Herbal Calcium Supplements Over Laboratory and Milk Sources
We are often asked about calcium supplements and why we use herbs, rather than the white laboratory produced tablets in the stores. In short, easier digestion and vastly more complete absorption and usage in your body, plus a vast array of known and still undiscovered nutrients that only Nature can provide.
Laboratory Produced Calcium
Calcium carbonate is the most common type of calcium supplement taken. It is cheap to make in the lab because it is derived from rock and other non-food sources like shells. It is very difficult to digest so your toilet water ultimately ends up with lots of partially digested calcium. For the same reason, antacid/calcium carbonate tablets are not a good source of calcium, which, ironically, require more stomach acid to break down.These laboratory produced calcium supplements (including citrates, lactates, gluconates, orotates, etc.) also contain few, if any, of the nutrients that are essential for your body to absorb and use the calcium in your system. Plant source calcium is accompanied by ALL of the known, and yet to be discovered, essential nutrients for absorption and utilization in your body, including the all-important magnesium in the proper ratio.
Not Milk?
Many people believe it is just this side of child abuse not to give their children cow’s milk for calcium to build strong bones. Consider this:
- Americans consume 3 times as much milk as do Japanese, and have 2.5 times as many hip fractures*.
- Cow’s milk is high on the list of allergy foods and causes numerous health problems in children and adults alike (allergies, colic, excessive mucus, gas & bloating to name a few).
- Our son has never had a glass of cow's milk in his 30 years of life and is as strong as Colossus.
Herbal Calcium for Maximum Absorption and Use in Your Body
Cramp Bark has one of the highest known calcium concentrations in the plant world. It is also correspondingly high in magnesium in the proper ratio as provided by Nature (a much more reliable source than a lab technician when it comes to supplying nutrients). Being of organic matter, these, and all of their complementary nutrients that allow for complete absorption, are easily and quickly digested.Cramp Bark and MNF (Muscle [and Bone] Nourishing Formula) have been helping our patients for over 37 years to get relief from a wide array of health problems such as:
- Osteoporosis (See the previous Osteoporosis blog article below or click here for the Osteoporosis Therapy Pack)
- Muscle and Menstrual Cramps
- Infections (calcium is needed in the production of white blood cells which engulf germs and foreign matter invading the body)
- Insomnia
- Restless Leg Syndrome
- Sciatica
- Sensitive Teeth
- Stage Fright (taken in combination with Vervain)
So there you have it, Cramp Bark supplements provide a highly supported, vastly more easily and completely digested product, with no side effects, than laboratory versions and cow's milk... in our humble opinion.* Fujita, T. and M. Fukase, Comparison of osteoporosis and calcium intake between Japan and the United States. Proc.Soc.Exp.Biol.Med. 1992 / 200 (2) / 149-152.Doc Eve
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Osteoporosis Reversal Using Herbal Calcium
Osteoporosis is often singularly blamed on insufficient exercise, but there are other factors to consider.
Osteoporosis and Drinking Cola
A study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concluded that drinking colas resulted in lower bone mineral density (osteoporosis), especially in older women*. This held true for diet and decaffeinated colas as well.
Prescription Medications for Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis medications may make your bones in follow-up x-ray films APPEAR better, but are they? This class of drugs, called bisphosphonates (Boniva, Fosamax, etc.), do not help build new bone. Instead they prevent old, brittle bone from being broken down and eliminated, thus making the x-ray film of your bones appear denser. This may lead to shattered bones, most often a hip, following a fall.
The KIND of Calcium Supplement You Take is Very Important
Calcium carbonate, citrate, lactate and others, are laboratory produced and are lacking in the essential nutrients for calcium to be fully absorbed and used in your body (See “Herbal Calcium Supplements Over Laboratory and Milk Sources” - the blog just above).Herbal supplements, such as Cramp Bark and our MNF (muscle and bone nourishing formula), not only have easily-digestible plant food sources of calcium, but are also abundant in the synergistic nutrients essential to absorbing and transporting calcium in your body.Cramp Bark and MNF are also both used for PMS, menstrual cramps, charley horses (muscle spasms), sciatica, muscle weakness and sensitive teeth. Many of our patients who are actors use Cramp Bark in combination with Vervain for stage fright and audition nerves.
Follow These Strategies to REVERSE AND AVOID OSTEOPOROSIS:
- Take herbal supplements to provide an easily digestible calcium source containing synergistic nutrients, like Eve's Herbs Cramp Bark or MNF.
- Replace colas in your diet with pure water, diluted fruit or vegetable juices (if you drink alcohol, use small to moderate amounts).
- Do moderate amounts of exercise at least 2-3 times per week (especially resistance types - body weight, stretch bands or weights) for good bone and muscle strength.
- Avoid osteoporosis medications as these simply back up old, weak and brittle bone, rather than creating new strong bone, resulting in bone fractures or worse.
For a more comprehensive approach to osteoporosis, see our Osteoporosis Therapy Pack (click here).
*Am J Clin Nutr October 2006 vol. 84 no. 4 936-942 Doc Eve
for daily tips and updatesACNE Meets Its Match With Herbal Remedies
Herbal Remedies for ACNE
One approach to dealing with ACNE is to use herbs that cleanse and strengthen specific areas in the body that are contributing to the problem. Formulas containing herbs that accomplish these goals support healthier and clearer skin.The herbs in our Herbal Multi formula are primarily wonderful blood cleansers and tonics which support the liver in its work to detoxify the bloodstream. A clean bloodstream will almost always clean the skin, especially with hormone balancing formulas. Herbal Multi is a favorite for teenagers of any age with acne, boils and cystic skin problems.As hormones are a frequent cause or contributor to acne, we use one of a few different formulas to support balancing the hormonal system. On the female side, we use the 50/50 formula which helps to regulate blood sugar and cholesterol levels and balance the immune system. It also helps to activate the libido (sexual energy) and increase endurance as a nice bonus. For the guys, we use Blend S, our most popular male stress relief, adrenal formula. It is high in natural plant vitamin C, acts directly on the reproductive organs, is energizing and a mild aphrodisiac.The third formula is Bilica which is very high in silica, the essential nutrient for healthy skin, as well as hair, teeth and nails – great for repairing splitting and weak nails or hair. Another nice benefit of this formula is high levels of naturally occurring and, therefore, easily digested, B vitamins, which are paramount for a strong and healthy heart.And rounding out the foursome is Bactotox, our most popular formula as Nature’s potent and fast-acting anti-bacterial/anti-viral. It promotes white blood cells in engulfing bacterial and viral invaders, including those in the skin lesions (zits) of acne. High in vitamin C, A and B3, and many other micro-nutrients, Bactotox is a must when traveling and for your medicine shelf when the first signs of colds, sore throats, other infections or an impertinent pimple appear.
An Acne Testimonial
"Using the herbs for my teen son’s acne (poor thing). Dermatologist’s original antibiotic Rx was quoted at $968 – WITH insurance! Had them change it to an Rx which then 'only' cost $199 – PER MONTH. They worked a bit, but for their cost we weren’t impressed. Sooo, gave the herbs a try last month and not only did they work – OF COURSE !- they worked faster, better, are cheaper, AND natural. Such a deal!! So super grateful. Thank you, thank Youuuu – T=)"
Therapy Packs for ACNE
For further info on our Therapy Packs for ACNE which include the above formulas, click on the appropriate one below:ACNE Therapy Pack - FemaleACNE Therapy Pack - MaleAcne is often simply and quickly remedied, although, if it has been a lifelong problem, it may take a few months to see significant changes.For optimal results, the above herbal Therapy Packs will include complete food-related instructions, including some great recipes in my book, Feeling Very Much Better, which is included, as well as herbal remedies specifically formulated and combined for eliminating acne.Best of Health Always,Doc Eve
for daily tips and updatesArthritis, Inflammation and Herbal Remedies
The term arthritis is most commonly used to describe chronic inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. The two most common types are OSTEOARTHRITIS (OA), caused by wear and tear, and RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA), where the immune system malfunctions and attacks the joints. RA may be brought on by food sensitivities, most commonly to gluten.
NUTRITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS in All Types of Arthritis and Inflammation
Studies have shown that too much URIC ACID in the blood can incite inflammation in the joints (not just the big toe!) causing heat, redness, pain and swelling. Foods containing high amounts of purine, like meats, seafood and alcohol (especially beer - sorry, guys) may need to be reduced or eliminated and can often bring about a dramatically rapid end to pain.Other "acid" foods should also be eliminated for a few weeks to see if improvement occurs, then re-introduced to see if the joint pain returns. These might include tomatoes and tomato products, cow dairy products, all refined sugar and sugar substitutes, and foods cooked with hot spices.Gluten allergy is always a consideration with arthritis. Avoiding gluten can be very tricky and requires a little research and reading of labels, as it is in many food you might not expect. Examples would include beer, candies, French fries, gravies, sauces, salad dressings, seasoned potato and tortilla chips, and many prepared soups. For a more complete list of foods that are gluten-free, and foods containing gluten to avoid, click here.
HERBAL REMEDIES for Arthritis and other Inflammatory Conditions
Besides OA and RA, other related joint inflammatory diseases include bursitis, capsulitis, lupus erythematosus, fibromyalgia, Lyme disease and gout.The Eve's Herbs AR+ formula is anti-inflammatory and analgesic, and is excellent for mild, chronic arthritis and most inflammatory conditions.For osteoarthritis and acute inflammation, we combine AR+ with Devil's Claw for even stronger therapeutic action.Strengthening the ADRENAL GLANDS is important also in helping the body overcome inflammation, so we recommend TQH or E:V for women and BLEND S or BLEND F for the men.For those who might want the complete arthritis package, the ARTHRITIS, BURSITIS, RHEUMATISM Therapy Pack, including a more complete discussion of dietary instructions, Dr. Eve's book, Feeling Very Much Better, which includes delicious recipes, and the above herbal formulas, click on one of these - Female Therapy Pack - Male Therapy Pack - or call us at 310-855-1111.Doc Eve
for daily tips and updatesWildfires and Smog of Summer and Lung Protection
Wildfires and Smog of Summer and Lung Protection
Our chests start to feel tight, and those little coughs are the efforts of our lungs and bronchi to reject the wildfires smoke trying to infiltrate them.We've had 4 days of wildfires smoke here in Ashland and the entire Rogue Valley. Firefighters are so engulfed in smoke they can't actually see where several of these wildfires are coming from. The vacationing rafters, on the popular Rogue River, look like they're taking the River Styx to Hades with further trips having been cancelled.For more photos from the Mail Tribune that tell a thousand words, click here.
Protection For Your Lungs
If you already have the Herba Pneu formula at home and are currently in the midst of wildfire smoke and/or smog, like we are, take an extra couple of capsules a day. If you haven't taken the Herba Pneu formula before, just follow the directions on the side of the bottle. It will make that little cough productive; in other words it is an expectorant that will clear the sinuses, bronchi and lungs.The initial reaction might be a runny nose for an hour or so, telling you that it's on the job. You are now expectorating.If you don't have any Herba Pneu, we can send it ASAP. This formula has a number of supportive herbs in it, but it is primarily the Cubeb Berries and Juniper Berries that do the cleansing work. The rest are wonderful plant source vitamins and calmatives to the whole respiratory system.For the burning eyes, you might consider our homeopathic Dry Eye Relief drops and use them frequently to soothe them. So, salut and pray for rain!Best of Health to you as always,Doc Eve
for daily tips and updatesSlippery Elm to Protect Stomach Lining When Taking Painkillers
Slippery Elm to Protect Stomach Lining When Taking Painkillers
Damage to the esophagus and stomach linings caused by NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can be minimized by using our Slippery Elm to help protect these tissues. NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc), Naproxen (Aleve, Midol, etc), Vioxx, Celebrex and many, many others (click here for a full list).NSAIDs are used, misused and overused daily by millions of people worldwide who attempt to self-treat based on something they heard or read. This can lead to many of the side effects associated with these drugs, including a burning stomach and/or acid reflux which can lead to an ulcerated stomach and/or esophagus lining, as well as internal bleeding.Other possible side effects include an increased risk of erectile dysfunction (E.D.), cancer of the kidneys and miscarriage to name just a few.
Slippery Elm to Help Protect and Heal the Linings of the Stomach and Esophagus
To reduce the inflammation of the linings of the esphagus and stomach, or to help prevent it before it occurs, Slippery Elm can be used either in capsules or as a tea.If using Eve's Herbs Slippery Elm capsules, simply take 2 capsules at the same time you take the NSAID along with a large glass of water and/or a cup of yogurt or kefir.If you prefer taking it as a tea, open up two Slippery Elm capsules into a cup of hot water and let it sit for several minutes. This will allow the mucilaginous (slippery) qualities to be drawn out and also allow the tea to cool a bit before drinking. When it is ready, take it along with the NSAID you are using.Another suggestion would be to take Devil's Claw and either Cramp Bark or MNF (which contains okra, another mucilaginous plant) to possibly reduce the amount of NSAIDs needed. Devil's Claw is a natural anti-inflammatory we use for arthritis pain, and both Cramp Bark and MNF help reduce muscle spasms. This combination may then reduce the number of NSAIDs you might need to take.Be cautious in using NSAIDs and give yourself some protection with Slippery Elm, Cramp Bark or MNF.
Doc Eve
for daily tips and updatesEnergy Drops After Lunch and How to Fix Them
Energy Drops After Lunch and How to Fix Them
Those 2-3 p.m. energy drops can mess up an entire afternoon. That tired time of the afternoon is often due to a dragging digestion aftermath from what we ate, how fast we ate it and our body's reaction to it. Here are some possible causes and how to fix them.Allergic Reaction to Food
Overeating or Bad Food Combining
- Meat and heavy carbohydrates (bread, potatoes, etc.)
- Fruits and vegetables
- Multiple carbohydrates (potatoes, rice, bread) - unless you're interested in spreading your waistline.
- Citrus juice and grains (they'll ferment)
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