The Pine tree family is one of the biggest of the coniferous generas, with around 95 species and several more hybrids and varieties. They are mostly found in woods and often form dense forests, where loamy soils are abundant. The white pine, for instance, is plenty in eastern Canada, but pine can also grow in the likes of Alaska, Scandinavia, Siberia, Sumatra and Nicaragua. In fact, even in soils that at nutritionally inadequate, pine can thrive. In the United States, there are around 42 pine species unique to it, most of which were developed because of artificial planting.
The usual pine tree is around 20 to 40 meters high and has green-blue needles bound together in groups of five. Pine doesn't shed its leaves throughout the year but it seeds or cones riped come October. Pine is known by other common names, including Northern White Pine, Weymouth Tine, White Pine, Soft Pine, Weymouth's Kiefer (in Germany), and Tree of Green Peace, among others. A specie called Canary Island pine grows in the Canary Islands exclusively.
Pine's name was derived from the Greek word 'pitys', meaning fir or pine tree. The term 'strobus' was taken from the Latin 'strobilus', which means pine cone.
Indian tribes from North America were, perhaps, the first to recognize the medicinal value of white pine. The dried inner bark was brewed and used to treat mucous membrane-related illnesses, like sore throats, coughs and colds. They also used it as an expectorant and diuretic. The inner bark's extract was used to treat burns, boils and wounds. Its other parts were also used for consumption purposes.
Haudenosaunee Indians called it the tree of peace. It was used to represent the confederacy of the Haudenosaunee's five tribes, namely, the Onodaga, Cayuga, Seneca, Oneida, and Mohawk, with pine's five needles symbolizing each to make one unified Indian nation.
The British first used white pine for building ships and large houses. In 1605, Captain George Weymouth realized the potential of the plant and brought mastwood and seed samples back to the British Isles. However, England was an inconducive area for pine propogation so they were forced to grow pine at large volume in their American colonies, thus, giving birth to the white pine popularity of New England, where, in 1623, the first pine sawmill was put up in York, Maine. By 1820, Maine was called "The Pine Tree State".
Pine's inner bark has been used as tea or medication additive against cold-related congestion and cough, flu, laryngitis, bronchitis, and croup. Its sap is also used as poultice for sores, wounds, boils, splinters, rheumatism, and other types of inflammations. It’s still used as an ingredient in most cough syrups today.
And when the inner bark is crushed and made into paste, it can help remedy strong colds when rubbed onto the chest. Its twigs can also be used to remedy lung and kidney-related illnesses, as well as diabetes (when mixed with poplar bark, bearbery, and marshmallow). It should be noted, however, that the bark's syrup can also lead to an addiction because it has a high morphine content.
Aside from these, the turpentine by-product of the resin taken from Pinus strobus can function as a vermifuge, antiseptic, rubefacient and diuretic. It is a potent treatment for problems with the bladder and the kidney, and when rubbed into the skin or absorbed via a steam bath, you can also say goodbye to rheumatic pains. Its needles are also capable of healing sore throats because of their high vitamin C content. Even babies can benefit from powdered bark when it is rubbed into chafed skin.
Besides its medicinal features, pine can also be consumed. Its small seeds can be roasted, inner bark candied, youg catkins stewed, and needles made into tea.
At present, pine is dominant in the furniture and floor plank industry. Its sawdust and chips can also be used to produce distributor caps, asphalt tile, disc brakes, and tar paper. The needles may also be used to make green or tan dye, while it oleo-resin components have been found to be great waterproofing waxes.
And while research has yet to come up with conclusive evidence, stanol, one of the chemicals derived from pine, has also shown promise against lowering LDL or bad cholesterol levels in the blood.
Grape seed extract is exactly what it is, an extract derived from the seeds of grapes. These green, purple or red rounded small fruits that come with climbing vines can be found in Asia, particularly in areas near the Caspian Sea, in the eastern Mediterranean, transcaucasia and some areas in central Asia. The reason why they're also abundant in Europe and America now is because European settlers brought them over during the 1600s. It grows near streams and in humid forests.
When grapes proliferated in the west, apart from consumption, they were hybridized with the grapes native to North America to develop a type of grape that would be uninviting to the insect pest phylloxera, which at the time was the biggest enemy of local grape vineyards. Since then, grape vinifera varieties have been grafted with other kinds to combat the pest.
Going farther back, the nutritional and healing elements of grapes were already recognized by the Egyptions and the Greeks, who used it against many common ailments after converting it into wine form. In addition, the sap of vines were even used to relieve eye and skin irritations, as well as provide comfort against hemorrhoids, constipation, sore throats, and thirst. And though no laboratories were available at the time, grapes were consumed to treat the likes of smallpox, cholera, and cancer.
But it was in 1970 that French biochemist Dr. Jacques Masquelier saw the healing powers of grape seed itself. When he conducted a test on laboratory animals, he found that grape seed contains Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPCs), which aid in smoother blood circulation and in thwarting cardiovascular illnesses. OPCs are abundant in red grapes; that's why they say red wine is good for the heart.
The flavonoid-rich active compound in grape seed is claimed to be one of the most important natural products to be discovered in the last several years. These flavonoids are currently being touted as some of the most potent free radical scavengers.
The main merit of grape seed extract is its high flavonoid content. Flavonoids are known potent combatants against toxic free radicals, upon which the body's immune system and organ functions are fortified. Thus, grape seed extract is considered effective in helping lower LDL or bad cholesterol levels in the blood (through its chemical component resveratol), pancreatitis, high blood pressure, stomach, breast and lung cancer, erasing cellulite and other circulatory illnesses. Past researches even saw that grape seed could help hair growth, although this remains inconclusive until tested on humans.
One of the most common phytochemical flavonoids is Quercetin (a.k.a. meletin), which can be derived from green leafy vegetables, oniones, apples, green and black tea, beans, olive oil, nuts, cabbage, cauliflower, dark berries, grapes, dark cherries, and citrus fruits. In fact, it seems that quercetin is present in almost all the foods we eat, so finding it is not so difficult.
There are 5 hydroxyl and 3 rings under quercetin. It functions as an aglycone, which attaches to sugar molecules, perhaps that's why it's nearly in an edible produce. However, it has started being sold as a separate nutritional supplement because the blood does not absorb much of it.
It is also classified as a phytoestrogen.
As early as the 1930s scientists have already recognized the value of flavonoids in plants, but its use in traditonal natural medicine began centuries ago and has already spanned a number of cultures. Initially, quercetin gained credence as an alternative treatment after its use to lead to DNA mutations in bacteria, thus making scientists think it was contributing to cancer. Though it link with cancer remains inconclusive, the research found that it was rich in flavonoids, which is a cure to many other illnesses.
As with many other flavonoids, quercetin helps reduce LDL or bad cholesterol levels. But it is also a great anti-inflammatory aid, as it inhibits the likes of lipoxygenase enzymes and histamines. Quercetin has been best rated against prostatitis.
Other therapeutic claims of quercetin are against allergies, asthma, eye disorders, cardiovascular problems, hives, hay fever, arthritis, prostate malfunctions, fibromyalgia, dysentery, canker sores, diarrhea, and glycemic disorders.
Secale cereale L. is the young rye plant (from the Triticeae wheat family) from which rye grass extract (RGE) is taken from. RGE may be derived if the rye plant is harvested while it's still very green and growing at its peak. Australians are the key producers of RGE, which is currently sold as an over the counter supplement, with Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration approval, to temporarily provide relief for flus, sore throats, colds and cough.
The composition of RGE was first created by Dr. Rudolf Steiner in 1924, who came up with a biodynamic version of rye grass to help enrich the soil. The biodynamic version consists of the usual fatty acids, carbohydrates, proteins and amino acids, but more importantly for those who are searching for its therapeutic value, it contains sterolins, genistein, coenzyme Q10, matairesinol, beta-1, squalene, phytosterols and phytoestrogens.
While RGE was first recognized only in the 90s, rye as a food element has already been in effect since the Neolithic age, although radiocarbon tests say the focus then was mostly on its function as a grain, than chaff.
"Rye Grass Extract and HIV Disease: A Report of Five Cases" author Daniel Rubin, ND, found that rye's high genistein, phytoestrogen, squalene,3-glucan, matairesinol, etc. content create a powerful synergy that helps strengthen the immune system and, consequently, improve a person's general well being. His studies show that RGE can temper the ill side effects of HAART, or highly active anti-retroviral therapy. His confidence in RGE rose further after he received a letter from a physician from the East Coast, who said that all of the 47 HIV+ patients given RGE for eight months exhibited a drop in white blood cell counts.
When a double-blind experiment was conducted with the RGE Oralmat on 37 mild to moderate ashthma sufferers, those who had taken Oralmat showed significant positive changes in their abilities to engage in activities that require physical effort.
The polysaccharide beta-1, 3-glucan is usually taken from the cell walls of cereal and yeast fibers, such as barley, oat, wheat and medicinal mushrooms, like maitake. The key feature of this complex carbohydrate molecule is its ability to stimulate macrophage activity and boost immune cells.
Barley and oat contain both beta-1, 3-glucan and beta-1, 4-glucan, mushrooms and yeasts have beta-1, 3-glucan and beta-1, 6-glucan, while yeast derived products carry beta 1, 3/1, 6-glucan. Their properties are generally similar. It is also important to note that while beta-1, 3-glucan originates mostly from yeast, it does not have any yeast proteins.
Beta-1, 3-glucan is currently available as a supplement, either in liquid, tablet, or capsule form.
There has been a lot of research into the medicinal potential of beta-1, 3-glucan, but it was probably in the 1940's with Dr. Louis Pillemer and his team that its immune capabilities was first recognized. Dr. Pillemer conducted an experiment on the Zymosan and found that cell walls of baker's yeast has immunity boosting agents. But at the time, they weren't sure which component exactly, of lipids, polysaccharides, and proteins, was reponsible for the reaction.
So when Tulane University's Dr. Nicholas DiLuzio experimented on beta-1, 3-glucan in the 1960s, he found exactly which. He is the person attributable for the beta-1, 3-glucan we know today. These discoveries were furthered in the late 80s by Harvard University's Dr. Joyce Czop and his colleagues. They observed how beta-1, 3-glucan stirred the immune system through macrophages.
Human and animal trials on the compound began in the 70s, however, led by Dr. Peter Mansell, who found that the subcutaneous nodules found in a malignant melanoma cell had tempered after beta-1, 3-glucan was injected. Deeper observation showed that the melanoma cells had disappeared and were replaced by macrophages. In a separate research to test it on malignant ulcers in female breast cancer patients who just underwent radiation and mastectomy, they found that glucan had totally healed the ulcers.
A number of other studies were conducted in the years that followed, the most notable of which, perhaps, was in the 1980s, which revealed that beta-1, 3-glucan is also a potent HIV combatant.
Beta-1, 3-glucan is best known for its ability to fight cancer cells and modify biological reactions to certain harmful substances. By stimulating macrophages, beta-1, 3-glucan can help hasten the healing of sores and wounds and reduce inflammations. It is potent against a number of bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic illnesses, as well as cholesterol-inducing elements. And with the growing social trend to fight the effects of aging, beta-1, 3-glucan has also been the supplement of choice.
Those who exercise or engage in physical activity at lot (like athletes) can benefit greatly from taking beta-1, 3-glucan as it aids in fortifying their immunity and prevents illness.
Because of its ability to protect the immune system, beta-1,3-D-glucan may protect against the effects of aging. Studies done as early as the 1970s, have found that it can reduce the size of cancerous tumors in rats. Further investigation has shown beta-1,3-D-glucan to be a potent agent for healing sores and ulcers in women who have undergone mastectomies.
Squalene is a low density organic compound that is found mostly from shark liver oil, particularly Aizame sharks from the West Pacific. All higher organisms, humans included, produce squalene. Around 5% to 6% of human sebum is made up of squalene, which helps naturally moisturize the skin. Aside from these, it can also be found in plant sources, such as wheat germ, rice bran, yeast, and olives.
Squalene is actually lighter than water and has a specific gravity of only 0.8555. Aside from being used a capsule supplement to help reduce blood cholesterol levels, it is also being used for cosmetic products as moisturizer. Squalene is the precursor of steroids.
Several studies have already been conducted to attempt to confirm the medicinal benefits of squalene, but none so far have been performed on humans.
As mentioned, squalene's key feature is helping lower blood cholesterol levels. It does this by preventing 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity and, consequently, lowering the availability of farnesyl pyrophosphate, which is a contributor to certain cancers. Again, it is important to note that all these observations were based on animal tests and that no human trials have been conducted to date.
Despite that, squalene as a supplement is widely distributed today. It is said that its ability to absorb oxygen and quickly distribute it to the rest of the body is what makes it an excellent immune system booster. And because it also has antioxidative effects, it has the potential of combating certain types of cancer. Patients with diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure are the key markets of squalene, though anybody is also welcome to take it. Squalene supplements are also ingested to achieve a glowing and clear complexion.
Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, is a vitamin-like compound that can be found in most common foods, like beef, spinach, peants, soybeans, sardines, vegetable oil, and mackerel. They can also be derived from organ meats, like kidneys, liver, and heart.
Because Coenzymes are smaller than enzymes, which are found in protein cells within the body, they are easily absorbed by the blood. Daily CoQ10 requirements needed by the body can be obtained by simply eating balanced diets, but people who need special doses of CoQ10 will benefit greatly from supplements.
In 1957, Wisconsin doctor Frederick Crane first recognized CoQ10 when it was isolated from mitochondria from beef heart. Shortly after, England's Professor Morton's experiment on rat liver again identified coQ10 and called it ubiquinone (ubiquitous quinone).
The next year, Merck, Inc.'s Professor Karl Folkers and his colleagues broke down CoQ10 and named is components, which included 2,3 dimethoxy-5 methyl-6 decaprenyl benzoquinone, which, when synthesized and fermented resulted in CoQ10. Other versions of CoQ10 when then used in the years following to treat the likes of congestive heart failure (Japan and Italy). But it was only in the mid-70s that it was produced as CoQ10 itself and distributed for commercial use.
Awards received for advancements and new discoveries on the therapeutic and medicinal potential of CoQ10 included Peter Mitchell's 1978 Nobel Prize which elevated CoQ10's role in the transfer of energy systems in the body, and Professor Karl Folkers' National Medal of Science from President Bush in 1990 and the American Chemical Society's Priesty Medal in 1986.
CoQ10 acts as an antioxidant, which helps eliminate damaging compounds called free radicals in the body. These free radicals damage cell membranes and DNA and even cause cell death, which eventually leads to a number of illnesses. CoQ10's antioxidant properties boost cell energy and serve as a shield against many ailments. In fact, a research conducted in Melbourne, Australia even said that CoQ10 had the ability to make "old hearts young again."
But apart from its immune boosting abilities, CoQ10 has also been used to combat aging, as well as neurodegenerative illnesses, like Parkinson's disease and Huntington's. It has also been used against high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart damage due to chemotherapy, breast cancer, periodontal or gum disease, stroke, and Alzheimer's.
Genistein is flavonoid that is particularly under the isoflavone family and classified as a phytoestrogen. These are nonsteroidal plant compounds that mimic the biological nature of estrogens. It's key source is glucoside genistin, but it can also be derived from chickpeas, legumes, soybeans, and other soy products like tofu, miso, and tempeh. The production of genistein from genistin occurs in the intestines, particularly through bacterial enzymes, and the stomach, via acid hydrolysis.
The use of soybeans perhaps started in Asia more than 5,000 years ago as food. How soybeans came to be and where it really originated remains unanswered to date but a lot of scientists assume that it is abundant in central China, under the legume family called Glycine ussuriensis. Soy is not only used to feed livestock. Over the past years, it has also been recognized as a vital health drink by millions of people because of its high protein content.
According to research, genistein contains powerful agents that help inhibit and kill cancer cells. This claim remains inconclusive to date and studies to finalize this contention are ongoing.
However, it is really genistein's antioxidative effect that has made it a popular natural remedy option. With its nature as an isoflavone, it is able to thwart the spread of carcinogenic cells and block the creation of new blood vessels. It has been found that people who consume large amounts of soy and soy based foods lowered their risk of developing prostate, breast, endometrial, and colon cancers, as well as reduce the discomforts of menopause and hot flushes. It is considered safe for human use.
Matairesinol is a plant-based compound belonging to the class of lignans and is usually found with isoflavones, which share most of its features. Lignans are alcohols that come from lignans-polysaccharides, which work with cellulose to create plant-cell walls. Lignans are commonly found in various plants, including sesame seeds, broccoli, flax seeds, berries, pumpkin seeds, beans, rye, and soybeans.
Lignans from plants are extracted from phenylalanine by dimerizating substituted cinnamic alcohols into dibenzylbutane skeleton, which is then catalyzed by oxidative enzymes and regulated by dirigent proteins. Lignans and isoflavones are the two key classes of phytoestrogens.
Matairesinol can be found in plants that are high in dietary fiber. This feature makes it very easy to absorbed by the body, apart from being metabolized by enteric bacteria into enterodiol and enterolactone. The use of lignans, matairesinol in particular, has been found to help shield the body against oxidative injury. Certain researches have also associated it with a lower risk of breast cancer.
Diets rich in foods that have plant lignans have repeatedly been linked with reductions in cardiovascular disease risk. However, it is also possible that numerous nutrients and phytochemicals found in these foods contribute to their cardioprotective effects.