HepC BC
by Blair Thomson, DN , CMT, and Mishel Rees, MH, WT , RM , B.Div. Both are Integrative Therapists using nutritional, herbal and body work therapies. They are co- owner/operators of Quantum Life Energy Natural Farmacy & Clinic.
Part 2 Herbs & other important supplements for Hep C
One of the major discomforts which accompanies Hepatitis C is nausea. Whether it is as a result of drug therapies or merely a stage of the disease, it can be greatly reduced with the support of herbs. Ginger is the first herb of choice nausea, although not all ginger products are necessarily created equal. I have found that organic, freeze dried ground ginger to be the most potent form available. Don't be afraid to use it often, 2 or 3 capsules every few hours if needed. Ginger's powerful antioxidant action helps to protect liver cells from damage & improve liver function by promoting bile flow.
Another useful herb for nausea is Slippery Elm. Although not as powerful perhaps for Hep C related nausea as ginger, it is useful to keep in mind if you need a break from taking ginger or if the nausea is more gastrointestinal related (stomach flu, food poisoning, etc.). Slippery Elm is very nutritive, so may be useful along with ginger if food is not being tolerated well.
Essential oils may be used as an adjunct. Peppermint, ginger, lavender, marjoram or rosemary may be used externally mixed with a carrier oil, such as almond oil. Peppermint & ginger essential oils are specific for nausea, while lavender, marjoram & rosemary are analgesic & anti inflammatory. Essential oils should be used in a 3% solution, eg: 3 drops of peppermint to 1 teaspoon (5mls) of almond oil, or 30 drops in 50mls of almond oil.
Having just completed training in Biological Terrain Assessment, we would like to add some information about this leading edge, state of the art, method of objective testing. This assessment looks at blood, saliva & urine & it is a very accurate & scientific way of tracking what is going on in the body showing effectively how your chosen therapy is working, whether it be conventional drug therapy &/or complimentary medicine - herbs, vitamins & minerals. For a complete thorough assessment call Quantum Life Energy for more details.
Of great importance in dealing with any disease, but particularly Hep C, is the importance of strengthening the immune system & taking lots of antioxidants before attempting any cleansing of the body. This is especially true with procedures such as ozone therapy. Cleansing is safe if the proper protocols are followed & Biological Terrain Assessments (BTA) are done to help monitor the therapy. If any one is interested in more information about the possibility of having safe ozone therapy, contact us for details.
We would like to stress the importance of Vitamin C with Hep C as it is one of the most important components in the production of interferon. If Vit C levels drop in the body, interferon levels also drop. Most practitioners seem to suggest rather conservative dosages, we recommend between 4 & 6 grams per day, even up to 9gms per day for short periods of time (a few days), if you have a cold or flu. Vit C comes in many forms & from different sources. We believe both tapioca & ascorbate (buffered, especially the magnesium & potassium forms) Vit C are the preferred forms. Both come in 1gm (1,000mg) size capsules.
Important supplements to consider when the liver is compromised are digestive enzymes, which should contain Betaine HCL & pancreatin, Co enzyme Q10, N-Acetyl Cysteine, B complex, acidophilus & essential fatty acids, such as flax seed oil, in relatively small doses. Lymphatic support is also important when the liver & digestion are impaired. Homeopathics & herbs can also be useful here & include burdock & cleavers. Biological Terrain Assessment can be very helpful in determining individual supplementary needs. For example, we assume that everyone should take minerals. While it is probably safe to say that magnesium & potassium should be taken, there may be instances when the kidneys could be very stressed & unable to deal with mineral excretion properly disturbing the body's mineral balance. Kidney support would be a priority in this situation.
While we think it is important to take herbs to support the immune system, such as astragalus, shitake, maitake & reishi (the only one of the three mushrooms that has a major effect on the liver as well), equally as important are anti viral herbs, such as myrrh & goldenseal, barberry & garlic. Homeopathics which are viral specific can also be used.
Herbs used for liver support should only be used for 6 to 12 weeks, then give the liver a rest & focus on digestion, absorption & energy levels, before returning to liver once again. The reason for these specific times is that it takes approximately 6 weeks for the liver to replace all of its cells. Long term use of liver herbs may only place more stress on an already stressed organ. Herbs to use include, milk thistle, dandelion, burdock (important because it also supports blood & lymph) & turmeric (also very important because of its antioxidant properties).
With proper care & support a damaged liver can be encouraged to heal itself. The road to repair will depend on what you do & the proper administration of supportive therapies. The power of your body to heal itself is immense & we encourage you to take the steps necessary to awaken this innate ability.
As a side note Deepak Chopra has some interesting things to say about the mind / body connection & healing which could be considered alongside the above material.
Well, another very busy month has come and gone.
Kelowna K.A.R.E.S. offered two seminars about HIV/AIDS in Penticton. With yet another R.C.M.P. officer being stuck with a needle, I decided it was time I took some training. Today I completed 16 wonderfully emotional hours of HIV/AIDS Core Training in Kelowna. It was an incredible experience and I hope I will be able to assist K.A.R.E.S. with disease awareness here in Penticton.
Tim McClemont (HeCSC executive director) visited the Okanagan for 3 whole days. He was able to attend our monthly meeting in Penticton, as well as the Kelowna meeting. Thank you to all who turned out to make Tim feel welcome. I believe all who got to hear his speak were impressed with him, as well as with the national commitment to listen to and to represent all members. Thank you to all who signed up as members, and welcome.
A warm welcome back to Vernon. Glad to hear Sharon is starting a group.
Once again, the Krever report will be released soon. I leave for Toronto on the 19th of November, so please get your quilt squares to me as soon as possible.
Speaking of being in Toronto, would you like to join us? We have secured the services of Canadian Airlines - Conventionair. All you need to do is: 1) call your travel agent 2) tell them you'd like to travel to Toronto, to the HeCSC Horizon of Hope conference on November 21, 22, and 23, 1997 3) ask them to book the lowest possible airfare Canadian offers 4) quote Star File #MO 1881 5) or you can call Canadian direct at 1- 800-665-5554 and give them the above information. 6) In addition to the lowest fare, they will also give you an additional 5% discount
Any questions or problems, call Steve in Toronto 1-800-652-4372. Steve is also working on a list of persons interested in sharing accommodation. Again if you are interested, please call him.
For anyone interested ... Last week, I contacted the BC Centre for Disease Control for the latest numbers of confirmed Hepatitis C infections in our province. I was astounded to read that there are now 22,188 positive diagnoses! If it is to be believed that only 1 of every 10 positive persons, actually is aware he has Hepatitis C, is my math correct in estimating that 221,880 British Columbians could be infected? That figure represents 6.72% of our population! It is something to think about, until next month.
Stay positive, stay well
Leslie
Chapters of the Canadian Liver Foundation in your area are located in Kamloops and Vancouver.
Residents of Vancouver and surrounding areas can reach the local chapter at 681-4588. Fax: 681-6067. The chapter president is Mark Quirk.
The address: #545-1130 W. Pender Street, Vancouver, BC, V6E 4A4. Call toll free (B.C. only): 1- (800)- 856-7266
The CLF will be the beneficiary of an event being held in both Nanaimo and Victoria on November 16 and 15 respectively. Ms S. Wrightman, a well known councelor, speaker, group facilitator and healer will be speaking on coping with the stresses in our lives and developing some simple life skills to enable us to better deal with day to day stresses and better manage illness. The event information is as follows:
Event: "The Christmas As You Like It Workshop" Speaker: Ms. S. Writghtman, RCC, Dip. P & OT, IHP When: November 15- Princess Mary Restaurant, 358 Harbour St., Victoria November 16- The Dorchester Hotel, 70 Church St., Nanaimo Cost: Before November 10- $95.00/person or $150.00/couple After November 10- $110.00/person
10% of the proceeds will benefit the Canadian Liver Foundation. These funds will be put towards further liver disease research and education.
March is "Help Fight Liver Disease Month" and that means the Spring for Daisies Campaign will once again get underway. The CLF is looking for volunteers to help with all aspects of the public and corporate campaigns and curious individuals can call Michelle at the regional office. The campaign will run in Vancouver, Victoria and Kamloops.
The Living with Liver Disease Program will commence on January 26, 1998 at Vancouver General Hospital Heather Pavillion, Lecture Hall B from 7- 9pm. This seminar series is designed for patients and their families to assist them in understanding all aspects of chronic illness including coping strategies, pain management, diet and nutrition, and alternative therapies.
In Victoria the Living with Liver Disease Program will also commence in January 1998. A date and venue have yet to be confirmed.
Reminder:- Any change of address, phone number or Postal Code, please let me, your phone contact (in Victoria) or your Chapter Secretary (B.C) know at your earliest. It saves our meagre funds. Thanks.
Jim Lodge 386-8227
e-mail:- ut301@freenet.victoria.bc.ca
Vice-chairperson & Member
Hi Everyone
Many changes are on the horizon for the Vancouver Chapter. The next meeting will be the regularly scheduled November 13th meeting. Please attend if it is at all possible. Important issues will be discussed and your input is valued and needed.
And it is at this time that I must inform you that I will no longer be a part of the Vancouver Chapter. I will be resigning from my position as vice-chair effective immediately.
As you all know, energy is a big issue for all sufferers of HCV. And the time has come when I must choose where I will spend that energy. At present I am co-editor of this newsletter, webmaster of HepC BC, and administrator for the HEPCan, a Canadian online support group, in addition to being the vice-chair of the Vancouver Chapter and sitting on various committees for the Chapter.
My main objective has been, and will always be, to provide education and support to people with HCV. I remember how alone I felt when I was first diagnosed and would do anything to prevent that same feeling in another person.
While I am resigning from the Vancouver Chapter, I am maintaining my membership in the HeCSC and will continue as co-editor of the hepcBC.bull newsletter in addition to my other online work. I will continue to work with the Victoria Chapter and will always be available for any questions and/or help through my email address < The best of luck to everyone. And I'll see you in the next issue of the hepcBC.bull!
Take care.
Darlene