Dietary regulation combined with a good multi-vitamin/mineral combination is a very effective way to strengthen the adrenal system. It is important to keep potassium stores high and sodium levels low to restore adrenal function, so be sure to eat a variety of potassium-rich foods like carrots, potatoes, bananas, tomatoes, apples, peaches, oranges, flounder and salmon.

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A weakened immune system can alter the function of the central nervous system through the neuroendocrine immunomodulation network. Animal studies show that decreases in immune function can lead to decreases in learning ability. In one study, researchers concluded that the improvement of immune function is closely related to the amelioration of age-associated deterioration of learning and memory. Through the simple use of aged garlic extract, the scientists were able to restore learning ability, perhaps because garlic increases blood perfusion to the organs (Zhang et. al, 1998).

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Chronic allergy is a hypersensitivity caused by exposure to an allergen resulting in a marked increase in immune system reactivity upon subsequent exposure.  A patient once told me that since she arrived on US soil, it seemed to her everyone in America had chronic allergy problems, while no one did in her home country of Korea. This simple observation is simply an acknowledgement of the massive increase of allergens we now are forced to cope with in our industrial society. Allergy symptoms can range from a simple rash to life-threatening anaphylactic shock, requiring emergency treatment. In addition, allergy is often (very often) a contributing factor to numerous other disease processes.

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According to TAM and TCM theories, dementias result from multi-systemic decline and brain destruction due to aging, and thus can be prevented or slowed by maintaining overall health and using tonics. Consequently, our preventive and treatment goals are the reduction of oxidative damage, reduction of cellular toxins and inflammation, and improvement of cerebral circulation and oxygen and glucose transport.

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Love is our primary positive emotion, and anxiety, depression and anger are our primary negative emotions. To understand the distinction between them, it helps to recall the two branches of the autonomic nervous system. The sympathetic system is the fight-or-flight system, and it kicks in during emergency situations. Symptoms include rapid heartbeat or heart palpitations, muscle tension, constriction of the throat, cold hands, and rapid shifting of thoughts and emotions (Thomas, 1977). This nervous defense system correlates closely with either functional anger (fight) or fear (flight). When these physical manifestations appear in response to real danger or a bona fide emergency, we classify them as the fight-or flight response, an intelligent short-term response.

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Asthma is a chronic lung condition characterized by airway obstruction, spasm and hyper-responsiveness in the bronchial tubes, or inflammation and swelling in the lining tissue. It is often an advanced stage of allergies, and currently is increasing in prevalence and severity. This disease can be life threatening, and must be managed by an allergist to avoid crisis and to handle emergencies. During asthma attacks, patients have severe dyspnea due to bronchial spasms, and hypersecretion of mucus, leading to air passageway obstruction. These attacks can be true emergencies, and lead to death. For this reason, asthma should only be treated by a qualified expert, and having an allergist to monitor, prescribe and take care of emergencies is essential.

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An examination of the story behind the early historical use of these plants offers us valuable lessons concerning the destructive effects of human attitudes and actions on precious plants. According to Dr. Mana, "Among the six hundred Ayurvedic herbs that have been thoroughly tested and analyzed, Ayurvedic physicians used about fifty plants specifically for “immortal life” (longevity), and the rest for medicinal purposes. Ancient scholars believed that, when used properly, these plants could extend survival for long periods of time. 

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The most useful method is to combine herbs that relieve spasm, restore flexibility, increase circulation and reduce inflammation. A good combination might include carthamus flower, myrrh gum, prickly ash bark, turmeric root, boswellia gum and lobelia herb. TCM doctors also use tu huo root (Angelica pubescens), lu lu tong fruit (Liquidambar taiwaniana), eucommia bark (du zhong or E. ulmoides), and loranthus branches (sang ji sheng or Viscum album). When a patient with low back pain experiences degenerative changes due to osteoarthritis, treat according to the guidelines provided in our discussion of osteoarthritis.

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Experts estimate that BPS affects 50-60% of men between 40 and 59 years of age in the United States, resulting in a projected annual overall cost of hospital care and surgery of over one billion dollars per year.  Neglect of prostate inflammation and swelling can lead to a rise in prostatic specific antigen (PSA), which in turn may indicate an early stage of prostate cancer.

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All herbal traditions put a great emphasis on the crucial processes of regulating and improving blood circulation. Many destructive changes to the heart, liver and all other tissues can be avoided if we keep the blood healthy. Some herbalists have gone so far as to say that if the blood is clean and healthy there will be little or no disease. There are several herbal approaches to blood circulation that can be applied to treat a large number of health disorders.

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To heal bruises quickly, use 1-3 grams of tien chi root twice per day.  This even helps speed up healing from surgical wounds or traumatic injury.  If you tend to bruise easily, increase your intake of fruits rich in bioflavonoids and Vitamin C. 

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In 1987, Dr. Mana completed a five year personal research project resulting in the publication of his book, The Ayurvedic Records of Cancer Treatment (Bajracharya, 1987). According to Dr. Mana, "It is not well known that much research work concerning the proper treatment of cancer has been recorded in different Ayurvedic texts, (and) I hope that the Ayurvedic knowledge of cancer treatment presented in this book will be a new alternative guideline for modern medical scholars who are really serious about research of cancer treatment."

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Written records of the Chinese experience with cancer treatment date back to the time of the Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic (Huang di nei jing), 2nd century BC. This ancient book addresses symptoms similar to those of esophogeal, uterine and bone cancer.  1,800 years ago Dr. Zhang Zhong Jing described treatments for disease processes similar to cancers in his Prescriptions from the Golden Cabinet (Jin Kui Yao Lue), as did Dr. Sun Si Miao in One Thousand Golden Formulas (Qian jin yao fang).

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I first heard about the work of the Dr. Eli Jones while listening to a lecture by David Winston, one of the few living herbalists who is fully trained in the Eclectic medicine  traditions. Dr. Jones treated thousands of cancer patients at the end of the last century, and was so respected in the field that members of opposing schools of medicine would go to him if they themselves developed cancer. Beginning in 1894 he began giving post-graduate instruction in cancer therapy to physicians from all parts of the country.

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Although chemotherapy is constantly changing, most people are unaware of how it fits into the larger picture. One pare of this is to look at the statistics of effectiveness. Dr. Ralph Moss does exactly this with his book, Questioning Chemotherapy, and what he reveals is quite startling. While chemotherapy is effective in certain cancers, such as Hodgekin's lymphoma and childhood leukemia, is is far less successful for other forms of cancer.

However, virtually all the alternative therapies, while far less toxic, do not have behind them anywhere near sufficient scientific proof, and, to make things worse, the information available on how they work and their clinical results are as confusing and contradictory as can be imagined. The new cancer patient is thus left with difficult choices.

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Since the turn of the 20th century, CVD has been the number one cause of death every year except 1918. The yearly cost associated with these cases is estimated to be in excess of 250 billion dollars, and billions of dollars more have been spent upon research. Yet few know that workable solutions and preventive measures for many heart and circulation problems are available by intelligent use of a bit of herbal and functional medicine knowledge. Our purpose here will be to understand how to maintain a strong heart, healthy blood and good circulation, and how to avoid inflammation.

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Dr. Jeff West, DC, one of the chiropractors I have worked with in the past, often gets dramatic results by simply restoring movement to the wrist bones with specialized adjustments. Many of his very grateful patients have been able to avoid surgery this way. The operation is not only very expensive, but involves cutting the ligament to relieve the pressure, which further destabilizes the joint and can lead to more serious dysfunction later on.

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Various free radicals participate in cataract formation. The reduced form of the molecule called glutathione is a key cellular antioxidant which has been shown to reduce oxidative stress and eliminate poisons both in test tube and animal studies (Shamsi et al., 2000, Stewart-DeHaan, 1999, Lu, 1998). The body's production of glutathione in the liver is dependant upon a diet high in fruits and vegetables (providing precursors), membrane transport activities of the three sulfur amino acids (cysteine, cystine and methionine), and adequate conversion of methionine to cysteine via the trans-sulfuration pathway (Lu SC, 1999). Therefore, any of the many herbs and nutrients that aid this biochemical process are valuable in cataract prevention. Nutrients include NAC (N-acetyl cysteine), MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), alpha-Lipoic acid. Many herbs affect glutathione status because they contain glutathione(or members of the glutathione family) or other wise boost it's action. Some of these are elderberry, blueberry, astragalus root, milk thistle seed, turmeric root, garlic bulb and oil, and especially wheat sprouts.

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TAM doctors make nose drops by adding small amounts of herbs to pure sesame oil. For general inflammation, add five or ten drops white sandalwood oil to a one-ounce dropper bottle. Drop two or three drops into each nostril two to five times per day, or as needed.

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As is so often the case, we can gain some perspective by looking back at our roots. Both TCM and Ayurveda have listed the signs and symptoms of excess fatty substances in the blood - heaviness, sluggishness, a slippery pulse, greasy coating on the tongue, weight gain etc. For this problems use the diet listed for excess mucus, along with herbs that help regulate mucus, congestion, inflammation and sluggishness

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