Herbs for health

KWENU! Our culture, our future

Herbs for health

ADEZE OJUKWU

New Jersey, USA

Wednesday, March 10, 2004

I met Dr Letchamo Wude, an Ethiopian scholar, in a recent academic program in the United States of America (USA). But little did I know that he is a biochemist with over 15 years of international research and manufacturing of natural products for preventive and curative medicine. The alternative medicine proponent spoke elaborately on the healing properties of certain known and not-so-well-known herbs such as medicinal mushrooms botanically called lnonotus obliquus. Here are excerpts from the discourse:

This specie of mushroom otherwise called chaga in Siberia or elo in Igbo is a basidiomycete fungus that grows on well known living birch trees in Siberia and areas with high humidity and dim lighting. Popularly used by Siberians, Mongols and Asians, it has been used in ancient times for several blood disorders such as cholesterosis, arteriosclerosis, phlebitis and thrombosis.

Thrombi (blood clots) are directly responsible for problems like stroke, aneurysm and myocardial failure. Thromboses veins deter blood circulation, decreasing supply to the extremities and may lead to inflammations, nephritis, hepatitis gangrene and diabetic complications. Blood clotting is quite peculiar to man. But when this delicate balance of bonding and unbinding is upset, arterial blockage arising from excessive bleeding may occur.

Experimental data has shown that extracts from this particular mushroom are known to inhibit excessive platelet accumulation. It reinforced outer membranes of the red corpuscles and no harmful side effects were reported. Incidence of phlebitis decreased regardless of where the arteries were situated and overall strengthening was found. The substance is also reputed for its additive effect by strengthening the prostate glands located between the bladder and the urinary tract.

This plant b-3-glucan-polysaccharide which is a potent anti-canceremia agent. Some Russian and Ukrainian physicians were said to have discovered the positive effects of chaga in arresting metastatic cancer in humans, especially after the Chernobyl nuclear catastrophe. It reinforces membrane of the cancerous cell to impede spreading. It also prevents thrombi formation aiding fusion of medications within the system. In addition it normalizes the body�s immune system and works well when used along with anti-tumor drugs and therapies.

It is important to point out that scar tissues surrounding cancerous cells cause continuous infections. The permanent thrombi formed serve to isolate the diseased area. Therefore any anti-coagulant such as this mushroom extract can be employed to dissolve the build-up and inhibit further platelet bonding, making it very effective in cancer treatment. As the cancer cells multiply, some of the thrombi multiples are carried to other parts of the body leading further complications and in some cases fatalities.

Phlebitis and spontaneous bruises are caused by clogged blood vessels. Arteriosclerosis is the more fatal system of such blockage. Cerebrum and coronary arterial blockages can lead to stroke, cerebral vascular accident and myocardial infarctions. It is believed in some quarters that cancer patients die more frequently from related complications than the disease itself. Hence these medicinal extracts are quite significant to fighting medical complications. This extract is also widely acknowledged for its adaptogenic properties.