Contents

Difference in use of Herbs Between Races Found

Recent Study Shows That American Ginseng Reduces Blood Sugar

Sustainable Herb Project Begins in South Africa

Canada Gets New Natural Products Panel

American Botanical Council Reacts to Incorrect News Report

Bastyr University President Steps Down

Betel Nut Improves Schizophrenia Symptoms

Recipes: Candied Angelica

Herbal Profile: Lemon Balm

Book Recommendations

Chat Schedule

Member's Corner

Marketplace

Herbal Conferences

Difference in use of Herbs Between Races Found

A recent paper published in the May/June 2000 issue of the Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association reveals that Hispanics use herbal medicines more frequently than non-Hispanic groups. Researchers at the University of Mexico used a survey to quiz 186 outpatients over the age of 65.  Of the entire group, 66% reported that they have used herbal remedies at one time or another, but a whopping 77% of the Hispanic participants reported using herbal remedies compared to only 47% of the non-Hispanics.  The survey also revealed a tendency for the Hispanic subjects to grow and harvest their own medicinal herbs and more likely to have received their herbal information from family members.

Recent Study Shows That American Ginseng Reduces Blood Sugar

The April issue of Archives of Internal Medicine reported that American ginseng, when taken before meals, reduces blood sugar levels in both diabetics and non-diabetics.

The study involved participants with type II diabetes and those without diabetes.  The subjects were given capsules containing ground Ontario-grown American ginseng either 40 minutes before or during a glucose test meal. Those with type II diabetes experienced a 20 per cent reduction in blood sugar levels. Among the non-diabetics, blood sugar reduction was apparent only when the capsules were taken before a meal.

While this study was preliminary, the researchers assert that further studies are warranted to investigate the possible role of this herb in both preventing diabetes and in managing the disease.

Sustainable Herb Project Begins in South Africa

The Herb Research Foundation (HRF), the Agricultural Research Council of the South African Ministry of Agriculture (ARC), and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) have joined forces to develop sustainable businesses through the environmentally and socially conscious cultivation of herbs that will be of economic benefit to both the U.S. and South Africa.

Currently, there is very growing of medicinal herbs in South Africa, but the regions varied climate makes it a highly suitable growing area.  And, because of its location in the southern hemisphere, the region may experience an opportunity to become primary producers of off-season herbs during the time when they fetch the highest prices in the world market. At present, more than half of the population relies on plant-based medicines and this program will help local farmers to achieve sustainable living while preserving native plants and land.

Canada Gets New Natural Products Panel

The Canadian government is utilizing  $10 million dollars to form a 16 member panel to fund herb research programs and to help speed the approval of herbal supplements for market.  The panel will consist of selected members of the supplement industry.

American Botanical Council Reacts to Incorrect News Report

The American Botanical Council (ABC), a Texas-based nonprofit research and educational organization, reacted swiftly to counteract media coverage following an editorial letter that appeared in the July 27th issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.  The letter, and a subsequent news report issued by Reuters News Service (July 30), unjustly and inaccurately referred to dietary supplements containing animal tissue as being "herbal."

Bastyr University President Steps Down

Founder and University President for 22 years, Joseph Pizzorno, Jr. left his post last month to pursue a career in public health.  Pizzorno, a leading naturopathic physician, has the distinction of being the first natural medicine practitioner to be appointed to the Seattle/King County Board of Health. He is well known as the co-author of Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine with Michael T. Murray, ND.  Pizzorno is being replaced by Thomas C. Shepherd, a doctor of health administration.

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Herbal Profile...

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

History: Known as simply "balm" to many, this plant has earned a place in the medicinal, aromatic and culinary gardens of the world, and is a particular favorite in bee gardens. The Greeks called it "melisophyllon" from melissa, meaning "bee" and phyllon, denoting "leaf." The Romans referred to the plant as "apiastrum" from apias, to mean simply "bee." Sixteenth-century gardeners rubbed the leaves on beehives to promote the production of honey from within. Pliny wrote that bees have a distinct preference for lemon balm and, because they often colonized in its proximity, it was used to locate the hive.

Used to: For centuries, lemon balm has been used to calm heart spasms, quiet a headache, or to soothe a nervous stomach and certain skin disorders such as eczema. The herb has also demonstrated an ability to prevent the production of a thyroid-stimulating hormone which makes it useful in treating certain hyperthyroid disorders.

The main action of lemon balm, or Spirit of Melissa, is as a sedative. One study illustrated this effect on the central nervous system when administered to laboratory mice. Lemon balm has also found an application in treating certain psychiatric conditions, particularly those in which nervousness and headache are experienced. Since the 10th century, lemon balm has been used as a tranquilizer and sleep aide. Charlemagne, or Charles the Great, appreciated the calming effect of this herb so much that he proclaimed it be grown in every medicinal herb garden within his domain. The long-held belief that placing the fresh leaves upon a wound, or using the tea to combat colds and fevers is supported by the plant's antiviral and antihistamine action. Some studies suggest the tea prevents the cell division of certain tumors.

Recipes

Candied Angelica

2 cups angelica roots and stalks, cut to 2 inch pieces
2 cups boiling water
cup salt
2 cups sugar
2 cups water
1 tbls lemon juice

Place the angelica roots and stems in a large bowl and cover with the boiling water and salt. Cover and allow to sit for 24 hours. Drain and peel the roots and stalks and rinse in cold water.

Cook the sugar in the 2 cups of water until it reaches 238'F. Add the angelica and lemon juice and cook another 20 minutes. Place the angelica on a cooling rack and let rest in cool, dark place for 4 days. Refrigerate syrup. After 4 days combine the syrup and angelica pieces once more and cook again to the 238'F point, or until candied. Dry the angelica completely on a rack. Store in clean glass jars.

Visit the Wellness Center for your nutritional and personal care needs...

Herbal Conferences for September 2000

September 3-7:  Natural Products Research in the New Millennium, International Congress and 48th Annual Meeting of the Society for Medicinal Plant Research (GA), Zurich, Switzerland.  Topics include perspectives in natural products chemistry, quality, efficacy and safety of phytomedicines, biodiversity and ethnopharmacology, and more.  Contact: ISE-Congress 2000, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Dept. of Pharmacy, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.  Ph: 41 635 60 51.  Fax: 41 635 68 82.  Email <pharmacognosy@pharma.ethz.ch>.  Website<www.pharma.ethz.ch/pharmacognosy>. 

September 4-7:  Ethnopharmacology 2000: Challenges for the New Millennium, 6th International Congress of the International Society for Ethnopharmacology (ISE), Zurich, Switzerland.  Topics include targeted drug screening approaches, ethnopharmacology and primary health care, and role of anthropology and social sciences in ethnopharmacology.  Contact ISE-Congress 2000, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Dept. of Pharmacy, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.  Ph: 41 635 60 51.  Fax: 41 635 68 82.  Email <pharmacognosy@pharma.ethz.ch>.  Website <www.pharma.ethz.ch/pharmacognosy>.   

September 8-10:  Natural Pharmacy 2000: Drugs, Nutrients, and Botanicals: The Successful Prescription for Growth, Palm Springs, CA.  Focusing on evidence-based science of nutritional and herbal supplements.  Continuing education credits available.  Contact BioConferences International, 2 Madison Ave., Larchmont, NY 10538.  Ph: 914/834-3100.  Fax: 914/834-3689.  Email <hmatysko@liebertpub.com>.  Website <http://www.bioconferences.com/>.

September 8-10:  Green Nations Gathering, Catskill Mountains, New York.  Weekend includes herbal emporium, sweat lodges, and workshops by leading herbalists, including Rosita Arvigo, Ryan Drum, Eliot Cowan, Susun Weed, David Winston, and Christopher Hobbs.  Learn, network, and honor the earth.  Contact: Pam Montgomery, 1525 Danby Mountain Rd., Danby, VT 05739.  Ph: 802/293-5996.  Email <greenpam@aol.com>.

September 10-16:  Medical Botany for Pharmacists and the Medical Community, Steuben, ME.  Taught by Dr. James Duke.  Syllabus online at <www.ars-grin.gov/duke/syllabus>.  For registration, contact the Humboldt Field Research Institute, Dyer Bay Rd., P.O. Box 9, Steuben, ME 04680-0009.  Ph: 207/546-2821.  Fax: 207/546-3042.  Email <humboldt@nemaine.com>.  Website <maine.maine.edu/~eaglhill>.

September 13-16:  3rd International Symposium on Bioresource Hemp and other Fibre Crops, Wolfsburg, Germany.  Topics include cannabis and cannabinoids in modern medicine.  Contact: Hendrik Dppe, TriTec GmbH.  Ph: 49 234 935 79 73.  Fax: 49 234 935 79 75.  Email <register@bioresource-hemp.de>.  Website <http://www.bioresource-hemp.de/>.

September 13-17:  International Conference and Exhibition on Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, Houston, TX.  Major topics include herbal products, plant-based nutraceuticals, phytosterols, lignins, lycopenes and anthocyanins, U.S. and international regulations, product development, product safety and marketing, and health effects and medical implications of nutraceuticals.  Contact Dr. S.S. Koseoglu or Dr. F. Shahidi, P.O. Box 10506, College Station, TX 77842.  Ph: 409/690-7309.  Fax: 409/690-7309.  Email <nutra@tca.net>.  Website: <http://www.worldnutra.com/>.

September 14-27:  Natural Himalayan Medicine, Kathmandu, Nepal.  Speakers include ethnobotanists from Tribhuvan University, local ayurvedic doctors, and traditional healers.  Visits to medicinal plant manufacturer, ayurvedic hospital, and mountain villages.  Contact: Om Trek, 28 Barclay Ave., Frankston VIC 3199, Australia.  Ph./Fax: 61 3 9781 1280.  Email <msherpa@labyrinth.com.au>.  Website <travel.to/kathmandu>.

September 15-17:  Third Annual Ethnobotany Symposium and Concert: Visions of the Future, Reflections of the Past, Flagstaff, Arizona.  Keynote speaker: Gary Paul Nabhan.  Performance by R. Carlos Nakai.  Topics include prehistoric native people and their use of plants, Hopi plants for food and medicine, basketry ecology, gardens of antiquity, and hallucinogenic plants.  Sponsored by the Arizona Ethnobotanical Research Association, 107 N. San Francisco St., Suite 1, Flagstaff, AZ 86001.  Ph: 520/774-2884.  Email <aera@primenet.com>.

September 15-17:  Oriental Medicine 2000: Integrity and Integration, Providence, Rhode Island.  Teaching, demonstrations and panel discussions, including a special track The Future of Oriental Medicine.  Contact Four Gates Communications, 745 Falmouth Road, Mashpee, MA 02649.  Ph: 888/798-0630.

September 17-20:  Council for Responsible Nutrition Annual Conference, Miami, FL.  Topics include GMO issues and the dietary supplement industry, herbal product safety, supplements in alternative medicine, women's health, sports nutrition, marketing vitamins and herbs to consumers, technology and growth, and latest industry data.  Held at Doral Golf Resort and Spa.  Contact: CRN, 1875 Eye St. NW, Suite 400, Washington, D.C. 20006-5409.  Fax: 202/872-9594.  Website <http://www.crnusa.org/>.

September 18-28:  International Meeting on Natural Products, Pharmacology, Biodiversity, Environment, Fundamental and Applied Science, Antananarivo, Madagascar.  Contact: Maria Andriantsiferana, Chairwoman, Scientific Organizing Committee, Laboratoire de Chimie Organique, Produits Naturels, LPN 17, Cit Mahatazana, Ampandrianomby, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar.  Ph./Fax: 261 20 22 407 06.  Email <martamam@dts.mg>.

September 23-24:  Harvest Distillation Workshop, Marthas Vineyard, MA.  Taught by herbalist Jeanne Rose.  Distillation takes place in the field.  Sponsored by Vineyard Sound Herbs and the Aromatic Plant Project.  Ph: 508/696-7574.  Website <http://www.aromaticplantproject.com/>.