Get in attack mode now for springtime health
Winter nasties like candida overgrowth, fungal nails and thrush all respond positively to the same herbal extermination programme
Whether it’s that we eat differently during the winter or just the fact that winter apparel – and tights in particular – may encourage over production of the body’s natural yeasts, now is the time to address all things fungal and out of control.
Although not strictly the same beast, most yeasts, moulds and fungus can benefit from the same efficacious herbal treatment.
Candida albicans, the most common yeast to mutate and cause problems, naturally inhabits the human gut in small amounts. When it grows out of control – as happens in about 33 per cent of people in the western world – it can cause thrush in all its forms, IBS or any number of gastric symptoms. If candida overgrowth is allowed to proliferate, it changes from its normal yeast-fungal form to a mycelial-fungal form that produces long, root-like rhizoids capable of piercing the walls of the digestive tract. This may lead to toxins entering the blood and even crossing the blood-brain barrier.
Poor nutrition is often one of the causes of candida overgrowth: refined carbohydrates/sugars, transfats, dairy products, yeasts and alcohol all provide everything candida needs to go out of control. More significant is the strain on the liver, which cannot adequately detoxify the system, leading to fatigue and depression.
Speed is paramount when dealing with any yeast/fungal infestation; fast-acting, hard-hitting herbal supplements, combined with ‘good’ probiotic bacteria, like HealthBac, to re-populate the gut are essential, as is a sensible eating plan including natural foods, herbs to detox the liver and plenty of plain water.
My favourite Paphos pharmacist recommends Citricidal Grapefruit Seed Extract. She says, “Take seven drops a day and you’ll never get ill!” It’s also effective for fungal nails when both applied and ingested. My own preference is for one of the various medicinal quality oil of oregano products – NOT, please, to be confused with aromatherapy oils. North American Herb & Spice (NAH&S) extract their oil from uncontaminated wild oregano plants with high levels of the germ-killing phenol, carvacrol. In liquid form, it’s blended with olive oil to make Oreganol P73 in two strengths. Gelcaps of both strengths contain seven drops – an ideal way to take oregano without the strong taste. P73 is also the essential component of H2Orega, which has been mycellised (making it water-soluble) with a milder taste; an excellent choice for children.
The newest in the P73 family is OregaBiotic – called OregaPlus in the UK – which I described in January. As well as anti-fungal oregano, sage and bayleaf, it contains cumin oil, which helps boost glutathione output in the liver; this binds to toxins like heavy metal, solvents and pesticides and transforms them so that they can be excreted in bile and urine. The final ingredient is black seed oil – an anti-parasitic agent that helps regulate bowel function. OregaBiotic/Plus is the ‘bees knees’ of anti-yeast/fungal supplements – really top-notch stuff.
Also new is CranFlush, packed with wild cranberry flavonoids, known as proanthocyanodins. These cleanse the bacteria from all urinary linings, smoothing the membranes so bacteria and yeasts cannot adhere – it defeats even candida albicans’ prickly, teasel-like form. Finally, try Eden Olive Leaf Extract, another traditional, powerful anti-fungal preparation, which is often used in tandem with P73 capsules for chronic candidiasis. Specialist publications – including Dr Morton Walker’s informative book Olive Leaf Extract – have reported it to be exceedingly effective for a broad spectrum of diseases. I have various fact sheets on anti-fungal supplements: e-mail me on [email protected] or call 99 170406.
All supplements mentioned – except Citricidal Grapefruit Seed Extract, which is available from selected pharmacies – are available mail order from Tigon UK: 00 44 116 235 5020 or visit www.oliveleaf.co.uk for more information.
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Are there any natural products to help fight cancer?
Our family history of cancer makes me aware of my own personal risk factor. I recently heard praise for something called Resveratrol: can you tell me what it is and where I can find it?
Mrs DF Anoyira
Resveratrol is the key beneficial element of red grapes. It’s effective because it is a free radical scavenger that reduces platelet aggregation, modulates lipoprotein metabolism and helps blood vessels to remain open and flexible. One of the reasons the French suffer less coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis is that they consume large quantities of red wine. Additionally, resveratrol has factors that may allow it to reduce cholesterol levels and help in the prevention of osteoporosis. All good stuff!
From your point of view, it has also been shown to ‘block the process of initiation and progression,’ of cancer: it has been said that it might even serve to prevent cancer altogether. These recent findings lead many in the healthcare field, including Professor Gordon McVie (Joint Director General for Cancer Research UK), to press for the use of natural products in the fight against cancer.
In order to be most effective, resveratrol, must be all natural and not tainted by the treatment of man-made fungicides. I’d recommend daily Resvital, a true, almost unprocessed grape product made from the entire grape: the skin, seed, vine and leaf. Find it as 500mg capsules (90s) or in pots of 120g powder available from Tigon UK – see main article.
Nikki’s column appears every four weeks. Please address your questions to [email protected] PO Box 21144, Nicosia. Tel: 22 818585
