Carnivora — Venus Flytrap
"For almost three decades, world renowned oncological pioneer Dr. Helmut Keller has developed powerful non-toxic synergistic treatments for the presence of life threatening diseases -- as well as chronic infectious and other auto immune diseases and disorders. In 1973 he came upon the dionaea muscipula species of natural plant. His discovery would yield a patented extract he would call "Carnivora." Little did he know that some 30 years later Dr. Keller and his Carnivora would be responsible for having saved and prolonged many lives around the world from the ravages of one of the world's most deadly diseases -- Cancer."
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has begun a "designer foods" program to investigate disease-fighting compounds in herbs and foods, particularly for cancer prevention. Many culinary herbs are good candidates - tarragon and rosemary inhibit tumors and parsley neutralizes carcinogens. (For instance, rosemary stimulates a detoxifying enzyme.) Researchers at the University of Illinois, Chicago have found that many herbs contain cancer-preventives, especially antioxidants - thyme (Thymus spp.) has 40 and basil (Ocimum basilicum) registers more than 30. Rutgers scientists speculate that even small amounts of culinary herbs reduce cancer risks and think concentrated extracts are not needed to obtain beneficial results.
Spectrum #20 9-10,1991
Strong evidence points to turmeric (Curcuma longa) as an anti-cancer agent. Scientists at the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) in Hyderbad, India, Kamala Krishnaswkkamy and Kalpakkam Polasa, gave 16 chronic smokers 1.5 gm tablets of turmeric daily for 30 days. Urinary excretion of mutagens and the ability of enzymes to detoxify carcinogens were both improved. The control group of 6 non-smokers experienced no changes. Since tobacco mutagens cause genetic damage when they alter chromosomes, smokers have a 3 to 8-fold increase in mutagen excretions. In an additional study, turmeric reduced tumors in animals. The average consumption of turmeric in India is estimated at 0.6 gm daily among rural people and 0.4 gm daily in urban areas. The researchers recommend an intake of 1.5 gm daily.
UNI Press Services 2-17,1991 (United News of India)
VENUS FLY-TRAP CATCHING ATTENTION
The Venus fly-trap (Dionaea muscipula) may be the up-and-coming immune stimulating herb. Plubagin, isolated from the common house plant in 1988, boosted immunity in human cancer cells during several labs tests. Dr. Helmut Keller of Germany, curious about his wife's window plants, has done extensive tests on humans and hamsters. In clinical studies, using a decrease in ATP to measure the increase of actions that slow the development of cancer cells, a 50% change occurred after 1 hour and a 100% change after 24 hours (1:10 dilution). Cancer in hamsters was reduced by 59% with no toxicity.
Townsend Letter for Doctors 6-91
Ashwaganda (Withania somnifera), promoted as "Indian ginseng," has traditionally been used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat a variety of illnesses. Studies conducted by the Department of Radiobiology and Ayurvedic Kasturbe Medical College, Manipal, helped confirm previous studies that found withaferin-A, an alkaloid extracted from the leaves, inhibits tumor growth in cancer cells. The latest study reports that mice treated with doses of 400 mg./kg, body weight experienced complete tumor regression. Larger doses of 1000 mg. were less effective, resulting in a 55% complete response.
Jour. Experimental Biology 1991
ALMOST REAL VANILLA
Through cell culturing, Escagenetics in San Carlos, CA has created a cheaper way to make natural vanilla which usually sells for $1,200 / pound. When multiplied in laboratory dish, tissue samples of vanilla grow into a large colony of cells. The resulting extract contains vanilla's more than 200 trace compounds with all their subtle overtones that enhance the flavor. The $7/pound synthetic, consists primarily of just the compound vanillin. At less than $200 per pound, it is suitable for premium ice creams and baked goods.
Hawaii Star-Bulletin, Jan 20,1992
The regular use of dried garlic powder may reduce heart disease risk. In a study conducted by the German Association of General Practitioners, doctors at the Royal United Hospital gave 800 mg. garlic tablets (standardized to 1.3% allicin) to 261 patients over a 4-month period. Cholesterol levels dropped an average of 12% and triglyceride levels reduced an 17% average. Cholesterol levels over 300 dropped to an average of 272 mg./dl. The study was described as the largest clinical study ever done on garlic.
British Medical Journal 1991
Researchers have proved a link between stress and the common cold (actually an assortment of 200 different viruses). Dr. Sheldon Cohen, professor of psychology at Carnegie Mellon University gave almost 400 people self-evaluating stress tests before exposing them to cold viruses. The higher the stress, the more likely they were to get a cold.
American Health, 12-91
In a clinical study with 67 men over 67 years old, prostate enlargement symptoms were reduced with stinging nettle (Urticadioica) and dog nettle (U. urens) roots. Mild cases were relieved after taking an alcohol extract for 3 weeks. Severe cases had fewer results and took longer. In all cases, there was little additional improvement after 3 months of therapy. Scientists from the Department de Phytotherapie, Medicine Facility of Bobigny, Paris, France, stated "Urtica appears to be a useful therapy for milder cases ..." and an alternative to surgery. (Testosterone therapy activates latent prostate cancer.) The article mentions using nettle leaves and saw palmetto berries (Serenoa serrulata). Hypoxis rooperi tubers and pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita pepo), also used for prostate problems, contain abundant amounts of B-sitosterol, a mild anti-inflammatory.
Belaiche, P. & O. Leivoux. 1990. Pytotherapy Research, p. 268-9.
A drug derived from ginkgo leaves was shown to improve erectile problems in 59 out of 70 men under the age of 70 when not due to mental disorders or nerve damage. Ginkgo's rejuvenating abilities were attributed to increased blood circulation.
Medical Aspects of Sexuality 11-91
[Ed. Note: Botanical, analytical and pharmacological aspects of Ginkgo biloba, appears in Chem. Abstracts 113:169000n: (Hasler, A. et. al., Dept. of Pharm., ETH Zurich, Switzerland).]
Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), as well as cranberry (V. macrocarpon) juice, contain a newly discovered (and as yet unidentified) substance that fights kidney and bladder infections. Of seven juices surveyed by the Weizman Institute of Science and Tel Aviv University, Israel, these two inhibited E. coli, the bacteria most often responsible for urinary tract infections. The test tube studies will be followed with laboratory studies.
American Health, 12-9
When Jerry L. McLaughlin, pharmacognosist at Purdue University, IN, first tasted paw-paw (Asimina triloba) at age four, he threw up - and never forgot it! (Immature fruit and twigs are toxic, but ripe fruit can be eaten- in moderation.) He has patented a paw-paw-derived pesticide to market in 4-5 years. One of paw-paw's active acetogenin compounds (asimicin), nearly 200 times more active than strychnine, is effective against blowfly larvae, spider mites, Mexican bean and cucumber beetles, mosquito larvae, melon aphids and a nemotode. Six active acetogenins have been isolated, including bullatacin: one million times more potent than the common anti-ovarian cancer drug, cisplatin. Also found in paw-paw's Cuban relative (Annona bullata), it is currently being tested by the National Cancer Institute. A new compound, trilobacin, suppresses growth of cultured cells of leukemia and lung, colon, renal, skin and ovarian cancers. Instead of the typical method of killing a cell by scrambling its DNA, acetogenins starve the rapidly dividing cells of ATP, which acts as fuel, making them unlikely to cause cancer.
Journ. Amer. Assoc. Advancement of Science 2-29,1992:143.
W. R. Graces and Co. acquired patents from Vikwood Botanicals Inc. for a neem (Azadirachta indica) insecticide "Margosan-O" for release in 1993. The azadirachtin from neem represents a new class of pesticide that disrupts hormonal changes in the larva of over 200 insects, including mosquito, and cockroaches, but doesn't effect adult insects like honey bees or birds, pets or people. The complex molecule makes it difficult to develop resistance, compared to synthetic oranophosphates like malathion and diaxinon or the carbaryl Sevin, which attack the nervous system. [Ed. Note: In 1990, over 30 million pounds of insecticides were applied to residential gardens and lawns.]
Wall St. Journal, 10-30-91
A spray of 0.25% neem oil emulsified in water showed 100% success in destroying pests. In controlled experiments, it protected stored corn and other foods up to 10 months. Entomologist at the University of Illinois, Robert Mercalf says, "In this day and age when we're not very happy about synthetic pesticides, it has great appeal."
PID Science Features 1991
Pub. & Infor. Science Dir., India