Passion fruit peel may alleviate symptoms of asthma

Asthma, or airway inflammation and mucus secretion, can cause wheezing, coughing, and dyspnea. According to the HerbClips article "Efficacy of Purple Passion Fruit Peel Extract in Alleviating Asthmatic Symptoms in Adults," about 17 million people in the U.S. have asthma, an increasing number, which has led to increased interest in the use of nutritional protocols to control asthma.

Purple passion fruit Passiflora edulis peel (PFP) has a history of use with health challenges. In South American folk medicine, extracts of the peel have been used with anxiety, insomnia, asthma, and bronchitis. The extract contains three antioxidants (cyanidin-3O-glucoside, quercetin-3O-glucoside, and edulilic acid) and was "shown to modulate nitric oxide in hypertensive rats."

In a 2008 study with 42 subjects, all participants showed wheeze symptoms at baseline, but only 19.1 % of subjects who took PFP and 78.9% of participants in the placebo group showed symptoms at the end of the study. In addition, "of the approximately 90% and 79% of subjects in the PFP and placebo groups, respectively, with shortness of breath at baseline, approximately 10% and 37%, respectively, had symptoms after treatment. Of the nearly 100% of subjects with cough at baseline, approximately 20% and 50% of subjects in the PFP and placebo groups, respectively, had symptoms after treatment."

These results show that passion fruit peel extract significantly improves asthmatic symptoms after four weeks of usage without adverse effects. The authors of the study concluded that: "PFP extract may be safely offered to asthmatic subjects as an alternative treatment option to reduce clinical symptoms."

References:

Watson RR, Zibadi S, Rafatpanah H, et al. Oral administration of the purple passion fruit peel extract reduces wheeze and cough and improves shortness of breath in adults with asthma. Nutr Res. 2008;28: 166-171.

Based on article © Brenda Milot, ELS, "Efficacy of Purple Passion Fruit Peel Extract in Alleviating Asthmatic Symptoms in Adults," HerbClip

Image © http://www.flickr.com/photos/17548490@N00/1608949872/sizes/s/#cc_license

World Health Organization declares Swine Flu pandemic

The World Health Organization (WHO) raised the Swine Flu pandemic warning level from 5 to 6 on Thursday, June 11, according to the Associated Press. The global flu is reportedly the first global flu epidemic in 41 years. WHO Chief Dr. Margaret Chan is expected to make a statement about the pandemic on Thursday.

WHO said in a statement that, "At this early stage, the pandemic can be characterized globally as being moderate in severity." The organization also told member countries that it was talking with flu vaccine makers and believes the "firms could work '"to ensure the largest possible supply of pandemic vaccine in the months to come.'"

In the meantime, Swine flu in continuing to spread in the northern hemisphere. The last pandemic, the Hong Kong flu of 1968, killed about 1 million people. Some health experts feel the current pandemic warning should have been declared earlier; however, others fear that would have caused widespread panic. "Raising the epidemic alert to the highest level will almost certainly spark some panic about spread of swine flu," according to the Associated Press article "WHO: Swine flu pandemic has begun, 1st in 41 years."

Though some countries are responding more aggressively, representatives from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said, "the move would not change how the U.S. tackled swine flu." So far, in the U.S., there have been "13,000 cases and at least 27 deaths from swine flu."

>> Oregano essential oil, with 72% carvacrol, is great herb for immune support, and may be helpful with Swine Flu: http://tinyurl.com/dbgx2d

>> Read the original article from the Associated Press, "WHO: Swine flu pandemic has begun, 1st in 41 years"

Create your own antiaging program in 6 steps

The June edition of More magazine features a special section called "Age proof your health." The article emphasizes two interesting points: 1. that health is primarily do-it-yourself, and 2. using a holistic* approach to health, you can create your own anti-aging program.

Here are six steps for creating your own anti-aging program based on More:

1. Set a time frame.

Pick a set time (they suggest 30 days) to focus on making lifestyle changes. Being specific focuses on your intention and creates a benchmark against which to measure progress.

2. Partner with a doctor.

To find an integrative medicine specialist to work with, More suggests the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine. However, you can also alternative healthcare workers through the American College of Healthcare Sciences Practitioner Directory and on industry-specific sites like the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy.

3. Get tested.

Standard tests will show areas of concern, including diabetes and heart disease.

4. Evaluate your diet.

You may want to work with a nutrition consultant, who can help you to develop healthy eating plans. *Incorporating organic herbs into your daily diet will impart additional vitamins and nutrients (and flavor!). For more information about cooking with herbs, download the free lecture Antioxidants and Herbs from the ACHS Apothecary Shoppe.

5. Develop and exercise routine.

Do something active every day. There is no single definition for what "active" means, which provides a great opportunity to make exercise work for you. That can mean taking a walk at lunch, joining a jogging group, or working with a personal training at the gym, to name a few.

6. Reduce stress.

Yoga and breathing exercises both help to reduce stress. For how-to techniques visit the American Institute of Stress website and download this free lecture about aromatherapy.

* What does holistic mean? Holistic is a whole person approach to health care, which emphasizes prevention, and optimal health through a balanced approach to mind, body, and spirit.

Herbal medicine chest for busy moms

We all know that it is important to nourish ourselves by maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, making sure we take care or our own needs as moms, and getting plenty of rest.

However, sometimes our kids have other plans for us! Whether it is a crying baby that keeps you up all night, over-committing ourselves, or just generally being off balance and on the verge of burnout- herbs can be an excellent ally! Fellow moms often ask me what herbs I like to use during busy or stressful times- below are some of my favorites! All of these herbs are safe to use while nursing and are also excellent for postpartum.*

Nutritive Herbs

• Milky Oats - Milky oats (tincture) will give me instant relief when I am on the verge of burnout and exhaustion, not thinking clearly, moody, and just plain overwhelmed. Milky oats are nourishing for the nervous system and can be taken over a long period of time. I notice the effects immediately, feeling revived and rejuvenated.
• Alfalfa- Alfalfa is packed with nutrients- a great addition to tea!
• Gotu Kola- Commonly used in Ayruvedic medicine, combined in a formula with other nervines, it reduces nervous exhaustion while at the same time promoting mental clarity.
• Nettle- One of the best nutritive herbs. This herb can be used daily. This is a great herb to use to revive yourself if you are feeling drained. The whole plant including the seeds is an excellent remedy for adrenal exhaustion, something a lot of mom's may experience when they juggling multiple tasks and don't take the time for self care. Nettles are packed with trace minerals and vitamins.
• Dandelion- Often thought of as just a weed, dandelion is a wonderful mildly bitter herb that has a long use in traditional herbal medicine as both a food and a beneficial medicinal remedy. Dandelion leaf can be eaten in salads, stir fry, the root roasted can be used as a coffee substitute and the dried root can be added to your tea blends.

Nervines

• Catnip- this herb will come in handy for both mom and baby. Not only does it have a gentle relaxing effect, it will reduce colic in your baby both through the breast milk, used alone as a tea, or used in a "gripe water" formula. Catnip in a tea along with slippery elm, chamomile, fennel, and infant massage helped my daughter with her colic symptoms tremendously.
• Chamomile- Another great herb for both mom and baby, it is not only relaxing it is a natural anti-inflammatory, and good for nervous tummies. So when your baby begins teething, chamomile is an excellent herb to have on hand to both relax you and your baby. Chamomile will also help with local inflammation of the gums when your baby is teething (apply tincture directly). I like chamomile combined with lavender as a tea for relaxation.
• Lavender- Gentle and relaxing to the nervous system, it is good for insomnia, as well as milk production & the let down reflex, combined with other herbs such as chamomile, fennel, catnip.
• Passionflower- I like this combined with other nervines in a nighttime tea, excellent for relaxation.
• California Poppy- Excellent for anxiety and insomnia.
• Lemon Balm- I like lemon balm combined with other herbs in a tea, the herb gives a general over-all good feeling. Calming effects will pass to your infant through the breast milk if you are nursing. Combines well with milky oats in tincture form.
• Motherwort- This herb is bitter, great for anxiety. I like this herb in tincture form.
• Skullcap- For the mom's with so much on their mind, new changes, over stimulation, a touch of the blues, exhaustion from lack of rest, I think this herb is one of the most valuable. It will nourish & restore your nervous system.
• Vervain- This herb will help when you are irritable and on the verge of the angry "I've had it and I just might lose it" cry. Great to combine with the skullcap and or milky oats in tincture form. Good for the emotional mood swings of PMS-safe to take over long periods of time.

Author Bio
Angie Goodloe graduated from the American College of Healthcare Sciences with her Diploma in Herbal Studies Master Herbalist and Holistic Nutrition Certificate in 2005. She also graduated from the East West College of the Healing Arts in 2003 and currently teaches holistic health courses online. To read more about Angie and her work, check out her blog: http://authenticmama.com/

*This is the opinion and/or claim of the author. It is always recommended that you consult with a primary health care provider before making significant changes to your diet or health care routine.

How much water do you really need?

How much water do we really need to be healthy? The answer: It depends. The amount of water a person needs is dependent on many factors, such as where they live, how active they are, and overall health. So, the question may not be, "Am I drinking the right number of glasses?" but, "Is my body getting enough fluids?"

Water accounts for about 60% of our body weight, and every system in our body depends on it. For example, water flushes toxins out of our organs, hydrates our skin, and carries nutrients to our cells. But as we live through our day, we lose water through natural processes like breath and perspiration. What happens to our bodies when this water is not replaced?

Dehydration happens when the body does not have enough water to function correctly. Dehydration can manifest in many ways, but include sluggish body function and lack of energy. Who wants that.

To figure out how much water your body needs, here are some guidelines based on the information provided on the Mayo Clinic website:

1. Replacement approach. The average urine output for adults is about 1.5 liters a day. You lose close to an additional liter of water a day through breathing, sweating, and bowel movements. Food usually accounts for 20 percent of your total fluid intake, so if you consume 2 liters of water or other beverages a day (a little more than 8 cups) along with your normal diet, you will typically replace the lost fluids.

2. Eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Another approach to water intake is the "8 x 8 rule"—drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day (about 1.9 liters). Though the approach isn't supported by scientific evidence, many people use this basic rule as a guideline for how much water and other fluids to drink.

3. Dietary recommendations. The Institute of Medicine advises that men consume roughly 3 liters (about 13 cups) of total beverages a day and women consume 2.2 liters (about 9 cups) of total beverages a day.

For more information about nutrition, Click Here for the free download "Keep Your Kids Healthy."

Earth Day is a celebration of health: help your body to thrive

In honor of Earth Day, a celebration of life and health, ACHS wants to support your choice to live well. Now through April 26, 2009, we are offering 20% off your entire purchase of earth friendly products made through the ACHS Apothecary Shoppe College Store.

When you purchase sustainable products, you protect the environment, but you also take a further step toward protecting your personal health. Help your body to thrive. Purchase organic, spray and synthetic-free products whenever possible.

Stock up on EcoCert organic, sustainably wildcrafted herbs and essential oils, do-it-yourself natural body care kits, health reference texts, flower essences, gardening supplies, and a wide variety of holistic health resources.

CLICK HERE for 20% off your entire purchase of earth friendly gifts.
Offer expires April 26, 2009.

Did you know...
In 1970, 20 million celebrated the first Earth Day. Founded by John Gardener, Founder of Common Cause, Earth Day started as a grassroots celebration of the planet, which continues today.

AHHA Article of the Week: The Ten Tenets of Wellness

Wellness is the key to a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle. This article is a short and sweet reminder of things we can do to enhance our wellness. Well worth reading!


FEATURED ARTICLE OF THIS WEEK
"The Ten Tenets of Wellness"
by Michael Arloski, Ph.D., PCC
Click on article title OR copy and paste http://ahha.org/articles.asp?Id=14

Hi! I am Maureen Jeanson

but I usually go by Moe..or Mom depending on who is talking to me *wink*
I will skip the basic info as you can simply click my name to read my profile.
I am a 2004 graduate of Herb 401 from ACHS. My graduating thesis was on the Obesity epidemic still plaguing the world. Ironically, at the time of my thesis I WAS obese! I am not now...and you can really dig into why and how if you visit my website .

So, when Erika sent out requests looking for graduates to help out with the blog I causally sent her a calm email asking if perhaps I may join in. (really I was super excited and could barely type fast enough in my reply begging to be permitted this outlet to share my enthusiasm for total health!)

Along with my Master Herbalist, I hold certifications for fitness specialties from ISSA, ACSM as well as with the United States Navy. I hope to bring all of this education to your computer screen each week with the tips I use for maintaining and improving health and wellness in our own lives!

Thanks again for allowing me into your MIND!!!! *wink*

Drink Eight Glasses of Water a Day

This week, write down how much water you consume and try to get eight 8-oz glasses. You can use a water jug at your desk if that helps. Many of us think we drink enough water until we start writing it down, and its vitally important for all body functions. If your water level is sub par - your body functions may be sub par too!