Apocalyptic Apothecary

by Ron Foster

  Chinese Gold Coin Grass is also known as Herba Lysimachiae in scientific name and Jin Qian Cao in Chinese name. It is named so because of its coin-like leaves and, more importantly, its medicinal properties that are as precious as gold. It has a traditional use in snake bites. It is also used to treat mushroom poisoning and drug poisoning.

  It has been used in concentrated form for centuries in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), where it is believed to clear "heat" and toxins from the body, and also to strengthen the body's natural ability to expel gallstones and kidney stones

  Lysimachia christinae Hance is a traditional Chinese medicine with diuretic, detumescent (reduces swelling), and detoxifying effects. This herb is also called Loosestrife. It is an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and immunity strengthening also good on insect bites, abscess, scalding injuries and pus filled sores.

  How is the Gold Coin Grass Beneficial as a Chinese Medicine?

  Gallstones and kidney stones can be treated without surgeries with the help of the Gold coin grass. It crushes the stones into tiny particles, thereby allowing it to pass out the body.

  Bile is a substance in the human body that is necessary for the digestion of fat and enables bowel lubrication. Lot of doctors recommends removal of gall bladders in case of the presence of gall stones that can be a threat to the patients in the long run. Gold coin grass provides a natural remedy in such circumstance without any hassles.

  The herb has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.

  It prevents the skin allograft rejection period.

  Functions of lysimachia include improving water retention for the treatment of stranguria, removal of heat and lethal elements and discarding stasis to reduce swelling.

  It is a good cure for jaundice and combines well with other herbs for effectiveness.

  The juice from the fresh herb is excellent for external application especially for boils, carbuncles and poisonous snake bites

  The Pau D’Arco tree has a long and revered history in South America, where it has been used for 1000’s of years to treat almost every malady imaginable. From malaria to the common cold, insect bites or fungal infections – Pau D'Arco was the answer.

  It was and still is taken internally in tea or powder form, or used externally to treat all manner of wounds, skin infections, snake bites and even impetigo.

  Malaria is a serious condition caused by parasites that are spread by mosquitos in tropical and subtropical climates. These parasites will affect the body by first being incubated in the liver for several days, and then entering and infecting the blood stream.

  Here, they will reproduce and multiply until they burst open and destroy the blood cell. This can cause a reduction in blood cells, while in the meantime, the production of toxic waste products will cause the body to respond by producing pro-inflammatory cytokines leading to an increase in body temperature (fever), muscle pain and spasm, weakness, and more.

  As mentioned, there is no cure for malaria that you can get readily from your kitchen cupboard. If there was, then this condition would not have ravaged many tropical and subtropical countries to the extent it has.

  Therefore, a lot of the time these treatments should focus on managing symptoms and helping to prevent the worst developments. One way to do this is to hydrate the body properly and to keep drinking lots of water.

  Malaria has numerous symptoms, but among the most serious are the fever, the vomiting and diarrhea. If you find yourself throwing up and feeling hot, then you will quickly become dehydrated as you lose moisture through your stool, vomit, and perspiration.

  While it is not a natural remedy, a home strategy you can use against malaria is to take an aspirin or ibuprofen. These are analgesics, meaning that they are painkillers that can reduce some of the discomfort such as headache and muscle ache that we associate with malaria. At the same time though, these are also blood thinners, meaning that they are effective at reducing inflammation and helping to ease the muscle pain and more as a result. This might be particularly effective against the headaches that malaria causes (along with water). That’s because some of this discomfort is thought to be due to pro-inflammatory cytokines – proteins produced by the body that cause inflammation – which are produced in response to the parasites. While these can help to drive out the parasites around the body, they can also cause inflammation elsewhere – including in the brain where they can lead to confusion, brain fog, and headache.

  Consuming more iron is another important management strategy if you are suffering with malaria. This is because malaria destroys red blood cells, and ultimately reduces the amount of blood in your system. As blood is reduced, you will find you can end up looking pale, feeling tired, and perhaps even looking jaundiced.

  By consuming iron, you can support your body’s ability to create more red blood cells, and thereby combat some of these effects.

  The traditional Amazonian malaria remedy is pau d’arco (Tabebuia ochracea ssp neochrysantha).

  Pau D'Arco is a large canopy tree of the Amazon rainforest. The inner bark of this tree has been used for hundreds of years as an antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic. Pau D'arco has demonstrated an activity against such parasites as malaria, schistosoma, trypanosoma. It has history of at least 1,000 years of use by indigenous groups, including the Inca, as a treatment for malaria and for gastrointestinal, skin, and rheumatologic conditions.

  In recent years, the antibacterial activity of Pau D'Arco has been well proven, and mainly attributed to the naphthoquinone content of the bark and phenolic content of the leaves.

  Tabebuia has been reportedly used in various South American medical systems for such conditions as ulcers, syphilis, urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal infections, candidiasis, cancer, diabetes, prostatitis, constipation, rheumatism, arthritis, dysentery, stomatitis, boils, and allergies. Colombians have reportedly used a bark infusion as a CNS stimulant, and a decoction by the Bahamians was employed for a similar reason as an energizing tonic to give strength. In Brazil, T. avellanedae bark infusion is used to treat malaria, cancer, fever, stomach disorders, bacterial and fungal infections and to relieve a variety of mental, and emotional states (anxiety, poor memory, irritability, and depression).

  Pau d’arco and its chemicals also have demonstrated in vitro antiviral properties against various viruses, including Herpes I and II, influenza, poliovirus, and vesicular stomatitis virus. It is reported that lapachol decreases the replication of viruses in human subjects, however there is no available clinical data. Researchers have isolated over 20 active chemicals in pau d'arco. Research, mainly on laboratory animals, has shown pau d'arco to have anti-microbial and anti-viral properties, helping to destroy bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses by increasing the supply of oxygen to cells. It has demonstrated effectiveness against yeast infections, malaria, tuberculosis, strep, and dysentery. Pau d'arco has also been shown to influence the activity of the immune system. In small dosages, it increases immune system activity and in large doses suppresses some immune responses such as inflammation. Its anti-inflammatory actions have given pau d'arco promise as a remedy for allergies, arthritis, skin problems, ulcers and other inflammatory conditions. Several test-tube studies show that the bark extract provides protection against a number of disease-causing organisms and may also inhibit the growth of infectious bacteria in your digestive system.

  For example, beta-lapachone has been found to inhibit and treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), an infection which is notoriously difficult to control.

  In another study, pau d’arco extract inhibited the growth of Helicobacter (H.) pylori, a bacterium that grows in your digestive tract and has a tendency to attack your stomach lining, causing ulcers. That said, it was less effective than some other common antibiotics but our formula is not limited to just relying on this one botanical.

  Combats Candida

  Candida is a common yeast which lives in the mouth and the intestines. It is needed in very small am
ounts to aid digestion and nutrient absorption. However, if the body’s Ph level is upset it can get out of control very quickly, resulting in Candida overgrowth – also known as Candidiasis. If left untreated, this can lead to a whole host of problems and can weaken the immune system, allowing more serious diseases to take hold. Symptoms of overgrowth can include; thrush, headaches, poor concentration, fatigue and uncontrollable sugar cravings.

  Powerfully antifungal, Pau D’Arco is most well-known for its Candida fighting abilities. It contains several classes of compounds; lapachol, xyloidone and other napthaquinones – the most important of these being lapachol. In an overview of lapachol research published in 2007, it was found that lapachol has a significant effect against Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. Pau D’Arco will also loosen the bowels – not enough to cause diarrhea – but enough to wash out old fecal matter, exposing the Candida yeast. In this way, Pau D’Arco offers a two-pronged attack against Candida overgrowth.

  The most common types of fungal infections in humans are:

  Candidiasis – Candida is probably the most well-known of all the fungi. While there are more than 20 species of Candida yeasts that can cause problems in humans, the most common is Candida albicans.

  Candidiasis causes thrush in the mouth and yeast infections when overgrown in the vagina. It can also invade the bloodstream.

  The aforementioned Candida auris belongs to this family of fungi.

  You may not know that you have candidiasis. Although it is fairly easy to recognize symptoms of yeast overgrowth in the mouth or genitals, overgrowth symptoms elsewhere vary widely.

  They can vary widely, and include fatigue, headaches, bloating, stomach pain, and other digestive issues, skin issues like eczema and psoriasis, seasonal allergies, and much more. Candida that invades the bloodstream can shut down organs and be fatal if not caught in time.

  Coccidioidomycosis – This is quite a mouthful of an infection and is better known as ‘Valley Fever.’ It is caused by the fungus Coccidioides that is found in the soil of the southwestern United States and runs through part of Mexico, Central America, and down to South America.

  Aspergillosis – Aspergillus is a mold that most people breathe the spores of every day. While it usually causes no problems, those with lung diseases or weakened immune systems can develop infections of the organs, allergies, and lung infections.

  Blastomycosis – The fungus Blastomyces lives in moist soil and decomposing leaves and wood. It is mainly found in the United States and Canada around the Great Lakes, as well as the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys.

  These spores can cause flu-like symptoms that can become serious if not treated.

  While most people do not get sick or get over it in a couple weeks, some might need antifungal medications.

  Cryptococcus neoformans – This fungus is found throughout the world. It usually poses no danger. However, weakened immune systems, particularly in those with HIV/AIDS, can let the fungus take hold.

  Cryptococcus gattii – C. gattii can cause issues in the lungs or central nervous system. It is found in tropical or sub-tropical areas of the world, the Pacific Northwest in the U.S., and parts of British Columbia.

  Fungal eye infections – While rare, fungal eye infections can be caused by a variety of fungi and generally occur with damage to the eye, particularly from plant matter.

  This can present as keratitis, an inflammation or infection of the cornea, or as endophthalmitis, which affects the interior of the eye.

  Mucormycosis – Formally zygomycosis, this is a rare but serious infection caused by a mold called mucormycetes. These can infect the sinuses after the spores are breathed in, or they can enter the body through a wound like a scratch.

  Pneumocystis – Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) usually affects people with weakened immune systems, such as those suffering from HIV/AIDS. It is caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii, which was considered a protozoa before being reclassified as a fungus.

  Ringworm – This condition, also known as tinea or dermatophytosis, presents as a circular rash. It lives on the skin as well as common surfaces, bedding, towels, and clothes.

  Anyone can get it and it can occur anywhere on the body. If you have gotten athlete’s foot, you might be surprised to learn this is actually a ringworm infection on the feet.

  Sporotrichosis – Sporotrichosis is caused by the fungi Sporothrix. It is often deemed the ‘rose gardener’s disease’ because it lives worldwide in hay, rose bushes, sphagnum moss, and other types of soil and plant matter.

  The fungi enters through openings in the skin, and there are three main types of infection.

  The first and most common is Cutaneous Sporotrichosis and occurs in the hand or arm area after handling the infected matter. This can happen through animal bites and scratches, particularly from felines. It begins as a bump and turns into what can look like a slow-healing ulcer.

  The second, Pulmonary Sporotrichosis, occurs when the spores enter the lungs. Luckily, this is a rare infection. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fever, and pain in the chest.

  The third type is Disseminated Sporotrichosis, and this kind wreaks havoc on those with weakened immunity. It spreads through the system into the joints, bones, and nervous system.

  This can be manifested as joint pain, confusion, headaches, or seizures.

  Woods Walker has Essential oils that fight fungal infections and can help eradicate the microbes.

  As you can see, there are many variations of fungal infections and it can be difficult to determine that your issue is caused by a fungus instead of bacteria or viruses.

  Once you know, the essential oils and extracts of Woods Walker can come to the rescue.

  The volatile oils of plants are made up of a varying number of active constituents that have unique properties. These chemicals all work synergistically in each oil to impart healing properties.

  Some of these constituents have proven to be very highly effective against fungi.

  If you’re an avid camper or love the outdoors in general like I do, then you will already know how important packing correctly is. I mean, the last thing anyone wants is to find themselves deep in the wilderness without any of the essential items you need. Sometimes, the situation you’re in might take a drastic change and you’ll find yourself heaving a sigh of relief when you find the tool you’re looking for, or that extra bottle of water – or possibly that sinking feeling of regret for not packing that extra bottle of water or bug bite medicine either in your bag! If you’re camping overnight, then you’ll generally be packing a bit more.

  Including all the essential items you’ll normally have with you, packing in an insect repellent is always a must – regardless of where you’re camping. Being bitten will definitely make for an uncomfortable night’s sleep and worse, could even be poisonous...

  Among other uses, I highly recommend considering bringing a vial of palmarosa oil with you as a natural repellent. It works like a charm many say, smells great and will leave your skin feeling fresh and moisturized. Now as for Wood Walker, I haven’t tried a drop behind each ear to see if it repels bugs or not but it has a lot of Palmarosa oil in it and if I was out of bug spray I would definitely give it a shot!

  Palmarosa is known as a rich source of geraniol – which is the main active ingredient of the plant. Geraniol is also the main compound that acts as a repellent and will keep mosquitoes, flies and spiders at bay and stop them from biting. It is safe for topical application to the skin when diluted in the correct ratio with a suitable carrier oil – I also recommend patch testing first to make sure that you don’t have a reaction.

  Palmarosa is often used as a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent in traditional medicine and to treat superficial wounds and infections. Palmarosa essential oil acts as a strong natural febrifuge – which means it can be used as a treatment for a fever or high temperatures. It has been combined in this formula with other herbs of similar attributes in order to make it a more effe
ctive treatment.