Scientists discover molecular secrets of 2,000-year-old Chinese herbal remedy

For roughly two thousand years, Chinese herbalists have treated Malaria using a root extract, commonly known as Chang Shan, from a type of hydrangea that grows in Tibet and Nepal. More recent studies suggest that halofuginone, a compound derived from this extract's bioactive ingredient, could be used to treat many autoimmune disorders as well. Now, researchers from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine have discovered the molecular secrets behind this herbal extract's power.

some amazing news.
some people have the tendency to downplay alternative healing methods and remedies.

those people mostly have something to gain from saying those things.
Big Pharma or people representing them.

this is a win for alternative (chinese) medicine.

let's read on.

It turns out that halofuginone (HF) triggers a stress-response pathway that blocks the development of a harmful class of immune cells, called Th17 cells, which have been implicated in many autoimmune disorders.

"HF prevents the autoimmune response without dampening immunity altogether," said Malcolm Whitman, a professor of developmental biology at Harvard School of Dental Medicine and senior author on the new study. "This compound could inspire novel therapeutic approaches to a variety of autoimmune disorders."

"This study is an exciting example of how solving the molecular mechanism of traditional herbal medicine can lead both to new insights into physiological regulation and to novel approaches to the treatment of disease," said Tracy Keller, an instructor in Whitman's lab and the first author on the paper.

rest of the article


ETA:

some great information about the herb

source: Yahoo Answers (with links)

Here's a breakdown of the process, now that we've isolated the "miracle":

In about two, years, this chemical compound will be patented, locked away, and reproduced on a mass scale for which we will pay with tax money, and after which we will have to pay out the butt just to LOOK at, while the rich profit off of the mass scramble to get a piece, and the poor suffer because "Oh, this miracle isn't covered by your insurance."

Welcome to the corporate containment of ancient medicinal miracles, people. Say good bye to Chinese remedies.

Power to the people! As an avid supplement consumer, there are many personal benefits to taking vitamin/dietary/herbal supplements in moderation. The FDA and big pharmaceutical want you hooked on the generic prescriptions that are derived of synthetic chemicals which go through preliminary trials and must work a minimum of 56% to pass through more screenings. FFS, it takes much more effort to generate chemicals and synthetic medication and they're semi pricey because of the labor involved in creating these inorganic compounds.

I was diagnosed with a small case of tonsillitis a few months ago and my internist recommended I go on anti-biotics; I said I prefer not to and declined the prescription. I started taking Ester-C 1000mg and Oregano buffered 500mg daily with my several other supplements....In 5 days, my fever and swelling of my tonsils were gone, I swear. My internist was impressed and asked if I had any interest in alternative medicine, and I currently attend Stony Brook university so anything is possible in the realms of medicine.

Thanks for the interesting article and your interest in alternative medicine

reply to post by sgspecial19

I was diagnosed with a small case of tonsillitis a few months ago and my internist recommended I go on anti-biotics; I said I prefer not to and declined the prescription. I started taking Ester-C 1000mg and Oregano buffered 500mg daily with my several other supplements....In 5 days, my fever and swelling of my tonsils were gone, I swear. My internist was impressed and asked if I had any interest in alternative medicine, and I currently attend Stony Brook university so anything is possible in the realms of medicine.

Thanks for the interesting article and your interest in alternative medicine

thanks you for your interesting story.

i'd always like to keep up to date on these things.

most of them i even print out and put them in an organized folder.

so i can always review them later, sort of like my own alternative medicine book

reply to post by Starchild23

Welcome to the corporate containment of ancient medicinal miracles, people. Say good bye to Chinese remedies.

i don't believe it's a struggle to obtain this specific herb.

from what i've read it's pretty common. (in certain regions though)

reply to post by kn0wh0w


GREAT catch!

...I hate to think how much wisdom we've dismissed and lost through hubris.

Originally posted by soficrow
reply to post by kn0wh0w

 

GREAT catch!

...I hate to think how much wisdom we've dismissed and lost through hubris.

i don´t even want to know.

and how much knowledgde is being surpressed..