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This month What Really Works focuses on a subject all too often swept under the rug - Eating Disorders. Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge-eating and Obesity are all issues which show just how profound the mind-body connection is, and how important it is to view any condition from a holistic perspective. Visit our homepage for more information, including a number of recommended books, websites and articles. |
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Somewhat
off the beaten track, but with a very worthy cause in mind, is Tacheback
2005. Also running for the whole of September, Tacheback
is a challenge for all men across the UK to get sponsored
and grow your finest moustache. All funds raised will go
directly into supporting research for prostate
and testicular
cancer. Visit www.tacheback.com
to register, and remember to check out the Tache Gallery
and Tache growing tips while you are there! If you are receiving this newsletter as text only, you can now view the full online version by clicking here. You can also access our entire archive of newsletters by clicking here. |
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Abridged copy from an article by James Fearnley, reproduced with kind permission of the author.
Propolis is probably best known for its antibiotic properties. Even as early as 1960 French research demonstrated the bacteriostatic action on Bacillus subtilis, Proteus vulgaris and Bacillus alvei. The results have been replicated many times and Propolis has even been shown to be effective to MRSA, the same antibiotic resistant bacteria that has infected up to 70% of our hospitals. Viruses present a unique dilemma in the quest for good health, they are not affected by antibiotics and mutate so frequently that vaccines are hard to produce. They also cause illness by hijacking cells and using the cells machinery to replicate. Modern drugs aim to slow or stop the virus from the replicating and subsequently because they are attacking host cell machinery they have certain side effects. Viruses perhaps pose the greatest threat to humans’ health, we are currently in the middle of a HIV pandemic with 39.4 million people infected world wide. Propolis has been shown to be more effective than the pharmaceutical anti-viral acyclovir in treating genital Herpes in a clinical trial conducted in the Ukraine and there is growing evidence that Propolis could help treat people with HIV. Propolis
also works hard as an immunomodulator which is of interest for all
of us. It does A survey of Propolis consumers showed that arthritis was the health problem that Propolis was used to treat the most. This is because of the potent anti-inflammatory properties of the propolis constituents, in particular CAPE (Caffeic acid Phenyl ester). CAPE has been shown to suppress T cell activation. These anti-inflammation properties extend to other illnesses and disorders such as asthma and allergies, reducing both smooth muscle airway contraction and allergic responses. Any disorder or illness related to inflammation could be helped by Propolis. Propolis and CAPE have been shown to reduce the size of tumours and to selectively destroy and to curb the proliferation of malignant cells of many different types of cancer. As recently as June 10th, 2005 Cancer researchers have been given a grant of one million dollars to investigate the therapeutic value of Propolis for cancer. Costas Koumenis, the lead investigator for the study, was quoted as saying, “a very interesting property of these compounds is that they have been shown to cause cell death in tumor cells but not in normal cells." This study, along with other current studies, promises to propel Propolis into the limelight in the field of cancer treatment.
Comvita also manufacture a large range of renowned products which utilise the power of propolis. You can usually find them in Fresh & Wild or your local health food store. Alternatively, contact Xynergy Health Products online or by phoning 08456 585858.
Because of the association between osteosarcoma and drinking water fluoridation in humans, Glasser investigated the incidence of canine osteosarcoma only to find that there was not even a credible anecdotal connection. It appeared to be a universal problem. If fluoride
were possibly a factor - how did the animals get a sufficient dose
in their diet? The answer to this question was hidden elsewhere:
Pet food.
Right
from the beginning, Napiers has made it easy for people to take
their health in their own hands. Today this means that they not
only have an extensive mail order range of natural products, they
also have a Herbal Advice line (0906 802 0117)
where you can speak to a qualified Medical Herbalist Monday to Friday
9am-1pm. (Calls cost 60p per minute). The
latest addition to their range is the Mother & Baby
Collection. Beautifully packaged, these make wonderful
gifts for friends and loved ones. We tried the Baby wash
(£5.75 for 250ml pump bottle), pure natural unscented baby
bath with chamomile free from SLS or artificial colouring; the Baby
Barrier Cream (£7.95 for 50g), Mail
order by phoning 0131 343 6683 or online at www.napiers.net,
where you can check out the full range of exquisitely made products.
MicroFluid reaches the parts other waters cannot reach, offering unparalleled hydration and restored energy levels. A rigorous filtration and oxygenation technique using nanotechnology gives it a unique molecular structure, breaking down its H20 clusters so they pass more easily into cells walls. With
12mg of oxygen per bottle, that’s 44 times more than the same
amount of ordinary tap water, MicroFluid has a remarkable effect
on the body - hydrating and energizing of cells, and mopping up
free radicals. Muriel Zingraff, UK distributor of MicroFluid, says “Dehydration - a major symptom of hangovers - has a lot to answer for. Scientists tell us our bodies are approximately 2/3 water, and need constant topping up to function efficiently. A two percent depletion of water in the body has a disproportionate effect, dropping energy levels by 20% and causing headaches, constipation and even skin rashes. "MicroFluid is a gentle, natural way to help to target hydration of cells to help the whole body function better and for faster elimination of hangover symptoms. Why overburden the liver further with analgesics, when this simple solution is so much more effective?” MicroFluid costs £19 per pack of 9 bottles. Drink it before, during or after alcohol consumption. For more information on MicroFluid and other aquaceutical products, contact Muriel Zingraff at exclusive UK distributors, Versannes Ltd on 0207 589 7222 or email versannes@aol.com.
The
review, published on April 1, 2005 in Obstetrics & Gynecology,
found Reference: Francesca Borrelli, PhD, Raffaele Capasso, PharmD, Gabriella Aviello, PharmD, Max H. Pittler, MD, PhD and Angelo A. Izzo, PhD. Effectiveness and Safety of Ginger in the Treatment of Pregnancy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting. Obstetrics & Gynecology 2005;105:849-856.
If you are receiving this newsletter as text only, you can now view the full online version by clicking here. You can also access our entire archive of newsletters by clicking here. * Disclaimer: The advice in this newsletter should not be taken as a substitute for medical advice or treatment, especially if you know you have a specific health complaint. Our advice is that you find a GP who is sympathetic to the usefulness of natural medicine. |
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Self-sufficiency,
or at least growing and preserving an array of fruit and veg, is
little more than a dream for many of us with a significant lack
of space, time or resources. The entire month of September is devoted
to the tradition of the Farmers' Market - where
local producers sell direct to the public. Unlike supermarkets,
you have the opportunity to chat directly with the producer as you
ponder the mouth-watering ranges of freshly grown, reared,
caught, brewed, pickled, baked, smoked, or processed goods.
The other benefit of the Farmers' Market is that the producer gets
information and feedback directly from the consumer. For more information,
visit 
Propolis
is a unique natural medicine because of its breadth of action. It
has antibacterial, antiviral,
antifungal, anti-inflammatory,
anti-cancer and immunomodulatory
effects, it could help treat asthma, allergies,
arthritis and joint disorders,
eczema and dermatitis, ME,
viral infections including HIV
and even cancer. This medicine could help treat
an illness or keep you fit and healthy. 
this by altering the way cytokine production and
release is managed. Cytokines are the chemical messengers that allow
immune system cells to communicate. By altering the cytokine system,
it primes the immune system to be ready to react to antigens quickly
and effectively. As well as this, bioflavanoids
within Propolis stimulate the production of interferon
which can help people recover from ME, stimulating
their immune system. This alteration of the cytokine
and interferon systems means that your body is ready to fight off
infection and keep you healthy, making a case for using propolis
as a supplement for good health, like vitamins. Prevention is better
than the cure.
BVR
(BeeVital Research) recently won a major government Research
and Development Award, part of a £250,000 research programme
looking at the chemical, biological and clinical properties of propolis.
For more information and quality propolis products, visit 
The
recent cover-up scandal about osteosarcoma and
drinking water fluoridation has prompted George
Glasser, Water Quality Advisor for the 
Napiers
Herbal Healthcare have been bringing natural remedies to
the public since 1860, when Duncan Napier set up the first Napiers
Clinic. Today Napiers have branches throughout the UK, utilising
the skills of a wide range of natural therapists to ensure that
you receive the highest quality healthcare.
soothing
and protective cream with sunflower oil, german chamomile essential
oil and beeswax; Beautiful Belly oil (£11.95
for 125ml) containing pure essential oils in a wheatgerm and calendula
base - for reducing stretch marks, and getting in touch with the
growing baby inside; and Nursing Tea (£5.75
for 80g loose herbs), a delicious blend of herbs without caffeine
or additives that smell every bit as wonderful as they taste - also
helps to soothe a windy baby! 
Most
of us know there's no better cure for a hangover than drinking lots
of water. Except that now there's an even better solution - a super-pure,
super-oxygenated water called MicroFluid, developed
by a French pharmaceutical company using a revolutionary NASA technology.
Health
professionals have long been divided over the benefits of various
natural remedies for morning sickness - experienced
to some extent by around 80% of women during the first 12 weeks
of pregnancy. A recent review of medical studies
has shown that ginger root is indeed an outstanding
remedy (not to mention one of the cheapest and easiest to prepare
yourself!) without side effects to the unborn child. 
six
studies that analyzed the effects of ginger in reducing nausea and
vomiting in pregnant women. Researchers concluded that ginger
worked better than a placebo and as well as vitamin B6,
which has been shown to improve nausea in some pregnant women. In
addition, none of the women who took the herb experienced problems
with their pregnancy. Some studies reported adverse effects such
as headache, drowsiness, and diarrhoea, but there were no differences
in pregnancy results between women taking placebo, vitamin B6 or
ginger. 