Wormwood has long been used in herbal remedies to rid the body of pinworms, roundworms, and other parasites. it has also been used to enhance digestion for the worm-free.

Wormwood in the wild

A shrub-like perennial, wormwood is usually 2-4 feet high with grey-green leaves and yellow flowers. Its leaves and roots secrete a substance that restricts the growth of surrounding plants, making it a handy natural way to prevent weeds growing in farming.

Wormwood in history

The Ancient Egyptians used wormwood to get rid of their intestinal worms. The Aztecs took things a few steps further and prescribed wormwood for all of the following:

·       expel intestinal parasites

·       aid digestion

·       stimulate the appetite

Hippocrates also prescribed wormwood for jaundice, anemia, rheumatism and menstrual pains.

Wormwood in absinthe

In the 19th Century wormwood gained notoriety as a primary ingredient in absinthe. Originally, absinthe gained its popularity from its use in North Africa during the French campaigns of the 1840s as a disease preventative and water purifier. The French soldiers brought their taste for the greenish herbal beverage back to the cafés of Paris. Here it became a fashionable drink of the bourgeoisie, so much so that the time between 5.00 pm and 7.00 pm became known as "l’heure verte" (the Green Hour). Soon the popular aperitif began appearing in the paintings of such artists as Manet, Van Gogh and Picasso, who, when they weren’t  painting absinthe, they were drinking it in large quantities.

Wormwood, Number One parasite killer

Absinthe was subsequently banned as unsafe by the French government, in fact worldwide, and thus wormwood, a major ingredient, got itself an undeserved bad name. But that was the past. Today wormwood is universally accepted as the number one destroyer of intestinal parasites.

Cough syrup is under attack. Studies show it to be ineffective. How is that possible? Mothers have been using it for years! Can the problem be fixed?

In July, 2004 a study published in the journal Pediatrics reported that neither dextromethorphan nor diphenhydramine was more effective than placebo in improving the nighttime cough or sleep of 100 youngsters with upper-respiratory infections.¹ Drug industry representatives criticized the Penn State study and also said  ”The … FDA … support the use of over-the-counter cough/cold products containing dextromethorphan (DM) and diphenhydramine (DPH) for providing relief of coughs and other symptoms associated with the common cold, and studies support the efficacy of these ingredients.” Hey drug industry, give the FDA time to review the results, okay?

By January, 2006, the American College of Chest Physicians issued guidelines strongly urging that over-the-counter cough and cold medications not be used for children younger than 14.² The problem is that the active ingredients either haven’t been shown to work, or there is not enough of them to be effective. For instance codeine relieves cough, but non-prescription doses of this narcotic are small (which is probably a good thing). Predictably, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, a trade group for non-prescription drug makers, disputed the guidelines, even though they were also endorsed by the American Thoracic Society and the Canadian Thoracic Society.

The FDA warned parents not to give non-prescription cough and cold medicines to children under 2 in August, 2007,³ and by October drug companies were recalling products.⁴ The FDA was also reviewing guidance for children 2 to 11. For adults, OTC cough medications appeared safe, but potentially ineffective, according to a review of 25 trials reported in January, 2008.⁵

A Better Alternative

That is the background, but where does it leave you? What is a parent supposed to do when their child can’t sleep at 2 AM due to coughing? The answer has been there all along. The studies didn’t say cough syrups where ineffective, they showed cough syrups were ineffective compared to placebos (sugar syrups). You probably already know a spoonful of honey helps reduce cough (better than OTC medicine, even⁶), it’s the added drugs that don’t help! So the cough syrup idea is still good. (Remember honey is not advised for children under 1.)

But can we do better? Yes. Spice Syrup from Self Health takes a maple syrup base and adds plant oils, specifically clove bud oil, coriander oil, peppermint oil, nutmeg oil, white thyme oil, and fennel oil.⁷ This formula was developed by my mother, Hulda Clark, based on her research of the anti-bacterial properties of those oils. For instance, a study in 2000 tested oils of black pepper, clove, geranium, nutmeg, oregano and thyme against 25 types of common bacteria, including strains of Clostridium, Enterobacter, E. coli, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus.⁸ The results are incredible! All the oils were effective against most of the 25 strains of bacteria! Perhaps this is not so surprising when you consider that plants must defend themselves against infection just like animals. And this is just one study. And only looks at some of the Spice Syrup oils. There are lots of other studies that examine other pathogens, other plant oils, the constituents of plant oils, the variability of those constituents, concentrations required, and so forth. The bottom line is many plant oils are better than prescription antibiotics in terms of efficacy, safety, and resistance.

Oregano in particular has a lot research, including studies that show it kills certain cancer cells.⁹ But Self Health sells it separately, not in the Spice Syrup formula, why? Dr. Clark probably left it out of her formula because of its fiery taste. It is spicier than hot peppers! You could experiment adding a little to the bottle to make a “Super Spice Syrup” if you could stand the heat. Even diluted 1:10,000 or more, oregano oil is effective! [Note if you use oregano in the kitchen, you probably are not getting a health benefit. Your spice bottle may contain marjoram (Origanum majorana) or Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens). Even if you are using true oregano (Origanum vulgare), if you cook it you will likely lose the volatile oils.]

Variety of Uses

Obviously we have a superior cough syrup. The maple syrup is soothing, and the plant oils kill bacteria. But even if you are not coughing, the formula is very effective for sore throats, bad breath, and toothaches (but still see a dentist). In the stomach Spice Syrup would help food poisoning from Salmonella, for instance, and in the intestine it would kill parasites.

An “off label” use is an appetite suppressent. You will taste a few drops of the strong stuff for hours and other food won’t appeal!

Spice Syrup can also be applied topically as a disinfectant on cuts, or on a fungal infection.

Spice Syrup is safe. It is 100% food you already eat. But it is strong. I wouldn’t suggest taking more than a teaspoon three times a day or it could make you nauseated. I also wouldn’t suggest taking it regularly when you are healthy because, just like prescription antibiotics, Spice Syrup kills good bacteria along with bad.

If you have a non-bacterial infection, like a cold, Spice Syrup may not be as effective because I haven’t seen any studies of plant oils on viruses. Keep in mind some other cautions, too. Constituents of plant oils can vary a lot by season, region, sub-species, and even in the same harvest! So even if Self Health uses the same recipe each time, your bottle may vary in effectiveness. Another point to remember is the studies were done in laboratories. Although we expect plant oils to work the same in our bodies, and my own experience supports this, it’s not guaranteed. Finally, if you have shortness of breath, or high fever, or chest pain, or your coughing is excessive, or produces blood, or thick, discolored mucus, it’s more serious than any cough syrup can treat. See a doctor.

Hypocrite Heal Thyself

At the start of this article you may have noticed a few jabs at drug makers. I can’t resist taking a jab at outspoken opponents of alternative health, too.

You have a powerful, safe, proven, over-the-counter, general purpose weapon against illness, simply because you considered alternate medicine. What does the mainstream public have, now that cough syrup formulas have been proven bad for children and undesirable for adults (no better than placebo and possibility of side effects)? They don’t even have a warning. The FDA had to repeat themselves.¹⁰

Anti-alt-med websites, like quack watch, acupuncture watch, chelation watch, and chirobase did not help raise awareness, despite claiming to be science-based.¹¹ Robert Carroll, author of The Skeptic’s Dictionary, wrote on his website after the OTC cough medicine revelation “They must be effective if millions of people swear by them. I’ve used them many times, and I know they work.” Meaning, don’t believe alternative medicine anecdotal evidence, but do believe me, even in the face of scientific studies. He needs a dose of his own medicine.

Footnotes

¹ http://articles.sfgate.com/2004-07-08/news/17433102_1_over-the-counter-cough-medicines-consumer-healthcare-products-association-dextromethorphan

² http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=1486831

³ http://www.medpagetoday.com/Pediatrics/GeneralPediatrics/6431

⁴ http://www.medpagetoday.com/Pediatrics/GeneralPediatrics/6949

⁵ http://www.medpagetoday.com/InfectiousDisease/URItheFlu/8071

⁶ http://www.greendaily.com/2008/01/17/honey-stops-coughing-better-than-otc-drugs/

⁷ http://drclarkstore.com/spice-syrup-3oz.html

⁸ Dorman, H.J.D. and Deans, S.G. Antimicrobial agents from plants: antibacterial activity of plant volatile oils. Journal of Applied Microbiology 2000, 88, 308-316.

⁹ Sivropoulou et. al. Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activities of Origanum Essential Oils. J. Agric. Food Chem. 1996, 44, 1202-1205.

¹⁰ http://www.medpagetoday.com/Pediatrics/GeneralPediatrics/8008

¹¹ http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2006-01-22/features/0601220326_1_cough-medicines-over-the-counter-cough-vacation-homes

Vaccines to protect against the H1N1 virus (sometimes called “swine flu”) have been produced and widely distributed. Like seasonal flu vaccines, there are two kinds of 2009 H1N1 vaccines: a “flu shot”; that is given with a needle, usually in the arm; and a nasal spray flu vaccine . The same manufacturers that produce seasonal flu vaccines also produced the vaccines against the pandemic 2009 H1N1 virus in the same way that the seasonal vaccines are made. H1N1 vaccines are now widely available. The government is now encouraging everyone to get vaccinated against H1N1, including people 65 years and older.

The word from Washington

“Swine flu could strike up to 40 percent of Americans over the next two years and as many as several hundred thousand could die if a vaccine campaign and other measures aren’t successful.” (Official Statement of the US Administration, Associated Press, 24 July 2009).

Questions

But not everyone believes that H1N1 vaccines are necessary or desirable, and many believe that this vaccination is so dangerous and should not be considered to be taken at all, by you, by your kids, or by anyone. Is it possible that the whole H1N1program has been created to generate billions of dollars by big pharma companies? Is the government bent on vaccinating everyone in this country for a pandemic that does not yet exist?

“Vaccine makers could produce 4.9 billion pandemic flu shots per year in the best-case scenario”, Margaret Chan, Director-General, World Health Organization (WHO), quoted by Reuters, 21 July 2009)

Resistance and class action

So far thirty-six state governments have stood against the vaccination along with thousands of doctors who claim the vaccination is far more dangerous that the virus itself. A class action suit was filed in Federal Court but the big pharmas were protected from lawsuits by the Bush administration. The question is “Why”?

Do the research

Readers are strongly advised to do some research so you can make an educated decision as to what is best for you in this important matter.

If you avoid the sun, are allergic to milk, or adhere to a strict vegetarian diet, you may be at risk for Vitamin D deficiency.

The Sunshine Vitamin
Long famed as the sunshine vitamin, Vitamin D is produced by the body in response to sunlight. It is also occurs naturally in a certain foods, including fish, fish liver oils, egg yolks and whole grain products.

What it does
Vitamin D is essential for strong bones because it helps the body use calcium from the diet. Historically, Vitamin D deficiency has been linked with rickets, a disease in which the bone tissue doesn’t properly mineralize, leading to soft bones and skeletal deformities. But recent research has revealed the importance of Vitamin D in protecting against numerous other health problems.

Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency can occur for a number of reasons:
· Strict vegetarian diet
· Limited exposure to sunlight
· Dark skin pigmentation
· Kidney problems
· Poor digestion
· Obesity

What you can do
· Get out in the sun. 15 minutes a day is enough.
· Eat more fish. Salmon, mackerel and sardines are great sources of Vitamin D.
· Switch to whole grains.
· Drink Vitamin D fortified milk.
· Watch your weight.
· Take a top-quality multivitamin every day.
· Take a Vitamin D supplement.

References
Endocr Pract. 2009 Jun 2:1–16. “Is Vitamin D the Fountain of Youth?”

Lead, a hazardous neurotoxin linked to learning problems, miscarriages and kidney problems, has been found in several brands of lipstick.

Read my lips

Even the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is perking up its ears, thanks to the efforts of an advocacy group called The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics released product test results that found more than half of the tested 33 brand-name lipsticks contained lead.

FDA: lip service

The tests revealed that 61 percent of the tested lipsticks had detectable lead levels 1.07 parts per million, which is the 10 times higher than the FDA’s recommended limit for lead in candy. The FDA does not presently set a limit for lead in lipstick.

Lead for your lips

Among the biggest suppliers of lead for your lips were
L’Oreal, Cover Girl and Dior Addict brands. Surprisingly, cost was not a factor. For example, some less expensive brands, such as Revlon ($7.49), contained no detectable levels of lead, while Dior Addict ($24.50) led the pack.

“There are hazardous levels of lead in lipstick,” said Stacy Malkan, a cofounder of The Campaign For Safe Cosmetics. “Our test identified a problem in the industry. There’s lead in lipstick that doesn’t need to be there and shouldn’t be there.” She then added: “It’s possible to make lipsticks without lead, and all companies should be doing that.”

Pucker Pollution

Dr. Mark Mitchell, president of the Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice reported: “Lead builds up in the body over time and lead-containing lipstick applied several times a day, every day, can add up to significant exposure levels. The latest studies show there is no safe level of lead exposure.”

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics released product test results that found more than half of the tested 33 brand-name lipsticks contained lead.

Exposure to lead can lead to convulsions, vomiting or diarrhea. It can also lead to a coma or death, though a person has to have repeated, extreme exposure to lead to get this result. This is why lead is no longer used in many products, including pencils and eating utensils.

Practice safe smooching

Small amounts of lead exposure can lead to less serious, but noticeable symptoms. In kids, small amounts of lead exposure can result in anemia, lost appetite, irritability and headaches. Women who are exposed to large amounts of lead can end up having miscarriages.

Cosmetics manufacturers, please get the lead out!

References: Lead in Lipstick, www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/lipstick.asp