a medicinal herb and item of human diet; Experientia, 36 377-79; 1989.

5. Hirono I, et al; Carcinogenic activity of symphytum officinale, J Natl Cancer Inst, vol 61, 3 469-71; 1978. 6. Bones K M Studies in Materia Medica Part 1 Symphytum, School of Herbal Medicine, Tunbridge Well 1984. 7. Ridker PM et al; Hepatic veno-occlusive disease associated with the consumption of pyrrolizidine alkaloids-containing dietary supplements; Gastroenterology, 88, 1050-54; 1985. 8. Weston ibid. 9. Bach N et al; Comfrey herb tea-induced hepatic veno-occlusive disease, Am J Med, 87 97-99; 1989. 10. Yeong M.; Hepatic veno-occlusive disease associated with comfrey ingestion’ J of Gast. & Hept. 5, 211-14; 1990.

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) Mullein is best known for its lung soothing capabilities. It was a major herb used by First Nation peoples as a lung smudge. The formula I’ve used most often for lymphatic conditions is 3 parts mullein and 1 part lobelia combination. It helps most glands but especially the lymphatic glands. I have been using a fair amount of



mullein flower oil for earaches over the last few years. I like to add mullein, St. John’s wort and garlic oil together, followed by Dr. Christopher’s B & B tincture (about four drops of each). The Mullein oil is supposed to be useful for warts but the results don’t seem to match those of dandelion latex. The roots are diuretic with an astringent action on the urinary tract. Moore uses it for people with incontinence and for poor bladder tone after childbirth. Let us not forget that this versatile plant makes a good torch, lamp wicks, toilet paper and good diapers when in need.

Chickweed (Stellaria media)

I consider chickweed an herb that is great in leaky areas. If any part leaks, be it at the cellular level or the skin oozing, chickweed will come to the rescue. The volatile oils are mildly antiseptic when exposed to heat, so it is easy to see why chickweed’s best properties come forward when heated. Chickweed is used for breast inflammation during lactation, both internally and externally. I still have found no better diaper rash ointment. This of course means it can be used for genital rashes, Candida, athlete’s foot and the like. I still employ Dr. Christopher's Black Healing Ointment for more challenging skin conditions.

Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis)

This great demulcent is particularly good in wet areas. This is why it is used so often as a demulcent for the urinary tract. It is just as beneficial for respiratory and intestinal tract irritation. I have used the eyewash quite often with good success. Even though the roots are preferred, the leaves have often been used as a demulcent and mild expectorant for irritable coughs and catarrhal inflammation of the mouth and throat. Externally, the root is used as part of many soothing poultices. The mucilage has been shown to have significant hypoglycemic action. The use of the crude herb has been shown to delay absorption of other drugs when taken at the same time.

Mullein

(Verbascum thapsus)

Fig 7.9

Chickweed

(Stellaria media) Fig 7.10

Marshmallow

(Althaea officinalis)

Fig 7.11



Slippery Elm (Ulmus fulva)

I mostly use slippery elm as a base for poultices and boluses. It is useful by itself, but I usually add other herbs, depending on whether the poultice needs to be drawing, soothing, astringent or whatever. As a stomach remedy it is quite good. I more often use a Chinese remedy these days, called Curing Pills - It is fast acting and much less expensive. Slippery Elm is commonly adulterated with rice polishing, so buyers beware.

Ma Huang (Ephedra sinica) This can be considered the Brigadier General of the respiratory tract. It is strong and is rarely used by itself, as the Chinese say, it needs an army to control. It is excellent in chronic asthma, colds, influenzas and sinus problems. It should not be used in severe acute asthmatic attacks, as it is too strong and can cause problems. It is also contraindicated in cases of heart problems as it can speed up the heart. The major ingredient, ephedrine, being similar to epinephrine, will speed up the system. This can give some a caffeine-like feeling. The major difference between epinephrine and ephedrine is that ephedrine is not changed in the GI tract or upon absorption. It also has a more prolonged effect. One of the other ingredients, pseudoephedrine, is excellent for rhinitis and does not have any effect on the heart, but can often “speed a person up” even more than the ephedrine. Ma Huang will reduce the temperature. The essential oil has been shown to be antiviral. Other uses include malarial fevers, rhinitis, asthma, hay fever, emphysema, epilepsy, nocturnal enuresis, myasthenia gravis. Dpseudoephedrine increases urine output, reduces spasms in bronchial smooth muscles and stimulates striated muscle (leading to its use for myasthenia gravis). Recently Ma Huang’s popularity has had a boost from a physiological theory called thermogenesis, which posits that weight loss can be triggered by increasing the body’s ability to convert calories into waste heat. There has been much controversy around the use of Ma Huang for its popularity in weight loss, as a sexual

SlipperyElm

(Ulmus fulva)

Fig 7.12

Ma Huang

(Ephedra sinica)

Fig 7.13



stimulant and in euphoria type products. Abuse of Ma Huang can cause insomnia, motor disturbance, high blood pressure, glaucoma, impaired cerebral circulation, urinary disturbances. There have been several reported cases of cardiac infarction and even deaths related to this product. These cases are equally controversial and not conclusive. For this reason, the US FDA wants to limit Ma Huang use to no more than 8mg of ephedrine per dosage and no more than 24 mg daily. In both Canada and the USA the use of Ma Huang has to be licensed. In Canada it has to carry an NPN to be sold.

Pleurisy Root (Asclepias tuberosa) Named after one of the gods of healing, this herb has been used extensively for lung and pleura problems. It is slow, but persistent; the diaphoretic property is one of the reasons it is so useful in influenzas. This expectorant action is apparently primarily due to the resinous property and more specifically to the chemical asclepiadin.

Can we lose weight faster with Thermogenic

Formulas?

There are Pros and Cons

It may be a strange fact of nature but we don’t all process food the same way. Some people have more efficient systems than others.

Pleurisy Root

(Asclepias tuberosa)

Fig 7.14



After eating, between 10 - 40% of the energy obtained from the food is lost immediately as heat. Before the days of central heating, all the way back to the time of hunter/gatherers, retaining as much energy as possible from infrequent meals was an adaptive feature. If we didn’t need energy immediately, our body took advantage of very elaborate mechanisms to store nutrients in the form of fat. The less we wasted (due to immediate heat loss) the better off we were. Needless to say, this doesn’t hold true in the present -- where plenty of food and too little exercise are the norm. Our physical structure has not evolved as fast as our social structure. It might seem funny, but the efficient use and storage of nutrients by the human body is the underlying cause of many people’s problems with weight. A little analogy is helpful. If a person makes, say $2000 a month, but their expenses are $1500 a month they can save $500. After five years they will have accumulated $25,000, which sounds good. Similarly, if we take in a constant rate of calories and keep our expenditures low we will accumulate weight in the most efficient form to store energy – fat. If we don’t want to store fat we have to “spend” more energy. Exercise is one of the most common ways to increase energy expenditures but unfortunately this doesn’t always work in our affluent society. Many people who work out merely make themselves hungrier. They expend 750 calories on some form of exercise and then have a cappuccino and double-chocolate cheesecake worth 1000 calories because “they’ve earned it”. We often have an instinct to hoard our calorie “savings”, just in case there might be a famine around the next corner, or in case the winter happens to be a cold one. If you are blessed with an efficiently-run body, it will try hard to keep you from “spending” those savings. Even if it means injuring a knee or slipping a disk or simply taking away your incentive to exercise. It might seem silly but one of the ways to support weight loss is to purposely get the human system to run less efficiently. We must get it to “waste” energy. Instead of only having 10% of the food lost to heat, lose 40%. This is vaguely similar to purposely ‘untuning’ a car so it gets worse gas mileage. Along comes a physiologist and creates the concept of thermogenesis (converting useable and stored energy into waste heat) and we have a new approach to weight loss products.



The human body has mechanisms for both short-term and long-term storage of energy. And again, the modern world tends to work against those who want to maintain their weight. We keep some short-term energy in our muscles and liver. In our hunting/gathering past, when we had stress, we would immediately convert some of the short-term storage resources into energy. This could give us a “fight or flight” advantage. Today we get stress from many directions, but we can’t fight or flee. Nonetheless, the body frees up instant energy which it doesn’t use ... so it converts the energy into long-term storage, fat. Constant stress without exercise can cause dramatic weight gain. Our fat cells do have receptor sites that are affected by stress. The sites stimulate the conversion of fat, changing it into energy (heat). This action is fairly short-lived, however, and needs constant stimulation to keep the fat cells burning fat. Some herbs, like Ma Haung (Ephedra sinica), can temporarily stimulate the fat cells to convert fat into energy but this action is very brief and normally will have very little effect on overall body weight. The theory behind herbal formulas designed for thermogenic action is to increase the length of time the cells will continue to release energy. Herbs like white willow bark (Salix alba) will contribute to this effect. This synergy between herbs is much like setting the idle high on the car and having it stick in place. We can burn off fat, turning it into heat. The white willow has the added advantage of stopping food craving when in combination with other herbs (thus keeping us burning fat without a desire to replace it). By adding a few other herbs we can speed up metabolism more and waste all kinds of energy. This of course does sometimes have side effects. In some people, we will get increased blood pressure, insomnia, thirst, excessive weight loss, or loss of immune response. There has been a fair amount of concern over this lately, as products have been sold advertising their “thermogenic” action with few safety checks. At least two scientific studies have been completed on the side effects of this process. Both papers came out with glowing reviews of the effectiveness of the thermogenic approach to weight loss while uncovering no side effects. As a clinical herbalist, I have a different opinion. I have occasionally seen people experience less-than-favorable side effects. If a person is “high strung” or aggressive, with too much energy already, thermogenic products speed them up too much -- like pouring gasoline on a fire. I feel that thermogenic products are most likely



safe for most, but could be harmful to a few. If a person takes these products and experiences raised blood pressure, dry mouth, or insomnia, they should discontinue the product immediately and seek a qualified clinical herbalist for advice. All of the herbs used in recent thermogenic products have been used for a very long time without significant side effects in other formulas. The individual constituents are therefore not a concern. Thermogenic formulas, though, clearly indicate that the sum of the whole is larger than the parts. Caution and watching for side effects seems like the best policy. It is smart to always be cautious of any fast "easy fix" to a weight problem. Using a slow, proven weight loss program attuned to your metabolic type is usually the best. Thermogenic formulas might be a quick fix but are they without side effects? Many of the practitioners that are using these formulas suggest using them off and on. A common suggestion is three weeks using them with a one week break. Many people who have had side effects get them after extended use for more than a month.



Notes:

wild rose college of natural healing lesson 7 · breathing is something that we all take for...

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