Available as "supplements" but best obtained through diet. Improves oxygenation at a cellular level. USES: Decrease pain, maintain immunity system, eliminate body toxins. WHY IT WORKS: Germanium carries oxygen to tissues in much the same manner as hemoglobin. DOSAGE: Kazuhiki Asai is a scientist from Japan who discovered than taking 100 to 300 Milligrams a day improved the following illnesses ... AIDS, arthritis (rheumatoid), food allergies, cancer, candidiasis, cholesterol (high).

FOOD SOURCES: Aloe vera, comfrey, garlic, ginseng, onions, shiitake mushrooms, suma.

GINGER (rootstock) (Zingiber Officinale)

In 1982 a study at Brigham Young University found that people who took ginger root capsules were better protected from motion sickness than from the most commonly used drug ... Dramamine.

It eases the effects of a cold and soothes a sore throat.

Stimulates the circulatory system and has a cleansing effect on the kidneys.

Often used in teas and capsules (small doses).

Considered a circulatory stimulant that stimulates blood flow to keep tissues healthy by increasing the amount of oxygen they receive, and eliminating waste from them.

Originally cultivated in Southern Asia, it is now cultivated worldwide and appears to have anti-oxidant properties.

DOSAGE: According to Jude´s Herbal Home Remedies (Jude C. Williams) you can mix 1 teaspoon of fresh ginger in a cup of boiling water ... brew for 15 minutes ... strain ... sweeten with honey and drink as a tea. For motion sickness 500-1000 milligrams a day ... use a few days prior to the journey.

CAUTION: Consult with your health care provider if pregnant or if you have gallstones.

Research studies indicate that the use of ginkgo biloba can help ... 1) Improve blood circulation to the brain ... 2) Improve peripheral blood circulation ... 3) Improve one's mood and sociability ... 4) Arthritis and rheumatism problems ... 5) Improve lung and bronchial congestion ... 6) Eye weakness caused by poor circulation ... 7) Relieve anxiety and tension ... 8) Alzheimer's and senility ... 9) Chronic ringing in the ears ... 10) Coldness in the body.

Used to treat short-term memory loss, mild depression, and vertigo.

Recent European studies with young people reveal benefits from taking the leaf on a regular basis. It improves short-term memory, increases concentration, quickens information recall, and enhances alertness. It has been successfully used to treat conditions related to poor circulation such as phlebitis. It is interesting to note that the world's oldest trees is also used to treat age-related disorders.

Ginkgo is especially useful in treating health problems caused by diminished blood flow to the arms and legs, such as Raynaud's disease and intermittent leg cramping. Use of ginkgo can lead to an improvement in the ability to walk without pain.

Ginkgo appears to protect cell membranes from oxidation making it a super anti-oxidant in the class of vitamins A, E, and beta-carotene.

In 1997 clinical trials were held which determined that dementia (due to mini-strokes or Alzheimer's) patients who took 120 milligrams a day scored higher on mental performance tests. It also seemed to have slowed down mental decline while one out of five may have had slight improvement.

Also see Memory and Brain Enhancement section for more information.

(Also see Chapter 2)

Dosage: The recommended dosage is 24% flavoglycosides, three times daily.

Side effects: Mild and infrequent but have been know to cause gastrointestinal upset or headache. Ginkgo is well suited to long term use ... and the benefits improve with time.

The fruit pulp is toxic if ingested and contact can cause an allergic skin response.

CAUTION: Generally safe. However, sometimes adversely affects people who take blood-thinning medications like Coumadin (warfarin).

Should not be taken with aspirin and acetaminophen products, or diuretics. It may boost blood pressure and increase the risk of bleeding problems such as hyphema (bleeding into the front chamber of the eye) and hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding into the brain).

Once grown only in Asia, and requiring a harsh environment, the ginseng root has played a legendary role in Oriental medicine ... especially in China. Chinese literature cites a wide range of uses for the root. It emphasizes increased vitality.

Panax ginseng is a favorite brain herb ... according to research done at the Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Panax ginseng contains compounds which increase the brain's neuro-transmitter activity.

It is a demulcent and helpful for coughs, colds and chest congestion. Reduces symptoms of fever and inflammatory illness ... can help relieve nausea and vomiting.

A male hormone associated with longevity, prostate and stomach problems.

Also see Siberian Ginseng and Brain Enhancement sections for more information.

CAUTIONS: The main risk is that you may not be getting your money´s worth. Ginseng is very costly so manufacturers dilute it. One study analyzed 54 ginseng products and found that 25 % contained no ginseng whatsoever! Buy only from reputable sources.

Penax ginseng may alter blood levels of warfarin. When taken with an anti-depressant, phenelzine ... may cause headache, tremor and episodes of mania. Siberian ginseng may boost blood levels of digoxin to unsafe concentrations.

As with all herbs do not take while pregnant without first consulting with your health provider.

GINSENG - AMERICAN:

GINSENG - KOREAN:

GINSENG - SIBERIAN:

Stimulates the (cartilage cells) chondrocytes into manufacturing collagen to normalize cartilage metabolism. Evidence exists which reveals that glucosamine can actually slow down loss of cartilage.

Full effects are typically not realized until after a month of use.

CAUTION: Concerns are being voiced about possible adverse effects when combined with blood thinning medications. Also, harmful effects on insulin resistance (major cause for type II diabetes). Long term effects are still unknown in the year 2000.

GOLDEN ROD:

Golden Seal is often considered one of the best "all-around" herbal remedies. It has been cited as beneficial in more than 50 different ailments like ... bronchitis, cankers, coughs, inflammations, ulcers.

Powerful astringent and antiseptic agent. Has been used for inflamed mucous membranes like the stomach, intestines, vagina and rectum. Caution: High doses may also cause nausea, vomiting, a feeling of pins-and-needles in the hands and feet and a decrease in the white blood cell count.

Also for cankers, mouth sores, bladder infections, mucous membranes, nasal passages.

The root helps decrease nausea and is considered a remedy for colds, stomach and liver troubles ... also used as a laxative.

Can be used externally as eyewash and to treat pyorrhea.

CAUTIONS: Considered safe for application to external wounds as long as it is thoroughly cleaned prior to use. Never exceed recommended amounts because large doses have resulted in the death of laboratory animals due to respiratory paralysis and cardiac arrest.

It is now getting recognition for it's other mind-enhancing qualities ... like memory enhancement.

Scientific evidence is thin but promising. Its reputation is based on word-of-mouth antidotes of users. Gotu Kola does not contain caffeine like the herb Kola does.

Chinese legend tells us of the herbalist LiChing Yun who lived to be 256 years old - as a result of taking gotu kola ... and even though the anti-aging properties have not yet been proven by science, it does appear to have multiple benefits.

Gotu kola is considered to be an excellent herbal treatment for mental fatigue as well as strengthening and revitalizing mental stamina. It's known to stimulate circulation to the brain. Many people use it to increase learning ability ... and also as a nerve tonic.

Accelerates healing of bruises & abscesses (tissue healing) ... sedative & diuretic.

The nuts, roots, and seeds decrease fatigue and depression. It also increases sex drive, shrinks tissues, and stimulates the central nervous system.

It may even fight cancer due to the flavonoids it contains. Some of these chemicals are known to have anti-cancer activity. Whether gotu kola has the particular flavonoids that provide protection is still unknown.

DOSAGE: ½ to 1 dropperful of concentrated drops or tincture, two to three times daily.

Capsules of the weaker variety are called Hydrocotyle asiatica and is the type most commonly available in health stores. This type is usually taken in doses of two to four 200-milligram capsules daily.

The stronger type is called Centella asiatica, which is more expensive and used to treat serious problems like epilepsy. Consult with a doctor familiar with herbs if you wish to use it for a medical condition.

GRAPEFRUIT SEED:

Grape seed extract assists the entry of vitamin C into body cells to protect them from free radical damage. It is interesting to note that it does not lose potency with long periods of storage (greater than 12 years).

Proanthovyandin is available in red, purple and white grapes ... the most abundant amounts are contained in the seeds of purple grapes.

If you have a sensitive stomach ... use the tincture. Can be taken with or without food.

Available as pills, capsules and tincture.

 This herb has shown promise (small-scale test) for those interested in weight loss and appears quite safe: In one study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (December 1999 issue) researchers studied the effects of green tea extract on energy expenditure and fat burning in 10 males who took either the extract (which contains caffeine), caffeine alone, or a placebo. The males who consumed the extract increased their calorie expenditure and burned more fat than did those who took the caffeine alone or the placebo. Note that no side effects were reported. Green tea extract is available in health food stores in capsule and tablet forms. But bear in mind that although this research is interesting, we still are not sure if people who take this extract will really lose weight. Also, it is not proven if drinking regular green tea would have similar effects.

Guarana is a good source of energy; it acts on the central nervous system to prevent fatigue. It also slows the pulse, improves alertness, depresses appetite, counteracts fatigue and elevates the mood. Has also been used effectively for headaches due to nerves or joints.

ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS: Guaranine (which is similar to caffeine and related alkaloids theobromine and theophylline) constitutes the primary active agents in guarana. Effects include stimulating the central nervous system, increasing metabolic rate, and having a mild diuretic effect. One long-term study found no significant actions on thinking or mental function in humans taking guarana. Caffeine may have adverse effects on the blood vessels and other body systems, as well as on a developing fetus; presumably, guaranine would have similar effects. Guarana also contains tannins, which act as astringents and may prevent diarrhea. DOSAGE: A cup of guarana, prepared by adding 1-2 grams of crushed seed or resin to 250 ml (1 cup) of water and boiling for ten minutes, can be drunk three times per day.4 Each cup may provide up to 50 mg of guaranine. CAUTION: Guarana may cause insomnia, trembling, anxiety, palpitations, urinary frequency, and hyperactivity. Guarana should be avoided during pregnancy and lactation.