Holistic Path

A cancer patient credits his morning glass of broccoli juice with halting the disease. Ray Wiseman's claim has prompted more research into the vegetable's healing powers. Doctors told Mr Wiseman they did not expect him to survive, when they diagnosed him five years ago.

Green magic: Ray Wiseman with his wife Joan

But scans show that his cancer has stopped spreading - vastly improving his chances of a recovery. The grandfather, 79, puts his health down to the tumbler of broccoli juice that his wife prepares for him each day.
Mr Wiseman, who lives in Braunstone, Leicestershire, said: 'I take this juice every day. I know it's done me good. 'I suppose it would be the same for everybody.'
His wife Joan, 72, started giving him the juice after a friend told her about the healing benefits of green vegetables. For each half-tumbler dose she combines a head of broccoli with some apples and carrots to improve the taste.
She said: 'We believe my husband's incredible luck is down to broccoli. I hope our experience can help other cancer sufferers. 'The juice is a mess to make but it's something we have been happy to clear up. He now just takes it as second nature. 'If anybody else's husband is suffering from cancer and they are not getting on too well, it could help them.' Scientists from Cancer Research UK have asked her for the recipe, to further study the vegetable's benefits.

Recent medical studies have highlighted the possible cancer-beating powers of broccoli. British scientists at the Institute of Food Research found that men who ate one daily portion had altered patterns of gene activity in their prostates, suggesting that the chemicals in the vegetable might be able to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. According to a report published in the British Journal of Cancer in 2006, natural chemicals found in certain vegetables, such as broccoli-cauliflower and cabbage, can enhance DNA repair in cells, which could help stop them becoming cancerous.
A spokesman for Cancer Research UK said: 'There's a lot of research that's focused on broccoli and the healing properties that the vegetable contains. 'If taken, broccoli needs to be with a healthy diet that is high in all fruit and vegetables. 'This can also reduce the chances of developing cancer.' Around 10,000 are diagnosed with bladder cancer every year in the UK . It is the fifth most common form of the disease and affects more men than women. A member of the cabbage family, broccoli is rich in vitamin C and has properties that boost the human immune systems that fight viruses, bacteria and cancer.
Studies have found that boiling broccoli can reduce its anti-cancer compounds, but steaming and microwaving do not.

Natural Strategies For Supporting Women's Monthly Cycle
Tuesday, January 30, 2007 - 12:35pm
By Wendy Hodsdon, ND
Why are cycles so important? In nature, we recognize the importance of cycles. We see the cycle of the sun in a day and the moon in a month. The cycle of a year is reflected in seasons, and the cycle of ocean tides change daily, monthly and yearly. Cycles allow for change and balance.

Humans have cycles too. The heartbeat, breath, sleeping times and eating times are all expressions of the rhythmic cycles of the body. Human hormones also fluctuate in response to cycles. Cortisol is highest in the morning, growth hormone highest at night. Melatonin is secreted in relation to light exposure. Monthly, women’s hormones change according to the pattern of their menstrual cycle. The regularity of a cycle is our body’s normal functioning with nature’s rhythms. Cycles have a flow and momentum that allow our fluid human body to move, change and adapt more easily.
Menstruation and cycles
Animals, other than humans, do not have obvious monthly menstrual cycles. Menstruation most likely started when humans began to walk upright and the female pelvis became smaller, making childbirth more dangerous. Women needed a way to know that they were pregnant because of the risk involved in childbirth. Our menses is thus a sign of our evolution as a species.
Monthly bleeding has other benefits as well. The body uses menstruation to eliminate toxins, and therefore, it acts as a natural monthly cleansing. The hormones in women’s bodies help to keep bones strong and skin soft and resilient. Women often feel emotions more intensely and are more connected to their body right before or during menstruation. When a woman’s body is in hormonal balance, her period is a gentle, natural process and a blessing. However, too often women regard their period as an inconvenience and a mess. Periods are associated with mood swings, bloating, tender breasts and cramps. All these are not “normal,” but are signs that a body is out of hormonal balance. When a woman listens to what her body needs during her cycle, the physical symptoms often become less severe. Menstruation can be a time for rest and recuperation.
Ways to support your menstrual cycle
It is possible to support the body’s hormonal balance by supporting its cycles. During the first 14 days of a woman’s cycle, her body is making more estrogen. During days 15 until menstruation, the predominant hormone is progesterone.
To support these hormones and keep the liver functioning well, it is a good idea to avoid toxins that put an extra load on the hormone processing and elimination system. This can be as easy as making sure to drink enough water; reducing caffeine, alcohol and food allergens; and taking essential fatty acids on a rotating basis. Essential fatty acids are some of the building blocks the body uses to make hormones. To support the hormonal system, take fish oil days one to 14 of your cycle and fish oil plus evening primrose oil days 15 to 28 of your cycle. Rotational hormonal support can also be done with two tablespoons of ground flax or pumpkin seeds days one to 14 and ground sesame or sunflower seeds day 15 to 28. The seeds and oil taken during days 1 to 14 support estrogen; during 15 to 28, they support progesterone. The fiber in the seeds also helps the body to eliminate the hormones from the body at the appropriate time.
Listen to your body and recognise your cycle
Noticing your body’s cycles and the unique rhythm your body has though the years can be extremely enlightening and empowering. Try keeping track of when you menstruate, noting what cycle the moon is in when you do, what your mood is, what vaginal discharge is present. Can you notice when you ovulate? Can you tell which ovary releases the egg? Can you tell when menstruation will start? How do your cycles affect your sex drive? What happens to your premenstrual symptoms when you go on a cleanse or have a partner? Is there a time of year when your cycle is easier or more difficult? Notice how your body expresses cycles just as nature expresses cycles.
By observing your menstrual cycles, you can begin to see yourself connected to nature’s rhythms. These natural cycles are powerful in your body. Through constant movement, adjustments and changes, the body keeps from being stuck and allows for constant cleansing and renewal.

How to avoid loving a jerk

By Tina Tessina


You're fresh out of a disaster, and you are terrified of the thought of dating again, but you're going to try anyway. Good for you! Here are some guidelines to help you avoid repeating old mistakes:

Pay attention! You have things to learn here! The most important aspect of this date, in addition to having a good time, is to get to know each other better. No matter how excited, turned on or thrilled you may be about this date, listening to what your date says, watching what your date does and understanding how your date feels are still your primary objectives.

What your date thinks of you is not your business. Your business is what you think of your date. One of the easiest ways to lose your objectivity and balance in this is to worry about what your date thinks about you. If you spend your time essentially trying to look at yourself through your date's eyes, guessing what he or she is seeing when looking at you, or hearing when listening to you, you'll miss what's really happening. You're supposed to be evaluating the other person, not pretending to look at yourself through his or her eyes. Pay attention so you know what YOU think of your date.

Look for integrity – make sure your date walks his or her talk. Anyone can talk big. Actually, some of the best people don't present themselves well - don't overlook someone who is not gorgeous, charming and glib, but has all the qualities you really need in a partner.

Be very consistent and careful about your sexual safety. Until the relationship progresses to the point that you become monogamous, and both have been tested for STD's, be careful. The nicest people can be infected with a disease and not even know they have it. If you have had unprotected sex, have your doctor do a screening for STD's. Don't assume your partner is monogamous - especially if you haven't discussed it in detail.

Know the signs of emotional blackmail:


A demand: Your date won't take "no" for an answer, and requests are really demands.


Resistance: When every discussion turns into an argument.


Pressure: Your date pressures you to go along.


Threats: Your date uses threatening or coercing tactics: threatening to end the relationship, tears, rage, badgering. Hopefully, because you've thought about the serious issues in advance, you'll still be able to relax and have a good time - so good, that you decide to keep dating each other. Then, you'll need a whole new set of skills.


From "The Unofficial Guide to Dating Again" by Tina Tessina

High in fibre, barley is also a kidney cleanser.. Better yet, regular intake of it helps prevent heart disease.

BARLEY water was always a regular drink when we were still living at home.
Whenever we had to go for a medical exam that included a urine test, my
mum would make us drink barley water a day before it to make sure we got a
positive result!

My mother was a wise woman. I later found out from an Australian
naturopath that barley is known to be a kidney cleanser, and he happily
downed glasses of it at a meal we had in a coffeeshop here.

Barley is good for your intestinal health too. Try to eat the barley
grains you find in your drink or sweet broth with fu chook (beancurd skin)
and ginkgo nuts.

It's high in fibre which feeds the friendly bacteria in the colon and
helps speed up the transit of fecal matter in it. In this way it helps
prevent haemorrhoids and colon cancer.

The propionic acid and beta glucan from barley's insoluble fibre also help
lower cholesterol and prevent the formation of gallstones.

Eating barley regularly is a preventive step against heart disease as,
besides the fibre content, it is also high in niacin, a B vitamin good for
lowering cholesterol.

Diabetics should eat more barley as the fibre will prevent blood sugar
levels from rising too high. It also provides relief from constipation or
diarrhoea for those suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Barley is rich in selenium which prevents cancer and relieves symptoms of
asthma and arthritis. It is a good source of manganese, copper and phosphorous.

Malt sugar comes from sprouted barley which, when fermented, is an ingredient in beer and other alcoholic beverages.

Barley, whose Latin name is Hordeum vulgare, has been cultivated for more than 10,000 years.

Since ancient times, barley has been used for healing purposes and has
been known to the Chinese, Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. Athletes in
Greece and Rome in those days were known to eat barley bread to give them
strength.

Besides the usual things we do with barley, I enjoy having it in a western
soup. The larger pearl barley is used and I love the sticky bite of it.

Here's a recipe for barley soup:

Barley soup with roasted garlic

1 cup pearl barley

5 cloves whole garlic, roasted

2 litres chicken stock, steeped from 1?chicken breasts simmered in three
litres water

2 tbsps vegetable oil

2 large onions, diced

2 carrots, diced

2 stalks celery, diced

150g turkey ham, cut up

1 tsp ground white pepper

1 tsps sea salt or to taste

1 tbsp chopped parsley

Method

1. Wash barley and soak it in a bowl of water for three hours. Drain.

2. Heat oil in pan and fry onions. Add carrots and celery, then the barley and fry for three minutes.

3. Add chicken stock, pepper and roasted garlic and simmer over low heat
for at least an hour, or until barley is soft.

4. Add salt to taste and serve the soup garnished with chopped parsley.

http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/slideshow1_ss_repair_20071116_350/17

If something has a value to it, then treat it in that way. And what happens is many people get caught holding onto memory stuff or I-might-need-it-one-day stuff," Peter says. "And if you don't create the life you want, if you don't create the home you want, who will? And that's what this comes down to. [Oprah] keeps saying, live your best life. But it's also about, create your best life. I think that's what we've seen here. And that's the lesson for everyone. Stuff has a promise. But go for life. Don't go for the stuff."

http://zenhabits.net/2007/01/zen-mind-how-to-declutter/

A Cancer Killer in your Kitchen

By John Susan Saradon.

The powerful healing effects of ginger have been well documented. It's a proven remedy for upset stomach. Reams of studies show that it inhibits inflamation. And there is substantial evidence that it fights cancer, too.

For instance, a recent University of Michigan study showed that when ginger was added to ovarian cancer cells in the laboratory, it caused the cancer cells to self-destruct (a process known as 'apoptosis').

In a separate study at the University of Minnesota, researchers injected colon cancer cells into mice that were bred to have no immune system.Half of these mice were routinely fed gingerol, the main active component in ginger. The researchers found that the mice that were fed gingerol lived longer, their tumours were smaller, and the cancer did not spread as widely as in the control group.

With all these health benefits, you should be using ginger as often as you can. The best way I've found to get a healthy serving of ginger is to juice it. Two or three days a week, I juice an apple or two, some carrots, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, and a big piece of ginger root. The ginger gives the drink a great flavour and a powerful anti-cancer kick. I highly recommend that you try it.

ADVICE FROM UKM MEDICAL DOCTOR Little* did you know ...... after
reading THIS, you'll NEVER look at * petai * in the same way again!
* Petai * contains three natural sugars -sucrose, fructose and glucose.
Combined with fiber, petai gives an instant, sustained and substantial
boost of energy. Research has proved that just two servings of petai
provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder
petai is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But
energy isn't the only way petai can help us keep fit. It can also
help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and
conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet. * Depression: *
According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND among people suffering
from depression, many felt much better after eating petai. This is
because petai contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body
converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood
and generally make you feel happier. * PMS(premenstrual syndrome): *
Forget the pills - eat petai. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood
glucose levels, which can affect your mood. * Anaemia: *
High in iron, petai can stimulate the production of haemoglobin in the
blood and so helps in cases of anaemia. * * *Blood Pressure: *
This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in
salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US
Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the petai industry to make
official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood
pressure and stroke. * * *
Brain Power : *
200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through
their exams this year by eating petai at breakfast, break, and lunch
in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the
potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.
* * *
Constipation: *
High in fiber, including petai in the diet can help restore normal
bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to
laxatives. * * *
Hangovers: *
One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a petai
milkshake, sweetened with honey. The petai calms the stomach and, with
the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the
milk soothes and re-hydrates your system. *
Heartburn: *
Petai has a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from
heartburn, try eating petai for soothing relief. * * *
Morning Sickness * :
Snacking on petai between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up
and avoid morning sickness. * * *
Mosquito bites * :
Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected
area with the inside of the petai skin. Many people find it amazingly
successful at reducing swelling and irritation. * * *
Nerves: *
Petai is high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system. * * *
Overweight: (*obesity)
Studies at the 'urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags' /> Institute of Psychology
in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food
like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients,
researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure
jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings,
we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high
carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady. * * *
Ulcers: *
Petai is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because
of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can
be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes
over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the
stomach. * * *
Temperature control * :
Many other cultures see petai as a 'cooling' fruit that can lower both
the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In
holland, for example, pregnant women eat petai to ensure their baby is
born with a cool temperature. * * *

The Healthy Varieties of Herbal Teas

Aromatic and chock full of amazing health benefits, herbal teas are made from various leaves, roots, bark, or flowers. Here are just a few:

• Ginger: Soothes the digestive system and keeps your energy fired up
• Chamomile: Settles the stomach and is calming and soothing for the nervous system
• Peppermint: Increases healthy gastric secretions, relaxes the intestines, and settles the stomach
• Dandelion: Detoxifies and supports healthy liver functions
• Valerian: A natural herbal substitute for sleeping pills

Date updated: December 14, 2006

Content provided by Cleveland Clinic Caregiver burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that may be accompanied by a change in attitude -- from positive and caring to negative and unconcerned. Burnout can occur when caregivers don't get the help they need or if they try to do more than they are able -- either physically or financially. Caregivers who are "burned out" may experience fatigue, stress, anxiety, and depression. Many caregivers also feel guilty if they spend time on themselves rather than on their ill or elderly loved ones.What are the symptoms of caregiver burnout?The symptoms of caregiver burnout are similar to the symptoms of stress and depression. They include:

• Withdrawal from friends, family, and other loved ones
• Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed
• Feeling blue, irritable, hopeless, and helpless
• Changes in appetite, weight, or both
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Getting sick more often
• Feelings of wanting to hurt yourself or the person for whom you are caring
• Emotional and physical exhaustion
• Irritability

What causes caregiver burnout?Caregivers often are so busy caring for others that they tend to neglect their own emotional, physical, and spiritual health. The demands on a caregiver's body, mind, and emotions can easily seem overwhelming, leading to fatigue and hopelessness -- and, ultimately, burnout. Other factors that can lead to caregiver burnout include:

• Role confusion -- Many people are confused when thrust into the role of caregiver. It can be difficult for a person to separate her role as caregiver from her role as spouse, lover, child, friend, etc.
• Unrealistic expectations -- Many caregivers expect their involvement to have a positive effect on the health and happiness of the patient. This may be unrealistic for patients suffering from a progressive disease, such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's.
• Lack of control -- Many caregivers become frustrated by a lack of money, resources, and skills to effectively plan, manage, and organize their loved one's care.
• Unreasonable demands -- Some caregivers place unreasonable burdens upon themselves, in part because they see providing care as their exclusive responsibility. Some family members such as siblings, adult children, or the patient himself/herself may place unreasonable demands on the caregiver. These individuals also may disregard their own responsibilities and place burdens on the person identified as primary caregiver.
• Other factors -- Many caregivers cannot recognize when they are suffering burnout and eventually get to the point where they cannot function effectively. They may even become sick themselves.

How can I prevent burnout?Here are some steps you can take to help prevent caregiver burnout:

• Find someone you trust -- such as a friend, co-worker, or neighbor -- to talk to about your feelings and frustrations.
• Set realistic goals, accept that you may need help with caregiving, and turn to others for help with some tasks. Local organizations or places or worship may provide support groups (either in person or online) for caregivers or family members of those suffering from diseases such as cancer or Alzheimer's. These organizations may also provide respite care to allow the caregiver to have time away from the patient.
• Take advantage of respite care services. Respite care provides a temporary break for caregivers. This can range from a few hours of in-home care to a short stay in a nursing home or assisted living facility.
• Be realistic about your loved one's disease, especially if it is a progressive disease such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's. Acknowledge that there may come a time when the patient requires nursing services or assisted living outside the family home.
• Don't forget about yourself because you're too busy caring for someone else. Set aside time for yourself, even if it's just an hour or two. Remember, taking care of yourself is not a luxury. It is an absolute necessity for caregivers.
• Talk to a professional. Most therapists, social workers, and clergy members are trained to counsel individuals dealing with a wide range of physical and emotional issues.
  Know your limits and be honest with yourself about your personal situation. Recognize and accept your potential for caregiver burnout.
• Educate yourself. The more you know about the illness, the more effective you will be in caring for the person with the illness.
• Develop new tools for coping. Remember to lighten up and accentuate the positive. Use humor to help deal with everyday stresses.
• Stay healthy by eating right and getting plenty of exercise and sleep.
• Accept your feelings. Having negative feelings -- such as frustration or anger -- about your responsibilities or the person for whom you are caring is normal. It does not mean you are a bad person or a bad caregiver.
• Join a caregiver support group. Sharing your feelings and experiences with others in the same situation can help you manage stress, locate helpful resources, and reduce feelings of frustration and isolation.

Children of mentally ill parents may also experience added difficulties as adults. These may include:

Relationship difficulties:

• difficulty in initiating relationships, and experiencing feelings of isolation
• difficulty in romantic relationships
• difficulty in maintaining friendships
• difficulty with trusting self and others
• difficulty balancing level of intimacy (excessive dependence or excessive avoidance)
• difficulty balancing taking care of self and taking care of others
  
  Emotional difficulties:
• guilt, resentment
• shame, embarrassment
• depression
• fear of inheriting parent's mental illness
• fear of discovery by partner, friends
• inability to express anger constructively, angry outbursts or repressed anger
• confusion about one's own identity
• negative outlook on life
• inability to deal with life unless it is chaotic or in crisis
• overly responsible or irresponsible in many areas of life such as commitments, money, alcohol, relationships, etc.
• self defeating thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors such as "I don't matter; I'm not worth much; It's no use trying."
• self defeating themes involving a tendency to equate achievement with worth as a person, such as: "Maybe I can matter if I can excel at something, be perfect in school, my job, my relationships. But if I fail, I'm worthless and it's terrible."

If you are experiencing any of these difficulties, you are not alone. It is helpful to recognize that these problematic feelings and behaviors helped you to cope and survive the more vulnerable years of childhood. Your recognition that they limit your life choices as an adult is the beginning of your search for more rewarding and functional ways of relating.

How You Can Help Yourself:
1. Acknowledge that you have a parent with a mental illness and acknowledge the effects this has had on you.
o acknowledge previously inadmissible feelings such as anger, shame, guilt, etc.
o grieve the parental support you never received.
o remember that you are not responsible for causing your parent's problems or for fixing his/her condition.
2. Develop new ways of taking care of yourself.
o recognize your own legitimate needs and begin taking care of them
o recognize the stressors in your life, and learn ways of managing them.
o replace negative thoughts with more positive statements: &quotI am a worthwhile person. This truth does not depend on my successes or failures. My life has ups and downs, but my worth does not change."
3. Develop new ways of relating to others.
o recognize old unhealthy family patterns of communicating, and practice new ways of relating to parents and other family members.
o recognize the difficulties you have with relationships, and learn new ways of relating to others.
o appreciate and enjoy stability in your relationships, recognizing that relationships don't have to be defined by crisis or dependency.
4. Explore other resources.
Educate yourself about your parent's illness.
This can help you understand what your parent is facing and what has caused problems for your family. It can also aid in relieving your feelings of guilt, resentment, embarrassment, and shame.
Consider seeing a mental health professional.
A counselor can help you understand how your parent's illness impacts your life. Also a counselor can help you learn healthier ways of relating to others and caring for your own needs.
Join a support group.
A support group that addresses your specific situation can help reduce feelings of isolation. Seeking such support can be especially helpful when family members are either uncomfortable with or refuse to acknowledge the problem.

Suggested Readings:
Diner, Sherry H. Nothing to Be Ashamed of: Growing up with Mental Illness in Your Family. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1989.
Duke, Patty. A Brilliant Madness: Living with Manic-Depressive Illness. New York: Bantam Books, 1992.
Forward, Susan. Toxic Parents. New York: Bantam Books, 1990.
Greenberg, Harvey R. Emotional Illness in Your Family: Helping Your Relative, Helping Yourself. New York: Macmillian, 1989.
Walsh, Maryellen. Schizophrenia: Straight Talk for Family and Friends. New York: Morrow, 1985.

With hyperhidrosis, your sympathetic nervous system can be over active even when you are physically at rest. A significant and overlooked cause for this over activity is eating foods that your body cannot tolerate. For example, if your body cannot tolerate dairy products, whenever you eat some, your immune system must work hard to protect your tissues from the harmful effects of whichever components of dairy don’t agree with your body. If your immune system is constantly at work to deal with such food intolerances, your sympathetic nervous system detects this as stress, and activates the mechanisms that are in place to help you during stressful situations, including the production of sweat.

• Presents – if someone gives you an unwanted gift and there is no polite way to refuse, accept gracefully and respect the other person’s feelings. But remember it is your home and if you do not like something, it will drag your spirits down every time you look at it. So dump the guilt and let it go.
  
• Fear - The “what if” thoughts are some of the hardest to deal with. I call these clutter thoughts. I recently bought a new light weight hoover. Then the thought crept into my head, what if the new one breaks down. Perhaps I will keep the old one. But I overcame my wobble and gave away the old one. A useful tip is “one in, one out” If you really feel panicky about letting go of something then store it for 6 months in the loft or shed. Put the date on it. If you haven’t used it in 6 months then give it away.

Lemon Grass prompt cancer cells to commit suicide!
Fresh lemon grass fields in Israel become Mecca for cancer patients by Allison Kaplan Sommer - April 02, 2006

A drink with as little as one gram of lemon grass contains enough citral to prompt cancer cells to commit suicide in the test tube. Israeli researchers find way to make cancer cells self-destruct - Ben Gurion University

At first, Benny Zabidov, an Israeli agriculturalist who grows greenhouses full of lush spices on a pastoral farm in Kfar Yedidya in the Sharon region, couldn't understand why so many cancer patients from around the country were showing up on his doorstep asking for fresh lemon grass. It turned out that their doctors had sent them. 'They had been told to drink eight glasses of hot water with fresh lemon grass steeped in it on the days that they went for their radiation and chemotherapy treatments ,' Zabidov told ISRAEL21c. 'And this is the place you go to in Israel for fresh lemon grass.'

It all began when researchers at Ben Gurion University of the Negev discovered last year that the lemon aroma in herbs like lemon grass kills cancer cells in vitro, while leaving healthy cells unharmed. The research team was led by Dr. Rivka Ofir and Prof. Yakov Weinstein incumbent of the Albert Katz Chair in Cell-Differentiation and Malignant Diseases, from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at BGU.

Citral is the key component that gives the lemony aroma and taste in several herbal plants such as lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus), Melissa (Melissa officinalis) and verbena (Verbena officinalis.)
According to Ofir, the study found that Citral causes cancer cells to 'commit suicide: using apoptosis, a mechanism called programmed cell death.' A drink with as little as one gram of lemon grass contains enough Citral to prompt the cancer cells to commit suicide in the test tube. The BGU investigators checked the influence of the Citral on cancerous cells by adding them to both cancerous cells and normal cells that were grown in a petri dish. The quantity added in the concentrate was equivalent to the amount contained in a cup of regular tea using one gram of lemon herbs in hot water. While the Citral killed the cancerous cells, the normal cells remained unharmed. The findings were published in the scientific journal *Planta Medica* , which highlights research on alternative and herbal remedies.

Shortly afterwards, the discovery was featured in the popular Israeli press. Why does it work? Nobody knows for certain, but the BGU scientists have a theory. In each cell in our body, there is a genetic program which causes programmed cell death. When something goes wrong, the cells divide with no control and become cancer cells. In normal cells, when the cell discovers that the control system is not operating correctly for example, when it recognizes that a cell contains faulty genetic material following cell division - it triggers cell death, ' explains Weinstein. 'This research may explain the medical benefit of these herbs.' The success of their research led them to the conclusion that herbs containing Citral may be consumed as a preventative measure against certain cancerous cells.

As they learned of the BGU findings in the press, many physicians in Israel began to believe that while the research certainly needs to be explored further. In the meantime it would be advisable for their patients, who were looking for any possible tool to fight their condition, to try to harness the cancer-destroying properties of Citral. That's why Zabidov's farm - the only major grower of fresh lemon grass in Israel - has become a pilgrimage destination for these patients. Luckily, they found themselves in sympathetic hands. Zabidov greets visitors with a large kettle of aromatic lemon grass tea, a plate of cookies, and a supportive attitude. 'My father died of cancer, and my wife's sister died young because of cancer,' said Zabidov. 'So I understand what they are dealing with. And I may not know anything about medicine, but I'm a good listener. And so they tell me about their expensive painful treatments and what they've been through. I would never tell them to stop being treated, but it's great that they are exploring alternatives and drinking the lemon grass tea as well.'

Zabidov knew from a young age that agriculture was his calling. At age 14, he enrolled in the Kfar Hayarok Agricultural high school. After his army service, he joined an idealistic group, which headed south, in the Arava desert region, to found a new moshav (agricultural settlement) called Tsofar. 'We were very successful; we raised fruits and vegetables, and,' he notes with a smile, 'We raised some very nice children.' On a trip to Europe in the mid-80s, he began to become interested in herbs. Israel, at the time, was nothing like the trend-conscious cuisine-oriented country it is today, and the only spices being grown commercially were basics like parsley, dill, and coriander. Wandering in the Paris market, looking at the variety of herbs and spices, Zabidov realized that there was a great export potential in this niche. He brought samples back home with him, 'which was technically illegal,' he says with a guilty smile, to see how they would grow in his desert greenhouses.

Soon, he was growing basil, oregano, tarragon, chives, sage, marjoram and melissa, and mint just to name a few. His business began to outgrow his desert facilities, and so he decided to move north, settling in the moshav of Kfar Yedidya, an hour and a half north of Tel Aviv. He is now selling 'several hundred kilos' of lemon grass per week, and has signed with a distributor to package and put it in health food stores. Zabidov has taken it upon himself to learn more about the properties of Citral, and help his customers learn more, and has invited medical experts to his farm to give lectures about how the Citral works and why.

He also felt a responsibility to know what to tell his customers about its use. 'When I realized what was happening, I picked up the phone and called Dr. Weinstein at Ben-Gurion University, because these people were asking me exactly the best way to consume the Citral. He said to put the loose grass in hot water, and drink about eight glasses each day.' Zabidov is pleased by the findings, not simply because it means business for his farm, but because it might influence his own health. Even before the news of its benefits was demonstrated, he and his family had been drinking lemon grass in hot water for years, 'just because it tastes good.'