The Heart
Capable of Thought?
(More on the Heart - The Heart - Hawthorne)

      There is a lot going on in the world of "Alternatives" (our opinion is that "Modern" medicine is the "Alternative") at this point in time. Efforts are being made all around the world to limit or take away our rights to use things like herbs or even high potency vitamins and supplements. If you are one that is interested in keeping up with this or possibly even interested in getting involved in fighting this effort, check out this site: International Advocates for Health Freedom.

We also try to keep up to date on different research being done in the world of Alternative medicine and related topics. We aren’t really politically oriented, but let’s face it, if you’re passionate about anything you try to keep up with all aspects of it, including the political side of things.

Feel free to copy and distribute this information. All that I ask is that it not be altered in any way. I must also make note here that I am not, nor will I ever be a doctor of medicine. This information is being provided merely as just that, information, and is not meant to replace "proper" medical attention. You have the right to do as you please with this information, but if you decide to use it to self-treat illness or disease, my suggestion would be to do so with full disclosure to your physician or health care provider. I have very strong opinions about the medical field and part of that opinion is that if you want to use "Alternatives" then your doctor needs to learn about them. If he doesn’t want to work with you, don’t get mad or argue with him/her about it, just find a doctor that will work with you and not fight you. You are paying that doctor to help keep you healthy, so make him/her do what you pay him to do. 

Contents

The Heart – Capable of Thought?

Facts and Research

Kudzu

 

The Heart
(Capable of Thought?)

Part I

Throughout history, the heart has been the subject of many a writer. References to the heart range anywhere from nothing more than a pump for the circulatory system to the most important organ of the Endocrine system.

Funk and Wagnall’s Standard College Dictionary gives a very wide definition of the heart. From the anatomical; the heart is the primary organ of the circulatory system of animals, a hollow muscular structure that maintains the circulation of blood by alternative contraction, or systole, and dilation, or diastole.

To the emotional; The seat of emotion, especially of love and affection, as distinguished from the head, the center of intellect and reason. Tenderness, the capacity for kindness and sympathy, firmness of will or courage. One’s innermost thoughts (to pour one’s heart out), enthusiasm or energy (to put one’s heart into it), state of mind (a heavy heart), a courageous person ( a brave heart), with all sincerity; with deep feeling (heart and soul), the deepest and most intimate part of one’s being (to break the heart), and to cause deep disappointment or sorrow (to eat one’s heart out).

In this month’s edition, we will be discussing the later of the two definitions. I hope (I’d have to say I’m almost 100% positive) that there will be many different opinions on this subject and that this will perhaps open a line of discussion amongst those of you that subscribe to this newsletter. Remember this is supposed to be interactive. Responses anyone makes will be available for other subscribers to view and make comments on, so don’t respond in such a way as that you would not want others to view, but by all means respond and discuss if you wish. That is part of the purpose of this publication, to make people think as well as give you, the subscriber, a chance to voice your opinion or view, no matter how different it may be from mine or anyone else’s. I want to get away from the "pump" image that everyone knows about and get into what some current research, as well as other literature has called, The Thinking Heart.

References to the heart date back to pre-Biblical times. Poets have written about it for centuries. There are over 800 references to it in the Bible alone, many of which in English translation refer specifically to the ability of the heart to think, i.e.

Proverbs 23:7;

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

This is from the Old Testament in the King James Version, which was translated from the Hebrew language. I’m sure that there has been something changed in the translation, but even when looking up some of the different words used in the Hebrew language for the English word heart, some of the same meanings can be found. Words that use the words mind and heart interchangeably.

Bal, pronounced bawl, in the Hebrew language refers to anxiety and it implies that the heart is the seat of anxiety.

Leb

Sekviy

Mankind has been making progress, be it ever so slowly, in relationship to the connection in the body/mind area of healing. Several terms that most will be familiar with, have become almost household words when referring to individuals or groups that are known to address these separate, but interlaced, areas of the human being (perhaps separate is a bad choice of words). Holistic, complimentary, or one of the newer ones, integrative practices have evolved in response to the need of healing on all levels, i.e. body, mind, and spirit. In addition, researchers are beginning to realize the heart, "as a center that metabolizes harmony, peace, and love."

We all know that practices such as meditation, positive thinking, prayer, etc. Can help us feel better, and that different aspects of the human physiology can be affected by these practices. Research done in 1998 at the HeartMath Institute in Boulder Creek, Ca. Is dedicated to just this subject. For a one month period, a group of 30 individuals were asked to focus on feelings of love and appreciation everytime they felt anger or frustration. After this period, levels of DHEA (an anti-aging hormone) were measured. It was found that DHEA levels had increased by 100% and that cortisol (a stress hormone) had decreased by 23%. During the same period, a control group of 15 individuals had no changes in hormone levels. This study was published in Integrative Physiological and Behavioral Science as well as another study of a smaller group of 25 focusing on the same feelings. Of this group of 25, 80% experienced slowed breathing rates, while their hearts became synchronized with their breathing. HeartMath director Rollin McCarty stated, "There are a lot of implications for health. With feelings of love, the inner systems synchronize. That affects your immune system, your hormones, and even cognitive performance."

Exodus 25:2

Speak unto the children of Israel that they bring me an offering of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.

Exodus 35:35

Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and those that devise cunning work.

The above verse is cross-referenced to another verse just 4 verses prior in verse 31; "And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship."

Exodus 36:2

And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the Lord had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it.

According to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible the verses above also use the word heart as translated from the Hebrew word leb. Additional meanings or meaning come into play in one or two of these verses as the word leb is has many different meanings. It is also considered to be the center of anything.

I won’t go into all the Biblical uses of the word heart, as there are over 800 mentions of this word in the Old and New Testament. The Old Testament was translated from the Hebrew language, and the New Testament from the Greek language. I merely reference them to provide example that perhaps it has been known for centuries in other cultures what "Western" culture is just beginning to find out.

The heart has been associated with harmony, compassion, love, and healing in many different Spiritual practices. Early Catholic art often shows Jesus as if his heart was on fire. In Sanskrit, the heart’s light is so intense; it is said to burn away all impurities. A great yogi once said, "The heart is the hub of all sacred places. Go there and roam."

Om mani padme hum, a Tibetan mantra, translates into, "The jewel of consciousness is in the heart’s lotus." In Judaism, the Tree of Life has the light associated with the heart (tiferet) at its center.

Chinese philosophy associates the fire element with the heart, and is regarded as the seat of consciousness. Xin, which is the Chinese word for heart means both "heart" and "mind." Roger C. Hirsh, a doctor of Chinese medicine and acupuncture says, "the heart is sovereign, it is the leader, it’s the king of all organs. Why? The heart is the seat of the spirit."

Facts and Research

Recent research shows that the mineral Selenium can help to reduce the amount of time suffering from Flu symptoms. For more information you can visit:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/health/newsid_1300000/1300637.stm

In the 1940’s, a person suffering from pneumonia could receive 40,000 units of penicillin and be cured of it in four days. Due to the abuse and misuse of antibiotics, which in turn has caused bacterial adaptation, the same patient could receive 24,000,000 units of penicillin and still die of pneumonia

Do you suffer from mild to moderate depression? SSRI’s (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are now the drugs of choice for this sort of depression. They increase the amount of serotonin in the brain. Some of the side effects of these types of drugs are severe agitation, anxiety, aggression, suicidal thoughts, as well as emotional detachment, and many others. If you have ever thought about getting off these drugs, DO NOT STOP TAKING THEM ON YOUR OWN, AND AVOID USING ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES UNTIL THE DRUGS ARE CLEANED OUT OF YOUR SYSTEM. Discuss the possibility of Tapering off the drugs gradually. For mild to moderate depression some of the following natural antidepressants should be discussed with your doctor. For severe depression you should work directly with your physician as the following supplements are only helpful for mild to moderate depression.

S-adenosyl-methionine (SAMe) – This supplement elevates serotonin levels and helps balance other neurotransmitters. Some studies have shown that 70% of those who try SAMe show mood improvement in just days. CAUTION: If you are taking prescription antidepressants or have bi-polar (manic) depression, consult your physician before using this product. Pregnant or lactating women should also consult their physician before taking this supplement.

St. John’s Wort – This is an herbal antidepressant and studies have shown it to be effective for mild to moderate depression. It may cause stomach upset and possibly cause some to become photosensitive to the sun. It should not be taken with other SSRI’s or with the following drugs; Coumadin, theophylline, digoxin, triptan drugs for migraines, oral contraceptives, several AIDS medications, or transplant anti-rejection drugs. CAUTION: While taking this product, avoid exposure to strong sunshine and tanning rays or tanning salons. It is advisable to wear sunglasses when exposed to strong sunlight. Consult your physician before using this product if you are taking prescription antidepressant drugs including SSRI’s, as well as any MAO inhibitors.

5-HTP – This is another herbal antidepressant, and it is a natural precursor to serotonin. Doses of 30-50 mg on an empty stomach at bedtime in most cases are enough to lift moods as well as help you sleep. The dosage may be safely increased to as much as 100 mg three times a day over several weeks. CAUTION: If taking prescription medication, consult a health care practitioner before taking this product. Pregnant or nursing women should seek the advice of their physician before taking this supplement.

Kudzu
(Fabaceae Pueraria lobato)

Ohwi, is one of the earliest medicinal plants known in China. It is also known as the notorious kudzu, an invasive weed, which plagues the landscape of the southern United States.

Chinese alcoholism, drunkenness and hangover cure

Kudzu is fast-growing vine with large leaves and sweet-smelling blooms. The vines grow as much as a foot per day during summer months, climbing trees, power poles, and anything else they contact.
Its starchy root tubers have been used as a medication in China since 200 B.C. It has a special reputation for combating drunkenness, as noted in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia of A.D.600
Research with laboratory animals at Harvard Medical School has revealed that a drug extracted from Kudzu root may help in the treatment of alcoholism.
When alcohol- loving rats were given kudzu either orally or by injection, they, too, drank about half as much as usual. The scientists also noted that kudzu-suppressed alcohol's intoxicating effects after it entered the bloodstream, tending to confirm the ancient claim that taking kudzu before drinking alcohol helps stave off intoxication and hangovers.
In its native lands, the roots are also used to make a medicinal tea for treating dysentery and fever. In Japan, a kind of kudzu tofu is highly prized. The stems yield a fiber called ko-kemp that is useful in making cloth and paper. And, last but not least, the plant contains a chemical compound, daidzin that has proven to be effective in suppressing the craving for alcohol.
When kudzu is present in a diet, it also prevents anyone from falling into an alcohol addiction.

In China, Kudzu is included in a "morning after tea", known as xing-jiu-ling, which essentially means, "sober up."

What makes kudzu especially appealing is its lack of side effects. No liver damage or nausea or vomiting.

Kudzu's toxicity is very low. Taking as much as 100 grams, or 3.5 ounces, has no adverse effects. Don't combine kudzu with prescription drugs unless your doctor okays it. In China kudzu is sold as a root or extract. In the United States you can buy extracts from a health food store. In China tablets are standardized so that milligrams equals 5 grams of crude root. Some experts have advised taking one such standardized tablet two or three times a day to discourage drinking.

A laboratory at the Center for Biochemical and Biophysical Sciences and Medicine at Harvard demonstrated about 80% repression of alcohol cravings in golden hamsters given both synthesized diadzin and crude extract of the plant, with a lower dose dependency for the crude extract in Syrian Golden hamsters biochemically addicted to alcohol.

Collaboration between labs at the Skipper Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies and Department of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill with the Laboratory of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Research Triangle Institute and Natural Pharmacia International, Research Triangle Park demonstrated that intraperitoneal injections of Chinese herbal preparation NPI-028, made with kudzu, lowered cravings in two types of alcohol preferring rats. In addition injection of puerarin, an isoflavone purified from the NPI-028 gave significant results at lower dosages than that of the crude extract.

Sources:

Journal article on the isoflavanone derived from kudzu, daidzin:
Keung, W.M., O. Lazo, L. Kunze and B.L. Vallee. Potentation of the availability of daidzin by an extract of Radix puerariae. 1996. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 93: 4284-4288.
Journal article on Chinese herbal preparation containing P. lobata, NPI-028 and the isoflavone puerarin:
Overstreet, D.H., Y.W. Lee, A.H. Rezvani, Y.H. Pei, H.E. Criawall and D. S. Janowsky. 1996. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research 20(2): 221-227.