Cath Davis' Daily Dose of Herbals

The wonders of 5-HTP!

cldavis@homeherbs.co.uk (Cath Davis) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 10:00:00 +0000

Anxiety, depression, insomnia?? Have you considered taking 5-HTP?

5-Hydroxytryphophan, or 5-HTP, is converted in the body to the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT), with the help of vitamin B6.

The effect of 5-HTP is thought to be due to the fact that an artificially high supply of 5-HTP causes the brain's serotonin-producing neurons to increase production. Increased serotonin production then leads to increased serotonin release. Serotonin plays an important role in controlling anger, aggression, body temperature, mood, sleep, human sexuality, appetite, and metabolism, as well as stimulating vomiting.

It is thought the hectic modern lifestyle of stress and bad eating habits lowers serotonin levels in the body. It is known that irritability, aggression, impatience, anxiety and worrying cause the body to release serotonin. This Serotonin then needs to be replenished by the body from the food you eat. But Serotonin is not found in large quantities in most diets so the body has to makes it itself from foods which contain L-tryptophan, such as chocolate, oats, bananas, dried dates, milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, meat, fish, turkey, chicken, sesame, chickpeas, and peanuts. Many people therefore crave the foods listed (fats and carbohydrates), causing weight gain, depression, headaches, and muscle aches.

Taking 5-HTP supplements can stop this craving for fats and carbohydrates, as well as providing the body with the means to control all those other functions listed above, such as anger, appetite and sleep.

Some research has been done into 5-HTP and shows it has potential to treat depression and possibly anxiety, panic disorder, sleep disorders and obesity. 5-HTP seems to have the same effects as SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) antidepressants.

Most research seems to suggest that 5-HTP is safe in the right dose. This seems to be no more than 100mg per day. 5-HTP is usually tolerated much better than traditional antidepressants. HOWEVER, it is important not to take more than 100mg per day, or other antidepressants at the same time.

It is widely recommended to take 5-HTP 30 mins before going to bed, as apart from producing Serotonin, 5-HTP also produces Melatonin, which is a sleep-inducing hormone. The effects of taking 5HTP can be felt within 10 to 30 mins.

Most 5-HTP, including the one we sell, is extracted from the seeds of a woody climbing shrub native to West Africa, called the Griffonia simplicifolia plant.

We sell high strength 100mg capsules of 5-HTP, as well as vitamin B6 on our website at the following links:
For 5-HTP: www.homeherbs.co.uk
For vitamin B6: www.homeherbs.co.uk

Why not try some today and see if you too can reduce your stress and anger levels, as well as get a good night's sleep!

Thank you for reading. All comments welcome!

Some information referenced from Wikipedia.org and 5-htp.org.uk

Take your vitamins & save your brain!

cldavis@homeherbs.co.uk (Cath Davis) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 10:50:00 +0000

Vitamin B3

Are you worried about losing your brain power?? Do you feel your faculties have lost their edge? If so, you're not alone. Many people feel their memory and mental clarity seems to lose its sharpness past about the age of 30. I certainly feel that since having my 4th child last year my brain is not at all what it was!

I was therefore very interested to read the recent article on the BBC website about how Vitamin B3 could help stave off Altzheimers (see: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7710365.stm).

Vitamin B3 is also known as Niacin and is the name given for nicotinamide (niacinamide) and nicotinic acid. It can be found in meat, fish, beans, cereals and potatoes. The amino acid 'Tryptophan' can be converted to vitamin B3
inside the body.

According to the website: http://www.internethealthlibrary.com/, the importance of Vitamin B3 was first realised in 1937 when scientists discovered that the disease 'Pellagra' was caused by a vitamin B3 deficiency. This vitamin is essential for: releasing energy from carbohydrates, fats and protiens, helping DNA synthesis, and for healthy skin, nerves and digestive system.

Signs of deficiency are: loss of appetite, indigestion, skin lesions, mental imbalance and Pellagra (gross deficiency).

Dr Kim Green, who led the study in the BBC article, said: "Nicotinamide has a very robust effect on neurons. It prevents loss of cognition in mice with Alzheimer's disease, and the beauty of it is we already are moving forward with a clinical trial."

His colleague Professor Frank LaFerla, said: "This suggests that not only is it good for Alzheimer's disease, but if normal people take it, some aspects of their memory might improve."

It is important to maintain a healthy balance of all vitamins and minerals, not just vitamin B3.

We sell a wide range of vitamins and minerals on our website at the following link: http://www.homeherbs.co.uk/0/category/425-Vitamins___Minerals.html.

Thank you for reading! All comments welcome.

The Wonders of Anthocyanins!

cldavis@homeherbs.co.uk (Cath Davis) — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:35:00 +0000

A new purple tomato has been produced that's packed full of anthocyanins! See the recent news article on the BBC website: news/bbc.co.uk. A team of Scientists created the new tomatoes and they're hoping it's high Anthocyanin content will help it act as a wonder tonic!

Anthocyanins are Glycosidic pigments found in blue, red and purple flowers and fruits. They are actually the substances that give the flowers and fruits this colour, hence it is said that the darker the colour of fruit, the better it is for you. They act as anto-oxidants and therefore have many associated health benefits.

Anthocyanins are thought to have anti-cancer properties, especially in the colon as this is where they're ingested. They are also thought to help fight cardiovascular disease, age-related conditions, obesity, diabetes, boost eyesight and act as anti-inflammatories.

We'll have to wait a while until the new purple tomatoes are available in the shops, but in the meantime you can get your dose of Anthocyanins from other sources, such as Elderberries. Anthocyanins are found in particualrly high levels alredy in berries. You can purchase a potent Elderberry tincture at the following link: www.homeherbs.co.uk

Well I hope this helps and thank you for reading!

How to Beat the Flu!

cldavis@homeherbs.co.uk (Cath Davis) — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:33:00 +0000

Flu Time

Well it's Flu time again unfortunately! Thankfully so far we haven't had a major Flu epidemic, such as the dreaded Bird Flu. However any strain of Flu tends to be very unpleasant and can sometimes be lethal, so it's important to help the body be prepared.

Many people think that any immume boosting herbs will help fight the Flu, but that's certainly not the case. Echinacea and Astragalus, for example, should be avoided especially in the active Flu Stage, as an increase in Cytokines brought on by a stimulated immune response can lead to a Cytokine Storm and actually ravage the lungs.

THIS IS WHY BIRD FLU DEATHS SEEM TO BE MOSTLY IN THE YOUNG AND FIT.

Anti-inflammatories and anti-virals are therefore thought best to help the body cope with Flu strains, especially should we ever encounter an epidemic such as Bird Flu (H5N1).

There are three herbs that I would choose to fight flu, namely: Ginger, Green Tea and Lemon Balm. This is based on their anti-viral and anti-inflammatory action, but equally importantly because none of them are thought to specifically boost Cytokine response.

Taste, safety and cost are also considered and these are generally regarded as very safe. Caution should be taken with Lemon Balm if pregnant or breast feeding, if you have a Thyroid condition, or Glaucoma.

Each herb was chosen for very specific reasons. See below:

Ginger Root: This herb was chosen because it contains 10 anti-viral compounds and is a stimulating herb that is warming to the system, making it a wonderful warming cold and flu remedy. It is also thought to be a powerful anti-inflammatory herb and there has been much recent interest in its use for joint problems, relieving headaches, soothing sore throats and reducing fever. All these symptoms are commonly associated with Flu. In her book '10 Essential Herbs' author Lalitha Thomas describes the properties: "The major active ingredients in ginger are terpenes (quite similar to the chemical action of turpentine) and an oleo-resin called ginger oil. These two, and other active ingredients in ginger, provide antiseptic, lymph-cleansing, circulation-stimulating, and mild constipation relief qualities along with a potent perspiration-inducing action that is quite effective in cleansing the system of toxins."

Lemon Balm: This herb is another excellent herb. It is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, sedative, and thyroid-regulating. It is often used to treat children with fever, flu, and colds. In adults, it treats colds, headaches, depression, menstrual cramps, insomnia, and nervous stomachs. In addition, it is a soothing, sedative herb that can relieve tension and lift depression. This is important as people do get very tired and fed-up when fighting the Flu. If you can start to FEEL better your body will heal much better.

Green Tea: Green Tea possesses one of nature's most powerful antioxidants, called EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate). Even moderate doses have an effect. In addition, Green tea is an excellent anti-inflammatory. It is thought the tea acts at the cellular level by inhibiting inflammatory pathways to reduce inflammation. The tea's high content of polyphenols is likely to be responsible for its high anti-inflammatory activity. It has been shown to REDUCE THE RELEASE OF PRO-INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINES. (reference: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=57923).

I believe this is an excellent combination of herbs that are easy to take, taste nice and are not too expensive. Make a mug of Green Tea and add tinctures of Ginger and Lemon Balm, also a dash of Lemon juice for Vitamin C, and drink several times a day!

Garlic is another great herb for helping fight Flu. I haven't added into my top 3 as it's hard to add it to a warming beverage and drink it! But try regularly adding it to food. Be aware though, that too much Garlic can cause the Red Blood Cells to burst, causing Anaemia, so don't go overboard with it!

Goldenseal is another great herb that is both antiseptic and immune stimulating, increasing blood supply to the spleen. The spleen is the bodies staging area for the fighting cells in your immune system. Berberine is present in goldenseal, and activates macrophages (special white blood cells), which are responsible for destruction of bacteria, fungi, viruses and tumour cells. (Info taken from: www.organicnutrition.co.uk. Again I haven't added Goldenseal to my top three as it is very expensive, therefore not easily available to a lot of people. But if you can afford it, take it!

Please Note: This kit is NOT a substitute for the Flu injection and these herbs will not give you complete immunity from colds or Flu. What they aim to do is reduce the likelihood of catching an illness in the first place. And if you do become ill they should hopefully reduce the severity and duration of your symptoms, and help you recover afterwards.

If you want to purchase all these herbs together, you can do so at the following website: www.homeherbs.co.uk

I hope you find this useful! Thank you for reading.

Thanks for the image go to my fellow blogger at: http://anotherkcblog.wordpress.com/2008/02/

Uneven breasts???

cldavis@homeherbs.co.uk (Cath Davis) — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:51:00 +0000

Since my last post, on how to firm up your breasts with herbs, I've had an enquiry about what to do if you've got uneven breasts. I believe it's a very common problem however there's hardly any practical support available. I therefore thought you may want to read my response, as the chances are at least some of my readers are in a similar situation:

Hi,

Sorry to hear of your problems with uneven breasts, and especially the
lack of support you've received so far. It's a very common problem as
I'm sure you're aware.

The reason we've been able to offer information in this particular area
is that we advocate breast massage as being equally, if not more
important, to breast growth than actually taking the herbs by mouth.
This allows the herbs to be concentrated on one breast at a time.

My previous blog was on herbal breast enhancement and I
talked about breast massage and compared it to the stimulation received
when breast feeding. You may find that analogy useful.

The basic idea is to firstly take herbs by mouth in the form of
capsules, tincture and/or Fennel tea. This means there are
Phytoestrogens in your system to help promote new tissue growth.
Importantly, you then team this up with nightly breast massage using the
herb tincture (and a bit of moisturiser as well if required). Leave the
tincture residue on all night. It's important to massage as often as
possible and for at least 5 minutes a time. The aim is to stimulate
blood flow to this area. Try to keep the breast warm as well, as this
will further stimulate blood flow.

If you do this regularly you should see some changes quite quickly.
Really there's no reason why it can't be in a couple of months or
sooner. Again to use the breast feeding analogy, the breasts respond
almost immediately to the baby feeding, even if it does take about 6
weeks for breast feeding to become fully established.

The main herbs to go for are listed in our breast enhancement section at
the link below. Each herb contains a slightly different structure of
Phytoestrogen, so people usually take more than one herb to get a wider
range.
The link is: http://www.homeherbs.co.uk

There hasn't been much detailed research on this subject as far as I'm
aware. Information is mostly based on educated guesses and trial and
error. So it will be very interesting to hear how you get on!

Good luck and I hope you'll keep in touch ...

Thanks for reading.

Do you need to improve your boobs!

cldavis@homeherbs.co.uk (Cath Davis) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:52:00 +0000

Herbal Breast Enhancement

I know a lot of women, myself included, find their breasts need maintenance to stay in great shape, especially after pregnancy and breast feeding. I didn't want to go for breast surgery though because it is a major operation, and also I didn't feel the problem was that extreme, but I still felt I needed something to help with firmness and fullness.

I decided to look on Google, and was amazed to find there are herbs you can take specifically to aid firmness and increase the size of your breasts! A lot of these herbs are sold in expensive formulas, but you don't need all that branding and packaging. All you need is the pure herbs.

I can tell you which herbs to go for:

The main herbs for breast enhancement are the ones containing Phytoestrogens. These bind to the same receptors within your body as oestrogen does. Fenugreek is often cited as the herb containing the highest concentration of Phytoestrogens, closely followed by Fennel, Saw Palmetto and Red Clover. All have their own additional health benefits, and each contain a slightly different version of Phytoestrogen, so they are often taken together rather than just choosing one.

Black Cohosh is also sometimes used, especially if you're a genetic male looking to increase breast size to become more female. For some reason it seems that Black Cohosh aids genetic males respond to the breast enhancement herbs. Not enough research has been done to determine exactly why, but again it's probably due to the slight differences in the chemical structure of Phytoestrogens within each herb.

The herbs are usually taken both internally (as either capsules or drops of tincture) AND externally i.e. tincture is rubbed onto the breast area and massaged in for around 5 minutes. This breast massage should ideally be done every evening before bed, then you can leave the tincture residue on your skin all night - no need to wash off until the next morning. It doesn't matter if you can't manage to massage every day, just do so as often as possible. The massage is very important as any such skin contact increases blood flow to that area, thus aiding with new tissue growth. Think of it a bit like the effects of breast feeding! Obviously there are no drugs involved in continuing milk production, the only stimulus is a baby feeding. Once feeding stops the milk dries up. It's a similar principle with breast massage, if you keep the massage up you'll help maintain fullness and firmness!

You can read more about these herbs, as well as purchase them if you wish, at the following link: www.homeherbs.co.uk.

Thank you for reading!

Winter Blues

cldavis@homeherbs.co.uk (Cath Davis) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:54:00 +0000

Are you feeling a bit down as these darker nights draw in? Even if you're in the best of moods, the brain can find it hard to cope with reduced light levels, so everyone can benefit from a little help. A gentle way of increasing mood is with herbal remedies. There are lots of herbs thought to help in this way. The most popular being st. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum). Another very nice herb to consider is Damiana (Turnera aphrodisiaca).

Both have unique ways of working. St. John's Wort is the most popular treatment for Depression in Germany. It has been extensively studied by Commission E, which is the scientific advisory panel to the German government. St. John's Wort contains several chemicals, including hypericin, hyperforin, and pseudohypericin, which are thought to be the major sources of antidepressant activity.

St. John's wort appears to delay or decrease re-absorption of the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin by nerve cells, thus it may keep more of these antidepressant neurotransmitters available for the body to utilize.

You can find this herb on our website at the link below:
http://www.homeherbs.co.uk/0/product/0/168-St__John_s_Wort.html

Damiana leaves have long been used as an aphrodisiac and to boost sexual potency by the native peoples of Mexico, including the Mayan Indians and is used for both male and female sexual stimulation, increased energy, asthma, depression, impotence and menstrual problems. It works by increasing energy levels, and also by supplying more oxygen to the genital areas, this providing a potent sexual boost!!

The chemical composition of damiana is complex and all of the components have not been completely identified. However, the known make-up is 0.5-1% volatile oil, flavonoids, gonzalitosin, arbutin, tannin and damianin (a brown bitter substance). It also contains essential oils (containing cineol, cymol, pinene), cyanogenic glycosides, thymol and trace amounts of phosphorus.

You can find this herb for sale on our website the link below:
http://www.homeherbs.co.uk/0/product/0/6-Damiana.html

I take a few drops of Damiana tincture under the tongue morning and evening, and I feel buzzing with energy all Winter long!

Thank you for reading. See you next time...

Try Avena sativa - sow your Wild Oats!

cldavis@homeherbs.co.uk (Cath Davis) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 09:57:00 +0000

Are you feeling stressed, tired, depressed, fed-up, run down or even lacking your usual sexual desire? If so, have you considered a daily dose of Avena sativa (also known as Wild Oats)?

This wonderful herb is thought to be soothing to the brain and nervous system, whilst at the same time increasing sexual desire, and performance, in both men and women!

Our Avena sativa tincture is being featured in this week's edition of the Mail on Sunday!

Avena sativa (Oat) seeds are not only a rich source of carbohydrate and soluble fibre, they also have the highest content of Iron, Zinc and Manganese of any grain.

In men it seems to help with both impotence and premature ejaculation. It is often described as the "Natural Viagra"! Its stimulating effects are well known in the animal world, especially with horses who are fed Oats to give them energy before a big Show. And we've all heard the term "sowing your oats"! These potent effects can also be felt by us in the same way.

In women, the effect seems to be that of increasing sexual desire rather than physical performance. Avena sativa contains compounds which are both sedative and soothing to the brain and nervous system, hence it is said to be a good herb as a nerve restorative. And in women the aphrodisiac effect seems to work by relaxing the body which in turn allows a natural increase in desire.

Avena sativa has no known side-effects. It is often the primary ingredient in expensive sexual formulas and in the popular alternatives Herbal V, Cobra and Biogra. There is no need to purchase expensive herbal formulas. The pure herb is more powerful and is not expensive to use.

We sell both the capsules and tincture at very competitive prices on our website at the following link:
http://www.homeherbs.co.uk/0/product/0/5-Avena_sativa.html

All you need is a few drops (usually about 10) under the tongue twice a day, and in no time you'll feel on top of the World!

Thank you for reading!

Tea - The Great British Tradition!

cldavis@homeherbs.co.uk (Cath Davis) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:31:00 +0000

I love a nice cup of tea, and apparently I'm not alone! In this country it is thought about 80% of us drink tea regularly.

For a long time I wondered if drinking lots of tea was good for me, mainly due to dehydration, but new research shows that it most definitely is!

Scientists are now saying that drinking 3 or more cups of tea a day can be as beneficial as drinking lots of water. In fact tea may actually be better for you than water. This is thought to be because tea not only hydrates you (increases your water content) as well as drinking water does, but it also contains polyphenol antioxidants (Flavonoids) which help prevent cell damage. In addition, tea conains useful minerals such as Zinc, Manganese and potassium.

I'm not talking about fancy teas here, these health benefits are from normal black tea with milk! You can read more about them at the following links:

BBC News and Daily Express

If you do want even more health benefits, or you want to try something a bit different, how about Green Tea or Yerba Mate tea. These are usually drank without milk, often with a few drops lemon juice. These teas also contain Flavonoids (powerful antioxidants), in fact it is thought they have even higher levels that normal black tea.

Flavodoids are thought to benefit the heart, also possibly reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. Drinking several cups of tea per day (either Green or Black) is thought to greatly reduce the risk of heart attack. It can also lift your mood and increase alertness as well as fight against tooth decay!

The optimim tea intake is thought to be between 3 and 8 cups per day (try to avoid mealtimes though as tea can inhibit Iron absorption).

We sell both Yerba Mate and Green Tea on our website at the following link:

http://www.homeherbs.co.uk/0/product/0/556-Che_Mate_Tea.html

Why not brew up a cuppa today!

Thanks for reading.

Sugar - the natural antiseptic

cldavis@homeherbs.co.uk (Cath Davis) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 08:43:00 +0000

If you're ever in need of an antiseptic for an open wound, look around for a source of sugar! This excellent, life-saving tip was recently featured on the BBC's Super Doctors programme.

Honey has been used for millennia to heal wounds, however it can be quite expensive especially if it's a big wound. Normal sugar can work just as well at stopping bacteria infecting a wound. The sugar "pops" the cell walls of any bacteria, therefore they can't survive. And unlike salt, (which can also do this to bacteria), sugar is much more gentle and therefore doesn't burn the skin.

The best way to apply the sugar is to mix it with Vaseline, and if possible also a bit of glycerine (sugar/water solution) to help it all bind together in an usable paste. Then simply apply liberally to the wound. The Vaseline not only keeps the sugar in place, it also acts as a barrier to stop further dirt and bacteria entering the wound.

Nature is a wonderful treasure chest of natural remedies! Sugar is obtained from the Sugarcane (Saccharum) plant, and Honey obviously comes from Bees (who use pollen from flowers) so yet again we have Nature providing us with a variety of healing remedies, many easily available and at a low cost.

If you're interested in health products containing Honey, we have a selection on our website at the link below:
http://www.homeherbs.co.uk/0/category/447-Bee_Health.html

Thank you for reading. Your thoughts and comments are welcome!

Vitamin B12 - Nature's Fuel source!

cldavis@homeherbs.co.uk (Cath Davis) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 09:15:00 +0000

Vitamin B12
If you're feeling a bit run down now winter's approaching, and you're wondering if you may be anaemic, don't just assume it's your Iron levels that are low. Did you know Vitamin B12 deficiency is another very common cause of anaemia, especially in menstruating women and older people? Symptoms of deficiency often include: flashing lights before your eyes, dizziness, fatigue, paleness and "jumpy legs".

In addition, a recent article on the BBC website claims Vitamin B 12 can aid memory loss as people age! It is thought to help stop brain shrinkage. You can read the full article here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7595423.stm

As vitamin B12 is water soluble (rather than fat soluble like some other vitamins) it can be safely taken even when a deficiency has not been confirmed. Taking B12 with orange juice is often advised (as vitamin C aids absorption). A boost of B12 can be like a volt of energy to those who have become deficient. You'll soon be dancing your way to work on these colder mornings!

If you want to hedge your bets and cover both likely causes of anaemia, B12 can be safely taken alongside Iron tablets for that extra boost.

You can buy Vitamin B12 on our website at the following link:

B12 - Only £2.95 for 60 Vtabs
(http://www.homeherbs.co.uk/0/product/0/593-Vitamin_B.html)

Thank you for reading. Your thoughts and comments are welcome!