NATURE’S COMMON SCENTS



Nature’s Common Scents

Healthy Skin Newsletter

May 2017 Volume 13, Number 2



sondrancs@ 540.635.7073

this issue:

NewsNotes

▪ Penicillin Use in Neanderthals!

▪ The Virginia Herb Festival

General HealtH

▪ Pomegranate juice May Slow Progression of Prostate Cancer

▪ Vitamin C Slows Cataract Progression

▪ Anti-inflammatory Foods Alleviate Osteoarthritis

▪ Warning of Another Tick Disease on the Rise

Skin Health

▪ Eliminating Gluten may Improve Psoriasis Symptoms

▪ Do Anti-bacterials Soaps Really Work & Are the Chemicals in them Safe?

Herb and Plant Remedies

▪ A Tasty Way to Add Herbs to Food

▪ Reduce Overall Mortality Rates with Whole Grains

NewsNotes [pic]

Penicillin Use in Neanderthals. Penicillium, a group of molds world-wide, is the mold that saved millions of lives by producing the first ever known modern antibiotic: penicillin. The discovery of penicillin from the fungus Penicillium chrysogenum by Sir Alexander Fleming in 1928, perfected the treatment of bacterial infections. The name Penicillium comes from the resemblance of the spore producing structures of the fungus to a paintbrush (penicillus is the Latin word for paintbrush). [Dr. Jackson Kung’u is a Microbiologist Mold & Bacteria Consulting Laboratories]

Nearly 50,000 years before the invention of penicillin, a young Neanderthal tormented by a dental abscess ate greenery containing a natural antibiotic and pain killer, according to an analysis of his teeth. His fossilized jawbone revealed the ravages of an abscess, and his dental plaque contained the remnants of an intestinal parasite that causes acute diarrhea. (See photo right.)

The male, who lived in what is now Spain, ate an antibiotic fungus called Penicillium (see above) and chewed on bits of Poplar tree containing salicylic acid – the active ingredient of modern-day aspirin. In 2012, a study in the journal Naturwissenschaften said Neanderthals appeared to have also used medicinal herbs such as yarrow and chamomile.

I will be at the Virginia Herb Festival, June 10, 11. Find information about this annual event at . Billie Clifton, owner of Sunflower Cottage where the event takes place, now runs a brewery on the premises in addition to her abundant supply of herbs and has produced some well-loved, award-winning brews! It’s in Middletown, VA, not too far from me. Worth the visit!

General Health

Pomegranate juice May Slow Progression of Prostate Cancer. Preliminary research suggests that drinking pomegranate juice may slow the progression of prostate cancer. In a study of men with recurrent prostate cancer and rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, researchers found that taking pomegranate juice extract significantly slowed the rate at which PSA was rising (known as PSA doubling time). A longer PSA doubling time can indicate that the cancer may be progressing less rapidly.

Another study found that the length of time it took for PSA to double after surgery or radiation for prostate cancer was significantly longer in men who drank 8 ounces (237 milliliters) of pomegranate juice daily for up to two years. Other studies have found that certain compounds in pomegranate juice inhibited the growth of prostate cancer cells in the laboratory.

Pomegranate juice is generally safe, but if you take prescription medications, check with your doctor. [Mayo Clinic “Housecall” with Erik P. Castle, MD]

Anti-inflammatory Foods Alleviate Osteoarthritis Pain. The Arthritis Foundation recommends the following foods that seem to help fight inflammation and strengthen joints: fish, soy, unsaturated oils, cherries and berries, low-fat dairy products, broccoli, green tea, citrus fruits, garlic, nuts. [Health & Nutrition Letter, Tufts University, November 2016]

Warning of Another Tick Disease on the Rise. Powassan Virus (POWV), discovered in 1958, is a flavivirus named after the town of Powassan, Ontario, where it was identified in a young boy who eventually died from it. The virus exists in North America and can be transmitted from 3 known species of ticks, including deer ticks. Compared to the time interval for other tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease, the time interval for transmission of POWV is expected to be less than 12 hours. Victims of the Powassan virus generally show first symptoms after 1–3 weeks. The initial symptoms include: fever, headache, nausea, occasional confusion, and weakness. When it comes to tick-borne disease, prevention is the most important thing. [powassan]

SKIN HEALTH

Eliminating Gluten May Improve Psoriasis Symptoms. Research suggests that some people who have the chronic skin condition psoriasis might also be sensitive to gluten. In these people, a gluten-free diet might improve psoriasis symptoms.

It can be difficult to determine what affects your psoriasis symptoms because the condition tends to fluctuate over time — with periods of remission alternating with times when your psoriasis becomes worse. If you have psoriasis and you're concerned that gluten sensitivity might be affecting your condition, talk to your doctor. He or she can test you for celiac disease, an immune reaction to eating gluten.

If you are gluten sensitive and want to see if avoiding gluten can improve your psoriasis, start checking food labels to make sure that they don't contain wheat or wheat products. [Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D. Mayo Clinic]

Do Anti-bacterial Soaps Really Work & Are the chemicals in Them Safe? The Food and Drug Administration studies indicate that the answer to both questions is “no.” There is no evidence that the added chemicals reduce the risk of infection or other illness. And there is evidence that some of the added chemicals may interfere with proper functioning of the endocrine system. Soap manufacturers have been told they will not be allowed to market over-the-counter wash products containing any of 19 specific active “antibacterial” chemicals, including the commonly used triclosan and triclocarban. This ruling covers liquid, foam, and gel hand soaps, bar soaps and body washes. [Harvard Health Letter, December 2016] (Companies had a year from the ban date to remove the chemicals.)

NOTE: Soaps made with plants (like the ones I make, and what you make when you come to a soapmaking class, are naturally antibacterial and completely safe!

HERB AND PLANT REMEDIES

A Tasty Way to Add Herbs to Food. Add more flavor and the healing power of herbs by infusing your cooking oil with herbs and spices! Use the oil of your choice. You can flavor oil with eitherwhole or ground spices, soft herbs like basil or cilantro, or woody herbs like rosemary and thyme. Stovetop flavored oil preparation: Heat a cup or two of oil with our choice of spices (whole or ground) for about 5 minutes, until the mixture is lightly bubbling. Remove from the heat and allow it to cool completely before straining. When adding herbs you get the best flavor when you use fresh, though dried can be used. For soft herbs, crush them slightly and heat gently in the oil for about five minutes. Woody herbs like rosemary and thyme can be heated directly in the oil to infuse the flavor for 7-10 minutes. Cool completely then strain without pressing the herbs or the oil will be cloudy. You can add onions and garlic in a similar way. Roasting them before infusing in warm oil enhances the flavor. These herbal oils should be used within a week. Use the amount of herbs to suit your taste.

Reduce Overall Mortality Rates with Whole Grains. Studies show that consuming 90 grams a day of whole grains (five to six servings) was associated with a lower risk of mortality from all causes; specifically: 15 percent lower from cancer, 22 percent lower from respiratory disease, 51 percent lower for diabetes, 26 percent lower for infectious diseases, 19 percent lower for coronary heart disease, 22 percent lower for cardiovascular disease, and 14 percent lower from stroke. Benefits increase with greater consumption. Whole grains and whole gran flours should contain the bran, germ and endosperm. [Health & Nutrition Letter, Tufts University, November 2016]

If you received this newsletter from Nature’s Common Scents, you personally gave me your email address for that purpose. However, we all get too much in our email boxes and have to make choices. If you wish to discontinue, e-mail me at sondrancs@ putting the word “discontinue” in the subject line and I will take your name off right away. Or if you wish to be sure you are on the list, send me an email saying “newsletter” in the subject line. If you are unable to receive bulk emails, these are often treated like junk mail and are returned, in which case I have no choice but to remove your name from my list even if you intended to receive it. Be sure to check on this.

Evensong/Nature’s Common Scents. Twenty acres of wild and naturally growing trees, plants, shrubs, and herbs, most of which are healing in one way or another. We teach about them and how best to use them, provide herbal walks and “quiet days” for interested persons. Also we make old fashioned, easy-to-understand therapeutic skin care products to heal troubled skin and teach how to make “teas, tonics & tinctures” from local and/or readily available plants and herbs, believing you should be able to understand and pronounce everything you put in and on your body. This newsletter is written and edited by Sondra Johnson, a member of the American Herbalists Guild and the Herb Society of America. She is not a doctor; recipes and facts in this newsletter are researched from many areas and passed on for informational purposes. Comments are editorial, and the opinion of the author. People with health problems, new or ongoing, should consult qualified medical personnel. Anyone can become allergic to anything at any time. Even if you have never experienced allergies to plants, when you make or use one medicinally, you should always do a skin test first to see if you can tolerate the plant and the ingredients in the product. (Rub a small amount of the product on the upper, inside of your arm. Observe for 8-10 hours. If rash develops, discontinue use.)

Note: With few exceptions, plants or herbs noted in this newsletter are what would be in regular use in your home on a daily basis in and for food. This newsletter only confirms their good use for your health as researched by the scientific community. If, after self-treatment, your symptoms don’t begin to improve, or if you have a fever above 100.4 F see your doctor. Women who are pregnant or nursing as well as anyone who is under the care of a physician for a specific malady should always use caution when self-treating as many herbs are contraindicated. Always tell your doctor if you add herbs for healing to your regular daily routine.[pic]

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[pic]Workshop Reminders

As anyone who has attended these events knows, “fun” is the main ingredient. It’s more like a party – and the party favor you go home with is more than 8 pounds of soap! Great for gifts! And by request I’ve added an August workshop on the 4th. That is a Friday. If you find that works for your schedule, give me a call or email me. (540.635.7073 or sondrancs@).

You don’t have to pay in advance, but you do have to let me know. Email for details and if you have questions.

• May 10 Wednesday, Soapmaking (still room!)

• May 27 Saturday, Soapmaking

• June 9 Friday, Teas, Tonics & Tinctures

• June 16 Friday, Soapmaking

• July 7 Friday, Soapmaking

• July 19 Wednesday, Soapmaking

• August 4: Friday, Soapmaking (new)

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[See Story at left] A photo released March 7, 2017 by Paleoanthropology Group MNCN-CSIC shows the upper jaw of the Neanderthal with a dental calculus deposit visible on the right rear molar (AFP Photo/Handout)

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