Royal jelly
 

teresaxtu mentioned a few months ago an old man in her village who was doing well with PD after many years. He attributed it to his consumption of royal jelly from his bee hives. I found that there was actually some research that backed him up. I filed it in my "to follow up" pile.

Yesterday, as part of a semi-desperate attempt to get over some high stress that had literally knocked my feet out from under me, I started it for a trial.

I am quite surprised. It actually seems to work, at least so far. I noticed a lift within a few hours and today (Day 2) has been the best in at least a month! Not only have some serious "Offs" disappeared but tomorrow I am going to cautiosly adjust my medication schedule.

I have talked to one PWP who has been trying it too with similar results. Has anyone else had any experience with it?

<NOTE- If you should decide to try it, be aware of possible allergies even fatal ones. Rare but known. Same as most medicines.>

Some research:

1: Hashimoto M, Kanda M, Ikeno K, Hayashi Y, Nakamura T, Ogawa Y, Fukumitsu H,
Nomoto H, Furukawa S.
Oral administration of royal jelly facilitates mRNA expression of glial cell
line-derived neurotrophic factor and neurofilament H in the hippocampus of the
adult mouse brain.
Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2005 Apr;69(4):800-5.
PMID: 15849420 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

2: Kohno K, Okamoto I, Sano O, Arai N, Iwaki K, Ikeda M, Kurimoto M.
Royal jelly inhibits the production of proinflammatory cytokines by activated
macrophages.
Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2004 Jan;68(1):138-45.
PMID: 14745176 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

3: Kamakura M, Mitani N, Fukuda T, Fukushima M.
Antifatigue effect of fresh royal jelly in mice.
J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2001 Dec;47(6):394-401.
PMID: 11922114 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

4: HOJA S, VITTEK J.
Effect of royal jelly on regeneration.
Folia Biol (Praha). 1963 Jun;9:230-2. No abstract available.
PMID: 13961242 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Reverett
 

My mum swore by royal jelly ...and comfrey.She grew comfrey and made wine,infused it,bottled it,shredded it..you name it,the list was endless.She was extremely healthy all her life until her late 70`s when she had parkinsons.
She had it 3 years when throat cancer was diagnosed and died through a hospital blunder 3 weeks later.But truly,she was a sprightly lady way into her 70`s..well up until the day she died.So was my dad.Home grown veg hey? Can`t beat it.
I have also read some interesting facts about cider vinegar.One woman,who actually now,diagnoses folks state of health and prescribes cider vinegar in the correct quantities for each individual,swore that she was mountain hiking in her pensioner years.
Another of her success stories was a girl who had spent many many years in a wheelchair,and after 2 years of this cider vinegar,needed the chair no longer.
I guess we could read and read until the cows come home,hanging our hopes on this and that,and so it is useful,when,like you have done here,someone actually state the benefits for sure...and has tried and tested something.

Maybe we should have a TRIED AND TESTED THREAD.

No Steffi waffle..just plain and simple facts ,quantities,daily dosage,benefits or not.
May I add that I am on a 10 day detox..not strictly adhereing because I smoke :(
but my digestive system is seeing the benefit already.
Thanks for this

Propolis..isn`t that the form that you buy royal jelly in?

steff

caveat emptor
 

Royal jelly is the rarest of the products of a hive. As a result there is a higher incidence of quality problems and a lot more crooks involved. Since it is unregulated, the only defense is to deal with reputable companies. I'm using NOW brand. 500 mg of a 3 to 1 concentrate equivalent to 1500 mg of raw product. I have been taking one in morning and one in evening but I may cut that in half over the next few days.

It is now 9:45 PM. Normally I would have had meds on a two hour schedule with the final at 8:00 PM. Also, the pattern of the last week would have had me Off an hour or more at mid-day and I would be Off by now for the evening.

Instead, I have had no Offs since this morning and I have had no meds since 6:00 PM. I'm expecting an Off but haven't felt it coming yet.

I have had a mild dyskinesia of the sort that comes with too much medication. Tomorrow I will try to cut the dose back a little and see if that takes care of that.

Excuse my ignorance, but WHERE does one buy Royal Jelly?

Caya

source
 

in usa at health food stores

Suspicious
 

Perhaps I am just cynical but given all the Royal Jelly that is sold by reputable and otherwise companies I am suprised that the declining bee population is producing that much.

Artificial Royal Jelly??

Ken

an fyi on royal jelly
 

Honey and Royal Jelly production is obviously on an industrial scale right now. The food industry processes millions of tons of honey, among other, for breakfast cereals. I know, because I have seen it, that industrial honey is runnier and lighter than natural honey from your own bee hives and I suspect that Royal Jelly is manipulated much the same way.
However, even the worst quality is still health food and good for us. The main problem with Royal Jelly is its price, especially if you buy it fresh (liquid).

Health food stores, pharmacies and top-notch supermarkets. My supermarket has a section of organic farm products and sometimes they have it right there in the middle of the cheeses and the briar honey.:)

Cider vinegar
 

I swear by cider vinegar (and cider in general). I posted about it before, but I get at least an extra hour "on" time with a glass of cider and my salad dressing has been invariably olive oil and cider vinegar for the last few years. It used to make my PD symptons go away for a while when I was still at the initial stage of the disease, to the point that I even could skip a dose of medication.
Not anymore now, of course, after 13 years you have to deal with your PD in a more resolute manner.:)

Hope you dont mind me popping in here (unofficially :) ) as I do find this a very interesting discussion

just wanted to add that my son (who has Tourette Syndrome and Crohn's Disease) has had tremendous benefit from Royal Jelly (as has our whole family), and it has been especially helpful in totally stopping serious bruxism that he used to have. (probably thanks to the high pantothenic acid- vitB5 content)
It is very rich in nutrients, especially B vitamins

We like the one by NOW too, but by far the best when we really need a tonic or are ill, is the one from BeeAlive.com. The purity and quality there is IMHO unsurpassed.


As an aside, it does trouble me though about the decline in honey bee populations being noted worldwide. So far it seems that this engineered pesticide in the DNA of genetically modified crops seems to be getting the most scrutiny as a possible culprit. Whatever the cause, it's something that should be getting a whole lot more attention in the media I would think.

Cider Vinegar is a real good GIT aid and my grandma used to insist we have it at the start of each day when we visited her. I loathed the taste at first, but I must say I have grown to like it, plus the boost one feels after drinking a shot glass of it is quite amazing.
Again, the organic ones sold in health stores is my choice, and I go for the unfiltered too.

Kefir is another natural health drink that we are finding much benefit from.

Ok...thanks for letting me ramble:o
I do find so many of your discussions here to be really informative, and confess to lurking a lot becasue of all I learn from you :D Thanks!

Day 3
 

Finally went Off about 11:00 PM last night.

Morning had normal start (slow) but then I got cocky and cut my meds back too far and went off for a couple of hours at mid-day. Been On ever since (now 7:00 PM).

Instead of increasing the time between doses, I now think it best to keep the spacing the same but to try reducing the dose itself if possible. Otherwise I'll run into the "pulse" problem.

vitamins suggested for stress / B Vitamins
 

Visit us online at www.NOWFoods.com


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06.05.07 -- The Stress Syndrome


By Marcia Zimmerman, CN, co-author 7-Syndrome Healing and author of 7-Color Cuisine

The stress response is a normal part of life. Faced with impending danger, your adrenal glands rapidly pump hormones into your system to get you out of harm’s way. Each adrenal gland is actually two endocrine glands in one. An outer cortex layer produces over 30 different steroids, the primary ones being cortisol, aldosterone, and DHEA. The inner layer or medulla produces the familiar catecholamine hormones epinephrine (adrenaline), norepinephrine (nor-adrenaline), and dopamine.1 Catecholamines are also produced in brain cells and this highlights the overlapping brain and adrenal gland (neuroendocrine) response to stress.2 A combination of these hormones is released when the body is subjected to some type of stressor. These fall into one of two classes – either short or long term stressors.

Short-term stressors contain the element of surprise, such as having a frightening experience that might be life-threatening. Neuroendocrine hormones increase heart rate, plus dilate air passages to enable deeper breathing and increased oxygen supply. Blood pressure is increased and blood flow is redirected from the digestive organs to the large muscle groups needed for a quick “exit”. The “adrenaline rush” that is part of the stress response is exhilarating and adds zest to life. However if you are continually subjected to long-term stress stemming from conflicts that you cannot resolve, you could be in for some serious health problems.

Time urgency, rudeness, anger, interruption, overcrowding, and travel – all common in the 21st century – trigger a long-term stress response. They have as great an impact on your health as more extreme stressors such as intensive cold, loud noise, serious injury, burns, and surgery. Both short and long term stress follow a similar pattern in terms of the phases of response. There are four distinct phases; alarm, resistance, exhaustion, and death.

Alarm is characterized by immediate activation of the neuroendocrine system. It is relatively short and very intense. The resistance phase is more prolonged and marked by interaction between three key glands, the hypothalamus, the pituitary and the adrenal glands. This is known as HPA activation and it allows you to accommodate or avoid the stress. Unpleasant symptoms such as chronic headaches, insomnia, heartburn, chest and muscle pain, digestive disturbances, and sexual dysfunction signal your body is struggling to resist the effects of chronic stress. If you don’t nip it in the bud, deeper tissue changes occur. These include lymphoid and thymic tissue shrinkage, adrenal hypertrophy, gastro-intestinal ulceration, central body weight gain, and muscle wasting. Hormonal imbalances and infertility are common. Poor memory, lack of ability to concentrate and psychological problems also occur.3 If adaptation fails, sooner or later one or more body systems will fail and eventually death will follow.

“Every stress leaves an indelible scar, and the organism pays for its survival after a stressful situation by becoming a little older.” Hans Selye, M.D, Ph.D. the famous “stress doctor” made this statement over 50 years ago. What has been identified as the “accelerated aging profile” is marked by high cortisol levels and low levels of the antiaging hormone DHEA. Relaxation is the anti-aging antidote because it drops cortisol levels and boosts DHEA levels, leading to a more optimal aging profile. Stress management therefore becomes an important anti-aging strategy and the cornerstone of 7-Syndrome Healing.

- Eliminate the stress if at all possible and reduce multi-tasking.
- Be in the moment, think positive thoughts and meditate, pray and relax throughout the day and get plenty of sleep.
- Eat well using the guidelines in 7-Color Cuisine: Nutrition Guide and Cookbook.
- Exercise to keep your mind and body on an even keel and hormones in balance.
- Supplement to counter the effects of stress and increase your ability to cope with it.

Exercise can reverse the biomarkers of aging in all seven syndromes. It benefits the metabolic, cardiovascular, immune, digestive, hormonal and musculoskeletal systems. It improves the quality of life, balance, coordination, and improves organ functionality and fat burning.

Supplementing with symptom specific herbs, vitamins, minerals and amino acids is the first step you will take in “customizing” your personal health program. Adaptogenic herbs helps counteract stress, relieve fatigue, and improve energy. An adaptogen has specific characteristics:

- Provides nonspecific increase in resistance to stress
- Helps normalize physiological effects of stress
- Neither stimulate nor relax beyond normal levels

Ashwaghanda (Withania somnifera) is also known as Indian ginseng and winter cherry. It is used to calm anxiety, nervous disorders, inflammation, and stress-induced sexual debility.4 Ashwagandha is particularly prized for its ability to improve concentration by boosting levels of acetylcholine, the primary “memory neurotransmitter.”5 Additional studies in animals have shown that Ashwagandha has immune-enhancing and cardio protective effects.6,7,8

Eleuthero senticosus, also known as Siberian ginseng, has been used in China and eastern Russia and the northernmost island (Hokkaido) of Japan for over 2,000 years as a non-specific enhancement for resistance. More recently, scientists have found it many reduce allergic response.9 The use of Eleuthero was expanded by the Soviets to improve physical fitness and endurance and today its use has been expanded to enhance the quality of life as we age.10,11

Rhodiola rosea, golden or arctic root, was a best kept secret of the Soviets and highly prized for its ability to enhance physical endurance, training capacity, and resistance to a variety of chemical, biological and physical stressors. Rhodiola has an impressive list of credentials that include stimulating the nervous system, lessening feelings of being overwhelmed, enhancing work performance, improving sleep, reducing fatigue, and preventing high altitude sickness. It does this by balancing catecholamines; serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine levels. As you have seen, these are the neurotransmitters that are involved in the stress/relaxation response.12

Vitamins that are especially important in managing stress are summarized here.

- Natural vitamin C (Amla berries): improves the adaptive capacity of the adrenals

- B-vitamins protect the adrenals from exhaustion (B1), needed for phase 1 liver detoxification (B2, B3, B6, folic acid). Pantethine may slow stress-induced cortisol production and B12 co-enzymes (methylcobalamin, dibencozide) provide energy, regulate circadian rhythms, and improve sleep quality.

- “Semi-vitamins” (nutrients with vitamin-like activity) to include in stress management are GliSODin™, lipoic acid (can boost glutathione levels as much as 30%), polyphenols (flavonols, green tea), and natural carotenoids. Except for these last supplements, you can get the vitamins you need from a good daily multiple (see The Zimmerman file, May 2007).

On a last note, individuals differ in their response to chronic stress, which in turn affects the balance of hormones released. While one person may respond with nervous activity, another may be immobilized with anxiety. More specifics on these responses can be found by reading chapter two “The Stress Syndrome” in 7-Syndrome Healing. Or listen to the audio recording on my website at www.marciazimmerman.com. In the Zimmerman File over the next few months, we will look in depth at how chronic stress affects the metabolic, cardio, immune, malabsorption, hormone and osteo syndromes, and how you can customize your optimum health regimen.

References:

1 Ganong, WH; Review of Medical Physiology 16th ed. Norwalk, CN. Appleton and Lange 1993. pp. 323-332, 339-340

2 Norman, AW; Litwack, G; Hormones 2nd ed. San Diego, CA Academic Press. 1997. pp. 281-315, 319-337

3 Kelly, GS; “Nutritional and Botanical Interventions to Assist with the Adaptation to Stress” Altern. Med. Rev. 1999;4:249-265

4 Withania somnifera monograph Altern Med Rev 2004;9:211-214

5 Lindner, S.; Withania somnifera Austr. J Med 1996;8:78-82

6 Arora, S; et al; “The in vitro antibacterial/syngeristic activities of Withania somnifera” Fitoterapia 2004;75:385-8

7 Padmavathi, B; et al; “Roots of Withania somnifera inhibit forestoamch and skin carcinogenesis in mice” eCAM 2005;2:99-105

8 Mohanty, I; et al; “Mechanisms of cardioprotective effect of Withania somnifera in experimentally induced myocardial infarction: Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2004;94:184-90

9 Jeong, HJ; et al; “Inhibitory effects of mast cell-mediated reactions by cell cultured Siberian Ginseng” Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2001;23:107-17

10 Szolomicki, J; et al; The influence of active components of Eleutherococcus senticosus on cellular defense and physical fitness in man” Phytother Res 2000;14:30-5

11 Cicero, AF; et al; “Effects of Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus maxim.) on elderly quality of life: a randomized clinical trial” Arch Gerontol Geriatr Suppl. 2004;0:69-73

12 Rhodiola rosea monograph Altern Med Rev 2002; 7:421-423



©Copyright 2002-2005 NOW® Foods

PS. I do not sell these products - they are information for people who are interested...

Day 4 still greatly improved
 

Last meds at 6:00 PM last night and On until 11:00 or so. Slept well. Up at 7:00 and now coming On at 7:45 (Normally one hour minimum)

Day 11 update
 

Discovered the fly in the ointment or at least something that has to be worked around.

RJ has, among other things, a lot of amino acids. Three of them are particularly good at blocking ldopa. I am switching to taking the RJ in the evenng. I won't get symptomatic results then but it will give the neurogenic properties a chance.

However, those of you who are not taking Sinemet can take it in the mornings. I think you will be pleasently surprised.

I'm going to try to give it a couple of months assuming that this change corrects the timing problem.

I have just yesterday added ginseng to the mix. And after a week or two will add ashwagandha.

Hi Chemar
 

I ordered the brand of Royal jelly you recommended. I received it yesterday in the mail and have two doses and my husband is also taking the free sample of jelly and wheat germ capsules that came with it. Thanks again for the advice.

Vicky

RE: Ashwaganda
 

dear rev,
I have taken ashwaganda for the last 7 years, it is very very good, do you know it is a ginseng?

be well,
sincerely,
tena


Ashwaganda
Description

Ashwaganda, also spelled ashwagandha, is a member of the pepper family known as Withania somnifera. The small evergreen grows in the frost-free drier parts of western India, northern Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. Ashwaganda grows to a height of 2–3 ft (about 1 m) and has oval leaves, showy yellow flowers, and red, raisin-sized fruits. All parts of the plant, including the root, are used medicinally. Ashwaganda is also called winter cherry, withania, asgandh, and Indian ginseng.

General Use

Ashwaganda is a major herb in the Ayurvedic system of health and healing. Ayurvedic medicine is a system of individualized healing derived from Hinduism that has been practiced in India for more than 2,000 years. It is a complex system that recognizes different human temperaments and body types. Each of these types has different qualities that affect a person's health and natural balance.

In Ayurvedic medicine, disease can result from any of seven major categories of factors: heredity, congenital, internal, external trauma, seasonal, habits, or supernatural factors. Disease can also be caused by misuse of the five senses: sight, touch, taste, hearing, and smell. Diagnoses are made through questioning, observation, examination, and interpretation. Health is restored by evaluating the exact cause of the imbalance causing the disease or condition and then prescribing herbs, exercises, diet changes and/or meditation to help restore the natural balance of body, mind, and spirit. Prescriptions are highly individualized, so that the same symptoms may require different remedies in different people.

Ashwaganda is used to treat a great many different conditions in Ayurvedic medicine. Every part of the plant is used: leaves, fruit, flowers, and root. In addition, the young shoots and seeds are used as food and to thicken plant milks in the making of vegan cheeses. The fruit can be used as a substitute for soap, and the leaves are sometimes used as an insect repellent. Although ashwaganda can be taken alone, it is more often combined with other herbs in tonics to enhance its rejuvenating effects.

Indian Ginseng

Ashwaganda is sometimes called the Indian ginseng because its actions and uses are in many ways similar to those of Chinese ginseng, although its cost is much lower. In Hindi, the name of ashwaganda means "horse smell." This name refers less to the herb's odor than to a horse's strength and health. Ashwaganda is supposed to impart that same horse-like strength to the people who use it.


Ashwaganda is an adaptogen. Adaptogens are substances that non-specifically enhance and regulate the body's ability to withstand stress and increase its general performance in ways that help the whole body resist disease. Ashwaganda is celebrated as an adaptogen that will do all of the following:

boost strength
increase stamina and relieve fatigue
enhance sexual energy and rejuvenate the body
strengthen the immune system
speed recovery from chronic illness
strengthen sickly children
soothe and calm without producing drowsiness
clarify the mind and improve memory
slow the aging process
The powdered root of ashwaganda is normally used for whole body tonics that improve general health and well being. For most of these uses, ashwaganda is prepared as part of a rasayana, or rejuvenating formula that contains many different herbs. The use of ashwaganda in multi-herb formulas makes it difficult for modern laboratory scientists to assess its specific effects as an adaptogen.

Disease-Specific Uses

In addition to the whole body effects of ashwaganda, the plant is used for many other specific conditions. Different parts are used for different conditions. Ashwaganda is one of the most frequently used remedies in India. It is taken internally for:

anemia
arthritis
asthma
bronchitis
cancer
chronic fatigue syndrome
colds
coughs
depression
diarrhea
fluid retention
hemorrhoids
hypertension
hypoglycemia
leprosy
nausea
rheumatism
sexually transmitted diseases
stomach ulcers
systemic lupus erythematosus
tuberculosis
tumors
Ashwaganda can also be made into a poultice for external use, as it is thought to have antibacterial and antifungal properties. It is used to prevent infection in skin wounds and to treat skin diseases, including psoriasis, ringworm, and scabies.

Laboratory Studies

University and medical researchers have been studying ashwaganda since at least the early 1960s. Chemical analysis shows that ashwaganda contains compounds thought to have anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties. Other compounds have been isolated that are associated with ashwaganda's sedative and anti-stress effects.

The most rigorous laboratory tests have been done in test tubes and on rats, mice, and other small laboratory animals. There is no proof that ashwaganda affects humans in the same way that it affects rodents. In animal studies, however, ashwaganda has been shown to have consistent anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-stress, and sedative effects. In one well-known study, extracts of ashwaganda root were shown to significantly increase the swimming endurance of rats in a test that is considered a classic stress test.

Experimenters have had mixed results in demonstrating anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties of ashwaganda. Many have found that extracts of ashwaganda root slow the growth of tumor cells in test-tube and small-animal experiments, but these results have not yet been reproduced in human subjects. Some researchers report that ashwaganda makes tumors more sensitive to chemotherapy and radiation therapy without increasing side effects caused by these therapies.

Although there is little doubt that ashwaganda contains biologically active compounds that produce some of the healing effects in humans that have been found in test-tube and small-animal studies, few controlled studies using people have been done. One drawback to arriving at conclusive evidence in humans is that most people take ashwaganda as part of a multi-herb tonic, making it difficult for researchers to attribute specific actions to any one particular component of the formula. Scientific interest in ashwaganda is high, and laboratory studies continue to be performed.

Preparations

Ashwaganda is available in many forms, including powders, decoctions, essential oil, tinctures, and teas made from the root, root bark, and the leaves. Commercially ashwaganda is available as capsules. The usual capsule dosage is 300 mg of powdered root, taken once or twice a day. Tincture dosage is often 2–4 ml (0.5–1 tsp) daily. Ashwaganda tea can be made by boiling the roots for about 15 minutes. Three cups a day is recommended. The fruit is often chewed to assist in convalescence from prolonged illness. These are simply representative doses and uses, since Ayurvedic medicine is highly individualized. The dose recommended depends on both the body type of the person and the nature of his or her illness.

Precautions

Ashwaganda is not recommended for use by pregnant women. Thousands of years of use have shown that this plant is quite safe. On the other hand, laboratory tests indicate that rats given high levels of ashwaganda root extract develop kidney lesions. This effect has not been seen in humans, but using the herb in moderation may be prudent.

Ashwaganda has a sedative effect on the central nervous system. It will enhance the effect of any other central nervous system sedatives (e.g., barbiturates or alcohol) that are taken at the same time. People operating heavy equipment or working in situations that require a high level of alertness should keep this in mind when using ashwaganda.

Side Effects

No undesirable side effects have been reported with ashwaganda.

Interactions

There are few, studies of how ashwaganda interacts with traditional Western medicines. It has been used for many years in combination with other Ayurvedic herbs without incident. Ayurvedic practitioners believe that when ashwaganda is combined with other herbs in rejuvenation formulas, it enhances the effects of these other herbs.

Resources

Books

Chevallier, Andrew. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. London: Dorling Kindersley, 1996.

Peirce, Andrea. The American Pharmaceutical Association Practical Guide to Natural Medicines. New York: William Morrow and Company, 1999.

Organizations

American School of Ayurvedic Sciences. 2115 112th Avenue NE. Bellevue, WA 98004. (425) 453-8002.

The Ayurvedic Institute. P. O. Box 23445. Albuquerque, NM 87112. (505) 291-9698.

Other

"Withania somnifera aphrodisiaca." Plants for the Future:

[Article by: Tish Davidson]


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