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Session Details
Guest Name Lev G. Fedyniak, MD  
Subject Live Clinic: Herbal Therapies
Date Sunday,Jan 25 ,2004
Time Makkah
From
... 19:00...To... 21:00
GMT
From
... 16:00...To...18:00
 
Name
Host    - 
Profession
Question


Answer
Dear Viewers,

The session has just started. You are invited to join us with your questions.

After the session, you may view the whole dialogue in the recent sessions list.

Yours,

Islamonline Live Dialogue Editing Desk

 
Name
nalgis    - Afghanistan
Profession adminstrative assistant
Question
What is Black seed I don't know if it is the oil or the seed it self and what is it used for I think I heard that is useful for bringing cholestoral down and where might you find this?

Answer
Black seed (Nigella sativa), commonly known as Fennel Flower, or Nutmeg Flower, is a small Asiatic annual, native to Syria, not in any way related to the Fennel, but belonging to the buttercup order of plants and grown to a limited extent in southern Europe and occasionally in other parts of the world.

Among the Romans it was esteemed in cooking, hence one of its common names, Roman Coriander.

Medicinal Action and Uses: In India, the seeds are considered as stimulant, diaphoretic and emmenagogue, and are believed to increase the secretion of milk. They are also used as a condiment and as a corrigent or adjuvant of purgative and tonic medicines.

In Eastern countries they are commonly used for seasoning curries and other dishes, and the Egyptians spread them on bread or put them on bread or put them on cakes like comfits, believing them to be fattening. They are also used in India for putting among linen to keep away insects, and the native doctors employ them medicinally as a carminative in indigestion and bowel complaints.

The seeds can be chewed, used in food and also a tea can be made from them by boiling the seeds for 15 minutes, cooling and drinking about 1/2 a cup once or twice a day.

As regards the cholesterol, the alkaloid formed from the breakdown of the seeeds has a positive impact on cholesterol, but not as strongly as other herbs, incl. garlic.

PS: Women need to be aware of using the seeds as they can increase the secretion of breast milk.


 
Name
Someone    - United States
Profession Student
Question
Asalam o alaykum.

What is the best herbal therapy for tired feet? My second question is: could you suggest a herbal therapy for controlling dandruff which is not harmful at all to the hair? Meaning, that it doesnt make the hair weak; rather makes the hair healthy.

Jazakallah Khairun!

Answer
The best therapy for tired feet is an old one- Epsom Salt soak! Very effective and has antibiotic properties as well.

As for dandruff, I recommend a shampoo with the ingredient selenium sulfide (usu. about 1%), which is very effective- more so than the herbal ones I've seen.

 
Name
Basmala    - Palestine
Profession _
Question
Assalam Alaykom Dear Brotheres and Sisters,
My broblem ( I have many in fact which I'll ask you about later inshAllah )is my hair.It's thinning and brittle .Any help? May Allah reward you all !!


Answer
Your suffering is dear to my heart, I too had such a problem but solved it differently. I cut it all off and I am now bald! However, there is a Chinese herb called He Shou Wu, which is effective for greying hair, loss of hair and quality of hair.

By the way, its latin name is polygonum multiflorum and it can be powdered and ingested as a tablet or capsule and also by making a tea as described earlier.

There are many other things that can be used including Aloe Vera Gel, Glycerin, Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol), Vitamin B (Panthenol), Herbal Extracts Of Colsfoot, Horsetail, Nettle, and Burdock, Vitamin A palmitate Sage Essential Oil, Rosemary Essential Oil. Of course, there's also retin A, which is a medicine cream.

 
Name
sara    - Pakistan
Profession student
Question
I am 24 years old, I have been suffering from a skin problem for a year now. I have numerous black spots all over my skin. My skin is very sensitive and also dry. I used many creams and medicationes of aleopahtic and herbal origin, and even homeopathic but i got no result. After I used them I turned out to be allergic to them. Now my skin allergy is over but the black spots are still there.

I am in a very depressed and in a really bad mood because of the look of my skin. I even avoid going out and facing my friends and relatives.

please give me any suggestions and i am waiting for yuor reply.

Thank you.

Answer
This is a little difficult becasue I can't see you. Generally, black spots are either genetic (did you have them all your life?) in which case there's really nothing that'll be effective.

Then there's the question if you got them as a reaction to something, i.e. sun, illness, certain drugs and medicines, etc.

As for treatment, it depends on how wide-spread they are and how many. If it's genetic, there's honestly very little to be done. If it's due to medicine or allergic reaction, then you can start with a glucocorticosteroid like prednisone and then skin herbs like aloe vera gel.



 
Name
Shams    - Bangladesh
Profession
Question
I would like to know herbal remedies for high blood pressure, lowering cholestorel and heart block.

Answer
Well, you're looking at a complex situation. No one herb will address all the problems at once. Also, it's a question as to the root cause. But, generally, garlic is on top of the list.

Now here is an old formula that is quite effective:

Prickly Ash............................6 parts
Bayberry....... .......................4 parts
Aristolochia spp.......................2 parts
Selenicereus or relative...............1 part
Red Ginseng (low BP)...................1 part
White Ginseng (normal or high BP)......1 part

Nutrients for HBP incl:

Calcium, 1500-3000 mg. per day (calcium deficiency has been linked to high blood pressure). Magnesium, 750-1000 mg. per day. L-carnitine (amino acid), 500 mg. twice per day on an empty stomach, aids in preventing heart disease. Selenium, 200 mcg. per day (deficiency has been linked to heart disease). Coenzyme Q10, taken 100 mg. per day, improves heart function and lowers blood pressure. Garlic capsules, 2 capsules 3 times per day, helps lower blood pressure. Germanium, 90 mg. daily, improves tissue oxygenation. L-Glutamine plus L-glutamic acid (amino acid), 500 mg. per day, detoxifies ammonia and aids in preventing heart disease. Vitamin C, 3,000-6,000 mg. in divided doses per day, improves adrenal function and reduces blood-clotting tendencies. Lecithin, taken as directed on the label, emulsifies fat, improving liver function and lowering blood pressure. Vitamin E, 100 IU, adding 100 IU each month to 400 IU, improves heart function. Kelp tablets, 5 tablets per day, is a good source of minerals and natural iodine. Vitamin B complex, 100 mg. twice daily, is important to circulatory function.

Herbs can incl any (or combos) of the following:

-Angelica
-Anise
-Barberry
-Betony, wood
-Bitterroot
-Boneset
-Burdock
-Caraway
-Cayenne
-Centaury
-Chamomile
-Chervil
-Cleavers
-Cloves
-Cohosh, black
-Corn silk
-Cranberry, high
-Dandelion
-Dock, yellow, root
-Dong quai
-Fennel
-Figwort
-Garlic
-Ginseng, Siberian
-Goldenseal
-Guelder rose
-Haw, black
-Hawthorn berries
-Hyssop
-Indian hemp, b
-Indian hemp, black
-Ju Hua
-Licorice
-Life everlasting
-Linden
-Magnolia
-Marshmallow
-Meadowsweet
-Milfoil
-Mistletoe
-Motherwort
-Onion
-Parsley
-Peppermint
-Plumbago
-Primrose
-Ragwort
-Rosemary
-Rue
-Sassafras
-Senna
-Skullcap
-Storksbill
-Strawberry, leaves
-Suma
-Vervain, blue
-Yarrow

I am personally a VERY big advocate of Coenzyme Q-10 as it will positively impact all the conditions you mentioned!





 
Name
ANSER    - United Arab Emirates
Profession ARCHITECT
Question AS SALAMU LAIKUM

MY MOTHER SUFFERS FROM KNEE PROBLEM. SHE IS 65 YEARS OLD , SHE HAS PROBLEM IN WALKING AND SQUATTING CAN THIS BE CURED.
Answer
Again, hard to say from a distance. First, was there any trauma? Second, does she suffer arthritis? There are drugs that can help including glucocorticosteroids like prednisone, but that's a short term solution.

There is another therapy I have been experimenting with here in Ukraine that I have found to be EXCELLENT. It is similar to a TENS therapy in that controlled, low-voltage electrical stimulation is applied to large, myelinated peripheral nerve fibers via cutaneous electrodes for the purpose of modulating stimulus transmission and relieving pain. Also, the newer approaches stimulate the nerve fields called dermatomes that create new neural pathways aiding in healing and pain reduction.


 
Name
Jalal    - Netherlands
Profession student
Question
Esselaamoe 3aleikom wa rahmato Allaah

I have type 1 diabetes since two weeks. And I have to inject insulin. I am 23 years old.

My question is as follows:

Is it true that hidjaama (cupping-therapy) can help healing from diabetes??

And is the chinese form of cupping-therapy the same as the hidjaama that is mentioned in the hadiths by our beloved prophet Mohammed (pbuh)??

wa jazaakom allah khairan

Answer
Cupping is a therapy in which a jar is attached to the skin surface to cause local congestion through the negative pressure created by introducing heat in the form of an ignited material.

There is a protocol in TCM for diabetes (a number of them actually) using acupuncture and herbs. Part of the protocol can incl. cupping some of the acupuncture points instead of needling them.

There is a protocol in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) for diabetes (a number of them actually) using acupuncture and herbs. Part of the protocol can incl. cupping some of the acupuncture points instead of needling them.

I am unfortunately ill informed about the hidjaama method so cannot comment.

 
Name
Rizwan    - India
Profession Engineer
Question Hello Doctor,

My Father aged 67 is suffering from age related macular degeneration and also has cataract. He will be undergoing laser surgery for the cataract but the doctor has said his eyesight will continue to diminish due the condition mentioned before could you suggest some treatment for the same.

The second question is regarding obesity are there any herbs which can be used to loose weight in comination with dietying and excercising.

Thank you very much

Answer
I wrote an article about Photodynamic Therapy as a cancer treatment.

Well, the good news is that there is significant research to show its effectiveness in macular degneration too!

As for weight loss, that depends on what the cause of the gain. Was it hormonal, emotional, etc..?

Generally, a medication called Meridia (Sibutramine Hcl) is effective in curbing the appetite. In combination with Chitosan, it can be very effective.

There is a drug only available in Ukraine that has signif evidence in reducing cataracts and also visual problems associated with diabetes.

 
Name
Hadia    - Norway
Profession student
Question
Assalaamu aleikum!

What would you suggest is the best natural remedy for sinusitis?

And what could be given to children to help asthmatic conditions?

Lastly do you have a suggestion for a good relaxing herbal tea or something of the kind?

Wa salaam

Answer
Well, for sinusitis, I just addressed the issue.

As for the asthma, nutrients include:

Vitamin A plus beta-carotene, 15,000 IU per day, is needed for tissue repair and immunity.

Pantothenic Acid (B5), 50 mg. 3 times per day, is an antistress vitamin.

Vitamin B complex, 50 mg 4 times daily, stimulates the immune system.

Pyridoxine (B6), 50 mg. 3 times per day or 1/2 cc. (injections are the most effective).

Vitamin B12, 100 mg. 2 times per day.
Vitamin E, 600 IU per day and up.

Magnesium, 750 mg. per day (may stop the severe asthma attack).

Multivitamin/mineral complex (high potency) with selenium, 200 mg. per day, is necessary to enhance immune function.

Vitamin C plus riboflavonoids, 1,500 mg. 3 times per day.

Bee pollen, started with a few granules and increased slowly to 1 tsp. per day.


- Calcium, 1,500 mg. per 3 times per day.

- Coenzyme Q-10, 100 mg. per day, has the ability to counter histamine.

Herbs incl. honeysuckle, ma huang (a Chinese herb called efedra), Lobelia, Plaintain, Mullein, Parsley and a whole host of others. Acupuncture is VERY effective in asthma as well. Sage, which is readily available in most parts of the world is very effective in treating lung congestion- just make a tea. Also, extract of valerian roots is one of the best calming agents.

 
Name
-    - United Kingdom
Profession student
Question
Asalamualykum!

I was wondering if there are any remedies for acne and scars that occur due to acne? I have had acne for about 2/3 years now, although it has gone much better i still have some scars.

Please help.
Jazakhallah Khair.

Answer
Acne is usually due to a bacterial infection. First, keep the skin clean- wash frequently. Antibiotics have been traditionally prescribed becasue of this (Tetracycline usually) and they do have some effect.

As for the scaring, first try aloe vera gel. It has an antibiotic effect as well. Then, use a calendula (marigold) salve. The two should help alot.

 
Name
Mohamed    - Somalia
Profession Teacher
Question
I'm suffering from a continuous bad smell nose-running for three weeks.

Answer
Likely you are suffering from sinusitis. Recent research from the Mayo Clinic in the U.S. suggests that chronic sinusitis/ rhinitis is caused by fungus in 90+% of cases!

Treatment includes antifungal medications such as nistatin or herbs incl. echinacea, garlic and goldenseal. Also, saline nasal washes may help.

An antihistaminc drug will help "dry up" the nasal congestion until the fungus is eliminated.

 
Name
Hicham    - Morocco
Profession Researcher
Question
First,thanks a lots.

My problem is that i´m suffering from psychlogical stress during the last years. Could you describe me or recommended me what i should do to have a rest.

Answer
First, try to step back. Is what you're really undergoing worth the stress FUNDAMENTALLY?

Then, you can introduce herbs that will relax you like valerian root, most all of the mints, especially peppermint, camomile, etc.. Do that on a daily basis if not two-three times a day.

Finally, introduce an adaptogen or two into your system to help re-regulate your basic body systems and replenish the energy you have dissipated, as in the list in the previous question.

 
Name
Aisha    - 
Profession
Question
My son has a serious case of allergies and asthma. What would you recommend for herbal treatment of these illnesses?

Answer
For asthma see previous question.

With allergies, it really depends. Are they food allergy based? Environmental contaminants? Common environmental agents, ie dust, animal dander, molds, etc.. The key is desensitization once the allergen has been determined.

Some common herbs used in treating allergies though include:
- Aloe vera
- Burdock
- Cabbage, skunk
- Centaury
- Cocklebur
- Coriander
- Cubeb
- Dandelion
- Elder
- Euphorbia
- Eyebright, red
- Fenugreek
- Feverfew
- Fire weed
- Fringe tree
- Goldenrod
- Goldenseal root
- Gum plant
- Ma-huang
- Marsh cudweed
- Nettle
- Papaya
- Phytolacca
- St. Mary's thistle
- Silverweed

 
Name
Jame    - Canada
Profession
Question
Salam Doctor,

Is korean ginseng tea okay to drink on a regular basis? Is there any side effects?

Answer
Ginseng is a wonderful tonic and adaptogenic herb, regardless of the variety. The key with any tonic herb is frequency of use. Use it for four weeks take four weeks off then start again. Do this for six to twelve months and see how you feel. Then decide whether you need to continue. With tonic herbs there can be "Too much of a good thing".

 
Name
hisham    - Turkey
Profession engineer
Question
I am 30 years old university graduate. I suffer from long hours of sleep that reach 12 hours. I cant wake up early in the morning and if I do, I feel sleepy daylong.

I wonder if there is a nutritional solution for this problem.



Answer
Diet is usually a big factor here. Too much meat, or fat and cholesterol.

You would do well with introducing adaptogens into your system including ginseng, reindeer antler, Leuzia , schizandra chinensis, rhodiola rosea, borage, astragulus, rhemannia, gotu kola, just to name a few. Also, reduce fried foods!


 
Name
Muhammad    - 
Profession
Question
Can you tell us something about Gano Darma and its qualities?

Answer
I think you mean Ganoderma. Ganoderma belongs to the Polyporaceae group of the Fungi family - Reishi and some formulas contain other mushrooms.

Ganoderma is frequently used in the treatment of cancer because it helps cleanse the body from toxins and it helps strengthen the immune system.

It enhances liver detoxification, thus improving liver function and stimulating the regeneration of liver cells, making it a very important supplement for those who have liver cancer.

The anti-cancer agents in Ganoderma are the polysaccharides and Germanium. The polyshaccharide fraction of Ganoderma is largely responsible for its anti-tumor efficacy. Indications for Ganoderma use in cancer include supplementation
a) to reduce side-effects during chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
b) to prolonging survival and minimize metastasis.
c) to improve quality of life.
d) to prevent occurrence or recurrence.

Qualities of Ganoderma that help in the treatment of cancer are:
a) Enhances and helps to regulate the immune and endocrine system.
b) Prevent tumors.
c) Improving the circulation.
d) Eliminating harmful free radicals.
e) Inhibits DNA synthesis of the cancer cells.
f) Destroys the terminal enzyme activity of the tumor cells.
g) Promotes macrophages and regulates T and B lymphocytes, thus restraining the spread of cancer cells.



It can also reduce the toxic and side effects and mitigate the pains during chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Enhances liver detoxification, thus improving liver function and stimulating the regeneration of liver cells.

Helps with cancerous ascites, increases appetite and help relieve the pain of late stage cancer.

It is especially effective with kidney diseases.
 
Name
Muhammad Kamal    - Pakistan
Profession student
Question
I have lot of black spots on my face.

Answer
Refer to the previous qustion about black skin spots.

 
Name
khalil    - United States
Profession computerkeyer
Question
What is a good remedy for hepatitis c and a good natural stimulant so I can eliminate coffee and last of all something for premature ejaculation.

Answer
In terms of herbs, first and foremost is to support the liver. The best herb for that is milk thistle (silymarin). Also useful is Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice Root), Unicaria (cat’s claw).

Recently, research in Africa has identified plant compounds in the Garcinia species that have antiviral activity and are used by native people to treat hepatitis.

There is also a whole approach to supportive care with herbs as well as nutritional supplementation.

As for coffee, look at chicory root.

Premature ejaculation- try hypnosis! Best approach!

 
Name
Hadir    - Nigeria
Profession
Question
assalamu alaikum,
my question is.Is there any herbal therapy for treating ulcers?
thanks

Answer
There's quite a bit actually. My favorite though is called oblipixa here in Ukraine (Hippophae rhamnoides) also known as Common Sea Buckthorn. Absolutely excellent.

Since ulcers are caused by an acid loving bacteria, the best approach is still an antibiotic (Amoxicillin) with an acid regulator (Omeprazole) and herbal support, including mint teas, schizandra sinensis, etc.

 
Name
Host    - 
Profession
Question -
Answer We apologize for not answering all your questions due to the large number we received today with limited time. Due to unforseen circumstances, Dr. Fedyniak will not be able to answer the additional questions as previously promised. We'll be sure to bring him back inshallah soon, so please do continue to follow our live clinic announcents!

Yours,
IOL live dialogue editing desk

 

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