Healthy Product News

Gotu Kola – Eastern Herb Combats Eczema, Psoriasis, Mental Stress – and Even Cancer
Report by Julia Woodford

According to the website Plants for a Future, Gotu kola (Umbelliferae) is an outstandingly important medicinal herb that is widely used in the Orient and is becoming increasingly popular in the West. Its Indian name is ‘Brahmi’ which means ‘bringing knowledge of the Supreme Reality’ and it has long been used in India both medicinally and as an aid to meditation because of its great ability to relax the brain, particularly when it’s on overdrive and cannot focus efficiently. In India it is chiefly valued as a revitalizing herb that strengthens nervous function and memory, so is used as an anti-aging herb to prevent senility. Gotu Kola has in fact been used on people of all ages (including children) to improve mental functioning.

It is also a useful tonic and cleansing herb for skin problems. According to Herbal Medicine, Healing and Cancer by Donald R. Yance, MH, AHG, Gotu Kola is used for healing many skin afflictions including eczema, psoriasis, and leg ulcers. This is likely due to the fact that it’s a powerful blood purifier (many skin disorders are caused by toxic overload in the blood and tissues). Taken internally, Gotu Kola is used in treatment of wounds, chronic skin conditions (including leprosy), venereal diseases, malaria, and varicose veins. Externally, the herb is applied to wounds, haemorrhoids and rheumatic joints.

In regards to its role in addressing cancer, Yance states: “I believe this is one of the best herbs for people with cancer, and I now recommend its use more than ever before.” He points to research by scientists at the Amala Research Centre in Kerala, India, who have tested gotu kola against cultured tumour cells and found that it was effective in “destroying 100% of the cultured tumour cells. The gotu kola used was a 5:1 concentrated extract. It was completely non-toxic to healthy cells, thereby displaying its selective toxicity to tumour cells only. In follow-up studies on animals, gotu kola extract more than doubled the life span of mice with tumours and displayed a remarkable lack of toxicity.”

An evergreen perennial native to China, India, and Japan, Gotu Kola is also said to increase intelligence and longevity because it cleanses and feeds the immune system, while strengthening the adrenals.

Precaution: In some cases, Gotu Kola can aggravate itching, and excessively large doses taken internally may cause headaches and transient unconsciousness.

Organic raw Gotu Kola powder is now being imported to Toronto from India by Advantage Health Matters. Certified organic by three different agencies, this Organic Traditions product is available in a 200 gram package, and sells for $11.49 at the Big Carrot Dispensary.

For daily use of Gotu Kola to improve memory and reduce stress, or to cleanse and cool the blood (summer is a great time of year for detoxing), Francis Ashwagandha, MH, recommends combining it with Bringaraja since these two herbs have good affinity for each other. Prepare a hot or cold infusion using purified water (add ground herb to boiling water, then steep and let cool). Or simmer the herbs in milk and then strain. For topical use, Gotu Kola can be prepared as a medicinal oil. For more information, talk to Francis at the Big Carrot, or consult with an Ayurvedic herbalists or a Chinese Medicine practitioner.

To contact the Big Carrot Dispensary at 348 Danforth Ave in Toronto, call (416) 466-8432. To reach Advantage Health Matters, call (905) 946-1011, or email info@advantagehealthmatters.com. 

From near death to an incredible recovery through natural healing

Mitchell May's life-changing work began with his miraculous healing from a near-fatal car accident in 1972. He sustained 40+ broken bones, multiple life-threatening injuries, and incurable infections. Seventy doctors from prestigious UCLA medical center insisted that Mitchell have at least one of his legs amputated, that he would never walk on his own again and that he would forever be plagued with dangerous infections, serious medical complications and a multitude of limitations. Despite a hopeless prognosis, Mitchell became one of the first medically documented cases of unconventional healing. He regained full use of both legs and the rest of his body, by regenerating destroyed nerves, bones, muscles and organ tissue, in a manner that the medical community deemed impossible.

All of this healing took place due to the extraordinary interventions and mentorship of healer and UCLA parapsychology researcher, Jack Gray. Mitchell became Gray’s apprentice, training for seven years to learn the art and spirit of nontraditional healing.

During their time together, Jack assisted Mitchell in entering the deep, healing states of consciousness that would allow him to completely rebuild his shattered body. While in these states, Mitchell experienced intricately formed healing patterns pulsating in his mind’s eye. He began to wonder if these powerful patterns could be found in nature and, if so, whether ingesting them would promote healing.

Thus began the original Kirlian research. Mitchell and his colleagues at UCLA gathered algae, greens, herbs, mushrooms and other natural substances from around the world. Using a Tesla-coil 200-pulse Kirlian research camera, they captured the electromagnetic imprint, or life force energy, of these healing substances on film for the first time. It became apparent that the exquisite patterns Mitchell had experienced in his meditative states did exist in nature. What’s more, those plants emanating the greatest life energy were the same herbs and other foods recommended by traditional healers for their potent restorative properties. To a man whose physical body had been almost completely destroyed, this was an unbelievably exciting discovery.

Even in the 1970s, when nutritional science was still very young, Mitchell and Jack understood the body and mind’s need for consuming whole foods and other natural ingredients with strong life force energy to support a healing process and to maintain optimum health.

Mitchell and his colleagues continued their research and found that the ways in which these precious botanical allies were grown, harvested and processed significantly impacted the potency of their life force energy. He began consuming these botanicals to support his healing and later offered them to other doctors. Time and time again, Mitchell and his colleagues found that these special “superfoods” profoundly enhanced well-being and regeneration in ways that isolated, synthetic, chemical “nutrients” did not. He believed it was this life spark that allows our bodies to absorb and integrate all the known and unknown beneficial constituents found in living foods. Thus, Mitchell began a quest to create superior whole-food supplements that would fully capture life force energy, and The Synergy Company™ was born.

Over the last 30 years, Mitchell helped thousands tap into their own inner healing potential. His healing work has been documented on film, extensively studied by medical researchers and featured in professional journals. Mitchell’s miraculous work and story serve as a message of hope, inspiration and empowerment to people all around the world ~ that such possibilities of healing are within us all.

Because of his groundbreaking research at UCLA, Mitchell quickly became known as a leading expert on superfoods and enzymatically alive botanicals. All of his formulas are created to synergistically enhance the highest levels of life force, healing and regeneration. He explains this concept of synergy in his formulations as follows: “the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts, and an optimum balance and harmony of those parts has been achieved.”

Earlier this year, Naturally Nova Scotia Health Products Ltd.™ announced a partnership with The Synergy Company to bring its flagship organic superfood formula, Pure Synergy®, to the Canadian health food market. Pure Synergy and all Naturally Nova Scotia products are available at leading natural health retailers nationwide. 877-434-7206

All Natural Summer First Aid
Submitted by Whole Foods Market

Summer's here! But remember that this is a time of higher cases of accidents and injuries because people are out doing more activities. Fortunately, there are natural alternatives for everything from bug bites and motion sickness to scrapes and strains, as well as natural ways to prepare for, prevent and soothe summer mishaps, including all-natural first-aid.

Sunscreen/Sunburn: Prevention: Always wear a hat in the sun to prevent sunstroke, and long sleeved shirts to prevent sunburn. Stick to the shade if you’re going to be out for long periods, and remember some medications make the skin more sun sensitive.

For sunburn relief use peppermint oil or calendula oil – add drops to lotion or a cool bath, or take St. John’s Wort extract which helps reduce body heat and promote a healthy inflammatory response.

Topically, Witch hazel or green, white or black tea (brewed and cooled) contain tannins for promoting healing and a healthy inflammation response, and can be used as compresses on hot skin. Aloe vera gel soothes and promotes healing; look for a high content of pure aloe in products, and just smooth it on the burn directly.

Lavender essential oil diluted in water or carrier oil, Vitamin E, or avocado oil also promote healing.

Insect Bites: Prevention includes taking B-complex vitamins and eating garlic and onions which may make skin less tasty to mosquitoes. Avoid floral and sweet-smelling scents in deodorants, shampoos, soaps, and even dryer sheets! Disguise your body scent and change the taste of your skin with essential oils that bugs don't like. Dilute essential oils in water or a carrier oil, then rub or spray on skin and clothes. Reapply often. Essential oils to repel mosquitoes include citronella (lemongrass), evergreen and/or eucalyptus. Essential oils to repel biting flies include lavender, basil and/or geranium. Neem oil and geraniol (from lavender) are effective also. Try a natural DEET-free insect repellent such as Jason's “Quit Bugging Me” repellent spray.

For relief from bug bites try lavender, peppermint, or tea tree essential oil to soothe itching and promote healing; one undiluted drop on each bite. Garlic soothes pain: hold crushed clove on sting 20 minutes then rinse. Colloidal (or crushed) oatmeal bath soothes and promotes healing. Basil leaf (crushed or extract) and topical clay soothes itching and stinging pain. Homeopathic remedies for bug bites include: Ledum (wild rosemary) for swelling; Apis (honey bee) for stings.

Poison ivy, oak & sumac: For relief take homeopathic remedies like Rhus tox, Anacardium Orientale, Graphites, Urtica urens, Sulphur Jewelweed internally, depending on symptoms. And externally try eucalyptus or witch hazel essential oils to promote healing; use undiluted drops or a compress. Calamine lotion or topical clay help relieve itching and promote healing.

Minor cuts, burns, scrapes & splinters: For relief use Tea tree oil or witch hazel topically. Lavender or calendula ointment promotes healing and a healthy inflammation response. Comfrey ointment or a compress promotes healing. Slippery elm compress may help dislodge splinters

Motion Sickness: Prevent motion sickness with with Ginger capsules, crystallized pieces, powder or extract; take 20 minutes before (and during) travel. For relief from nausea, Peppermint essential oil calms the stomach; sprinkle on tissue and inhale aroma. Raspberry tea also calms the stomach.

Muscle soreness, bruises and swelling: For prevention, avoid the “weekend warrior” scenario by maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Herbal supplements such as ginger, turmeric, holy basil, green tea and rosemary support a healthy inflammation response, both preventively and for relief (ie. Zyflamend).

Homeopathic Arnica gel or cream relieves swelling and pain. (Vitality’s editor swears by Traumeel, a homeopathic formula in gel form, smoothed on the painful area frequently.) Capsaicin cream (from cayenne pepper) helps soothe aches and pains (try it for arthritis). Homeopathic remedies include: Arnica Montana, Magnesium phosphorus, Hypericum perf, Ruta grav, Ledum pal, and Rhus tox. All of the above natural remedies can be found at Whole Foods Market and other leading health food stores.