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Robert McDowell's Herbal Treatments 25 February 2007 Herbal Help for Humans and their CompanionsHildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) was a remarkable woman, a "first" in many fields. At a time when few women wrote, Hildegard, known as "Sybil of the Rhine", produced major works of theology and visionary writings. When few women were accorded respect, she was consulted by and advised bishops, popes, and kings. She used the curative powers of natural objects for healing, and wrote treatises about natural history and medicinal uses of plants, animals, trees and stones. She is the first composer whose biography is known.In Hildegard's medicine, the powerful adjudicators of fate, the determinants of happiness or misfortune as well as health or sickness, all depend on hearing. She felt that metabolism is affected by the liver which, in turn, has a direct relationship to the ears and hearing. Harsh sounds can disturb bodily fluids, and fluids that contact blood vessels impact hearing when they reach the ears. Hildegard believed that health is earned or forfeited partly as a consequence of what we hear. To offset the shock to the liver of sounds that undermine health, Hildegard composed scores of chants and a musical drama called Ordo Virtutum ("Play of Virtues"). Read More at http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/med/hildegarde.html Rudolf Steiner felt similarly, in that the developing organs of children will be adversely affected by harsh sounds and words. This in turn can be the basis for illness in later life. Maybe, from time to time we would all benefit from listening to her musical works such as "Canticles of Ecstasy". This week we feature:-
Feline - Heart Tonic Cardiomyopathy is an alteration in the function of the heart muscle. It can occur for several reasons in cats and it can take several forms. When the muscle is sufficiently affected that it can not function properly, heart failure occurs. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is now the more common form of this condition in cats. It can occur for several reasons, including hyperthyroidism, toxins, infections and genetic influences. In this disorder, the heart muscle loses elasticity and becomes thicker, making it hard for the heart to function properly. Congestive Heart Failure can occur when the volume of blood to the right side of the heart is greater than the heart's capacity to move it along and fluid builds up in chest or lung cavity. A heart murmur occurs when there is turbulence to the normal flow of blood through the chambers of the heart, and is usually due to a problem in a heart valve. When a valve is thickened or damaged and unable to close fully, some of the blood escapes around the valve. Murmurs are usually seen in older cats but it is not uncommon to see them in a young kitties. In fact, many kittens are born with murmurs and outgrow them later in life. A lot of cats with murmurs live long healthy lives. There is a small risk that murmurs can lead to congestive heart failure. I have a very safe and reliable herbal treatment which works directly to tune up an under functioning heart and I have used it successfully with my human patients for 20 years. Mostly these patients report an immediate improvement in angina pain and ability to exercise. It works just the same for cats and dogs. The mixture consists of an extract of a particular Cactus in combination with an extract of fresh Hawthorn leaves, the mix also includes Horsetail, Comfrey, Saw Palmetto and Mugwort along with the Bach Flowers Oak and Rescue Remedy. Together, these herbs work to regularise and strengthen the electric signals to the heart (the beat) and to nourish and strengthen the heart muscle itself. You may test whether a murmur is a result of deterioration by using this mix and you may put your older cat on it long term if there are signs that their heart is weakening. Canine - Seasonal Kennel Sickness We have had a number of calls for help from kennels in Europe and United Kingdom where this illness has been emerging over the last 12 months. The complete treatment for this scouring type illness in dogs should include; resting the digestive system, nourishing and supporting the liver, and healing any irritation in the stomach or gut lining which resulted from (or caused) the problem in the first place. Therefore, besides just giving the treatment mix you should; 1) Completely change the diet to raw chicken wings or meaty bones given in one feed only each day. (No milk, no treats and no kibble or commercial dog feed of any kind.) 2) Give the Mix at a dose rate of 5 ml twice a day. (this is best mixed with the Slippery Elm paste) The herbal mix includes:- Slippery Elm, Agrimony, Yarrow, Chamomile, Dandelion, Garlic, Fennel, Rhubarb, MPB and Echinacea as well as the Bach Flowers Impatiens, Walnut and Agrimony. Slippery Elm Bark powder can be supplied separately or obtained locally. A dose consists of one heaped teaspoonful mixed into a paste with water or cold Chamomile Tea and herbal mix. Give mixed with food or syringed into mouth if need be. Equine - Anaemia A low grade anaemia or more generally an efficiency problem with managing blood iron and blood oxygen problems. This will show with an off-colour feel with energy levels and the light colour about the mucous membranes. Robert would alter the normal mixture for bleeders that can be found on the website at http://www.herbal-horsekeeping.com/horse_bleeder_treatment.html This mix includes circulatory, bone marrow, heart and blood tonics and for low grade anaemia we would add some liver tonics to ensure that the liver is supported. Exposure to a course of such a mix for a full blood cycle (12 weeks) should re-establish a normal healthy pattern and you would notice signs of improvement within the first two or three weeks. Human - HIV HIV, Human immunodeficiency virus is a retrovirus. Infection occurs through the transfer of body fluids eg blood, semen, vaginal fluid and breast milk. Sexual contact remains the most common form of transmission globally, but intravenous injection (such as through sharing hypodermic needles) is the most effective way for the virus to spread from one to another. Someone with HIV can often live for many years with few, if any, ill effects. Providing their body replaces the CD4+ T-lymphocyte cells destroyed by the virus they can continue to lead a normal life. This period can often be extended with the right support. But when their CD4 cell count falls below a critical threshold, they start to display symptoms of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Technically, people do not die from AIDS, rather the person's lowered immune response makes them susceptible to a wide range of infections that are generally harmless to healthy people. One cannot rely on symptoms to establish that a person has HIV or AIDS. The symptoms of AIDS are similar to the symptoms of many other illnesses and include respiratory weakness, recurring fever, sudden weight loss, extreme fatigue, memory loss, depression and swollen lymph glands. The immune system is disordered and over whelmed and requires a significant change in life style both physically and emotionally to bring back some balance. The herbal support I recommend for this condition includes Yarrow, Parsley, Violet leaves, Fenugreek, Cats Claw, Echinacea and Siberian Ginseng along with the Bach Flowers Wild Oat, Beech, Star of Bethlehem, Chestnut Bud, Elm and Centaury. Home Remedies - Should we try Gelatin for Arthritic Complaints? (Has any one tried this? Please let us know how you found it) Gelatin is the precursor to cartilage formation in the body. Gelatin itself is very similar in structure to Type 2 Collagen, (connective tissue) which is an important part of cartilage. Gelatin is a tasteless, odourless, dietary protein derived from animal cartilage. In other words, the animals, usually cows or pigs, have done a lot of the initial work for us so that we can, more easily make, our own body cartilage. Gelatin is made from boiling animal connective tissue, dissolving it in the cooking water. This gave us our tasty stocks for soups and other meat dishes that jelled. Cartilage is important as it is formed on the ends of the bones as a tough fibrous pad that helps to reduce friction between bones and acts as a shock-absorber. Cartilage forms the flexible part of the external ear. The majority of body cartilage is in the joints - it is the smooth surface that facilitates movement. The inter-vertebral disks of the spine are mainly cartilage. Gelatin Hydrolysates (gelatine broken down in water) reduce pain and inflammation in the joints due to hydroxyproline (part of the gelatine) facilitating the production of collagen. [scientific research - Department of Sports Medicine, Heinrich-Heine University of Dusseldorf: ]. ENEMIES of JOINT REPAIR 1. Aspirin inhibits repair of cartilage and actually accelerates cartilage destruction. Aspirin interferes with the ability of the chondroblasts (cartilage building cells) to stimulate new cartilage production. 2. NSAIDS (non steroid anti-inflammatory drugs) accelerate joint destruction by chondroclasts (cartilage destroying cells). 3. Vitamin C helps preserve the integrity of cartilage and supports new growth. 4. Free radicals destroy cartilage. 5. Aspartane. Food sugar additive. 6. Vitamin C destroys free radicals. 7. Excessive sugar consumption causes the joints to become stiff and brittle by causing cross-linking of collagen. 8. Vitamin B6 shrinks the inflamed synovial membrane that lines the surface of the joint, alleviating pain and restoring mobility. 9. Emu oil helps reduces inflammation and pain, and improves flexibility. Just add 1 teaspoon of gelatine to hot herbal tea or drinks 2 or 3 times daily Reader Feed Back We value your feedback so much that we are making it easier for you to send us a sentence or two. Please fill in the form below and click 'Submit' Wishing you and your companions the best of health and happiness. Yours Truly, Judith Burton for Robert McDowell |
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