January 2002

Happy New Year!

Herbal News from Herbal Musings

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Contents

Kava May Damage Liver

L-Carnitine Aids Circulation in Legs 

Protect the Skin You're in with Green Tea

Putting Insomnia to Bed with Herbs

Recipes - Fruity Carrot and Ginger Soup

Book Excerpt: Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats : Your A-Z Guide to Over 200 Conditions, Herbs, Vitamins, and Supplements

Herbal Profile: Fenugreek

Book Recommendations

Music Selections

Marketplace

Herbal Conferences

Kava May Damage Liver

The FDA (Federal Food & Drug Administration) is launching an investigation into the possibility that this anxiety-relieving herb with a long history of usage and acceptance may, in fact, be damaging to the liver.

The investigation stems from several reports from Europe, Germany and Switzerland in particular, that the supplement may be associated with liver complications in some people.  

Kava is made from a root found on Pacific islands.

L-Carnitine Aids Circulation in Legs 

Results of a new study suggest that L-carnitine may help people with poor circulation in their legs to improve their ability to exercise. Peripheral arterial disease impairs circulation and can lead to claudication—a sharp leg pain that limits exercise.

In a study led by William Hiatt, M.D., of the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, 155 Americans and Russians aged 40 to 80 years were randomly selected to take either 2 g/day L-carnitine or placebo for six months. To assess their walking ability, the participants were tested on a graded treadmill at 2 mph. The grade began level and increased 2 percent every two minutes. Subjects walked until leg pain became intense.

Participants also filled out a questionnaire to determine how they perceived their walking ability and their overall functioning. Nearly all the participants were Caucasian; more than 90 percent were previous or current smokers; about half were taking other medications.

After six months, the 82 subjects who took L-carnitine walked 39 percent longer compared with a 14 percent improvement in the placebo group. In addition, those taking the supplement experienced a self-declared boost in overall health and vitality. There were no reported side effects.

L-carnitine contributes to energy production within muscle cells, and supplementation increases the energy available to skeletal muscle. In addition, Hiatt speculates, the supplement may also improve blood vessel integrity.

Source: American Journal of Medicine
2001;110:616-22.

Protect the Skin You're in with Green Tea

Green tea may help protect skin from sun damage, according to a review conducted by Hasan Mukhtar, Ph.D., of the Department of Dermatology at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. Excessive ultraviolet exposure damages DNA in skin cells by forming the skin cancer initiator cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and creating free radicals, which cause cumulative oxidative damage. The time between oxidant formation and visible damage in the form of premature aging or skin cancer usually takes decades.

Mukhtar suggests that green tea polyphenols (GTP) are powerful antioxidants that provide photochemo protection such that exposure to UV radiation does not cause skin damage. His studies show that green tea is protective at all stages of cancer formation—initiation, promotion, and progression.

Mukhtar discovered in animal studies that feeding GTP (0.1 percent by weight) to hairless mice exposed to solar radiation resulted in less tumor growth, reduced oxidant formation, and normal skin. Topical application of GTP also prevents carcinogenic tumors and nonmalignant lesions (papillomas) from progressing to squamous-cell carcinoma.

Researchers who have conducted human studies found that treating skin with GTP before UV exposure prevents sunburn, infiltration of macrocytes (a major source of oxidants), and CPD formation.

In another controlled study of 400 patients with squamous-cell skin cancer, researchers learned that people who drank hot tea cut their skin cancer risk by two-thirds. Drinking weaker iced tea did not lower risk. Mukhtar concluded that the "use of skin care products supplemented with agents such as green tea may be an effective strategy for reducing UV-induced photodamage skin cancer in humans."

Source: Nutrition Science News

Putting Insomnia to Bed with Herbs

Irregular sleeping patterns are very common for many Americans.   In fact, about 30% of the general population regularly tunes into the late-late-soon-to-be-tomorrow show because they’ve been awake all, or most of, the night. Sleeping pills may provide short-term relief, but they also offer undesirable side effects and fail to address the underlying cause.  Fortunately, there are natural solutions to help put your sleeping problems to bed.

The Sleeping Herbs

While you can rest assured that your brain is indeed programmed to make sure that you get at least enough core sleep, stress and anxiety can still form a barrier to quality sleep. There are several herbs that can help to promote relaxation and ease the effects of stress, paving the way to a good night’s rest. A word of caution is warranted however - it is not advisable to take any sleeping aid, natural or not, for extended periods of time. Nor should you combine anti-depressant drugs with herbal sleeping aids. If your insomnia is chronic (lasting for more than three weeks running) it may be the result of “poor sleep training.” On the other hand, it could also be brought on by a potentially serious medical condition, such as hypoglycemia, and this possibility should be ruled out before beginning any self-care. Consult your health care practitioner for the best course of action for you.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) – This herb has been used as a mild tranquilizer and sleep aid for more than 1,000 years. In England, it was prescribed to help citizens contend with the air raids of World War II. In terms of its efficacy, valerian has been compared to diazepam (Valium) and L-tryptophan, an amino acid necessary to produce serotonin (a neurotransmitter with sedating action) and once prescribed for sleep disorders but banned from the American market due to an incidence of contamination by a Japanese manufacturer in 1989. The active constituent is valeric acid, found in the root of valerian. In a double-blind study involving 128 subjects, valerian root extract provided “poor sleepers” with an improved quality of sleep as measured by their brain wave patterns. The subjects required less time to fall asleep and experienced fewer awakenings. Unlike most barbiturates, valerian usually doesn’t produce morning grogginess and is non-addictive. It should be noted however, that long-term use can sometimes cause depression in some individuals. Valerian extract is standardized to contain 0.8% valerenic acids, the dose being ½ to 1 tsp. In water 45 minutes before retiring. The recommended dosage for capsules of the dried root is 150-300 mg. 45 minutes before bedtime.

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) – This herb was first introduced to American medicine for use as a mild sedative in 1867. The calming properties of P. incarnata should not be transferred to other species of this genus. P. caerulea for instance, a popular ornamental variety, contains toxic cyanogenic glycosides. The mild tranquilizing effect of passionflower is due to the presence of harmine, found in the dried aerial parts of the plant. Harmine was once called “telepathine,” so named for its ability to induce a feeling of euphoria. In Germany, this substance was put to use as “truth serum” during World War II. Passionflower contains other harma alkaloids that act as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOs), a mechanism that combats depression and triggers the “feel good” response. The extract or capsules should be standardized to contain 3.54% flavonoids, or isovitexin. The recommended dosage is 1 dropperful of extract in warm water, or 2 capsules of extract up to four times a day as needed.

Gota kola (Centella asiatica) – In spite of the implication of the species name, gota kola is not related to the caffeine-containing kola nut (Cola spp.). Gota kola is world renowned for its ability to calm mind and body. In Ayurvedic medicine, gota kola is considered a “balancing” herb that promotes relaxation and energizes the senses. For this reason, it is often included in the diets of yogis to help achieve meditative states and improve recall. Indian elephants, who reputedly “never forget,” often graze on the leaves. Gota kola contains two sedatives, the saponin glycosides brahmoside and brahminoside, and is high in B vitamins, the anti-stress vitamins. The presence of pyridoxine (vitamin B-6) reportedly has the additional benefit of aiding dream recall.

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) – Studies since the mid-1980’s have shown that this herb also contains MAOs and can provide significant relief from anxiety and stress, improving sleep quality. There are at least 10 pharmacologically active constituents found in the extract, but researchers are most interested in hypericin and pseudohypericin. The exact mechanism of the herb’s ability to alleviate depression and anxiety remain largely unknown, but a recent study may provide some clues. The action of hypericins at alpha receptor sites, known to be involved in the role of MAOs and 5-HTP reuptake inhibitors (a metabolite of L-tryptophan in the synthesis of seratonin) lends support to the herb’s universal reputation as a mood elevator and sedative. Preparations of St. John’s Wort are standardized to contain 0.2% hypericin acid and the usual dosage is 500 mg. per day taken with meals. Note: St. John’s Wort can cause photosensitization and sun exposure should be limited. Discontinue if a skin rash develops.

Nutritional Considerations

In recent years, it has come to light that some sleep disorders may be caused by a deficiency of certain neurotransmitters, spawning the birth of monoamine precursor therapy. L-tryptophan is the metabolic precursor of serotonin and melatonin, neurotransmitters with sedative qualities. You may recall however, that L-tryptophan was banned due to contamination and the Food and Drug Administration isn’t likely to allow it back on the market any time soon. But, a newly available supplement, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HTP), may be even more effective in relieving sleeplessness. Unlike L-tryptophan, 5-HTP is readily bioavailable since it does not require a transport molecule or compete with other amino acids in the system. While it was necessary to take L-tryptophan on an empty stomach, 5-HTP can be taken with meals. In addition, 5-HTP is biochemically closer to serotonin, chemically known as 5-hydroxy tryptamine. Studies have also shown that 5-HTP elevates beta-endorphins, the “feel good” hormones. The usual dosage is 200 mg. per day.

You can also get tryptophan from eating a carbohydrate 45 minutes before bed, such as a slice of bread or a small potato. If you choose this method, make sure to take vitamin B-6 (50 mg.) and niacin (100 mg.) at the same time to ensure the synthesis of tryptophan to serotonin.

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Herbal Profile...

Common names: Bird's Foot, Greek Hay-seed

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~ Recipes ~

Fruity Carrot and Ginger Soup

Serves 4

Grated zest of limes and clementines add spark to this golden, gingery soup. The mild taste of clementine juice works well, but orange, mandarin or tangerine juice also work fine.

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons sunflower oil
2 onions, chopped
1 inch fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
1 pound carrots (about 4-6), finely sliced
4 cups chicken stock or water
Juice of 5 clementines (about 3/4 cup)
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Shreds of lime and clementine zest, for garnish

1. Heat butter and oil in a saucepan, add onions and a pinch of salt, and cook until softened and golden. Add ginger and carrots and sauté a few minutes more. Add stock or water, clementine juice, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then simmer until carrots are tender, about 20 minutes.

2. Strain into a pitcher; put solids into a blender with 1-2 ladles of strained liquid, then purée, adding extra liquid if necessary. When smooth, add remaining liquid and purée again.

3. Reheat if necessary, taste and adjust seasoning, then serve soup in bowls and top with lime and clementine zest.

Excerpted from Soups: Simple Recipes for All Seasons by Elsa Petersen-Schepelern (Time Life Books, 1999).

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