Reishi Extract and Cancer

By Markho Rafael

Reishi extract is commonly used in Oriental Medicine as almost a cure-all. Both medical practitioners and regular people use it for things as innocent as stress and the common cold to more serious afflictions like asthma and cancer.

One of the most ardent proponents of reishi is Dr Fukumi Morishige, a Japanese medical doctor working with the Linus Pauling Institute of Science & Medicine in researching the use of reishi for cancer.

Below follows seven cases described by Dr. Morishige during a speech, later reprinted in the publication, Chinese Traditional Medicine Part III.

Growing up in Japan as Dr. Morishige did, it was impossible not to have heard of reishi. But he dismissed it as a mild herbal remedy to be used with limited results for non-terminal illnesses, not as a viable option for treating terminal conditions such as cancer. His curiosity arose when two of his cancer patients showed signs of remission, which they themselves claimed were due to their use of reishi.

First was a 39-year-old woman with lung carcinoma. The hospitals she had visited all told her she was too far gone and there was nothing they could do to help her. As a serious secondary complication, she also exhibited chest cavity edema. None-the-less, by the time she had her first appointment with Dr. Morishige, the symptoms of her illness had disappeared. The woman credited her recovery to the use of reishi, which her husband had administered to her at 4 grams per day.

After that, there was the case of the young boy with congenital liver cancer. Four years before he came to see Dr. Morishige, the boy's original doctor had sent him home with his parents, claiming the condition was terminal and there was nothing he could do to help. But when Dr. Morishige examined the now 9-year-old-boy, he could find no trace of the tumor. The boy's parents said they had been giving their son reishi via his naso-gastric feeding tube. This is when Dr. Morishige decided that reishi deserved a closer look.

The following are five of his case studies using reishi and Vitamin C (for prevention of side effects):

Case 1: A 70-year-old male patient who had lost consciousness due to a 5 cm (2 in.) brain tumor was administered 6 gm of reishi per day starting in June of 1986. By September, he had regained consciousness. He continued to take reishi orally after regaining consciousness, now 3 gm/day. By December of that same year, brain scans showed the tumor had diminished in size. Once the size of the tumor had been reduced to 1 cm, the patient was released from the hospital and returned to live with his family.

Case 2: A 50+ female with metastatic lung cancer and hemoptysis (coughing up blood) began a regimen of 6 gm/day of reishi. Six months later, the tumor had disappeared. And whereas before she had experienced severe shortness of breath, she could now effortlessly climb stairs.

Case 3: A woman with breast cancer and metastatic bone cancer suffered excruciating pain and an inability to move below the neck. Dr. Morishige started her out on 9 gm/day of reishi and then increased it to 20 gm/day. In two months, the patient was free from pain, able to walk, and was released from the hospital.

Case 4: A man with rectal cancer metastasized to the liver was placed on 6 grams per day of reishi. Six months later, CT scans revealed that the tumor had shrunk. The patient showed improved health.

Case 5: A patient with pancreatic cancer and short life prognosis was put on 9 grams of reishi per day, orally, and 30 grams of Vitamin C, intravenously. Twelve months later, he reported that he longer experienced any symptoms and was back to work. He said he'd continued taking 5 grams per day of reishi after leaving the hospital.

Note: This article is provided for scientific and informational purposes only. This product has not been tested by the FDA and should not be used for self-treatment of tumors. Never use any herb for medicinal purposes without consulting a licensed medical doctor.

Reference: Morishige, Fukumi, 1987. Chinese Traditional Medicine Part III, Page 12 - 23, ISBN4-88580-053-6 C-0077

About the Author:

About the author: Markho Rafael has worked in the natural health field for over 15 years, specializing in medicinal mushrooms such as Reishi and Cordyceps sinensis. Click Reishi Extract / Cordyceps for additional free articles about reishi and how it works individually or synergistically such as in Stamets 7. You may also request free unique articles for your web-site or magazine / ezine.

Low Back Segmental Stiffness

By Jonathan Blood Smyth

As children we have the great gift of a mobile, strong, well designed and painless spine and it is unusual for stiffness to be an issue as the lumbar spine has evolved to do the job of weight bearing and providing movement. Intervertebral discs separate the spinal vertebrae, allowing more movement in areas where they are thicker and also coping with variable loads. The posterior spinal facet joints limit and control segmental movement, preventing the spine from displacing inappropriately under the shear forces. Strong, balanced and coordinated muscle actions complete the picture.

Inhibition of the stabilising musculature occurs with an episode of acute spinal pain and this can persist beyond the resolution of the pain to generate a long-lasting instability which puts the segment at increased risk of re-injury over time. Longer term effects include the occurrence of degenerative alterations in the spinal structures such as joints and discs, causing segmental levels to develop stiffness and eventually chronic back pain. The discs have fluid forced out of them by gravitational compression forces and must counteract them by generating a fluid absorption force.

Discs will narrow and lose part of their hydration under the forces of compression which occur in normal life, the disc becoming stiffer and narrower. X-rays can show up this narrowing when it reaches a certain level, but many discs will be troublesome long before this stage. The intervertebral disc and the two vertebrae each side of it are referred to as a vertebral segment and an abnormal stiff segment will move in such a way as to impose inappropriate levels of load upon structures not adapted to take them. The stiffness of individual spinal segments can be felt by a physiotherapist palpating the spine.

Muscle spasms are a typical reaction to an acute injury and has a protective function, stopping the damaged segment from moving while it is so inflamed and thereby giving it some freedom to heal. As the pain settles and the injury heals the back spasms should gradually settle and allow normal movement to be restored. Unfortunately this does not always happen, with some muscles remaining over protective and eventually forming a contracture, an abnormally shortened tissue structure which maintains an abnormal joint position.

Sitting for extended periods can increase the likelihood of suffering from increased compression of the lumbar discs with consequent fluid loss. Repeated flexion maintains the regular cycle of fluid uptake and avoidance of this movement interferes with this important process for disc health. The maintenance of abnormal posture and lack of strength in the abdominal muscles are also important factors.

A typical history is to have an episode of severe low back pain which gradually develops into a segmental stiffness problem. The stiff areas may be present asymptomatically for many years in many individual areas of the spine before one of them develops into a painful segment which causes restriction. Sitting for a long time or spending time bent into flexion will tend to aggravate this condition once established as joints are moved beyond their comfortable limits. The lumbar facet joints become fixed into extension and the whole segment suffers from adaptive shortening, forfeiting its ability to move normally. I have back problems very like this and it can be quite difficult, forcing me to limit heavy or repetitive work or any significant time in flexion.

However, I have been significantly improved by following Sarah Key's method of back care, popularised in her book Sarah Key's Back Sufferers Bible. While it is hard to agree with all the assertions she states in her book (as she herself admits), there is no doubt she has some very good ideas on how to practically manage low back pain. She describes the chronically stiff segmental back along with several other back pain syndromes and prescribes an exercise and management regime for treating them. The regime is not difficult but has very good results, particularly in my case where I felt I was stuck with my lower back pain and now realise this may not be the case.

About the Author:

Jonathan Blood Smyth, editor of the Physiotherapy Site, writes articles about Physiotherapy, back pain, orthopaedic conditions, neck pain, injury management and physiotherapists in Kent. Jonathan is a superintendant physiotherapist at an NHS hospital in the South-West of the UK.

A Closer Look At Massage Therapy Training

By Bart Icles

Thinking of massage therapy training? Here's another look at the career as a profession, some background, the nature of work, employment opportunities and the training that you need to undergo.

According to the Department of Labor, there is an increasing trend on employment for this type of job, and projections up to year 2016 have been pegged at 20% increase for over a decade. One of the cited factors would be people realizing the benefits of massage therapy to their wellness. You also need to know that many states require formal training and national certification in order to practice.

Massage therapy has been around hundreds, even thousands of years. With different countries, its history has different origins, but they are all spawned from the idea of using touch as a healing method. Different ancient civilizations found that it can help heal injuries, relieve pain, and prevent some illnesses. Some people thought it began as a sacred system of healing.

Massage therapy training does not only focus on knowing the applications in touch therapy. It depends whether people would need a massage for medical or for relaxation purposes. A massage therapist can specialize in over 80 types of massage called modalities. Some examples of modalities include Swedish massage, Acupressure, sports massage, aromatherapy, acrosage, Balinese, and hydrotherapy. Different materials are used for the wide array of modalities: oils, lotions, and creams to name a few. Some therapists even supply their own materials like sheets, pillows, and other customized materials depending on their specialization.

Massage therapists can work in both public and private settings. It can be in offices, gyms, spa and fitness centers or the homes of clients. The usual amenities employed are those which would help the client relax and be comfortable. An example setting for such would be in a somewhat dim environment with lighted scented candles and soft music playing. However, for some modalities, it can be just for 15-30 minutes, would not really require those amenities, and can be done in an office setting, even in malls and airports.

There are over a thousand schools offering post-secondary massage therapy. A wide range of training programs are available for those who are interested in massage therapy training. They even cover subjects about anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and of course, hands-on practice of massage. After completing the training, many would take the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. Many states require this licensure exam in order for them to practice massage therapy. This credential must be renewed and they must have performed at least 200 hours of therapeutic massage and complete continuing education requirements.

Having good communication skills and a friendly, emphatic personality is a plus in your career as a massage therapist. Being able to make clients feel comfortable about the therapy and in you being the therapist is a very important ability.

About the Author:

Taking massage therapy classes could prove to be very beneficial for you. If you are interested in helping people and you are ready to work then you should seriously consider massage therapy class.

Do You Need A Detoxification?

Because the the human system cannot eradicate detrimental toxins, they accumulate rendering it perilous to our health. To keep things from becoming worse, people are suggested to undergo a detox diet which is made to flush these toxins away through your pee. As a matter of fact, there are quite a few different programs and it might need you either to drink lots of fluid or to eat food that are heavy in fiber. Physical exercise is additionally recommended because perspiration is another way to free those toxins.

Those who have never attempted any kind of detox diet will get sick as they try this initially, although naturopaths say this is status quo because those toxins inside are released and those overwhelm the human body creating malaise. If you are able to make it through this program, those toxins would be flushed out leaving you with better looking skin, a healthy body and great satisfaction. Not just anyone can go on a detox diet which includes: people are who pregnant, kids and those that have been diagnosed with some kind of cancer and any other diseases, therefore to ensure that it is safe, talk to the physician.

Though there are no studies that proves the efficiency of detox diets, it wouldn't hurt you any to try especially if you eat a heavy fat and sugar diet, smoke, consume alcohol or take drugs. If you are not into such habits but go through aches and pains, behavioral problems, weariness, irritability, skin issues and finally tension, then again you should make some alterations.

Do you require a detox diet? That is one query just you could respond to once you've looked at yourself in the mirror or after getting the results of your latest medical checkup. The good thing about this technique is the fact that it informs you there's space to improve your total wellbeing.

If you're not really into the many detox methods that are out there, an additional choice would be to carry it out the way nature intended since the body has ways to eliminate those detrimental toxins which are the liver and even the kidneys. Still, if your kidneys and liver are not functioning at normal levels, this is probably the best possible alternative. Prevention is key which is why as you grow older, you should constantly watch what you eat and drink because it's in your hands the things you decide to allow inside your own body. You must additionally combine a healthy diet with exercise as it increases your metabolism and makes you sweat.

What makes the detox diet a lot different from any other diet program available is the fact that this is only for the short term. After a few days, you may return to the regular schedule since you will not be able to get all the nutrients you need based upon the food or the drink which is part of this program especially calcium as well as protein. However, if you do that, that signifies those detrimental poisons will build up again and you'll need to begin again. If you're smart and you learned your lesson, you will realize a few alterations would need to be made even if they don't occur quickly. Keep in mind, the detox diet is not the one choice that you have to improve your life.

Joni Bell has many years of extensive study in the area of natural cancer prevention and treatment. He has numerous success stories of people being diagnosed living cancer free with use of alternative methods. http://apricotpower-info.com/

Candida Treatment - The Natural Way

By Michael Sullivan

Thanks to the introduction of natural treatments and advances in medical science and technology, different effective Candida treatments are available at present. While a particular remedy may be favorable for one patient and not work for another, it pays to study all the advantages and disadvantages of a Candida treatment before espousing it.

The question whether to apply a natural medication to deal with Candida or to apply a Western treatment is a controversial subject which boils down to how an individual will react to, and make a choice either of the two. A medical practitioner who prescribes any Candida procedure always takes into account anti-fungal treatment such as Clortimazole or Miconazole. Both of these medications have proven to be very effective over time, although you will always have other alternatives to consider.

An effective natural way to aid these prescribed treatments work is to change the dietary plan to be free of yeast and sugar. This spoils Candida's growth as it will be stripped of any optimal breeding ground. Meanwhile, Candida can be dealt with through the procedure called Immunotherapy i.e. applying anti-genic extracts to combat the illnesses contributed by this yeast infection.

A homeopathic procedure can also help effectively in Candida medication. This is a procedure focused on cleaning the body organs that pay homage to Candida yeast i.e. the digestive system and the intestinal tract. Acupuncturealso serves as an alternative Candida treatment as it is thought to aid in stimulating the immune system.

Very crucial to bear in mind though is that for these and all other medications to shape effectively, there needs to be an accurate diagnosis at the outset, by a certified practitioner. The reason is that there are other ailments whose symptoms are similar to that of Candidiasis. It implies that practicing wrong medicine will only make things worse.

About the Author:

I suffered from yeast infection for long months until I discovered a product that changed my life. With this yeast infection cure you can change yours too! Enough of the non-working drugs and annoying symptoms!