V for Value

The Elixir (a film by Kimo Stamboel)

noreply@blogger.com (Verdi Laurent) — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 13:25:00 +0000

The Elixir

Kimo Stamboel directs the first Indonesian zombie-themed film, The Elixir (Abadi Nan Jaya). The Elixir (Abadi Nan Jaya) film first launched on Netflix Indonesia on October 23, 2025, which also offers English and Japanese dubbed audio. The Elixir (Abadi Nan Jaya) is set in Wanirejo Village, a fictive location in Yogyakarta, where the center of the film focuses on the family who owns Pabrik Jamu Wani Waras (Wani Waras Herbal Medicine Factory). The film itself was actually shot in Piyungan village, Bantul, Yogyakarta.

Top Movies on Netflix on November 1, 2025, provided by FlixPatrol.

The Elixir (Abadi Nan Jaya) uses more than 200 extra cameos who play zombie crowds. The combination of the zombie makeup artist's work and special effects has made the film the most watched on Netflix in its first week. After all, it is the first Indonesian zombie-themed genre, unlike previous Indonesian ghost-themed films.

The Javanese language is used in the film, with most dialog using Bahasa Indonesia. I think it is quite funny hearing Rudi scream dog as a profanity to curse at the zombie who is chasing him when it is dubbed in English audio. Jamu Abadi Nan Jaya from the sample ANJ 23B is said to use natural ingredients from the Kantong Semar (Nepenthes Linn.).

Kantong Semar (Nepenthes Linn.)

Kantong Semar (Nepenthes Linn.) is a carnivorous plant that catches and digests insects. This plant is characterized by a tube-shaped pouch or trap located at the tip of its leaves. A reason for the zombies becoming numb when it rains and catching the falling raindrops.

The ending of the film implies that there will be a second sequel to the film, which would certainly be more rational if the location setting was expanded to at least cover the entirety of Indonesia being affected by the zombie outbreak before heading overseas.

The Elixir (Abadi Nan Jaya) Official Trailer
YouTube video is courtesy of Netflix Indonesia

Plot

The scene opens 5 hours later at a wedding reception at the village head's house. Rahman (Ardit Erwandha), who was still in full police uniform, chased after Ningsih (Rr. Claresta Taufan Kusumarina), who half ran and rushed to the kitchen, leaving him behind upon seeing him. Ningsih questioned Rahman's determination about when he would propose to her while washing the dishes. Behind Ningsih, Rahman took out his ring to propose to her in the kitchen. However, Rahman canceled his proposal when his commander called and asked him to return to the police station.

Shortly after Rahman left the wedding reception at the village head's house, a car passed by on the road where the wedding tent had been set up and knocked over the guest chairs. The car stopped after hitting a pickup truck carrying a sound system for the wedding reception. Many guests fell due to the speed of the car. The village head (Stephanus Tjiproet) then ran to the stopped car and knocked on the window. When the car door was opened, inside, Aris (Kiki Narenda), the Sadimin (Donny Damara) family driver, who had begun to transform into a monster, quickly pounced on the village head, knocked him down, and bit him on the edge of the rice field.

5 Hours Earlier

Wani Waras = Dare to be healthy

At Pabrik Jamu Wani Waras, the herbal medicine scientist is asking his crew to deliver the two samples of the new product of herbal medicine that they call Abadi Nan Jaya (Eternity Glorious), which have not been tested by the Indonesian BPOM (National Agency of Drug and Food Control). One for the owner, Sadimin, and the other for his business partner in Jakarta, Grace (Karina Suwandhi).

Receiving the sample from the factory, Sadimin drinks it without hesitation. Returning from the bathroom after taking a shower, he is surprised that he no longer needs glasses and his gray hair has also turned black again. His wrinkled, aged skin is no longer visible. His wife, Karina (Eva Celia Latjuba), noticed the change in her husband's looks and then asked Sadimin. Thanks to this new formula of Jamu Abadi Nan Jaya. It makes me young again, said Sadimin.

Best Friend as Mother-in-Law

Kenes, Karina & Bambang (From left to right)

That morning, Kenes (Mikha Tambayong), with her husband Rudi (Dimas Anggara) and their only child Raihan (Varen Arianda Calief), is visiting Sadimin's residence from Jakarta by car. Kenes is Sadimin's youngest daughter, who is also his wife, Karina's best friend from high school. While Bambang (Marthino Lio), Sadimin's elder son, is a toy collector and an online gamer that never left his father's house. Kenes's and Karina's relationship was broken after Karina married Sadimin shortly after Kenes's mother passed away.

Kenes and Rudi's visit to Sadimin's house was to finalize the sale of the factory, which Sadimin had previously mentioned. Sadimin's plans to retire from managing the factory and the lack of sales were the primary reasons for the sale. Meanwhile, Bambang, Kenes, and Rudi had other plans for the money that they would receive from the factory sale's deal. Bambang wants to buy a new car. Kenes and Rudi are getting a divorce, and Kenes will use the money to start a new business. But all of their plans go away after Sadimin states that he refuses to sell the factory. Both Sadimin's children questioned him angrily. "It's all because of this new formula of Jamu Abadi Nan Jaya that will make the factory great again, said Sadimin.

The First Bite Zombie

Sadimin turns into a zombie.

Sadimin is stressed after having an intense debate with both of his children and his son-in-law. He feels an itch on his skin and suddenly gets a seizure. All of them are in a panic after noticing that Sadimin is no longer breathing.

Raihan screams for his mother when he first sees his grandfather turn into a monster. Pardi (Hingka Moedra), the family servant, is surprised to see his master suddenly change, who then jumps on him and bites him. Aris's effort to rescue Pardi is in vain when Sadimin suddenly jumps on him. Lying on the floor, Sadimin, on top of Aris's body, tries to bite him but vomits blood instead all over Aris's face.

Bambang comes to rescue Aris but ends up in the same position as Aris. Having his new toy in his hand, Bambang shoots his father's head with a plastic arrow. Rudi then asks Aris to drive to the nearest precinct to report the incident in their house. Meanwhile, the other family servant treats the injured Pardi in the kitchen.

Assault on Precinct Wanirejo

Assault on Precinct Wanirejo.

After the wedding incident, which made more infected zombie crowds, which was transmitted by Aris. The crowds occupy the Precinct Wanirejo until late at night, after the help from the Sleman Police Resort has also been attacked by the crowds on the way to the precinct.

On that same night, Rahman finally manages to propose to Ningsih by putting the ring on Ningsih's finger while surrounded by zombie crowds who bite both of them. Bambang sacrifices himself to save Kenes, Karina, and Raihan by blowing up the whole precinct.

Kenes takes a bullet through her head.

On the way escaping the remaining zombie crowds, Kenes notices that her hand has also been bitten. She then asked Karina to take care of her only son. Kenes takes a bullet through her head when her face is starting to show the zombie transformation.

Karina and Raihan in the distance followed by Pardi, the 1st bite zombie, leaving Wanirejo village.

In the morning, Karina and Raihan manage to leave the village using Rahman's motorbike, followed by Pardi walking behind them. Meanwhile, in Jakarta, Grace, Sadimin's business partner, tries to call Sadimin shortly after drinking the sample ANJ 23B from the factory. The film ended with a blurry image showing Grace's youth transformation after leaving the bathroom.

The Elixir (Abadi Nan Jaya)

Update: November 2, 2025.

Gowok: Javanese Kamasutra (a film by Hanung Bramantyo)

noreply@blogger.com (Verdi Laurent) — Sat, 18 Oct 2025 13:02:00 +0000

Gowok: Javanese Kamasutra

A film by Hanung Bramantyo that tells about Gowok, a profession for women aged 20 to 40 years who are hired by a family to teach their adult son, who is soon going to be married, how to treat his wife well, maintain household harmony, and prepare the man to become a quality husband in sexual aspects. As a gowok, they are usually unmarried and adopt a young girl as their student who will one day succeed them and inherit their knowledge. Gowok, called "Nyai", or "Madam", are highly respected by the local residents, similar to a traditional witch doctor or shaman who usually assists in childbirth in the community.

The Gowok: Javanese Kamasutra film participated in the Big Screen Competition for the 2025 Rotterdam International Film Festival. The film is based on a 2014 Kamasutra novel, "Nyai Gowok", by Budi Sardjono. Gowok: Javanese Kamasutra is set in an unknown village in Bumirejo, Central Java, with a 4-year period between the years of 1933, 1950, 1965, and 1985. The film was actually shot in Gamplong village, Sleman, Yogyakarta, which is more than 100 km away from Bumirejo.

The term "Gowok" is said to have originated from the name of a Chinese woman, Goo Wok Niang, who came to Java along with Admiral Cheng Ho's expedition fleets in the 15th century. The Gowok: Javanese Kamasutra film mostly used the Javanese language with the Tegal dialect, or Ngapak language, which I am also not familiar with.

Gowok as illustrated in the 2014 novel "Nyai Gowok" by Budi Sardjono.

Gowok - Official Trailer (Uncut Version 21+)
YouTube video is courtesy of MVP Pictures ID

Plot

A woman was running while carrying a baby and fell when a knife stabbed her in the back. She told Nyai Santi (Lola Amaria), a well-known Gowok in the village, to look after her baby named Ratri. Seventeen years later, young Ratri (Alika Jantinia) transforms into a gorgeous girl. As Nyai Santi's apprentices, along with Liyan (Aldy Bisl), a gay man who loves to dress as a woman, they both serve their master with their whole lives.

Young Ratri (Alika Jantinia).

When a noble family arrives at Nyai Santi's mansion asking for their son, young Jaya (Devano Danendra), to be "gowok" by Nyai Santi, both Ratri and Jaya fall in love at first sight. Jaya gives a promise to Ratri that he will marry her after graduating from his school in Semarang. Both of them then exchange letters after Jaya finishes the "gowok ritual".

However, Nyai Santi has another plan to separate both of them and is convinced that Jaya will never keep his promise to Ratri. Ratri's heart is broken after learning that Jaya is soon to be married to the daughter of the Sultan of Surakarta (Slamet Rahardjo Djarot) and will earn the title of Regent of Bumiarjo. Twenty-five years later, the adult Ratri (Raihaanun) finally succeeded Nyai Santi, inherited all her knowledge, and became a famous gowok in the district.

A surprise visit came from the Sultan of Surakarta to Nyai Santi's mansion, asking her to "gowok" his grandchildren, Bagas (Ali Fikry). But since Nyai Santi is already retired and succeeded by Ratri, who is now called Nyai Ratri, she will be the one to "gowok" Bagas. Without both Nyai Santi and Nyai Ratri knowing, adult Jaya (Reza Rahadian) enters the room and claims to be Bagas's father.

Bagas is unaware of his father's past relationship with Ratri, who successfully made him fall in love, just like his old man. Ratri used this opportunity as a weapon to take revenge for what Jaya did to her in the past.

The Gowok: Javanese Kamasutra film also features the Indonesian history of the 1965, 30 September Movement of PKI, Partai Komunis Indonesia (Indonesian Communist Party). The greatest mass slaughter involved millions of civilians suspected of affiliation with the PKI.

The Indonesian military displayed suspected PKI members and sympathizers, one of whom was Putmainah, a Gerwani figure in Blitar, East Java.
Image is courtesy of BBC Indonesia

My mother once told me about the events of 1965, when she was 9 years old. She and her entire family were forced to leave my grandparents' house in Grabag, Magelang. The village chief warned my late grandfather that his house would be burned down with them inside that night. My late grandfather was a civil service police officer. He was also a target for his suspected affiliation with the PKI.

The film ended with the scene in the year of 1985, 20 years later. A young man with his sister is negotiating with a village's chief to buy Nyai Santi's abandoned mansion, which was left damaged after the 1965 event. The chief also said that the owner of the mansion, Nyai Santi, had died by suicide in the mansion during the event. The young man then asks his sister to call their mom in the car. A woman steps out of the car and is shown as adult Ratri, who wants to buy the mansion to build a school for women.

How I Coped Suffering From Bell's Palsy

noreply@blogger.com (Verdi Laurent) — Sun, 28 Sep 2025 15:36:00 +0000

Bell's Palsy
Image from Wikimedia

What is Bell's Palsy

Bell's palsy is named after the Scottish anatomist, Sir Charles Bell. Bell's palsy is associated with facial paralysis of unknown cause. A neurological disorder on one side of the face. In some rare cases it can occur on both sides of the face. Bell's palsy is a disorder affecting nerves that control muscles in the face that become injured or stop working properly.

Bell's palsy is common in people aged 15 to 40 years and make a spontaneous recovery within 3 to 4 weeks. Symptoms of Bell’s palsy include:

Paralysis on one side of the face.
A drooping eyebrow and mouth.
Drooling from one side of the mouth when talking, eating, or drinking.
Difficulty closing one eyelid, which makes the eyes dry.

Charles Bell
Image from Wikimedia

What are my experiences dealing with Bell's Palsy?

Since 2024 I have been working as a freelance contributor for a daily job. I worked mostly at night and slept in the morning. Most of my clients are at least 8 to 12 hours in a different timezone from mine. I usually went to bed at 3 or 6 AM in the morning and started to work again at 10 or 12 PM.

Tape
Image from Wikimedia

It was last August 21, 2025, when I felt strange on the right side of my face. I remembered that I ate 3 pieces of a very sweet tape, a traditional fermented cassava. It is not the usual tape that I used to eat. It is very sweet and well cooked. That day I went to bed at 4 AM and woke up at 11 AM. When I woke up from bed, my mouth was drooling so much that it wet my pillow. I washed my face in the bathroom, and the water was entering my right eye because I cannot close it. I asked my wife to take me to the clinic near my home.

Arriving at the emergency room, my blood pressure was checked. The nurse only said that my systolic blood pressure was 160, without mentioning what my diastolic was. The nurse asked me to go to see the doctor. Noticing that my systolic blood pressure was 160, she said to me that I had very high blood pressure. The doctor then asked me what I have been eating, what pain I have suffered, and what medication I have used.

I told her that I just ate tape last night. Since I had been suffering from influenza with a dry cough for weeks, I only took methylprednisolone as medication. The doctor argued, Why have you taken methylprednisolone since it is used only for inflammation? The dry cough had made my throat become inflamed, I answered. OK, then, she replied.

She then examined my face. She asked me to look at her pen and where she pointed her pen. Since your blood pressure is high, I'll prescribe some medication for you. But remember not to take methylprednisolone again. You should come back here to check your health in ten days, she said, ending the conversation.

Guess what? The doctor prescribed me a blood-lowering medication, vitamin B complex, and flu medication. All medications are expected to be consumed within ten days, as most are only 1 dose per day.

The flu medication, which consists of 500 mg of paracetamol, is supposed to be consumed 3 times a day. I stopped taking the flu medication on the next day after having 3 times the day before. I continued taking methylprednisolone with an added dose.

Before I had Bell's palsy, I only consumed methylprednisolone once a day. Now I'm having it 4 times a day and using the lower dose of 4 mg. After my blood-lowering medications were all consumed in 10 days, I didn't visit the doctor again. I continued the medication by taking methylprednisolone 4mg 4 times a day.

Methylprednisolone 4mg by Hexpharm Jaya

Why I haven't followed the doctor's orders?

At home, I asked my wife to check my blood pressure once more using my neighbor's digital tensiometer. When my wife checked my blood pressure twice on both my upper arms, it turned out my left arm was 135/96, while my right arm was 143/103. When at the hospital, the nurse checked my blood pressure on my left arm using a manual tensiometer, which is more accurate than a digital one. But the nurse forgot to mention what my diastolic was. She only told me that my systolic blood pressure was 160. I forgot to mention earlier that the doctor also asked me when the last time I checked my blood was and what the number was. I normally have 110/80 for my blood pressure, and it was 2019 the last time I checked during a medical checkup, I answered.

Later on that day, I studied a lot about Bell's palsy through Pubmed portal, my very reliable resources. What I learned from Pubmed's site became references for this article. What I have written here is what made me to not follow the doctor's orders.

Please don't take this as a medical advise, as this is just my point of view!

Personally, I think the doctor seems like just trying to sell me blood-lowering medications that I should consume for the rest of my life. For my consideration, the doctor from my point of view is just the same as a drug dealer.

The main point based on what I have learned from the PubMed website:

The exact cause of Bell’s palsy is unknown.
85% of people found improvement within 3 weeks and 3 to 5 months in the remaining 15%.
The inability to close the eyelid could lead to potential eye injury. You may find it hard to close your eyes while taking a shower.
Possible triggers of Bell's palsy may include:
- Viral infections, such as herpes or chickenpox. Herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 has been detected in up to 50% of cases by some researchers.
- Low immunity due to stress, sleep deprivation, physical trauma, minor illness, or autoimmune syndromes.
- Infection or damage to a facial nerve that causes inflammation.
Not all patients with facial paralysis who enter the health care system have been diagnosed as having Bell's palsy.
Laboratory or imaging studies are not necessary.
Physicians should not prescribe oral antiviral therapy alone for patients with new-onset Bell's palsy.
Physicians may offer electrodiagnostic testing to Bell's palsy patients with complete facial paralysis or both sides of the face.
Surgery and electrical stimulation to treat facial paralysis are still being studied by scientists.
Corticosteroids, including methylprednisolone, a drug that can reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system, alone could improve the rate of recovery.

Warning!!!
Please don't take this as a medical advise! The first week was the hardest time for me. I'm still in my recovery for better improvement when I posted this article.

References:

Bell's Palsy
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/bells-palsy?search-term=disorders%20bells%20palsy.
Axelsson S et al. 2011
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20027713/.
Baugh RF et al. 2013
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24189771/.
Holland NJ et al. 2014
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3980711/.

Health Benefits of Honey

noreply@blogger.com (Verdi Laurent) — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 07:30:00 +0000

Honey

Nutritional Healthy

Honey, a nutritional healthy product, is produced mainly by two types of bees: honey bee and stingless bee, has been recognized for its medicinal properties for thousands of years. Meanwhile, An essential pollinator of our food crops is the honey bee. Honey bee pollination contributes either directly or indirectly to nearly one-third of our food supply.

Nutritional value per 1 tablespoon (21 g)

Nutrients Amount Nutrients Amount

Water 3.59 g Calories 64 kcal

Energy 267 kJ Protein 0.06 g

Ash 0.04 g Carbohydrate 17.30 g

Sugars 17.25 g Sucrose 0.19 g

Glucose 7.51 g Fructose 8.60 g

Maltose 0.30 g Galactose 0.65 g

Calcium, Ca 1 mg Iron, Fe 0.09 mg

Phosphorus, P 1 mg Potassium, K 11 mg

Sodium, Na 1 mg Zinc, Zn 0.05 mg

Copper, Cu 0.008 mg Manganese, Mn 0.017 mg

Selenium, Se 0.2 µg Fluoride, F 1.5 µg

Vitamin C 0.1 mg Riboflavin 0.008 mg

Niacin 0.025 mg Pantothenic acid 0.014 mg

Vitamin B6 0.005 mg Choline 0.5 mg

Betaine 0.4 mg

USDA

Nutrients	Amount	Nutrients	Amount
Water	3.59 g	Calories	64 kcal
Energy	267 kJ	Protein	0.06 g
Ash	0.04 g	Carbohydrate	17.30 g
Sugars	17.25 g	Sucrose	0.19 g
Glucose	7.51 g	Fructose	8.60 g
Maltose	0.30 g	Galactose	0.65 g
Calcium, Ca	1 mg	Iron, Fe	0.09 mg
Phosphorus, P	1 mg	Potassium, K	11 mg
Sodium, Na	1 mg	Zinc, Zn	0.05 mg
Copper, Cu	0.008 mg	Manganese, Mn	0.017 mg
Selenium, Se	0.2 µg	Fluoride, F	1.5 µg
Vitamin C	0.1 mg	Riboflavin	0.008 mg
Niacin	0.025 mg	Pantothenic acid	0.014 mg
Vitamin B6	0.005 mg	Choline	0.5 mg
Betaine	0.4 mg

Products from honeybees, like honey, propolis, and royal jelly, are not only food but also provide significant health advantages against a variety of illnesses. Honey's possible health advantages are discussed, including its effects on other diseases, wound healing, and microbial suppression.

Numerous health advantages associated with gastrointestinal illnesses, allergies, and issues linked to gynecology, oral health, and dermatology have been described for propolis. The preventive properties of royal jelly on wound healing, aging, neurological diseases, and reproductive health are widely recognized.

The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Chinese all utilized honey to treat gastric ulcers and other intestinal lesions. Additionally, it has been used to treat earaches, sore throats, and coughs. Lotus honey has been used traditionally to heal eye infections and other ailments since ancient India.

Honey is utilized both externally and internally as a functional food to support the body's vital organs by supplying energy and nutrients. The quality of honey is significantly influenced by its active ingredients, which include organic acids, glucose, fructose, flavonoids, and polyphenols.

Biological Activities of Honey

Honey has long been used to heal burns, wounds, insect bites, skin conditions, boils, and ulcers. Honey's effectiveness as an antibacterial and wound-healing agent is confirmed by scientific evidence of its wound-healing properties. The proteolytic enzyme is dynamically expressed when honey stimulates the wound matrix's latent plasminogen to become active. Plasmin destroys fibrin and causes blood clots to retreat. This enzyme breaks down fibrin clumps in the wound bed that have dead tissues adhering to them.

Clinical data demonstrating honey's efficacy, specificity, and sensitivity in wound treatment shows that honey works better than both traditional and contemporary wound care dressings. Fast healing, wound cleansing, infection removal, tissue regeneration, reduced inflammation, and improved dressing comfort because of less tissue adhesion are among the therapeutic benefits seen following honey administration.

365 by Whole Foods Market, Organic Light Amber Wildflower Honey.

Honey also improves the epithelialization of the affected skin surface, which helps to reduce skin deterioration around stomas like ileostomy and colostomy. Honey helps with psoriasis, eczema, and pediatric dermatitis brought on by overuse of diapers and napkins. Researchers looked into how honey combined with beeswax and olive oil affected those who had atopic dermatitis or psoriasis.

According to a clinical trial, a honey-based mixture produced notable gains and was incredibly well tolerated. Numerous nitric oxide metabolites found in honey lower the risk of skin infections in people with psoriasis.

Enzymes that aid in the absorption of substances like sugars and starches make up natural honey. Honey contains sugar molecules that are easily absorbed by the body. Honey contains minerals, phytochemicals, and flavonoids that promote digestion.

Honey is utilized in wound management and is useful for patients with locally infected wounds, diabetic foot ulcers, Charcot foot ulcerations, and complex comorbid disorders that have failed hospital treatment. Additionally, the presence of honey results in low damage to the wound bed and great tolerability.

MANUKA DOCTOR - Raw Manuka Honey MGO 30+ SQUEEZY, 100% Pure New Zealand Honey.

Honey can be used to treat a variety of oral disorders, including periodontal disease, stomatitis, and halitosis. Furthermore, it has been used to prevent periodontitis, gingivitis, mouth ulcers, and dental plaque. Honey's antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities can promote granulation tissue formation, which will help damaged cells heal.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
A mucosal infection caused by aberrant stomach reflux into the esophagus or lungs. Acid regurgitation, irritation, and heartburn are signs of GERD. Honey helps with this illness by covering the lining of the stomach and esophagus, which stops food and gastric juice from flowing upward. In order to aid in the regeneration of the sphincter's tissues and ultimately lessen the likelihood of acid reflux, honey might further stimulate them.

Dyspepsia
A chronic condition in which the gastrointestinal organs, primarily the stomach and first part of the small intestine, function improperly. It is a condition that manifests as nausea, bloating, heartburn, and epigastric pain.

According to clinical studies, honey enhanced the healing effect and reduced the production of stomach acid. Because of its antimicrobial qualities and preventive effects, honey is therefore consumed as a nutritional supplement.

Gastroenteritis
Often known as stomach or gastric flu, is characterized by inflammation of the digestive tract. Foodborne, waterborne, and person-to-person transmission of infectious pathogens could be the cause of this illness. Gastric pains, bloating, watery diarrhea, dehydration, and nausea are all signs of gastroenteritis.

According to a clinical trial, honey can be used to treat infantile gastroenteritis. Because honey's high sugar content promotes electrolyte and water reabsorption in the gut, the study discovered that substituting honey for the glucose in the usual electrolyte oral rehydration solution shortened the recovery period for gastroenteritis patients.

Nate's 100% Pure, Raw & Unfiltered Honey.

Chronic constipation
A frequent and multifaceted disorder marked by painful defecation (irregular stools and difficult stool passage). Symptoms of difficult stool passage include lumpy or hard stools, a feeling of incomplete evacuation, straining, and a prolonged time to pass stool. A excessive number of bowel movements with watery stool is called diarrhea. Compared to traditional antiviral treatment, honey has reduced the pathophysiology and duration of viral diarrhea.

Honey can relieve pain, normalize hepatic processes, and eliminate poisons. The cause of hepatic system complications is oxidative damage. Honey may help heal damaged livers since it has antioxidant properties. Heart problems and vasomotor dysfunctions brought on by adrenaline can be prevented and treated with natural wild honey.

The use of honey was found to significantly lower the risk factors for cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Vasoprotective benefits of honey include vasodilation, vascular homeostasis balance, and lipid profile improvements. Honey's flavonoids boost high-density lipoproteins (HDL), inhibit oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL), improve endothelial activities, diminish platelets' capacity to form clots, and promote coronary vasodilation. (Pasupuleti VR et al. 2017)

100% Pure New Zealand Manuka Honey.

Coconut Water to Prevent Acid Reflux

noreply@blogger.com (Verdi Laurent) — Thu, 30 May 2024 14:21:00 +0000

Vita Coco Organic Coconut Water

Coconut as Folk Medicine

It’s been a while since my last blog post. What drives me to write this post is because in my home in Sukodono District, every 100 meters I go, all I can see is a coffee shop and a wholesale coconut shop.

Coconut is considered to be number two as the miracle trees, because its whole trees are useable, providing food, home, shelter, medicine, utilities, and etc., for millions of people in the world.

Since ancient time, tropical people have used every parts of coconut tree for folk remedies, such as: abscesses, alopecia, amenorrhea, asthma, blenorrhagia, bronchitis, bruises, burns, cachexia, calculus, colds, constipation, cough, debility, dropsy, dysentery, dysmenorrhea, earache, erysipelas, fever, flu, gingivitis, gonorrhea, hematemesis, hemoptysis, jaundice, menorrhagia, nausea, phthisis, pregnancy, rash, scabies, scurvy, sorethroat, stomach, swelling, syphylis, toothache, tuberculosis, tumors, typhoid, venereal diseases, and wounds.

In term of medicine, coconut may also consider as miracle tree, because it reported has many active substances, or bioactive compounds, such as:

Anthelmintic (a medicine used to destroy parasitic worms).

Anti-blenorrhagic (an agent used to manage gonorrhoea).

Anti-inflammatory.

Antibronchitis (used to treat bronchitis, an inflammation of the airways leading into lungs).

Antidotal (a medicine taken, or given to counteract a particular poison).

Antigingivitic (used to treat painful inflammation of the gums).

Antihypertensives (used to treat hypertension, high blood pressure).

Antipyretic (used to prevent or reduce fever).

Antiseptic (an antimicrobial substance or compound that is applied to living tissue/skin to reduce the possibility of infection, sepsis, or putrefaction).

Aperient (used to relieve constipation).

Aphrodisiac (a substance that increases sexual desire, sexual attraction, sexual pleasure, or sexual behavior).

Astringent (a chemical that shrinks, or constricts body tissues).

Antiepileptic (used to treat epilepsy).

Bactericidal (a substance which kills bacteria).

Cardioprotective (protect the heart).

Cytokinins (anti-cancer compounds).

Depurative (herbs that are considered to have purifying, and detoxifying effects).

Diuretic (substance that promotes diuresis, the increased production of urine).

Febrifugal (as medicine to reduce fever).

Hemostat (preventing the flow of blood from an open blood vessel by compression of the vessel).

Kinetin (N6-Furfuryladenine, strong anti-ageing effects on human skin cells).

Pediculicide (an agent that destroys lice). Another way to get rid of lice naturally, just like I’ve already wrote in my previous post.

Purgative (a medication that encourages bowel movements).

Refrigerant (a medication for reducing body heat).

Stomachic (a medicine that serves to tone the stomach, improving its function and increase appetite).

Styptic (a drug that causes contraction of body tissues and canals).

Suppurative (undergo the formation of pus).

Vermifuge (an anthelmintic medicine).

Coconut Water to Prevent Acid Reflux

Coconut water contains 95.5% water, 0.1% protein, 0.1% fat, 0.4% ash, and 4.0% carbohydrate. 100g of coconut water contains 105mg Natrium, 312mg Kalium (Potassium), 29mg Calcium, 30mg Magnesium, 0.1mg Ferrum, 0.04mg Copper, 37mg Phosphorus, 24mg Sulfur, and 183mg choline. Coconut water also contains vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7 and B9.

Research shows that consuming coconut water can help prevent dehydration in children with mild diarrhea. Also that drinking coconut water might lower blood pressure in people with high blood pressure, but taking coconut water along with medications for high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low.

Due to coconut water contains high levels of kalium or potassium, a person with kidney problems should also watch more carefully when consuming coconut water.

It was my son, Michael’s regular barber who aged about 60 yrs old told me his story why his barbershop was closed for couple of months. The old man said that he was being treated at an island called Bawean Island, about 135km north of Gresik City, due to suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). He often felt a burning sensation in his chest, known as heartburn, and sour taste in back of his mouth. That’s why the doctor diagnosed him as suffering from GERD.

After several visits to the doctor in the hospital and taking the medicine, the symptoms never recovered. The old man also suffered from shortness of breath, like he had asthma, even though he had never had asthma complaints before. So, he quit visiting the doctor and sought alternative treatment.

Then he ended up in Bawean Island, in a traditional hospitals whose owners do not have health certificates, or any medical degrees. The old man stayed there for a month, and everyday, he used one young coconut to drink its water. The practitioner told him, that he should consult his former doctor to perform more medical checkups after consuming coconut water for a month. .

Why should I?, the old man said to me. I feel much better now. I don’t need to go to the hospital anymore. I never felt heartburn anymore., he added.

Like the old man, I also had GERD when I was young. Smoking and drinking coffee are most likely to be the sources of problems. The doctor once said to me that GERD patients often suffer from irritation of the skin if exposed to alcohol compounds. That was when I suffered from boils in my armpits when using deodorant and itching on my chest when I sprayed perfume directly on my chest. Since that moment, I never use any deodorant or perfume anymore.

Based on the old man story, whenever I had symptoms like heartburn or a sour taste in my mouth, I quickly bought coconut water and drank it without adding any sugar.


Bai Coconut Flavored Water	Taste Nirvana Real Premium Coconut Water

References:

T Alleyne et al. 2005
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15892382/.
JWH Yong et al. 2009
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6255029/.
ZA Zakaria et al. 2006
https://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=jpt.2006.516.526.
P Anurag et al. 2003
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/B:QUAL.0000040363.64356.05.

The Miracle Moringa

noreply@blogger.com (Verdi Laurent) — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 07:43:00 +0000

(a) A tree of Moringa oleifera, (b) Moringa flowers and leaves.

Moringa oleifera Lam. is a miracle plant, native to the Indian subcontinent, where its various parts are valuable for food and medicine. Moringa is also called plant that never die, due to its ability to survive harsh weather and drought. In Indonesia, moringa is known as kelor. Kelor, in Javanese tradition, is often to be connected with its magical, or supranatural properties.

Moringa is also known as drumstick tree, horseradish tree, clarifier tree, ben oil tree, and benzoil tree. Other common names of moringa, includes, Kalor, Merunggai, Sajina (Malay), Chùm ngây (Viet), Ma-rum (Thai), Malunggay (Tagalog), Sahjan (Hindi), Surajana (Sanskrit), Sajiwan, Swejan (Nepali). Moringa can grow either, in lowland, or highland up to 1000 m above sea level, and reach a height of 7–12 m.

The seed of moringa is said to be eaten like a peanut, in Malaya. Thickened root used as substitute for horseradish. Foliage eaten as greens, in salads, in vegetable curries, as pickles, and for seasoning. Leaves pounded up, to be used for scrubbing utensils, and also for cleaning walls.

In Africa, commonly planted as a living fence tree. Moringa trees planted on graves are believed to keep away hyenas, and its branches are used as charms against witchcraft.

Moringa is called miracle plant, because it has many active substances, or bioactive compounds, such as:

Anti-aging.

Anti-anxiety, or Anxiolytic.

Antibacterial.

Antibiotic.

Anti-depressant.

Antidiabetic

Antiepileptic.

Antifungal.

Anti-hypertensive

Anti-hyperthyroidism (substance that inhibits hyperthyroidism, an excessive production of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland).

Anti-inflammation.

Antimicrobial.

Antioxidant.

Anti-progestational (disturbing the phase of the menstrual cycle).

Antipyretic.

Antiscorbutic (rich in vitamin C).

Antispasmodic (substance that relieves, prevents, or lowers the incidence of muscle spasms).

Antitumor.

Anti-ulcer.

Counter-irritant (applied to the skin to provoke a mild inflammation, and relieve deeper pain, either by improving the blood supply, or by interfering with the passage of sensory nerve impulses).

Diuretic (promotes the increased production of urine, to help reducing the amount of water in the body, and to lower high blood pressure).

Emmenagogue (substance that stimulate blood flow in the pelvic area, and uterus, to promote menstrual discharge).

Estrogenic (substance which acting like estrogen).

Galactagogue (promotes lactation, in humans and animals).

Hepatoprotective.

Hypocholesterolemic (substance that promotes hypocholesterolemia, condition of abnormally low levels of cholesterol in the blood).

Hypoglicemic (substance that promotes hypoglycemia, or insulin reaction, or low blood sugar).

Purgative (substance that makes you empty your bowels).

Rubefacient (substance for external application that produces redness of the skin, by causing dilation of the capillaries, and an increase in blood circulation, to relieve acute, or chronic pain).

Stimulant (substance that induce temporary improvements in either mental, or physical functions, or both).

FRESH HEALTHCARE Moringa Oleifera

Moringa History as Folk Medicine

According to NCI's Jonathan L. Hartwell's works of study from 1967–1971, the roots of moringa are used in folk remedies for tumors. In Nicaragua, the root decoction is used to treat dropsy.

Moringa roots are bitter, acrid, and pungent, which act as a tonic to the body and lungs, are taken to promote digestion. Moringa roots are also act as an expectorant, mild diuretic, and a stimulant in paralytic afflictions, epilepsy, and hysteria

Moringa leaves, which have purgative properties, applied as poultice to relieve sores, and rubbed on the temples for headaches. Moringa leaves are used as poultice on the abdomen to expel intestinal worms.

In Guatemala, moringa leaf is used for skin infections and sores. In Malaysia, Puerto Rico and Venezuela, it is used as a cure for intestinal worms. In Nicaragua, moringa leaves are used to cure headache. In Philippines, it is used to cure anemia, glandular swelling and lactation. In Senegal, moringa leaves are used to treat diabetes.

Moringa leaves are rich in vitamins A and C, ß carotene, potassium, calcium, iron and phosphorus.

Moringa leaves have the calcium equivalent of four glasses of milk

The vitamin C content of seven oranges

Potassium of three bananas

Three times the iron of spinach

Four times the amount of vitamin A in carrots

Two times the protein in milk

The decoction of moringa flowers, combined with cow's milk, is an excellent herbal tonic for sexual weakness, and functional infertility of both males, and females. Powdered moringa bark is used to improve quality of semen, and premature ejaculation in male.

Moringa is a natural medicine for digestive disorder. The combination of fresh leaf extract, one teaspoon honey, and one glass of coconut water is an excellent herbal antidote for cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, jaundice, and colitis.

Moringa leaf extract mixed with cucumber, or carrot juice is a natural antidote for dysuria, and high acid percentage in urine. Moringa leaf extract mixed with lime juice is helpful for the treatment for pimples, black head, and age spots. On regular use it adds natural radiance on skin tone.

An ointment which is made from moringa leaves mixed with whiting (calcium carbonate) is used to treat rheumatism. The decoction of fresh leaves extract mixed with one teaspoon honey, and one glass of water is used to treat nyctalopia (night-blindness). An eye drops which are made from moringa leaves extract is used to treat eye-ache.

Moringa in Javanese Tradition

Dunia Tak Selebar Daun Kelor

Above quote translates in English as The world is not as wide as moringa leaf. Other common English quote, which is similiar to above quote, The world is bigger than your backyard. The meaning is quite simple, that is, the world is not as small as you think it is. Open up your view, and not just being shallow minded people! We all have different parts to make this world a better place. Start from your little place called home.

Moringa or kelor in Javanese tradition, as I have mentioned earlier in this post, is connected with its magical, or supranatural properties. Just like in Africa, which kelor branches are used as charms against witchcraft, Javanese people believed, that kelor trees planted on homeyard, are also used as charms against witchcraft.

Kelor branch with some leaves attached is used to remove supranatural thing inside near death, or coma patient, by hitting the patient's body with the branch. Supranatural thing, or susuk in Javanese term, that I mentioned before, is a kind of silver, or gold needle. Susuk is planted below the skin of elbow, shoulder, foot, arm or face, to use it as charms, for labor job, in sports, for health and longevity.

My Great Grandfather, which I had mentioned about him in my earlier post, who died at the age of 95 years, was also had to be hit with a branch of kelor leaves, to remove the susuk inside his body, in order to give him a peaceful death, in his bed.

Kemade kelor, or in English is known as moringa parasite, is a kind of parasite which is seldom be found on moringa branches. Javanese people believed that kemade kelor have more healing effects than any other parts of moringa tree. Only for those who needed the most, for healing purpose, could found it.

My friend was once told me a story about his neighbour who searched for kemade kelor on a metre of height moringa tree, near his house. His neighbour could not find it anywhere on the tree. But an hour later, his brother searched again the kemade kelor for his brother's friend. His brother managed to find this amazing kemade kelor for his friend. I couldn't find any image in the internet about this magical, and miraculous moringa parasite.

Mustika galih kelor, or in English known as moringa bark fossil, is a stone which is made from moringa bark fossil. The stone could also be found on a 12 m height of hundreds years old moringa tree. Javanese people believed that by wearing the stone, it will gain several magical effects, such as unlimited health, body armour, and charms against witchcraft.


Maju's Organic Moringa Powder	Moringa Powder 1LB (16Oz) 100% CERTIFIED Organic Oleifera Leaf - (100% PURE LEAF \| NO STEMS) - Raw from Egypt \| Smoothies \| Drinks \| Tea \| Recipes - Resealable Bag


Moringa Tea Lemon 30 Bags By Bio Nutrition Inc	Moringa 60 Vegi Caps By Puritan's Pride

References:

Image from ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Hartwell, J.L. 1967–1971. Plants used against cancer. A survey.
Duke, J.A. 1983. Handbook of Energy Crops.
Patel, S. et al 2010. Moringa oleifera: A Review of There Medicinal and Economical Importance to the Health and Nation. (Read or download PDF from Web Archive 8/14/2021).
Tanaman obat Indonesia. Sentra Informasi IPTEK (Web Archive 7/15/2008).

Does Milk Raise Cancer Risk?

noreply@blogger.com (Verdi Laurent) — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 08:50:00 +0000

Image from wikimedia.org

Milk, a white colour liquid, which produced by the mammary glands of mammals. Milk is the primary source of nutrition for infant mammals, before they are able to digest other types of food. Early lactation milk contains colostrum, which carries the mother's antibodies to its young, and can reduce the risk of many diseases.

Speaking of colostrum, here's a quote from my previous post:

Is colostrum from cows good for you? Yes, if you are a baby cow…..

Many women think it's not necessary to breastfeed their babies, for at least the first 1½ years. That's why, many children are fat, have allergies, and 'behavior disorders' nowadays. Formula milk will never replace all the substances in a mother’s milk.

Have you wonder why every mammals stops drinking mother's milk at a certain age? It is because by then, their bodies are able to produce itself, its own substances needed for the body, including, hormones, growth factors and other peptides.

Also, have you ever heard a cow gets an osteoporosis? Think again! What does cow eat everyday?

In 2015, according to USDA, world total cows milk production was 491,204 kilo metric tons. While in US alone was 94,480 kilo metric tons. World total cows milk (fluid) consumption was 179,838 kilo metric tons. In US was 26,789 kilo metric tons. And not to mention other diary products, such as, cheese, butter, yoghurt, and ice cream. Most Americans now eat 40% of their calories, in the form of dairy products.

Dairy Products as a Possible Cancers Trigger

A controversial theory singled out dairy products as a possible cancers trigger. Professor Jane Plant, bestselling author of Your Life in Your Hands - Understanding, Preventing and Overcoming Breast Cancer, had made a war against dairy products, started in 1993. Shortly after the doctor told her, that she had only months to live, following her breast cancer recurrences for the 5th time.

Professor Jane Anne Plant CBE FREng FRGS FRSA FRSE FRSM CEng CGeol FIMMM FAEG FGS (1945-2016).

Professor Jane, and her husband, Peter, who is also a Professor of Geology, had been worked together in China. Learning that breast cancer rate in China, was one in 100,000 women, compared to a rate of one in ten, in the UK at that time. She then wondered, "Why don't Chinese women in China get breast cancer?" Turned out, it was Chinese women habits, which made them had a lower risk of breast cancer.

Most Chinese people are vegetarian, and to them dairy products are rich people foods. After a year on a strict vegetarian diet, she was being declared cancer free, and remained free of cancer, for nineteen years, without taking medication.

I now believe that, the link between dairy produce, and breast cancer, is similar to, the link between smoking, and lung cancer. - Professor Jane Plant

But still, not everyone who consumed dairy products everyday, die from cancer, and not everyone who smoked everyday, die from lung cancer. Because everyone has a chance of developing cancer, whether they have family history of cancer, or not.

Cancer is an abnormal and uncontrolled growth of the cells that make up living things. Cancer is often thought of as human disease but is actually widespread in most forms of plant and animal life. Tumors have been found in insects, fish, reptiles, birds, fungi, ferns, carrots, spruce, willow, and sugar beets.

Milk Consumption vs. Cancers Risk Study

Reported data of milk consumption habits were obtained by questionnaire, from 3,334 cancer patients, and 1,300 comparable control subjects, at Roswell Park Memorial Institute. As a group, control patients were more likely to report never drinking whole milk. Cancer patients more often reported frequent consumption of whole milk.

The data found that consumption of low fat milk was linked to significant risk reduction for oral, and cervical cancers, but drinking only whole milk was linked to significant risk increases for cancers of the oral cavity, stomach, rectum, lung, and breast. (Mettlin CJ, et al. 1990)

Breast Cancer

Dietary information which based on food frequency questionnaire of 88,691 women was collected from 1980 until May 31, 1996. Among them, there were 3,482 women with incident invasive breast cancer. The study found no association between intake of dairy products, and breast cancer. (Shin MH, et al. 2002)

Recent study among 97 breast cancer patients, and 104 control healthy individuals, in Western Mexico, were analyzed their lifetime consumption of meat and milk. According to the study, high milk consumption increased the breast cancer risk by 7.2 times, whereas the consumption of meat, was not significantly associated with the disease. The study concluded that high consumption of cow's milk was a risk factor for the development of breast cancer. (Galván-Salazar HR, et al. 2015)

Lung Cancer

Cigarette smoking causes most lung cancers. The more cigarettes to smoke per day, and the earlier age of starting to smoke, the greater the risk of getting lung cancer. A prospective case control study, in the west of Sweden, was aimed to investigate the relationship between lung cancer, smoking, and dietary factors.

The study was using the data from the local cancer register, on 308 cases, and 504 controls. The study found no significant risk for males smoking 1-10 cigarettes/day, for less than 20 years. A lower consumption of vegetables was related to a higher risk, both for smokers, and nonsmokers. A higher consumption of milk was related to an increased risk. (Rylander R, et al. 1996)

Ovarian Cancer

Dairy foods and its constituents, lactose and calcium, have been hypothesized to promote ovarian carcinogenesis. Milk is a source of animal fats in the diet, and animal fat intake is associated with ovarian cancer risk.

A case control study of 303 ovarian cancer cases, and 606 age matched nonmalignant disease controls, was performed between 1982 and 1988, at Roswell Park Memorial Institute, in Buffalo, New York. The study suggested that, milk drinking is not a source of ovarian cancer risk independently of its fat content. (Mettlin CJ, et al. 1990)

A case control study in Hawaii, and Los Angeles, California, among 558 ovarian cancer patients, in 1993-1999, and 607 controls, were interviewed regarding their diet. Consumption of all dairy products, all types of milk, low fat milk, but not consumption of whole milk, was significantly inversely related to the odds of ovarian cancer. The study suggested that intake of low fat milk, calcium, or lactose may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. (Goodman MT, et al. 2002)

A prospective population based cohort study of 61,084 women, aged 38-76 years, who were enrolled, in the Swedish Mammography Cohort. Diet was assessed, in 1987-1990, with the use of a self administered food frequency questionnaire. During a follow up of 13.5 years, 266 women were diagnosed with invasive epithelial ovarian cancer, in which 125 of them had serous ovarian cancer.

The study indicated that high intakes of lactose, and dairy products, particularly milk, are associated with an increased risk of serous ovarian cancer, but no other subtypes of ovarian cancer. (Larsson SC, et al. 2004)

A meta analysis study from 18 case control, and three prospective cohort studies, concluded that prospective cohort studies, but not case control studies, support the hypothesis, that high intakes of dairy foods, and lactose may increase the risk of ovarian cancer. (Larsson SC, et al. 2006)

62,573 postmenopausal women were participating, a self administered questionnaire on dietary habits, and other risk factors for cancer, in the Netherlands. After 11 years of follow up, no association was seen between consumption of milk, yoghurt, cheese, or fermented dairy products, and ovarian cancer risk. The results do not support an association between consumption of dairy products, or lactose intake, and ovarian cancer. (Mommers M, et al. 2006)

A pooled analysis of the primary data from 12 prospective cohort studies was conducted. The study population consisted of 553,217 women, among whom 2,132 epithelial ovarian cases were identified. The study found no associations were observed for intakes of specific dairy foods, or calcium, and ovarian cancer risk. (Genkinger JM, et al. 2006)

Results from epidemiological studies examining the relationship between intake of dairy foods, and breast, or ovarian cancer risk are not consistent. Animal studies have suggested that galactose may be toxic to ovarian cells, but results from epidemiological studies, that have examined ovarian cancer risk, and milk or lactose intakes are mixed. (Rock CL. 2011)

Prostate Cancer

In 1986, 58,279 men aged 55-69 years completed a self administered 150 item food frequency questionnaire. After 6.3 years of follow up, there were 642 prostate cancer cases. Positive trends in risk were found for consumption of cured meat, and milk products. (Schuurman AG, et al. 1999)

A high calcium intake, mainly from dairy products, may increase prostate cancer risk. A cohort study investigated the association between dairy product, calcium intakes, and prostate cancer risk, in the Physicians's Health Study, a cohort of male US physicians.

During 11 years of follow up, the study documented 1,012 incident cases of prostate cancer, among 20,885 men. The study resulted that, men consuming dairy products >600 mg/d, had a 32% higher risk of prostate cancer. The study supported the hypothesis, that dairy products, and calcium are associated with a greater risk of prostate cancer. (Chan JM, et al. 2001)

Multiethnic cohort study, from 1993 to 2002, was aimed to examined 82,483 men who completed a food frequency questionnaire. During a follow up of 8 years, 4,404 total cases of prostate cancer were identified. The study suggested an association between milk consumption, and prostate cancer risk may vary by fat content, particularly for early forms of this cancer. (Park SY, et al. 2007)

Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are! - Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin

Addicted to LEGO

noreply@blogger.com (Verdi Laurent) — Fri, 26 Dec 2014 15:17:00 +0000

The LEGO Movie Videogame

Due to heavy job at work, my blogging habit had been disrupted. I was no longer focused in blogging for several months. In this time of Christmas holiday, I'm going to share how my son, Michael, has been addicted in playing LEGO brick. Back then, a couple months ago, he was seeing a video in youtube. At first search, my 6 years old son, who is going to be 7 years old in the next month, was typed a kind of cartoon movie. But somehow, his search ended up in this trailer video.

The LEGO Movie Videogame Official Launch Trailer
YouTube video is courtesy of WBGAMES

He then insisted me to buy him the PC version game of The LEGO Movie Videogame. After I got the game installed on my PC, he got extremely excited. But, after a week played the game alone, he found the game was very hard for him. An Indonesian 6 years old boy without proper English speech, was finally managed to play the game, after seeing several tutorial videos in youtube. That was amazing thing for him.

Watching my son played The LEGO Movie Videogame, I became curious to play the game myself, and yes the game was very much addicted indeed. LEGO is not only the game versions that are very addicted, but its brick versions are also addicted to be played for people from age 6 to 99 years old. Yes, 99 years old. You may find it on the LEGO brick box, about the age which is suggested, in some LEGO collection bricks.

Since my son Michael was still at the at of 3, I had introduced him in playing bricks. But, the bricks were not made by the LEGO brand. A type of larger brick, which much safer for kids below the age of 6. By the time he reached 6 years old, I allowed him to play the small type bricks. And the bricks that are made in Denmark, the home of LEGO brand, never doubt is very please indeed to be played. Not just for children, but for adult as well. Amazing educated toys which are very addicted for anyone.


LEGO Movie 70800 Getaway Glider	LEGO Movie 70803 Cloud Cuckoo Palace

Anticancer Drug From Aromatic Herb of Wormwood

noreply@blogger.com (Verdi Laurent) — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 00:31:00 +0000


Artemisia absinthium	Artemisia annua

Wormwood, perennial aromatic herb, is native to North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) has grooved, and angled stems bear silky, fernlike leaves, and small, drooping, yellow flowers.

Wormwood leaves yield a bluish green volatile oil, which is used to make absinthe, a green alcoholic drink, which has strong and bitter flavor. Absinthe has antihelminthic properties, and may be used medicinally to treat intestinal worms. But, the excessively use of absinthe may have a fatally toxic effect, such as, convulsion and kidney failure.

There are many varieties of wormwood from Artemisia family. Artemisia annua, which is known as sweet wormwood, or Qing Hao (Chinese), has been used for centuries as herb, in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), to treat malaria, dysentery, and many diseases.

Since the discovery of artemisinin, an active compound isolated from sweet wormwood, in early 1970s, several scientific studies have focused on its anti-parasitic effects. Scientists also studied artemisinin semi-synthetic derivatives, in which include, dihydroartemisinin (DHA), artemether, arteether, and artesunate. The effects of artemisinin has being investigated in diseases, such as, infections, cancers and inflammation.


Starwest Botanicals Organic Wormwood Herb	Nutricost Wormwood Capsules

Some studies have been reported, both in vitro, and in vivo, the anticancer activity of artemisinin, and demonstrated its cytotoxic effects against a variety of cancer cells. Artemisinin had shown its inhibitory effects on cancer cell growth, and anti-angiogenetic activity. A study found that artemisinin, might be used as a potential chemotherapeutic agent, in melanoma (skin cancer) treatment. (Buommino E, et al. 2009)

Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), a semi-synthetic derivative of artemisinin, isolated from Artemisia annua, has been shown to possess promising anticancer activities, and induced cancer cell death. A study had shown that, DHA can inhibit proliferation, and induce apoptosis. The result provided evidence for further studies of DHA, as a possible anticancer drug, in the clinical treatment of lung adenocarcinoma. (Lu YY, et al. 2009)

Artemisinin had been shown to kill cancer cells in vitro selectively, and slowed the growth of tumors in rats. A study resulted that artemisinin, and its semi-synthetic analogs, could be inexpensive, and effective cancer agents. (Singh NP, et al. 2004)

While another study found that, artemisinin was a relatively safe compound, and caused no known side effects, even at high oral doses. The study indicated that, artemisinin might be a potent cancer chemoprevention agent. (Lai H, et al. 2006)

Zinc vs. Cancer

noreply@blogger.com (Verdi Laurent) — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 23:46:00 +0000

Zinc Gluconate 50 mg by Now Foods

Zinc For Human Body

Zinc, an essential mineral in human nutrition, which plays as antioxidants to protect DNA from damage, and assists in its repair. Zinc is also required for producing energy, healing wound, regulating body immune system, and cell metabolism.

Zinc deficiency, due to low dietary intake, may lead to immune dysfunction, impaired growth, diarrhea, infection, neuropathy, loss of appetite, dermatitis, hair loss, bleeding, cold, hypotension, hypothermia, and cancer. Zinc as a dietary intake, could be found in seafoods, meats, nuts, eggs, cheese, grains, cereal, beans, peas, and seeds.

Dietary Intake of Zinc

Below is the tolerable upper intake level for zinc, according to the Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine:

Infants:
0 to 6 months = 4 mg/d
6 to 12 months = 4 mg/d

Children:
1 to 3 years = 7 mg/d
4 to 8 years = 12 mg/d

Both Males/Females, and Pregnancy/Lactation:
9 to 13 years = 23 mg/d
14 to 18 years = 34 mg/d
19 to 70 years and above = 40 mg/d

Dietary intake of zinc, whether from foods or zinc supplements, more than the upper level per day, may increase the risk of nausea, fatigue, kidney failure, urinary tract problems, vomiting, headache, infections, anemia, low HDL cholesterol, low immune function, copper deficiency, and the development of prostate cancer in men. Also, pregnant and lactation women should consult to the doctor, or pharmacist, before taking any zinc supplements.

Zinc in Cancer Prevention Studies

Prostate Cancer

High concentration of zinc, in the prostate suggests that, zinc may play a role in prostate health. A 14 years follow up study among 46,974 U.S. men, from 1986 to 2000, was found 2,901 new cases of prostate cancer, of which 434 cases were diagnosed in advanced stage.

The study found that, dietary intake of zinc supplements up to 100 mg/d, was not associated with prostate cancer risk, but an overdose of zinc may play a role in prostate carcinogenesis. (Leitzmann MF, et al. 2003)

Head and Neck Cancer

Head, and neck cancer is a form of cancers of the mouth, nose, sinuses, salivary glands, throat, and lymph nodes, in the neck. A randomized double blind, placebo controlled trial among 144 head, and neck cancer patients, was conducted to determine the efficacy of zinc sulfate supplementation, in reducing radiation induced oral mucositis, and pharyngitis.

The study concluded that, zinc sulfate administered during head, and neck radiation therapy, produced no significant benefit, in relieving radiation induced oral mucositis and pharyngitis with acceptable side effects. (Sangthawan D, et al. 2013)

Colorectal Cancer

In 1988, a double blind randomized trial, in Italy, was started to demonstrate the efficacy of a combination of antioxidant supplement (200 μg selenium, 30 mg zinc, 2 mg vitamin A, 180 mg vitamin C, and 30 mg vitamin E), in reducing the incidence of recurrent adenomas (benign tumor) of the large bowel, among 411 patients, on post polypectomy (surgical removal of a polyp) endoscopic.

All patients were assigned to receive either a supplement, or a placebo, daily for five years. After follow up of four years, in range of 1 to 15 years, the study showed significant effect of antioxidant supplementation, on adenoma recurrence. Since the study used a combination of antioxidant supplement all together, it is difficult to determine the role of zinc, in reducing the risk for colorectal cancer. (Bonelli L, et al. 2013)

Leukemia

Recent study managed to develop zinc sulfide nanoparticles (ZnS NPs), to study their cytotoxicity against the KG-1A (human acute myeloid leukemia) cell line. Cell viability study, and flow cytometric analysis, confirmed the potent cytotoxic effects of ZnS NPs, on cancer cells.

The study found that, ZnS NPs had no toxic effects on normal lymphocytes, at doses up to 50 µg ml, and clarified the mechanism of ZnS NPs, in inducing anticancer activities in vitro. More studies were needed to investigate ZnS NPs application to cancer treatment in vivo. (Dash SK, et al. 2014)

Dayak Punan Merah Healing Technique

noreply@blogger.com (Verdi Laurent) — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 23:42:00 +0000

Portrait of a Dayak Punan group at the river, Borneo
Image is courtesy of Tropenmuseum

Multi Ethnics Dayak

Dayak or dyak, are the native people of Borneo Island, spreading in three countries of Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. There are many different tribes, or ethnics of dayak, which unrelated to one another, having different languages, and different ways of living.

The main tribes of dayak include, Iban, Ngaju, Bahau, Murut, Kenyah, Kayan and Punan. From those main tribes, they are divided into more than 400 sub tribes. According to the origin of Punan tribe, or commonly known as Punan Bah people, they were descendants of Bua, an etun oa, a supernatural being, who was gifted with special powers. (Ida Nicolaisen, 1976)

Mystical Tribe of Dayak Punan Merah

In this post, I only describe about Dayak Punan Merah, the mystical tribe, who lived in the deep jungle, and isolated from the island. Punan Merah people, are noticed by the red (merah) colour of their feet. They do not even try to civilize, unlike the other tribes, who had already worn clothes. Punan Merah people are known as the guardian of the jungle of Kalimantan, Indonesia.

There are few informations about this mystical tribe in the internet. Its existency is beyond the unknown. Some people of Kalimantan were even never heard about Punan Merah tribe. While other people believed that, the people of Punan Merah tribe possess supranatural powers. Perhaps, it was because their primitive animism beliefs, and their choice of life to isolate themself from others.

Nowadays, the ancient Dayak tradition of Kayau (headhunting) is still performing by several tribes, including Punan Merah tribe. The last seen Kayau tradition was in Sampit Tragedy, a racism chaos between Dayak and Maduranese. Back then, the most famous inland Dayak was known by the name of Panglima Burung (Bird Commander)

Inland Dayak came from mountain and jungle, carried their famous weapon of Mandau Terbang (Flying Mandau). Mandau Terbang could not be seen, when it was used to cut its head target, and vanished along with the head target. Even though the target was between a crowded people, Mandau Terbang never missed its head target.

Punan Merah Chief's Son in Law

The first time I knew about this Punan Merah tribe, was from my new uncle. Why I say new? Because his sister was just married to my grandmother's youngest brother, who was widowed since 2007. I just knew my uncle last week, when her sister introduced him to my family as a paranormal expert.

When you need a cure for any kind of diseases, just ask him! He will be willing to help without any cost., said her sister.

Further more, when I asked my uncle about the reason, why he did not charge for any of his alternative treatments. It was because, what his master had told him. He could only accept any offers, if they were from someone else. Not from the patient himself.

Who was your master?, I said. It was my father in law, a chief of Punan Merah tribe., he answered. I did not even understand to what he just said to me. But later, I learned more from him, that Punan Merah is a Dayak tribe, who was known by the red colour of their feet.

My uncle usually cured diseases due to a black magic spell. Few days before I met him, he said that he just took out a piece of a broken glass, from a man's stomach.

What kind of medications, or herbs did you use?, I said. I'm not using any herbs. I cured using a spirit language. The only herb I used, was when I spat on their faces. You what?, I said to myself in my heart. That is unbelieveable form of alternative medications.

How about when you met with a cancer patient? What media did you use to remove the cancer? Did you use a goat, a chicken, or just throw the cancer into the Earth?, I asked my uncle. For heavy diseases such as cancers, I use an eating egg as a media. Not for an egg that was resulted from chickens mated. It is forbidden to use any living things, or even throw it into the Earth.

My uncle was born in Lumajang, East Java. He worked as an outsource conservationist, for Indonesian Ministry of Public Works. Since birth, he had already gained his sixth sense. He first met his father in law, the Chief of Punan Merah, was in an astral world, after his first Javanese wife past away. The chief asked my uncle to visit him, in the deep jungle of Kalimantan.

My uncle was then married to two daughters of the Chief, and was taught more about supranatural powers of Punan Merah tribe. His wives are now settled in Samarinda and Pontianak. Even though my uncle is a Catholic in belief, but he also had the knowledge of Quran, just like a moslem did, due to his first wife is a moslem.

According to my uncle, for the native Dayak women, to be married to a Javanese man, is considered a noble honour. The religion of Punan Merah people are animism. They are living primitively, and not wearing any clothes. They live by farming, and fishing on the river, where there are many huge fishes, more than enough to feed a man alone.

That is why, the rule of the tribe, is forbid a man to catch fishes, more than the numbers of his whole family members. If he broke the rule, than he must pay a fine to the tribe. Moreover, my uncle said that, Punan Merah tribe is now still at war with seven other Dayak tribes.

Even for a crocodile which bit a man's foot, can be called up from the river, to take responsibility of its action., said my uncle.

Metal Wires Grow in a Woman Stomach

Noorsyaida with metal wires grow in her stomach
Image is courtesy of Suyanto/Surya

In 2008, the news about Noorsyaida, a 40 years old kindergarten teacher in Samarinda, who was suffered of having metal wires grow in her stomach, became famous. Not just in newspapers, local TV news, and even in the internet.

Many people claimed that Noorsyaida was having a disease from a black magic spell. But, a few sceptics also claimed that it was just a hoax. Several doctors also tried to conduct a surgery, to remove several 10 to 20 cm wires, from her stomach. But, shortly after the wires were being removed, they will grow by themselves.

X-Ray image of Noorsyaida's stomach

According to Noorsyaida, the pain of having metal wires grow in her stomach, was started in 1991. Without any signs, metal wires suddenly grow in her stomach.

Back then, every week the wires suddenly dropped by themselves and vanished. About a month later, the wires will grow again. And now, it has been more than six months, but, there are no wires in my stomach, which dropped, or vanished. It is so painfully., said Noorsyaida to a reporter from Tribun Kaltim, in her house, in July 2008.

What Was The Connection of Noorsyaida's Strange Disease With Punan Merah Tribe?

It was my new uncle who said to me, Do you remember about a woman who suffered the pain of having metal wires grow in her stomach., my uncle asked me.

Yes, but it was long time ago. I think that the woman may have been suffered from a black magic spell., I answered. Yes, indeed. The paranormal who cast the black magic spell on her was already dead. That's why, no one could able to cure her. She was cured by my father in law, the Chief of Punan Merah tribe., my uncle replied.

How could she managed to find your father in law?, I asked. She never gave up to find a way to get a cure., my uncle answered.

My uncle did not mention any date, or year, when Noorsyaida was being cured. I then searched further in the internet about this. I only found the 2008 news, and some recent news that was just a copy paste article from the past 2008 news.

My Astral Meeting With The Chief of Punan Merah

I am so curious with my uncle's father in law, what is he looks like? That question suddenly came out of my mind. While I was chatting with my uncle, I was doing an astral projection to the deep jungle of Kalimantan to find my uncle's father in law, the Chief of Punan Merah.

Your father in law seems to be younger than you. I think his age is about 45 years old. His hair is still black, and unlike yours., I said. Yes, he is younger than me physically, but his age is 84 years old., my uncle answered. That is amazing., I replied.

Moreover, in my astral meeting with the Chief of Punan Merah, I was given by the Chief some kind of energy, which laid in my heart, a warm energy. I was blessed by the Chief, when he put his hand in my astral head, at the time I was chatting with him.

Somehow, although the Chief was talking to me using a different language, I could understand everything he said. Infact, when we were doing an astral projection, we could talk telepathicaly using any languages, a form of spirit language.

Moreover, this alternative healing technique of medications, using a spirit language may have benefical to get more informations from the patient's soul, or spirit, about his physical diseases. Afterall, mental health is more important than physic health.

Update July 13, 2023 :

This post is dedicated to my late new uncle, who the medical expert assumed him died due to COVID19.
But, that's not the story!
He died while fighting with another paranormal (who also died in real world), in an astral world. That's the risk of being an expert in paranormal activity.
Rest in peace Uncle Yudo.

Health Benefits of Cincau

noreply@blogger.com (Verdi Laurent) — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 04:41:00 +0000

Black cincau (black grass jelly)
Image from wikimedia

Cincau, an Indonesian famous ingredient commonly used for beverages, turns out to have many health benefits. Other common names of cincau, include, grass jelly (English), khruea ma noi, chao kuai (Thailand), cao, juju, kepleng (Javanese), camcauh, tahulu (Sundanese), xian cao, hsian tsao (Taiwan).

Cincau is made traditionally by first washing the leaves, finely crushed, and added with warm water. The water soluble is then separated from the leaves, left until it is cold, and turned into a jelly.

It might also simply by soaking the leaves into water, for about five minutes, and then squeeze them. The leaves will stick together like glues. The more sticky means better quality of Cincau leaves.

Moreover, the gel content in cincau, is affected by the altitude. The highest content of the gel is found in the leaves, which are planted at minimum of 2000 meters asl. (Widyaningsih TD, et al. 2012)

According to Kooiman P, 2006, the solubility of such a pure, and highly esterified pectin, from cincau plant cell walls, in cold water, seems to occur only in a restricted number of plant species.

Different varieties of cincau, whether they are derived from the leaves of Mesona palustris, Mesona chinensis, Mesona procumbens, or Cyclea barbata, all them possess the same health benefits.

Cyclea barbata Miers.

Green cincau is made from the leaves of Cyclea barbata, in which is reported to be originated from Silent Valley, Kerala, India. Cyclea barbata is commonly used, as a medicinal plant by Javanese people, for stomach troubles, and as a prophylactic against fever. (Manilal KS, et al. 1985)

Five bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids, in which among them, tetrandrine, limacine, thalrugosine, homoaromoline, and cycleapeltine, were extracted from the roots of Cyclea barbata, had demonstrated cytotoxic, and antimalarial activities. (Lin LZ, et al. 1993)

Mesona palustris
Image from sito

Black cincau is made from the leaves of Mesona palustris, or other Mesona family plants. Black cincau has been reported to possess antioxidant, antibacterial, antimutagenic, hepatoprotective, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, immunomodulatory and cancer preventive properties. Black cincau is believed can be used to treat fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, cough, mouth sores, high blood pressure, diabetes and liver disease.

Recent study was aimed to demonstrate the immunomodulatory property of a black cincau, in a form of instant tea powder, using Salmonella thypimurium induced mice. The beverage, in which was added with cinnamon and pandan leaves extracts, had the ability to increase interferon gamma (IFN-γ), and immunoglobulin G (IgG), in Salmonella thypimurium induced mice, at dose of 18,2 mg/20 g body weight, and 36,4 mg/20 g body weight. (Widyaningsih TD, et al. 2013)

Black cincau, which is tasteless in nature, is easily found to be sold, whether in a traditional market, or in a supermarket. Even though cincau beverages possess many health benefits, but another ingredients to make cincau beverages more tasty, might be questionable for health.

The use of sugar in a large amount, or artificial sweetener that is used by traditional cincau beverages seller, will make cincau no longer healthier. Even worse, if the seller made his own cincau, by adding the soluble water of the leaves with borax, to make it more gummy, and lasts longer to be sold.


Ding Fong Black Grass Jelly Powder	Nutrijel Jelly Powder Rasa Cincau (Pack of 6)

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Olaf in Under World

noreply@blogger.com (Verdi Laurent) — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 05:10:00 +0000

Olaf, and his father, Jens Jansen, with the giant people of the Under World
Illustration by John A. Williams, courtesy of ssx

This is a real story of 95 years old Norseman, Olaf Jansen, who had been living alone, in an unpretentious bungalow out Glendale way, a short distance from the business district of Los Angeles, California. The story was given in detail to Willis George Emerson, as set down by himself in manuscript, just before his last breath, in his bed.

As said by Olaf Jansen to Willis George Emerson, before his death:

I leave in your hands. If I can have your promise to give them to the world, I shall die happy, because I desire that people may know the truth, for then all mystery concerning the frozen Northland will be explained.

There is no chance of your suffering the fate I suffered. They will not put you in irons, nor confine you in a mad house, because you are not telling your own story, but mine, and I, thanks to the gods, Odin and Thor, will be in my grave, and so beyond the reach of disbelievers who would persecute.

At first, I tried to rewrite Olaf Jansen's adventure, based on the book, The Smoky God, or a Voyage to the Inner World by Willis George Emerson, copyright 1908, in a single post. Because the book consists of 60 pages, I must devide the story, which I had edited, into two continous posts.

My intention to rewrite, and edit the story, in which I believe to be a real life story, is to make the story fits in two posts, and in honour of the late Olaf Jansen. If you are disbelievers of the Hollow Earth Theory, you may consider Olaf Jansen's story as just an old man's tale, and not less.

Sailing Far Beyond the North Wind

Olaf Jansen is a Norwegian. He was born, when his parents were on a fishing cruise in the Gulf of Bothnia, and put him to the Russian town of Uleaborg, at October 27, 1811. Olaf is the only son of Jens Jansen, a sailor who was born at Rodwig, near the Lofoden Islands. After marrying, Jens Jansen settled in Stockholm, Sweden. At the age of nine years old, Olaf was placed in a private school, in Stockholm, until he was fourteen.

In April 3, 1829, Olaf and his father left Stockholm, sailed with their little fishing sloop. Arriving at the town of Christiansand, they rested for two days. The sailing was aimed to load their little fishing sloop with ivory, instead of cod, herring, mackerel and salmon.

Jens was pleased with the sale of some ivory tusks, that he had found on the West Coast of Franz Joseph Land, during one of his northern cruises, in the previous year. He was then hoping to be fortunate enough to find some ivory tusks.

Arriving at Hammerfest (Norway), they remained there for a week, to collect an extra supply of provisions, and several casks of drinking water. In June 23, they arrived at Spitzbergen (Svalbard), and anchored at Wijade Bay for a short time, to catch some fishes. When a strong wind came up from the Southwest, Olaf saw numerous sea fowls, which darkened the sky. Jens took advantage of the wind, to sail to Franz Joseph Land.

Several days of sailing along the rocky coast of Franz Josef Land. Finally, a favoring wind came up that enabled them to make the West Coast. After sailing for a full day, they arrived to an open water, directly to the North. While in the East and West of them, there were numerous icebergs.

Jens Jansen was an ardent believer, in Odin and Thor. He frequently told Olaf, that Odin and Thor were gods, who came from far beyond the North Wind. Olaf still remember how his father explained, that in the farther northward, there was a beautiful land, which inhabited by the Chosen.

Why not sail to this goodly land? The sky is fair, the wind favorable, and the sea open, asked Olaf to his father.

My son, are you willing to go with me and explore? To go far beyond where man has ever ventured?, Jens asked his son. Very well, Olaf answered.

May the god Odin protect us!, Jens replied, and quickly adjusting the sails. Jens glanced at their compass, and turned the prow in due northerly direction, through an open channel. Their voyage had begun.

In an Open Water of The Arctic Ocean

Three days of sailing to northerly direction, they arrived in an island, and explored the island for a day. They found a large accumulation of drift wood on the northern shore. Some of the trunks of the trees were 40 feet long, and two feet in diameter.

After a day's exploration of the coast line of the island, they lifted anchor, and turned their prow to the North, in an open sea. Instead of the cold being intense, as they had anticipated. It was really warmer, and more pleasant than it had been while, in Hammerfest, some six weeks before.

When they both were sleeping, a fierce snow storm was raging, and the wind was driving their sloop at a terrific speed. In front of them, there was phenomenon of an Arctic fog. For more than three hours, they were struggling with the storm.

The little sloop, which was being driven forward at fierce speed, was shipping water, and the snow was falling so fast as to be blinding. Then suddenly, as if growing weary of its frantic exertions, the wind began to lessen its fury, and by degrees to die down.

After the storm, they found that, less than one third of their provisions remaining. While their water casks had been swept overboard, during the violent plungings of their boat. Two of our water casks were in the main hold, but both were empty. They had a fair supply of food, but no fresh water.

To ignore his thirst, Olaf washed his hands, and face, using the water from the sea. When the water touched his lips, he tasted no salt in the water. Olaf was startled by the discovery, and called out his father, Father! The water.. The water.. It is fresh!

What, Olaf? Surely you are mistaken. There is no land. You are going mad., said his father. But taste it!, said Olaf.

They made the discovery that the water was indeed fresh, without the least briny taste, or even the suspicion of a salty flavor. They filled their two remaining water casks. Jens declared that, it was a heavenly dispensation of mercy from the gods, Odin and Thor.

Looking at their compass, they found that, the northern point was pressing hard against the glass. In response to Olaf's surprise, his father said to him, I have heard of this before. It is what they call the dipping of the needle.

They loosened the compass, and turned it at right angles with the surface of the sea, before its point would free itself from the glass. And then pointed according to unmolested attraction. It shifted uneasily, and seemed as unsteady as a drunken man, but finally pointed a course.

With the needle free, they discovered, if it could be relied upon, that they were sailing slightly North by Northeast. Their course, however, was ever tending northward. Looking out the record in their logbook, they found that, they had been sailing eleven days since the storm in the open sea.

Running low on foods, and one of their casks of water had been exhausted. But, they found that, the water was now as salt as in the region of the Lofoden Islands, off the coast of Norway. This necessitated them to be extremely careful of the remaining cask.

The Smokey God

Olaf always noticed a single star overhead. For several days, when he looked for this star, it was always there directly above them. According to their reckoning, it was about the first of August. The sun was high in the heavens, and was so bright that Olaf could no longer see the one lone star, that attracted his attention a few days earlier.

Jens startled his son by calling Olaf's attention to a novel sight, far in front of them, almost at the horizon. It is a mock sun., Jens exclaimed.

I have read of them. It is called a reflection, or mirage. It will soon pass away., added Jens.

But, this dull red, false sun, as they supposed it to be, did not pass away for several hours. Clouds and mists would at times almost, but never entirely, hide its location. Gradually, it seemed to climb higher, in the horizon of the uncertain purply sky, as they advanced. It could hardly be said to resemble the sun, except in its circular shape, and when not obscured by clouds, or the ocean mists.

This sun had a hazy red, bronzed appearance, which would change to a white light like a luminous cloud, as if reflecting some greater light beyond. They finally agreed in their discussion, that this smoky furnace colored sun, in which whatever the cause of the phenomenon. It was clearly not a reflection of their Sun, but a planet of some sort, a reality.

The Land of The Giants

When Olaf felt into a sound sleep, his father shaked his shoulder and said, Olaf, awaken! There is land in sight!

Olaf sprang to his feet with an unspeakable joy. Far in the distance, directly in their path, were lands jutting boldly into the sea. The shore line stretched far away to the right of them, as far as the eye could see. The banks were covered with trees and vegetation.

Olaf cannot express his feeling of exultation at this discovery. His father stood motionless, with his hand on the tiller, looking straight ahead, pouring out his heart in thankful prayer, and thanksgiving to the gods, Odin and Thor.

In the meantime, a net which they found in the stowage had been cast, and they caught a few fishes that materially added to their dwindling stock of provisions. The compass, which they had fastened back in its place, in fear of another storm, was still pointing due North, and moving on its pivot, just as it had at Stockholm.

The dipping of the needle had ceased. Their many days of sailing had certainly carried them far past the North Pole. And yet, the needle continued to point North. They were sorely perplexed, for surely their direction was now South.

They sailed for three days along the shoreline, then came to the mouth of an immense river. It seemed more like a great bay, and into this they turned their fishing craft, the direction being slightly northeast of south. They continued to make their way inland, into what afterward proved to be a mighty river, which later they learned that, it was called by the inhabitants, as Hiddekel River.

They continued their journey for ten days, and had fortunately attained a distance inland, where ocean tides no longer affected the water, which had become fresh. The discovery came none too soon, for their remaining cask of water was exhausted.

They lost no time in replenishing their casks, and continued to sail farther up the river, when the wind was favorable. Along the banks, great forests miles in extent could be seen stretching away on the shore line. The trees were enormous in size.

They landed after anchoring near a sandy beach, and were rewarded by finding a quantity of nuts. It was about the first of September, over five months, since they left Stockholm.

Suddenly, they were frightened by hearing in the far distance, the singing of people. They discovered a huge ship gliding down the river directly toward them. Those aboard were singing in one mighty chorus that, echoing from bank to bank, sounded like a thousand voices, filling the whole universe with quivering melody.

The accompaniment was played on stringed instruments, unlike their harps. It was a larger ship than any they had ever seen, and was differently constructed.

Six gigantic men rowed to their little fishing sloop. They spoke to Olaf and his father, in a strange language, which later Olaf discovered that it was much like the Sanskrit language. From their manner, the six giant men were quite friendly. They talked a great deal among themselves, and one of them laughed immoderately. Finally, the leader motioned as if to ask, whether Olaf and his father were willing to leave the craft, to go on board with them.

What say you, my son? asked Jens. They cannot do any more than kill us. They seem to be kindly disposed, Olaf replied, Although what terrible giants! They must be the select six of the kingdom's crack regiment. Just look at their great size!

We may as well go willingly as be taken by force, said Jens, smiling, For they are certainly able to capture us. Within a few minutes, Olaf and Jens were on board the ship, and later their little fishing craft had been lifted bodily out of the water, by a strange sort of hook and tackle, and set on board as a curiosity.

There were several hundred people on board this mammoth ship, which was called The Naz, meaning, as Olaf afterward learned, Pleasure, or to give a more proper interpretation, Pleasure Excursion ship.

There was not a single man aboard who would not have measured fully 12 feet in height. They all wore full beards, not particularly long, but short cropped. The captain was fully a head taller than any of his companions. The women averaged from ten to eleven feet in height.

As Olaf was a lad in his 19th year, he was doubtless looked upon as a true Tom Thumb. Jens Jansen's six feet three did not lift the top of his head, above the waist line of these people. The men were clothed in handsomely embroidered tunics of silk and satin, belted at the waist. They wore knee breeches, and stockings of a fine texture, while their feet were encased in sandals adorned with gold buckles.

Olaf discovered that gold was one of the most common metals known, and that it was used extensively in decoration. Olaf and Jens were given specially into the charge of one of the men, Jules Galdea, and his wife, for the purpose of being educated in their language.

At the captain's command, the vessel was swung cleverly about, and began retracing its course up the river. The machinery, while noiseless, was very powerful. The ship was equipped with a mode of illumination, which later Olaf presumed as electricity, that yet had not been widely used in vessels, by the Earth's surface people at the year of 1829.

In the meantime, Olaf had lost sight of the sun's rays, but found a radiance within emanating from the dull red sun, which had already attracted his attention, now giving out a white light seemingly from a cloud bank far away in front of him.

It dispensed a greater light, than two full moons on the clearest night. In twelve hours this cloud of whiteness would pass out of sight as if eclipsed. Olaf learned that these strange people were worshipers of this great cloud of night, The Smoky God of the Under World.

The ship were sailing for two days, and reached the City of Jehu, a seaport town. The houses were large and beautifully constructed, and quite uniform in appearance, yet without sameness. The door casings were inlaid, and the tables were veneered, with sheetings of gold. Domes of the public buildings were of gold.

Vegetation grew in lavish exuberance, and fruit of all kinds possessed the most delicate flavor. Clusters of grapes four and five feet in length, each grape as large as an orange, and apples larger than a man's head. Olaf and Jens were staying in Jehu, for an entire year.

By the end of that time, they had learned to speak fairly well the language of this strange race of people. Their instructors, Jules Galdea and his wife, exhibited a patience that was truly commendable. One day an envoy from the Ruler at Eden came to see them.

For two whole days, Olaf and Jens were put through a series of surprising questions. The Ruler wished to know from whence they came, what sort of people dwelt without, what God they worshiped, their religious beliefs, the mode of living in their strange land, and a thousand other things.

The compass, which Olaf and Jens had brought, attracted especial attention. The fact that the compass still pointed north, although Olaf and Jens now knew, that they had sailed over the curve, or edge of the Earth's aperture.

Olaf and Jens were far along southward on the inside surface of the Earth's crust. In which according to Jens's estimate, is about 300 miles in thickness from the inside to the outside surface.

The great luminous cloud, or ball of dull red fire, fiery red in the mornings and evenings. Which during the day giving off a beautiful white light, The Smoky God, is seemingly suspended in the center of the great vacuum within the Earth.

The Smoky God held to its place by the immutable law of gravitation, or a repellant atmospheric force. Olaf referred to the known power that draws, or repelled with equal force in all directions. The base of this electrical cloud or central luminary, the seat of the gods, is dark and non transparent.

The Smoky God appears to come up in the East, and go down in the West, the same as does the Sun, on the external surface. In reality, the under world people believe that, The Smoky God, is the throne of their Jehovah, and is stationary. The effect of night and day is produced by the Earth's daily rotation.

Riding The Fly Wheels Vehicle

Olaf and Jens had given an account of themselves to the emissaries from the central seat of government of the under world continent. Jens had, in his crude way, drawn maps, at their request, of the outside surface of the Earth. Showing the divisions of land and water. Giving the name of each of the continents, large islands and the oceans.

Olaf and Jens were taken overland to the City of Eden, in a conveyance different from anything outside world. The vehicle was doubtless some electrical contrivance. It was noiseless, and ran on a single iron rail in perfect balance. The trip was made at a very high rate of speed.

They were carried up hills, down dales, across valleys, and again along the sides of steep mountains. The car seats were huge, yet comfortable affairs, and very high above the floor of the car. On the top of each car were high geared fly wheels lying on their sides, which were so automatically adjusted that, as the speed of the car increased, the high speed of these fly wheels geometrically increased.

Jules Galdea explained that, these revolving fan like wheels, on top of the cars, destroyed atmospheric pressure, or what is generally understood by the term gravitation. With this force thus destroyed, or rendered nugatory, the car is as safe from falling to one side, or the other from the single rail track, as if it were in a vacuum.

In The City of Eden

The surprise of Olaf and Jens was indescribable when, amid the regal magnificence of a spacious hall. They were finally brought before the Great High Priest, ruler over all the land. He was richly robed, and much taller than those about him, and could not have been less than 14 or 15 feet in height.

The immense room, in which Olaf and Jens were received, seemed finished, in solid slabs of gold, thickly studded with jewels, of amazing brilliancy. The City of Eden is located in what seems to be a beautiful valley. In fact, it is on the loftiest mountain plateau of the Under World Continent. Several thousand feet higher than any portion of the surrounding country.

It is the most beautiful place Olaf had ever beheld, in all his travels. In this elevated garden, all manner of fruits, vines, shrubs, trees, and flowers grow in riotous profusion. In this garden four rivers have their source, in a mighty artesian fountain. They divide and flow in four directions.

This place is called by the inhabitants the navel of the earth, or the beginning, the cradle of the human race. The names of the rivers are the Euphrates, the Pison, the Gihon, and the Hiddekel.

The unexpected awaited Olaf and Jens, in this palace of beauty, in the finding of their little fishing craft. It had been brought before the High Priest, in perfect shape. Just as it had been taken from the waters that day, when it was loaded on board the ship, by the people who discovered them on the river, more than a year before. After several interviews, the High Priest asked Olaf and Jens, whether they wished to remain in his country, or preferred to return to the outer world.

Jens replied It would please me, and my son to visit your country, and see your people. Your colleges. Your palaces of music and art. Your great fields. Your wonderful forests of timber. And after we have had this pleasurable privilege, we should like to try to return to our home on the outside surface of the Earth. This son is my only child, and my good wife will be weary awaiting our return.

I fear you can never return, replied the High Priest, Because the way is a most hazardous one. However, you shall visit the different countries with Jules Galdea as your escort, and be accorded every courtesy and kindness. Whenever you are ready to attempt a return voyage, I assure you that your boat which is here on exhibition, shall be put in the waters of the river Hiddekel at its mouth, and we will bid you Jehovah speed. Thus terminated Olaf and Jens only interview with the High Priest, the Ruler of the continent.

Read the second chapter here

Olaf in Under World (2)

noreply@blogger.com (Verdi Laurent) — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 05:08:00 +0000

This post is the second chapter of Olaf Jansen journey to the Under World. Read the first chapter here.

Life in Under World

Both Olaf and Jens learned that, the males do not marry, before they are from 75 to 100 years old. The age at which women enter wedlock is only a little less. Both men and women frequently live to be from 600 to 800 years old, and in some instances much older.

During the following year, Olaf and Jens visited many villages and towns, prominent among them being the cities of Nigi, Delfi, and Hectea. Olaf remember hearing his father remark that, the giant race of people in the land of The Smoky God, had almost as accurate an idea of the geography of the outside surface of the Earth, as had the average college professor in Stockholm.

In their travels, they came to a forest of gigantic trees, near the City of Delfi. Had the Bible said, there were trees towering over 300 feet in height, and more than 30 feet in diameter, growing in the Garden of Eden. The Ingersolls, the Tom Paines and Voltaires, would doubtless have pronounced the statement a myth.

The description of the California sequoia gigantea, pale into insignificance, when compared with the forest Goliaths, found in the Under World Continent. Where abound mighty trees from 800 to 1,000 feet in height. From 100 to 120 feet in diameter. Countless in numbers, and forming forests extending hundreds of miles back from the sea.

The children are not supposed to attend institutions of learning, before they are 20 years old. Their school life begins, and continues for 30 years. Ten years are uniformly devoted, by both sexes to the study of music.

The Under World people principal vocations are architecture, agriculture, horticulture, the raising of vast herds of cattle, and the building of conveyances peculiar to that country, for travel on land, and water. By some device, they hold communion with one another, between the most distant parts of their country, on air currents.

All buildings are erected with special regard to strength, durability, beauty and symmetry. A style of architecture vastly more attractive to the eye, than any Olaf had ever observed elsewhere.

About three fourths of the Under World is land, and about one fourth is water. There are numerous rivers of tremendous size, flowing in a northerly and southerly direction. Some of these rivers are 30 miles in width.

Olaf and Jens saw innumerable specimens of bird life, no larger than those encountered, in the forests of Europe, or America. Whether inland among the mountains, or along the seashore, they found bird life prolific. When some the birds spread their great wings, appeared to measure 30 feet from tip to tip, with great variety and many colors.

When Olaf and Jens were permitted to climb up on the edge of a rock, to examine a nest of eggs. There were five in the nest, each of which was at least two feet in length, and 15 inches in diameter.

After a week in the City of Hectea, Jules Galdea took Olaf and Jens to an inlet, where they saw thousands of tortoises along the sandy shore. These great creatures were from 25 to 30 feet in length, from 15 to 20 feet in width, and fully seven feet in height. When one of tortoises projected its head, it had the appearance of some hideous sea monster.

The strange conditions are favorable not only for vast meadows of luxuriant grasses, forests of giant trees, all manner of vegetable life, and wonderful animal life as well.

One day, Olaf and Jens saw a great herd of elephants. There must have been 500 of these thunder throated monsters, with their restlessly waving trunks. They were tearing huge boughs from the trees, and trampling smaller growth into dust like so much hazel brush. They would average over 100 feet in length, and from 75 to 85 in height.

There is a hazy mist that goes up from the land each evening, and it invariably rains, once every 24 hours. This great moisture, the invigorating electrical light, and warmth account perhaps for the luxuriant vegetation. While the highly charged electrical air, and the evenness of climatic conditions, may have much to do with the giant growth, and longevity of all animal life.

In places the level valleys stretched away for many miles in every direction. The Smoky God, in its clear white light, looked calmly down. There was an intoxication, in the electrically surcharged air, that fanned the cheek, as softly as a vanishing whisper. Nature chanted a lullaby, in the faint murmur of winds, whose breath was sweet with the fragrance of bud and blossom.

A Journey Home

After having spent considerably more than a year, in visiting several of the many cities of the Under World. And more than two years had passed, from the time Olaf and Jens had been picked up by the great excursion ship on the river. They decided to cast their fortunes once more upon the sea, and endeavor to regain the outside surface of the Earth.

The Under World people also generously offered to give Olaf and Jens, bags of gold nuggets, which some of them as large as a goose's egg. In due time, Olaf and Jens returned to Jehu, at which place they spent one month in fixing up, and overhauling their little fishing sloop.

After all was in readiness, using the same ship, the Naz, took Olaf and Jens along with their little craft on board, and sailed to the mouth of the river Hiddekel. The giant people were most cordially regretful at parting, and evinced much solicitude for Olaf and Jens's safety.

Jens swore by the Gods Odin, and Thor that, he would surely return again, within a year, or two, to pay them another visit.

Olaf and Jens were becalmed within an hour, after their giant friends had left them to return home. The winds were constantly blowing South, from the northern opening of the Earth toward, that which Olaf and Jens knew to be South, but according to their compass's pointing finger, was directly North.

For three days they tried to sail, and to beat against the wind, but to no avail. Whereupon Jens said, My son, to return by the same route as we came in is impossible at this time of year. I wonder why we did not think of this before. We have been here almost two and a half years, therefore, this is the season, when the Sun is beginning to shine in, at the southern opening of the Earth. The long cold night is on, in the Spitzbergen country.

What shall we do? Olaf inquired. There is only one thing we can do, Jens replied, And that is to go South.

Accordingly, Jens turned the craft about, gave it full reef, and started by the compass North but, in fact, directly South. The wind was strong, and they seemed to have struck a current, that was running with remarkable swiftness, in the same direction.

Forty days later, they arrived at Delfi, a city they had visited, in company with Jules Galdea and his wife, near the mouth of the Gihon River. They rested for two days, and were most hospitably entertained by the same people who had welcomed them before.

They laid in some additional provisions and again set sail, following the needle due North. On their outward trip, they came through a narrow channel, which appeared to be a separating body of water, between two considerable bodies of land.

There was a beautiful beach, and they decided to reconnoiter. Casting anchor, they waded ashore to rest up for a day, before continuing the outward hazardous undertaking. They built a fire, and threw on some sticks of dry driftwood. While Jens was walking along the shore, Olaf prepared a tempting repast from supplies they had provided.

After breakfast, they started out, on an inland tour of discovery, but had not gone far, when they saw some birds, which they recognized at once as belonging to the penguin family. Flightless birds, excellent swimmers, with white breast, short wings, black head, and long peaked bills, but, tremendous in size

They stand fully nine feet high. A giant penguin looked at Olaf and Jens with little surprise, and presently waddled. Rather than walked toward the water, and swam away in a northerly direction.

When Olaf and Jens were on an open, and iceless sea. They knew the so called South Pole was turned toward the Sun. Passing out, away from the internal electrical light of The Smoky God, and its genial warmth. They would be met by the light, and warmth of the Sun, shining in through the South opening of the Earth, and they were not mistaken.

Among The Ice Packs

Along the way, they encountered a hidden rock, or obstacle. The little vessel would have been crushed into kindling wood. At their consciousness, the atmosphere was growing decidedly colder. Few days later, icebergs were sighted far to the left. Jens argued, and correctly, that the winds which filled their sails came from the warm climate of the Under World.

They were soon amid the ice packs, and narrow channels. The compass behaved in the same drunken, and unreliable fashion in passing over the southern curve, or edge of the Earth's shell, as it had done on their inbound trip, at the northern entrance. It gyrated, dipped, and seemed like a thing possessed.

Suddenly, Jens shouted, Breakers ahead! Looking up, Olaf saw through a lifting mist, a white object that towered several hundred feet high, completely shutting off their advance. They lowered sail immediately, and none too soon.

They found theirselves wedged between two monstrous icebergs. Each was crowding, and grinding against its fellow mountain of ice, like two gods of war contending for supremacy.

Olaf and Jens were between the lines of a battle royal, the sonorous thunder of the grinding ice, was like the continued volleys of artillery. Blocks of ice larger than a house were frequently lifted up a hundred feet, by the mighty force of lateral pressure.

For more than two hours, the contest of the icy giants continued. It seemed as if the end had come. The ice pressure was terrific. They were not caught in the dangerous part of the jam, and were safe for the time being. Finally, the grinding of the ice ceased, and within a few hours the great mass slowly divided, and right before them lay an open channel.

For the next 45 days of their time was employed, in dodging icebergs, and hunting channels. At last, there came a morning when Jens said, My son, I think we are to see home. We are almost through the ice. See! the open water lies before us.

There were a few icebergs, that had floated far northward, into the open water, still ahead of them on either side, stretching away for many miles. Directly in front of them, and by the compass, which had now righted itself, due North, there was an open sea.

What a wonderful story we have to tell to the people of Stockholm, continued Jens, while a look of pardonable elation lighted up his honest face.

And think of the gold nuggets stowed away in the hold!, Olaf spoke kind words of praise to his father, for his fortitude, endurance, for his courageous daring as a discoverer, and for having made the voyage that now promised a successful end.

Olaf was grateful with the wealth of gold, they were carrying home. While congratulating theirselves, on the goodly supply of provisions, water they still had on hand, and on the dangers they had escaped. They were startled by hearing a most terrific explosion, caused by the tearing apart of a huge mountain of ice.

It was a deafening roar like the firing of a thousand cannon. They were sailing at the time with great speed, and happened to be near a monstrous iceberg which to all appearances was as immovable as a rockbound island. It seemed that, the iceberg had split and was breaking apart, and it began dipping from them.

Jens quickly anticipated the danger, before Olaf realized its awful possibilities. The iceberg extended down into the water, many hundreds of feet. As it tipped over, the portion coming up out of the water, caught their fishing craft like a lever on a fulcrum. Threw it into the air as if it had been a football.

Their boat fell back on the iceberg, that by this time had changed the side next to them, for the top. Jens was still in the boat, having become entangled in the rigging, while Olaf was thrown some 20 feet away.

Olaf quickly scrambled to his feet and shouted to his father, who answered, All is well.

Horror upon horror! The blood froze in Olaf veins. The iceberg was still in motion, its great weight, and force in toppling over would cause it to submerge temporarily. Olaf fully realized what a sucking maelstrom, it would produce amid the worlds of water on every side.

Was this the end of our struggles and adventures? Was this death? All these questions flashed through Olaf's mind in the fraction of a second. A moment later, Olaf was engaged in a life and death struggle.

The ponderous monolith of ice sank below the surface, and the frigid waters gurgled around him in frenzied anger. He was in a saucer, with the waters pouring in on every side. Olaf lost consciousness.

When he partially recovered his senses, and roused from the swoon of a half drowned man. Olaf found himself wet, stiff, and almost frozen, lying on the iceberg. But, there was no sign of his father, and their little fishing sloop.

The monster berg had recovered itself, and, with its new balance, lifted its head, perhaps 50 feet above the waves. The top of this island of ice was a plateau, perhaps half an acre in extent.

Olaf loved his father well, and was grief stricken at the awfulness of his death. He railed at fate, that he had not been permitted to sleep with him, in the depths of the ocean. Finally, Olaf climbed to his feet. The purple domed sky above, the shoreless green ocean beneath, and only an occasional iceberg discernible.

His heart sank in hopeless despair. Olaf cautiously picked a way across the berg, toward the other side, hoping that their fishing craft had righted itself. Dared, Olaf think it possible that his father still lived? It was but a ray of hope that flamed up in his heart.

But, the anticipation warmed the blood in his veins, and started it rushing like some rare stimulant through every fiber of his body. Olaf crept close to the precipitous side of the iceberg, and peered far down, hoping, still hoping.

Olaf made a circle of the berg, scanning every foot of the way, and he kept going around, and around. A part of his brain was certainly becoming maniacal, while the other part, was perfectly rational. Olaf was conscious of having made the circuit, a dozen times.

While one part of his intelligence knew, in all reason, there was not a vestige of hope. Some strange fascinating aberration bewitched, and compelled him still to beguile himself with expectation. The other part of his brain seemed to tell him that, while there was no possibility of his father being alive. If Olaf quitted making the circuitous pilgrimage, if he paused for a single moment, it would be acknowledgment of defeat, and he felt that he should go mad.

Hour after hour, Olaf walked around, and around, afraid to stop and rest, yet physically powerless to continue much longer.

Horror of horrors! To be cast away in this wide expanse of waters, without food or drink, and only a treacherous iceberg, for an abiding place. His heart sank within him, and all semblance of hope was fading into black despair. Then the hand of the Deliverer was extended, and the death like stillness of a solitude, rapidly becoming unbearable, was suddenly broken by the firing of a signal gun.

Olaf looked up in startled amazement. When he saw less than a half mile away, a whaling vessel bearing down toward him. Evidently, his continued activity on the iceberg had attracted their attention. On drawing near, they put out a boat, and descending cautiously to the water's edge. Olaf was rescued, and lifted on board the whaling ship, a Scotch whaler, The Arlington, which had cleared from Dundee, in September, and started immediately for the Antarctic, in search of whales.

The captain, Angus MacPherson, seemed kindly disposed, and possessed of an iron will. When Olaf attempted to tell the captain, that he had come from the Under World. The captain and mate looked at each other, shook their heads, and insisted to put Olaf, in a bunk under strict surveillance of the ship's physician.

Olaf was very weak for want of food, and had not slept for many hours. After a few days rest, he got up one morning, and dressed himself. Without asking permission of the physician, or anyone else, and told them that he was as sane as anyone.

The captain again questioned Olaf concerning where he had come from, and how he came to be alone on an iceberg, in the far off Antarctic Ocean. Olaf replied that he had just come from the Under World, with proceeded to tell how his father and himself had gone in by way of Spitzbergen. Which later come out by way of the South Pole country, whereupon Olaf was put in irons.

Olaf heard the captain tell the mate that, he was as crazy as a March hare. Also that Olaf must remain in confinement, until he was rational enough, to give a truthful account of himself. Finally, after much pleading and many promises, Olaf was released from irons.

Olaf then decided to invent some story, that would satisfy the captain, and never again refer to his trip to the land of The Smoky God, at least until he was safe among friends. Within a fortnight I was permitted to go about and take my place as one of the seamen.

Later, the captain asked Olaf for an explanation. He told the captain that his experience had been so horrible, that he was fearful of his memory, and begged the captain to permit him, to leave the question unanswered, until some time in the future.

I think you are recovering considerably, the captain said, but you are not sane yet by a good deal.

Permit me to do such work as you may assign, Olaf replied, And if it does not compensate you sufficiently, I will pay you immediately after I reach Stockholm, to the last penny.

Olaf finally reaching Stockholm, after four years, and eight months of journey. He found that his mother had died the previous year. One day, Olaf told the story, in detail to his uncle, Gustaf Osterlind, who later landed him, in a mad house, where he remained there, for 28 years.

In October 17, 1862, Olaf was released, and became a man over fifty years old, whose only known record, of a madman with no friends. Olaf returned to the life of a fisherman, for the next 27 years.

In 1889, he came to America, and settled in Illinois, near Batavia, for 12 years. He later moved to Los Angeles, in March 4, 1901, and became new acquaintance of Willis George Emerson, who should be the one to edit his story, a disbeliever of Hollow Earth Theory.

For Olaf Jansen himself, the climax of his wonderful travels, and strange adventures was reached, when the Scotch sailing vessel took him, from an iceberg on the Antarctic Ocean.

~ THE END ~

Mind Over Matter

noreply@blogger.com (Verdi Laurent) — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 07:16:00 +0000

E-Squared: Nine Do-It-Yourself Energy Experiments That Prove Your Thoughts Create Your Reality Paperback by Pam Grout

Extrasensory Perception

The term mind over matter refers to the belief, that the mind is more powerful than the body. Mind processes information from the five physical senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. Mind is comprised of the conscious, unconscious and subconscious mental state. While, matter is the substance of a physical object.

Mind over matter relates to the use of extrasensory perception (ESP). ESP is the intuitive knowledge which cannot be obtained from the five physical senses, and is also referred to as a sixth sense. ESP can be said to be the knowledge needed to learn how to properly ride a bicycle.

ESP refers to the knowledge, and mind over matter is the utilization of that knowledge. The abilities of mind over matter, in which refers to psychokinesis (mind movement), include, telekinesis, self healing, levitation, teleportation, astral projection, telepathy, and etc.

I had already described several of my abilities of mind over matter, in my previous posts, Kundalini Reiki self healing, my astral projection to Saranjana City, and my telepathic conversation with my late sister in afterlife post. In this post, I only describe the abilities of mind over matter, involving telekinesis, and levitation, in which I am about to learn.

Telekinesis is not a Gift

According to the author of book, Unleash Your Telekinetic Ability: Three Fundamentals, telekinesis is not a gift, where once you have it, you always will. Although the ability is inside of you, the ability must be used, or will be forgotten, similar to any other abilities.

Telekinesis is derived from the Greek words of tele (distant), and kinesis (motion, movement). Telekinesis refers to the ability to influence (move) an object mentally, or using just your mind. While, telekinetic refers to a life form capable of utilizing telekinesis. There are three fundamentals of telekinesis that must be practiced in order, if you want to unleash your telekinetic ability, in which are, focus, energy and force. (web archive of uyta.com, in Feb 19, 2004)

Telekinesis and Levitation

The telekinetic girl, Riana, performed a levitation, and watched by Deddy Corbuzier, in the back stage, after the magic talent show, titled The Next Mentalist, in November 24, 2013.

Levitation is derived from Latin word, levitas, means lightness. Levitation is a phenomenon of psychokinesis (telekinesis), by rising of objects, people, and animals into the air with using only mental means, or mind over matter. In the Gospel of Matthew 14:25, the Lord Jesus Christ performed a levitation, when He walked on water.

According to a theory by Mark D. Holt, in 2001, both telekinesis and levitation explained the ability to control, and manipulate gravity. People have their own personal gravitational field, just like the Earth, but on a smaller scale. The gravitational field would allow our body to work in a similar way to a magnet, pushing and pulling objects. Our brains would allow us to regulate, or control the ability in the same way, that it regulates our other body functions.

Riana, performed a levitation above Bow Vernon, an Indonesian magician.

Information from this website will show you the step by step on performing levitation. But, you must first awakening your kundalini energy, in order to perform a levitation.

Because according to the author of the website, there are three chakras which can be used to perform levitation. The first is the root chakra (coccyx), the second is the 4th chakra (heart), and the third is the 6th chakra (the third eye between your eyebrows).

Note:

This post is dedicated to the telekinetic girl on the video, The Sacred, Riana, who performed a live magic of teleportation, in December 1, 2013, with a title of Witch Myth.

I will write more about this post, mind over matter, if I had already mastered the skills of telekinesis, levitation, teleportation, and etc, to prove myself that, mind over matter can be explained and learned.

Tea vs. Cancer

noreply@blogger.com (Verdi Laurent) — Sun, 24 Nov 2013 23:44:00 +0000

Tea
Image is courtesy of Sentra Informasi IPTEK

Who are in this world who do not know tea? Tea is popular beverages consumed around the world. Black tea is the most common tea beverage consumed in the world, about 75% of the world's tea consumption.

When I think about tea, I remember to my friend, lets called him Andy, who once made a crossword puzzle game, which in Bahasa Indonesia is known as teka teki silang, or TTS. But, he changed the TTS to tanya tanya saja, which means in English as just asking, a humour crossword puzzle game.

Andy made a question which had an answer of five empty boxes, or five letters answer. The question was, when translated in English as: What is the traditional drink of Indonesian people? My other friends, including me were so hard to find the answer. All of my friends answers were claimed by Andy as the wrong answer.

You know what? Andy said that the correct answer is five letters word (which actually the combination of two words) of esteh. The ridiculous answer that made everybody laugh including me, es teh, which in English means ice tea, is not only a common drink for most Indonesian people, but also for all the people around the world.

The data from the Indonesian Ministry of Health is mentioned that, cancer prevalence in Indonesia, in 2012, has reached 4.3 in every 1,000 people. If the Indonesian population is 251,160,124 (CIA Factbook, July 2013 est.), it means that there are more than 1,079,988 cancer patients, in Indonesia, in 2013.

Tea (Camellia sinensis [L.] Kuntze), is known by many common names, such as, enteh (Sundanese), pu erh cha (Chinese), theler(France), teestrauch (German), te (Italy), cha da India (Portugal). Tea is believed to be originated from the north of India (Camellia sinensis var. assamica), and South China (Camellia sinensis var. sinensis).

The varieties of tea, such as, black tea, green tea, oolong tea, white tea, and etc, are all harvested from the species of Camellia sinensis [L.] Kuntze, but are processed in different levels of oxidation. Black tea is produced when tea leaves are wilted, bruised, rolled, and fully oxidized. Green tea is made from unwilted leaves that are not oxidized. Oolong tea is made from wilted, bruised, and partially oxidized leaves, creating an intermediate kind of tea. White tea is made from young leaves, or growth buds that have undergone minimal oxidation.

Tea and Cancer Prevention

Tea contains polyphenol compounds, particularly catechins, which are antioxidants and whose biological activities may be relevant to cancer prevention. Catechins are thought to be responsible for the health benefits, that have traditionally been attributed to tea, especially green tea. That is why most studies of tea and cancer prevention have focused on green tea. Black tea, although not as well studied as green tea, has also shown cancer preventive effects, in laboratory models.

Polyphenols in green tea include, Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), Epigallocatechin (EGC), Epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG), and Epicatechin (EC). But, the most active, and abundant catechin, in green tea is EGCG. Meanwhile, EGCG and ECG have substantial free radical scavenging activity, and may protect cells from DNA damage, caused by reactive oxygen species. Researchers also believe that, polyphenols help kill cancerous cells, and stop them from growing.

Black tea contains much lower concentrations of catechins than green tea. Oolong tea contains a mixture of simple polyphenols, such as catechins, and complex polyphenols. White and green tea contain similar amounts of EGCG, but different amounts of other polyphenols.

Most animal studies on tea have been found to inhibit tumorigenesis at different organ sites, including the skin, lung, oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, pancreas, and mammary gland. But, the results of human studies, both epidemiologic, and clinical studies have been inconclusive.

The inconsistencies in study findings regarding, tea and cancer risk, may be due to variability in tea preparation, tea consumption, the bioavailability of tea compounds (the amounts that can be absorbed by the body), lifestyle differences, and individual genetic differences. That is why, the National Cancer Institute does not recommend for, or against the use of tea, to reduce the risk of any type of cancer.

Several Human Clinical Studies on Cancer

Breast Cancer

A pooled analysis of two prospective cohort studies among 35,004 Japanese women, found that green tea intake was not associated with a lower risk of breast cancer. (Suzuki Y, et al. 2004)

Recent cross sectional study among 191 healthy Japanese American women, suggested that intake of green tea may modify estrogen metabolism, and reduce the risk of breast cancer. Polyphenols in green tea can influence enzymes that metabolize estrogens, known causal factors in breast cancer etiology. (Fuhrman BJ, et al. 2013)

Colorectal Cancer

A prospective cohort study among 58,279 men, and 62,573 women aged 55-69 years, in Netherlands, failed to reveal a protective effect of tea consumption, on the risk of three cancer types studied (colorectal, lung, and breast cancers). (Goldbohm RA, et al. 1996)

A cohort study among 69,710 Chinese women, aged 40 to 70 years, which followed up six years later, suggested that regular consumption of green tea may reduce colorectal cancer risk in women. (Yang G, et al. 2007)

A prospective cohort study of diet and cancer involving more than 60,000 men and women, in Singapore, found that the intake of black tea was not associated with risk of colorectal cancer. (Sun CL, et al. 2007)

Digestive Tract Cancer

A comparative case referent study of 21,128 people aged 40 years and over, in Nagoya, Japan, suggested the potential for protective effect against site specific digestive tract cancer, by consumption of green tea and coffee. (Inoue M, et al. 1998)

A large population based prospective cohort study among 69,310 women, and 1,255 cases of digestive system cancers (stomach, esophagus, colorectal, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder/bile duct cancers) were followed up for 11 years since 2000 until 2011. The study found that regular tea intake, mostly green tea, was associated with reduced risk of all digestive system cancers combined, and women who consumed ≥150 g tea/month (2-3 cups/day) had a 21% reduced risk of digestive system cancers combined. The study concluded that tea consumption was associated with reduced risk of colorectal, stomach, and esophageal cancers, in Chinese women. (Nechuta S, et al. 2012)

Gastric Cancer

A population based, prospective cohort study among 11,902 men, and 14,409 women, aged 40 years or older, in Miyagi Prefecture, in northern Japan, found no association between green tea consumption, and the risk of gastric cancer. (Tsubono Y, et al. 2001)

Follow up study from a pooled analysis of six cohort studies, among 219,080 subjects, in 3,577 cases of gastric cancer, found that green tea may decrease the risk of distal gastric cancer in women. Compared with those drinking less than 1 cup/day, no significant risk reduction for gastric cancer was observed, with increased green tea consumption in men. However, in women, a significantly decreased risk was observed, for those with consumption of 5 cups, or more in a day. (Inoue M, et al. 2009)

Ovarian Cancer

An Australian population based, case control study (1,368 cases and 1,416 controls), found that women who drink green tea, have a lower risk of ovarian cancer, and the study supported for the hypothesis that, tea consumption reduces the risk of ovarian cancer. (Nagle CM, et al. 2010)

Stomach Cancer

A study based on 157 incident cases, and 285 people aged 40-79 years, found no inverse association between green tea consumption and the risk of stomach cancer. (Hoshiyama Y, et al. 2004)

Conclusion:
Despite of the National Cancer Institute recommendation, drinking different types of tea beverages will have different effects in any person. My living grandfather, who aged 89 years old, is always drinking black tea without sugar, twice a day, in the morning and afternoon.

Note:

The main reason why I wrote this article, is because couple of days ago, an anonymous spammer wrote comments (twice) with a link promotion, which lead to an article about green tea. The article claimed a fact that, ...people in green tea consuming countries mainly Japan, and China have very low rates of cancer.....

But, I disagree with the article, because based on Globocan 2008 data, Japan was in the top 46 of the highest cancer rate in men, with the ASR of 247.3 per 100,000 people. China was not listed in the top 50 of Globocan 2008 data.

But, report from Chen W, et al. 2013, the crude incidence rate, in Chinese cancer registration areas, in 2009, was 285.91 per 100,000 people. Meanwhile, a news in August 2010, Chen Zhu, minister of China's Ministry of Health said that, there were about 2.6 million people in China, who suffered cancer annually, in which 1.8 million patients died.


Twinings English Breakfast Tea	Taylors of Harrogate Yorkshire Gold

References:

Tea and Cancer Prevention
National Cancer Institute
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/prevention/tea

Green tea
University of Maryland Medical Center
http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/green-tea (Web Archive 8/24/2014).

Kundalini Reiki Self Healing

noreply@blogger.com (Verdi Laurent) — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 05:48:00 +0000

Kundalini
Image is courtesy of Riaz Padamsee

What is Kundalini?

Kundalini, in Sanskrit language means snake, is often described as a sleeping snake, that is being coiled up at the base of the spine, in the triangular shaped of coccyx (tailbone), in three and a half coils. Kundalini as a sleeping snake, is a dormant potential force, or a residual power of pure desire, in human body.

According to an ebook, Kundalini Reiki Manual by Paul Crick, healthypages forum moderator, kundalini means certain healing channels, and chakras have been opened, to gain access to the Earth's energy, as a part of universal energy.

Does it mean, kundalini should be awakened first? Yes, it does. We should awaken our root chakra (the energy centre) first, in order to feel our kundalini energy. But, Paul said in his ebook, that one can awaken his kundalini energy with patiently, by following his instruction.

If you have mastered on your sixth sense, just like I did, it will be easier for you, to feel your kundalini energy, by focussing your mind on your coccyx, the centre of kundalini energy.

What is Kundalini Yoga?

Based on a treatise by Sivananda Saraswati, in 1935, kundalini yoga, a school of yoga, was influenced by the tantra, and shakta schools of Hinduism. In kundalini yoga, the students are taught to focus on awakening the kundalini energy, through regular practice of meditation, pranayama yoga, chanting mantra, and yoga asana.

The aims of kundalini yoga, which called by the yoga practitioners as the yoga of awareness, is to cultivate the creative spiritual potential of a human to uphold values, speak the truth, focus on the compassion, and consciousness needed to serve, and heal others.

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a spiritual practice developed by Mikao Usui, a Japanese Buddhist, in 1922. Reiki healing technique is also called palm healing. A form of alternative medicine, by using Reiki practioners palms on the patients body.

Reiki practitioners believe that by using their palms, they are transferring universal energy of ki (qi, or chi).

Several translation are mentioned to describe the meaning of reiki. Some authors translate reiki as universal life energy. Reiki, in Japanese language derived from the words, rei (spirit, miraculous, divine), and ki (gas, vital energy, breath of life, consciousness). So, reiki means spiritual energy, vital energy, life force, or energy of life. But, there are also several translation of reiki such as, feeling of mystery, atmosphere of mystery, ethereal atmosphere, or spiritual presence.

What is The Difference Between Reiki and Kundalini Reiki?

Below I quote what Paul Crick said in healthypages forum:

Kundalini Reiki is not a form of Usui Reiki, it works with different energy, and the energy beings behind the modality are different, there are no symbols as the connection is direct.

The Kundalini Reiki treatments only take a few minutes to perform, there are no hand positions, you just put your hands on someones shoulders, and think Kundalini Reiki, you feel the energy start to flow, after a few minutes the energy will stop, and the treatment is finished.

This energy modality is simplicity itself to use and pass on, nothing complicated to get in the way of the energy flowing :-)

What is Kundalini Reiki?

In his ebook, Paul Crick described that, kundalini reiki is a simple form of healing and self development system, by opening, and strengthening the energy channel of the body, to direct the healing reiki energy to yourself and others, just by intention. Kundalini reiki was first coined by Ole Gabrielsen, a master of meditation.

Kundalini reiki is a direct result of Ole Gabrielsen many hours of Holy Communion with Master Kuthumi (Koot Hoomi), the Master Energies, the Chocan of the Second Ray, that is connected to crown chakra, and the temple of love, wisdom, and understanding.

The goal of kundalini activation leads to expand the state of universal consciousness, peace, light and love is not a future promise, but one of immediate possibility.

Scientific Perspectives

Reiki

There were several scientific studies to demonstrate the efficacy of reiki, in clinical practice. Several randomised clinical trials were searched using 23 databases from November 2007 until January 23, 2008. From 205 potentially relevant studies, the result only found nine randomised clinical trials, which met the inclusion criteria.

Two clinical trials suggested beneficial effects of reiki on depression. Overall, the study concluded that, the evidence is insufficient to suggest that reiki is an effective treatment for any conditions, and the value of reiki remains unproven. (Lee MS, et al. 2008)

Fibromyalgia, a condition of unknown cause characterized by chronic, diffuse pain, and tenderness to palpation at specific musculoskeletal sites. Fibromyalgia is the second most common rheumatologic condition after osteoarthritis, afflicting 2 to 4% of the general population.

A clinical trial was designed to investigate whether reiki is beneficial as an adjunctive treatment for fibromyalgia. The trial was conducted among 100 adults with fibromyalgia, in private medical offices, in Seattle, Washington, US.

Participants were devided into four groups, and randomly assigned to receive twice weekly treatment for 8 weeks, by either a reiki master, or an actor, to use direct touch, or distant reiki. The randomized controlled trial suggested that, adults with fibromyalgia are unlikely to benefit from reiki. (Assefi N, et al. 2008)

Kundalini

A study by Centre for Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India, found that, the practice of kundalini yoga helped to maintain a perfect homeostasis, and can be used as a non-medical measure, in treating patients with mental depression. The pulse rate, and blood pressure in patients are also lowered after practicing three, and six months of kundalini yoga. (Devi SK, et al. 1986)

An article by The Research Group for Mind-Body Dynamics, Institute for Nonlinear Science, University of California, San Diego, California, US, explained about kundalini yoga meditation techniques for psycho-oncology, and as potential therapies for cancer, in patient perspectives.

Some trials was showed efficacy on all psychological scales using the kundalini yoga protocol, in treating obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), including anxiety, and depression, were also significantly reduced. Two depression specific kundalini yoga techniques are described in helping combat mental fatigue, and low energy.

There are also kundalini yoga techniques that yoga practitioners have used in treating cancer, as well as potential adjunctive therapies. A case history had presented rapid onset of acute relief from an intense fear, in a breast cancer patient using a kundalini yoga technique specific for fear.

Second case history in 1988, a surviving male diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer, who had used long term kundalini yoga therapy, as part of a self-directed integrative care approach. (Shannahoff-Khalsa DS. 2005)

Yoga practitioners perform meditations, in order to increase the awareness of internal body sensations. A study was designed to compare two groups of meditators, Tibetan Buddhist, and Kundalini, with non-meditators. Compared to non-meditators, meditators consistently rated their interoceptive performance as superior, and the difficulty of the task as easier.

The results was provided the evidence against the notion that practicing attention to internal body sensations, a core feature of meditation, will enhance the ability to sense the heartbeat at rest. (Khalsa SS, et al. 2008)

Conclusion:
From several studies above, I conclude that by self practicing reiki, or kundalini yoga might gain better result in health achievement, and more effective, than only being an energy receiver from reiki, or kundalini yoga practitioners.

Personal Perspectives

In my own experiences, my wife turns out that, she had already known about awakening kundalini energy, although she never heard about the term of kundalini before. In my previous post, which titled, Afterlife, I described how my wife had her sixth sense be opened.

The therapist, who I thought was also a paranormal, who was trying to unlock my wife's, and her two colleagues's aura, explained to my wife about the centre energy in human tailbone. The therapist did not mention anything to my wife, and her two colleagues about kundalini energy.

The therapist only told to my wife, who became the only one who succeeded in unlocking the aura, to feel the energy that flew from her tailbone, raised up to her head, and then to her hands. My wife then felt that the energy was stopped, in all her fingertips, like an electric wave.

I was surprised that my wife knew about this before, although she never heard about kundalini before. I had also felt my kundalini energy, after I knew where the source of kundalini was located in my body. It is easy for me, because I had also my sixth sense be opened, and also with my first daughter, who had her sixth sense since birth.

The first time I explained about kundalini energy to my seven years old daughter, she did not even believe with what I was saying. I said to my daughter, You could also feel your kundalini energy, just think about the energy, which is hidden in your tailbone!

Watch this and feel it!, I put my left palm, about 10 cm in front of my daughter's face. There is hot air comes from your palm, Dad, said my daughter.

You could also do it too! Just think on your tailbone!, I said to her. But not by putting your hand in your ass. Just think about the energy! Feel the energy raised up to your head! You will feel your head is tickel and bigger. And then the energy stops in your fingertips, as you also felt tickel in your fingertips, I added.

You are right, Dad. Hi..hi..hi, said my daughter while trying to hold her laugh. I felt my daughter's kundalini energy. I never thought that I could also teach my own daughter to feel her kundalini energy, although I am not reiki, or yoga practitioner.

Note:
If you want to read, or download the ebook Kundalini Reiki Manual by Paul Crick, just google it! You can also email me if you want, or by placing your email in the comment form below. I will email you the 24 pages ebook, in which only 238 kB in size.

Why Women Are More Likely To Suffer Osteoporosis Than Men

noreply@blogger.com (Verdi Laurent) — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 03:57:00 +0000

A Chinese hunchback woman
Image is courtesy of zhee

Osteoporosis, a silent disease of decreased in bone mass and density, in which the bones become weak, and lead to an increased risk of fracture incident (break bones), especially in the hip, spine, and wrist. Fracture incidents due to osteoporosis, will occur in healthy people, who would not normally break a bone, in both men and women.

According to Nicholas Perricone, M.D.'s book, 7 Secrets to Beauty, Health & Longevity, page 72, there are several unsupported claims, that women are much more likely to suffer from osteoporosis than men. Below I found several studies in Pubmed to explain dr. Perricone's following claims:

Claim: Women have less bone mass than men.

Fact:
True indeed. Compare to women, men is given larger bone size, and greater bone area at all sites. But, according to a study, there is virtually no clinical difference, in bone mineral density (BMD) precision between men and women.

BMD, the amount of mineral per square centimeter of bone, is an important predictor for osteoporosis. The actual BMD, which is usually expressed in grams per milliliter, is measured by X-Ray Absorptiometry, or Tomography. (MeSH)

Recent study by University of Wisconsin Osteoporosis Clinical Research Program, Madison, WI, USA, compared BMD precision, in 180 older men and women, by using a Lunar iDXA densitometer. The study resulted that there is virtually no clinical difference, in BMD precision between men and women. (Krueger D, et al. 2013)

Claim: Women tend to live longer than men.

Fact:
Totally true, but I found no link between extended lifespan with osteoporosis.

According to recent article by The Institute of Healthy Ageing, London, UK, sex differences in lifespan exist worldwide, with women outliving men, by more than a decade in some countries. Although most sexually reproducing species examined had shown sex differences, in patterns of ageing, but a comprehensive explanation does not exist.

The sex steroids, such as androgens and oestrogens, were examined their regulation of biological processes, that can affect ageing and lifespan. The sexes, in which able to respond differently to dietary restriction, and to alter the activity of nutrient sensing pathways, had come up with the conclusion that females was showing a greater capability for extending life. (Regan JC, et al. 2013)

Claim: Women usually consume less calcium than men.

Fact:
The statement is doubtful and unclear.

Healthy diet with a sufficient intake of calcium, and vitamin D will help making the bones strong. People are usually having less than half the calcium, and vitamin D they need. The food sources of calcium include, low fat milk, yogurt, cheese, orange juice, cereals, and breads.

In my previous post, which titled, Dietary Intake of Vitamin D Against Diabetes and Cancer, I had also mentioned two studies, in relating to vitamin D, calcium, and fracture incidence.

A study had resulted that four monthly supplementation, with 100,000 IU oral vitamin D, may prevent fractures without adverse effects in men and women. However, another trial did not support the calcium, and vitamin D supplementation, either alone, or in combination, for the prevention of fractures in elderly people.

Recent study by 1 Institute for Aging Research, Boston, MA, USA, suggested that greater protein intake benefits women especially those with lower calcium intakes. But, protein effects are not significant for short term changes in bone density. In the contrary, in men, higher protein intakes lead to greater bone loss. (Sahni S, et al. 2013)

According to a study by Department of Public Health Medicine, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan, among 46,465 men, and 64,327 women, aged 40-79 years, who responded to the self administered food frequency questionnaire, men aged 40-49 years had the lowest mean intake levels of calcium, with other vitamins and minerals. While in women aged 70-79 years, had the lowest mean intake levels of calcium, retinol, and vitamins A. (Iso H, et al. 2005) There are not enough studies to support dr. Perricone's claim.

Claim: The rate of bone loss accelerates after menopause, because the female hormone estrogen is needed to keep the bones strong.

Fact:
True indeed. Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a condition associated with low bone mass, resulting from the increased bone resorption, that occurs following a decline in estrogen levels. (Lagari VS, et al. 2013)

Claim: If a woman's ovaries are surgically removed, more rapid bone loss may occur, because estrogen is made in the ovaries.

Fact:
Totally true. Bilateral oophorectomy (ovariectomy, the surgical removal of both ovaries, resulting in surgical menopause) at the time of hysterectomy (a surgical operation to remove all, or part of the uterus) for benign disease, is commonly practiced, in order to prevent the subsequent development of ovarian cancer, or other ovarian pathology, that might require additional surgery.

Estrogen deficiency resulting from pre-menopausal, and post-menopausal oophorectomies, has been associated with higher risks of coronary heart disease, stroke, hip fracture, Parkinsonism, dementia, cognitive impairment, depression and anxiety, in many studies. Nowadays, observational studies suggest, that bilateral oophorectomy may do more harm than good. In women who are not at high risk of developing ovarian, or breast cancer, removing the ovaries at the time of hysterectomy should be approached with caution. (Parker WH, et al. 2009)

Conclusion: Women are much more likely to suffer from osteoporosis than men.

Osteoporosis Risk Factors

According to NIH, there are many risk factors, which can lead to bone loss, and osteoporosis. Several risk factors, you cannot change, but others you can. The following are risk factors you cannot change:

Gender
Women are much more likely to suffer from osteoporosis than men.

Age
The older you are, the greater your risk of osteoporosis.

Body size
Small, thin women are at greater risk of osteoporosis.

Ethnicity
White, Caucasian and Asian women are at highest risk. Black and Hispanic women have a lower risk.

Family history
Osteoporosis tends to run in families. If a family member has osteoporosis, or breaks a bone, there is a greater chance that you will too.

Other risk factors, which you can avoid includes:

Sex hormones
Low estrogen levels due to missing menstrual periods, or having menopause can cause osteoporosis, in women. Low testosterone levels can bring on osteoporosis, in men.

Anorexia nervosa
An eating disorder which can lead to osteoporosis.

Calcium and vitamin D intake
Diet low in calcium and vitamin D, will make you more prone to bone loss.

Activity level
Lack of exercise, or long term bed rest can cause weak bones.

Cigarettes smoking
Smoking impairs muscle, bone, and joint health.

Excessive use of alcohol
Drinking too much alcohol can cause bone loss, and broken bones.

Medication use
Using certain medications to treat rheumatoid arthritis, endocrine disorders, seizure disorders, and gastrointestinal diseases, may have side effects which can damage bone, and lead to osteoporosis.

In his book, dr. Perricone said that glucocorticoids, a class of drugs, a group of steroids, which have metabolic and anti inflammatory effects, have particularly damaging effects on the skeleton.

The following drugs also can cause bone loss:

Thyroid hormones.

Anticonvulsants.

Antacids containing aluminium.

Gonadrotopin releasing hormones, used for treatment of endometriosis.

Methotrexate, used for cancer treatment.

Cyclosporine A, an immunosuppresive drug.

Heparin and cholestyramine, used for controlling blood cholesterol levels.

Dr. Perricone's 7 Secrets to Beauty, Health, and Longevity: The Miracle of Cellular Rejuvenation by Nicholas Perricone, M.D.

From The Bitter Taste of Bratawali

noreply@blogger.com (Verdi Laurent) — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 00:12:00 +0000

Bratawali (Tinospora cordifolia)
Image from Wikimedia.org

Bratawali (Tinospora cordifolia) is a well known plant in Indonesia. Bratawali is often used as jamu paitan, or Javanese traditional herbal drink, which has a bitter taste. When making jamu paitan, the stems extract of bratawali, is often mixed with mint leaves.

Common bratawali names include, brotowali, putrawali, daun gadel (Javanese), andawali (Sundanese), antawali (Balinese), shen jin teng, kuan jin teng (Chinese), guduchi, guluchi, amritavalli, amrta, cinnodbhava, gulvel (India). Bratawali is common used in Ayurvedic, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), as a herbal remedy.

The Javanese's jamu paitan makers often promote bratawali, as a herbal remedy for lowering the risk of having diabetes, and also as a blood cleansing agent. Below are some studies which demonstrated the effects of bratawali.

Animal Studies

Study by Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, was conducted to determine the effect of ethanolic extract of the dried stems of bratawali, in a male rat model of hepatic fibrosis, caused by the hepatotoxin, thioacetamide.

The results showed a significant increase in the activity of liver enzymes, bilirubin and G-glutamyl transferase and gross. The histopathological changes were also determined. (Kadir FA, et al. 2011)

Diabetes mellitus often leads to disability from vascular complications and neurological complications. A study by Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, was investigated the hypoglycemic actions of borapetoside C isolated from bratawali.

Three groups of mice were used in the study, normal mice, type 1 diabetes mellitus mice, and type 2 diabetes mellitus mice. Overall, the study proved that borapetoside C can increase glucose utilization, delayed the development of insulin resistance and enhanced insulin sensitivity.

The activation of IR-Akt-GLUT2 expression, and the enhancement of insulin sensitivity, may contribute to the hypoglycemic action of borapetoside C, in diabetic mice. (Ruan CT, et al. 2012)

Recent follow up study by Ruan CT, et al. aimed to explore the hypoglycemic effects of borapetoside A, the most active diterpenoid among others (borapetosides B, and C), which isolated from the ethanol extract of bratawali.

The study resulted that borapetoside A was shown to increase the glycogen content and decrease the plasma glucose concentration, in a concentration, or dose-dependent manner, both in vitro, and in vivo.

The hypoglycemic effects in the normal mice, and the mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus were associated with the increases of the plasma insulin levels. But, the insulin levels remained unchanged in the mice with type 1 diabetes mellitus. (Ruan CT, et al. 2013)

A study by Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat-Yai, Songkhla, Thailand, was aimed to identify the active components of bratawali extract, and to investigate the mechanisms of the actions, on blood pressure, and heart rate, in anesthetized rats.

Five active compounds, adenosine, uridine, salsolinol, higenamine, and tyramine, which were isolated from bratawali, acted in concert on the cardiovascular system of anesthetized rats. (Praman S, et al. 2012)

Follow up study by Praman S, et al. resulted that bratawali extract caused an increase in the force of contraction of the electrical field stimulated left atrium. The study concluded that crude extracts of bratawali exert a positive inotropic effect, on the electrical field stimulated isolated left atria.

The results were also from the concerted actions of five bratawali bioactive compounds: higenamine, salsolinol, tyramine, adenosine and uridine. (Praman S, et al. 2013)

Human Study

Although several studies using rats or mice were successfully, but not in human study. So far, I only managed to find a study by Department of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. The study aimed to determine the effects of bratawali on serum glucose, and insulin levels, in healthy subjects, and patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Serum from ten healthy subjects, and ten diabetic participants, who had fasted overnight. The serums were obtained every 30 to 60 minutes during the 3 hours of continued fasting, and during the 3 hours after ingestion of 75g of glucose. With or without ingestion of 125g, or 250g of bratawali dry powder capsule. Glucose, and insulin levels were analyzed. The areas under the curve for mean serum glucose, and insulin levels, were also calculated.

Both healthy and diabetic participants were not significantly different between with, or without bratawali dry powder capsule. The results suggested that bratawali ingestion cannot affect serum glucose, and insulin levels, in healthy subjects, or patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. (Klangjareonchai T, et al. 2012)

Further studies using human subjects are needed to give more valuable information, in regarding the health benefits of bratawali.


biXa Guduchi Powder	Sandhu's Guduchi

Afterlife

noreply@blogger.com (Verdi Laurent) — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 00:38:00 +0000

Afterlife
Image is courtesy of chrisfriel

I once had a sister who died at the age of less than two years. My sister, Devie, was born on October 21, 1984. Our ages differed by about three years. My sister died on April 4, 1986, at Port Health Center Hospital, in Surabaya.

Before her last breath, Devie, called my name, Yik.. Yik... What she meant was Kelik, my childhood's nickname, which was always used by my parents. Kelik, in Basa Jawa, means a little boy. Devie always called me by the name of Yik.

After the death of my sister, I became the only child of my parents. Because my mother had done a sterile surgery, when Devie aged five months old.

Folliculitis, the infection and inflammation of one or more hair follicles.
Image from Wikimedia.

My mother suffered a severe stress, and bumps like boils were growing up in her head. What had happened with to mother lasted for a year, according to her story. Boils in her head was no longer growing, after my mother managed to let go of her past memory of my sister's death, and confessed her sins before a priest.

Before I was born, my mother once had a miscarriage. The birth of Devie was from an unwanted pregnancy by my mother. The pregnancy was my mother's third time. Why was the birth of Devie unwanted? Because she always felt miserable when pregnant.

Each time she saw the Sunlight, or was exposed to it, she always felt nauseous, and wanted to vomit. My mother always avoided Sunlight. In her third pregnancy, my mother ignored all taboos for pregnant women.

It was contrary to when she was carrying me during pregnancy. She always obeyed what the elders had said to her. In a year of my mother's mourning days, I was having several seizures, and calling out the name Devie.

14 Years Later

For some reasons, that day, I really missed my sister, and a tear dropped from my eyes. I had already been gifted with a sixth sense at that moment. The stress of not getting a job, made me just sit in my room, in front of a computer, and play PC games everyday.

Suddenly I felt someone hugged me from behind. Somehow, without looking back, I knew that it was my sister, Devie, who hugged me from behind. It was the first time, I met with her, after 14 years of her death.

The figure of Devie was no longer a two-year-old baby, but the figure of a girl who was 18 years old. Since then, every time someone told me a story, about others who had died, I always felt the presence of that person, though without naming them.

I told my parents, that Devie now had grown into a mature young girl, with a shoulder length hair. Although my mother did not have a sixth sense, but she always felt, when the figure of Devie, was leaning on her shoulder.

But, I had never seen, Devie approach my father, or hug him, like she did to my mother. During her lifetime, Devie was my father's favorite daughter. I once asked Devie about this.

I do not want to see him cry, whispered Devie. Indeed, my father was a strong man. When the death of Devie, he did not even shed a tear.

My Wife's Sixth Sense

Salon Rachel.

In 2005, I married my wife. Every time I fulfilled my obligations as a husband, I always prayed to God, to give me a daughter, as replacement for my past sister. A month after we got married, my wife was pregnant.

At first my wife did not have a sixth sense. Working in an expensive beauty salon, in Sidoarjo, Salon Rachel, my wife, along with her two colleagues, was given the course for reflexology. The therapist who I thought was also a paranormal, was trying to unlock my wife's and her two colleagues's auras.

The goal of unlocking aura is for the masseur, to be able to see the flow of blood, and nerves that need to be massaged. Only my wife, who was also five months pregnant, successfully opened her aura. While two other colleagues did not succeed, for some reason, I did not know.

Salon Rachel's owner finally decided on my wife as the reflexology masseur. Having her new ability, my wife felt stressed with so many strangenesses. The ability to see what other people cannot see.

She felt like, whatever she did, and wherever she went, someone or something followed her. My wife always prayed to God, so that The Lord would take back her ability. She did not want it. But, I told her ,It is the gift of God, cannot be taken back, unless The Lord calls you, or you are dead.

If you see demons, or anything else, do not be afraid! Pray for them! Because they only need to be prayed, so that all their sins will be forgiven, I added.

My wife was able to see a ghost of a Chinese woman, which she had not seen before, in the salon. The figure whose face, according to my wife, was similar to the salon owner. My wife was also able to see Devie, at our house.

The Second Birth of Devie

Devie, my sister's reincarnation.

My mother had warned me, when I was going to name my first daughter. The same name as my late sister, Devie. I want to revive Devie. At least as a substitute for for your lost daughter, that was what I always told to my mother.

My mother finally melted, after several times I refused her request. When my first daughter was born, I named my first daughter, Devie. As a shortening from my wife's name, Denok, and mine, Verdi.

My Daughter's Sixth Sense

At first I did not realize, if my daughter had the same ability, just like my wife. I asked my late sister, Devie, to always watch her baby nephew. Until one day, at the age of about two years, my daughter, the little Devie, waved her hand, in a direction, and said, Dah.. Dah.. Mbak!.

Mbak in Javanese language means elder sister. The waved of the little Devie apparently led to her aunt. I then told my daughter,She is not your elder sister, she is your aunt. Her name is Aunt Devie.

I then remembered the incident when my wife's aura was opened for the first time. At that time, my wife was at 5 months age of pregnancy. Is it possible that my daughter's aura was also opened?, the question that came out from my mind.

Toddlers, or children below five years of age, are usually sensitive to astral beings. I thought that perhaps, after my daughter above the age of five years, she would stop seeing astral beings.

But, what I thought was wrong. After my daughter aged six years old, she still had the ability to see things, that anybody could not see. My daughter possesses a sixth sense, and my little Devie was no longer became my mother's grandchild, more like her own lost daugther.

I always told my daughter, Do not say anything to anyone else, what have you seen! Anyone else will call you a liar, because they cannot see, what you see. You could tell me about it!

Genie, or Human Spirit?

I once told my friend, let's called him Sugeng, about all my experiences above. According to Sugeng, who also has the ability to do a paranormal activity, what I saw was not my sister's spirit, but a genie.

What you had seen all these years, was a genie, and not your late sister. A dead people's spirit is not possible to meet with the living. That is according to my belief, Sugeng said.

Genie is able to read your mind, and possesses the answer to all your questions about anything., added Sugeng.

When we talk about a dead person, the person will be presented. What do think about it? Was it also a genie?, I asked Sugeng.

Yes. It is also a genie, answered Sugeng. How about a murder case that was solved by the police, with help from a paranormal, who had communicated with the dead victim? Was that also a genie?, asked me again. But, Sugeng did not answer my last question.

I did not know why Sugeng did not answer my last question. But, I totally disagree with him. All the experiences were so real to me.

The Second Farewell

It had been for 13 years ago, since the first time I met my late sister. Devie was always presented, whenever my parents talked about our family's memories. My daughter was also noticed her aunt, who was always presented.

But, not with my son. Since he was a toddler, he did not have the ability like her older sister. He always confused when his sister mentioned about their aunt.

About six months ago, when I was working, my friend Ace came to me, and said, Did you notice that someone was following you?.

Did you mean a shoulder lenght hair woman?, asked me. Yes, it was a woman, answered Ace.

That is fine. She is my late sister, I added, and then, Ace left me alone.

At a conversation which more like a telepath, my late sister, Devie, was saying goodbye to me. She had already said goodbye to all my family, and I was the last person. She apologized to me, saying that she would not be able to visit me, or my family anymore.

That was a bad news for me. Although it was hard for me, I did accept her apology. She did not even tell me the reason, why she left for the second time.

Back home, I told my family about what just happened. No signs of Devie was presented. A week later, I asked my daughter, Did you see your Aunt, these days?. No, I did not, my daughter answered.

My sister really had gone for the second time. I miss her so much.

In Loving Memory
Albertine Devie Oktria
(October 21, 1984 - April 4, 1986)

The Mythical City of Saranjana

noreply@blogger.com (Verdi Laurent) — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 00:06:00 +0000

Mt. Saranjana at Pulau Laut Island
Image is courtesy of Javier Adietia

Saranjana City has been known by the native people of Borneo Island, especially in Kotabaru District, South Kalimantan, as a mythical metropolis, lay in the astral world, at a small island of Pulau Laut, near Tamiang Bay. The people of Kotabaru are also called Saranjana's people as the Bunian, or the astral people.

Saranjana City is not even listed in the map of Kotabaru District, due to there are no real people living in the island. When someone tried to find the island, they would not find the island, without permission from the village paranormal elders of Tamiang Bay.

Based on an expedition story by Adi Murdani, there was a cellular phone signal near the island, in which he can use it to make an internet connection. Although, when he was at Tamiang Bay until Cape Lalak, in which are a crowded civilization, he could not find any signal for his phone.

The Urban Legend

In Sansekerta, or Sanskrit language, Saranjana derived from the word of sarang (nest), and jana (human). So, Saranjana means human's nest. The people of Kotabaru are not so happy when someone, especially a foreigner, ask a story about the Bunian people of Saranjana City. They will distract the conversation to other subject. Below are some folk tales about the urban legend:

Story from a man who was in a ferry which sailed to the Port of Batu Licin. He saw that there were many people in the ferry. But, there was a sudden silence, when the ferry was near at the dock. He saw only few people left in the ferry. Other passenger said that, those crowded people were probably from Saranjana City.

An old lady living in Lontar, West Pulau Laut, once told that in some night, she heard a convoy of cars were passing by, in front of her house. But, when she went outside, she could not find any vehicles. She believed that what she had heard, was probably the people of Saranjana City, who were passing by on their way home.

A former chief of a village, in Tamiang Bay, told a story about his grandfather, who had gone for a long time, and was being taken by the people of Saranjana City, to become an ustad for a Mosque, in Saranjana City. Until now, all his descendants did not dare to go to Saranjana.

A fisherman who lived in the eastern part of Tamiang Bay, had lost his grandmother at the sea. According to a paranormal expert, his grandmother is still living until now in Saranjana City.

The people of Kotabaru notice that the physical characteristics of the people from Saranjana City, are just like humans in general, pretty, or handsome. The only difference is that, they do not have a concavity, or a line under the nose.

In the SAMSAT (vehicle registration office) of Kotabaru City, lots of new car registrations were never be taken by the owners. All cars were also never to be found passing in the street of Kotabaru City.

Several stories from some local motorcycles, or cars dealers. The dealers, which had the orders in cash, were confused, when they were told to leave the vehicles in some place, and not in detail address.

In the 80's, the local government office of Kotabaru District received guests from Jakarta, who wanted to deliver heavy equipment orders, in which had been fully paid. The orders were from Saranjana - Kotabaru, and there was no detail delivery address. Even so, the local government of Kotabaru was never ordered any heavy equipment.

Another story about rattan which were sent from Saranjana to Surabaya, East Java. Dozens of luxury cars, which were ordered from Java Island with the delivery address to Saranjana - Kotabaru.

In 2005, Ada Band, a famous group band from Jakarta, was performed a music concert, in a stadium, in Kotabaru. From 8,000 tickets that were sold, the event organizer counted, that there were more than 14,000 people, who were watching the concert.

Another weird thing, that was also noticed by all members of Ada Band. By the end of the concert, all 14,000 people were so quickly in leaving the stadium, with only using one exit gate open.

Adam Air Flight 574 before deadly crash.
Image from Wikimedia.

In January 1st, 2007, a Boeing 737-400 of Adam Air Flight 574, disappeared near Polewali in Sulawesi, and crashed in the ocean of Makassar Strait. All 102 people on board died. The plane's black box was located at a depth of 2,000 m (6,000 ft), and to be picked up eight months later.

According to Kotabaru paranormal elders, they believed that all 102 people on board, were saved, and brought to Saranjana City. Various rituals were performed by the elders to return the missing plane, along with the safety passengers, but all their efforts were in vain.

Do You Have a Sixth Sense?

I do. A week ago, I knew the story about Saranjana City from my friend, Xakti, who I had already mentioned him, in my previous post. I then started to Google all articles about Saranjana. There were few articles about it. Xakti is also had a sixth sense through his eyes, and his interest about Saranjana seems to influence me.

If you had a sixth sense, try to look deeply into below image!

Small cave in Saranjana at Pulau Laut Island
Image is courtesy of BornEo WalkEr

Tell me! What do you see in your vision?

According to BornEo WalkEr and his friend Javier Adietia, there are several caves, just like the one above at Pulau Laut Island. One thing that curious me, is that, a cave in the image above, is the entrance to the Saranjana City. That is according to my vision.

Believe it, or not is up to you. Because my friend Xakti, and my other friend, let's called him Ace, also told me the same thing.

At the beginning of my vision, I found Seven people wearing a black long suit with hood, which covered their head, guarded at the entrance. All them were carrying a golden spear. They were surrounded by several Banaspati (a flame head ghost) that were flying around them.

Banaspati

Receiving the permission from the Seven Guardian to enter the cave, I met with the Queen of Saranjana, who stopped me to enter the cave. Her face reminds me to an Indonesian artist, Kimberly Ryder.

Kimberly Ryder

I am not joking!! At least three people, not including me, who confirmed my statement above. The first was Ace who saw me with Kanjeng Ratu (Your Highness), that is what I called her, I do not dare to ask for her name. Xakti was the second person. The last person was my wife, who also had a sixth sense through her vision, just like both my friends.

I only asked two question to Kanjeng Ratu Saranjana. First, about her relationship with Kanjeng Ratu Kidul, or Nyi Rara Kidul. Kanjeng Ratu Saranjana said that, she did not have any relationship.

Then, I asked about the plane crash of Adam Air Flight 574. Kanjeng Ratu Saranjana said that all 102 people, including my cousin's mother-in-law, who was on board with her daughter, son-in-law, and two grandchildren, were now living in Saranjana City.

More Images of Saranjana at Pulau Laut Island, Courtesy of BornEo WalkEr

Two Saranjana's fishermen at the distance, who introduced themself to BornEo WalkEr, and Javier Adietia, as Ucung and Yudi

The Cliff of Mt. Saranjana

At The Top of Mt. Saranjana

My Astral Journey

So, did I finally manage to enter the cave? Yes I did. I had experienced an astral journey to Saranjana City, and was accompanied by Kanjeng Ratu Saranjana. For me, it was like in a wonderland. There is a castle at the center of the city, like in my daugther's Barbie cartoon movie.

I also felt like in an ancient Greek. There is a hall similar to a Greek temple, with huge pillars, which was made from white gold. The Lost City of Atlantis was the words that came out of my mind.

When Kanjeng Ratu asked me to stay, that was when my wife called my name, and I was back to my consciousness.

I did an astral journey, last friday, at 8 pm while sitting in my livingroom, and watching TV. In saturday evening, I only told to my wife about my meeting with Kanjeng Ratu, who has a face similar to Kimberly Ryder.

When I felt that Kanjeng Ratu was beside me, I said to my wife, Look, who is standing beside me?

She is so tall and gorgeous. She is wearing a gold crown, black dress with gold adornment. And, yes, she also reminds me to Kimberly Ryder, said my wife jealousy.

I love my family, and I said no to Kanjeng Ratu, when she asked me again to go with her to Saranjana City.

Such an amazing astral journey for me.

Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed
John 20:29

Plumbagin vs. Cancer

noreply@blogger.com (Verdi Laurent) — Thu, 19 Sep 2013 23:32:00 +0000

The blossoming flower of Plumbago zeylanica Linn.

Plumbago zeylanica Linn., or known as daun encok, in Bahasa Indonesia, is an African wild bush that can grow near a river, and highlands up to 800 m asl. Plumbago zeylanica has been used as folk medicine, in Ayurveda, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Plumbago zeylanica is believed to be originated from Sri Lanka. (Sentra Informasi IPTEK)

Plumbago zeylanica is also known by many common names, such as, Ceylon leadwort, doctorbush, white flowered leadwort (English), chitrakmool, citrak, agni, chitra, chitraka (India, Pakistan), bama (Balinese), ki encok (Sundanese), godong encok (Javanese), kareka (Maduranese), ceraka (Sumatera), and oporie (Timor Leste).

Several studies have indicated that plumbagin (5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone), compounds isolated from the roots of Plumbago zeylanica, possess antifertility, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities. Moreover, plumbagin have been proven to possess anti-tumor activity both, in vitro, and in vivo.

The roots of Plumbago zeylanica have been used in Ayurveda for more than 2500 years ago, as an anti-atherogenic (helps manage healthy cholesterol, and triglyceride levels), cardiotonic (a cardiac stimulant, which acts as a stimulant of the heart), hepatoprotective (an antihepatotoxicity, the ability to prevent damage to the liver), and neuroprotective (the ability to exert a destructive, or poisonous effect upon nerve tissue) agent.

Plumbagin and Leukemia

An in vivo study by Institute of Hematology, Beijing, China, was aimed to investigate the anticancer effect of plumbagin, using human promyelocytic leukemia (a cancer of the blood forming tissue) cells, NB4, in NOD/SCID (Non Obese Diabetic/ Severe Combined Immunodeficiency) mice. The study was observed the incidence of formation, growth characteristics, body weight, and volume of tumors.

The results showed that intraperitoneal injection (IP injection, the injection of a substance into the peritoneum, or body cavity)of plumbagin (2mg/kg body weight) daily, for three weeks, resulted to a 64.49% reduction of tumor volume.

Moreover, there was no side effects, such as, weight loss, tissue damage, and behavior change, which appeared in doxorubicin (adriamycin, a chemotherapy drug given to treat many different types of cancer) treated mice. The results indicated that plumbagin has potential as a novel therapeutic agent for myeloid leukemia. (Xu KH, et al. 2010)

Plumbagin and Gastric Cancer

A study which aimed to investigate the effects of plumbagin, on human gastric cancer cells (SGC-7901, MKN-28, and AGS), had resulted that 10 μmol/L of plumbagin managed to controll the expression of NF-κB gene products, including IAP1 (Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein 1), XIAP (X-linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein), Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma 2), Bcl-xL (B cell lymphoma extra long), TF (Tumor Factor), and VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor).

DR WAKDE'S Chitrak Capsules

The study concluded that plumbagin managed to inhibit cell growth, and have potentially apoptosis, in human gastric cancer cells, through the NF-κB pathway. (Li J, et al. 2012)

Plumbagin and Skin Cancer

Two types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma may occur in normal skin, or in skin that has been injured, or inflamed. A study at University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA, presented the application of non toxic doses (100-500 nmol) of plumbagin, which managed to inhibit the development of squamous cell carcinomas, in ultraviolet radiation induced mice.

During the period of the experiment, mice were gained weight and did not exhibit any signs of toxicity. The study suggested that plumbagin may be used as a novel agent for the prevention of skin cancer. (Sand JM, et al. 2012)

Plumbagin and Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is the most aggressive malignant disease, in which became the fourth most leading cause of cancer related death among men, and women, in the United States. Another study at University of Wisconsin, demonstrated the effect of plumbagin against pancreatic cancer cells (PANC1, BxPC3 and ASPC1) in mouse model.

The IP injection of plumbagin (2 mg/kg body weight), for 5 days, in SCID mice, which began three days after the implantation of PANC1 cells, had resulted in a significant inhibition of both tumor weight, and volume. The study suggested that plumbagin, which had shown to inhibit the growth of pancreatic cancer cells, both in vitro, and in vivo model systems, may be used as a novel therapeutic agent against human pancreatic cancer. (Hafeez BB, et al. 2012)

Plumbagin and Prostate Cancer

Recent study by Bilal Bin Hafeez, which was indexed in PubMed, seven months later, after the previous study, presented that plumbagin inhibits growth, and metastasis of human prostate cancer (PC-3M-luciferase cells) in mouse model. The study suggested that plumbagin could be used as a therapeutic agent for the prevention, and treatment of human prostate cancer, because managed to inhibits tumor growth, and metastasis of human prostate cancer, PC3-M-luciferase cells. (Hafeez BB, et al. 2013)

HerbsForever Chitrakmool Powder

Plumbagin and Lung Cancer

Recent study at Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China, had demonstrated the effects of plumbagin on proliferation (rapid reproduction of a cell, part, or organism), and apoptosis (the process of programmed cell death, or death of a cell in any form), in human non small cell lung cancer cell lines (A549, H292 and H460). All cancer cell lines were treated with various concentrations of plumbagin.

The study concluded that plumbagin managed to inhibit cell growth, and induce apoptosis, in human lung cancer cells, through inactivation of NF-κB (nuclear factor-kappaB, a protein complex that controls the transcription of DNA, in which regulates several genes associated with inflammation, proliferation, carcinogenesis, and apoptosis). (Xu TP, et al. 2013)

Plumbagin and Human Tongue Carcinoma

Recent study at Wuhan University, Wuhan, China, reported the inhibitory effect, and the underlying mechanism of plumbagin, on the growth of human tongue squamous cell carcinoma (Tca8113). The study resulted that plumbagin inhibited the growth, proliferation, and induced the apoptosis of Tca8113 cells, in vitro, in a concentration, and time dependent manner. (Qiu JX, et al. 2013)

Even though from several studies above, had shown that plumbagin inhibit the growth of human cancer cells, both in vitro, and in vivo model systems, but all studies were only using human cancer lines, in mouse model, and not in real cancer patients. Further studies are still needed to be demonstrated in real cancer patients.

Link Between Passive Smoker and Lung Cancer

noreply@blogger.com (Verdi Laurent) — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 23:18:00 +0000

A chest X-ray showing a tumor in the lung (marked by arrow).

Lung cancer, an abnormal and uncontrolled growth of the cells in tissues of the lung, is the most common cancer in the world. I had described this in my earlier post, that lung cancer contributed 12.7%, or 1,608,055 new cases, in 2008. The death rate was 18,2%, or 1,376,579 cases of cancer death worldwide.

Cigarette smoking causes mostlung cancers. The more cigarettes to smoke per day, and the earlier age of starting to smoke, the greater the risk of getting lung cancer. Other risks include, high levels of pollution, radiation, asbestos exposure, and first degree family history of any cancers especially lung cancer, may also increase the risk.

The most common symptoms of lung cancer, include:

A cough that does not heal, and even gets worse by coughing up blood.

Wheezing, or hoarseness, due to shortness of breath, a breathing difficulty, which involves a sensation of difficult, or uncomfortable breathing, or a feeling of not getting enough air.

Chest pain, discomfort or pain that you feel anywhere, along the front of your body, between your neck and upper abdomen, that does not heal.

Regular problems of having pneumonia, or bronchitis.

Swelling of the neck and face.

Suddenly of having weight loss, due to loss of appetite.

Always suffering from fatigue, although was not doing any hard works.

There are many types of lung cancer. Each type of lung cancer is treated differently, because the cancer cells grow, and spread in different ways. Treatments depend on the stage, in which include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. (MedlinePlus)

Link Between Environmental Tobacco Smoke and Lung Cancer

Passive smokers, or second hand smokers, are people who are exposed by environmental tobacco smoke from an active smoker. Environmental tobacco smoke is also known as pollutants from smoker's lung.

Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, is generally believed to increase the risk by 25%, of coronary heart disease (CHD), and lung cancer among never smokers. The increased risk is based primarily on meta analysis, and is still controversial due to methodological problems. A researcher, James E. Enstrom, with his associate professor, Geoffrey C. Kabat, was shocking the world, when British Medical Journal published his study, in 2003.

The study was based on cancer prevention study (CPS I) conducted by the American Cancer Society, among 118,094 adults, in 1959, and the follow up study until 1972. Enstrom then conducted the extended follow up, at the University of California, LA, until 1999, with focusing only on the 35,561 never smokers, who had a spouse, in the study, with known smoking habits.

The large study of Californians, which followed for 40 years, had found that environmental tobacco smoke was not associated with CHD, or lung cancer mortality, at any level of exposure. The study suggested that the effects of environmental tobacco smoke, particularly for CHD, are considerably smaller than generally believed.

Moreover, active cigarette smoking was confirmed as a strong risk factor for CHD, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), most commonly disease caused by tobacco smoke, such as, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. (Enstrom JE, et al. 2003)

Smoker who lived until 95 Years of Age

My great grandfather from my mother side, was born in 1902. He was known as a heavy smoker by his sons, daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He died in 1997 at the age of 95 years, due to aging, and not from any diseases. My living grandmother, who was born in 1931, is the second daughter of my great grandfather.

In December 26, 1950, my grandparent was married. My grandparent who had just celebrated 62nd anniversary last year, are non smokers. After 82 years of living, my grandmother was never having any symptoms of CHD, or lung cancer. Also with my living grandmother elder sister (two years of age older), who took care of my great grandfather since the death of my second great grandmother, in 1987 (my first great grandmother died in 1957), was never having any symptoms of CHD, or lung cancer.

From the first marriage, my great grandfather had six daughters and four sons. My great grandfather did not have any children from the second marriage. Seven out of ten children of my great grandfather, are still living until I write this post. The seventh daughter died at a baby age.

Two sons, the third and forth son, who were also a heavy smoker, died because of lung cancer. I never knew the forth son of my great grandfather, because he died when my mom was still carrying me in pregnancy, in 1980. The third son died in 1998, a year after the death my great grandfather.

Then, you might wonder about me. Do I also a smoker? Yes, I do. Until now, I am the only great grandchildren who is an active smoker, after my elder cousin quitted smoking four years ago. Yes, I know the risk of smoking tobacco, and I want to quit smoking.

I found very hard for me to quit on smoking. Again, you might say, there is a way when there is a will. Perhaps someday, I will stop smoking. I started to smoke since I was graduate from high school, due to a broken heart. What? A broken heart can make people started to smoke? Infact, a broken heart can make people conduct a suicide.

Although, there was a dangdut song lyrics that said, better to have a toothache than a broken heart. But, for me, I prefer to have a broken heart than having a toothache. It's because you can still go to bed and sleep, although you had a broken heart. But, you could never get to sleep if you had a toothache

Obsessive Corbuzier's Diet

noreply@blogger.com (Verdi Laurent) — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 03:09:00 +0000

Deddy Corbuzier in 2009, before doing OCD

Deodatus Andreas Deddy Cahyadi Sunjoyo, or known as Deddy Corbuzier, an Indonesian mentalist, actor, and host of a TV program Hitam Putih, in Trans7, who received the prestigious Merlin Award from the International Magicians Society, in 2010. Also with Rizuki, the winner of The Master season 3, a magic talent show, in which Corbuzier became one of the judges, also received the Merlin Award, in 2010.

Merlin Award is like the magicians's Oscars. Previous winners include, David Copperfield, Criss Angel, Peter Marvey, Max Maven, and etc. OK, back to topic! In August 2013, Corbuzier wrote an ebook about a healthy diet, which titled Obsessive Corbuzier's Diet (OCD). Instead of calling it as a healthy diet, Corbuzier considered OCD as an ancient sacred way of life.

A Forgotten Ancient Chinese Secret

Corbuzier described that OCD was based on a forgotten ancient Chinese secret. It was a cab driver in Hong Kong, who had opened Corbuzier's point of view on how to be forever young and healthy. Corbuzier realized that his struggle, on losing his weight, using healthy diets, and supplements, along with physical exercises at a gym, was completely wrong.

A 68 years old cab driver, who had spent 39 years of his life, in Chinese Buddhist temple, as a Shaolin monk, had amazed him. The cab driver, whom Corbuzier thought that he aged of 40 years, believed that healthy diets, supplements, and physical activities, will not make you stay young, healthy, and having an ideal body by losing weight.

As a Shaolin monk, the cab driver was used to follow the Vinaya, the rules of the Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama, by doing an evening fast, or not to eat a meal in the evening, so that, he will be aware of good health, being without illness, having strength, and living in comfort.

OCD Means Fasting

Deddy Corbuzier after doing OCD

Corbuzier said that OCD means fasting, by eliminating breakfast in the morning, or at least three hours after wake up. He believed that breakfast means break fasting, and not eating in the morning. In his ebook, Corbuzier said that, Eating at 2 pm will be considered as breakfast, if you just wake up. But, not if you had already woken up since 8 am.

There are four levels of OCD fasting, 16 hours, 18 hours, 20 hours and 24 hours. When doing the OCD fasting, drinking water, tea, or coffee without sugar are allowed, as long as there are no calories intake, or calorie restriction, such as drinking milk. Corbuzier had tried the OCD fasting for three months before he wrote the ebook.

In his first week, Corbuzier skipped the OCD fasting to the second level of 18 hours of fasting, due to the first level was too easy for him. At the six hours of eating time, he started at 3 pm for breakfast, and stopped eating at 9 pm.

At the second week, Corbuzier moved to third level of 20 hours of fasting. Breakfast at 3 pm and started fasting at 7 pm. He once failed of doing the third level of fasting, and back to second level, by starting to fast at 9 pm.

At the third week, Corbuzier managed to combine the third and forth level of OCD fasting. Once in a week, he did a full day fast. For example, start fasting at 4 pm until the 4 pm of the next day.

By the forth week, Corbuzier did the same as the third week, but he did a full day fast, for twice a week.

The Health Benefits of Fasting

OCD is considered to be an intermittent fasting technique, an alternate day fasting, a pattern of eating between periods of fasting, and non fasting. The fasting usually means calorie restriction, and to consume only water, or low calories drinks, such as, black coffee.

A study found that by eating less, and more than needed on alternate days, will prolong life. This is another secret of extending life, just like in my previous post. By restricting calorie intake, up to 70% of normal adult weight maintenance requirement, will confer a perfect health, and prolong lifespan up to 50%.

The study had observed several health benefits starting as two weeks, in insulin resistance, asthma, seasonal allergies, infectious diseases, tonsillitis, chronic sinusitis, periodontal disease, rheumatoid arthritis (autoimmune disorder), osteoarthritis, cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat, or abnormal heart rhythm), menopause related hot flashes (a sudden feeling of warmth spreading all over the face and upper body), and symptoms due to CNS (central nervous system) inflammatory lesions, such as, Tourette syndrome (neurological disorder), and Ménière's disease (hearing disorder).

The study also hypothesized that other conditions would be delayed, prevented or improved, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, brain injury due to thrombotic stroke atherosclerosis, NIDDM (non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, form of diabetes, in which insulin production is inadequate, or the body becomes resistant to insulin), and congestive heart failure (condition when the heart cannot pump enough blood to the body). Moreover, the study believed that this pattern of eating has proven to be a good method of weight control. (Johnson JB, et al. 2006)

Fasting and Chronic Diseases

Another study reviewed animal and human evidence concerning alternate day fasting, and the risk of certain chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer. The following are the review results:

In term of diabetes risk

Animal Studies find lower diabetes incidence, lower fasting glucose, and insulin concentrations, effects that are comparable to those of calorie restriction.
Human trials have reported greater insulin mediated glucose uptake, but no effect on fasting glucose, or insulin concentrations.

In term of CVD risk

Animal studies show lower total cholesterol, lower triacylglycerol concentrations, a lower heart rate, improved cardiac response to myocardial infarction, and lower blood pressure.
Although there are limited in human evidences, alternate day fasting suggests higher HDL cholesterol concentrations, and lower triacylglycerol concentrations, but no effect on blood pressure.

In term of cancer risk

Animal studies found decreases in lymphoma incidence, longer survival after tumor inoculation, and lower rates of proliferation of several cell types.
There is no human evidence.

The findings in animals suggest that alternate day fasting may effectively prevent chronic diseases, in which similar to that of calorie restriction. (Varady KA, et al. 2007) Moreover, other study which published in 2009, by Johnson JB, et al., hypothesized that a pretreatment of two to three weeks with the alternate day modified fast, will improve outcomes in cancer chemotherapy, decreasing morbidity and raising cure rates. (Johnson JB, et al. 2009)

I had done once in my lifetime, a full day fast, in order to open my sixth sense, by my uncle's Guru, in Bantul, Yogyakarta. My fast was started after the sunset, until break fasting with only using a white chicken egg yolk, that I brought from home, and a cup of water, in the next day sunset. I ate an hour later, after we both left the Guru's house.

I also did several fasting when I was young, especially at my weton day (Javanese day) of birth, for three days, the day before until the day after. The fasting was started after the sunset, until break fasting after sunrise, or called as an evening fast.

I had read the ebook, and found that it was very reasonable to try. You can download the ebook for free by visiting here on web archive. The book is written in Bahasa Indonesia, and in English for the reference sources.

All photos are private collections of Deddy Corbuzier.

Disclaimer: This information is not a medical advise, and based on personal experience of Deddy Corbuzier, a non medical practitioners. The OCD fasting technique is not advised for pregnant women, breastfeeding mom, workers at heavy labor, and people who are very sick, where fasting would be considered dangerous. You must consult with your doctor before doing OCD fasting to lose weight, in regarding to your medical records, and for your own safety!

The V for Value

noreply@blogger.com (Verdi Laurent) — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 23:42:00 +0000

The History

It has been a long time since my last post about internet, traffic, and backlink. In this post, I will share to you how I learn to be a webmaster with this blog. Back in 2011, this blog was made without using any PC. I laughed at myself when I read a comment that said Wow, I love this blog, amazing, and I did not publish the comment.

How then? I only used my 2009 Nokia E63, and a free internet handler from opera. But, since the new blogger interface, I cannot publish my post using operamini anymore. Due to, operamini blocked javascript from the new blogger interface. Why I choose blogger? I chose blogger, because for me, it was easier than wordpress.

How can I write my post then? I just wrote my post as usual, using Quickoffice from my Nokia E63, and saved the post in my gmail unsent draft. Went to nearest internet rental kiosk, and published the post with a PC. Having an IT background, I found no problem on HTML, but I learnt a lot from W3school.

Last Easter, I had donated IDR 250,000 ($25), the first income that I received from this blog, to a Catholic orphanage. I hope I can do it again every Easter. I had proved to myself that make money online is really not a myth.

What is V for Value?

My name is Verdi, and I hope that my blog posts could give value to visitors who read my post. So, V is not just stand for Verdi, but also for Value. But, back in 2011, this blog title was first named as DV Store | Online Store. In early 2012, I changed the name to V for Value to provide more informations with wide niche, such as, health, life, alternate medicine, healthy life, health tips, therapy, cancer, diabetes, diarrhea, diet, internet, traffic, backlink, history, mental health, and motivation.

I had deleted over a hundred of my posts, in which most of them contained about products that I sold using my affiliate links, from several advertising companies. I started with only about 50 posts of my original post, when I first build V for Value, in early 2012. Amazingly, in June 2012, my blog's Google pagerank (PR) was raised to PR5.

Here what I can share to you, when you start to make your own blog. I hope you can learn from my personal experience about the SEO tricks.

The On/Off Page SEO

Having many backlinks will make a site for visible to the search engines. A link aging is also important. Your outbond links from high PR sites, that have been already indexed by the search engines, will make your site more visible. This is called off page SEO. Off page factors include, PR and outbond links.

But, you should keep in mind, that by having a high PR site, is unlikely you will have high traffic. Having a high PR will make your site more visible in Search Engine Result Pages (SERPs), although it is also unlikely either. A PR3 site might also on #1 SERPs, but the PR5 site on #2. It all because the search engine algorithms.

One thing that I had learnt as webmaster, your inbond links (anchor links) to any pages, or articles within your sites, and not just to your home page, will tell the search engines to crawl the page, or the article, as a relevance source. This is called on page SEO. Moreover, the on page factors include:

Keyword Frequency
Keyword frequency inside your contents are the one that makes your content is the king. But, by repeating keywords in each paragraph will annoy the readers. The best site that I knew using the right keyword frequency in its contents, but still ranks high in SERPs, is wikipedia.

Meta Tags
Although many webmasters have ignored the use of meta tag, due to the search engines are now focused on keywords inside the contents, but having the right keywords in the meta tags is still important.

Headings
Title headings are those which will make your readers curious about your articles. Just like when you read a newspaper. See what is in the headline? What if the headline used small caps, or even smaller than the news? It will look awful.

Inbond Links
It is best that you used your keywords as the anchor text for the links, which lead to the other pages inside your site.

Site Structure
The site structure, the overall layout of a site, will be the first eye catch for your first unique visitor from the search engine. If the visitor did not find that what he seek, he will look to what he might benefit from your site. If he left your site less than a minute, it means that you will have a high bounce rate. High bounce rate means that your content is suck, your site is not sticky enough, and the site structure needs a change.

What if I Exchange Link?

Some tricky webmasters will remove your link shortly, a month or two, after you completed the exchange.

Your link is placed in an orphan page, in which inaccessible via home page, or any pages.

Your link is buried within ten clicks deep, or the link text is using the same color, as the page's background color, to make it invisible.

Do you familiar with this quote? You link to me first and I will link back to you! Don't bother yourself! They will never link back to you.

Your link is placed in a page which full of outbond links. Search engines will consider the page as a link farm, and penalized the site. A link from a penalized site, will also hurt your site.

Your link partners sabotage your link by adding meta tag to it, or placed your link inside a noframes tag to make it invisible.

Your link partners use a referral link before sending it to you.

Your link partners use a fake link using CSS styles.

You don't get any benefits, if your link partners frames the link bearing page within a high rank site.

You submit your link to a free web directories, but later, you find that the link is not free, and there is a hidden cost.

So, do I accept for exchanging links? No, I don't.

From where did I get my first dollar via online?

I got my first $25 online by accepting a sponsored post by an advertising company ($10), and a guy that emailed me to ask for a sponsored post ($15). I received the money via paypal. Although $25 is considered to be a small amount of money, but it will be worth a lot for orphan children.

I am not going to tell you about the advertising company that I used, because you will find lots of lists out there, just by Google it. After all, I blog is to ignore my boring full time job. Moreover, being an infopreneur, by sharing an information, is the easiest making money online strategy. Just find your niche, and start making money online!

Learn from my other posts about internet, traffic, and backlinks!

9 Free High Quality Page Rank Backlinks

9 High Page Rank .Gov Blogs

How to Gain Trust and Authority from The Search Engines

How to Get Free Backlink from PR9 Site

Internet Without Search Engine
List of 50 .edu Blogs for Building Backlinks

List of 50 .edu Blogs for Building Backlinks (2)

Nofollow Backlink, Natural Link Building

Web Counter with Traffic and Backlink