Herbal Remedies - Success and Failure
 

Herbal Remedies - Success and Failure

August 04 2011 at 06:06 AM

Two recent trials of herbal remedies highlight why it is important to do studies of their effectiveness rather than just blindly trusting that they will work and be safe because they are 'natural.' The first is a trial in China of a traditional remedy as part of a regimen for treating Parkinsons. The remedy, a traditional Chinese herb used to treat hypertension in Chinese medicine, called Gouteng, was tested in conjunction with normal Parkinsons therapy, a drug called levodopa, and was discovered to alleviate side effects and also helped patients communicate a lot better. It is important to note that this is not a cure, or even the main treatment, but it does look in these initial trials like it will make levodopa more effective and perhaps prolong the treatment - an important consideration since the effectiveness of levodopa wears off over time.

So, in this case a herbal remedy, tested properly is showing promise in combination with another drug.

The bottom line is that herbal remedies are drugs and should be tested and treated properly and scientifically in the same way as other drugs. many clearly have therapeutic benefits and others do not and can even have negative consequences.

do you have a link to the trial? i am always skeptical until i read the original research report.

Guoteng Study Clarification
 

The original research report is available at **
This is clearly a successful research study of interest to all who suffer from PD. However, the abstract summary cited earlier oversimplifies the result by attributing the very positive outcomes to only one herb, guoteng. In fact, a closer reading of the report shows that guoteng is only one of 14 herbs used in the combination remedy administered to the research subjects.

The results are clear that a single dose of this remedy per day used as a supplement to one's current drug regimen yielded significant improvements in the incidence of Nonfluent speech, Vertigo, Insomnia/nightmare, Headache, Sweating or night sweats, Tiredness, Sense of cold, and Dysuria.

The combination remedy (Zeng-xiao An-shen Zhi-chan 2) used is referred to in several different ways -- its constituents are detailed along with a theoretical discussion of possible modes of action.

There are many products on the market which include the herb, guoteng. However none of these products have even a remote similarity to the combination of ingredients used in the study. I have searched extensively in order to find the combination but so far have had no success.

If anyone has found a source, please let me know.

ZAZ2 - how to get it
 

I went to a Oriental Medical Doctor in my area and showed him the paper with the study and the list of the 14 herbs that make up ZAZ2. He had all 14 of the herbs listed in the ZAZ2 study. He agreed that they would all help with PD and that they would be safe taken with or without PD medication. He mixed up a powder that I have been taking since Aug. 2. I have had PD since 2008 and have slowly titrated off of all of my Sinemet. I only take Azilect and LDN 4.5mg plus supplements...and now ZAZ2. What I have noticed mostly with the ZAZ2 is that my urinary incontinence - which I have had since 2005 is completely normal - I used to go through 3 large pads per day and now I have no leakage and can "hold it" when I have to go, which has been somewhat of a miracle for me. I do not know what else it is doing to help with my PD, but for me this was huge. I was speaking to the doctor about PD being a disease with "no cure" and he replied "says who?" In my opinion alternative medicine has so much to offer us, while Western medicine only has the toxic bandaids. I am doing better than ever with my PD - it started when I began LDN and was able to titrate off of all of my Sinemet and now I am taking ZAZ2. Any OMD should be able to make this formula up for you and you CAN take it with Sinemet.

Lexie