A really good salve that I used, was a red clover salve for quick healing and improved the scarring factor, turned a 4 inch incision of mine into  a 1 inch white scar in a very short time, Red clover take a few scoops of Crisco vegetable shortening melt on low heat, turn off heat and put in approximately 1 cup of bulk herb red clover, let sit till it hardens, repeat melt and sit instructions 5 times, strain off in coffee filter and place in glass jar. Great for all cuts, scratches, injures, cancers, tumors, etc. If you have any questions please feel free to let me know

Peggy P.s. see below for a lot of info.
 
 
 

August 1998
Cover Story
Recovering from Surgery
By Linda B. White, M.D.
From strengthening the immune system to curbing anxiety, botanicals can help the body mend.
Surgery is a stressful proposition--and the more invasive the procedure, the greater its demands on the body. Tissues must repair themselves, yet surgical wounds, diagnostic X-rays and even the body's own reactions can deplete important antioxidant stores. Incisions break down skin and mucous membranes that normally protect the body against infection. The stress of surgery and some of the pain control and antibiotic drugs given to patients can suppress immune function. Patients also must deal with anesthesia-induced nausea and vomiting, anxiety, insomnia and pain. Fortunately, a host of herbs can help.

Nutritive herbs can support surgical healing by virtue of their high vitamin and mineral content. Examples include alfalfa (Medicago sativa), which contains vitamins A, B, C and E as well as 75 percent of the RDA for calcium and 85 percent for iron; nettles (Urtica dioica), high in iron; and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), the blossoms of which contain vitamins A and B2.1 Alfalfa and dandelion also stimulate appetite. Dandelion, both the roots and leaves, contains anti-inflammatory constituents, including sitosterol. But because dandelion increases bile flow, patients with gallstones or biliary-tract obstruction should not use it.2

Adaptogenic herbs increase resistance to stress, and balance or restore the system. Most act primarily by supporting and enhancing the adrenal glands. Examples include Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng), American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium), Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) and reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum). According to Donald Brown, N.D., author of Herbal Prescriptions for Better Health (Prima, 1996), people with uncontrolled high blood pressure should not use ginseng without first consulting their physicians.

Immune-enhancing botanicals can help increase resistance to postoperative infections. Well-known immune boosters include astragalus (A. membranaceus) root, which is also an adaptogen; Echinacea (E. angustifolia, pallida, or purpurea) and reishi mushroom. Garlic (Allium sativum) goes beyond immune enhancement--it is antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and radiation-protective.3 However, because garlic decreases platelet function, Brown recommends patients not take it immediately before or after surgery and that patients taking anticoagulants use garlic with extreme caution. He also notes that many health practitioners don't recommend immune-strengthening herbs, notably Echinacea, for people with autoimmune diseases such as lupus.

Surgical patients typically undergo at least one of an array of radiological procedures such as X-rays, CAT scans and nuclear medicine studies. Several botanicals help protect against some of the adverse effects of radiation. These include:

St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) significantly protects against X-ray-induced damage to bone marrow and intestinal mucosa in animals.4 Author and herbalist Susun Weed recommends using an oil of St. John's Wort flowers to promote wound healing, protect the skin from radiation-therapy burns and reduce symptoms of nerve and muscle pain.

Kelp (Laminaria religiosa) suppresses absorption of radioactive agents and protects the thyroid against radioactive substances.5 Although rich in several vitamins and minerals, its high sodium content may pose a problem for patients on a low-salt diet.

Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidium) protected animals from X-ray radiation and enhanced their postsurgical weight gain and blood cell counts in one study.6

Many herbs, when used in poultices, compresses, gels or salves, can help speed healing.

Aloe (Aloe Vera) reduces inflammation and enhances burn and wound healing. Like Comfrey (Symphytum officinale), it contains allantoin, a substance that stimulates cellular proliferation and skin closure. In a placebo-controlled animal study, aloe, both taken internally and topically applied, doubled the reduction of wound diameter.7

In a trial involving patients who had undergone dermabrasion, aloe Vera gel compared to placebo markedly reduced swelling and accelerated healing by 72 hours.8 However, in a study of 21 women recovering from gynecologic or obstetric surgery, aloe gel significantly delayed wound healing. The study was not randomized, placebo-controlled or double-blinded, and the patients had wound complications precluding closure with sutures.9 Further investigation is needed to sort out this discrepancy.

Cayenne (Capsicum annuum), well known for its ability to reduce pain, also can speed wound healing. One experiment comparing the ability of topical agents such as bacitracin, silver sulfadiazine and aloe Vera gel to close wounds found that capsaicin cream produced the fastest skin regrowth. Incidentally, while aloe Vera enhanced wound healing compared to placebo, the difference was not statistically significant.10

Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) extracts, used both internally and externally, are popular in Europe for treating varicose veins and promoting wound healing. The constituent Asiatic acid is particularly effective in stimulating collagen synthesis.11

Surgical Side Effects

Several herbs help ease many emotional and physical symptoms suffered by surgery patients.

Postsurgical nausea and vomiting: Clinical trials find ginger (Zingiber officinale) effective and safe for alleviating this condition, often triggered by various anesthetic agents, as well as nausea from pregnancy and motion sickness. In a study of 60 women who had major gynecologic surgery, ginger taken orally significantly decreased postoperative vomiting compared to placebo and was similar in effect to metoclopramide (Reglan®).12

Anxiety: Kava (Piper methysticum) is commonly prescribed in Germany for anxiety and stress. Several placebo-controlled, randomized studies found kava significantly effective in easing anxiety, without fogging mental function.13,14 A trial comparing an isolated kava lactone directly with the benzodiazepine oxazepam (Serax®) for four weeks in 38 patients found the two equally effective in reducing anxiety.15

The German Commission E monograph, however, advises against combining kava with central nervous system depressants or use by pregnant or lactating women. Case reports indicate kava may worsen Parkinson's disease. In test-tube studies, kava pyrones inhibit platelet function.16 Whether kava would significantly impair blood clotting in surgical patients isn't yet known.

Other anxiety-reducing herbs include valerian (Valeriana officinalis) root, passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) and chamomile (Matricaria recutita). Constituents of these herbs have affinity for the receptors in the brain that bind benzodiazepine drugs (Valium®, Halcion®, Xanax®, Serax® and others) but lower anxiety without depressing the central nervous system.17

Insomnia: Many herbs have a long traditional use for inducing sleep: valerian, California poppy (Eschscholzia California), kava, passionflower, lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), hops (Humulus lupulus), catnip (Nepeta cataria), oat (Avena sativa) and chamomile. Some of these herbs have also been studied in animals and a select few in humans.

Of these, valerian is the best studied hypnotic herb. Like the benzodiazepines, it alleviates insomnia, but without causing a morning hangover, interacting with alcohol, or leading to addiction. In one placebo-controlled study of 128 people, 400 mg of valerian extract significantly reduced the time to sleep onset and enhanced sleep quality.18 In rare cases, valerian can have a stimulating rather than a sedating effect. If this occurs, switch to an alternative hypnotic herb, such as California poppy.

Pain and inflammation: Several botanicals can counter the inflammation, pain and swelling that follow surgery. Proteases, the protein-digesting enzymes, ameliorate inflammation, probably by degrading some products of inflammation, inhibiting the formation of others, and increasing circulation. Bromelain, an enzyme found in the stem of the pineapple plant (Ananas comosus), is the most studied. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 158 women who had episiotomies during childbirth, Bromelain reduced swelling, inflammation and pain, but without reaching statistical significance.19 Studies also have found that Bromelain reduced swelling, pain and tenderness in 59 patients who had suffered blunt trauma.20

According to Brett Jacques, N.D., a consultant in Gresham, Ore., the recommended dosage for a high-potency Bromelain (2,400 MCUs [milk clotting units] or 375 mg per capsule) is one to four capsules taken two to three times a day between meals beginning three days before surgery and continued for three days afterward. He cautions that people with gastric or duodenal ulcers or gastritis should not take Proteases.

Curcumin, derived from turmeric (Curcuma longa), has potent anti-inflammatory properties.21 In lab experiments, Curcumin proved as effective as the potent anti-inflammatory agents hydrocortisone and phenylbutazone in reducing inflammation, but without toxicity.22 Patients can use it both internally and externally to decrease pain and inflammation. Topical Curcumin, like capsaicin from cayenne, is thought to ease pain by depleting substance P, the pain neurotransmitter.23

Ginger is anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic (reduces fever) and antimicrobial. It inhibits the body's synthesis of inflammatory chemicals such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes. A constituent of dried ginger called 6-shogaol can mildly reduce pain, probably by blocking pain sensation in a manner similar to that of capsaicin.24

Ginger, Curcumin and garlic reduce platelet aggregation and probably should not be used until after surgery.25 Patients on anticoagulants should not take them at all unless a physician monitors blood tests. Whereas some in vitro studies show that ginger decreases platelet function, one human trial failed to find a significant effect on blood clotting.26

Cayenne contains capsaicin, which when applied to the skin initially activates pain nerves, then renders them unresponsive, thus creating a local analgesia. In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 13 women with pain following mastectomy, capsaicin significantly lessened their discomfort.28

Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) has anti-inflammatory and analgesic constituents that reduced pain and inflammation in both animal and human studies. In a four-week study of 118 patients with low back pain, devil's claw extract (two 400 mg tablets per day) was associated with pain relief that fell just short of statistical significance.28 According to Francis Brinker, N.D., author of Formulas for Healthy Living (Eclectic, 1995), devil's claw root is commonly used in Europe for pain relief.

Kava contains pyrone constituents that are anesthetic, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic. In animal studies, kava extracts decreased pain without losing effectiveness over time.29

Elective surgery is akin to running a marathon. From eating well and restricting caffeine and alcohol intake to reducing stress and getting plenty of sleep and exercise, patients must train for the event by optimizing all of their lifestyle factors.
 
 

Linda B. White, M.D., is a contributing editor for Nutrition Science News. She and herbalist Sunny Mavor are at work on Herbs for Children: The Parents' Guide, to be published by Interweave Press in 1999.

Flower Essences Provide a Healing Feeling
Whether they have a positive effect on vitality, immunity, healing response or patient cooperation, flower essences seem to ease the emotional and mental stress of surgery, say their proponents. And since flower essences have no direct biochemical action, they are safe to use during pregnancy and lactation and even for newborns. Flower essences can be used singly or in combination before and after surgery.1

Borage (Borago officinalis) and love-lies-bleeding (Amaranthus caudatus) help ease intense suffering. Borage uplifts a heavy heart. Love-lies-bleeding can bring relief to those overly immersed in their pain. Both are especially appropriate for heart surgery.1

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) and white bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis alba) are indicated when the present brings up painful memories such as feelings of loneliness, deep hurt or trauma.

Garlic (Allium sativum) aids inner vitality and, by doing so, can indirectly increase resistance to infection.

Lady's mantle (Alchemilla mollis) provides a sense of motherly protection. It is especially helpful for children, women during pregnancy or labor, and anyone feeling motherless.

Red hollyhock (Alcea rosea) renews faith and hope, thus increasing optimism and inner vitality.2 Positive thoughts and feelings are important to good immune function and often speed recovery.3

Rockrose (Helianthemum nummularium) and star-of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum) soothe fear, shock, stress and trauma. They bring a calm sense of spiritual comfort that counteracts feelings of being helpless, alone or invaded.4

Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris) assists the healing process. When there is little belief in recovery, it can connect to an inner source of healing strength and intuition.

St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) and angelica (Angelica archangelica) provide a sense of protection. They are especially useful the week before general anesthesia.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) and lavender (Lavandula officinalis) soothe anxiety, nervousness and extreme stress. They also help ease insomnia.

--Ziporah Hildebrandt, herbalist, Shutesbury, Mass.
 
 

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3 First World Congress on the Health Significance of Garlic and Garlic Constituents; 1990 Aug; Washington, DC. Irvine (CA): Nutrition International Company; 1990.
4 Smyshliaeva AV, Kudriashov IB. The modification of a radiation lesion in animals with an aqueous extract of Hypericum perforatum. Biol Nauki 1992;4:7­9.
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FLOWER ESSENCES
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