Taheebo as a Herbal Cancer Cure

Taheebo is also popularly known as pau d arco, lapacho, red lapacho and ipe roxo. It is described as a broad-leaved tree. As a tabebuia specie, taheebo, particularly its inner bark, is accounted for many medicinal uses. In 1960, there are reports that tea made from taheebo bark was an effective antineoplastic agent - a drug that can treat cancer. 

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As cancer is one formidable and killer disease, susceptible individuals find the most natural way for cure. Taheebo which is native to the West Indies, Central and South America have been used for centuries by the Incas for treatment and health improvement.

The inner bark of taheebo is boiled down. In the early days, its decoction was applied to wounds for infection cure. Taheebo has been also popular as a tincture but more widely consumed as a tea.

Taheebo holds many benefits. It was considered as a wonder drug as it posses antimicrobial properties. As a tea, it is indicated for fungal, viral and bacterial infection; for pain and fever; and for stomach and bladder problems.

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911 Health Shop VS eVitamins: Online Supplements and Health Product Stores Comparison

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Shopping online for health products are becoming common nowadays. Unlike the hassles of going personally to pharmacies and health stores, online shopping offers an easy and more convenient way of procuring items without leaving our homes.

911 Health Shop and eVitamins are online health product stores who both specializes in pet care, weight loss, vitamins, supplements, herbs, teas, skin care  and other healthcare services. While 911 Health Shop started serving consumers in 2001, eVitamins has been in the online business since 1999. Both health shops present a wide selection of quality and trusted products. They also offer good competitive prices and discounts for their items. 

However, besides the product quality, consumers normally regard the customer service provided by online shops. Considering 911 Health Shop and eVitamins, which of the two is recommendable?

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Glutathione as a Skin Whitening Supplement

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Melanin is one of the two pigments responsible for the hair and skin color. While melanin comprises of the brown color, the other pigment – carotene is responsible for the yellow shade. Generally, the darker the color means the more melanin in the skin. With this, glutathione works its wonders in four ways:

1. It binds with the color forming tyrosine (a precursor amino acid to melanin) to form a less colored pigment.
2. It modifies black/brown/yellow melanin pigmentation (Eumelanin) to reddish white pigmentation (Phaeomelanin).
3. It deactivates the free radicals caused by sun exposure.
4. Its antioxidant activity lowers the rate of melanogenesis or the production of melanin.

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The Truth About Dietary Supplements

The statement ‘No approved therapeutic claims’ is usually found in herbal and food supplement containers. Like the line, ‘Smoking is hazardous to your health’ in cigarettes or the declaration, ‘Drink moderately’ in liquor bottles, the statement serves as a warning for those who would rely solely with some particular food supplements.

Dietary supplement categories

Supplements can be grouped into two - those that can be used in treating ailments and those that function only for dietary support. Ferrous sulfate for instance belongs to the first group. It is a vitamin indicated for anemia. Vitamin C promotes faster wound healing and therefore often prescribed by doctors with the antibiotics. The B complex combination is another thing. This group is advised with patients suffering from neuralgia. These supplements mentioned not only provide nutrients but can be used as treatment as well. Thus, this group can be regarded as supplements with therapeutic claims.

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The second group on the other hand is exclusively for dietary sustenance. As mentioned earlier, these types are usually grouped in the herbal or food supplements. Encapsulated Ampalaya or Malunggay are best examples. These food supplements have numerous benefits. Ampalaya reveals good herbal supplement for diabetes. Malunggay is a good source to increase milk production for breastfeeding mothers.

Among others, are the new food supplement formulations that include Taurine, Lysine and the Chlorella growth factor or the CGF. Taurine holds a promise to make someone smarter; Lysine is an appetite stimulant; and CGF is said to be a height enhancer.

Misconceptions

The second group’s benefits are something for the consumers to look forward to. For a person who wants to have a taller or a smart child, supplements with CGF and Taurine are appealing news. However, the second group must be understood as mere provider of nutrients needed by the child for growth and development and nothing more. Their benefits may not be seen as positive. The Lysine for example may not work for a thin child. Two probable reasons - it could be an inappropriate appetite stimulant or it could have an inapt low dose. And because Lysine is included in a combination formula, its dose cannot be increased without affecting other active constituents. The bottom line is this, if a mother wants her child to improve his weight she should shift to real medication for appetite and not to rely with food supplements.

So are we really wasting money on food supplements?

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