Removing biofilm via Terminalia chebula

[posey]

This is an article in the John Hopkins magazine Imagine. It is about an Ayurvedic medicine for the removal of biofilm in a patient with cystic fibrosus (sp). I thought this was interesting since I have incorporated a couple Ayurvedics into my daily regimen. I thinbk I will bw adding this als.

I know the FDA has put out a warning about Ayurvedics from India containing lead. I buy all mine from Himilaya Company. They have links to research papers right there on their site. I havebeenn doing some research on Ayurvedics and am surprised how even conventional medicine mentions them and uses them.

Cogito - Madhavi Gavini, ISEF 2006 Intel Foundation Young Scientist

John Hopkins has a copyright at the bottom so I didn;t know if it was OK to paste article here or not. But it is not that long. so click and read.

[novemberrain]

thanks for posting.. its 1 of 3 ingredients in triphala which is used to normalize bowl/cleanse- i beleive.

[Baraka Obam]

Posey that artical you posted had me RUSH out to buy some of this, I got it in the mail the other day.

While using F6 it pused some of my hidden involvment out to the surface of the skin.

Being a Lesion/TUMOR killer I pestered the tiny items with hydrogen peroxide 35% to push them out even quicker, then I used a shaving razor to top them, cutting a layer of the red pulp cells in halves making blood come out in droves.

This was a perfect time to harvest lesion blood for testing.

I took the Indian herb Terminalia chebula (HARITAKI) and put a teaspoon of it in water that had been boiled let it sit for a little time so the water would absorb some of the compound.

Then I took the lesion and shaved it the blood just poored out like mad, the Herb was put on the slide first and the blood dripped on top of it.

What I was expecting is this herb to stop the formation of the black tubes and hooks in the blood.

The results were very good,then I think I will have to try the same thing with just water and a few other items, herbs, and drugs, antibiotics, maybe even a steroid, just to see if they stop or slow the reaction.

I should also let the herb steep in the hot water longer.

Thanks posey.

[tcmgpt13]

Some information about buying herbs in bulk, including this one:

HARITAKI, the HINDU name for the herb terminalia chebula.

Be sure to shop around for good prices on all ayurvedic herbs and ayurvedic formulas (same advice applies to TCM herbs and Western herbs). The most economical way to buy haritaki is in bulk as a powder. Amazon has this herb from Bazaar of India (as the vendor) selling currently at $13.25 plus $5.95 shipping. On the Bazaar of India website itself this herb sells for $9.95 per half pound but the site right now is offering free shipping for any purchase. A tea can also be made from the powder. Herbs should be inexpensive when purchased in this way. There are good ayurvedic herbal companies out there who are careful with the sources for their herbs. The first company mentioned in this post is the original company to import ayurvedic herbs into the US.

Once buying powdered herbs in bulk it is then easy to buy empty capsules along with a small capsule maker to produce your own capsules. Most health food stores sell them or you can buy these products online (sometimes the empty capsules are much cheaper online, so again shop around for best prices). The initial investment in a capsule maker is an expense but you get to make a lot of capsules both now and in the future for very little money compared to buying an expensive ready made product, particularly those sold by MLM companies.

Bazaar of India sells good quality ayurvedic herbs as does Banyan Botanicals. I just found the facebook page for this company. Their prepared herbs are sold under the name VADIK:

facebook.com/pages/Bazaar-of-India-Premium-Ayurvedic-Herbal-Products/140107286063585?sk=info.

Banyan Botanicals' discussion about the herbs they sell--they mention using organic herbs. Also they are a fair trade company and support sustainable harvesting of herbs (read the home page for that discussion):

banyanbotanicals.com/quality-control.html

Sometimes other sellers sell herbs from these companies at discounted prices but of course shipping charges need to be taken into account. As with anything these days it pays to shop around for the best deals.

Also remember, this herb may or may not agree with your body constitution or symptoms. If you feel worse (beyond a short herx) after using this herb then reassess using it.

A little about the properties of the herb Haritaki or terminalia chebula:

Properties and Uses: According to Ayurvedic traditions, Haritaki is a Vata pacifying remedy used to treat cough, constipation, nervous disorders, asthma, hemorrhoids, heart disease, diahrrea, digestive problems, skin troubles, itching, edema, menorrhagia, spermatorrhea, tumors, voice and vision disorders, and for the mind in general. It possesses all six tastes except for salty, and is a reputed purgative with traditional use in dysentery and flatulence. The body's enzymes are activated by Terminalia's hot character, helping the plant medicine to dissolve ama.

herbies-herbs.com/pages/AyurvedicHerbUses.htm.

More information about the herb Haritaki, including some cautions about using it:

Haritaki Benefits

The herb Haritaki has following health benefits:

The herb has rejuvenative, laxative, astringent, purgative and dry properties. Paste made from the herb is effective in healing process of the wounds and ulcers. It also reduces swelling and acts as a cleanser. The herb relieves the eyelids in conjunctivitis. Regular gargling with the herb’s decoction helps in oral ulcers, sore throat and stomatitis.

It acts as an active astringent and relieves bleeding and loose gums and also gums ulceration.

It is also the main ingredient in Triphala, which is used to treat bleeding gums, hair wash and cleaning tooth in pyorrhea. Haritaki powder fried in ghee, when consumed regularly, boosts energy and promotes longevity.

Several gastrointestinal ailments such as ascites, tumors, enlargement of liver-spleen, piles, colitis and intestinal worms can be treated. Haritaki powder mixed in ghee and honey is effective in anemia treatment. Asthma and hiccups can be lightened when Haritaki is combined with sonth powder and taken with hot water.

Hepatitis and obesity can be cured with herb’s decoction when taken with honey.

The herb is a memory enhancer and is salutary in urinary stones and dysuria.

The herb is effective in digestion and improves appetite. The herb has astringent and anti-inflammatory properties, it is beneficial in vaginal discharges such as leucorrhea and urethral discharges such as spermatorrhea.

CAUTIONS before taking Haritaki herb:

The herb should not be taken by pregnant women and also by lean individuals.

It should not be taken in severe mental depression, vitiated pitta conditions, and fasting.

ayurveda.ygoy.com/?p=1508

Description of Vata Dosha or the type of constitution which may benefit from Haritaki

What having a Vata Dosha means. If you do not have a Vata Dosha (or at least a partial Vata Dosha) using this herb alone could worsen symptoms which is why I hate it when Western medicine attempts to use herbs like Western drugs without considering the constitution of the individual:

Vata governs movement in the body, the activities of the nervous system and the process of elimination. Vata influences the other doshas.

Qualities of Vata:

Cold, light, dry, irregular, rough, moving, quick, changeable

If Vata dosha predominates, movement and change are characteristic of your nature. You will tend to always be on the go, with an energetic and creative mind. As long as Vata is in balance, you will be lively and enthusiastic, with a lean body.

Physical Characteristics:

Those with a predominance of Vata dosha are usually have a thin, light frame and excellent agility. Their energy comes in bursts, and they are likely to experience sudden bouts of fatigue. Vatas typically have dry skin and hair and cold hands and feet. They sleep lightly and their digestion can be sensitive. When the Vata dosha becomes imbalanced, it manifests in the body as weight loss, constipation, hypertension, arthritis, weakness, restlessness, and digestive challenges.

Emotional Characteristics:

Vatas love excitement and new experiences. They are quick to anger but also to forgive. When Vatas are in balance, they are energetic, creative, and flexible. They also take initiative and are lively conversationalists. When unbalanced, they are prone to worry and anxiousness and often suffer from insomnia. When they feel overwhelmed or stressed, their response is, “What did I do wrong?”

chopra.com/vata

To read more about a vata constitution banyan botanicals has a large discussion of this on their site including suggestions for diet and lifestyle:

banyanbotanicals.com/constitutions/balancing_vata.htm

[dragonfly2]

When the center or I call it the bean (some people say grain of sand or whatever) it is is cut or plucked it does bleed thin blood profusely then in an instant stops.

[posey]

TCM, you are very knowledgable about Ayurvedics. I do not understand alk the apects of it as you have written about. I wish I knew as much as you do. I am copying your post to further my knowledge.

barak, I bought some also. I bought both capsule form and powder at Amazon. The powder is 1 lb. anf the capsules are a bottle of 100. Both cost a little over $13. each.

Yesterday I washed my face and scalp. I put some in a salt shaker and used a rubber glove to rub it dry into my face and scalp. I used a different glove for my face then my head.

It started last night alread but this morning I had large black specs that were hard in the inner corner of both eyes. They were in the outer corners as well but smaller. I also see small tiny black/brown pencil dot size specs around on my face. I would suppose they are on my scalp as well.

I did notice that putting this on caused more movement on my face. The trouble with that us you don;t know if it's a good or bad thing. I like to think good.

I am going to do the same today so will let all know if some more of this comes out......posey

As far as the capsules go, it says to take 1-3 daily or as recommended by practioner. I am taking 3capsules 3 x a day. It is 100% product. It does increase the appetite though. I noticed this happening to me and then when I was reading more about it, sure enough, it says it increases appetite. So I'm glad to be aware of that.