An old superstition warns against transplanting parsley plants as the herb is said to have been dedicated to Persephone, the mystical queen of Hades. In fact, the Greeks held parsley in high esteem, using it to crown victors in the Isthmian Games and making it into wreaths for adorning the tombs of the dead and for use in funeral rites. In those days, the herb was never used as a condiment or garnish as it was "sacred to oblivion and to the dead."

The Gardener's Dictionary (1771) speaks of "the large rooted parsley that, under cultivation, develops a large tuber-like root" that was parsnip-like in flavor and shaped like a turnip. This form was brought to Britain and Europe from Holland and was used in soups and stews or boiled or roasted like potatoes and parsnips.

Gerard speaks of parsley's medical qualities, stating: "It is delightful to the taste and agreeable to the stomache," and "the roots or seeds boiled in ale and drunk, cast forthe strong venom or poyson; but the seed is the strongest part of the herb." In former times, parsley was considered a remedy for numerous disorders that are not assigned to it today. Parsley's quality for destroying poisons was attributed to the plant because of its remarkable ability for overcoming strong odors such as garlic.

Today, the medical qualities of parsley are fully recognized by herbalist and allopathic medicine. The German E Commission monograph approved parsley radix (powdered root) for the treatment of urinary tract disorders and for the prevention and treatment of kidney gravel (stones). However, this treatment is not recommended in cases of edema caused by impaired heart of kidney function.

Modern evaluation of the herb has identified parsley as a rich source of Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, and C, Folic Acid, and Inositol. It also contains significant amounts of the minerals iron, potassium, sodium, copper, silica, sulfur, calcium, zinc, and cobalt. Parsley also contains Quercetin and lutein, flavones that have demonstrated excellent antioxidant properties especially beneficial for fighting allergies and eye conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration.

Parsley contains the volatile oil apiol, which has been shown to affect the body in three ways: a) reducing blood pressure, b) relaxing uterine tissue, and c) stimulating the lymphatic glands. Apiol was first obtained by Doctors Joret and Hommolle of Brittany in 1849. The volatile oil was demonstrated to be an excellent remedy for ague (malaria or malaria-like symptoms- i.e. shakes, sweats, etc.) and is greatly used today in malarial disorders.

The oil of parsley leaf contains as much as 85 per cent myristicin, which has been shown to be beneficial in prostate inflammation and infection.

Herbalists today commonly recommend parsley for dropsy (general edema), dysmenorrhea (irregular menstruation), gravel (kidney stones), jaundice, gonorrhea, insect bites and stings, bed-wetting, and obesity. The flavonoids of parsley are medically established to be anti-inflammatory; therefore it is also recommended for arthritis, backache, earache and rheumatic complaints.

In Europe, the seeds, which are the most potent, are used for promoting milk flow and, as a natural diuretic, carminative, antiseptic (cadmene, pinen, terpine, and thujene), sedative, and expectorant.

In 1992, LKT Laboratories, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, studied parsley leaf oil (Petroselinum sativum) which lead to the isolation of myristicin. Myristicin showed high activity as an inducer of the detoxifying enzyme GST (glutathione S-transferase) in the liver and small intestine mucosa of mice. A 65 per cent inhibition of the tumor multiplicity in the lung was observed from the treatment of myristicin. The conclusion of this study was that myristicin, a major volatile aroma constituent of parsley, may be an effective cancer chemo-preventative agent.

A study conducted at Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Misasagi, Japan, reported in July, 2000 that they have identified extracts of the aerial parts of parsley as containing phytoestrogens with potent estrogenic activity, which is equal to that of isoflavone glycosides from soybeans. The extract was administered to ovariectomized rats for seven consecutive days and the treatment restored uterus weight.

Parsley contains apigenin, a flavone which has been studied seriously in Denmark and Germany. In one study, seven men and seven women were placed on strictly controlled diets that were low in naturally occurring antioxidants and flavones. The basic diet was supplemented with parsley, providing 3.73 to 4.49mg apigenin for one of the two weeks. During the week of parsley supplementation, erythrocyte glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was increased, significantly reducing oxidative stress compared to the week without parsley supplementation. Apigenin not only serves as an antioxidant but, in some cases, enhances the body's production of natural chemicals, such as SOD, for the reduction of oxidative stress.

Free radical reactions have stimulated expanded research in the past two decades. It has been proven that five free-radical mechanisms may be significant in the pathogenesis of certain diseases and aging. Many synthetic antioxidants have shown toxic and/or mutagenic effects which have impaired evaluation and research on naturally occurring antioxidants. Antioxidants have been used primarily for prevention and maintenance of health. Today, we are fortunate to have significant studies, generated daily, supporting that what you consume and assimilate has everything to do with maintaining wellness and defense against environmental pollution and the associated oxidative stress (free radical damage) which ultimately leads to conditions of disease.

Newer research has shown that parsley neutralizes the carcinogens in cigarette smoke and may be beneficial in T-cell lymphoma. The fresh juice of parsley is a non-toxic insect repellent. The fresh juice of parsley also has an ancient, and current, reputation for healing sick fish. parsley has been found to be a beneficial tonic for capillaries and arterioles.

Parsley is an emmenogogue and should not be taken in large quantities by pregnant women. Culinary or cooking parsley is quite safe.

I have always loved parsley. I learned, very early in life, that parsley is a persnickety plant in that it likes the best soil and will not grow in polluted soil and does not tolerate most insecticides. Parsley is a health-sustaining food and an intelligent choice. So, don't leave that garnish on your plate, as it is often the most nourishing part of the meal.

Rena Davis, MSc
Clinical Nutritionist
Biochemist

Rena Davis, MSc is a Clinical Nutritionist and Biochemist and one of EYI's most popular product consultants and trainers. She operates her own wellness clinic in St. Helens, Oregon, where she has recommended the full range of powerful EYI products to her patients for years. Total Healing is an alternative health care center where Rena, owner/practitioner for over 20 years, provides individualized health care for her clients. Rena is a firm believer in holistic health care and is an ardent student and teacher of the principles of wellness.

In the first group, a combination of Beetroot, Yellow Dock Root, Dandelion Root, Licorice Root, Chaparral herb, Red Clover tops, Barberry Root Bark, Yarrow herb, and Sarsaparilla Root were employed. In the second, Red Beet Root, Dandelion Root, Parsley herb, Shavegrass herb, Liverwort herb, Birch leaves, Lobelia herb, Blessed Thistle herb, Angelica Root, Chamomile flowers, Gentian Root, and Golden Rod were employed.

These formulas were recorded for centuries throughout all cultures that recorded the health of their populations. Always, Red Beet Root was the foundational component.

The components of Red Beet contain a pure sugar which is one of the glucoses that is very wholesome as well as softer than cane sugar and does not crystallize. There is a treacle principle in it that renders it much more nutritious and utilizable than cane sugar, which has to be converted, by the digestive system, before the body can absorb it. Beetroot is already in the easy-to-assimilate form, therefore making it a valuable energy food.

Perhaps the most famous herbalist of renaissance England, Nicolas Culpepper, envisioned herbs as being governed by certain astrological signs. To him the planets gave life to the herbs he loved. To Culpepper, the credit of making the healing knowledge of herbs available to the poor and common class, the knowledge that was most strenuously hidden behind Latin and jealously guarded by the College of Physicians in London, is attributed. Culpepper described them (the physicians) as "a company of proud, insulting, domineering doctors whose wits were born about 500 years before themselves." He demonstrated all of their precious formulae and other valuable herbal criteria into English and published it for the world. What the medical profession had kept from being "pawed over by the vulgar people", Culpepper placed within reach of the masses. Culpepper was controversial in his time, but honest and good hearted, radical and independent. He died at the age of 38 and was loved by the common folk, then and now, and intensely hated and despised by the surgeons and physicians for what he had done.

According to Culpepper, Red Beetroot is ruled by Saturn. The herbs ruled by Saturn deal with the structural – this means skeletal system, ligaments, teeth, hearing and the gallbladder. This energy provides a source of grounding – i.e. bringing ones feet back on the ground. Herbs, of this nature, settle out attitudes and emotions making us more willing to be stable, and are recommended for those given to excessive day dreaming and those who get lost in "flights of fancy". Also, these are herbs which help to balance and cause us to understand cause and effect and show us how to discipline ourselves to accomplish goals that will enhance our freedom. The herbs, governed by Saturn, are recommended for those unable to complete projects and for those who are unable to translate ideas into manifestation and actions.

Current herbalists, back to the herbalists of old, record that the juice of Red Beet was recommended to "stay the bloody flux (hemorrhaging) and to help the yellow jaundice" and "puteth into the nostrils (sinusitis), pureth the head (decongest), helpeth the noise in the ears (tinnitus), and the toothache."

Modern analysis of Red Beet reveals that ½ cup, cooked, contains 0.9 grams of protein, 0 saturated and unsaturated fats, 6 grams of carbohydrates, 0.7 grams of fiber, 64 grams of water, 3674 IU of Vitamin A, smaller portions of B-1, B-2, B-6, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, a significant amount of Vitamin C and Calcium, and trace amounts of Copper, significant amounts on Iron, Magnesium, and Potassium, and trace amounts of Sodium and Zinc.

Significant current research, on Beetroot Extract, show high antioxidant effects, and Russian researchers, relative to the Chernobyl Accident, indicate that concentrations of dietary fiber isolated from lemon peel, beetroot, and other plant resources, have radio-protective properties.

At Howard University, Washington DC, Department of Pharmacology Sciences, College of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, the in vitro inhibitory effect of Beta vulgaris (red beet) root extract on Epstein-Barr virus revealed a high order of positive activity. An in vitro, anti-tumor activity promoting activity evaluation against the mice skin and lung bioassays revealed a significant inhibitory effect . The combined findings, suggest that dietary ingestion of Red Beet Root can be a useful means of cancer prevention.

Numerous tests are continuing on Beetroot and , to date, the results not only verify hundreds of years of traditional and folk use, but expand the potential beyond many of the old principles. Validation in scientific, blind or double-blind studies may be essential to modern science, but thousands of years of applications among the population of the earth, continues to be accurate beyond the real of anecdotal. It all distills down to the simple principle that good food, good diet, and good attitude are equal to the best wealth ion earth.

Good Food, Good Diet, and God's Pharmacy is the best medicine .

By Rena Davis, MSc
Clinical Nutritionist
Biochemist

Your liver is an overworked organ with many functions. It stores not only vitamins such as A, D, E and K but residue, toxins and pollutants we ingest and breathe daily including aluminum, arsenic, exhaust, food additives, pesticides, workplace pollutants (e.g. dry cleaning agents, solvents and paints).

The excess or continued use of acetaminophen or medication to combat pain and inflammation can damage liver cells. Ibuprofen destroys liver cells as well as long-term use of many anti-depressant drugs, alcohol (your liver metabolizes 90 per cent of all alcohol ingested) and cigarette smoke. Your liver works to break down these potentially lethal substances into those that are less destructive to our bodies that are eventually flushed from the system.

Milk thistle is known to protect the liver from chemical damage.

Many of us know that milk thistle is a tonic for the liver but may not know why. The herb contains a group of flavonoid compounds with antioxidant abilities called Silymarin, which both prevents and corrects damage to the liver. Silymarin is known to have a direct effect on the regeneration of new liver cells by encouraging an enzymatic action that spurs better cellular regeneration.

Numerous European studies have shown that this herb and active ingredient enhances the overall function even in a healthy liver. It can protect the liver from the toxic effect of many poisons, deterring toxins from entering the cells by strengthening cell membranes. For these reasons milk thistle is often used to reduce inflammation and damage of the liver caused by cirrhosis (scarring), hepatitis (swelling) and jaundice (yellowish hue to the skin).

Furthermore, milk thistle may be effective for weight-loss as it increase bile production (or stimulates where the liver has fallen short) in the liver. Bile is used in the body to break down fats. Silymarin can also lower the fat build up in the liver (called fatty liver). If the liver is compromised (long before actual damage is detected) fat accumulation occurs, scar tissue develops and enzymes and bile production is greatly reduced. Starch is neither formed nor stored, causing chronic fatigue and obesity. When the liver cannot metabolize certain enzymes needed to inactivate various hormones, such conditions as water retention, hypoglycemia, hyperthyroidism and excessive male or female hormones from the opposite sex can result.

With the liver's many functions and the vast potential for exposure to pollutants and toxins accompanied by today's modern day processed eating habits, it's little wonder we have so many overweight individuals in America today.

References:
Maleskey and the editors of Prevention health books, Nature's Medicines, 1999; Duke, Dr. Duke's Essential Herbs, 1999; Mindell, Earl Mindell's Herb Bible, 1992; Kirschmann and Kirschmann, Nutrition Almanac fourth edition, 1996; Balch and Balch, Prescription for Nutritional Healing second edition, 1997

Devil's Claw Root

The fruit of the plant is a capsule protected by numerous sharp curved spines which curl into a claw-like appearance after splitting, hence the common name Devil's Claw. The English common name is grapple plant because of the shape of the curved spines resemble a grapple hook.

European recognition of the medicinal value of the plant is traced to German soldiers, and later in 1904 to GA Menhert during the Hottentot rebellion. Menhert observed the miraculous recovery of a Hottentot when treated by a local witch doctor after medical doctors had given the patient up for dead. Subsequently, he followed the witch doctor and discovered the plant that was used and then spread the word of the infusion, under the name of harpagophytum tea.

Sometimes, in evaluation of current medicinal, clinical, and research publications, one needs to have a little Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson tendencies as many of the reports are conflicting.

For example, a British study conducted in 1979 by McLeod and Robinson on primary and secondary inflammation in rats found that extract of H. procumbens (Devil's Claw Root) did not produce "significant effects." However, a 1978 French study on arthritic rats found Devil's Claw extract to be efficient in reducing inflammation as compared to prescription medication.

At least part of the dilemma comes from the complex chemical structure of the active components. The German E Commission monographs and the British Herbal Compendium have identified the key constituents as (1) sugars – 51%, mainly tetrasaccharide stachyose and smaller amounts of raffinose, a trisaccharide, (2) terpenes, mainly oleanolic acids, (3) phytosterols, mainly beta sitosterol, (4) aromatic acids, caffeic, cinnamic and chlorogenic acids, (5) flavonoids, mainly kaempferol and luteolin, and (6) harpagoquinone. For quite some time the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of the herb were thought to be created by the glucosides harpagoside and harpagide. Modern investigation has found this to be only partially accurate and much of the mystery is still unfolding. In modern scientific analysis of a compound's active ingredients, they are first identified chemically and then manufactured for testing. Extracting a single particular component can be complex and expensive and, in some cases, impossible with current technology. Often, in the case of herbal medicines, the action of the herb cannot be assigned to one or two active components, instead, the entire herbal extract must be considered as an active ingredient.

Most NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) act by inhibiting prostaglandin biosynthesis. In vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated that Devil's Claw has minimal effects on prostaglandins. Two studies, one at a moderate dose and one at a very elevated dose, showed no significant effect on production of prostaglandin in the pre and post measurements. These studies indicate that Devil's Claw has a different mechanism of effect and further suggests that Devil's Claw will not have the negative side effects of NSAIDs.

In 1999, two new pyridine monoterpene alkaloids, named beatrine A and beatrine B, were discovered. Alkaloids are an adverse group of plant constituents and, therefore, difficult to give precise definitions. However, the following covers the common principles: alkaloids are alkaline (basic) nitrogen containing heterocyclic compounds derived from higher plants and often exhibit marked pharmacological activity. Alkaloids were the first chemical drugs to be derived from plants; a mixture of morphine and narcotine was isolated from opium in 1803. Alkaloids have maintained an important role in conventional drug therapy since then and the names such as codeine, theophylline, quinine, and atropine are a familiar part of modern drug medicine. By now you should have guessed that alkaloids end with the letters –ine. The mechanism of actions of the new beatrine A and B are unknown as yet, but, research is continuing on these new alkaloids for mechanism of action and pharmacological value.

In January 2000, a study published in Phytomedicine, brought to light another piece of the puzzle. This study found the effect of harpagophytum extract to be diminished by the stomach acid. When the compound was injected, thereby bypassing stomach acid, it exhibited excellent anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties. This would suggest that Devil's Claw would have a higher effectiveness if protected from stomach acid by galenic preparation (i.e. time release coating to protect from stomach acid) or in combination with other herbal compounds.

Today, research continues to study Devil's Claw. Modern science has proved that Devil's Claw has a significant beneficial effect on pain and inflammation of arthritis, especially in the knee, hip, and spine. Most current research suggests that Devil's Claw Root may be an important compound in hyperkinetic ventricular arrhythmias, arterial blood pressure, and heart rate regulation.

There remains a great deal to learn regarding Devil's Claw, its components, and the method of administration. Historical application of the herb has been for its purgative action, as a bitter tonic in digestive disturbances and febrile illness, allergic reactions, and treatment of migraine headaches. Externally, in ointment form, Devil's Claw has been used for ulcers, wounds, cutaneous lesions and boils. One very interesting, historical use by native African women is to ingest the pulverized root and apply the ointment topically to the abdomen during labor to alleviate pain.

Rena Davis, MSc
Clinical Nutritionist
Biochemist

Rena Davis, MSc is a Clinical Nutritionist and Biochemist and one of EYI's most popular product consultants and trainers. She operates her own wellness clinic in St. Helens, Oregon, where she has recommended the full range of powerful EYI products to her patients for years. Total Healing is an alternative health care center where Rena, owner/practitioner for over 20 years, provides individualized health care for her clients. Rena is a firm believer in holistic health care and is an ardent student and teacher of the principles of wellness.

A clinical study of more than 100 patients with first degree burns compared honey to silver sulfadiazine (the conventional treatment). In seven days, 91 per cent of the honey-treated burns were infection-free, as compared to seven per cent in the silver sulfadiazine cases. The raw wildflower honey that was used formed a protective coating to prevent infection, reduce pain, absorb pus, and minimize odors and irritation. Honey's healing actions are due to three potential mechanisms of action: 1) The sugars in honey strongly attract water, forming a viscous (thick) syrup-honey absorbs fluid from wounds, thereby desiccating bacteria and fungus; 2) The glucose oxidase in honey combines with water to produce hydrogen peroxide; 3) Honey can stimulate new tissue growth due to the presence of enzymes, pollen, and propolis.

Royal jelly is a complex mixture of flower nectars, sugar, proteins, and bee glandulars made by nurse bees. It is fed to all bee larvae for three days, and exclusively to the queen bee for life, making her fertile, large in size, and increasing her life span. Royal jelly contains 2.0 to 6.4 per cent trans-10-hydroxy delta-2-deconoic acid (HDA), a monosaturated fatty acid, with a hydroxyl group, noted for skin protective properties which prevent dehydration. Some forms are also strongly anti-inflammatory. Royal jelly is a good source of collagen, lecithin, and vitamins A, C, D, and E. Royal jelly contains B Vitamins and is very rich in pantothenic acid. The folk usage of royal jelly recommends it for anorexia, fatigue, headaches, children that fail to thrive, inadequate lactation, allergies, asthma, and debility from any variety of causes. Many of these applications are unsubstantiated domestically. However, research in Japan, Germany, Australia, and China is very encouraging. In one controlled study, it was found that supplementation of 50 to 100mg of royal jelly per day decreased total cholesterol and triglycerides significantly. In another study on atherosclerosis in rabbits, administration of 15mg/kg of body weight slowed development of atherosclerotic plaque.

A 1996 research study evaluated royal jelly for its immunomodulating effect. The study found that royal jelly stimulated antibody and immunocompetant cell proliferation in mice. In March 2001, a Japanese study found suppression of allergic reactions by royal jelly in association with restoration of macrophage function and improvement in Th-1/Th-2 cell responses. In addition, the study results suggested that royal jelly suppressed antigen-specific IgE production and histamine release from mast cells in mice earskin reactions.

Royal jelly combined with bee pollen forms a mixture known as Melbrosia. Melbrosia was the subject of study on women who suffered severe menopause symptoms. Even though there was no significant difference in biochemical parameters, women test subjects receiving Melbrosia experienced significant decreases in menopause symptoms, i.e. headaches, urinary incontinence, dry vagina, and decreased mental and physical vitality as compared to placebo. The study concluded that Melbrosia was especially appropriate for women who could not or would not use hormone replacement therapy.

Additional animal studies give good indication that royal jelly promotes wound healing and other immune function enhancement. Substrate and in vitro studies demonstrate antibacterial and antifungal properties. Royal jelly has also been shown effective in preventing cholesterol-elevating effects of nicotine and lowering serum cholesterol.

One very interesting Japanese study, reported in April of 2001, evaluated a particular protein, 57K Da. In this study, 57K Da was found to promote liver regeneration and possibly have cytoprotective action on hepatocytes in rats.

A Chinese study found that rats fed with lyophil-ized royal jelly had reduced cholesterol levels, increased red cell deformability and decreased plasma fibrinogen levels. These results suggest that lyophilized royal jelly can be used in prevention and treatment of hyper-lipidemia and improve highly-coagulant status of the blood (reduce thrombus).

Bee pollen is abundant in Vitamins B-1, B-2, B-3, B-5, B-6, and B-12. It also contains Vitamins A, C, and E, folic acid, is 20 per cent protein and amino acids.

People who suffer from pollen allergies need not fear bee pollen. There are two types of pollen-one is allergenic and one is not. Anemophile pollen are dependent on air for fecundation. All conifers (spruce, pines, firs, etc.) have anemophile pollens. Bees do not collect these pollens as they do not contain desirable nutrients and are allergenic.

Entomophile pollens, which translates to “friend of insects,” are gathered by bees from flowers. These pollens are very sticky and cannot be carried by the wind. There are very potent nutritional compounds and are non-allergenic. These pollens are very beautiful under the microscope. They appear as a fine powder and, in finite amounts, the grains form a fine artistic pattern that represents the specific flower of origin.

One thousand milligrams of bee pollen provides 600mg of natural potassium. Magnesium, calcium, copper, iron, silica, phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine, and manganese are also constituents. Bee pollen is well concentrated in rutin (17 per cent), a flavonoid that prevents capillary fragility and speeds the healing of all types of bruises.

It is certainly easy to understand why bee pollen, royal jelly, and honey are considered superfoods and survival foods.