Herbs and Plants for Nuclear Radiation Poisoning

I'm researching specific herbs to take when you've been exposed to nuclear radiation poisoning.

I am one who believes that Nature provides all the medicine we need, no matter how sophisticated our technologically generated toxicity becomes. This is not to say that all pharmaceuticals are irrelevant, but I personally see them as a last ditch treatment.

Go with what the Earth provides first.

It doesn't seem like the radiation from Japan's nuclear power plants will have much effect on Americans, but the "situation is fluid", i.e. the crisis is evolving and the impact may be greater than government, nuclear energy representatives, or news media, always dreading civilian panic, are letting us know.

I currently see no reason for us in Central Illinois to be concerned, but it doesn't hurt to investigate this topic, in case a nuclear power plant in the United States starts leaking radiation.

Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition says these plants and herbs are good protection against radioactive toxicity (Google the scientific names if the substances are unfamiliar to you):

* Gingko biloba

* Ginger

* Aqueous extract of Centella asiatica

*  Hippophae rhamnoides berry fruit juice concentrate

* Osimum sanctum

* ethanolic extract of Piper longum (pippali) fruits

* Panax Ginseng

* Podophyllum. hexandrum

* aqueous extract of guduchi, Tinospora cordifolia

* fruit pulp of Amala, Emblica officinalis (EO)

* Phyllanthus amarus

* Rajgira (Amaranthus paniculatus) leaf extract   

* hydroalcoholic extract of jamun seeds (JSE)

* Pudina or Mint (Mentha arvensis Linn., Family Lamiaceae)

* Mentha piperita

* Ageratum conyzoides, (family: Asteraceae) aka Billy Goat Weed

* hydroalcoholic extract of Aegle marmelos (AME) aka Bael


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Ionizing radiations induce reactive oxygen species in the form of ^·OH, ^·H, singlet oxygen and peroxyl radicals that follows a cascade of events leading to DNA damage such as single- or double-strand breaks (DSB), base damage, and DNA-DNA or DNA-protein cross-links, and these lesions cluster as complex local multiply damaged sites. The DNA-DSBs are considered the most lethal events following ionizing radiation and has been found to be the main target of cell killing by radiation.

The radioprotective activity of plant and herbs may be mediated through several mechanisms, since they are complex mixtures of many chemicals.

The majority of plants and herbs contain polyphenols, scavenging of radiation-induced free radicals and elevation of cellular antioxidants by plants and herbs in irradiated systems could be leading mechanisms for radioprotection.

The polyphenols present in the plants and herbs may upregulate mRNAs of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, glutathione transferase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and thus may counteract the oxidative stress-induced by ionizing radiations. Upregulation of DNA repair genes may also protect against radiation-induced damage by bringing error free repair of DNA damage.

Reduction in lipid peroxidation and elevation in non-protein sulphydryl groups may also contribute to some extent to their radioprotective activity. The plants and herb may also inhibit activation of protein kinase C (PKC), mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), cytochrome P-450, nitric oxide and several other genes that may be responsible for inducing damage after irradiation.
 
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Here's what I found on the East West School of Planetary Herbology

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Kombu Seaweed (Laminaria japonica)

The Japanese are probably among the world’s main consumers of edible seaweeds. We in the West are familiar with nori seaweed as the outer wrapper of sushi and various other seaweeds used as a stock in miso soup.

The most well known seaweed is kelp, known in Japanese as kombu. I’m not sure how much research is available to back up these claims, but it is widely understood that kelp’s alginates offer the best protection from radiation and environmental pollutants. Alginates bind with heavy metals and radioactive substances and prepare them for excretion from the body.

Check out Planet Thrive at for a great anti-radiation kombu and miso soup recipe.

Chlorella (Chlorella pyrenoidosa)

According to my colleague Roy Upton, line director of Planetary Formulas and director of the American Herbal Pharmacopeia, chlorella was first developed by the Japanese as an antidote and treatment against atomic radiation. This makes it one of the best nutritional supplements to take for the prevention and treatment from radiation exposure.  While iodine pills primarily affect the thyroid gland, these supplements are of great health benefit to the whole body.

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You may also want to ramp up the standard arsenal used to strengthen the immune system and the body's internal detoxification processes. Increase your intake of carrot juice, vitamin C, pure water, green leafy vegetables, olive oil, wheat germ, and brown rice.

Here are some more herbs that improve your overall health, strengthen internal organs, and help eliminate various poisons:

* Red Clover

* Golden Seal

* Hyssop

* Garlic

* Onion

* Curry

* Dandelion

* Cayenne

* Peppermint

* Lemon

* Apple

* Avocado

* Lecithin

* Grape seed oil

* Grapes/raisins

* Bananas

* Sea salt (which is generally mineralized and iodized)

* Reishi mushroom

* Coconut oil

Hopefully, this article will at least get you pointed in the right direction toward finding effective natural treatments and prevention for radiation poisoning.