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BENEFITS OF OPCs -- (grape seed extract) have been shown to be up to 50 times more effective than vitamin E and 20 times stronger than vitamin C in free-radical neutralizing power. Among the benefits claimed for grape seed extract, is its ability to: improve blood and lymph circulation; reduce thickening of the arteries; improve eyesight; improve skin quality; dramatically improve peripheral circulation; protect central nervous system tissues; block the release of enzymes that produce histamines (the culprit in allergy attacks); help restore elasticity and strength to the body's connective tissues; help tone skin and restore flexibility to joints, arteries, capillaries, and other body tissues; improve blood flow to the brain and heart; treat varicose veins and hemorrhoids. Researchers suggest saturating the body tissues with a dosage in the range of 200mg to 300mg a day for 5 to 10 days, followed by a daily maintenance dose of 60mg to 150mg a day. The substance is absorbed almost immediately by the body in about 20 minutes and produces no negative side effects. See http://www.aomega.com/ahs/p1950a.htm for more information.

HEART-HEALTHY BEER? -- Beer may be better for you than ever suspected. Recent research suggests that beer may be just as heart-healthy as red wine. Study participants drank four glasses of beer, red wine, Dutch gin or sparkling mineral water with dinner for three-week periods over a duration of 12 weeks. Scientists found that beer imbibing produced a 30% increase in B6 blood levels compared with red wine, which increased B6 levels by only 9%. Vitamin B6 helps break down homocysteine, the chemical associated with increased risk of heart disease, and the nutrient responsible for red wine's good-for-you reputation.

RITALIN LIKE COCAINE? -- Ritalin, one of the drugs often used for ADD/ADHD, is actually more potent than cocaine, although it has been a prescription drug available for over 40 years, while cocaine is an illegal substance. Using brain imaging, scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory have found that, in pill form, Ritalin - taken by thousands of British children and four million in the United States - occupies more of the neural transporters responsible for the 'high' experienced by addicts than smoked or injected cocaine. The research may alarm parents whose children have been prescribed Ritalin as a solution to ADHD. The study was commissioned to understand more about why Ritalin - which has the same pharmacological profile as cocaine - is effective in calming children and helping them concentrate, while cocaine produces an intense 'high' and is powerfully addictive.

LICHEN'S ANTI-MICROBIAL PROPERTIES -- Usnea (Usnea species) is a lichen - part algae and part fungus - with important anti-microbial properties. The acids in Usnea are especially effective against gram-positive bacteria including staphylococcus and streptococcus. Usnic acid is believed to one of the main constituents that disrupts bacterial activity. In vitro experiments on tuberculosis also show that Usnea weakens this bacillus.

NATURAL DISINFECTANT SPRAY RECIPE -- What is really in disinfectant sprays (i.e. Lysol, etc)? Disinfectants can contain quaternary ammonium compounds such as benzalkonium chloride, pine oil, alcohol, ethanol, phenol or derivitives of phenol (o-phenyl phenol), cresol, TCE, PDCBs, butyl cellosolve, detergents, and formaldehyde. Are these really things that you want to spray in your house where your family can breath them or the children can get into them? Here are two natural recipes that you can make and use and save money, too: 1. Antiseptic soap spray: fill a 16-oz spray or squirt bottle almost full of purified or distilled water and then add 3 tablespoonfuls of liquid soap (i.e. Dr. Bronner's soap, sold at health food stores) and add 20 to 30 drops or more of tea tree oil. Shake to mix. This can also be used as an anti-bacterial soap. 2. Disinfectant Alternative: mix 50 drops of tea tree oil to a gallon of white distilled vinegar. Fill a squirt bottle with the mixture or just use it directly from the gallon jug. Use this as a rinse anywhere, on floors, walls, pails, tubs, etc.

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FEATURED ARTICLE

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Anthrax is an infectious disease of warm-blooded animals, including humans, caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. One of the oldest known diseases, it was once epidemic and still appears in many world areas, but only sporadically in the western and southern United States. It was the first disease for which the causative organism was isolated, by C. J. Davaine in 1863, for which a pure culture was obtained, by Robert Koch in 1876, and for which an effective vaccine was developed, by Louis Pasteur in 1881.

Although Anthrax can be found globally, it is most common in agricultural regions where it occurs in animals. These include South and Central America, Southern and Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Animals acquire the disease from drinking water draining from contaminated soil, in which the infectious bacteria may live for years; from eating infected carcasses and feedstuffs; and from the bites of bloodsucking insects. The disease, sometimes manifested by staggering, bloody discharge, convulsions, and suffocation, may be fatal almost immediately in acute cases and within three to five days in subacute cases. Death is caused by toxemia. The disease can be prevented by immunization, and in animals that have not been vaccinated, it can be treated with antibiotics.

In humans, the disease appears in both external and internal forms: cutaneous (skin), inhalation, and gastrointestinal. The death rate is about 20 percent. The external or cutaneous form is contracted through cuts or abrasions in the skin by those who handle infected hides and carcasses and may be self-limiting, but often disseminates into the bloodstream, with fever and prostration. The external form is characterized by malignant pustules on exposed skin areas. The internal type is acquired by inhaling anthrax spores, as from animal hair and wool, which invade the lungs and sometimes the intestinal tract to cause hemorrhage. A particularly virulent form of inhaled anthrax, sometimes called battlefield anthrax, has been developed as a biological weapon. This anthrax strain is fatal unless the infected person has been vaccinated or antibiotics are administered within 12 hours. It is speculated that an intestinal variety may be caused by consuming contaminated meat or milk. Workers exposed to animal products, especially wool, can be protected by vaccination. Penicillin and tetracyclines are effective in treatment except in rapidly progressing cases.

Bacillus anthracis spores can live in the soil for many years, and humans can become infected with anthrax by handling products from infected animals or by inhaling anthrax spores from contaminated animal products. Anthrax can also be spread by eating undercooked meat from infected animals. It is rare to find infected animals in the United States.

The worst outbreak of anthrax occurred in 1979, when a biological weapons plant in Sverdlovsk, Russia (present-day Yekaterinburg), accidentally released airborne anthrax spores, killing 66 people. In 1998 American scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory used newly developed techniques to determine that the spores released in the accident contained at least four different strains of anthrax. This raised concerns that Russia, and possibly other countries, may be working on a vaccine-resistant form of anthrax for use as a biological weapon. Because anthrax is considered to be a potential agent for use in biological warfare, the U.S. Department of Defense has begun mandatory vaccination of all active duty military personnel who might be involved in conflict.

What are the symptoms of anthrax?

Symptoms of disease vary depending on how the disease was contracted, but symptoms usually occur within 7 days.

Cutaneous: Most (about 95%) anthrax infections occur when the bacterium enters a cut or abrasion on the skin, such as when handling contaminated wool, hides, leather or hair products (especially goat hair) of infected animals. Skin infection begins as a raised itchy bump that resembles an insect bite but within 1-2 days develops into a vesicle and then a painless ulcer, usually 1-3 cm in diameter, with a characteristic black necrotic (dying) area in the center. Lymph glands in the adjacent area may swell. About 20% of untreated cases of cutaneous anthrax will result in death. Deaths are rare with appropriate antimicrobial therapy.

Inhalation: Initial symptoms may resemble a common cold. After several days, the symptoms may progress to severe breathing problems and shock. Inhalation anthrax is usually fatal.

Intestinal: The intestinal disease form of anthrax may follow the consumption of contaminated meat and is characterized by an acute inflammation of the intestinal tract. Initial signs of nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever are followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood, and severe diarrhea. Intestinal anthrax results in death in 25% to 60% of cases.

Can anthrax be spread from person-to-person?

Direct person-to-person spread of anthrax is extremely unlikely to occur. Communicability is not a concern in managing or visiting with patients with inhalational anthrax.

Is there a way to prevent infection?

In countries where anthrax is common and vaccination levels of animal herds are low, humans should avoid contact with livestock and animal products and avoid eating meat that has not been properly slaughtered and cooked. Also, an anthrax vaccine has been licensed for use in humans. The vaccine is reported to be 93% effective in protecting against anthrax.

What is the anthrax vaccine?

The anthrax vaccine is manufactured and distributed by BioPort, Corporation, Lansing, Michigan. The vaccine is a cell-free filtrate vaccine, which means it contains no dead or live bacteria in the preparation. The final product contains no more than 2.4 mg of aluminum hydroxide as adjuvant. Anthrax vaccines intended for animals should not be used in humans.

Who should get vaccinated against anthrax?

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommend anthrax vaccination for the following groups:

1. Persons who work directly with the organism in the laboratory
2. Persons who work with imported animal hides or furs in areas where standards are insufficient to prevent exposure to anthrax spores.
3. Persons who handle potentially infected animal products in high-incidence areas. (Incidence is low in the United States, but veterinarians who travel to work in other countries where incidence is higher should consider being vaccinated.)
4. Military personnel deployed to areas with high risk for exposure to the organism (as when it is used as a biological warfare weapon). The anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program in the U.S. Army Surgeon General's Office can be reached at 1-877-GETVACC (1-877-438-8222). http://www.anthrax.osd.mil

Anthrax is diagnosed by isolating Bacillus anthracis from the blood, skin lesions, or respiratory secretions or by measuring specific antibodies in the blood of persons with suspected cases.

Is there a treatment for anthrax?

Doctors can prescribe effective antibiotics. Ciprofloxacin seems to be the antibiotic drug of choice. To be effective, treatment should be initiated early. If left untreated, the disease can be fatal.

How are anthrax and other biological agent threats handled?

First and foremost, DO NOT PANIC! Many facilities in communities around the country have received anthrax threat letters. Most were empty envelopes; some have contained powdery substances. On October 12th, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a "Health Advisory" which can be viewed at http://www.bt.cdc.gov/documentsapp/anthrax/10122001handle/10122001handle.asp The purpose of the guidelines found in this Health Advisory is to recommend procedures for handling such incidents.

Additional Resources

Journal of the American Medical Association
"Anthrax as a Biological Weapon - Medical and Public Health Management"
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/287/17/2236

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Links to Anthrax Resources and Case Studies
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/anthrax/anthrax.asp

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THE HERBAL CORNER

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GOLDENSEAL is the dried, yellow rhizome and rootlets of a small woodland-floor plant (Hydrastis canadensis) native to eastern North America. The herb's growing popularity has made it increasingly rare in the wild, leading a number of states to list the plant as "endangered."

Goldenseal root was used by Native American tribes, including the Cherokee and Iroqouis, as a yellow dye and for health conditions ranging from topical inflammations, debility, cancer, and dyspepsia to whooping cough, pneumonia, diarrhea, fever and sour stomach. European settlers of the 18th century used a goldenseal root wash for eye inflammations. Folk uses expanded during the 19th and 20th centuries, to include inflammations and infections of the mucus membranes (e.g., canker sores and sore gums or throat), skin sores, cancers, bleeding, menstrual complaints, ulcers, gastritis, colitis, constipation, ringworm, acne, genitourinary infections, thrush, and snake bite.

Today, Goldenseal has both internal and external applications. It is taken orally to alleviate colds and fevers, stop recurrent ear infections, and stimulate the immune system. Its ability to counter microbes and parasites makes it useful in conditions such as vaginitis and urinary tract infections, and digestive ailments such as infectious diarrhea. The herb acts as a stimulant and seems to affect the body's mucous membranes by drying up secretions, reducing inflammation, and fighting infection through the mild antimicrobial action of its active ingredients, alkaloid compounds called hydrastine and berberine.

Herbalists often recommend it topically for its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic actions, which make it useful to clean wounds, reduce hemorrhoids, soothe canker sores, and alleviate skin infections (including ringworm and athlete's foot). It can also help treat eye infections such as conjunctivitis and blepharitis.

Studies have recently explored the mechanisms by which berberine inhibits certain human cancer cells and reduces inflammation, and found that berberine is more effective in clearing a malaria-related parasite than tetracycline.

Goldenseal is generally safe when taken as directed. It is potent enough, however, that it should not be taken in large amounts (which may cause gastrointestinal distress and possible nervous system effects) or over a long term (do not exceed three weeks of continuous use without a break of at least two weeks). Goldenseal is not recommended for women who are pregnant or lactating.

Liquid extracts and capsules that contain the whole, dried herb are the most popular products. Goldenseal is also available in tincture form and is frequently sold and consumed in combination with other herbs.

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HEALTHY RECIPE-OF-THE-MONTH