Valerian in the Herb Garden: How to Grow and When to Harvest Valerian

Check out this new video we posted to ACHStv, our YouTube Channel ... In Valerian in the Herb Garden ACHS President Dorene Petersen gives a short overview of the herb valerian, including medicinal properties and tips for harvesting the root in the fall.



Be sure to share this link with your herbal medicine and gardening friends! Then post a comment with your best valerian tips for growing, harvesting, and using the herb in natural products!

Propolis Oil Extract Shows Antimicrobial Activity

Confirmation that Propolis mixes well in skin creams. Hmm, we've known this for 18 years...


Propolis Oil Extract: Quality Analysis and Evaluation of Its Antimicrobial Activity
Nat Prod Res, 2011 Jun 30

Natural Product ResearchDesigning propolis products for external use involves determining the optimal form of propolis for the introduction into dermatological pharmaceuticals and cosmetic preparations. As a potent ingredient, propolis oil extract from raw material harvested in Lithuania was analysed.

The rheological characteristics, content of phenolic compounds, major compounds and antimicrobial activity of the propolis oil extract are investigated here for the first time. The propolis oil extract was produced by maceration using different solvents, raw material was collected in Lithuania. Solvent mixture with 96% ethanol increased the rheological stability and extracted amount of phenolic compound. High-performance liquid chromatography identified the potent quality markers for Lithuanian propolis, phenylpropanoid vanillin, coumaric acid and ferulic acid.

Antimicrobial activity of propolis oil extract was evaluated in experimental studies in vitro, and the minimal concentration of phenolic compounds that inhibited respective microorganisms was determined.

The results demonstrate that phenolic compounds have effective antimicrobial activity in propolis oil extract; thus, it can be compatible with the semisolid preparation.

Unreliable Research

Jeffrey Smith is a doughty opponent of Genetically Modified Anything. For the reason why it is totally unacceptable to rely on tests by the manufacturers of GMO products as opposed to independent tests take a look at this 2 minute video at

http://vimeo.com/22310092

I expect the message in it would be equally valid in the field of Pharmaceuticals i.e you can't rely on, and Doctors and the regulatory authorities shouldn't be relying on, manufacturer conducted RCT tests on their own products eg vaccines, anti-depressants, statins. But of course, they are!

Honey May Help Prevent Atherosclerosis

Honey has also been found to prolong human tissue used for transplants...


Effect of Natural Honey on Human Platelets and Blood Coagulation Proteins
Pakistan Journal Pharm Sci, 2011 Jul;24(3):389-97

Present study was conducted to determine the effects of honey on blood hemostasis, in-vitro effect of honey was observed on platelet aggregation and blood coagulation employing, activated partial prothrombin time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT) and fibrinogen levels in blood.

Honey samples showed moderate inhibition of platelet aggregation with IC(50) 5-7.5%. The coagulation assays showed that at higher concentrations (>15%) honey samples increased whole blood clotting time. When assayed in platelet poor plasma (PPP), honey samples significantly (P>0.005) prolonged aPTT, PT, and TT. The honey samples (at 3.75% and 7.5% concentrations) cause mean increment of aPTT = 19±10% and 62±10%; PT 6±5% and 40±5%; TT 35±15% and 112±30% respectively. Moreover, PPP isolated from whole blood pre-incubated with honey samples (9.0% for 10 minutes) showed mean prolongation of aPTT, PT and TT of 45±21%, 26±9% and 105±24% respectively.

Interestingly, incubation of honey at 6.25% and 11.75% concentrations in PPP considerably (P≥0.005) reduced fibrinogen levels i.e. 13±4% and 86±30% respectively.

The present study outlines the inhibitory effect of natural honey on platelet aggregation and blood coagulation. These observations provide first line data for modulatory role(s) of honey on process of hemostasis…

On the basis of present and previous results, it can assumed that honey might interfere at several steps in the formation of atherosclerotic disease this effect finally translates into the prevention of vascular disorders such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders.

Propolis Flavonoid Protects Against UV-Induced Skin Damage

Propolis, the power house of protection, now protects against the sun...


"Chrysin Protects Epidermal Keratinocytes from UVA- and UVB-Induced Damage
J Agric Food Chem, 2011 Jun 24


Journal of Agricultural and Food ChemistryChrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone), a natural flavonoid occurring in various plants and foods such as propolis and honey, reportedly opposes inflammation and carcinogenesis, but has rarely been applied in skin care.


This study, therefore, aimed to explore the roles of chrysin in protection against UV-induced damage in HaCaT keratinocytes.


Results showed that chrysin can attenuate apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) expression induced by UVB and UVA. Chrysin predominantly reversed the downregulation of aquaporin 3(AQP-3) by UVB. It predominantly reversed JNK activation and also mildly inhibited p38 activation triggered by UVA and UVB. Animal studies revealed that chrysin's topical application demonstrated efficient percutaneous absorption and no skin irritation.


Overall, results demonstrated significant benefits of chrysin on the protection of keratinocytes against UVA- and UVB-induced injuries, and suggested its potential use in skin photoprotection."

Meet Dean Vanderslice, Owner of edits!, and Learn to Harness the Clean Power of Essential Oils

ACHS Certificate in Aromatherapy Graduate Dean Vanderslice has found a unique way to combine her passions. Dean, owner of edits!, offers her clients more than one-day redesigns—she provides a fresh start.

“Our goal is to introduce a new beauty and function creating a new energy for living a more inspired life…naturally,” Dean says.

Edits! specializes in transforming homes and offices into stylish spaces by reusing, repurposing, and restyling things clients already own. While moving through a client’s space, edits! cleans, nourishes, and refreshes hard and soft surfaces with a line of non-toxic essential oil products Dean created.

“My confidence and passion for using essential oils in this way came from desperation, as most change does,” Dean says.

Six years ago, Dean’s husband underwent a stem cell transplant for a diagnosis of cancer. His doctor wanted him to live at home through the process because his body would already be used to bacteria, fungus, etc., living in the home verses a new environment, like the hospital. However, through the yearlong process, preventing exposure to new and seasonal “bugs” was critical.

“I was daunted by the task of keeping our home with two young children, two dogs, and lots of activity free of new germs,” Dean says. “I knew in my gut that Clorox and Lysol were not the answer for someone whose system was already being flooded with toxins. Thanks to my discovery of essential oils, we all survived and even thrived.”

Dean continued using essential oils to clean and disinfect her home, and soon began experimenting with using natural ingredients boosted by essential oils to counteract her husband’s chemo-dried skin. She also experimented with recipes for her daughters if they had sore muscles or started to get stuffy noses.

“I realized that since the use of essential oils, we had never been healthier. And I had to know more,” Dean says. “I found ACHS and was drawn to it because it was as serious as I was about utilizing the value of these amazing, therapeutic oils. I didn’t want fluff; I wanted real scientific information on why these oils worked and how to utilize them to their full potential. I got that and more. It was my first online study and although the coursework could be quite challenging, the process was simple. I enjoyed all my classes and was amazed and grateful that such acclaimed instructors took such time to develop us, not only as future aromatherapists, but business people as well.”

“As a mother of two teenage daughters, a wife to a husband who is a cancer survivor, and a business owner, I endorse a life that is simply free from artificial chemicals,” Dean says. “From what we eat, to what we put on our body, to what we clean our homes with—nature provides.”

For more information about edits! and Dean’s chemical-free products and philosophy, visit edits! online at http://www.editsinteriors.com/ or email Dean at dean@editsinteriors.com

For more information about the ACHS Certificate in Aromatherapy, visit ACHS online at http://www.achs.edu/course-desc.aspx?pid=10&id=1

Watch us on Cape Town TV

This coming Monday morning the 18th of July 2011 @10:00 session 3 will be screened:

The Nutritional Puzzle 
Puzzling Plethora of Pills, Powders & Plants (Supplements)



Cape Town TV started broadcasting my DVD series Understanding The Health Puzzle. 


This is great news, as many people will now be able to get a better understanding of some challenging and sometimes confusing natural medicine related issues!


To watch it tune in to Cape Town TV. It is on at 10:00 on Monday mornings.

Here is a preview:


 
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