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Breviscapini/Lifeflower and strokes
Just after Christmas, I suffered from a couple of strokes which have affected my sight and mobility but not my speech. They were caused by a blood clot in the brain so obviously there is some damage there. Is there anything that can help repair those cells?
Formulated from the Chinese herb, Erigeron breviscapinus and sold as Breviscapini, Lifeflower is new to the West but now available in the UK. In clinical trials in China, where it was administered intravenously to stroke patients, over 80% of participants under investigation reported improved brain function.
The reason is it so effective is that as well as having an 85% bioavailability, Lifeflower can cross the blood brain barrier to boost supplies of oxygen and glucose to that part of the body. There are no known contraindications for this herb but it would be wise to consult with your current health advisors before taking it. (Mail order from Victoria Health on 0800-413596).
During our live Monday night webchats over recent weeks, users have raised concerns about the sale of irradiated herbs in the UK. When the Food Standards Agency (FSA) investigated this issue, they found the majority of the herbal remedies on sale have been irradiated to kill off organisms that would otherwise make you sick but the dose of radiation is equivalent to that of walking through the X-ray machine at the airport and is therefore not, in my opinion, going to harm you. It is also the lesser of several evils since fumigation leaves residues and steam treatments destroy the active ingredients.
This has been an industry-wide problem but the good news is that scientists at Glasgow University have now developed new testing technology so manufacturers can check if suppliers are irradiating the raw material. If you are concerned, contact the manufacturer of individual brands to check their current position.