"Natural Healing with Herbs for a Healthier You"

 

A pound of Chanca Piedra arrived from Surinam, South America to my door.  Being that the whole herb is used, it appeared like many dried plants:  green, slight brownish, leaves, sticks and berries in a cut mixture, very similar to the photograph shown at the right.

 

The infusion created a brown liquid with a slight bitter taste, which had an earthy aroma.  Both an alcohol tincture and a vegetable glycerin extract were prepared with good results.

 

My eleven-year-old daughter had two incisors removed.  When the anesthesia began to wear off, she began crying in pain.  She was given a dose (1 teaspoon) of Chanca Piedra tincture and within five minutes the pain subsided.

 

After an automobile accident in October 2004, I started a lengthy healing process for whiplash; I had a twisted spine at the 5^th and 6^th cervical vertebrae, which left me with nerve damage.  Along with the use of the B&B tincture, Bone, Flesh & Cartilage Ointment and Cayenne Ointment, I began the use of Chanca Piedra for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.  I began experimenting with the dosages to achieve the desired effect. 

 

I began with an infusion of the herb and it seemed to take four cups of this as a tea before any analgesic effect was noted (this taken hourly).  Next, an alcohol tincture was prepared, which I took (1 Tablespoon of tincture) 3 times daily.  This seemed a more potent way of taking the herb.  It is interesting to note that one evening I awoke after about two hours of sleep with a very good overall feeling, a kind of mild intoxication.

 

Lastly, an extract was made with vegetable glycerin, and this seems to be the most palatable way to ingest the herb. 

 

I write this next part as a whole case study, with the use of Chanca Piedra as just one of a myriad of supplements in the treatment.  I feel like this is appropriate for my thesis, as this sums up all The School of Natural Healing has taught me.

 

My son, Jordan is a 13-year-old male with Pectus Carinatum. In Jordan, this was an abnormal growth of cartilage in his breastbone and surrounding area, about the size of a fist, protruding out from his chest.  If it is not treated, it can have negative effects on the cardio and pulmonary functions, later in life. His doctor referred him to a specialist at the nearest University Hospital, a surgeon, who advised us to have the excess cartilage removed in a procedure called the Ravitch Repair Procedure. This is a major surgical procedure, which would be followed by up to a week recovery time in the hospital, with a 6 month total full recovery time.  My training as an herbalist did not expose me as to the use of an herbal treatment that would dissolve such a growth.  So, we decided to go ahead with the surgery.

 

Major surgery causes serious stress to the body.  The body’s immune system is weakened and gastrointestinal function is changed after major surgery, leaving the body vulnerable to infection and in a state of nutritional insufficiency.  Steps can be taken using natural approaches to strengthen the body before and after surgery, to enhance defenses, prevent complications, and to speed recovery. 

 

The following outline is what we began two weeks prior to surgery to reduce the risk of complications and to decrease recovery time following the surgical procedure: 

1)      He does not smoke or drink and he did not use any recreational drugs, so the required stopping tobacco and alcohol use one week prior to surgery, is not applicable.

2)      For overall recovery, it is best if you do not suffer from any condition that compromises your immune status at the time of surgery (i.e., suffering from a cold or flu) so we began with an Echinacea tea once a day, increasing to 3 cups a day.

3)      It is beneficial to start taking a supplement, which contains the following nutrients two weeks prior to surgery:  Vitamins A & C, Selenium, Iron, Vitamin B12, Folate.  Optimally the supplement should also contain arginine (found in wheat germ, oatmeal, seeds, buckwheat, and nuts), as this will increase nitric oxide, which has shown to be beneficial for wound healing.  We have found that Vital-erbs are a whole food source of vitamins and minerals, which are easily assimilated. We began Vital-erbs at 2 capsules three times a day, gradually increasing to 5 capsules three times a day.  We also supplemented with 4 tablets of Alfalfa daily with meals.

4)      Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties, and animal studies suggest that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids may improve recovery and prevent infection after surgery.  A controlled human trial found that intravenous nutritional formulas containing omega-3 fatty acids given post-operatively lowered the production of inflammatory chemicals compared with standard nutritional formulas.  We supplemented with Wheat Germ Oil (1140 mg softgel), 3 times a day, and with cold-pressed Flax seed oil, 1 tablespoon two times daily.  Surgery patients receiving essential fatty acids showed in a study that they had the same risk of death, but that they had fewer infections and shorter hospital stays.  It is important to note that the following herbs and substances increase bleeding time, so should be stopped three days prior to surgery:  Co-enzyme Q10, Omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin E, Ginkgo, Meadowsweet, Garlic, Coleus, Turmeric, Motherwort, Danshen, Ginger, Red Clover, Horse chestnut, Fennel, Feverfew and Guarana.

5)      We ensured that he was well hydrated:  drinking at least two liters of pure water daily.

6)      With surgical procedures the protein requirement generally increases by 20-50%.  A decrease in lean muscle mass has a negative impact on your overall regenerative ability.  However, substantially increasing consumption of dietary protein (meats, dairy products, etc.) to ensure optimal levels of circulating amino acids may prove to be unhealthy because excessive dietary protein places stress on the liver and kidneys, which process the waste products of protein metabolism.  In addition, protein-rich foods often are rich in fats, which may cause unwanted weight gain and an unfavorable cholesterol profile.  We chose to use Bernard Jensen’s Whey powder and soy to increase his protein.

 

Malnutrition, either before or after surgery, has a negative effect on recovery from surgery.  Being malnourished prior to surgery was associated with increased post-operative inflammation in one recent preliminary study.  Reviews of nutritional research on all types of surgery patients have concluded that undernourished patients will have better results if they receive supplemental nutrition before and after surgery, and that supplemental nutrition is more helpful when given orally rather than directly into the bloodstream (intravenously).

 

Jordan’s diet was a modification of Dr. Christopher’s Mucusless diet, requiring no sugar (other than raw honey and maple syrup), dairy, white flour/white flour products, processed foods, or preservatives/artificial colors and minimal animal protein (salmon was allowed). He was on a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. We began the day with a smoothie, which consisted of 1 cup of apple juice, frozen banana, frozen berry (strawberry, raspberry, blueberry or blackberry), flaxseed oil and whey powder.  If more was needed for breakfast, he had a whole grain cereal (low heated, sprouted, rolled oatmeal or wheat berries) with rice milk.  For lunch he had a salad.  Snacks consisted of raw fruits or vegetables and fresh juiced organic carrots.  Dinner:  5 days a week were vegetarian, 2 days a week fish, like salmon, was served.  He consumed at least 2 liters of pure water daily and could have herbal, or green teas.  And as mentioned above, we supplemented with Vital-erbs, Wheat germ oil, Flaxseed oil, Alfalfa tablets and Echinacea.

 

We employed the juicing of organic carrots pre- and post-surgery as Vitamin A plays an important role in wound healing, and one animal study suggests that vitamin A deficiency might contribute to poor recovery after surgery.  It is also beneficial following surgery, to get the bowels active again.  Juicing passes the digestive tract, entering the body at the cellular level, awaking a sluggish bowel while nourishing the body.  We also began while in the hospital a green drink referred to as the “superfood juice” which was sold in a store near the University hospital.  This juice contains: apple juice, peaches, mangoes, strawberries, bananas, spirulina, Soy lecithin, open cell chlorella, royal jelly, wheat grass, barley grass, wheat sprouts, Jerusalem artichoke, lemon bioflavonoids and Nova Scotia dulse.

 

Prior to surgery we gave Jordan 500ml of Ginger tincture as nausea and vomiting can be experienced post-operatively as a result of the anesthesia.  Ginger (Zingiber officianale) has anti-nausea properties and has been examined for its ability to prevent post-operative nausea and vomiting in several controlled trials.  In two of these controlled trials, ginger was found more effective than placebo and equal to an anti-nausea medication.  Not only did it prevent any nausea or vomiting following Jordan’s surgery, but it also kept him free of the common side effects of morphine, nausea and vomiting.

 

We followed surgery with a liquid diet of fresh organic carrot juice, superfood juice and water, beginning the next day with a vegan diet without sugar (honey and maple syrup were used) or white flour/white flour products, and continuing with the juice therapy.

 

Since the surgical procedure performed is known for the high level of pain associated with it, we employed the use of reflexology in pain and relaxation management. Reflexology is a wonderfully simple form of natural, complimentary, and holistic healing.  It is the use of special techniques to break up and remove blockages in the body through the more than 7,000 nerve endings on the soles of the feet, which stimulate the brain to send impulses to the correlating organ, and restore proper circulation of blood to any given area.  The day following surgery he had only utilized his morphine press 4 times and his pain level fluctuated between 2 and 5 going up to a 9 during physical therapy while getting in and out of bed.  Following surgery of the chest area it is common to have breathing difficulties with the threat of the lungs collapsing and pneumonia setting in.  Although instructed on how to cough and encouraged to do so, it was avoided and a rattle could be heard in his chest.  During reflexology, I found on both pads of his feet where the lung medians lie, small knots.  As I began working these areas, his lungs were stimulated and Jordan coughed up a brownish, green ball of phlegm.  This was repeated later in the day with the same results.  Reflexology was utilized for stimulating the bladder and the bowels with success.  He continued with his breathing exercises and Physical Therapy exercises, also with good results.

 

Jordan was released from the hospital three days after surgery.  The medical staff commented that they had never seen such an early release after this procedure.  Not only were they amazed at his quick recovery, because of this; they were interested in everything we were doing, from diet, reflexology, supplementation, as well as the use of herbs.  They asked us if we would be interested in instructing some of their staff in the protocol we were using.

 

The first day home from the hospital Jordan was taken off all medications and stool softeners.  Prune juice along with an Herbal formula for the lower bowel resulted in his eliminating in the afternoon. He began taking 1 teaspoon of a vegetable glycerin extract of Chanca Piedra every three hours, Vital-erbs (6 capsules 3 times daily), Wheat Germ Oil, Echinacea, and Stop-Ache in the evening when he began running a low grade fever.  Low-grade fevers began in the hospital following surgery and kept on until the second day home from the hospital.  Pro-biotics (2 capsules daily) were given to offset the antibiotics given in the hospital.

 

An herbal poultice was applied over the entire chest area and changed once in the morning and again at night.  The poultice is Dr. Christopher’s burn paste, which consists of equal parts Wheat Germ oil, Comfrey leaves, and raw honey.  This was covered by sterile gauze.

 

The diet was kept much the same as described above. His pain levels decreased and by the third day home, we extended the Chanca Piedra to every six hours.

 

The fourth day home a relative, who is a registered nurse, looked at the incision and was amazed at the quick recovery of the surgical incision.  She was pleasantly surprised at how small and tight the incision site was without redness or irritation.  The following day the steri strips fell off and a clean incision with little swelling remained.

 

At two weeks following surgery, pain levels were a continued 0 with edema slight, so we ceased the administration of Chanca Piedra at that time, but have continued with the diet and supplements.  The Echinacea was also discontinued after two weeks.  We have decreased the Vital-erbs to three capsules 3 times a day.  Though tender to pressing, there is little edema and the incision has fully closed.  We changed from using the burn paste poultice, to applying the Bone, Flesh & Cartilage Ointment twice daily.  He continues to improve; his diaphragm exercises have given him a life long advantage of knowing how to breathe properly, and his physical therapy exercises of raising both arms overhead to allay scar tissue is a very easy maneuver.

 

Figure 4.  Jordan’s scars at four days (above) and four weeks (below) after surgery.

At his 5 week checkup, the surgeon had found that Jordan was doing so well, that he shortened the recovery time from 6 months, down to 3 months, at which time full (contact) sports activities may be resumed.

 

RESOURCES

 

Chanca Piedra, in the indicated forms, can be purchased from the following websites: