Herbal Ed’s Blog

I am on a mission to dispel the modern herbal myth that people should not take the herb Echinacea for long periods of time because its immune-enhancing activity diminishes with repeated and continuous dosing. Unfortunately this misinformation has now become “common knowledge,” although it has never been scientifically or clinically proven. This myth evolved from the “theory” that because Echinacea “stimulates” the immune system its continuous use will cause the immune system to “fatigue” and diminish its activity. Interestingly, the medical and pharmacological researchers of Echinacea do not refer to the herb as an immuno-STIMULANT, but instead use the term immuno-MODULATOR, which much better describes Echinacea’s pharmacodynamics.

Extensive medical and pharmacological research on Echinacea has revealed multiple immuno-modulating actions (e.g., increases phagocytic action of immune cells, enhances the properdin/complement system, enhances production of alpha-1 & -2 gamma globulins, inhibits hyaluronidase enzyme activity and enhances polymerization of hyaluronic acid, enhances wound healing by augmenting growth of healthy new connective tissue, increases killer T-cell production, inhibits tumor growth, is anti-inflammatory, increases interferon levels and is thereby anti-viral, and more). However, all this research has never shown any evidence which indicates that any of these immuno-modulating actions are decreased by continued use of Echinacea.

But let’s set science aside for a moment and look at Echinacea’s clinical use by the Eclectic physicians who practiced medicine from the mid-1880s until the 1930s. Tens of thousands of Eclectic physicians prescribed hundreds of millions of doses of Echinacea for many decades and yet in their voluminous medical texts and journals they never once mentioned anything about diminished curative success with Echinacea (for any reason). If they did indeed see such, one would assume it would have been mentioned in their literature at least once, if not scores of times. And while their empirical evidence cannot be considered scientific proof, I have much confidence in the bedside experience of these physicians who “saw it all.”

I have offered a friendly challenge to several prominent herbalists and herbal authors who claim Echinacea’s immuno-activity diminishes with continuous use. I’ve asked them to supply at least one reference that supports their claim — either from modern medical research, or from the Eclectic or Physiomedicalist literature, or from traditional folk medicine sources. So far no one has been able to supply even one reference. For me, I have to have something in order to believe — either modern scientific evidence or historical references, and definitely more than theory and conjecture alone. What I do know for sure is that Echinacea “works” — and does its immunomodulating job dose, after dose, after dose, after …

Alteratives and depuratives, which are known in traditional folk medicine as blood purifiers, are a very important class of herbs in botanical medicine. These herbs generally act through the lymphatic, glandular and mucous membrane systems, and to a lesser degree through the skin. Their primary action is to favorably alter disordered metabolic and catabolic processes, especially those associated with the breakdown and elimination of metabolic waste. Their related secondary action is to enhance better overall absorption and assimilation of nutrients. Collectively these metabolic and catabolic activities serve to balance and normalize overall physiological chemistry and thereby restore vital health.

Here I will detail a few of my favorite alterative/depurative herbs, which are Echinacea, Burdock, Wild Indigo, Dandelion and Turmeric, and I will list others for further study.

Alteratives and depuratives are indicated in cases of retrograde metabolism, which are constitutional disorders associated with tardy breakdown and excretion of metabolic waste, deterioration of normally healthy tissues and slow reconstruction of new tissues. These indications are sometimes associated with a condition known as cachexia, which is a constitutional disorder attended with loss of vitality and strength, loss of appetite, weight loss, and general debility, usually during chronic disease. Alteratives and depuratives are also indicated in a similar condition to cachexia known as dyscrasia, which was traditionally described as a depraved state of the humors and a morbid condition, especially one that involves imbalance of component elements. So-called “wasting diseases” like AIDS and cancer are examples of cachexia and dyscrasia.

Although Echinacea is stereotyped as an “immune system herb,” it is also an excellent alterative and depurative and is especially indicated in lymphatic and glandular swellings and what traditional folk medicine refers to as “bad blood,” which includes conditions like measles, boils and other skin eruptions, swollen lymph glands, and cold, bluish skin.

Another great herb in this category is Burdock, of which I use a 50/50 combination of the root and the seed. Burdock is an excellent restorative cleanser/ detoxifier for the liver and kidneys and is especially indicated in chronic cutaneous lesions like eczema and psoriasis. Burdock also soothes and cleanses the lymphatic vessels, serous membranes, and mucous membranes and is indicated in inflammation and congestion of bronchial tissue.

Wild Indigo fresh root is another great alterative/depurative, but it must be used with caution and in moderation because of its strong action. Wild Indigo is useful in treating deep-seated, chronic and sub-acute inflammations and infections, and any associated indolent, slow-healing wounds or ulcerations – especially those with fetor and bluish edges, which indicate stagnant blood. Wild Indigo is best taken in smaller doses and along with doses of Echinacea and plenty of water.

One of my all time favorite alterative/depurative herbs is Dandelion, of which I prefer using the whole fresh plant with its root, leaves and flowers. Dandelion is an effective but gentle-acting detoxifier of the liver and kidneys, and thereby is also useful in the treatment of various oily and eruptive conditions of the skin, such as acne and sebaceous cysts. Dandelion is also a mild stimulant of bowel elimination and is especially indicated in treating chronic constipation of the elderly.

Turmeric rhizome, the spice which gives mustard and curry powders their bright yellow color, is also an excellent liver alterative/depurative, which stimulates the production and flow of liver bile. However, Turmeric tends to act more strongly than Dandelion and, therefore, it should be used in somewhat smaller doses. This herb/spice is indicated in congested liver and gallbladder, gallstones, cholesterol problems and chronic constipation. Also, new scientific research is justifying Turmeric’s uses in Traditional Ayurvedic Medicine as an anti-inflammatory and as an adjunct treatment for topical and internal cancers.

Some other alterative/depurative herbs of interest are Chickweed, Cleavers, Gotu Kola, Holy Basil, Prickly Ash, Myrrh, Celery root and seed, Sassafras, Spilanthes, Blue Flag and Yellow Dock.

Remember that a true alterative/depurative herb is one that not only cleanses and detoxifies, but also facilitates proper nutrient assimilation and which has a normalizing action on overall physiology.

Lately I’ve been receiving many queries about which herbs can be used in the prevention and treatment of Avian Flu (a.k.a. The Bird Flu). There is no definitive answer to this question, nor am I able to locate any scientific research on this subject. However, as herbalists are always doing, we can look back in history for some possible answers.

During the pandemic of 1918-19 over 50-million people died worldwide from what was then know as “Spanish Flu” or “La Grippe.” This was the most devastating epidemic in recorded history and infected one-fifth of the world’s population. An estimated 28% of the American population was infected and 675,000 died during the pandemic. Of the U.S. soldiers who died in Europe during World War I, half died from the influenza pandemic and not from the enemy. In the USA influenza had a mortality rate of 2.5%, with many people dying within hours of manifesting symptoms.

One herb that appears to have been very successfully used by Nevada Native Americans during this pandemic was the root of Lomatium dissectum, which at the time was named Leptotaemia dissecta. This use of Lomatium was observed by Dr. Ernest Krebs and is reported by him below.

The following is verbatim from: Bulletin of the Nevada State Board of Health, No. 1, Carson City, Nevada, January, 1920.

AN INDIAN REMEDY FOR INFLUENZA
In publishing this paper the State Board of Health does not give its endorsement to the remedy until it has had further trial. We merely present the facts as stated by Dr. Krebs, with the idea of giving the matter publicity and encouraging others to give it a trial.

During the fall of 1918 when the influenza epidemic visited this section of Nevada, the Washoe Indian used a root in the treatment of their sick which was gathered along the foot-hills of this slope of the Sierra. The plant proved to be a rare species of the parsley family (Leptotaemia dissecta), according to a report from the University of California. The Indians gather this root in the late fall, November being considered the proper month for gathering. The root is used in the fresh or dry state. It is cut up and a decoction is made by boiling the root in water, skimming off the top and giving large doses of the broth. A pound of root is considered about the proper dose to treat a case of fever for three days, which is the longest time needed to break up a fever due to influenza or a pulmonary disease, although the Washoes used it as a panacea. Whether a coincidence or not, there was not a single death in the Washoe tribe from influenza or its complications, although Indians living in other parts of the State where the root did not grow died in numbers. It was such a remarkable coincidence that the root was investigated by a practicing physician who saw apparently hopeless cases recover without any other medication or care of any kind. A preparation was prepared and employed in a great many cases among the whites, from the mildest to the most virulent types of influenza, and it proved, among other things, that it is the nearest approach we have today to a specific in epidemic influenza and the accompanying pneumonia. Where used early it proved itself to be a reliable agent in preventing pulmonary complications. Other physicians were induced to give it a trial, with the same results. It is beyond the experimental stage, as its therapeutic action in this direction is established and beyond any doubt. The cases in which it has been used run into the hundreds. There is probably no therapeutic agent so valuable in the treatment of influenzal pneumonia and, as far as being tried, in ordinary lobar pneumonia if started early. Its action on coughs is more certain than the opiate expectorants and its benefit is lasting. It acts as a powerful tonic to the respiratory mucous membranes. It is a bronchial, intestinal and urinary antiseptic and is excreted by these organs. It seems to stimulate the pneogastries (sic) and causes a slow pulse with increased volume and reduced tension. It is a pronounced diaphoretic and somewhat diuretic, and it is a stimulating and sedative expectorant. In large doses it is a laxative, and in extreme doses emetic. To make a therapeutically active preparation, the proper variety of the root must be selected in the late fall and properly cured out of the sun. Its active principles must be extracted with as little as possible of the objectionable constituents. The active principles of the root are decidedly complex. It contains a glucoside (as its solutions precipitate copper from Fehling’s solution). It contains one or more alkaloids and an acid analogous to benzoic acid, one or more volatile and fixed oils, a resin and a gum. It can be seen from this that it resembles a balsam from the fact that it contains an oleogumresin and an acid besides alkaloids and glucosides. One can at once appreciate the fact that a reliable pharmaceutical preparation representing the action of the root is not readily made. The volatile oil, which is one of the principal therapeutic agents, is lost in making a decoction. This particular variety of Leptotaemia is not as common as believed as some, and it is this particular variety that has medicinal or therapeutic virtues. It grows in dry sandy soil, as a rule, under or between tall sagebrush or greasewood. The plant grows from two to four feet high and has a blossom similar to wild parsnip and leaves like a carrot. It is a perennial, and the older roots frequently weigh from two to six pounds. It sprouts early in April, blooms in May, seeds in June, and withers in July. A number of trials in transplanting the root have been made, but none were successful. Leptotaemia dissecta is destined to become one of the most useful if not the most important addition to our vegetable materia medica.
ERNST T. KREBS, M.D. Carson City, Nevada

I was first introduced to Lomatium root in 1978 by the venerable naturopathic physician, Dr. John Bastyr. He told me that for many years he would hike into the Cascade Mountains of eastern Washington to harvest the Lomatium root that he used in his medical practice. However, his old age was preventing him from making his yearly harvest and he suggested that I harvest the root, prepare it as a fresh (undried) root tincture, and sell it through my newly established herb business, Herb Pharm. I took his advice and soon was selling pints and quarts of this powerful remedy to Dr. Bastyr and other naturopathic doctors.

Dr. Bastyr shared with me stories of his successful clinical use of Lomatium as an anti-viral in the treatment of colds, flu, pneumonia, and other related maladies. At the time, very few people knew of Lomatium, but Dr. Bastyr’s teachings kept knowledge of this herb alive among naturopathic doctors and medical students, and I and a few other herbalists (e.g., Michael Moore) spread the word to our herb students, patients and customers. Today Lomatium is well know among American naturopathic doctors and clinical herbalists and is available in many natural foods and herb stores.

Lomatium is a reasonably safe herb to use internally but it can rarely cause a troublesome side effect. Patients who take large or long-continued doses of Lomatium can sometimes develop an annoying skin rash. This rash can be minor and only affect a small area of skin, or it can be painful and cover the whole body. However, practitioners who have seen this rash say that discontinuing the intake of Lomatium right away will cause the rash to disappear within 1 to 7 days with no ill or lasting effects. I’ve heard of cases of this rash being treated by cortisone, but evidently with no positive effect. Discontinuing the herb and time seem to be the best remedy. I want to emphasize here that developing a rash from taking Lomatium is not that common — although it does happen.

The recommended dose of a Lomatium fresh-root tincture (1:2) is 20 to 30 drops, which can be taken in water at 2 or 3 doses per day.

CAUTION: The above information is for historical purposes only. There is no scientific evidence that Lomatium could be effective in the treatment of Avian Flu or any other disease. Avian flu, pneumonia and other serious diseases should be treated by a qualified healthcare practitioner.

The placement of live maggots into an infected open wound in order to heal it may seem like barbaric superstition, but this ancient therapy is now being proven and embraced by modern medicine. Here’s how it works: The larvae of certain flies (maggots) are placed into an open wound where they feed on necrotic (dead) tissue, cellular debris, and serous drainage (exudate). The maggots are also able to disinfect the wound by eating pathogenic bacteria, which are then destroyed in the maggot’s fore-stomach. By way of these processes the maggots can actually clean and debride an infected wound (eliminate necrotic tissue) better than the most skilled physician, because only the bacteria and necrotic tissue is removed and the proximate healthy tissue remains unharmed. However, debridement by a physician is necessary for wounds containing materials like dirt, gravel, broken glass, etc. which maggots cannot remove.

This is all very amazing by itself, but here’s where Nature really performs her alchemic magic: when the ingested decaying tissue is digested in the maggot’s gut it is transformed into a chemical compound called allantoin that stimulates the generation of new, healthy tissue and thereby facilitates rapid and optimal healing of the wound. In other words, maggots can turn dead, rotting flesh into a tissue- regenerating vulnerary (wound healing substance) that is then deposited back onto the wound as “healing poop.”

Allantoin is a cell proliferating agent that is found in maggot secretions, as well as breast milk, amniotic fluid, fetal urine, urine of pregnant women, wheat germ, rice polishings, aloe vera gel and plantain leaf, and it is especially concentrated in comfrey root. In modern medicine allantoin is being used in the treatment of skin ulcers, wounds and abrasions, fissures, burns, carbuncles, acne and other skin eruptions, impetigo, eczema, and psoriasis. Also, allantoin is an ingredient in many cosmetics.

Comfrey root (Symphytum officinale) has long been used in folk medicine to heal various wounds, and especially in the healing of broken bones. In fact, an old folk name for comfrey was “knit bone.” Allantoin is found in the flower, leaf and stem of comfrey plants, but it is especially concentrated in the root.

Comfrey root is a key ingredient in my Herbal Ed’s Salve that I have been making and using for almost 30 years. During this time I have seen this salve and other comfrey root preparations rapidly heal a myriad of wounds, burns and broken bones, and, in some very severe cases, the results have been near miraculous. However, sometimes comfrey can work too fast, as with puncture wounds or deep wounds where comfrey causes the infected wound to seal off at the top and thus trap a festering infection inside. In these types of cases it is important to make sure the wound is thoroughly disinfected and that the comfrey preparation fully reaches the full depth of the wound.

The downside to comfrey is that it contains a group of chemical compounds know as pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). PAs are toxic to the liver, and long-continued use of comfrey and other PA-containing plants can cause damage to the liver. Comfrey can vary greatly in its levels of PAs, depending upon the plant variety, plant part (roots are usually higher in PAs than flowers, leaves or stems), time of year harvested, and the soil in which it grows (higher nitrogen in soil creates higher levels of PAs). Fortunately there are some comfrey extracts which have had the PAs removed (to less than 1 part per million) by a non-chemical ion-exchange process. Medical authorities in Europe consider these PA-free comfrey extracts safe for internal consumption.

Unfortunately there are still some American herbalists who are in denial when it comes to the toxicity of comfrey’s PAs, and who say it is safe to consume comfrey in any amount. Indeed, many people have consumed comfrey with no apparent ill effects, but this is probably because they consumed a comfrey preparation that was very low in PAs and/or they only consumed small quantities for a short period of time. However, even though comfrey preparations are usually relatively low in PAs, the toxic effects of PAs are cumulative and continued doses over time may add up to a damaged liver. In fact, there are some cases where excessive and/or extended consumption of comfrey or other PA-containing plants have resulted in the need for a liver transplant.

In a remote emergency situation I personally might take PA-containing comfrey, but I’d do so only for a short period of time, and ideally I’d also take it with some liver-protecting herbs like milk thistle seeds, artichoke leaf or turmeric rhizome. Otherwise, I prefer to only consume comfrey orally as a PA-free extract. Of course there’s always the maggots.

Note: Herbal Ed’s Salve and PA-free Comfrey Liquid Extract are available from Herb Pharm.

This is the first issue of my personal blog. My name is Ed Smith, although many in the international medicinal herb community know me as “Herbal Ed.” I am a medical herbalist and the co-founder and co-owner of Herb Pharm, an organic grower of medicinal herbs and a manufacturer and distributor of herbal extracts and herbal healthcare products.

Right now I’m writing from my home and office at the “Pharm Farm” which is Herb Pharm’s 85-acre certified organic herb farm, which is located in the beautiful, rural valley of Williams, Oregon. I also do extensive travel all over the world seeking modern and traditional folk knowledge on medicinal herbs and traditional herbal medicine. In future blog articles I will be writing from various foreign countries about my explorations and research.

In the future I hope to cover a broad array of subjects, including:

• The safe and effective use of medicinal herbs and herbal healthcare
• Social, political, scientific, and regulatory issues about medicinal herbs, natural foods, and organic agriculture.
• Natural organic foods and how they can be used to improve your health and the health of the planet.
• My likes and dislikes, pet peeves, and an occasional rant.

Right now I’m a bit peeved and concerned with a negative article that recently appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine. I have already written a response (Herb Pharm News) and have also recorded a podcast response (Herbal Ed’s Podcast). There are many in the orthodox medical and pharmaceutical establishment that will continue to trash Echinacea and other herbs with misleading statements and studies, and I will attempt to clarify and balance their efforts with the “other side of the story.”

This past weekend I was honored to speak at the 19th Annual Breitenbush Herb Conference, which is always held at the beautiful and remote Breitenbush Hot Springs. Tomorrow I leave for Washington, DC to attend Natural Products Expo East where hundreds of natural products companies will be meeting and displaying their wares (e.g., whole foods, vitamins, minerals, herbs, homeopathic medicines, organically grown foods and fibers); basically all the things that are sold in your local health food store. In the past I’ve referred to these types of events as “natural products Babylon.” Actually this is a very worthwhile event, although it seems to attract more and more people and companies that are much more interested in profits than in the original spirit and concerns of improving the health of people and the planet. I’m still very optimistic about the natural products industry, but I’m also just as concerned about the erosion of quality and ethics.

Until my next blog I wish you good health and happiness.