Bee venom kills HIV cells

(NaturalNews) An ancient Chinese medicine protocol known as "apitherapy" appears to be making a resurgence in modern times, as scientists continue to uncover the many amazing healing powers of bees and the substances they produce. And a new study recently published in the journal Antiviral Therapy affirms this, having found that bee venom, which is released during a bee sting, may hold the key to targeting and destroying HIV.

As reported by U.S. News & World Report, scientists from the Washington University (WU) School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, identified the presence of a compound known as melittin that they say exhibits powerful anti-HIV effects. The bee venom toxin was visibly observed to destroy the viral components of HIV while leaving healthy cells unharmed.

For their research, Joshua Hood and his colleagues from WU attached melittin to nanoparticles that are smaller than HIV. They then applied the resulting substance to HIV itself, where it was clearly observed to "rip holes" in the outer layer of the virus, effectively destroying it. But because of the particles' size, they did not harm healthy cells in the body.

According to ScienceNews.org, the team also applied the solution to healthy human cells obtained from vaginal walls. They observed that the substance did not visibly affect these healthy cells at all, illustrating the unique nature of the bee venom in differentiating between the cells it is supposed to attack, and the cells it is supposed to leave unharmed.

"Based on this finding, we propose that melittin-loaded nanoparticles are well-suited for use as topical vaginal HIV virucidal agents," wrote the authors in their paper. "Out hope is that in places where HIV is running rampant, people could use this as a preventative measure to stop the initial infections."

As far as HIV potentially growing resistance to the treatment later on down the road, researchers believe such a scenario will never materialize due to the nature of the mechanistic action. Because bee venom specifically destroys the outer layer of the virus, which results in the virus itself dying, there is little or no chance of resistance ever developing.

"Theoretically, melittin nanoparticles are not susceptible to HIV mutational resistance seen with standard HIV therapies," added the research team. "By disintegrating the [virus'] lipid envelope, [it's] less likely to develop resistance to the melittin nanoparticles." 

Propolis, royal jelly, bee pollen, and raw honey may also target HIV

However, the use of nanoparticles, which have never been proven safe, is not actually necessary for bee venom to do its work. A patent issued to Vespa Laboratories, Inc. back in 1989 reveals that the use of melittin as a natural antiretroviral treatment was known long before nanoparticles were even invented (or discovered), which means the substance itself, without modification, possesses anti-HIV properties.

And besides bee venom, many other bee products may also target HIV naturally without the need for deadly antiretroviral drugs and therapies. Numerous scientific studies have shown that bee propolis, for instance, is loaded with biologically-active substances that stimulate immunity and prevent HIV replication. And royal jelly, which is considered by many to be a "perfect food," contains all sorts of beneficial hormones, vitamins, and other nutrients that naturally promote strong immunity and the proliferation of healthy cells.

"Five bee products are involved in apitherapy protocol for the treatment of HIV/AIDS," explains an article posted on ProNutrition.org. "These are honey, pollen, royal jelly, propolis, and bee venom. The first four can be used as food supplements and [medications], while bee venom is only applicable as medicine for HIV/AIDS and other disease conditions."

Source: naturalnews

Folklore With Regards To Fruit Therapy

Potato:There was an Irish proverb: Be eating one potato, peeling a second, have a third in your fist and your eye on the fourth.

Spinach: In ancient times, spinach juice was used as a cure for conjunctivitis and defective vision; a cure for anemia, weakness and low vitality.

Carrot: In medieval times, it was believed that carrot juice improves eye sight; it was also used as a cure for loose teeth; bleeding gums, anemia, scurvy and rickets.

Beet root: In dark ages, beet juice was used for dissolving fibroid tumours in the uterus, in the bones and in the stomach. Its juice was also used as a cure in fevers, bronchitis, cough and cold.

Tomato: Tomato is neither a vegetable nor a fruit but botanically it is considered a berry. In ancient times, half-ripe tomatoes were used as a remedy for diarrhea and dysentery. It was also called 'love-apple'.

Cabbage: In ancient times, cabbage juice was used as a cure in gastric or peptic ulcers. Its juice was found to be very useful in all sorts of stomach or liver troubles. For this reason, ancient people ate only boiled cabbage with salt.

Margosa: In dark. ages, margosa (neem) leaf juice was used as a cure for fevers, skin diseases and boils.

Holy basil (tulsi): In ancient times, holy basil leaf juice with honey and liquorice was used as an effective remedy in malarial fevers, bronchitis, cough and cold.

Pumpkin: In medieval times, pumpkin seed were used as a cure for prostate gland disorders, impotency, sterility and leucoderma.

Peppermint: In dark ages, peppermint oil was used as a cure for flatulence, nausea and gastralgia.

Rhubarb (pies): In ancient times, rhubarb root juice was used as a purgative.

Apple: In medieval times, apple juice was regarded as a cure for anemia, low vitality, and general debility. Ancient people believed in the proverb: An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Fig (dumur): In ancient times, figs were used as an effective remedy for menorrhagia, diabetes and sore throat.

Anise: In medieval times, the dried seeds of the anise plant were used to relieve flatulence and were considered as a remedy for worms, stomachache,

vertigo, giddiness and nausea. They were also used to increase the breast milk of nursing mothers.

Cherry: In ancient times, it was believed that six cherry kernels a day prevented the formation of kidney stones. It was also used as a cure for appendicitis.

Cloves: In medieval times, the dried, aromatic immature flower buds of the evergreen clove tree were used as a breath sweetener, a comfort for the heart and stomach; a remedy for nausea, colic, flatulence and diarrhea.

Ginger: In ancient times, raw ginger was used as a breath sweetener; an aid to digestion; a cure for toothache and bleeding gums, and as a strengthening agent for loose teeth and weak eyes.

Black-pepper (kalajira): In medieval times, the black-pepper was used as a cure for toothache. It was also used as a preventive drug in blood dysentery, scarlet fever, small-pox, leprosy, typhus, cholera and plague.

Garlic: Ancient people believed that garlic was a powerful charm against evil eye, demons, witches and vampires. In ancient Rome, the garlic was dedicated to Mars, the god of war. Medieval people used garlic as a cure for heart-attack, cancer and tumour. Garlic was believed to be sure remedy for all sorts of ailments in the body. It was also regarded as 'heal-all' vegetable. Externally garlic juice was applied to insect bites, scorpion stings, and even to dog bites. In old age, it would be very difficult to keep the body fit and active by drugs. If one takes a few cloves of fried garlic daily and a glass of musumbi juice the morning, one will remain free from all sorts of diseases. Medical experts gave us this valuable advice.

Onion: In ancient times, onion was used as an effective cure for insomnia, sunstroke, heat-stroke, headache, and travel sickness. Externally its juice was applied to insect bites and scorpion stings.

The ancient people used to eat raw onions at supper time in order to get sound sleep. If anyone eats fried garlic at supper time, he will surely get a very sound sleep.

Bitter-gourd (karela): In ancient times, raw bitter gourd juice was used as an effective remedy for diabetes, eye troubles, jaundice, skin eruptions, liver troubles and stomach disorders.

Lady's finger (dheras, bhindi): In ancient times, raw lady's finger was used as remedy for impotency,' sexual frigidity, sterility.

Musumbi (lime): In medieval times, musumbi was regarded as a 'miracle fruit'. They treated this fruit as a 'heal-all' fruit. Musumbi juice was used as a very effective and sure remedy in diarrhea, dysentery, jaundice, diabetes,

cirrhosis of liver and all sorts liver troubles. It was also used as a specific remedy for heart-­attack and thrombosis. Musumbi juice was also used as a sure remedy for anemia, fever, bronchitis, general debility, small-pox, prostate gland disorders, kidney disorders and uterine troubles. Ancient people treated this fruit as all-purpose medicine.

Sabeda: In ancient times, sabeda was used as a cure for anemia, general debility, low vitality, lassitude, general weakness, headache, and travel sickness. They believed that this fruit was a sure remedy for impotency, sexual sterility, frigidity, etc.

Orange (narangi): In olden days, orange juice was used as an effective remedy for fever, bronchitis, cough and cold, low vitality, lassitude, general debility, anemia, general weakness, impotency, sterility, kidney disorders and prostate gland disorders.

Lemon (nimbu): In ancient times, lemon was regarded as a miracle fruit. It was used as.an effective remedy for diarrhea, dysentery, jaundice, flatulence, indigestion, dyspepsia, cirrhosis of liver, diabetes, dropsy, and intestinal troubles. It was also used as a cure in eye troubles and kidney disorders.

Plantain (kela): In medieval times, green plantain flower (mocha) juice was treated an effective remedy for menorrhagia. Boiled green plantain was regarded as an effective remedy in diarrhea and dysentery.

Liquorice (jastimadhu): In ancient times, liquorice with honey and ginger was used as a powerful remedy in fevers, bronchitis, cough and cold.

Tamarind (imli): In medieval times, ripe tamarind pulp was used as a remedy for loss of memory, bilious vomiting, loss of appetite and travel sickness.

Papaya: In ancient times, ripe papaya was used as an effective remedy for all sorts of stomach troubles. Green papaya was used as a vegetable in diarrhoea and dysentery.

Marmelos: In ancient times, ripe marmelos was used as a cure for diarrhea and dysentery. A few slices of marmalade of marmelos will be very useful in diarrhea and dysentery.

By Alien Goms

The Herbal Treatment of Interstitial Cystitis (IC) Or Painful Bladder Syndrome

Interstitial cystitis affects 500,000 people in the UK, who are told that there is no cure for it and they must live with it. Patients have often been on an exhausting route visiting GPs, urologists and gynaecologists with little success. They feel that the orthodox treatment seems to be purely symptomatic and unable to address the underlying cause of this very debilitating condition.
What is Interstitial Cystitis (IC)?
Interstitial cystitis is a very uncomfortable and stressful disorder, which is characterized by chronic urinary urgency (feeling the need to urinate immediately) and frequency (frequent urination) with or without pelvic pain. Symptoms of interstitial cystitis may vary among individuals and may even vary with time in the same individual. Many people have to live life around their bladder because of the unpleasant symptoms. The term "cystitis" refers to any inflammation of the bladder. In contrast to bacterial cystitis, which results from an infection in the bladder, no infectious organism has been identified in people with interstitial cystitis. Interstitial cystitis is diagnosed when the symptoms occur without evidence for another cause of the symptoms.
About 90 percent of patients with interstitial cystitis are women and the average age of onset is 40, though people of any age can be affected. Although interstitial cystitis has not been considered a hereditary disorder, multiple cases have occurred among some families, prompting further research into a genetic link.
Women with interstitial cystitis are more likely to have had frequent urinary tract infections and to have had previous gynaecological surgery than women without interstitial cystitis. Certain chronic illnesses have been described as occurring more frequently in people with interstitial cystitis than in the general population:
Systemic lupus erythematosus (Lupus or SLE)
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Allergies
Endometriosis
Vulvodynia (chronic discomfort in the vulvar area)
Fibromyalgia
Interstitial cystitis has been classified into two forms, ulcerative and non-ulcerative, depending on the presence or absence of ulcerations in the bladder lining. Star-shaped ulcerations in the bladder wall are known as Hunner's ulcers. The ulcerative (classic type) of interstitial cystitis is found in less than 10% of cases. Scarring and stiffening of the bladder wall may occur as a result of the long term inflammation, leading to a decrease in bladder capacity. Areas of pinpoint bleeding may be seen on the bladder wall.
What is the cause of interstitial cystitis?
No one knows exactly what causes interstitial cystitis but because the symptoms are varied, most researchers believe that it represents a spectrum of disorders rather than one single disease. One area of research has focused on the layer that coats the lining of the bladder called the glycocalyx. This consists mainly of substances called mucins and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). This layer normally protects the bladder wall from toxic effects of urine. Researchers have found that this protective layer of the bladder is "leaky" in about 70% of interstitial cystitis patients. There is a hypothesis that this may allow substances in urine to pass into the bladder wall where they might trigger interstitial cystitis.
Potassium is one substance that may be involved in damage to the bladder wall. Researchers have isolated a substance known as antiproliferative factor (APF) that appears to block the normal growth of cells that make up the lining of the bladder. APF has been identified almost exclusively in the urine of people suffering with interstitial cystitis. Research is underway to clarify the potential role of APF in the development of interstitial cystitis.
Other theories about the cause of interstitial cystitis are that it is a form of autoimmune disorder or that infection with an unidentified organism may be producing the damage to the bladder and the accompanying symptoms.
What are the signs and symptoms of interstitial cystitis?
The symptoms of interstitial cystitis vary greatly from one person to another but have some similarities to those of a urinary tract infection. They include:
Decreased bladder capacity
An urgent need to urinate frequently day and night
Feelings of pressure, pain, and tenderness around the bladder, pelvis, and perineum (the area between the anus and vagina or anus and scrotum) which may increase as the bladder fills and decrease as it empties
Painful sexual intercourse (dyspareunia)
Discomfort or pain in the penis and scrotum
In most women, symptoms usually worsen around the time of their periods. Stress may also worsen the symptoms. The symptoms usually have a slow onset, and urinary frequency is the most common early symptom. As interstitial cystitis progresses over a few years, cycles of pain (flares) and remissions occur. Pain may be mild or so severe as to be debilitating. Symptoms can vary from day to day.
How is interstitial cystitis diagnosed?
Because the symptoms of interstitial cystitis are similar to those of other disorders of the urinary system and because there is no definitive test to identify interstitial cystitis, doctors must exclude other conditions before making a diagnosis of interstitial cystitis. Among the disorders to be excluded are urinary tract or vaginal infections, bladder cancer, bladder inflammation or infection caused by radiation to the abdomen, eosinophilic and tuberculous cystitis, kidney stones, endometriosis, neurological disorders, sexually transmitted diseases, urinary tract infection with small numbers of bacteria, and, in men, chronic bacterial and non-bacterial prostatitis. Medical tests that help identify other conditions include a urinalysis, urine culture, cystoscopy, biopsy of the bladder wall and, in men, laboratory examination of prostatic secretions.
What is the orthodox treatment of interstitial cystitis?
Orthodox medication The principal type of oral medication is Elmiron, which is chemically similar to the substance that lines the bladder. It is believed that Elmiron assists in the repair of the bladder. Even after therapy has begun, patients may still experience symptoms for some time because the sensory nerves in the bladder have been hyperactive, and it takes time for the nerves to return to their normal state of activation. Doctors recommend giving up to one year of this treatment in mild interstitial cystitis and two years in severe interstitial cystitis before deciding if the drug is effective or not. Between one-third and two-thirds of patients will improve after three months of treatment.
Other oral medications that may be used to treat interstitial cystitis along with Elmiron include antidepressants, aspirin and ibuprofen (both of which may make symptoms worse in some patients).
Bladder Distension Bladder distension is sometimes is used for therapy of interstitial cystitis. It helps reduce symptoms in approximately 20-30% of people with interstitial cystitis. When it is effective, the relief of symptoms persists for three to six months after the procedure.
Bladder Instillation (Intravesical therapy)
This procedure may also be called a bladder wash or bath. During a bladder instillation, the bladder is filled with a solution that is held for varying periods of time, from a few seconds to 15 minutes, before being drained through a narrow tube called a catheter.
In severe cases of interstitial cystitis, intravesical solutions may be administered along with Elmiron to provide relief until the oral medication has had time to take effect. Other drugs that have been used for bladder instillations include dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO, RIMSO-50), heparin, sodium bicarbonate, and hydrocortisone (a steroid). Treatments are given every week or two for 6 to 8 weeks, and repeated as needed depending on symptoms. Most people with interstitial cystitis who respond to DMSO notice an improvement in symptoms 3 or 4 weeks after the first 6 to 8-week cycle of treatments.
Other Surgical Procedures for Interstitial Cystitis
In severe cases of interstitial cystitis that do not respond well to oral medications or to bladder distension or instillation, more invasive surgical procedures may be attempted. A procedure known as sacral neuromodulation has been shown to be effective in controlling symptoms in some people with interstitial cystitis. The term "neuromodulation" refers to an alteration of the nervous system. In sacral neuromodulation, a device is implanted that allows for electrical impulses to stimulate the nerves in the sacral (lower back) area. Sacral neuromodulation is believed to work by inhibiting the hyperactive signals from the sensory nerves within the bladder wall. For sacral neuromodulation, a wire from an electrical impulse generator is implanted in the sacral region of the spinal column. If there is relief of symptoms, the impulse generator can be implanted beneath the skin in the region of the buttocks. A remote control programmer allows the patient to adjust the impulse frequency and power to provide optimal relief of symptoms.
Therapies that also have been used include transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), a form of neuromodulation that does not involve surgical placement of wires or an impulse generator. With TENS, mild electric pulses enter the body for minutes to hours two or more times a day either through wires placed on the surface of the lower back or the suprapubic region, between the navel and the pubic hair, or through special devices inserted into the vagina in women or into the rectum in men. It is believed that the electric pulses may increase blood flow to the bladder, strengthen pelvic muscles that help control the bladder, and trigger the release of hormones that block pain. TENS is generally more effective in reducing pain than in reducing urinary frequency.
Other surgical procedures that may rarely be performed to treat severe interstitial cystitis include peripheral denervation (disrupting the nerves to the bladder wall), bladder augmentation to increase bladder capacity, and cystectomy (bladder removal) with diversion, or re-routing, of urine flow.
The Herbal Treatment of Interstitial Cystitis
The aim of the treatment is not only to alleviate the symptoms but, where possible, to find any underlying issues, which may be fuelling the IC. By taking a very detailed history, the practitioner can better understand the pathology of each woman's IC and thereby address the underlying issues. Every woman's experience of IC is different and must be treated accordingly rather than with a set protocol or a one-size-fits-all approach. Herbal Medicine treats the whole person and not just the symptoms.
Interstitial Cystitis is a very complex and debilitating condition. It has probably taken a long time... perhaps years... for the body to reach the point, where IC becomes inevitable. This could have been for a variety of reasons with several body systems involved. The chronic inflammation in the bladder and its repair is the most challenging part of the body to treat as it is always in constant use. The complexity of this illness dictates that treatment is given in stages, addressing both the underlying weaknesses in the body and the symptoms. The treatment for IC takes both trust and dedication to achieving a good clinical outcome.
Patients, who start this treatment within a year of diagnosis, usually report that their pain becomes more manageable after six weeks. For patients, who have had IC for longer, it takes longer to notice an improvement. It is very much team work with the patient working with the practitioner to successfully get through the various stages of treatment, which address underlying issues and strengthen body systems.
To help prevent flares, patients are advised to follow a strict diet. Every patient's experience of IC is different so there are no set treatments. Instead, treatments are tailored to meet each patient's unique needs. The practitioner formulates a personalised herbal prescription for each patient. This approach gets the best results and is far more effective than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Patients usually report subtle changes after the first six weeks of treatment. They are asked to keep a detailed diary, which is discussed at every consultation. It is not unusual for patients to report that they have less pain after the first six weeks. Some report that the increase in pain and the severe flares around the time of their period have disappeared. Patients have reported that the shooting pain on sitting has gone and that they urinate less frequently and the bladder feels calmer.
Where patients have experienced IBS type symptoms, there is usually an improvement within this initial period. For example, some patients will report a reduction in the number of bowel movements per day. Some report less flatulence. Patients also report an improvement in general health, whilst the treatment progresses. They say they have less achiness, less headaches, less menstrual or menopausal symptoms.
The stress and depression that this condition causes is also treated, which again usually leads to less pain and better control of symptoms. Within the first six weeks of treatment, it is not unusual for patients to report that they feel calmer, with their mood better than before. At this stage in the treatment patients may see an improvement in their sleep. Some report that they are sleeping deeper and so have more energy. For others it can take longer to feel comfortable at night.
Every patient responds differently to the herbal treatment. Some patients may react very quickly to the treatment, whilst others may take longer. It is therefore impossible to estimate how long treatment will take. However, in most cases it takes around a year. Patients do suffer setbacks from time to time and this can be brought on by stressful situations in their life. When this happens, the herbal prescription can be modified to give the patient more support. Patients report that this flexibility in the treatment is extremely beneficial and they say that they feel so much better than they ever did on the orthodox treatment.
One patient's testimonial says" It was explained that we had to rebalance my body and calm the inflammation thus allowing healing to take place rather than giving the body drugs to mask the pain and intrusive procedures to merely ease the symptoms. I was also advised about what I should and should not eat so my condition would not get worse. The treatment is in stages and I have regular check ups to see how the treatment is going and if I am ready to go to the next level of treatment. After 2 weeks I could notice a dramatic improvement and this continues to be the case. Thanks to this approach I have an excellent understanding of the condition and what my body needs to be able to beat it. I would strongly recommend anyone suffering from interstitial cystitis to try herbal medicine. I know the pain and anxiety it causes and hope that many more women discover like I have that they are not resigned to that suffering, there is a way forward with herbal medicine."
There are no quick fixes with this natural approach to treating interstitial cystitis and progress is slow but patients report a sense of recovery and, by tracking the subtle changes in their diary, they can actually see how much progress they are making.

By Deborah Grant

At Home Dental Care: Oil Pulling

Oil pulling with coconut oil is a new healing concept in the U.S., but for many years practiced in other countries such as India and China. It is completely harmless and consists of washing your mouth out with an edible oil, but not swallowing it. You can really use any kind of edible oil such as sunflower, sesame, virgin olive or coconut oil. I am going to focus on oil pulling with organic coconut oil but really any oil which is cold pressed and not refined is fine to use. It has many oral and systemic health benefits.
For the most benefits, it should become a regular part of your daily routine. It's best to start first thing in the morning on an empty stomach before eating or drinking. The recommended amount is a tablespoon of coconut oil for 15 to 20 minutes per day. For quicker results, you can do it more than once, but make sure it's at least 4 hours after you have eaten. You are swishing the oil around in your mouth, in and out of your teeth for 15 to 20 minutes without swallowing the oil, then spitting it out and rinsing your mouth out a few times.
When done on a regular basis, it helps to detoxify the body and will begin to work the first time you try it. It doesn't work by killing germs but by drawing out the toxins from the deep crevices between the teeth, gums, and the small tube-like structures inside the teeth. The tongue and the teeth are the accessory organs for the digestive system and hold these toxins in which the oil pulling draws out.
Oil pulling is effective in healing the gums, cleansing and brightening the teeth, healing oral infections, and curing bad breath. It increases the metabolism and will help your body to lose weight, if needed. It also helps in the treatment and even curing of these diseases: allergies, mouth and gum disease, constipation, bronchitis, hormonal issues, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, asthma, eczema, migraines, insomnia, meningitis, diabetes, cancer, AIDS, kidney disease, lung disease, and chronic infections.
If you have many toxins in your body, you may experience detox symptoms when you start oil pulling. Some of these symptoms include pimples, headache, mucus, and congestion. These symptoms will disappear as you continue with the oil pulling. Since mucus drainage is one of the body's ways to remove toxins, you may experience increased flow of mucus from your throat and sinuses. This is normal to experience, it's just the body getting rid of the toxins.
It may be difficult to do the full 20 minutes of oil pulling with coconut oil at first. I recommend starting out in 5 or 10 minute increments. Just swish it for as long as you can, spit it out, then start again. Try to do it for at least 15 minutes, once per day. Practice makes perfect. Try to keep busy like during your shower, watching the news, or doing the dishes while oil pulling. When your time is up, just spit it out in the toilet and rinse a few times with warm water and them rinse again with a good mouthwash and you're done.
I have consistently done oil pulling with coconut oil with Nutiva or Nature's Way EfaGold Coconut Oil. Both are very good quality and you won't be disappointed. There are many health benefits (not just through oil pulling) with the daily use of organic coconut oil. I have been using it for a few months now and have never felt better. There is a long list of benefits associated with the daily use, whether used internally or externally.

I use organic coconut oil every day for so many things. When I found out that it can also be used for oil pulling, I was very excited. There are so many health benefits with the daily use of coconut oil,

Melissa M Fitzpatrick