What is a Herb?

"An infusion can be prepared in a drinking cup (by just pouring the heated water over the Herb in the cup) or by dropping the Herb into the pot in which the water was heated. Empty gauze tea bags are even available at some Herb stores; these bags can be filled with Herbs and then sealed with an iron. If an infusion is prepared in the heating pan or pot, it is best to use a ceramic pot with a lid (avoid metal pots). Stir the preparation a few times while steeping, especially if you are using cut Herbs, and keep the infusion covered. Do the research required to find a good herbal supplier. Ask questions and make sure you are obtaining the correct species of plant, and one that has been sustainably harvested."

- Leslie Taylor, ND, The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs: A Guide to Understanding and Using Herbal Medicinals

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What is Coleus Forskohlii?

Habitat:

Coleus is a hardy plant, growing on the dry slopes of the lower Himalayas and the plains in Uttar Pradesh, Northern India, it. However, coleus has long been cultivated in India and Thailand, including other parts of South East Asia.

Description:

Coleus is a member of the Lamiaceae family, more commonly known as the mint family. Plants in this group have a stem that is square in shape and are usually extremely fragrant due to their large amounts of essential oil. Coleus is a fleshy, perennial herb, which has an aroma similar to camphor; its spiked flowers are typical of the mint family. Unlike other Lamiaceae herbs; the principal part used medicinally is coleus’ pale fibrous roots.

Plant Parts Used:

The Root.

Therapeutic Uses of Coleus forskohlii, Benefits and Claims

Coleus is a not a particularly remarkable plant to look at, yet is has a 3000 year history in Ayurvedic medicine and is mentioned in ancient Sanskrit texts as a tonic for healthy heart and lungs.

Today, coleus is not just a herb for cardiovascular ailments but is increasingly being used to assist weight loss by breaking down adipose tissue and preventing production of fatty tissue. In addition, coleus mildly stimulates the metabolism by increasing thyroid hormones and increases the secretion of insulin. These therapeutic indications for coleus are due to its principal active compound, a diterpenoid called forskolin. This is the only plant derived compound known to directly stimulate the enzyme, adenlylate cyclase, and in turn, stimulates cellular cyclic AMP which boosts our metabolism.

Coleus forskohlii preparations used as eye drops are known to reduce eye pressure in glaucoma.
Like all good tonics, coleus directly stimulates digestion and is thought to assist in the absorption of nutrients in the small intestine.

Increased cellular cyclic AMP reduces histamine, making coleus beneficial in the treatment of allergies. Coleus is also a bronchodilator with an anti-histamine action, making it useful in treating asthma.

Conditions such as hypothyroidism, eczema, psoriasis are also improved by using coleus; largely due to its ability to increase cyclic AMP.

Popular herb for angina and for the health of the hearth. Coleus increases stroke volume, which is the amount of blood pumped in each heart beat, and reduces the risk of blood clots, coleus lowers high blood pressure by acting to relax the arterial walls.

Indian and Chinese studies in the last two years have isolated a number of diterpenoids in the stem and leaves of coleus forskohlii with a focus on treatment of gastric cancer and preventing metastatic (secondary) cancers. These have been carried out on animal models with considerable success.

Potential Side Effects of Coleus Forskohlii

Care should be used when using coleus with any medication to control asthma or cardiac disease. It is essential to consult your health care professional when altering medications and to thoroughly investigate how medications may interact with each other. If you take blood pressure and heart medications such as beta-blockers, clonidine, hydralazine you should only take coleus under the guidance of a physician. Similarly, blood thinners, including warfarin and heparin warrant coleus to be taken with caution under your physician’s care.

Therapeutic Dosages

Recommended dosage of coleus forskohlii is 50mg two to three times daily.

http://www.herbal-supplement-resource.com/coleus-forskohlii.html

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What is a Herb?

Herbs can reduce the side effects of certain medications, for example. But while some herbal and nutritional treatments interact beneficially with prescription drugs, others have negative interactions. Herbal therapy is often recommended for treating chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, memory problems, and arthritis. It's also helpful for acute illnesses such as colds and for healing skin, muscle, or other problems. Herbal Therapy IS IT SAFE? Just because Herbs are natural does not mean that they are always safe. While some people may assume that if a little bit of an Herb is good, more must be better, the fact is that large doses of Herbs may cause problems."

- Bill Gottlieb, Alternative Cures: The Most Effective Natural Home Remedies for 160 Health Problems

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What is a herb?

"Oriental Herbs are a recent addition to the American Herb scene, with the influx of several popular Chinese Herbs. The Chinese are today's foremost herbalists, drawing on thousands of years of experience in compounding and processing roots and Herbs. In the Asian tradition, Herbs are used to bring the whole body into balance and harmony. They are taken daily as a preventive measure, rather than as a treatment once illness has occurred. In the Orient, medicinal Herbs often find their way into foods as seasoning and ingredients."

- Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 4th Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements

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What is a Herb?

Herb stores often carry simple machines for putting herbal powders into capsules efficiently.

They also usually offer Herbs in ready-made capsules, pills, and fluid extracts.

Dosage: If capsules, pills, or tablets are used, take approximately 3,000 milligrams (3 grams) of Herbs three times daily between meals, followed with water. Note: a size #0 capsule holds approximately 400-450 milligrams of herbs; a #00, 500-600 milligrams; and a #000,650-850 milligrams. The higher milligram weights are for denser Herbs, primarily barks, seeds, and roots. Tinctures are extracts of Herbs in alcohol or another medium."

- Paul Pitchford, Healing with Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition

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Job Strain and Heart Health

Women with high job strain may have an increased risk of heart disease, researchers reported at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2010.

Job strain was defined as having a stressful job, but having little-to-no decision-making authority or opportunity to use one’s creative skills.

In situations of stress, there is increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system, which leads to the "fight or flight" response. Physiological changes include increased heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate and blood supply to the muscles, as well as dilated pupils. It has been proposed that frequent stressful situations may lead to negative health effects, such as high blood pressure, increased cholesterol levels, gastrointestinal distress and a weakened immune system.

In the recent study, which was funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), researchers analyzed data from 17,415 healthy women who participated in the landmark Women’s Health Study. Most participants were Caucasian, and their average age was 57. The women answered questions about their job strain and job security. They were followed for more than 10 years and monitored for the development of heart disease.

The researchers found that women who reported high levels of job strain had a 40 percent increased risk of heart disease, including heart attacks, ischemic strokes, coronary artery bypass surgery or balloon angioplasty and death. When looking at specific heart problems, the researchers found that high job strain was linked to an 88 percent increased risk of heart attack and a 43 percent increased risk of having bypass surgery or another invasive heart procedure.

The researchers also found that job insecurity may also be linked to heart disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure, increased body weight and high cholesterol.

For more information about work-life balance, please visit Natural Standard’s Health & Wellness database.

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