Injoi’s Weblog

Doing well in our fast-paced world requires lots of brain power, good memory, and fast response time. We know good diet, fresh air, exercise and rest are essential. We also know that doesn’t always happen. As we grow older, many of us seek ways to keep our brains fresh and our energy strong.

Yet all too often we overlook the basics of long-term health in our search for a quick boost. The popularity of caffeine and sugar-laden drinks, and shelves full of drugs and pharmaceutical products attest to this. Here’s the good news.

Herbs that are Neuroprotective, Cell Protective

You can find enormously protective and effective brain support in nature’s own medicine cabinet — the rainforest. The rainforest herbs in Elephant Elixir are especially effective in protecting brain cells, improving memory, and combating the effects of aging.

Herbs that are Anti-aging

What makes these herbs anti-aging? If you protect brain cells from breaking down and aging, you protect the body as well. This in turn improves memory and supports the immune system to help the body from falling ill. These specialized cell protective qualities keep our minds sharper and help our bodies retain a youthful elasticity.

The Amazon Rainforest Herbs of Elephant Elixir

• Samambaia (Polypodium decumanum): Many types of ferns are found in traditional medicine around the world and most share similarities. Samambaia is typical in that as a medicinal fern it is valued as a tonic, blood cleanser (to detoxify the body), upper respiratory healer and immune system support. It is also used in treating psoriasis. Unique to samambaia and the reason it is the main ingredient inElephant Elixir, is its ability to protect brain cells. In 1997, a U.S. patent was filed on a samambaia leaf and rhizome extract capable of treating brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The patent and several in vivo studies found samambaia protects against brain cell degeneration, promotes repair of damaged brain cells, and has a protective effect on brain cells. Anapsos (brand name) is used now in Europe for the treatment of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

• Cat’s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa): Uña de gato, literally cat’s claw, refers to the large claw-like thorns along this large woody vine. Uña de gato has been used medicinally for at least 2,000 years and is prized among herbal remedies. Since the 1970’s cat’s claw has been researched in almost every industrialized country. These studies validate many of the traditional uses and offer hope in treating ailments common to N. Americans. Some of them include chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, lupus, inflammatory conditions, cancer, and intestinal disorders. One reason it is so adaptable is that it is one of a handful of plants that are “adaptogenic,” — in some unknown way these plants are able to restore the normal functions of an organ or a system. Cat’s claw is added to Elephant Elixir because of its cell protective qualities. It also adds a deeply supportive organ tonic and immune support.

• Sarsasparilla (Smilax officinalis): A long woody vine, sarsaparilla, like cat’s claw, is also ‘adaptogenic.’ It is in Elephant Elixir because the sarsaparilla root is highly valued for its cell-protective abilities, and is considered neuroprotective – i.e. it protects brain cells. Sarsasparilla root is also a tonic, and supports additional energy by toning, balancing, and strengthening overall body functions. Sarsasparilla root has also been used for centuries in South America to treat other ailments including rheumatism, digestive problems and hypertension.

• Muira Puama (Ptychopetalum olacoides): A small tree native to the Brazilian rainforest, muira puama is also called potency wood for its longstanding use in treating impotence. Historically muira puama has been used to treat many types of ailments, and many of its indigenous uses have been validated through research. The latest research confirms muira puama’s traditional use as an aid for memory and nervous disorders, which is why it is included in Elephant Elixir. Brazilian researchers reported in 2003 that an alcohol extract of muira puama facilitated memory retrieval in both young and aged mice and noted its potential benefits for Alzheimer’s patients.

• Catuaba (Erythroxlyum catuaba): A small fast growing tree, catuaba is native to the Amazon rainforest of northern Brazil. It is the best known of all Brazilian aphrodisiac plants. It is included in Elephant Elixir because it reduces forgetfulness and improves poor memory. Catuaba is also valued for its tonic abilities and use in general fatigue and exhaustion. It is considered healthy for the central nervous system and its ability to reduce anxiety.

Herbs that Strengthen the Brain

Together, the five herbs in Elephant Elixir are an ideal combination for strengthening the vital functions of the brain as well as supporting the body’s all-important central nervous system and immune system. Our brains are more than the processor of a super-computer. They are also the great balancer of emotions and spirit. By protecting our brain cells we can expect improved health and well being. We can look to high octane performance from our body, mind and spirit.

The Importance of Protecting against Brain Cell Loss

Protecting the brain and the body’s cells is very important. Often our diets and lives today include harmful additives and lack the proper nutrition that can protect our brain cells. This can potentially lead to debilitating conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease and dementia later in life.

One of the natural side effects of aging is a loss of brain cells leading to memory loss, a loss of focus as well as difficulties in sharp thinking. The brain is the most complicated organ in our body and the aging process loses brain cells rapidly; like 30,000 to 50,000 each day! Elephant Elixir helps to reduce loss of these all important brain cells and fights against the aging process.

The result is clearer thinking, increased memory and sharper brain function.Protecting our cells from the aging process is important throughout our lives. If you remember Elephant Elixirit will help you remember a clearer and sharper life!

Many people are just finding out that there are several herbs found in the rainforest that have positive effects on arthritis and help guard against the pain and the swelling associated with arthritis. When these rainforest herbs are used to treat ailments the body gets the benefits of the whole leaf, bark, root or even the whole plant. The active portion in the herb is surrounded by supplemental components that buffer ill effects and boost active properties.

People throughout history have used plants for medicinal purposes and many cultures continue to use natural methods for healing and health. Herbal remedies offer strong healing and health benefits while avoiding many dangerous and at times life threatening side effects.

The use of rainforest herbs such as the herbs in Leaping Lizard offer many positive benefits including relief from the symptomatic pain of arthritis. Pain, swelling and inflammation as well as stiffness and joint pain can be controlled by using these natural rainforest herbs.

The rainforest herbs that are essential and beneficial to arthritis have been specifically formulated into Leaping Lizard.

• Tayuya: A woody vine found in the Amazon rainforest, Tayuya has been used since pre-historic times to treat pain of many causes.Tayuya was the first recorded herbal drug in the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia.

• Iporuru: A shrubby tree that grows in the flood plains of the Amazon River system in Peru. Iporuru bark and leaves have been used for centuries to treat muscle pain, arthritis and rheumatism. Iporuru can be found in markets and pharmacies in Peru as an arthritis remedy.

• Chuchuhuasi: An enormous canopy tree, Chuchuhuasi is native to the tropical rainforest. The bark of the Chuchuhuasi has been used for centuries medicinally. The Peruvian name for Chuchuhuasi means ‘trembling back’ and has been used throughout history for back aches and arthritis pain. Chuchuhuasi also offers a natural energy that natives use on the long treks through the rainforest.

• Cat’s Claw: A large woody vine with claw-like thorn, to which the name is derived, should not be confused with other herbs not from the rainforest that share the name. Rainforest Cat’s Claw has been used for at least 2,000 years in the Peruvian forest to treat many ailments including rheumatism. Cat’s Claw is found to be useful in many applications and is considered to be the ‘opener of the way’.

• Sarsaparilla: A long brambled woody vine, Sarsaparilla should not be confused with the large Sasparilla and Sassafras trees that are used to flavor root beer. Sarsaparilla root has been used for centuries in South America to treat ailments including rheumatism, digestive ailments and hypertension. Additionally Sarsaparilla improves the immune system and stimulates the nerves.

• Amor Seco: A weedy tall herb with bean-like pods, Amor Seco grows in open forests and along the road sides near the rainforest. Amor Seco is called ‘Strong Back’ in Brazil where it is used to treat back aches, pains and inflammation.

These herbs are combined to create Leaping Lizard, which has helped many people find relief from the discomfort of arthritis pain and swelling. The rainforest herbs in Leaping Lizard are bettering the lives of consumers like you.

Herbal Remedy Supports Relief from Pain and Arthritis

Arthritis, the leading cause of disability in people over fifty, is a group of conditions that cause damage to the joints of the body. All forms of arthritis cause pain however the pain patterns vary. Most also cause a degree of stiffness and at times deformity and the inability to perform even simple day-to-day tasks.

There are different types of arthritis and causes of arthritis though most are treated similarly in Western medicine. One recommendation that seems widely accepted is to get regular exercise. Keep moving to lubricate the joints. Beyond that, herbal and allopathic approaches differ. Western medicine uses a number of drugs to help control inflammation and pain. Most prescription drugs are derived from plants but extract out one active component only.

The Importance of the Whole Plant in Healing

Herbal medicine works with the whole plant to provide the same relief, but in a more balanced way. Plants’ healing qualities are supported, balanced and strengthened by the surrounding components. By throwing these out we can negate many positive protections and buffers to protect us from potential harm. Leaping Lizard rainforest herbs combine the right herbs to target the afflictions and joint pain associated with arthritis and protect against harmful side effects.

The only danger with Leaping Lizard is you might find yourself performing activities you haven’t done for a long time making people wonder if you are reliving your youth.

Yes, weight control without dieting!  No diets at all? How is that possible! Well, have you tried dieting? If you’ve tried one diet you’ve probably tried many diets. Perhaps you’ve tried other means of weight control. If you’re like most of us who want to lose weight, you’ve probably tried workouts, fads, supplements and diets over and over and still the weight keeps coming back.  If that’s your story it puts you in the 98 percent tile of people who have tried diets. Once you get that diets won’t work because they don’t get to the root of the problem you can begin to find alternatives to diets. Learn alternatives to dieting and you can find easy ways to keep the weight off now, tomorrow and forever.

Let’s start with five simple things you can do:

1. STOP BEATING YOURSELF UP. Stop it right now. Every time you look in the mirror and tell yourself: “My belly is disgusting,” or “OMG, that’s a triple chin!” you reinforce exactly that image of yourself. It’s like feeding a monster. With each meal of negative self-talk it gets stronger.

2. MAKE NICE. Use self-talk to your advantage. You know you talk to yourself anyway. Change the words to ones that make you feel good instead of bad. Every time that voice creeps in override it with the opposite. “My belly is round and soft.” “I love my face!”

3. TRUST IN REPETITION. Use repetition to help you meet your goals. You may find yourself doubting your ‘opposite speak’ technique. That’s not because it’s false, it’s because it’s new. How many times did you use the nasty stuff? Keep at it over and over until it feels right. Because eventually it must — that’s the power of repetition.

4. IMAGINE YOUR GOALS IN DETAIL. In place of negative self-talk use positive images over and over to clarify, crystallize and reinforce your weight goals. Imagine little details. Imagine them with each of your senses. Allow yourself to get excited. Actually force yourself to get excited! That’s how you you make it real to yourself.

5. ENJOY WHAT YOU EAT. Wow. Point 5 and I’m finally mentioning food. But only to encourage you to allow yourself to thoroughly savor every bite.  Fact is, if you’ve dieted you already know what’s good for you and what isn’t. Now sit comfortably, eat slowly, chew well, and enjoy, knowing what you’re doing is good for you. You probably haven’t done that in a long, long time.

For more tips on health, check out www.OnePlanetHerbs.com

I’m reading Nicole Maxwell’s book Witch Doctor’s Apprentice — from 1962. One tough white girl! So far my favorit part is where she took a fall in waist-high mud and to save her camera wrenched her shoulder. Out of defensive pride she immediately got up and kept going, despite excruciating pain. A squeeky sound she couldn’t identify kept bothering her.  It wasn’t until she realized she wasn’t walking anymore, but had collapsed on the ground and was being helped up that she realized it was her own outbreath. Her native guide helped her. This is a woman who spent her life working on the identification of healing herbs. While the pharmaceutical industry jerked her around and gave her no support, the world was waitingl. So she lived out her life recognized for the great pathfinder she was.

Saw Juno tonight.  How can anyone not 16 capture the essence of the child/woman, boy/man of that age in life?  Tender sprouts searching for their own way to the sun. Struggling through the forest of bigger trees and leaves too many to count. Blocks perhaps to the light they need to grow true and strong.  The real dangers are in the trees that may look like any other, but are dead inside. One day they will blow over in a storm, taking with it anything in the path of their fall. Their dead weight can crush a tender sapling.  Or if it survives the damaged sapling’s course can turn to narrow twists and stunted growth, never reaching the light it was meant to feel. Some day in an undreamt of future brought on by the endless turns of the wheel, they in turn become the danger.

It was all in that simple tale.

i have now jumped into the stratosphere of the blogosphere. Old Chinese medicine ways say my small intestine is having a fit! So many choices my poor little prime minister doesn’t know which way to send the information.

Meanwhile life here in Walla Walla (aka Walla2) continues at the glacial pace of wine-loving, hick town offset by hip college town America.  I’m trying to cool my head with gentlifying herbs as I figure out which part of town I belong in.