Tribe of Two = AjF + sLk

I am rather cautious and perhaps even reluctant when it comes to the combination of herbs and kidney. It just seems such a finicky organ, moody and hard to please! That is why I have chosen to tackle the maintenance of healthy cholesterol level and blood pressure.

Medicago sativa, or alfalfa as the Spanish adaptation of the Arab’s “al-fac-facah,” cleanses the liver and detoxifies the blood. It is used in Ayurvedic medicine to soothe ulcers, reduce arthritis and ease fluid retention. Alfalfa leaves help reduce blood cholesterol levels and clean plaque off one’s arterial walls. The sprouts have similar effects but to a lesser extent. The sprouts help neutralize carcinogens in the colon, binding them and speeding their elimination from the body. Alfalfa has been used to treat anemia, colitis, sciatica, and rheumatism. It is often used in conjunction with the following herbs: fenugreek, garlic, ginger, saffron, and tumeric.

Garlic is known to lower blood pressure as well as cholesterol. It is also helpful for chest infections (asthma, flu, colds, and ear infections) as well as intestinal worms and fungal infections. Seems to be an all-around safe herb but its “hotness” or spiciness may make higher dosage difficult to swallow. Consider garlic milk (3 – 5 cloves of garlic simmered for 20 minutes in 2 cups of milk, be a soy milk, nut milk, sheep milk or cow milk).

Dandelion root is a favorite in folk medicine. It is thought to have a tonic effect on the pancreas, spleen, liver, as well as female organs. Research shows that regular use help reduce blood cholesterol. The liver plays a crucial role in detoxification and nutrition, hence dandelion root is helpful in most chronic and wasting diseases, and helps the body to cope with harmful chemicals in pharmaceutical drugs.

Grapefruit is rich in vitamin C and potassium, pink fruit flesh indicates also a richness in vitamin A. Grapefruit is an excellent cleanser for the digestive and urinary systems, aids in the breakdown of fats in the body, and strengthens the respiratory system. Drinking grapefruit juice cleanses the kidneys, helps to eliminate toxins from the body, and promotes healthy skin. Grapefruit pith (a light substance that is found in vascular plants. It consists of soft, spongy parenchyma cells, and is located in the center of the stem) and membranes lower cholesterol in the blood.

Propolis is a type of bee-collected tree resin. It acts as an antibiotic and bactericide, and is a mixture of wax, resin, balsam oil, and pollen. It aids in the speedy healing of wounds and is rich in bioflavonoids. Propolis is also a natural anesthetic and reduces cholesterol levels in the blood.

Many trace minerals play important roles in keeping a healthy cholesterol level. Cobalt (found in leafy greens, meat, liver, milk, oysters and clams) aids in the synthesis of DNA and choline, reduce blood pressure, encourage a healthy nervous system, and help in the production of red blood cells). Chromium (found in wholegrain cereals, meat, cheese, brewer’s yeast, molasses, and egg yolk) controls levels of cholesterol in the blood. It also stimulates the synthesis of protein in the body, increases general resistence to infection, aids in the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats, and aids in the control and production of insulin. 25mcg is an adequate daily dosage, 200mcg is considered to be the maximum daily dosage. Vanadium (found in fish, parsley, radishes, strawberries, lettuce and cucumber) reduces high blood sugar by mimicking the effect of insulin on the cells. It also aids in the production of red blood cells and slows down cholesterol formation in blood vessels. Inositol (found in lethicin, liver, wheat germ, brown rice, citrus fruits, buts and cereals) helps dissolve fat, controls cholesterol in the blood, helps to encourage natural sleep and ensures healthy hair and strong nails, is not a true vitamin but forms part of the B-complex family of vitamins. Charcoal is a weird one. It has always been popular for dealing with flatulence, bloating, and irritable bowel syndrome. By soaking up / absorbing gas it also acts as an antacid. Charcoal can also be useful in the long-term management of kidney patients. It binds with cholesterol, toxins and waste in the intestines, which has a cleansing effect. Reduces the risk of atherosclerosis. Reduces cholesterol in the blood. One thing to watch out for is not to take other supplements or drugs within an hour of ingesting charcoal, because when activated, charcoal can bind with and inactivate other therapeutic substances. The first time I went to Copia, the American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts, there was one product that I bought and loved: the Charcoal Cracker made by Fine Cheese Co. I thought it was delicious (went perfectly with the Spanish pasteurized goat milk cheese payoyo) yet strange…. black, burnt… doesn’t that spell carcinogen? Cancer, hello?! Not quite. And because of its gas-soaking property, it is a winning cheese cracker especially amongst those who are lactose intolerant.

Other edibles that are both cholesterol lowering and delicious include oatmeal, apples, onions, and cold pressed extra virgin olive oil.

Cinnamon and coriander (cilantro seeds) are both spices that have strong health benefits including keeping a healthy cholesterol level. There is actually an Eight Flavors Teapill (八味地黃丸 or 桂附地黃丸）that has cinnamon and monkshood mother root (Aconitum carmichaeli Debx) in addition to the original six ingredients (see previous post). Interestingly, adding these two ingredients makes a formula that treats deficiency of the yang (suitable for 腎陽虛體質), while the original six flavors formula treats deficiency of the ying (suitable for 腎陰虛體質). I have been adding a combined ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon and coriander to Armando’s tea for the past two days. Even though the daily suggested use of cinnamon (for medicinal purposes) is ½ to 2 teaspoons, I think I’ll still take it out of the equation for the time being.

Because high blood pressure is often related to high stress level and nervous tension, calming scents such as lavender, sweet marjoram, and ylang ylang are considered to be beneficial to the hypertension-prone. Marjoram also has a tendency to ease headaches and migraines. They could be diffused or integrated into a custom massage oil.

Neroli and lemon are both essential oils used to treat hypertension. 

A remedy for hypertension with severe headache:

Hawthorne – strengthens the heart, lowers blood pressure, relaxes the arteries

Linden blossom – calming and soothing, strengthens the nerves, antispasmodic, diaphoretic

Yarrow – diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, styptic, gentle bitter tonic

Cramp bark – relaxant, antispasmodic, mildly sedative, encourages arteries to dilate

Valerian root – sedative, nerve restorative, calms the heart, antispasmodic, carminative

Wood betony – treats headaches and pain in the facial region, mild sedative, 

Potassium (found in fresh fruit and vegetables, particularly bananas) is an important mineral in our body (together with sodium and chloride to form electrolytes-the essential body salts that make up our body fluids). Potassium is a nerve conductor, vital for the beating of the heart, energy production, synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins, and the contraction of muscles; it also prevents and treats high blood pressure. Sweating can cause a loss of potassium, as do chronic diarrhea and diuretics. People taking certain drugs, including corticosteroids, high-dose penicillin, may suffer from potassium deficiency.