Issue #6

2000

Richard De Sylva, C.H.

For a number of years now, we have manufactured what we consider to be a "new, improved version" of the famous herbal tea blend promoted by Rene Caisse. In addition to the original four herbs - Burdock Root, Sheep Sorrel, Slippery Elm Bark, and Rhubarb Root, we have added Red Clover, Plantain Leaves, and Prickly Ash Bark. These were not included in a haphazard manner, but as a result of information given myself by a native medicine man in Manitoulin Island. lie advised that the original formula given to Rene Caisse by an old native elder, did not necessarily contain only the four herbs mentioned.

Other were included, depending on the condition being treated. I thought long and seriously about his advice, researched the three new herbs, and came to the conclusion that there was definite scientific merit for their inclusion. Red Clover has long been used for blood disorders, largely in part due to its generous amounts of mineral salts. This plays more of a ‘background’ role in that a cancer gene has been demonstrated to be none other than a mutant version of E.G.F. 2: Epidermal Growth Factor; further, it is very likely that this mutation occurs as a result of a serious imbalance in the acid: base ratio of the blood and tissues. The work of Dr. Gunther Enderlein from Germany demonstrate the profound significance of this displaced Hydrogen ion that moves from the base/alkaline ‘OH’(-) to the acid H(+).

In addition, Red Clover contains genistein, a substance that has been demonstrated to inhibit cancer cell formation. Prickly Ash Bark equally contains compounds called ‘furanocomarins’ that very recently have demonstrated an ability to interfere with (cancer) cell replication, and thus, likewise inhibit the advance of cancer. Lastly, Plantain Leaves, long a seemingly mild and innocuous herb contains up to fourteen different polysaccharide fractions that have definite immunopotentiating activity. This native medicine man knew none of this when he recommended them; I strongly suspect that, in the native tradition, they were used because of knowledge gleaned from ‘non-linear’ intuitive method of apprehending information.

The above herbs, in conjunction with the other four, offer a very powerful combination of herbs to deal with some of the more serious ailments in our modem society.

As I have indicated in other articles written in the past, the remaining four herbs have a solid scientific basis for their use; Burdock Root has a substance , found by two Japanese researchers in 1984, that acts as a ~desmutagen’ - an ability to reduce cell mutation. Further, Burdock Root contains large amounts of inulin, a substance that stimulates immune function. There are also appreciable amounts of minerals, such as Silica, Iron, and Potassium, Magnesium, Sodium and Cobalt, Sheep

Sorrel contains the organic form of Oxalic Acid; another name for it - more close to the heart of the matter - is Potassium Binoxalate. Potassium is very much lacking in cases of cancer. and the latter moiety - binoxalate implies that it contains two atoms of Oxygen for every atom of Potassium. It is this debilitating lack of Oxygen that is at the basis of cancer and other conditions such as Candidiasis, Chronic Fatigue, and other anaerobic-bacteria related conditions. I find it appalling that it is a little known fact that in 1933 the Nobel Prize for medicine was won by a German medical doctor who proved that cancer was caused by a lack of Oxygen.

The mucopolysaccarides contained in Slippery Elm Bark are not only healing to any inflamed and degraded surfaces, but, according to Dr. Orville Miller Ph.D. in California, “... play a major role in the structural integrity of all bodily tissues, and are largely responsible for the form and organization as components of connective tissue”. They are, in a word, necessary for the restoration of tissue damaged by the onslaught of cancer and other degenerative conditions.

Finally, Rhubarb Root contains chrysophanic acid, a substance thought to assist in dissolving the slimy membrane surrounding the cancerous growth; thus it will allow the nourishing, reconstructive properties of the other herbs to gain access to the heart of the tumour, and gradually dissolve is, and restore the surrounding tissue.

I have checked the energetics of this formula and compared it to the original that has only the four herbs; is has a much higher energy pattern, and, in my opinion, will exert a greater healing effort on damaged tissues.

As much as I believe this to be a significant improvement on the original formula, I remain committed to improving it even more. As present, I am working on improving its oxygenating capacity, and will report my findings in the next year or two.

Richard De Sylva is a practicing Herbalist in Guelph, Ont., owner of The Herb Works’, lectures, writes and teaches on botanic medicine, locally, nationally and internationally.

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