Newsletter Article

As we make the final dash to the end of 2024 we encourage everyone to go gently, especially if you are feeling the weight of the year. And what better way to do that than by tying up those apron strings, pulling out the calming holiday botanicals and making magic in the kitchen because it’s officially the season to spread herbal joy.

With the holiday season approaching it’s time for many to gather with family, friends and loved ones. With these gatherings comes a lot of joy and happiness but it can also cause a certain amount of stress. Making the food, preparing for the gathering and not having a lot of downtime to recharge can put the nervous system under stress.

That’s where this Festive Chocolate Bark recipe comes in handy. When our bodies are stressed, medicinal mushrooms can help the body process, reset and ground. This impressive healthy chocolate bark recipe brings the festive season alive and will make an abundance of sweet treats with little effort. It’s the perfect last-minute gift for this time of year plus it's guilt free.

Season’s Greetings!

Ingredients:

· 1 cup cacao butter

· 2 tbsp honey

· 1/2 cup cacao

· 1/4 cup mesquite powder

· 2 tbsp maca powder

· 8mL Herbal Extract Company Lion's Mane 1:5 extract

· 8mL Herbal Extract Company Cordyceps 1:5 extract

· 8mL Herbal Extract Company Reishi 1:5 extract

Instructions

1. Sift and mix all dry ingredients together in a bowl.

2. Melt cacao butter by stirring in a glass bowl over a saucepan of bubbling water.

3. Mix in honey.

4. Add cacao butter mixture to the dry ingredients bowl and combine.

5. Stir in mushroom extracts.

6. Pour into chocolate moulds or make a solid block on a lined tray.

7. Place in freezer for 30 minutes to one hour, or until set.

8. Break up chocolate bark, or remove chocolate from moulds.

Makes around 250g

Rhodiola has been used traditionally by the Vikings and Siberians to increase physical strength and endurance, resistance to cold and disease and to promote fertility and longevity. The modern use is as a stimulating adaptogenic tonic known as the best herb for ‘21st century stress’ which manifests as fatigue, mental fog, trouble concentrating, low energy and mild depression. Many herbalists use rhodiola to support people with depression and anxiety. It appears to be able to significantly reduce the fatigue and 'burnout' that come from chronic stress and anxiety and numerous trials suggest meaningful effects through its anxiolytic and antidepressant actions. It increases physical and mental efficiency, it can enhance a moderately low mood, help to improve sleep quality, energy levels and enhance convalescence. As a result it can help the body deal with marathon training, mountaineering, to cope better with the stress of exam preparations, a heavy workload or for recovery from illness, including post viral fatigue. 

Perhaps because of rhodiola’s stress supporting properties its popularity has boomed in recent years. The plant's rapid growth in the supplement market has led to industrial-scale overcollection. Rhodiola is now endangered and was added to Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) on February 23, 2023 because of declines in wild populations due to overexploitation and increased international trade. As a result international trade is restricted and rhodiola is subject to additional import and export requirements. This means we are no longer able to source sustainably grown raw material. Below we have provided you with some alternative herbs to assist you in your prescribing.

Cordyceps

Cordyceps is known as a functional mushroom for energy and endurance because its adaptogenic and tonic effects. Herbalists and naturopaths prescribe it to support energy levels and for convalescence after infection, illness, or stress, to improve vitality.

Korean ginseng

Herbalists classify Korean ginseng as a stimulating adaptogen with a wide range of therapeutic uses. Korean ginseng restores and enhances wellbeing, boosts energy, reduces stress, and improves thinking processes and cognition. Western herbalists understand Korean ginseng to be useful for short-term treatment of the effects, or anticipated effects, of stress (a ginseng “hit”) and over a long period (for up to three months – a repeated course is feasible) to reduce the impact of the ageing process.

Schizandra

Schizandra is utilised for increasing resistance to disease and stress, increasing energy and increasing physical performance and endurance. In Russia, schizandra first gained recognition as an “adaptogen agent” in the 1960s when it was published in the official medcine of the USSR handbook, following the discovery that it helps fight adrenal fatigue, heart problems and the negative effects of stress. 

Siberian ginseng

Siberian ginseng is often referred to as the ‘king of adaptogens’ and is traditionally used to help the body better adapt to stress. It is most effective in the treatment of exhaustion and anxiety

resulting from overwork, lack of sleep and long-term stress. Think of those people burning the candle at both ends such as students, night shift workers and multi-tasking parents juggling careers and families. Siberian ginseng also shows promise for the management of moderate chronic fatigue syndrome. 

References

van Wyk B, Wink M. Medicinal Plants of the World. Pretoria: Briza Publications;

2004. p. 271.

Natural Medicines (US). Schisandra [Internet]. Somerville (MA): Therapeutic

Research Center; 2024 [updated 2024 Sep 24; cited 2024 Nov 20]. Available from

https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food,-herbs-

supplements/professional.aspx?productid=376

Corneau N, Corneau G. THE ADAPTOGENIC SPECIES: THEORETICAL AND

PRACTICAL IMPORTANCE. A REVIEW. Oltenia. Studii úi comunicări.ùtiinĠele

Naturii. 2013;29:1

Results from a Japanese human clinical trial, published in August, revealed that by enhancing peripheral blood flow ginger consumption may reduce eye fatigue and shoulder stiffness associated with prolonged screen use in woman aged 51 and under. Ginger is a staple ingredient in traditional Japanese cuisine and is believed to offer various health benefits such as improvements to thermogenetic function and blood flow acceleration. Based on ginger’s potential to boost blood flow the study investigated if daily supplementation with ginger could exert any benefits for people with visual display terminals (VDT) syndrome.

In recent years there has been a significant increase in the use of VDTs such as computers, smartphones, tablets and video games due to rapid advancements in information technology. While technology has many positive aspects prolonged exposure to VDTs, along with more office work and inadequate exercise, has increased the prevalence of VDT syndrome, a modern malady also referred to as digital eye strain (computer vision syndrome). This condition is characterised by symptoms such as dry eyes, eye fatigue and stiffness of the neck and shoulders. Digital eye strain, which contributes to deteriorating eyesight, is an emerging public health threat and is directly proportional to the duration of digital screen exposure. It results from prolonged computer, tablet, eReader and cell phone use. It has become a pressing social issue that must be addressed because it negatively impacts an individual’s quality of life. Studies have associated low ocular blood flow with eye diseases such as glaucoma and myopia, a known risk factor for glaucoma. These findings suggest that improving ocular blood flow may be an effective strategy for preventing or treating eye diseases since proper blood flow to the eye is crucial for providing sufficient oxygen and nutrients to the optic nerve.

This study included 100 healthy people, aged 20-73 years old, with eye fatigue and shoulder stiffness. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either placebo capsules or ginger extract powder capsules (100mg) daily for eight weeks. Ocular blood flow, peripheral blood flow, eye fatigue, shoulder stiffness, body warmth and shoulder muscle stiffness were assessed at weeks 0, 4 and 8 respectively. Peripheral blood flow in deep vessel areas was enhanced in females under 51. Similarly, subjective complaints of eye fatigue and shoulder stiffness were improved by ginger consumption in females under 51. Body warmth changed significantly in males aged 51 and under due to ginger consumption. Considering that eye fatigue was significantly improved in the ginger group, it is possible that the optic nerve and surrounding tissue were delivered more oxygen and nutrients owing to improvements in ocular blood flow, thereby improving eye fatigue. i

References

i Higashikawa F, Nakaniida Y, Li H, Liang L, Kanno K, Ogawa-Ochiai K, Kiuchi Y.

Beneficial Effects of Ginger Extract on Eye Fatigue and Shoulder Stiffness: A

Randomized, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Parallel Study. Nutrients. 2024

Aug 15;16(16):2715. doi: 10.3390/nu16162715. PMID: 39203851; PMCID:

PMC11357383.

Whooping cough (pertussis) cases in Australia have surged in 2024 with all states and territories reporting more cases than in previous years. Between 1 January 2024 and 1 September 2024, there were 24,108 cases of whooping cough notified to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS), compared to 2,451 cases for 2023. This is the largest spike in nine years since 2015, when 22,571 cases were recorded. Notifications of whooping cough began increasing from April 2023 after a few years of limited circulation in Australia, particularly during the COVID 19 pandemic. In 2024 notification rates have been highest in Queensland, followed by New South Wales. Victoria has seen over 10 times the number of cases in 2024 than in 2023. South Australia has seen almost 550 cases in 2024, which is a six-year high. Rates are substantially higher in school-aged children aged 10-14 years, followed by children aged 5-9 years. The NNDSS says the current situation may be due to several factors including expected epidemic peaks, vaccination coverage, waning immunity and overall population having reduced exposure to whooping cough during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whooping cough is not the only respiratory condition seeing a major spike this year. There have been more than 350,000 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza this year so far, which exceeds the total number of infections detected for 2023. More than 164,000 respiratory syncytial virus cases have been recorded in 2024, which also exceeds the 2023 figure of 128,110. i

Whooping cough is a highly infectious disease of the respiratory tract, caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, with periodic cyclical increases occurring every three to five years despite high levels of vaccination coverage. It spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes and others breathe it in. It starts with the catarrhal phase, the most infectious phase, which is typical cold and flu symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, a mild cough and fever. So, early on, it is hard to tell it apart from any other nasty cold. The bacteria affect the lungs and airways and, after one-to-two weeks, coughing can become more frequent and severe, even causing vomiting or fracturing ribs, and it may have the characteristic ‘whoop’ sound. This can make it hard for the infected person to breathe. This is known as the paroxysmal phase. During the convalescent phase the cough can last for months (it is also known as the cough of 100 days). Infants under one year old are at the greatest risk for serious disease. Early diagnosis and treatment are important. ii iii

Appropriate antibiotic therapy is usually the recommended allopathic treatment for whooping cough. For professional herbalists and naturopaths the treatment approach is to support this with herbal medicines that physicians have historically (it is an old disease with the first recorded epidemic occurring in Paris in 1578) used to relieve whooping cough symptoms. They include immune enhancing herbs such as echinacea and andrographis and respiratory antiseptic herbs such as elecampane, thyme and garlic. During the coughing stage expectorant, respiratory spasmolytic and mucolytic herbs can loosen the tenacious sputum such as garlic, horseradish, elecampane, thyme, hyssop, liquorice, fennel, grindelia, aniseed, white horehound and red clover. Antitussive and demulcent herbs can dampen and soothe the cough reflex such as liquorice, ivy leaf and marshmallow. Inhalation therapy and topical applications of chest rubs are recommended along with the internal use of the botanical medicines above. A good convalescence is a marvellous thing so during recovery include nutritive and tonic herbs such as alfalfa, nettle leaf, oats green, bitter tonics, such as gentian and dandelion root, immune

system building herbs such as astragulus, cordyceps, reishi and schizandra. Adaptogens and adrenal strengthening herbs such as liquorice, Siberian ginseng and withania help with general strength and fatigue along with respiratory disorder lung herbs such as mullein, garlic and thyme. iv v

References

National Communicable Diseases Surveillance Report Fortnight 18, 2024

Summary Notes for Selected Diseases 19 August 2024 to 01 September 2024.

Commonwealth of Australia. Department of health and Aged Care. (updated 17

Sept 2024;accessed 6 Nov 2024). Available from

https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/national-notifiable-diseases-

surveillance-system-nndss-fortnightly-reports-19-august-to-1-september-

2024?language=en

ii National Communicable Diseases Surveillance Report Fortnight 18, 2024

Summary Notes for Selected Diseases 19 August 2024 to 01 September 2024.

Commonwealth of Australia. Department of health and Aged Care. (updated 17

Sept 2024;accessed 6 Nov 2024). Available from

https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/national-notifiable-diseases-

surveillance-system-nndss-fortnightly-reports-19-august-to-1-september-

2024?language=en

iii Lauria AM, Zabbo CP. Pertussis. [Updated 2022 Oct 7]. In: StatPearls [Internet].

Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519008/

iv Bone K, Mills S. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. 2nd ed.

Edinburgh:Churchill Livingstone Elsevier. 2013 p. 249-9

v Abascal K, Yarnell E. Taking the Whoop Out of Whooping Cough. Alternative and

Complementary Therapies. April 2006;12(2):71-76 DOI:10.1089/act.2006.12.71

In this era of evidence based herbal medicine many practitioners are reconnecting with their traditional roots and bringing creativity into their practice. One of the key concepts of traditional herbalism is taking a personalised approach by choosing herbs for the person rather than the ailment. This is the art of herbalism – matching health solutions to the person and not the disease. Herbalists and naturopaths seek to understand a person, and their underlying imbalances, and skillfully match herbs, diet and lifestyle suggestions to help them create health from the inside out. When using herbs in this way they become a powerful tool to help someone discover, as well as resolve, the root cause of their health problems. 

A practitioner who integrates energetic principles into their practice is looking far beyond the name of the condition that ails the patient, they are tuning in to the nature of their constitution and the elemental balance in their body. This is one of the reasons that herbalism is such a powerful form of medicine. The idea that we are individuals, and that herbs, food and lifestyle choices should be matched to a person’s particular needs is found in all the major traditional herbal systems including Western herbalism (the four humors), Ayurveda (the tridoshic system) and Traditional Chinese Medicine (the five phases and organ systems) and they take many years to study and comprehend. 

The concepts of herbal energetics can be simplified into an approach that categorises herbs based on four complementary qualities, hot/cold and dry/damp, rather than solely their chemical constituents. This framework is used by many herbalists and naturopaths as their underlying diagnostic principle. Both people and plants can be assessed in terms of the four qualities with the goal being to support health by nurturing energetic balance. The energetics of a person is often referred to as their constitution. For instance, a warming herb might be indicated for a patient with a cold constitution, while a cooling herb could be beneficial for someone with inflammation or irritability. Everyone contains some aspect of the four qualities but has general tendencies, which can be affected by external forces such as weather or food. Using the senses, especially tasting herbs, is a way to understand herbal energetics. Understanding the general constitution, the energetics of the current illness, if there is one, and the energetics of plants leads to the “herbal sweet spot”. 

In holistic herbal medicine the mind, body and spirit cannot be separated. The ultimate goal of utilising herbal energetics is to create a holistic treatment plan that not only addresses physical symptoms but also considers emotional and spiritual wellbeing. By understanding the energetic properties of herbs and their patients, herbalists and naturopaths can facilitate a deeper connection between patients and their healing processes. It is a valuable approach when used alongside a more modern physiological and system-based approach

References

de la Foret R. Alchemy of Herbs. Hay House: California. 2017. p11

de la Foret R. Taste of Herbs. Learning Herbs:Shelton. 2017. p7

de la Foret R. Taste of Herbs. Learning Herbs:Shelton. 2017. P22

Jones L. A Working Herbal Dispensary. Aeon:Glasgow. 2023. p33.

When it comes to research in herbal medicine on one end of the spectrum is the pillar of experimental research and on the other is properly conceived empiricism to make up the continuum of scientific philosophy. Traditional knowledge and empiricism are the ongoing flow of medical wisdom for thousands of years. Traditional herbalists might follow practices like Western herbalism, Traditional Chinese Medicine or Ayurveda. In sharp contrast, scientifically driven herbalists focus on using plant phytochemistry to guide their practice. These are two equally stable and valuable poles. No one disputes the scientific validation of a herb to encourage a deeper understanding and appreciation of its complex healing properties. It can empower herbalists to treat new conditions with ancient remedies. Used properly, and in context, good science has much to offer phytotherapy. The challenge herbal medicine faces today is how to integrate science with the traditional knowledge that is at the foundation of its practice and respect the mysteries that science has yet to uncover. 

To set the scene there are four main types of scientific research including chemical analysis, in vitro, in vivo and clinical research. As the name suggests, chemical analysis helps us understand the chemical profile of herbs. In vitro is Latin for ‘in glass’ and in vivo is Latin for ‘within the living’. In vitro studies describe experiments that researchers perform outside a living organism in petri dishes and test tubes. In contrast, in vivo studies typically involve live animals (which some herbalists condemn), especially rodents, or people. Clinical research involves conducting well-structured studies where people are given herbs and the outcomes are measured. For herbalists, clinical research is the most applicable and valuable form of scientific study, offering us insights that can help potentially find novel (not previously identified) uses of herbal medicine. Even though clinical research is the most reliable source of scientific information on herbs there can be flaws such as bias, poor design and administration (i.e. was it isolated compounds rather than whole plant). 

Sometimes animal research can begin to pave the way for novel uses of herbs, which would warrant further study, however caution must be taken in extrapolating results to humans as it can be misleading and counterproductive because of species differences. While in vitro studies are interesting, they do not accurately represent the complexity of the human body. Much of this research looks at the antimicrobial (including antiviral and antibacterial effects of herbs), based on their interactions with microorganisms in a controlled environment, and can commonly be misinterpreted. Although these herbs might be effective when applied to the skin, things become far more complicated when ingested because the body’s organs, organ systems, tissues, biochemical interactions and metabolic transformations add dimensions that a simple petri dish experiment cannot replicate. For example, cancer cells can be killed in a petri dish by everything from fire to bleach but preclinical studies must always be followed by clinical studies in humans before we can make any recommendations to patients. 

Clinical herbalist, herbal medicine industry leader and prolific author Kerry Bone has pontificated about the herbalists’ pun in vitro non veritas which means ‘test tube research, on herbs in particular, has a limited capacity to lead to the truth’. The pun is derived from the ancient adage in vino veritas, which is a Latin phrase that means 'in wine, there is truth', suggesting a person under the influence of alcohol is more likely to speak their hidden thoughts and desires. The phrase is sometimes continued as, in vino veritas, in aqua sanitas, 'in wine there is truth, in water there is good sense (or good health)'. In vivo veritas is a pun on in vino veritas and means ‘in a living thing [there is] truth’. This is an expression used by biologists to express the fact that laboratory findings from testing an organism in vitro are not always reflected when applied to an organism in vivo. In a 2023 seminar Bone said: “People are extrapolating activities inappropriately from herbal research and the herbal world is rife with it.”  In his book Functional Herbal Therapy he says: “in general we should be highly cautious about extrapolating the findings of in vitro herbal research to clinical situations.”  In an earlier paper he says: “I have attended several talks by herbalists or natural therapists where they might list many hypothetical activities for herbs derived from in vitro or in vivo research as if they were absolute facts. Moreover, they often do not clarify in their presentations which information comes from pharmacological models and which has been proven in clinical trials. Extrapolation from pharmacological studies should be clearly stated and the information regarded as only of tentative relevance to a clinical situation… The treatment of the patient as an individual can never be outweighed by results of double-blind clinical trials. In any examination of the worth and future potential of herbal medicines, their traditional therapeutic context should not be discarded. To do so will limit the value of herbs and make them subservient to modern reductionist thinking and superficial symptom control.” Something to ponder next time you are mixing your herbs.

References

Stewart D. Personal communication. Southern Cross Herbal School. Ourimbah. 2005.

Niemeyer K, Bell IR, Koithan M. Traditional Knowledge of Western Herbal Medicine and Complex Systems Science. Journal of herbal medicine. 2013;3(3):112-119. doi:10.1016/j.hermed.2013.03.001.

Popham S. Is All Herbal Research Trustworthy? The School of Evolutionary Herbalism. c2014 – 2024 (accessed 21 Aug 2024) Available from https://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com/2024/04/24/is-all-herbal-research-trustworthy/

Popham S. Is All Herbal Research Trustworthy? The School of Evolutionary Herbalism. c2014 – 2024 (accessed 21 Aug 2024) Available from https://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com/2024/04/24/is-all-herbal-research-trustworthy/

Popham S. Is All Herbal Research Trustworthy? The School of Evolutionary Herbalism. c2014 – 2024 (accessed 21 Aug 2024) Available from https://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com/2024/04/24/is-all-herbal-research-trustworthy/

Bone K. The role of herbs and phytonutrients in acute and long Covid: An update. NHAA Naturopathic Symposium 27-28 May 2023.

Bone K. Functional Herbal Therapy. London:Aeon. 2021. p215

Bone K. Phytotherapy: Challenges for the 21st Century. Mediherb: A Phytotherapist’s Perspective. 1999 Dec;5:9.

A randomised controlled clinical trial examining the effects of Cordyceps militaris beverage on the immune response in healthy adults

A study published earlier this year found that cordyceps can potentially be developed as an immune-boosting supplement. The study aimed to investigate the immunostimulatory effects of a fermentation of Cordyceps militaris (FCM) in healthy male and female volunteers.

 Healthy men and women were provided either FCM or placebo for eight weeks (10 for each gender). The immune cell markers, immunoglobulins and safety parameters were assessed initially at baseline and at four and eight weeks. Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in innate immune responses to viral infections. FCM stimulates the human immune response by activating NK cells. The NK cell activity markedly increased in the male FCM group from baseline to four weeks after receiving FCM. Compared with those in the placebo group, the NK activity in women who received FCM for eight weeks significantly increased from baseline. Cytokines are signalling molecules released into the bloodstream by cells to activate or suppress an immune response. FCM reduced inflammatory cytokine secretion in men and women without toxicity.

This beneficial effect of FCM indicates its use as a new alternative approach as a natural immunostimulatory supplement. However, it should be noted that the mechanisms underlying the immune activator effects of FCM and its impact on immune-related disease in patients requires further investigation. Future studies should also recruit a larger number of participants.

References

Ontawong A, Pengnet S, Thim-Uam A, Munkong N, Narkprasom N, Narkprasom K, Kuntakhut K, Kamkeaw N, Amornlerdpison D. A randomized controlled clinical trial examining the effects of Cordyceps militaris beverage on the immune response in healthy adults. Sci Rep. 2024 Apr 5;14(1):7994. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-58742-z. PMID: 38580687; PMCID: PMC10997757.

The first study of its kind to examine the effects of lion’s mane on cognitive performance in healthy subjects was published at the end of last year in the journal Nutrients. This unique investigation measured the acute benefits of lion’s mane and guayusa extract on objective cognitive performance, subjective cognitive perception and self-perceived happiness in low to moderate caffeine consumers. Guayusa is native to the Amazon rainforest and harvested primarily in Ecuador. Its leaves are typically brewed to make tea and touted for their caffeine and antioxidant content. The study takes a significant step towards understanding lion's mane's more immediate cognitive advantages for healthy adults in as little as 60 minutes post-ingestion. This research challenges the prevailing belief that lion's mane can only provide more long-term, chronic benefits (i.e. 30 to 60 days use). This study has also contributed to understanding the effects of lion’s mane on healthy adults, whereas most other studies so far have investigated its effects on participants with cognitive impairments and have shown benefits towards neurodegenerative diseases, while only a few have examined cognitive performance in healthy adults, and none have investigated the acute (i.e. single dose) cognitive effects. 

 Using a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design the study involved 40 participants who were given a single dose of 650mg of guayusa extract, or 1mg of lion’s mane, or the placebo (maltodextrin), and were assessed before ingesting the dose, one hour after ingestion and two hours after ingestion. The assessments included neuropsychological tests, vital signs and subjective assessments of cognitive perception and mood, including “mental clarity, focus, concentration, anxiety/stress and happiness.”

 According to the results of the study, participants who ingested the lion’s mane extract demonstrated improved working memory, complex attention and reaction time two hours post ingestion and perceptions of happiness over a two-hour period. Guayusa significantly improved mental clarity, focus, concentration, mood and productivity. It also raised participants’ blood pressure, and significantly improved cognitive performance and self-perceived cognitive indices of affect over a two-hour period and perceptions of happiness two hours post ingestion. Interestingly, guayusa did not increase the sensation of jitters that have been commonly reported with caffeine. Lion’s mane and guayusa improved subjective ratings of “happiness compared to peers” and “getting the most out of everything” however, this occurred earlier in lion’s mane (i.e. one hour post ingestion).

 The researchers concluded by saying “although this study shows that continuous intake of lion’s mane is not necessary to stimulate positive cognitive benefits, a longer duration or higher doses of lion’s mane use may be needed to remodel nerve structures in the brain and potentially provide even greater effects acutely and/or chronically. In addition, the antioxidant effects of lion’s mane and [guayusa] may provide additional health benefits or more consistent improvements in cognition with chronic use.” 

References

McEvoy E. Proprietary lion’s mane extract shown to improve cognitive function in recent study. Nutritional Outlook c2024 MJH Life Sciences (updated 31 Jul 2024;accessed 6 Aug 2024). Available from https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/proprietary-lion-s-mane-extract-shown-to-improve-cognitive-function-in-recent-study

La Monica MB, Raub B, Ziegenfuss EJ, Hartshorn S, Grdic J, Gustat A, Sandrock J, Ziegenfuss TN. Acute Effects of Naturally Occurring Guayusa Tea and Nordic Lion's Mane Extracts on Cognitive Performance. Nutrients. 2023 Dec 6;15(24):5018. doi: 10.3390/nu15245018. PMID: 38140277; PMCID: PMC10745489.

Respiratory ‘bug’ soup and ‘walking’ pneumonia

Recent reports suggest that Australia is experiencing a spike in respiratory infections with cases of Mycoplasma pneumoniae circulating in the community, particularly among children. Mycoplasma pneumoniae (mycoplasma) is a bacterium which can cause respiratory (chest) infections. It commonly causes mild respiratory infections and generally resolves without serious complications. It is sometimes called ‘walking’ pneumonia because the patient may appear well. In some cases it can lead to severe pneumonia (lung infection) needing admission to hospital. Like most respiratory pathogens, infection usually occurs during the winter months but can happen year-round. An increase in Mycoplasma pneumoniae circulation usually occurs every three to seven years as population immunity wanes. 

Mycoplasma spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing and can occur in people of any age but is most common in school-aged children and young adults. Typical symptoms may develop over one to three weeks and include fever, dry cough, sore throat, fatigue, headache, malaise and, in some cases, shortness of breath. Royal Australian College of General Practitioners President Dr Nicole Higgins recently told the media: “We’ve got a respiratory bug soup at the moment, it’s multiple bugs that are impacting especially our children,” she said. “The general rule of thumb is if your child’s not getting better, get them checked out [for mycoplasma].” Mycoplasma infection is diagnosed by a nose and throat swab. Sometimes a doctor may also do a blood test or a chest x-ray to check for lung infection (pneumonia). 

Mycoplasma bacteria lack a cell wall and are a very important stealth pathogen which can make them drug resistant. There is a strong association between this bacteria and chronic fatigue syndrome, and other fatigue-based conditions, so it is imperative that successful eradication of the condition is ensured. This involves rest, sleep and recuperation, inhalations and chest rubs, sufficient dietary support to support the immune response and control symptoms, and herbal prescriptions to eradicate infection and restore respiratory function. Herbal medicine can support the immune system, reduce inflammation, reduce excessive secretions and alleviate the cough. Herbal formulas could include immunomodulating herbs such as astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus), cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa), echinacea (Echinacea spp.) and olive leaves (Olea europaea), anti-inflammatory herbs such as green tea (Camellia sinensis) and respiratory herbs such as elecampane (Inula helenium), thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and grindelia (Grindelia robusta). 

References

Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. NSW Government NSW Health. State of New South Wales NSW Ministry of Health c 2023. (updated 23 May 2024; accessed 2 Aug 2024). Available from https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/mycoplasma-pneumoniae.aspx

McAnulty J. Legionella and Mycoplasma Pneumonia. NSW Ministry of Health (updated 3 Jan 2024; accessed 2 Aug 2024). Available from https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/Documents/Legionella-and-Mycoplasma-Pneumonia-GP-alert_3January2024.pdf

Echinacea can safely prevent respiratory tract infections (RTIs) and associated complications, thereby decreasing the demand for antibiotics an April 2024 study has concluded. The results also support the beneficial effects of long-term, preventative echinacea supplementation. Despite medical advances RTIs are still the most frequent illnesses worldwide and are the leading cause of antibiotic prescriptions, primarily due to the risk for secondary bacterial infections. Approximately one-third of all RTIs affect children below five years of age, of which a disproportionally high number of 0.7 million cases are lethal. A higher fatality rate is also reported for elderly people and immunocompromised patients (these numbers do not account for the recent COVID-19 pandemic).

The prevention of RTIs may be achieved by taking echinacea species as antiviral and immunomodulatory actions have been reported. Recent literature has found a wide spectrum of activity for alcoholic extracts against enveloped respiratory viruses, including influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), coronaviruses and SARS-CoV-2. Clinical benefits manifest not only in a reduced risk of RTIs but also of RTI relapses and secondary complications.

In the systematic review and meta-analysis a comprehensive search identified 30 clinical trials (39 comparisons) studying echinacea for the prevention or treatment of RTIs in 5652 subjects. Echinacea significantly reduced the monthly RTI occurrence, risk ratio and number of patients with RTIs. Echinacea reduced the risk of recurrent infections, RTI complications and the need for antibiotic therapy, with total antibiotic therapy days reduced by 70%. 

References

Gancitano G, Mucci N, Stange R, Ogal M, Vimalanathan S, Sreya M, Booker A, Hadj-Cherif B, Albrich WC, Woelkart-Ardjomand K, Kreft S, Vanden Berghe W, Hoexter G, Schapowal A, Johnston SL. Echinacea Reduces Antibiotics by Preventing Respiratory Infections: A Meta-Analysis (ERA-PRIMA). Antibiotics (Basel). 2024 Apr 16;13(4):364. doi: 10.3390/antibiotics13040364. PMID: 38667040; PMCID: PMC11047471.