Herbs & Inflammation

1. Herbs & Inflammation How the home herbalist can treat chronic inflammation in the kitchen! The Heritage Herb Club July 13, 2014

2. Herbs & Inflammation Marie Totten, Facilitator • Geeky software trainer by day • Program Chair, Heritage Herb Club • Passionate, practicing herbalist • Humble student of all things herbal Goals & objectives • Heritage Herb Club • “…purpose of learning more about medicinal, floral, and culinary herbs.” • April 2014 surveys reveal desire on part of members for more programs about medicinal & therapeutic use of herbs in home health care Please ask questions throughout the program!

3. Herbs & Inflammation:Today’s Workshop We’ll Learn: • What is inflammation • Why take the herbal path • Three ways to prepare different herbal treatments at home – easily & inexpensively • Safety! Dosages & Contra-indications We’ll Get To: • See demonstrations, touch materials & taste preparations! • Take knowledge quiz & survey via email • Keep handouts & job aids • Make off with bags of goodies used in workshop Have fun!

4. Inflammation: Why it’s in the news • Chronic inflammation • Root of many ailments that plague us: • Arthritis, joint pain • Skin problems – eczema, acne, psoriasis • Cardiovascular disease • Even cancer • The kitchen herbalist can reduce - even reverse – conditions caused by inflammation

5. Inflammation: What is it? • Lots of notoriety… Is it all bad? • Core of body’s healing & immune response • When something harmful or irritating affects body • Blood flow increases to that area • Healing proteins & white blood cells Without inflammation, wounds & infections would never heal!

6. Inflammation: My Story • Diagnosed with chronic, disfiguring acne • Constant stomach distress • Misdiagnosed with dairy allergy • Mysterious rashes, hives • Wheat allergy • Early onset of arthritis, joint pain “We can do so much to shift the course of our health by just eating an anti-inflammatory diet!” - Julie Daniluk

7. Chronic Inflammation • Immune system’s response • Out of control • Cellular & chemical warfare on body • Stresses & injures cells • Causes malfunction & aging • Triggers disease

8. Inflammation: The Herbal Path • We all eat • Primary way to ease chronic inflammation is diet • Inexpensive • Materials are all at the market! • No prescriptions needed • No doctor visits or surgery • Prevention & Healing • Most herbs are anti-inflammatory • Many herbs are also antimicrobial

9. Contraindications Medical Definitions • Contraindication: In medicine, acontraindication is a condition or factor that serves as a reason to withhold a certain medical treatment. • There are two types of contraindications: • Relative contraindication means that caution should be used when two drugs or procedures are used together. It is acceptable to do so if the benefits outweigh the risk. • Absolute contraindication means that event or substance could cause a life-threatening situation. A procedure or medication that falls under this category should be avoided.

10. Remember “Any therapy, even herbal, that exerts a biologic effect is, by definition, a drug and can have toxicity.”

11. What Causes Inflammation? • Sugar & processed foods • Anything that causes a fast spike in blood sugar levels • Stevia & coconut sugar don’t raise blood sugar levels as much • Raw honey & maple syrup are good options • Chemicals in environment • For some, dairy & too much red meat • Heavy metals • Stress • Aggravated by lack of sleep

12. What to Eat • Kale & bitter vegetables • Spinach, radishes, mustard greens, dandelion • Brightly colored organic fruits & vegetables • Blueberries, red bell peppers, strawberries • Grass-fed beef • Rich in omega-e fatty acids, B vitamins, selenium & zinc

13. What to Eat • Green Tea • Unfermented leaves are high in antioxidants, catechins • EGCC (epigallocatechingallate) blocks overproduction of pro-inflammatory substances • Reduced risk heart disease & stroke • Lower cholesterol levels • Lower rates of cancer “Drink organic, whole-leaf green tea to get the full benefits!”

14. What to Eat • Mushrooms • Only vegetable source of vitamin D, hormone with key role in immune health • Inhibits chronic inflammatory response • Asthma • Arthritis • Prostate cancer • 1 Cup = 400 IU of vitamin D • What kind? • Creminis • Shitakes • Oyster • Even humble buttons!

15. What to Eat • Oregano • Contains rosmarinic acid, rich in antioxidants • Particularly effective against infections • Gum disease • Arthritis • Alzheimer’s disease • Fresh is best • Oreganol (oil of oregano) • Contraindication: Do not ingest oil of oregano if taking blood thinners or if pregnant

16. Oil of Oregano • Found on Amazon, Whole Foods • Amazing anti-microbial • Helps rid gum disease, inflammation • Gum wash • Using dropper, place three drops in mouth under tongue. Use saliva to swish around mouth for 1 minute, moving to coat gums thoroughly. Spit out (DO NOT SWALLOW!) and rinse mouth several time with water. If any is swallowed, drink at least eight ounces of water.

17. Ginger & Turmeric • Powerful anti-inflammatory agents • Get them into diet every day • Ginger: Can take powdered ginger in capsules – ideal for those with inflammatory conditions • Turmeric: Most exciting medicinal herb being studied today • Anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, reduces risk of Alzheimer’s • Indians eat turmeric at every meal “India has the lowest rate of Alzheimer’s disease in the world!” Andrew Weil, M.D.

18. What to Eat • Ginger • Bitter herbs, horseradish • Contains potent anti-inflammatories • Help prevent manufacture of prostaglandins & leukotrinenes, which trigger inflammation • Reduces swelling & pain associated with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis • Contraindication: Less than 1 tspn day if on blood thinners Coming up: turmeric tea with ginger!

19. What to Eat • Turmeric • Inhibits eicosanoids, molecules which play key role in inflammatory response • Active ingredient – curcumin • Reduces levels of C-reactive protein, linked to arthritis & cardiovascular disease • Another study: inhibits formation of inflammatory plaque associated with early-stage Alzheimer’s • Add to 1 teaspoon turmeric to soups, stews & bean dishes • Supplements: 400 – 600 mg, 3x day recommended • Contraindications: • Curcumin: Gallstones, bile duct dysfunction, pregnant • Unlikely to cause side effects if ingested in turmeric form “Incorporating turmeric into diet safer than taking curcumin supplements, especially if pregnant” – Dr. Michael Greger, M.D., NutritionFacts.org

20. More on Turmeric • Traditional Indian diets: one teaspoon per day dried turmeric, or equivalent of half of whole, fresh turmeric root • Naturally anti-inflammatory • Natural liver detoxifier • Natural antiseptic, anti-bacterial • Natural pain killer • Aids in fat metabolism, weight loss • Soothes upset stomach • Helps body digest protein • Helps fight flu symptoms

21. Turmeric Tea 3 Heaped Teaspoons Turmeric (or 6 one-inch pieces, peeled) 1 Heaped Teaspoon Ground Cloves 2 Teaspoons Ground Cardamom 2 Teaspoons Cinnamon 2 Teaspoons Ground Ginger (or 4 Tspns fresh chopped) 3 pints filtered water (1.5 Liters) • Simmer 10 minutes • Pour through strainer • Add almond milk (or hemp milk, coconut milk, etc.) and raw honey or maple syrup to taste • Enjoy!

22. Turmeric Smoothie Inflammation-Fighting Golden Turmeric Smoothie 1 cup unsweetened, plain coconut milk (or almond, hemp or rice milk) 3-4 ice cubes (optional) 1/2 tsp. organic turmeric powder or 1 tsp. fresh grated turmeric root 1 tsp. organic coconut oil Generous dash of vanilla Maple syrup or coconut sugar to taste Dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, cardamom (optional) Directions • Place all ingredients in a blender, including ice. • Blend on high for 10 — 20 seconds until thoroughly mixed and ice has been crushed. • Pour through strainer. Drink immediately or refrigerate for up to three days. Source: MindBodyGreen.com

23. Ginger & Turmeric Sources • Whole ginger root & whole turmeric root • Best place: India Bazaar • Address: 832 W Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano, TX • http://www.indiabazaardfw.com/ • 8 a.m. – 11 p.m., every day of the week! • Dried ginger & dried turmeric • Whole Foods, buy in bulk • Indian or Asian markets

24. Other Sources • Herbs & loose leaf teas • MountainRoseHerbs.com • Amazon • Coconut Oil • Organic, cold press • Artisana brand, on Amazon, Whole Foods, Sprouts • Go organic with all materials when possible

25. Further Reading • Healing with Whole Foods – Paul Pitchford • Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D. • http://www.drweil.com/ • Dr. Michael Greger, M.D. • http://NutritionFacts.org • Well-Being Journal • http://WebMD.com • http://MindBodyGreen.com

26. Thank You! • Heritage Herb Club Board • Members & participants • Hippocrates It has been my honor to share this program with you today!

27. Questions? Facilitator Contact Info: Marie Totten 469-271-9862 tottenmp@gmail.com • See handouts for recipes, source documentation & further reading • Please take our knowledge quiz • Memory test: Survey upcoming next month