Show 1322: Herbs for Healing and Optimal Health (Archive)

On this episode of our nationally syndicated radio show, we talk to two doctors who have taken a close look at the research on using herbs for healing. Sometimes people dismiss the remedies we can find in plants as old wives tales or silly home remedies. However, scientists are increasingly confirming that certain herbs can be of great help in overcoming chronic diseases and improving health.

Herbs for healing:

Culinary herbs like rosemary and thyme add flavor to our food. But I can do much more. In fact, the use of such herbs could help explain the known health benefits of the Mediterranean diet.

Dr. Tieraona Love Dog describes how she uses herbs for healing. What are the differences between herbs and spices? Generally, when people talk about herbs, they are describing plants from temperate zones. We mainly use the leaves for both cooking and healing. Spices often come from tropical and subtropical regions. These are often plant parts such as seeds, bark (cinnamon) or roots and rhizomes (ginger and turmeric). Researchers have extensively studied turmeric and its main ingredient curcumin. It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is used to improve memory and mood and to fight cancer. In certain studies, turmeric is more effective than NSAIDs in relieving knee arthritis pain.

Rosemary and thyme:

Could consuming rosemary be linked to longevity? Some doctors think so. Research confirms what people have long discovered: rosemary has a beneficial effect on memory and cognition. Moreover, it has powerful anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects and can be used to fight H. pylorus stomach infections.

Like rosemary, thyme has an antimicrobial effect. It is often used to fight infection. In addition, it appears to help disrupt biofilm and may be useful against coughs. Dr. Love Dog advocates making its own thyme-based cough syrup to help relieve symptoms of upper respiratory infections.

Saffron has multiple uses for optimal health:

Saffron is another famous Mediterranean spice. It consists of the stigma of a domesticated crocus. Research suggests it may be effective in treating depression and anxiety. In addition, scientists are investigating its possible use against certain types of cancer. Dr. Love Dog summarizes research on its use against metabolic syndrome and for treating the adverse sexual effects of menopause. Some studies show that it can slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration.

Another spice, cinnamon, also has multiple uses. It has an anti-inflammatory effect that can be especially useful for treating menstrual pain and nausea. It is better known for its effect on blood sugar and triglycerides. There are several different types of cinnamon and people who plan to use it regularly should learn about them. Cinnamomum verum, or Ceylon cinnamon, is safer than the common cassia cinnamon commonly found in grocery stores. This is because it does not contain the coumarin that cassia cinnamon can contain. This compound can be toxic to the liver.

Strengthening cellular health with the help of healing herbs:

Our second guest, Dr. Bill Rawls, describes how herbs can help promote health at the cellular level. You shouldn’t expect quick results from this approach, but the benefits can be long-lasting and side effects are rare.

Many chronic diseases appear to be associated with dormant infectious agents. Conditions like chronic Lyme disease or long-term COVID can be difficult to identify, and even more difficult to treat effectively. However, restoring health at the cellular level can help strengthen our body’s natural defenses. That is why Dr. Rawls advocates the use of herbs for healing.

Adaptogens as healing herbs:

You may not be familiar with some of the herbs recommended by Dr. Rawls. However, scientific studies support the use of these herbs for healing. Adaptogens such as Rhodiola, reishi and shilojit can help overcome the effects of chronic stress. It illustrates how they work synergistically for optimal cellular health.

Guests this week:

Tieraona Love Dogg, MD, is a founding member of the American Board of Physicians, the American Board of Integrative Medicine, and the Academy of Women’s Health. She was elected Chair of the US Pharmacopoeia Dietary Supplements/Botanicals Expert Committee and was appointed to the Scientific Advisory Board of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Her books include: Women’s health in complementary and integrative medicine; Life is your best medicine and Power Your Life: Your Guide to Vitamins, Minerals, and More. Dr. Low Dogs eBooks include Natural heartburn treatment and Spices that heal. Physical copies are available for purchase through Amazon: Click here.
Her websites are drlovdog.com and https://www.medicinelodgeranch.com/

As a 4th generation physician, Bill Rawls, MD has dedicated his life to medicine. But when he faced a personal health crisis in his late forties with Lyme disease, everything changed. In his quest to regain his health, Dr. Rawls faced the limitations of conventional medicine and knew he had to find his own way to regain health. Over the past 15 years, he has extensively studied the science behind herbal therapies and new sustainable approaches to health care. His website is https://vitalplan.com/

Dr. Rawls is the author Unlocking Lyme: Myths, Truths, and Practical Solutions for Chronic Lyme Diseaseand his latest book, The Cellular Wellness Solution: Tap into your full health potential with the scientific power of herbs.

Listen to the podcast:

A podcast of this program will be available on Monday, November 20, 2023, following the November 18 broadcast. You can stream the show from this site and download the podcast for free.

Download mp3