Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice, I am writing this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Cleavers (galium aparine)
Cleavers is also known as bed straw or goose grass. Cleavers is very effective at cleaning out and improving the function of the lymphatic and thyroid system. Cleavers is a super food , it is very high in a variety of nutrients. Cleavers has very potent antifungal and antibacterial properties. Cleavers is a very potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Cleavers increases white blood cells called T and B lymphocytes which are involved in fighting infection and developing immunity. Usually immune system stimulation would cause inflammation but because cleavers has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties it stimulates the immune system without causing excess inflammation. This immune stimulating effect can help to prevent certain types of cancer. It is high in chlorogenic acid which helps prevent autoimmune diseases. Cleavers has been found to kill a certain type of breast cancer cells. The speed that cleavers cleans out and reduces lymphatic swelling is very surprising.
This is not medical advice I am writing this for educational purposes. If you are ill place seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Red Sage (Salvia miltiorrhiza)
In chinese medicine it is referred to as Danshen. Red sage improve cardiovascular health and has been shown to prevent strokes. Red sage has potent antioxidant properties. It also has potent anti-inflammatory properties. Because of red sage antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties it helps to prevent fibrotic diseases like cirrhosis of the liver and Alzheimers disease. Though I have found no studies to support this statement I believe it would help with interstitial cystitis and inflammatory bowel diseases because it inhibits NLRP3 which is over expressed in those diseases. Red sage prevents diabetes induced eye injury and vision loss.
Red Sage improves brain function and cognition. It does thin the blood and prevents blood clotting. Most message boards that I have read on people who used it recommended only taking it for a month and then taking a one week break. Red Sage prevents high blood pressure by increasing nitric oxide levels. Nitric oxide is also one of the most potent antivirals used by the body. Because red sage improves blood flow and increases nitric oxide it prevents ischemia (tissue damage from inhibited blood flow).
Red Sage inhibits NADPH oxidase which is upregulate in inflammatory , and autoimmune diseases it inhibits beta oxidation and increases oxidative stress. Inhibiting NADPH oxidase would increase fat burning in the body and decrease oxidative stress. In order for that to occur mitochondrial respiration would have to increase so it would be safe to assume it improves mitochondrial respiration.
Nrf2 is the master regulator of the antioxidant system. Red sage is a potent Nrf2 activator which would increase antioxidant enzymes in the body.
Red sage increases mitophagy which is inhibited by RNA viruses like the herpes viruses. It also prevents autoimmunity by decreasing IgE levels which would prevent excess mast cell degranulation which would decrease histamines preventing and allergic response. It would also prevent over expreassion of TH2 immune response.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice this is written for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis)
Rooibos has very potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It prevents high blood pressure and is cardioprotective. Rooibos helps protect the body from the negative effects of toxins. Rooibos helps protect the lungs from infections such as Sars-Covid because it is a potent ACE inhibitor. Rooibos helps prevent the damaging cytokine storms and oxidative stress caused by toxins and infection. Rooibos protects the liver and kidney from damage and improves their function. Rooibos reduce uric acid levels which can damage the renal system and bladder. High uric acid levels also causes joint pain and joint inflammation. RNA viruses like herpes and Covid damage the insulin producing cells. Rooibos prevents this from happening. It also prevents insulin resistance by by increasing glucose uptake into muscles cells and by increasing the secretion of insulin in pancreatic B-cells. Rooibos inhibits RNA virus replication and prevents them from entering the cells. Rooibos increases short chain fatty acid production by the microbiome which has many health benefits. Rooibos also increases Beta oxidation which would increase the bodies fat burning and increase cellular ATP levels which would help prevent obesity.
Another very interesting property of rooibos is it restores proper function of TH1 immune response. Sometimes when TH1 cannot respond properly it will be upregulated but because of excess inflammation it cannot respond properly. Rooibos inhibits IL-4 and increases IL-2 which would help restore TH1 homeostasis. The would improve the bodies ability to identify and remove offending pathogens.
Rooibos improves mitochondrial function in many ways which would prevent many types of chronic illness. Rooibos improves mitorchondrial respiration which increases fat browning this prevent s obesity. The phytochemicals and nutrients in rooibos prevents osteoporosis and improves bone health. Most herbs that prevent obesity would not be safe for those with type 1 diabetes but the many ways rooibos prevents obesity is through it correcting the issues that cause obesity. Another way rooibos helps with obesity it corrects leptin levels. Many who are obese develop leptin resistance and their bodies not longer respond properly to leptin. Rooibos seems to correct this.
Rooibos helps with gut inflammation and leaky gut because it blocks the effects of endotoxins which prevents them from damaging the gut. Rooibos health benefits are so obvious that they started researching it’s effects on health clear back in the 1700s.
High LDL and low HDL levels indicates the body is under a lot of inflammation and oxidative stress. Rooibos reduces LDL and increases HDL.
There are studies showing rooibos can damage the liver. Those studies used incredibly high and unreasonable amounts of rooibos. Water can kill you if you drink too much because it will flush the electrolytes from your body causing the heart to fail. Rooibos actually stimulates liver regeneration. Because of the many beneficial effects of rooibos it would be safe to assume it can help correct many autoimmune issues and inflammatory diseases.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This has been written for educational purposes, it should not be taken as medical advice. If you are ill please find an experienced and qualified functional medicine practitioner.
Berberine
There are many plants that contain berberine. It is best to research which may be the best fit for the individual. Barberry, bayberry, coptis, oregon grape root and many other plants. Berberine can protect against metabolic disease and diabetes. Berberine reduces joint inflammation. Berberine improves cardiovascular health. Berberine prevents depression and cognitive decline. Berberine can promote weight loss. Berberine prevents lung inflammation. It has a short half life so needs to be taken more then once a day. Berberine helps to reduce bacteria overgrowth in the gut. Berberine helps to protect the liver. Berberine has potent anti-inflammatory properties. Berberine has a broad range of antimicrobial properties and even kills parasites. The antioxidant properties of berberine are comparable to that of vitamin C. Berberine’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects contribute to it ability to protect the renal system. Berberine prevents insulin resistance and improves glucose intolerance. Berberine improves kidney and liver function. Berberine increases the bodies natural steroids which reduces inflammation. Berberine prevents candida overgrowth. Endotoxins cause leaky gut. Berberine heals the gut and prevents the negative effects of the endotoxins. Berberine prevents fatty liver disease by balancing the microbiome. Berberine improves mitochondrial respiration which increases cellular ATP levels which would prevent obesity. Berberine also increase the microbes in the gut that prevent obesity. Berberine reduces B-catenin levels which would inhibit herpes and corona viruses from entering the cells.
Bererine has been found to inhibit many types of infection from amoeba to viral. It has been shown to be effective against Covid and herpes.
Excess consumption of berberine can cause stomach pain or cramping, distention, flatulence, nausea , diarrhea or constipation. Very high doses can cause low blood pressure and flu like symptoms. It can cause uterine contractions so should not be used by pregnant women.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice I am writing this for educational purposes . If you are ill please seek the aid of an experienced and qualified functional medicine practitioner.
NAC (N-acetylcysteine)
The FDA is trying to ban NAC so it may not be available soon. It seems it must be hurting their corporate sponsors wallet.
NAC boost glutathione levels which is one of the most potent antioxidants in the body. NAC helps to reduce the symptoms of PCOS. It improves male and female fertility. NAC prevents mitochondria and DNA damage. It reduces inflammation and oxidative stress. It improves the health of the mucus layers throughout the body including the gut and bladder. NAC promotes glutamate and dopamine homeostasis. VEGF is overexpressed during infections especially by Covid and herpes viruses. It causes damage throughout the body. NAG inhibits VEGF. NAC increases ATP levels in the cells. Most are deficient in Nitric oxide. NAC increases nitric oxide levels. NAC has been found to improve the health of the lungs. NAC reduces allergic symptoms. NAC blocks and prevents the formation of biofilms by pathogens. NAC has been found very effective at reducing the symptoms of Crohn’s disease. It helps to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance preventing diabetes and obesity. If taken in moderation it reduces excess homocysteine but if taken in excessively high amounts it can increase homocysteine levels. NAC has been found to reduce the symptoms of sleep Apnea. NAC inhibits the replication of many viruses and bacteria. NAC has been found to be effective against Covid and at reducing the replication of the herpes viruses. NAC helps prevent fatigue. NAC helps to prevent many types of eye disease and autoimmune diseases. NAC helps prevent many types of mental disorders. Xenobiotics disrupt mitochondrial function and oxidative balance. NAC restores mitochondrial function and oxidative balance.
If taken in excess it can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It thins the blood so taking very high amounts is not recommended. Most studies I read that were effective the patient had taken NAC for at least three months. The shorter term studies seem to show very little benefits so it seems it takes a while to start feeling the health benefits of NAC.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is written for educational purposes . It should not be taken as medical advice. If you are ill seek the aid of an experienced and qualified functional medicine practitioner.
Organic non sulfured black strap molasses
Mollasses is high in fulvic acid. Fulvic acid stimulates autophagy which is inhibited in chronic illness especially inflammatory bowel disease. Fulvic acid increases the absorption of nutrients . It helps to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. Fulvic acid increases cellular respiration which would increase beta oxidation preventing obesity and diabetes. Studies often times get this wrong and see the increased reactive oxygen species in the mitochondria as being proof of increased oxidative stress but that actually decreases oxidative stress because it increases enzymes that prevent oxidative stress. It is too complex to discuss and keep this article short so I will not get into it but if your research mitochondrial respiration and beta oxidation you will understand. Always use organic, anything else will have too many toxins and defeat the purpose.
Ok now I will discuss the benefits of molasses itself. Molasses is high in vitamin B6, manganese, magnesium, potassium, iron and selenium. It has been shown to reduce the symptoms of PMS. It can prevent depression and mood swings. It contains chromium which can help to prevent insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. It improves skin health and promotes wound healing in the body. It reduces symptoms of ADD and ADHD. It reduces pain and swelling in the joints. Blackstrap molasses my increase HDL levels. When eating blackstrap molasses with carbohydrates it decreases the burden on the pancreas. Blackstrap molasses contains more antioxidants then honey. It increases testosterone levels in men. Because the fulvic acid in blackstrap molasses increases the absorption of the minerals it contains it improves bone health, health of the hair and prevents anemia. Studies have found blackstrap molasses reduces the risk of cancer. Blackstrap molasses improves the health of infants in the womb.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice I am writing this for educational purposes. If you are ill seek the aid of an experienced and qualified functional medicine practitioner.
Self Heal (prunella vulgaris)
It has strong antiviral properties. It reduces inflammation in the gut and helps prevent autoimmunity by stabilizing the immune system by increasing T regulatory cells. It has very potent antioxidant properties and very potent anti-inflammatory properties. Self heal does not prevent viruses from entering cells it shortens their life cycle before they enter cells. It inhibits a viruses ability to replicate. It has been found to inhibit HIV replication. Because of it’s potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects it improves liver function. It contains Rosmarinic acid which has found to be as effective as NSAIDs at reducing inflammation. It prevents Sars-Covid virus infection by inhibiting it’s ability to attach to the ACE2 receptor. Self heal is probably one of the most potent antivirals it works on many types of viruses including herpes. Self Heal improves thyroid and lymphatic health.
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