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Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) is necessary for
carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism. It aids in the formation of antibodies, and
helps to maintain the balance of sodium and phosphorus. Signs of deficiency include
anemia, mouth disorders, nervousness, muscular weakness, dermatitis, dandruff, and water
retention.
Recommended amounts (to avoid deficiency disease, not for optimal
health): Infants: 0.3-0.6 mg; Children: 0.9-1.8 mg; Men: 2.2 mg; Women: 2 mg.
Doses over 200 mg per day may contribute to a rare nervous condition in some people.
Vitamin B-12 (cobalamin) is essential
for carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism, and for normal formation of blood cells. It
also helps maintain the nervous system. Signs of deficiency include pernicious
anemia, brain damage, nervousness, and neuritis.
Recommended amounts (to avoid deficiency disease, not for optimal
health): Infants: 0.5 - 1.5 mcg; Children: 2-3 mcg; Adults: 3 mcg. There
is no known oral toxicity.
Balm of Gilead (Populus
spp.) Soothes, disinfects and astringes mucous membranes. Expectorant; anodyne; specific
for laryngitis, coughs and sore throat.
Barberry Root (Berberis
fendleri) Digestive and appetite stimulant; stimulates bile flow and liver function;
refrigerant, reduces fevers; antiseptic. Anti-convulsant. (top)
BarleyGreen is made from
week-old barley "leaves". It's luminous green color testifies to it's high
chlorophyll content, and it's loaded with other nutrients including trace minerals,
enzymes, beta-carotene, and others. Many people add it to their morning protein drink for
an extra lift; others report that it helps to regulate their bowel function, probably due
to it's fiber content and the presence of chlorophyll. Another reported use involves
taking a packet of BarleyGreen with a packet of Alacer Emergen-C every 2 hours, when
flying. It provides antioxidant support, helping to significantly decrease the symptoms of
jet-lag.
Bayberry Bark (Myrica
cerifera) Astringent, used for bleeding gums and sore throat, diarrhea. G.I. inflammation,
post partum hemorrhage; vasodilator of skin and mucous membranes.
BeePollen has been eaten by birds
for countless centuries, and just look at the energy those lil' guys have! Many of us have
found bee pollen to have a nourishing and energizing effect on humans, as well, though
nobody we know has sprouted wings and taken to the sky... yet. One proponent of the
"apiary life-style", Royden Brown, claims in his book, Bee Hive Product Bible,
to have rejuvenated his body by consuming large amounts of bee pollen and other bee
products, such as royal jelly and propolis
(see the Immune Topic for a discussion of propolis). Bee
Pollen is known to contain B vitamins, trace minerals, and enzymes, as well as other
nutritional elements.
Beta-1,3-Glucan See Beta-1,3-Glucan
Topic
Bifidus refers to Bifidobacterium,
the kind of friendly bacteria that works in the large intestine to keep it healthy.
The large intestine serves as the body’s waste-disposal management system, and it
needs specific flora to help it maintain a healthy balance. These friendly flora
live on the intestinal wall, discouraging bad bacteria from taking up residence and
helping the large intestine dispose of unused foods. Besides protecting against
harmful bacteria, a good bifidus produces B vitamins that help the body complete the
digestive process.
Bioflavonoids are a family of
compounds that consist of thousands of plant pigments and active ingredients that provide
a variety of benefits. Citrus bioflavonoids help increase the strength of
capillaries, which can correct excessive cell permeability, so they were originally dubbed
"Vitamin P". Signs of deficiency include the tendency to bruise and bleed
easily. There is no RDA. There are many other bioflavonoids, such as
Quercetin, that have other specific effects. (top)
Biotin is necessary for
carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism. It aids in the utilization of other B vitamins.
Signs of deficiency include dermatitis, grayish skin color, depression, muscle pain,
impairment of fat metabolism, and poor appetite.
Recommended amounts (to avoid deficiency disease, not for optimal
health): Infants: 35-50 mcg; Children: 65-200 mcg; Adults:150-300 mcg. There is
no known oral toxicity.
Black Cohosh Root
(Cimicifuga racemosa) Anti-spasmodic, used for menstrual cramping, coughs, muscle spasms;
emmenagogue; relieves hot flashes in menopausal women; mild sedative.
Blessed Thistle (Cnicus
benedictus) Increases lactation; emmenagogue; carminative, for indigestion and chronic
headaches; astringent, for diarrhea and hemorrhage.
Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum
thalictroides) Uterine tonic, emmenagogue; diuretic; Antispasmodic; diaphoretic; mild
expectorant. For use in last trimester only.
Blue Flag Root (Iris
versicolor) Liver purgative, blood purifier; cathartic; sialagogue; diuretic. For
constipation and biliousness, eruptive skin conditions. Low doses only.
Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata)
Soothes cranky children, sedative, antidepressant, diaphoretic, febrifuge, anti-spasmodic,
mild analgesic.
Boldo is an herb that has been used
in South America for hundreds of years. If you overeat at any Argentinean restaurant, you
will be offered a cup of boldo tea. It promotes fat digestion by stimulating the secretion
of bile and helps to neutralize excess acid. Boldo is also used to treat liver,
gallbladder and bowel dysfunctions. Other reputed uses are for urogenital inflammations,
uric acid elimination, gout, hepatitis, rheumatism, and as an antiseptic.
Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
For flu symptoms, aches and pains; clears mucous congestion; reduces fevers; muscular
rheumatism.
Boron is a trace mineral that reduces
the urinary excretion of calcium, especially when magnesium is low. It appears that taking
3 mg. daily has an appreciable affect on calcium absorption in postmenopausal women,
reducing calcium loss and bone demineralization. (top)
Boswellia has traditionally been
used to reduce the pain and inflammation of arthritic conditions in Ayurveda.
Bovine Cartilage Arthritis is
characterized as inflammation of the joints, surrounding tendons, ligaments and cartilage.
One of the oldest human afflictions, arthritis can affect virtually every part of the
body. Two of the most common forms of the disease are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid
arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease of joint cartilage. It is
characterized by small bony growths, calcium spurs, and occasional soft cysts which appear
on the bone and in the joints. Its symptoms include loss of joint motion, stiffness,
swelling and pain. An estimated 40 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis, according
to the Rheumatoid Disease Foundation.
Rheumatoid arthritis is classified as an autoimmune disease in which the
body attacks its own tissue. Although less common than osteoarthritis, it is a very
painful joint disease which often results in crippling disabilities for the young and old
alike. Rheumatoid arthritis afflicts six million Americans.
In his significant research of the health promoting applications of bovine
tracheal cartilage, John F. Prudden, MD, Med.Sc.D., has contributed to the abundant
evidence of its anti-inflammatory properties. Reducing inflammation is a crucial part of
arthritis therapy. Bovine cartilage not only does this, but it also provides healthy
biochemical components that the body can utilize in resynthesizing cartilage. Both the
oral and injectable forms of bovine tracheal cartilage have been proven effective.
In a 1974 report published in Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism, Dr.
Prudden reported the remarkable results he achieved in the treatment of moderate to severe
cases of osteoarthritis. His subjects suffered from functional disability ranging from
slight to significant, and a majority had noticeable cartilage and bone degeneration.
These individuals had lesions visible by x-rays as well as severe symptomology and
demonstrated the usual joint degeneration pattern. Over a period of three to eight weeks,
these subjects received daily subcutaneous injections of 50cc of a bovine cartilage
solution known. (Bovine tracheal cartilage powder has been prepared for human use through
rigorous maintenance of its natural components. The -solution was a 5% extract of bovine
tracheal cartilage powder preserved with 9% benzyl alcohol.) By the end of the study, of
the 28 patients who participated, 19 were classified as "excellent," six were
"good," and two noted "some" benefit. (Excellent results were defined
as those patients who experienced complete elimination of pain and discomfort. Good
results were marked by a decrease in pain and an increase in mobility with some residual
discomfort and disability.) No toxicity was reported, and patients' relief lasted an
average of 7 months after the study was completed.
Dr. Prudden commented, "These present data appear to be of major
significance since it is estimated that 30 million Americans have clinically demonstrable
and symptomatic osteoarthritis." he urged that "a material of such great
potential benefit to so many millions of people should be made generally available as soon
as possible."
Dr. Prudden subsequently tested the effects of oral ingestion of nine
grams daily of bovine cartilage, to see if it would produce similar results as the
injectable form in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Of 700 cases of osteoarthritis treated
with bovine cartilage, 59 percent experienced "excellent" results and 26 percent
experienced "good" results for a total amelioration rate of 85 percent. The
average length of remission was six to eight weeks. Oral administration is more convenient
and less painful than injected treatment, and does not require a doctor to administer it.
According to Dr. Prudden, for ongoing relief, a reduction of the
therapeutic dose of 9 grams per day may be possible depending upon the patient's symptoms.
A long term, double-blind study conducted in 1987 at Charles University in Prague,
Czechoslovakia, confirmed Dr Prudence's earlier results. In the 194 participating patients
with osteoarthritis, pain scores dropped an average of 50 percent.
In light of the fact that standard treatments with non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (SNAILS) do not stop the progression of arthritis and provide only
short-term relief, the results achieved with bovine cartilage are indeed encouraging. in
addition, NSAIDs have significant side effects such as gastrointestinal upset, headaches
and dizziness. Several studies have indicated that NSAIDs use is associated with the
acceleration of osteoarthritis and increased joint destruction.
Rheumatoid arthritis has traditionally been seen as a disease that leads
inexorably to the degeneration of joints, finally incapacitating the sufferer. Standard
treatments provide only short term relief. However, Dr. Prudden has had strikingly,
positive results using bovine cartilage in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
In patients suffering from chronic rheumatoid arthritis of the knees,
wrists, elbows, hips, hands, and fingers, who had symptoms including swollen and immobile
joints, and severe pain and stiffness, Dr. Prudden administered a daily dose of 50cc of
subcutaneously injected of bovine cartilage extract. Bovine cartilage is noted not only
for its anti-inflammatory effects, but also for its immuno-modulatory properties. It is
encouraging affirmation of these properties that out of the nine patients studied, three
experienced excellent results and six had good results - 100 percent success rate using
bovine cartilage as the sole therapy.
Dr. Prudden has also achieved positive results with the oral
administration of bovine cartilage in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Given this rich base of scientific evidence, renewed attention is being
directed to Dr. Prudden's work. A non-toxic and powerful agent, bovine tracheal cartilage
can provide relief to sufferers of osteo and rheumatoid arthritis. As a result of Dr.
Prudden's successful and meticulously documented research, bovine cartilage is now
available to the public. (top)
Burdock Root (Arctium lappa)
Blood cleanser; anti-microbial, used for skin eruptions, dry/scaly skin conditions,
cancer. Digestive stimulant. Lowers blood sugar.
Butterbur (Petasites hybridus)
Muscle relaxant, used for intestinal colic, asthma, painful menses; mild febrifuge.
Butyric Acid
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