Tag Archives: north america

Alaska Passes Ordinance to End its Water Fluoridation Program

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For 44 years, the town of Palmer, Ak., has been fluoridating its water supply, which is sourced from natural wells in the area. But thanks to concerted public outcry and growing momentum in Alaska and elsewhere to end the practice, the Palmer City Council has officially passed an ordinance repealing the town’s water fluoridation mandate.

Both Fairbanks and Juneau, which represent the second and third most populous cities in Alaska, respectively, recently decided to end their water fluoridation programs after some members of special fluoride task forces found water fluoridation to be a questionable and unsubstantiated “public health” protocol. But what really pushed the decision over the edge Continue reading →

St. Michael’s Hospital First to Use Novel Blood-Cleaning Procedure for Kidney Transplant

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St. Michael’s Hospital today became the first in North America to use a novel blood-cleaning procedure for a kidney patient that will allow him to receive a transplant from a donor with a different blood type.

Transplants involving a donor and recipient with different blood types are rare. Most people have natural antibodies in their blood that would cause their immune system to reject an organ from someone with a different blood type.

The procedure used today is called plasmapheresis and is similar to kidney dialysis, which removes waste products from the blood. Plasmapheresis separates plasma from patient’s blood, and runs it through a column-shaped device containing synthetic carbohydrate beads that trap the blood group antibodies. Continue reading →

Banana Plantations Threatened by Fungal Disease

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About four million tons of bananas are imported into the EU each year. A fungal disease is now threatening banana plantations, and plant breeders have not yet succeeded in developing resistant cultivars. Many hope that genetic engineering can offer a solution. At this point, such projects are still only in the greenhouse.

Monocultures offer the perfect conditions for the spreading of pests and diseases. In this respect, bananas are no different from any other crop.

Back in the 50s, the most common banana variety, Gros Michel, was completely wiped-out by what was known as Panama disease. This disease was caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum, also called fusarium wilt. Gros Michel was replaced by a resistant southern Chinese variety called Cavendish. Continue reading →

Introducing – Yellow Dock?

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Other Names: Rumex crispus

Yellow dock is native to Europe and Asia and grows throughout North America as a common weed. In Europe, it’s cultivated as a vegetable. The part used medicinally is the root.

Yellow dock comes in capsule, tincture, tea and dried herb forms.

Why Do People Use Yellow Dock

In traditional herbal medicine, yellow dock is thought to be a general health tonic.

Yellow dock is thought to benefit the digestive tract, liver and skin. One of its primary uses by herbalists is for skin conditions associated with poor digestion, poor liver function or “toxicity”.

Yellow dock has a mild laxative effect, due to constituents called anthraquinone glycosides. It appears to stimulate the release of bile and digestive enzymes.

  • Poor digestion
  • Skin conditions
  • Mild constipation
  • Liver detox

Safety

Yellow dock may cause mild diarrhea in some people. Call your health practitioner if you experience abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting.

Yellow dock should not be used by people taking drugs that decrease blood calcium, such as diuretics, Dilantin, Miacalcin, or Mithracin.

Yellow dock should not be used by people with kidney disease, liver disease, or an electrolyte abnormality.

Excessive use of yellow dock can cause a blood disorder called metabolic acidosis and life-threatening calcium deficiency in the blood. Call your health practitioner if you experience signs of low blood calcium, such as fatigue, seizures, confusion, muscle spasms, and numbness around the mouth.

Yellow dock should not be used by pregnant or nursing women.