Herbal Combinations

Diabetes Type I

Liu Wei Di Huang Wan 0r Six Flavor Tea Pill is a formula for many yin deficient diseases and the standard formula for diabetes in China.

Hydrochloric Acid Deficiency

Bitter herbs are thought to stimulate digestive function by increasing saliva production and promoting both stomach acid and digestive enzyme production. As a result, they are particularly used when there is low stomach acid but not in cases of heartburn or too much stomach acid.

These herbs taste bitter, thus the name. Some examples of bitter herbs include greater celandine, wormwood, and gentian. Bitters are generally taken either by mixing 1–3 ml tincture into water and sipping slowly 10–30 minutes before eating, or by making tea, which is also sipped slowly before eating. There are many combination products available from your health food store.

A more comprehensive list would include andrographis, artichoke, barberry, bitter melon, bitter orange, blessed thistle, boldo, centaury, dandelion, devil’s claw, elecampane, gentian, goldenseal, greater celandine, horehound, juniper, Oregon grape, picrorhiza, prickly ash, vervain, wormwood, yarrow and yellow dock.

Dyspepsia / Poor Digestion

Digest RC is a multiple herbal extract formulation which was introduced in Europe over 45 years ago and today sells over 100 million doses annually. The primary mechanism of action promotes the release of bile from the liver to digest fat and protein. The various ingredients within Digest RC are delivered to the parts of the digestive system where they will be most effective by means of a “layered” delivery system (i.e., multiple timed-release). In this manner, Digest RC optimizes the operation of its ingredients to aid all digestive problems which other products usually only attack one at a time. Digest RC is particularly beneficial for those who have not responded to food elimination therapy, and those with the digestive problems associated with aging.

The ingredients in Digest RC have been able to:

Heartburn / GERD

Digest RC has been used to treat and prevent digestive disorders including acid reflux.

General Detoxification Requirement

One program which has produced remarkable results in some of those who have tried it is described in a book called Cleanse Thyself Program Guide associated with Richard Anderson, NMD, who wrote Cleanse & Purify Thyself. The program of herbs and colon cleansing can be very effective in removing mucoid plaque, if present. The products needed to perform this cleanse can be ordered from many websites including the Arise and Shine home page.

Chronic Fatigue / Fibromyalgia Syndrome

ViaViente has helped some people resolve fibromyalgia pain and improve their energy levels.

Parasite Infection

Anti-parasite drugs are powerful and can cause gastrointestinal problems. In mild parasite infections one can consider a more natural approach and use less toxic, nonprescription items. Some savory/culinary herbs can be used to kill intestinal parasites. Ginger is known to kill roundworms, one of the most common intestinal parasites, as well as a number of other common parasites. Various studies show that thyme and summer savory destroy hookworms and roundworms, and that rosemary, chamomile, elecampane and gentian kill many types of intestinal worms and also decrease intestinal inflammation. There may be combinations of these herbs available in your local health food store.

Chronic Inflammation

Although we try to make generic recommendations and stay away from proprietary products, sometimes a company does provide a quality herbal combination product which we want to mention. ViaViente is such a product. One distributor’s page is located here.

Low Platelet Count

In China, primary ITP is the main subject of reports suggesting that Chinese herbs – but not acupuncture – will raise the platelet levels in patients with persistent ITP, often to an acceptable level although only rarely to the normal range. According to the clinical reports, the use of herbs will often raise the platelets from the unacceptable level (below 50, at which bleeding that is difficult to stop may occur) to an average of about 75-85. Normal platelet levels are usually defined as 150 or above. Some patients described in the literature had their platelet levels reach over 100 and a small number attained a completely normal level.

A Chinese formula used for IDP contained: astragalus, codonopsis, tang-kuei, moutan, agrimony, isatis leaf, perilla stem, licorice, raw rehmannia, cooked rehmannia and eclipta. The trial group of 36 patients receiving this formula ranged in age from 13-60 years. Treatment time was at least three months and it was reported that all but 3 of the patients had improvement of symptoms. The average increase of platelets was from 38 to 79, and the average decrease in IgG was from 74 to 32. [Shanghai Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1991; (3): pp.1-3]

Anticoagulant Use

Although there are no specific studies demonstrating interactions with anticoagulants, the following herbs contain coumarin-like substances that may interact with heparin and could conceivably cause bleeding. These herbs include dong quai, fenugreek, horse chestnut, red clover, sweet clover, and sweet woodruff. Consult a healthcare professional if taking an anticoagulant and wishing to use one of these herbs.

Problem Caused By Being Overweight

12 cases of acute liver injury were associated with the use of two Chinese herbal weight loss supplements in Japan. The products, Chaso and Onshido, were found adulterated with a variant of the appetite depressing drug fenfluramine. [ Ann Intern Med 2003;139(6): pp.488-92]

Joint Pain, General

ViaViente is used by some doctors to reduce joint pain, especially in the hands.

Antioxidant Need/Oxidative Stress w/o Supplements

ViaViente is advertised as a natural and potent source of antioxidants.

Diabetes Type II

Liu Wei Di Huang Wan 0r Six Flavor Tea Pill is a formula for many yin deficient diseases and the standard formula for diabetes in China. Many people with diabetes have started taking this while monitoring there insulin levels and gradually needed less and less insulin. Sometimes results are fast, sometimes slow, but there is always seem to be results. Sometimes patients become completely free of taking insulin.

Liver Detoxification / Support Requirement

Some of the scientific research and practical experience of people using Triphala down through the ages has demonstrated that it is an effective blood purifier that stimulates bile secretion as it detoxifies the liver, helps digestion and assimilation, and significantly reduces serum cholesterol and lipid levels throughout body. As a result, it is regarded as a kind of universal panacea and is the most commonly prescribed herbal formula.

Many Indian people believe that triphala is able to care for the internal organs of the body as a mother cares for her children. Each of the three herbal fruits of Triphala takes care of the body by gently promoting internal cleansing of all conditions of stagnation and excess while at the same time it improves digestion and assimilation.

Kidney Failure

The use of Liu Wei Di Huang Wan or Six Flavor Tea Pill has shown a decrease of fatalities due to kidney disease.

Kidney Weakness / Disease

The use of Liu Wei Di Huang Wan or Six Flavor Tea Pill has shown a decrease of fatalities due to kidney disease.

Bronchitis, Acute

Dr. Christopher’s Bronchitis Formula contains Comfrey Root (Symphytum officinale), Horehound (Marrubium vulagre), boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum), Coltsfoot (Tussilago Farfara), Elecampane Root (Inula helenium), Ginger Root and Lobelia (Lobelia inflata).

Comfrey is specific for bronchitis, it is one of the greatest cleansers for getting mucus out of the body. You can relax the throat, stomach, and bronchi rapidly with a very small amount of lobelia. Boneset, Coltsfoot & Elcampane Root assist in clearing up old chronic diseases of the lungs and chest. Horehound will help to expectorate tough phlegm form the chest. Ginger root aids in circulation and removal of wastes.

Dosage: Two to four droppers full (½ to 1 tsp.) 3 to 5 times a day.

Växa’s Lung Formula is available over the Internet. It is a combination of nutrients, herbs, and herbal extracts traditionally used around the world to support lung function. Lung Formula promotes your body’s natural process of respiration while providing nutritional support to the lungs. This formula is a blend of homeopathic remedies, along with herbs rich in key nutrients traditionally known for their value in naturally supporting lung function like lungwort, white horehound, colsfoot, lung moss, garden violet, soap bark in a base of minerals and trace elements traditionally used to support lung function.

Cancer / Risk - General Measures

The essential ingredients of “C” Formula and “Y” Formula – CESSIAC(R) and YUCCALIVE(R) – include sheep sorrel, burdock root, schidigera yucca and fennel. The results of this group of observations, conducted in China, showed that the combined use of “C” Formula and “Y” Formula had confirmed therapeutic effect on the treatment and prevention of tumors. They could improve the immunologic function of the body and the overall health of the patient. The herbs had no obvious toxic side-effects. Information and study details can be found at the home page for Focus On Health.

Of the 39 cases in this study, 23 were tumor patients and 16 were secondary immunologic deficiency patients. Among the tumor patients, three died of advanced metastatic carcinoma since they were already at a critical stage when starting the treatment. There was one case of complete remission, 6 cases of partial remission and 13 cases of moderate remission and stabilized development. The total remission rate was 30.4%. The rate of moderate remission and stabilized development was 56.5% and the death rate 13%. Of the 16 secondary immunologic deficiency cases, 5 were notably benefited, 8 were moderately benefited, and three did not benefit.

Notably, there were no toxic side-reactions as seen with other anticancer drugs, such as arrest of bone marrow, digestive tract reactions and baldness. On the contrary, all patients in the study group had improvements in spirit, appetite, digestive function, physical strength and immunologic function of the body. The herbs were also shown to be effective on hepatitis B, allergic rhinitis, pulmonary tuberculosis and coronary heart disease. Therefore, the herbal combination was considered to be better than other antitumor drugs.

Erectile Dysfunction (ED, Impotence)

BetterMAN™ is a clinically tested Chinese herbal supplement that improves sexual performance and prostate health. In scientific studies, after only 3 bottles of BetterMAN™ over 70% of American men experienced increased ability to attain and sustain an erection, delay ejaculation and desire sex as well as a dramatic decrease in nighttime urinary frequency and urgency. BetterMAN™ is not a short acting stimulant, but an all-natural long term solution with no side-effects. []The Journal of Urology, Nov. 2000]

Will BetterMAN™ help men who have had prostate surgery? The results for users vary, depending upon the degree of damage to local nerves caused by the surgery. Ask your doctor for advice. In many cases, it takes longer than 3 bottles for BetterMAN™ to work for these users.

This product is manufactured in the U.S. and contains Radix ginseng, Rhizoma dioscoreae, Radix paeoniae alba, Herba epimedii, Cornu cervi pantotrichum, Radix astragali, Poria cocos, Radix morindae officinalis, Fructus corni, Cortex eucommiae, Radix angelicae sinensis, Fructus lycii, Radix Rehmanniae, Rhizoma chuanxiong, Fructus schisandrae, Acanthopanax senticosus, Cynomorium songaricum rupr, and Cortex cinnamomi.

Possible Pregnancy-Related Issues

Triphala (generally used for constipation) should not be used during pregnancy, as it’s ‘downward flowing’ energy is believed to favor miscarriage.

ViaViente, a combination product, is safe for pregnant and/or lactating women.