February is American Heart Month: Make Prevention a Priority

** Note, new 2011 heart disease guidelines for women have been released since this blog posted. The new guidelines include:

• Keeping cholesterol level at 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or less
• Keeping blood pressure at 120/80 mm Hg
• Having a fasting blood glucose under 100 mg/dL
• Recognition that diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis increase heart disease risk in women

For a summary of the 2011 new heart disease guidelines for women, click here.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. In 2009 alone, about 785,000 Americans had a coronary attack. But--there is good news. We can reduce the chance of developing coronary heart disease by making prevention a priority. It’s time!

February is American Heart Month, a national campaign to share information about heart disease and to raise awareness. Do you know the signs? A heart attack may feel sharp and sudden, but many start slowly. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute posted their “Act in Time to Heart Attack Signs” video to help you identify the warning signs.

Whether or not you or a loved one have suffered with heart disease, prevention is a year-round campaign. Download your free ACHS Wellness Guide for more heart health and how-to information!

Hawthorn Crataegus laevigata has traditionally been used to support healthy cardiovascular function. Studies show hawthorn acts on the myocardium. It increases the force of contraction and lengthens the refractory period, increasing coronary blood flow and cardiac output, and reducing oxygen consumption.[1] For more information about the active constituents and medicinal uses of hawthorn, download our hawthorn monograph HERE.

References
1. Chang Q, Zuo Z, Harrison F, Chow MS. (2002) Hawthorn. J Clin Pharmacol, 42:605-12.
2. Pittler MH, Schmidt K, Ernst E. (2003). Hawthorn extract for treating chronic heart failure: meta-analysis of randomized trials. Am J Med, 114:665-74.
3. Schwinger RH, Pietsch M, Frank K, Brixius K. (2000). Crataegus special extract WS 1442 increases force of contraction in human myocardium cAMPindependently. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol, 35:700-7.

This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. You should always consult with your primary care physician, naturopathic doctor, or Registered Herbalist before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine.

World Health Organization Developing Traditional Medicine Classification

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced a project to classify traditional medicine. Having a reference of terminologies and classifications for diagnosis and interventions will "assist in creating an evidence base for traditional medicine"[1] and an international "platform" for "the harmonization of data for clinical, epidemiological and statistical use."

The project will begin with the traditional medicine practices and customs of China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea that have spread worldwide and will utilize an interactive online platform. Traditional medicine practitioners will use the platform to document the terminology and the concepts they use.

The International Classification of Traditional Medicine (ICTM) "further illustrates WHO’s dedication to aiding traditional medicine’s globalization and integration into worldwide healthcare."[2] WHO's expected outcomes from the ICTM project include objective data on the benefits of traditional data, safety and use, and spending and trends; the ability to study the use of traditional medicine with disease prevention and treatment; and a universal classification system which would allow countries worldwide to base their research on the same data.

References
[1] WHO to define information standards for traditional medicine. Accessed 1/13/11 at http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/notes/2010/trad_medicine_20101207/en/
[2] Stafford, L. (2011). WHO Developing New Traditional Medicine Classification. HerbalEGram 8(1). Web. Accessed 1/13/11 at http://cms.herbalgram.org/heg/volume8/01January/WHOClassifiesTM.html?t=1294841964

Organic Coconut Oil a Very Effective Skin Support

Coconut oil is extracted from the meat of mature coconut, found throughout tropical climates. Traditionally, the oil has been used as a source of fat in the diet, including as a cooking oil, but did you know the oil also has been tested for industrial uses because of its natural lubricant properties?

Today coconut oil is highly prized for its use in cosmetics and skin care products. In specific, coconut oil has moisturizing and skin softening properties, and well as film-forming properties so the oil "seals in" moisture, so to speak. In addition, coconut oil is often recommended for use with dry skin, sensitive skin, and can even be used to help reinvigorate dry, damaged hair [1] and in lip balms. Recent research even suggests the lauric acid found in coconut oil may be useful with acne[2]!

If you like to make your own natural skin and hair care products, coconut oil is a wonderful, versatile base oil to use. And, it is relatively unscented, which means you can add essential oils for your own custom blend.

Keep your skin glowing for summer and moisturized year-round. Shop for your organic products and essential oils at the Apothecary Shoppe. Free ground shipping for all purchases of 11 oz organic coconut oil made by midnight, August 16, 2010. Just add the code NEW2010 to the comments section of your order at checkout. Visit www.apothecary-shoppe.com

For more information about the benefits of coconut oil, you may want to check out the Coconut Research Center: http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/index.htm

References
[1] Rele AS, Mohile RB. Effect of mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil on prevention of hair damage. J Cosmet Sci. 2003 Mar-Apr;54(2):175-92. Accessed online: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12715094?dopt=Abstract
[2] Nakatsuji T, Kao MC, Fang JY, Zouboulis CC, Zhang L, Gallo RL, Huang CM. Antimicrobial property of lauric acid against Propionibacterium acnes: its therapeutic potential for inflammatory acne vulgaris. J Invest Dermatol. 2009 Oct;129(10):2480-8. Epub 2009 Apr 23.