The Eugenicists Think You’re Stupid: “First Vaccine To Help Control Autism”

TFAdmin | Apr 24, 2013

by Chris and Sheree Geo
Truth Frequency Radio
Yes, you heard that right: a vaccine for autism. According to Science Daily:

A first-ever vaccine created by University of Guelph researchers for gut bacteria common in autistic children may also help control some autism symptoms.

Read about the sheer madness here
What they’re doing with this is essentially vindicating Dr. Wakefield’s autism research connecting vaccination to harmful gut bacteria that causes autism, while at the same time promoting the culprit as the “cure”.

They developed a carbohydrate-based vaccine against the gut bug Clostridium bolteae.
C. bolteae is known to play a role in gastrointestinal disorders, and it often shows up in higher numbers in the GI tracts of autistic children than in those of healthy kids.
More than 90 per cent of children with autism spectrum disorders suffer from chronic, severe gastrointestinal symptoms. Of those, about 75 per cent suffer from diarrhea, according to current literature.
“Little is known about the factors that predispose autistic children to C. bolteae,” said Monteiro. Although most infections are handled by some antibiotics, he said, a vaccine would improve current treatment.

It’s interesting to see how eugenicists will use good science from doctors they’ve crucified to try to promote the very thing the crucified doctor warned against. Dr. Wakefield has caused so much damage to the vaccine industry with his groundbreaking research, even Bill Gates denounces him publicly on national television (remember: his research is what the above article is really all about – he discovered C. Bolteae, and said it was caused by vaccines)

Plant Based Drugs and Medicines

By Leslie Taylor, ND
October 13, 2000

For more on this subject, also see Chapter 2 of The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs.

Today there are at least 120 distinct chemical substances derived from plants that are considered as important drugs currently in use in one or more countries in the world. These chemical substances are shown in the table below. Several of the drugs sold today are simple synthetic modifications or copies of the naturally obtained substances. The original plant substance/chemical name is shown under the "Drug" column rather than the finished patented drug name. For example, many years ago a plant chemical was discovered in a tropical plant, Cephaelis ipecacuanha, and the chemical was named emetine. A drug was developed from this plant chemical called Ipecac which was used for many years to induce vomiting mostly if someone accidently swallowed a poisonous or harmful substance. Ipecac can still be found in pharmacies in many third world countries but has been mostly replaced by other drugs in the United States. Another example of this is the plant chemical named taxol shown in the drug column below. The name taxol is the name of the plant chemical orginally discovered in the plant. A pharmaceutical company copied this chemical and patented a drug named Paclitaxel™ which is used in various types of tumors today in the U.S. and many other countries.

The 120 substances shown below are sold as drugs worldwide but not in all countries. Some European countries regulate herbal sustances and products differently than in the United States. Many European countries, including Germany, regulate herbal products as drugs and pharmaceutical companies prepare plant based drugs simply by extracting out the active chemicals from the plants. A good example is the plant substance/drug shown below, cynarin. Cynarin is a plant chemical found in the common artichoke (Cynara scolymus). In Germany, a cynarin drug is sold for liver problems and hypertension which is simply this one chemical extracted from the artichoke plant or a plant extract which has been standardized to contain a specific milligram amount of this one chemical. These products are manufactured by pharmaceutical companies, sold in pharmacies in Germany and a doctor's prescription is required to purchase them. In the United States artichoke extracts are available as natural products and sold in health food stores. Some products are even standardized to contain a specific amount of the cynarin chemical. You can purchase these natural and standardized extracts over the counter without a prescription and you could not go to a pharmacy in the U.S. and obtain a cynarin drug with a prescription. Another similar example is the plant chemical, silymarin, shown in the drug column below. Silymarin is a chemical found in the milk thistle plant and natural milk thistle extracts standarized to contain specific amounts of silymarin are found in just about every health food store in the United States. However in Germany, silymarin drugs and milk thistle standardized extracts are sold only in pharmacies and require a doctor's prescription for liver problems.

Some of the drug/chemicals shown below are still sold as plant based drugs requiring the processing of the actual plant material. Others have been chemically copied or synthesized by laboratories and no plant materials are used in the manufacture of the drug. A good example of this is the plant chemical quinine, which was discovered in a rainforest tree (Cinchona ledgeriana) over 100 years ago. For many years the quinine chemical was extracted from the bark of this tree and processed into pills to treat malaria. Then a scientist was able to synthesize or copy this plant alkaloid into a chemical drug without using the original tree bark for manufacturing the drug. Today, all quinine drugs sold are manufactured chemically without the use of any tree bark. However, another chemical in the tree called quinidine which was found to be useful for various heart conditions couldn't be completely copied in the laboratory and the tree bark is still harvested and used to extract this plant chemical from it. Quinidine extracted from the bark is still used today to produce quinidine-based drugs. In the U.S. there are four patented brand-name heart drugs sold in pharmacies containing bark-extracted quinidine: Cardioquin™, Quinaglute Dura-tabs™, Quinidex Extentabs™ and Quin-Release™.

The following table below will help you begin your research on drugs made from plants. We don't have the time or resources to provide a full comprehensive list of all patented drug names and herbal drugs sold in other countries. The chemical/drug names and plant names will give you enough to start on to continue your research on important plant based drugs and medicines.

Drug/Chemical	Action/Clinical Use	Plant Source
Acetyldigoxin	Cardiotonic	Digitalis lanata
Adoniside	Cardiotonic	Adonis vernalis
Aescin	Anti-inflammatory	Aesculus hippocastanum
Aesculetin	Anti-dysentery	Frazinus rhychophylla
Agrimophol	Anthelmintic	Agrimonia supatoria
Ajmalicine	Circulatory Disorders	Rauvolfia sepentina
Allantoin	Vulnerary	Several plants
Allyl isothiocyanate	Rubefacient	Brassica nigra
Anabesine	Skeletal muscle relaxant	Anabasis sphylla
Andrographolide	Baccillary dysentery	Andrographis paniculata
Anisodamine	Anticholinergic	Anisodus tanguticus
Anisodine	Anticholinergic	Anisodus tanguticus
Arecoline	Anthelmintic	Areca catechu
Asiaticoside	Vulnerary	Centella asiatica
Atropine	Anticholinergic	Atropa belladonna
Benzyl benzoate	Scabicide	Several plants
Berberine	Bacillary dysentery	Berberis vulgaris
Bergenin	Antitussive	Ardisia japonica
Betulinic acid	Anticancerous	Betula alba
Borneol	Antipyretic, analgesic, antiinflammatory	Several plants
Bromelain	Anti-inflammatory, proteolytic	Ananas comosus
Caffeine	CNS stimulant	Camellia sinensis
Camphor	Rubefacient	Cinnamomum camphora
Camptothecin	Anticancerous	Camptotheca acuminata
(+)-Catechin	Haemostatic	Potentilla fragarioides
Chymopapain	Proteolytic, mucolytic	Carica papaya
Cissampeline	Skeletal muscle relaxant	Cissampelos pareira
Cocaine	Local anaesthetic	Erythroxylum coca
Codeine	Analgesic, antitussive	Papaver somniferum
Colchiceine amide	Antitumor agent	Colchicum autumnale
Colchicine	Antitumor agent, anti-gout	Colchicum autumnale
Convallatoxin	Cardiotonic	Convallaria majalis
Curcumin	Choleretic	Curcuma longa
Cynarin	Choleretic	Cynara scolymus
Danthron	Laxative	Cassia species
Demecolcine	Antitumor agent	Colchicum autumnale
Deserpidine	Antihypertensive, tranquillizer	Rauvolfia canescens
Deslanoside	Cardiotonic	Digitalis lanata
L-Dopa	Anti-parkinsonism	Mucuna sp
Digitalin	Cardiotonic	Digitalis purpurea
Digitoxin	Cardiotonic	Digitalis purpurea
Digoxin	Cardiotonic	Digitalis purpurea
Emetine	Amoebicide, emetic	Cephaelis ipecacuanha
Ephedrine	Sympathomimetic, antihistamine	Ephedra sinica
Etoposide	Antitumor agent	Podophyllum peltatum
Galanthamine	Cholinesterase inhibitor	Lycoris squamigera
Gitalin	Cardiotonic	Digitalis purpurea
Glaucarubin	Amoebicide	Simarouba glauca
Glaucine	Antitussive	Glaucium flavum
Glasiovine	Antidepressant	Octea glaziovii
Glycyrrhizin	Sweetener, Addison's disease	Glycyrrhiza glabra
Gossypol	Male contraceptive	Gossypium species
Hemsleyadin	Bacillary dysentery	Hemsleya amabilis
Hesperidin	Capillary fragility	Citrus species
Hydrastine	Hemostatic, astringent	Hydrastis canadensis
Hyoscyamine	Anticholinergic	Hyoscyamus niger
Irinotecan	Anticancer, antitumor agent	Camptotheca acuminata
Kaibic acud	Ascaricide	Digenea simplex
Kawain	Tranquillizer	Piper methysticum
Kheltin	Bronchodilator	Ammi visaga
Lanatosides A, B, C	Cardiotonic	Digitalis lanata
Lapachol	Anticancer, antitumor	Tabebuia sp.
a-Lobeline	Smoking deterrant, respiratory stimulant	Lobelia inflata
Menthol	Rubefacient	Mentha species
Methyl salicylate	Rubefacient	Gaultheria procumbens
Monocrotaline	Antitumor agent (topical)	Crotalaria sessiliflora
Morphine	Analgesic	Papaver somniferum
Neoandrographolide	Dysentery	Andrographis paniculata
Nicotine	Insecticide	Nicotiana tabacum
Nordihydroguaiaretic acid	Antioxidant	Larrea divaricata
Noscapine	Antitussive	Papaver somniferum
Ouabain	Cardiotonic	Strophanthus gratus
Pachycarpine	Oxytocic	Sophora pschycarpa
Palmatine	Antipyretic, detoxicant	Coptis japonica
Papain	Proteolytic, mucolytic	Carica papaya
Papavarine	Smooth muscle relaxant	Papaver somniferum
Phyllodulcin	Sweetner	Hydrangea macrophylla
Physostigmine	Cholinesterase Inhibitor	Physostigma venenosum
Picrotoxin	Analeptic	Anamirta cocculus
Pilocarpine	Parasympathomimetic	Pilocarpus jaborandi
Pinitol	Expectorant	Several plants
Podophyllotoxin	Antitumor anticancer agent	Podophyllum peltatum
Protoveratrines A, B	Antihypertensives	Veratrum album
Pseudoephredrine*	Sympathomimetic	Ephedra sinica
Pseudoephedrine, nor-	Sympathomimetic	Ephedra sinica
Quinidine	Antiarrhythmic	Cinchona ledgeriana
Quinine	Antimalarial, antipyretic	Cinchona ledgeriana
Qulsqualic acid	Anthelmintic	Quisqualis indica
Rescinnamine	Antihypertensive, tranquillizer	Rauvolfia serpentina
Reserpine	Antihypertensive, tranquillizer	Rauvolfia serpentina
Rhomitoxin	Antihypertensive, tranquillizer	Rhododendron molle
Rorifone	Antitussive	Rorippa indica
Rotenone	Piscicide, Insecticide	Lonchocarpus nicou
Rotundine	Analagesic, sedative, traquillizer	Stephania sinica
Rutin	Capillary fragility	Citrus species
Salicin	Analgesic	Salix alba
Sanguinarine	Dental plaque inhibitor	Sanguinaria canadensis
Santonin	Ascaricide	Artemisia maritma
Scillarin A	Cardiotonic	Urginea maritima
Scopolamine	Sedative	Datura species
Sennosides A, B	Laxative	Cassia species
Silymarin	Antihepatotoxic	Silybum marianum
Sparteine	Oxytocic	Cytisus scoparius
Stevioside	Sweetner	Stevia rebaudiana
Strychnine	CNS stimulant	Strychnos nux-vomica
Taxol	Antitumor agent	Taxus brevifolia
Teniposide	Antitumor agent	Podophyllum peltatum
a-Tetrahydrocannabinol(THC)	Antiemetic, decrease occular tension	Cannabis sativa
Tetrahydropalmatine	Analgesic, sedative, traquillizer	Corydalis ambigua
Tetrandrine	Antihypertensive	Stephania tetrandra
Theobromine	Diuretic, vasodilator	Theobroma cacao
Theophylline	Diuretic, brochodilator	Theobroma cacao and others
Thymol	Antifungal (topical)	Thymus vulgaris
Topotecan	Antitumor, anticancer agent	Camptotheca acuminata
Trichosanthin	Abortifacient	Trichosanthes kirilowii
Tubocurarine	Skeletal muscle relaxant	Chondodendron tomentosum
Valapotriates	Sedative	Valeriana officinalis
Vasicine	Cerebral stimulant	Vinca minor
Vinblastine	Antitumor, Antileukemic agent	Catharanthus roseus
Vincristine	Antitumor, Antileukemic agent	Catharanthus roseus
Yohimbine	Aphrodisiac	Pausinystalia yohimbe
Yuanhuacine	Abortifacient	Daphne genkwa
Yuanhuadine	Abortifacient	Daphne genkwa

CANCER AND AIDS RESEARCH

Searching for the cures

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has several ongoing collabrative programs which screen plants for the possiblility of new drugs and active plant chemicals for cancer and AIDS/HIV.
Because well over 50 percent of the estimated 250,000 plant species found on earth come from tropical forests, NCI concentrates on these regions. Plants have been collected from the African countries of Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Gabon, Ghana, Madagascar, and Tanzania. Collections are now concentrated in Madagascar (one of the most rapidly dissappearing rainforest regions in the world), and collaborative programs have been established in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
In Central and South America, samples have been collected from Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Martinique, Paraguay, Peru, and Puerto Rico. The NCI has established collaborative programs in Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Panama. Southeast Asian collections have been performed in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Collaborative programs have been established in Bangladesh, China, Korea, and Pakistan. In each country, NCI contractors work in close collaboration with local botanical institutions.
These collabrative programs include the following:

• The South American Organization for Anticancer Drug Development (SOAD) in Porto Alegre, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ in Rio de Janeiro, and the University Paulista in Sao Paulo investigate plants from Brazil.
• The Institute of Biological Diversity (INBio) in Costa Rica studies insects and plants.
• The Institute of Chemistry, National University of Mexico, studies medicinal plants.
• The Kunming Institute of Botany in China studies Chinese medicinal plants.
• The Korean Research Institute of Chemical Technology examines Korean medicinal plants.
• The H.E.J. Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi, studies Pakistani plants.
• The University of Dhaka in Bangladesh studies plants and microbes.
• University of Panama studies Panamanian medicinal plants.
• Brigham Young University (Dr. Paul Cox) studies Polynesian medicinal plants.
• Tel Aviv University (Dr. Yoel Kashman) studies Red Sea marine invertebrates.
• The New Zealand National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research studies marine organisms.
• The Cancer Research Center at the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences in Moscow studies Russian medicinal plants.
• The Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association and the University of Zimbabwe study Zimbabwean medicinal plants.
• The South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research studies South African plants.

Thus far seven plant-derived anticancer drugs have received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for commercial production:

• Taxol / Paclitaxel
  A chemical discovered in the Pacific Yew tree (Taxus brevifolia) is now the first drug of choice in several tumorous cancers including Breast Cancer.
• Vinblastine
  A chemical discovered in the Madagascar Periwinkle in the 1950s. Vinblastine is the first drug of choice in many forms of leukemia and since the 1950's it has increased the survival rate of childhood leukemias by 80%
• Vincristine
  Another antileukemic drug discovered in the Madagascar periwinkle.
• Topotecan
  Has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of ovarian and small cell lung cancers. It is currently in clinical trials, either alone or in combination with other anticancer drugs, for several types of cancer. Topotecan is a analog (a synthesized chemical) of a plant alkaloid discovered in the Chinese tree species, Camptotheca acuminata
• Irinotecan
  Another chemical analog which has been developed from yet another plant alkaloid discovered in the same tree Camptotheca acuminata. It has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. It is currently in clinical trials for a variety of other cancers.
• Etoposide
  A semisynthetic derivative of a plant chemical epipodophyllotoxin discovered in the Mayapple plant family (Podophyllum peltatum)
• Teniposide
  Another semisynthetic derivative of a plant chemical discovered in the Mayapple plant family (Podophyllum peltatum).

Since 1986, over 40,000 plant samples have been screened, but thus far only five chemicals showing significant activity against AIDS have been isolated. Three are currently in preclinical development. Before being considered for clinical trials in humans, these agents must show tolerable levels of toxicity in several animal models. For AIDS, three agents are presently in preclinical or early clinical development. The following are plants and chemicals which are still under research for cancer and AIDS/HIV:

• (+)-Calanolide A and (-)-Calanolide B (costatolide) are isolated from Calophyllum lanigerum and Calophyllum teysmanii, respectively, trees found in Sarawak, Malaysia. Both these agents are licensed to Medichem, Inc., Chicago, which is developing them in collaboration with the Sarawak State Government through a joint company, Sarawak Medichem Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (+)-Calanolide A is currently in early clinical trials in the United States.
• Conocurovone, isolated from the shrub species, Conospermum incurvum (saltbush), found in Western Australia, has been licensed for development to AMRAD, a company based in Victoria, Australia.
• Michellamine B, from the leaves of Ancistrocladus korupensis, a vine found in the Korup rainforest region of southwest Cameroon, has undergone extensive preclinical study, but is considered too toxic for advancement to clinical trials.
• Prostratin, isolated from the wood of Homolanthus nutans, a tree found in Western Samoa, has been placed on low priority, largely due to its association with a class of compounds shown to be tumor promoters.
• A tree native to China--Camptotheca acuminata--is the source of four promising anticancer drugs, two of which have been approved by the FDA and are described above. The other two chemicals still under research include:
  • 9AC (9-aminocamptothecin): Currently in clinical trials for several types of cancer, including ovarian and stomach cancers and T-cell lymphoma.
    
  • Camptothecin: While no clinical trials are being performed in the United States, trials are ongoing in China.
    
• Homoharringtonine from the Chinese tree, Cephalotaxus harringtonia are in early clinical trials.
  
• Perillyl alcohol, and flavopiridol, a totally synthetic compound based on a flavone isolated from Dysoxylum binectiferum are in early clinical trials.
  
  
  

  The above text has been authored by Leslie Taylor, Milam County, Texas 77857 and copyrighted © 2000. All rights reserved. Please refer to the Copyright Statement on permitted uses of this document.

  
  
  
  *The statements contained herein have not been evaluated
  by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is provided for educational and entertainment use only. Nothing herein is intended to treat, cure, mitigate or prevent any disease.
  Please refer to our Conditions of Use for this web site.    http://www.rain-tree.com/plantdrugs.htm#.UXswa0qIzIU

The Fear of Needles - Why a Fear of Needles Shouldn’t Discourage you from Trying Acupuncture

By Emma Suttie, D.Ac.
It is a terrible thing to admit, but I, an acupuncturist, hate needles.
Whenever I have to go to the doctor to have blood taken, I surprise even myself with the creative ways I manage to not make it down to the nurse to have my blood drawn. My doctor knows this about me, and I am always getting the sass.
The truth is, having blood taken hurts (it hurts me anyways). The needles they use are hollow point, and it usually takes them a few tries before they can get a vein. I am always left with bruises, and this is why I don’t like needles.
Acupuncture needles however, are not like the hollow point needles used to take blood or give injections. They are very fine – 4 times thicker than a human hair in fact (the thickness varies, but they are pretty small), and in most cases, the patient can barely feel them. They are also disposable, and one use only.
I have often had patients over the years who reluctantly came to see me, not committing to a treatment, but wanting to talk about their fear of needles. I always say “no problem, have a seat.” I explain that the needles that acupuncturists use are not the type used by medical doctors, and that they are tiny in comparison. I take out one out, open it and hand it to them so they can feel it, touch it, and this helps with the fear. I then roll up my sleeve and tap the needle gently into my arm to show them how it works, and that I am not screaming in pain. I explain that I am very gentle, and if they would like to try, I can put a needle into the same spot on their arm. I tell them if they feel anything uncomfortable or painful for even an instant, then it comes out.
I have never had anyone after the demonstration, not try one needle. Once they see that acupuncture is not painful, we continue with an intake, and then a treatment. People often have to ask me when I will be putting the needles in when I already have put in several.
Here is a chart that illustrates the difference in size between different objects and an acupuncture needle.

In my experience, there is a difference in the old school Chinese style of acupuncture which emphasizes strong stimulation of the needles (twirling and twisting the needles to achieve a "qi sensation"), and a gentler style that is better suited to Western patients. When in China, I got to visit a hospital that offered both Western and Chinese medicine and saw some of the acupuncture techniques used. They were a lot more hard core than most patients are used to here in the West. In China, this is what is expected, but if you are catering to Western patients, gentler and kinder is the way to go. It is relatively new here, so it should be introduced gently to those who are trying it out, and especially those who are a bit nervous about needles.
As a kid I went to a Chinese acupuncturist who was incredibly gentle. I never felt any pain from the needles, and I have always fashioned myself after her. There is an intimate trust relationship between an acupuncturist and their patient. They must trust you, and their body must trust you, which you can feel when you are putting in the needles. At first there is often resistance which decreases as time goes on. Eventually, the body accepts the treatment and trusts that you are doing it good and mean it no harm.
So, if you are curious about acupuncture but haven’t gone to have a treatment because of a fear of needles, I would say find an acupuncturist and go and speak to them. Most are aware that fear of needles is common and will do their best to explain and show you so that you can start to reap the wonderful rewards offered by acupuncture. I know I am very glad that I did.

---

About the Author:
Emma’s love for Chinese Medicine began as a teenager when, like many people, western medicine failed to solve the underlying health issues she faced. Her doctors proposed only surgery or a lifetime of drugs. However, after a few months of acupuncture treatments and herbs those problems were resolved. From that moment forward she was committed to extending this gift of health to others.
Emma received a Diploma of Acupuncture from the Institute of Traditional Medicine in Toronto in 2006. Immediately after graduating, she started her first job treating postal workers and seeing up to 20 patients a day! Over the next several years she worked at 5 other multidisciplinary clinics throughout Toronto developing her skills and technique while working collaboratively with other health professionals, including medical doctors, to restore health to her patients holistically.
Today she specializes in gynecology, pediatrics and treating emotional issues and mood disorders through her own practice, Ukiah Clinic. She also shares her experience and enthusiasm on her new website, Chinese Medicine Living that explores ancient Chinese wisdom for better living in the modern world.

http://www.acupuncture.com/newsletters/m_apr13/needles.htm

Acai berry nutrition facts

Does acai berry have highest anti-oxidant levels than some commonly used fruits like pomegranate, blueberries, etc.?
Recent revelations establish that it has no extra beneficial nutrients than some of commonly used fruits like mango, blueberry, pomegranate, etc. The berry has been a traditional staple food of Amazon basin tribes for centuries, but somehow recently gained recognition as so-called "super food” in the western world. Nonetheless, this wonderful berry has very good levels of anti-oxidants, minerals, and vitamins that would benefit overall health and fitness.
Acai berry is a small, round, dark purple fruit obtained from acai palm tree. Botanically, acai belongs to palm or Arecaceae family of tall trees in the genus Euterpe and known as Euterpe oleracea.
Acai palm is a tall, slender tree, which grows 15 to 25 m in height. The average mature plant has 3-10 well-developed stems (10-18 cm in diameter) from a single seed and root system. It grows better under waterlogged low-lying plains receiving good annual rainfall. Each stem behaves like individual tree and bears 3-5 bunches with each bunch holding about hundreds of berries in a way similar to areca palm or coconut palm.
Each acai berry measures about the size of small sized grape, 2-3 cm in diameter. They appear dark-green initially, later turn to deep-purple color on attaining maturity. Technically, the fruit is a drupe which consists of outer-edible pulp surrounding a central large seed. Only the pulp part, comprising about just 10-15% of berry weight, is edible.

Health benefits of acai berry

• Acai berry has very good levels of anti-oxidants, minerals, and vitamins that have health benefiting and disease preventing properties.
  
• Unlike other berries and fruits, acai has high caloric values and fats. 100 g of berries provide about 80-250 calories depending up on the preparation and serving methods. In fact, fresh acai berry has been the staple nutritious diet of native Amazonian for centuries. There is no solid research evidence suggesting the use of these berries will help lose weight.
• Acai berry contains many polyphenolic anthocyanin compounds like resveratrol, cyanidin-3-galactoside, ferulic acid, delphinidin, petunidin as well as astringent pro-anthocyanidin tannins like epicatechin, protocatechuic acid and ellagic acid. Scientific studies suggest that these compounds have been claimed to act as anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer functions by virtue of their anti-free radical fighting actions. In addition, tannins are known to have anti-infective, anti-inflammatory and anti-hemorrhagic properties.
  
• Primary research studies suggest that ellagic acid in acai has anti-proliferative properties by virtue of its ability to directly inhibit DNA binding of certain carcinogens (nitrosamine toxins in the food).
  
• Acai berry is also rich in medium chain fatty acids like oleic acid (omega-9) and linoleic acid (omega-6). These compounds help reduce LDL-cholesterol level and raise good HDL-cholesterol levels in the body and thus help prevent heart disease. In addition, the essential fats help prevent skin dryness by maintaining adequate moisture in the skin.
  
• Acai pulp has good levels of dietary fiber. Adequate fiber in the diet helps clear cholesterol through the stools.
  
• ORAC value (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) of acai berry is thought to be at mid-level range for fruits, higher than that of oranges but less than pomegranate. USDA so far not validated exact ORAC value of acai.
  
• Acai berries contain a good amount of minerals like potassium, manganese, copper, iron, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase.
  
• Further, they are rich in B-complex vitamins and vitamin-K. Contain very good amounts of niacin, vitamin B-6 and riboflavin. These vitamins are function as co-factors and help body in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
  

Acai uses in traditional medicine

• Acai extracts have been used by Amazon basin tribes as the treatment remedy for diarrhea, parasitic infections, hemorrhages, and ulcer treatment.
  
• A kind of decoction obtained from crushed seeds has been used in the treatment of fever.
  
• Decoction obtained from the roots has been used in the treatment of menstrual pain, liver diseases, malaria in Peruvian culture.
  

Selection and storage

Acai harvesting in Amazon rain forest Photo courtesy: nsub1

Fresh acai are only available near their plantation. In general, acai fruits harvested twice a year. People expert in climbing trees collect the completely mature bunch from the top end of the acai palm.
Acai is highly perishable. Once harvested, they should either be eaten or transported to processing units.
Several commercial products from the acai extraction are available in the stores. Freeze-dried whole acai also sold in the stores; however, they are nutritionally much inferior to fresh berries.

Preparation and serving methods

Harvested acai berries put for sale. Photo courtesy: borderlys

The outer peel or pulp has been the main edible content in acai. Seeds are either discarded or used as animal fodder. Here are some serving tips:

• Acai juice is a refreshing drink commonly obtained from macerating ripe fruits. To prepare the juice, the ripe-berries are soaked in lukewarm water to soften their thin outer shell. They are then squeezed, and the large seeds strained out to produce a dense purple creamy liquid with a distinctive nutty flavor.
  
• Acai drinks, either freeze-dried or powdered juice preparations, are quite popular in the Americas.
  
• Traditionally, in the tribal Amazon belt, acai extracts commonly mixed with starchy root vegetable called manioc and is eaten as porridge.
  
• Its extract is mixed with sugar or sugar cane to sweeten and drunk as a beverage.
  
• Its extract has been used to flavor ice creams, smoothies, shakes, liquor, and other desserts.
  
• Further, the berries are being used as energy boosting nutritional supplements or snacks in the forms of capsules, tablets, and energy bars.
  

Acai palm hearts

The acai palm hearts are eaten as a vegetable worldwide. They are obtained by cutting down the stem and removing the outer layers of bark leaving center core or palm heart. Palm's hearts are the tender, whitish immature growing buds of the palm frond just above the growing point on each stem. Although they have no or little nutritious value, palm hearts have been a delicacy and priced very high.

Safety profile

Acai berry has no notified contraindications. It has been used by pregnant women safely in the Amazon basin. So far, no cases of allergic or toxicity cases notified. (Medical disclaimer)

True facts about Acai

• Acai berry is the fruit from a palm tree. As the fruits from any other similar palm family like coconut, date palm, oil palm, acai is no different in caloric and nutritional profile. It is high in calorie and fats. There is no established studies to prove the use of acai product help in lose weight.
  
• Acai has been staple food of Amazonian for centuries. So it is treated more like a food item than a novel fitness fruit unlike blueberry, pomegranates, etc., which are, indeed, very low in calories.
  
• Anti-oxidants levels present moderately in acai in contrast to claims made by certain companies, websites, articles, etc. USDA has so far not even bothered to find out its nutritional profile and ORAC value. Nobody knows its exact ORAC strength. However, there are countless herbs, fruits, berries and vegetables in nature that have antioxidants higher than acai (for example, example cinnamon has highest USDA documented ORAC value of 267536 trolox equivalents (TE), which is many hundred times more than in acai, chokeberry, apples etc.
  
• Acai berry is high in calories and hence gives immediate strength and stamina. There are no known food items in nature, which are rich in calories and fats, yet known to reduce weight.
  
• Acai berry has so far had no documented evidence to suggest its use as an aphrodisiac.(Medical disclaimer)
  

http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/acai-berry.html

Apple fruit nutrition facts

Delicious and crunchy apple fruit is one of the most popular fruits, favorite of health conscious, fitness lovers who believe in the concept “health is wealth.” This wonderful fruit is packed with rich phyto-nutrients that in the true senses indispensable for optimal health. The antioxidants in apple have much health promoting and disease prevention properties; thus truly justifying the adage, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.”
Scientific name: Malus domestica.

Apples are obtained from the medium-sized tree belonging to the Rosaceae family. The apple tree is originated in the mineral-rich mountain ranges of Kazakhstan, and now being cultivated in many parts of the world.
Apple fruit features oval or pear shape; and the outer skin has different colors depending upon the cultivar type. Internally, the juicy pulp has been off-white to cream in color and has to mix of mild sweet and tart taste. Its seeds are inedible because of their bitter taste.
Hundreds of varieties of apples are either eaten as table fruits or as dessert fruit grown in the US and worldwide. Some of the apples are sought-after in cooking and baking too.

Health benefits of apple

• Delicious and crunchy apple fruit is notable for its impressive list of phtyto-nutrients, and anti-oxidants. Studies suggest that its components are essential for normal growth, development and overall well-being.
  
• Apples are low in calories; 100 g of fresh fruit slices provide only 50 calories. They, however, contain no saturated fats or cholesterol. Nonetheless, the fruit is rich in dietary fiber, which helps prevent absorption of dietary-LDL or bad cholesterol in the gut. The fiber also saves the colon mucous membrane from exposure to toxic substances by binding to cancer-causing chemicals inside the colon.
  
• Apples are rich in antioxidant phyto-nutrients flavonoids and polyphenolics. The total measured anti-oxidant strength (ORAC value) of 100 g apple fruit is 5900 TE. Some of the important flavonoids in apples are quercetin, epicatechin, and procyanidin B2. Additionally, they are also good in tartaric acid that gives tart flavor to them. Altogether, these compounds help the body protect from deleterious effects of free radicals.
  
• Apple fruit contains good quantities of vitamin-C and beta-carotene. Vitamin C is a powerful natural antioxidant. Consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals from the body.
  
• Further, apple fruit is a good source of B-complex vitamins such as riboflavin, thiamin, and pyridoxine (vitamin B-6). Together these vitamins help as co-factors for enzymes in metabolism as well as in various synthetic functions inside the body.
  
• Apple also contains a small amount of minerals like potassium, phosphorus, and calcium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure; thus, counters the bad influences of sodium.
  

See the table below for in depth analysis of nutrients:

Apple fruit (Malus domestica), Fresh,
Nutritive value per 100 g,
ORAC value-5900
(Source: USDA National Nutrient data base)

Energy	50 Kcal	2.5%
Carbohydrates	13.81 g	11%
Protein	0.26 g	0.5%
Total Fat	0.17 g	0.5%
Cholesterol	0 mg	0%
Dietary Fiber	2.40 g	6%
Vitamins
Folates	3 µg	1%
Niacin	0.091 mg	1%
Pantothenic acid	0.061 mg	1%
Pyridoxine	0.041 mg	3%
Riboflavin	0.026 mg	2%
Thiamin	0.017 mg	1%
Vitamin A	54 IU	2%
Vitamin C	4.6 mg	8%
Vitamin E	0.18 mg	1%
Vitamin K	2.2 µg	2%
Electrolytes
Sodium	1 mg	0%
Potassium	107 mg	2%
Minerals
Calcium	6 mg	0.6%
Iron	0.12 mg	1%
Magnesium	5 mg	1%
Phosphorus	11 mg	2%
Zinc	0.04 mg	0%
Phyto-nutrients
Carotene-ß	27 µg	--
Crypto-xanthin-ß	11 µg	--
Lutein-zeaxanthin	29 µg	--

Selection and Storage

Fresh apples are readily available in the stores all around the season. Choose fresh, bright, firm textured apples with rich flavor. Avoid fruits with pressure marks over their surface as they indicate underlying mottled of pulp.

Fresh apples can be kept at room temperature for few days and stored inside the refrigerator for two to three weeks. Wash them in clean running cold water before use to remove any surface dust and pesticide/fungicide residues.

Preparation and Serving tips

Wash apples thoroughly in the running water to remove any surface dust, insecticide/fungicide sprays. Trim off top end using a paring knife and cut the fruit into two equal halves. Take out tiny, centrally placed, bitter seeds. Slice the fruit into desirable cubes or slices.

Apple fruit sections.	Apples pie. Photo by: kanko

Here are some serving tips:

• Eat apple fruit as they are, along with their peel in order to get maximum health-benefits.
  
• Sliced apple turns brown (enzymatic brownish discoloration) on exposure to air due to conversion in iron form from ferrous oxide to ferric oxide. If you have to serve them sliced, rinse slices in water added with few drops of fresh lemon.
  
• Cloudy as well as clear apple juice is a healthy alternative drink with dinner.
  
• Apple fruit is also used in the preparation of fruit jam, pie, and fruit salad.
  

Safety profile

Good yield demands close attention and supervision of apple crop. According to the environmental-working group reports, apple fruit is one of the heavily pesticide-contaminated produce. The most common pesticides found on apple are organo-phosphorous and organo-chloride pesticides like Permethrin and DDT. Therefore, it is recommended to wash the fruit thoroughly before use. (Medical disclaimer).

http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/apple-fruit.html 

Avocados nutrition facts

Avocados are distinct fruits with high-fat content and calories. Subtly flavorful yet buttery, they are among the most popular fruits having nutrition profile similar to that of some edible nuts and seeds.
Some of the common names for this staple fruit are alligator pear, aguacate, butter pear, etc.
Botanically, the fruit belongs to the family of Lauraceae, the family that also includes some unusual members like bay laurel, cinnamon, etc. Scientific name is Persea americana.
Avocados are medium sized evergreen trees of about 20-30 feet in height with large green leaves. The tree prefers fertile soil with high moisture content to flourish. Small light green flowers appear during winter. After about 8-10 months later, hundreds of pear shaped green color fruits appear on the tree.
Avocados, like bananas, mature on the tree but ripen only after their harvest. Once Ripen, they turn dark green or deep purple and yield to gentle pressure. Inside, cream color flesh has butter-like consistency with bland taste yet pleasant aroma. The fruit features centrally placed single brown color seed. On an average, each fruit weighs about 300-700 g, although heavier avocados are quite common in the markets.

Health benefits of avocado

• Avocados, like olives, are high in mono-unsaturated fats and calories. However, they are very rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals and packed with numerous health benefiting plant nutrients.
  
• Their creamy pulp is a very good source of mono-unsaturated fatty acids like oleic and palmitoleic acids as well as omega-6 poly-unsaturated fatty acid linoleic acid. Research studies suggest that Mediterranean diet that is rich in mono-unsaturated fatty acids help lower LDL or bad cholesterol and increase HDL or good-cholesterol, thereby, prevent coronary artery disease and strokes by favoring healthy blood lipid profile.
  
• They are a very good source of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber. 100 g fruit provides 6.7 g or about 18% of recommended daily intake. Dietary fibers help lower blood cholesterol levels and prevent constipation.
  
• In addition, the fruit, like persimmons, contain high concentration of tannin. Tannin, a poly-phenolic compound, which was once labeled as an anti-nutritional agent is in-fact, has beneficial anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and anti-oxidant properties.
  
• Its flesh contains health promoting flavonoid poly-phenolic antioxidants such as cryptoxanthin, lutein, zea-xanthin, beta and alpha carotenes in small amounts. Together, these compounds act as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a role in aging and various disease processes.
  
• Total antioxidant strength (ORAC) of avocados (raw, Hass variety) is 1933 µmol TE/100 g.
  
• They are also good in many health-benefiting vitamins. Vitamin A, E, and K are especially concentrated in its creamy pulp.
  
• Avocados are also excellent sources of minerals like iron, copper, magnesium, and manganese. Magnesium is essential for bone strengthening and has a cardiac-protective role as well. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Iron and copper are required in the production of red blood cells.
  
• Fresh avocado pear is a very rich source of potassium. 100 g of fruit provides 485 mg or about 10% of daily-required levels. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids where it helps regulate heart rate and blood pressure, countering bad effects of sodium.
  

  Selection and storage

  Avocados are readily available in the market year around. Buy medium size, fully ripe fruit with pleasant aroma. The fruit that is ready to eat should yield to pressure when gently squeezed.
  Avoid very hard fruits as they may take quite some time to ripen properly. On the other hand, avoid buying excessively ripe ones as their pulp is rather mushy and featuring little, if any, flavoring. Furthermore, look carefully for any surface cuts, blemishes, and spots.
  At home; store avocado in a cool, dark place. Unripe fruits usually placed in a paper wrap with a banana or apple in order to speed up ripening.
  
  

  Preparation and Serving methods

  Ripe avocado has delicate nutty flavor and butter like in taste. To eat; cut the fruit lengthwise at its center all the way around the seed. Then rotate or twist the two halves in opposite directions and gently pull apart. Remove the seed using a spoon. Gently peel the skin with your fingers starting from the stem end. Cut the pulp into desired cubes.
  
  Photo courtesy: The essential vegetarian cookbook from Thunder bay press.
  Sprinkle or rinse the cut sections in lemon juice to prevent enzymatic brown discoloration until ready to use.
  Here are some serving tips:
• In many parts of Central America, the fruit is eaten as it is with some added pepper powder, lime juice, and salt.
  
• The fruit sections or cubes are added to vegetable/fruit salads, salsa, etc.
  
• Mashed avocado fillings used to make Mexican polenta and pancakes. Guacamole is a favorite avocado based Mexican dip.
  
• Similarly, guasacaca is Venezuelan the variant prepared using vinegar instead of lemon juice.
  
• Mashed fruit may be mixed with ice-cream, shakes, and fruit juices.
  

Safety profile

Raw unripe avocados concentrated with tannins. High tannin content makes them bitter and unappetizing. Very high levels of tannins in the food prevent minerals like iron, calcium and phosphorus and vitamins from absorption in the gut.
Although very rare, eating avocados may result in allergic symptoms in some latex-sensitive persons. The symptoms may include itching in the throat, hives, runny nose, breathlessness, etc. Often the symptoms are mild and self-limiting. (Medical disclaimer).

See the table below for in depth analysis of nutrients:

Avocado (Persea americana),
Refuse seed and skin, Nutrition value per 100 g.
(Source: USDA National Nutrient data base)

Principle	Nutrient Value	Percentage of RDA
Energy	160 Kcal	8%
Carbohydrates	8.53 g	6.5%
Protein	2.0 g	3.5%
Total Fat	14.66 g	48%
Cholesterol	0 mg	0%
Dietary Fiber	6.7 g	18%
Vitamins
Folates	81 µg	20%
Niacin	1.738 mg	11%
Pantothenic acid	1.389 mg	28%
Pyridoxine	0.257 mg	20%
Riboflavin	0.130 mg	10%
Thiamin	0.067 mg	5.5%
Vitamin A	146 IU	5%
Vitamin C	10 mg	17%
Vitamin E	2.07 mg	14%
Vitamin K	21 µg	17.5%
Electrolytes
Sodium	7 mg	0.5%
Potassium	485 mg	10%
Minerals
Calcium	12 mg	1%
Copper	0.190 mg	21%
Iron	0.55 mg	7%
Magnesium	29 mg	7%
Manganese	0.142 mg	6%
Phosphorus	52 mg	7%
Selenium	0.4 µg	<1%
Zinc	0.64 mg	6%
Phyto-nutrients
Carotene-α	24 µg	--
Carotene-ß	62 µg	--
Cryptoxanthin-ß	28 µg	--
Lutein-zeaxanthin	271 µg	--

http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/avocados.html

Fruit nutrition facts

Welcome to the fruit nutrition page.

Why fruits?

Fruits are nature’s wonderful medicines packed with vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and many phyto-nutrients (Plant derived micronutrients). They are an absolute feast to our sight, not just because of their color and flavor but their unique nutrition-profile that help the body stay fit and healthy!

1. Fruits are low in calories and fat and are a source of simple sugars, fiber, and vitamins, which are essential for optimizing our health.
   
2. Fruits provide plenty of soluble dietary fiber, which helps to ward of cholesterol and fats from the body and to get relief from constipation as well.
   
3. Fruits contain many anti-oxidants like poly-phenolic flavonoids, vitamin-C, and anthocyanins. These compounds, firstly, help human body protected from oxidant stress, diseases, and cancers, and secondly; help the body develop capacity to fight against these ailments by boosting our immunity level. Many fruits, when compared to vegetables and cereals, have very high anti-oxidant value, which is something measured by their "Oxygen Radical Absorbent Capacity" or (ORAC).
   
4. Anthocyanins are flavonoid category of poly-phenolic compounds found in some "blue-fruits" like blue-black grapes, mulberries, acai berry, chokeberry, blueberries, blackberries, and in many vegetables featuring blue or deep purple color. Eating fruits rich in blue pigments offers many health benefits. These compounds have potent anti-oxidant properties, remove free radicals from the body, and thus offer protection against cancers, aging, infections, etc. These pigments tend to concentrate just underneath the skin.
   
5. Fruit’s health benefiting properties are because of their richness in vitamins, minerals, micro-nutrients, anti-oxidants, which helps the body prevent or at least prolong the natural changes of aging by protecting and rejuvenating cells, tissues and organs. Their overall benefits are manifold! Fruit nutrition benefits are infinite! You are protecting yourself from minor ailments like wrinkling of skin, hair-fall, and memory loss to major ailments like age-related macular degeneration (AMRD) of the retina in the eyes, Alzheimer’s disease, colon cancers, weak bones (osteoporosis)…etc., and the list of fruit nutrition benefits never ends!

Herbal medicine

What is herbal medicine?

Herbal medicine -- also called botanical medicine or phytomedicine -- refers to using a plant's seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark, or flowers for medicinal purposes. Herbalism has a long tradition of use outside of conventional medicine. It is becoming more mainstream as improvements in analysis and quality control along with advances in clinical research show the value of herbal medicine in the treating and preventing disease.

What is the history of herbal medicine?

Plants had been used for medicinal purposes long before recorded history. Ancient Chinese and Egyptian papyrus writings describe medicinal uses for plants as early as 3,000 BC. Indigenous cultures (such as African and Native American) used herbs in their healing rituals, while others developed traditional medical systems (such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine) in which herbal therapies were used. Researchers found that people in different parts of the world tended to use the same or similar plants for the same purposes.

In the early 19th century, when chemical analysis first became available, scientists began to extract and modify the active ingredients from plants. Later, chemists began making their own version of plant compounds and, over time, the use of herbal medicines declined in favor of drugs. Almost one fourth of pharmaceutical drugs are derived from botanicals.

Recently, the World Health Organization estimated that 80% of people worldwide rely on herbal medicines for some part of their primary health care. In Germany, about 600 - 700 plant based medicines are available and are prescribed by some 70% of German physicians. In the past 20 years in the United States, public dissatisfaction with the cost of prescription medications, combined with an interest in returning to natural or organic remedies, has led to an increase in herbal medicine use.

Tuberculosis Treatment and Prevention

To be a nurse at Sizwe Hospital, a special facility for treating patients infected with drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis (TB), requires a thick skin and a forgiving nature. 

Cecelia Mngomezulu, the hospital's head matron, has been verbally abused, spat on, assaulted and held hostage in the two years that she has worked there. 

"I sometimes get angry at them, but something tells you that at the end of the day this person is projecting, and then you put yourself in his shoes and you find yourself coming back," she told IRIN/PlusNews. 

The hospital, housed in a sprawling, colonial-era complex in a quiet Johannesburg suburb, is the only referral centre in Gauteng Province for treating multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB, which is resistant to first-line TB medication and can take up to two years to treat. Patients with extremely drug-resistant (XDR) TB, which is resistant to most second-line drugs and can take even longer to treat, are also referred here. 

Drug-resistant TB poses an especially serious public health threat in a country like South Africa, where nearly one in five people are infected with HIV: those living with HIV are 50 times more likely to get TB. 

Malawi seeks to oust fake AIDS healers

Lawmakers began examining Tuesday draft legislation aimed to rid HIV/AIDS-plagued Malawi of quacks claiming to cure the virus through such remedies as sex with virgins, health authorities said.

"When it passes into law, all traditional healers claiming to cure AIDS will be dealt with," Mary Shaba, head of HIV/AIDS issues for Malawi's health ministry, told a parliamentary committee asked to provide input to the measure before it is submitted to the full 193-member parliament later this year.

"The Act will regulate and protect people from healers who prescribe sex with albinos, the disabled or virgins as a cure for HIV and AIDS," she said of the bill drafted in collaboration with traditional Malawi healers and the World Health Organisation.

Shaba did not specify possible sanctions against bogus healing claims for a virus that has devastated this southern African country, infecting more than one in 10 people.

But under the draft legislation, the country's 30,000 traditional healers -- many of whom operate in towns and villages where hospitals are few and far between -- would be required to register with a board set up by the health ministry.

Besides direct solicitation by healers, newspaper and radio advertisements for AIDS cures are also common in Malawi.