I have severe, diffuse undiagnosed joint pain and extreme fatigue – probably fibromyalgia but still undiagnosed. I started taking Banjo about a two weeks ago. Within a week noticed less joint pain and less fatigue.
I have severe, diffuse undiagnosed joint pain and extreme fatigue – probably fibromyalgia but still undiagnosed. I started taking Banjo about a two weeks ago. Within a week noticed less joint pain and less fatigue.
I just wanted to say that after trying Banjo for the last month I have had an increase in stamina and energy that seemed impossible for the last 15 years when I was diagnosed with what the Rheumatologist called “old fashioned” Rheumatism. Which he explained was also called myositis, now most often called Fibromyalgia. Also my osteoarthritis is greatly improved and my diabetic neuropathy pain is slowly getting better. The neuropathic pain is now the most bothersome, but I have not had the stabbing pain that I would frequently get with the neuropathy that actually prevented me from sleeping since I started Banjo. So, that is an improvement. I still have a good bit of pins and needles type neuropathy pain.
I have arthritis in just one knee, and generally it only flares up about once every third day of so. The problem is, my wife and I really enjoy ballroom dancing, but for the past several years every time we go dancing I have to sit down after only a short while – the knee pain flares up. That puts a damper on things, so we had all but stopped our dancing.
Six weeks ago you sent me your “Banjo”. The next time my knee pain flared I took one and within a few minutes the pain was gone. That was great of course, but what really surprised me was that the pain didn’t come back for almost two weeks! Since then, whenever the pain comes back, I just take one Banjo and it’s gone again for at least a week. The best part is, we’re dancing again!
For six years, Karl had neck pain that made it impossible for him to turn his head without pain. Two weeks after starting Banjo, that pain was gone. Watch thevideo.
I’ve had arthritic joints since my early 20’s because of a chronic condition. I’ve dealt with the pain & discomfort trying every over the counter anti-inflammatory. I hate medication. I tried Banjo because I figured it couldn’t hurt and I’m always open to a natural remedy. I’ve used them as needed and I was so impressed with the results, I asked my mother if she’d like to try it. Within just 2 days of her using them, taking just 3 of the tasty lozenges, the swelling has reduced so much that her wedding ring fits past the 2nd knuckle and she hadn’t worn her band in more than a year.
I was called an “anomalous anomaly” by Mayo Clinic doctors in 1998. Since then, pain has been a constant part of my life. I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, Sjogren’s, degenerative discs, carpal tunnel, and an unknown autoimmune inflammation disease. After using Banjo for three weeks the pain is gone, I have more energy, and I feel like myself again.
Peppermint is one of the most commonly consumed herbs. That said, unless you drink peppermint tea, you might seldom encounter real peppermint, as the use of real peppermint in diverse products has been largely replaced by the use of less expensive, more easily obtained synthetic flavorings.
Of interest, rosemary is often mentioned as an herb useful in the treatment of inflammation. Peppermint is seldom mentioned in that regard, except in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. However, the primary active ingredient thought responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity of rosemary is rosmarinic acid. Rosemary contains, on average, 38,000 ppm of rosmarinic acid. Peppermint contains, on average, 30,000 ppm of rosmarinic acid. As such, the general anti-inflammatory effects of rosemary might also be manifest by peppermint. Peppermint excels (and is included in Banjo) on account of both its flavor and the additional benefits it provides.
Endotoxin shock represents an extreme in whole body inflammation. The ability of the citrus flavonoid hesperidin to suppress endotoxin induced shock suggests that it is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent.
Lemon peel is a rich source of nobiletin, found in this study to inhibit NF-kB. Inhibition of NF-kB was associated with a decrease in: NO production, PGE-2, and COX-2, each of which is an important mediator of pain and inflammation in arthritis.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) has a long history of use as a natural medicine for the relief of pain and inflammation. On investigating dandelion the researchers whose publication is summarized below demonstrated a diversity of effects attributable to an extract of dandelion, including a reduction in numerous markers of inflammation.The historic use of dandelion is thereby confirmed by modern research.
Sunflower seeds are a rich source of alpha-amyrin palmitate. In the study briefly summarized below, administration of alpha-amyrin palmitate was shown to substantially improve arthritis in the animal model. This might account, in part, for the fact that sunflower seeds have long been used in traditional medicines – they reduce inflammation.
Asthma is a serious and sometimes life threatening condition. It is also extremely common. Good treatments exist, but standard treatments are sometimes unable to offer adequate control. As a result, asthma is one of the most common reason for an emergency room visit, the most common reason for absence among school aged children and a leading overall cause of diminished quality of life. The incidence of asthma is increasing globally.
A simple, inexpensive, effective treatment for asthma would be welcome – especially one relatively free from side effects and perhaps entirely free from serious side effects. Sunflower seeds appear attractive from many perspectives, not least of all because the reduction in inflammation observed is unlikely restricted to lungs and asthma. It’s likely that sunflower seeds reduce inflammation generally.
The researchers whose publication is cited below conclude that further work is required to identify the specific factors responsible for the reduction in inflammation – and reduction in asthma symptoms – they observed. Or perhaps we could simply use an aqueous extract of sunflower seeds – since that appears to be both safe and effective.
Banjo contains an aqueous extract of sunflower seeds.
When properly administered, ginger offers greater potential for relief of pain and inflammation than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – but with fewer side effects – for several reasons.
Ginger directly inhibits prostaglandin synthesis and thereby acts as both a COX-I and COX-II inhibitor.
Ginger also inhibits 5-lipoxygenase by direct action – thereby inhibiting the production of leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are key regulators (promoters) of inflammation. They may be of particular importance in allergy and asthma, but are probably involved in promoting and sustaining inflammation generally. Recent studies suggest a role for leukotrienes in cancer, arthritis, pain perception, cardiovascular disease and neurological disease.
Ginger further exerts its anti-inflammatory and anti-pain effect by inhibiting expression of pro-inflammatory genes that encode cytokines, chemokines, and the inducible enzyme cyclooxygenase-2. Chief among these effects is its inhibition of NF-kB – the inflammation Master Switch.
Banjo delivers a combination of herbal extracts, including ginger extract, by means of a lozenge. By allowing the lozenge to dissolve in your mouth, active components (actives) are absorbed trans-mucosally (through the lining of the mouth.) This results in faster delivery of a higher concentration of actives to the bloodstream. Of perhaps greater significance, actives are not first subject to the harsh, destructive environment of the stomach, neither are they immediately destroyed by the liver (the “first pass” effect.)
The traditional means of administering ginger – as well as other medicinal herbs – was by chewing or eating. Of course both chewing and eating require that the product spend a substantial time in direct contact with the mucous membranes of the mouth. That might be important.
Most such products are now delivered by means of a gelatin capsule that is immediately swallowed, which may be one reason for the limited efficacy of such products. Banjo provides effective relief from pain and inflammation by employing an effective combination of agents, delivered so as to ensure maximum bio-availability.
Ginger lowers ‘bad’ cholesterol, raises ‘good’ cholesterol.
Daily ginger decreased levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), while increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL – ‘good’ cholesterol.)
Ginger effectively inhibits the growth of, or kills, bacteria associated with periodontitis.
So in addition to treating pain and inflammation, Banjo may also improve the health of your gums, preserve your teeth – even freshen your breath. How nice!
Alzheimer’s disease is associated with the formation, in the brain, of amyloid plaques. While the existence of these plaques in Alzheimer’s has long been known, their role in the disease has remained somewhat uncertain. There is however increasing recognition of the very significant role played by inflammation in the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s. Indeed, the plaques of Alzheimer’s are found to be surrounded by cells (microglia) that cause inflammation through the release of pro-inflammatory chemicals (cytokines.)
In the study briefly summarized below, ginger extract was found to reduce microglia inflammation and the release of cytokines by microglia. As such, the authors conclude that ginger extract might be useful in preventing, or at least delaying, both the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Activated macrophages are present in high concentrations in a number of inflammatory lesions. The most common inflammatory cell identified in active central nervous system lesions of multiple sclerosis is, for example, the macrophage.
The study briefly summarized below may have implications on the possible use of ginger extract in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, especially to the extent that ginger extract was associated with a significant reduction in T cell proliferation in response to allostimulation – thought to be important in the pathology of multiple sclerosis.
I have arthritis in my hip and pain in my neck. I have had the pain in my neck for 3 years starting after an operation on my shoulder. The arthritis in my hip was getting worse for years and was getting really bad.
I have taken banjo as directed 2 a day for one week. After one week pain was minimized. Now for me one a day is sufficient. I am really grateful because I have tried other medications and nothing has helped. Thank you Dr Steve for your expertise in this great medication. To any one out there who has pain all I can say is give banjo a try you can’t go wrong.
I have a lot of arthritis related pain (like every old nurse) and I’ve suffered from fibromyalgia for the last few years – so I just have a lot of general aches and pains. I started using Banjo and within a couple days I could feel it start to relieve all my pain … even noticing that I was walking faster than usual. Now I’m recommending Banjo to my friends.
I had dibiltating headaches for years starting from when I was teenager, but it wasn’t until I was in my 30’s that I heard the term “menstrual migraine” – and worse, my OB-GYN told me there was no cure, they were the hardest migraine to treat and manage, and I could look forward to menopause! Great (I’m being sarcastic) I then proceeeded to try many different brands and types of prescription migraine medications as well as natural cures such as Accupuncture, biofeedback, herbs, restricted diet and Accupressure to name a few.
Although I finally found a prescription medication that worked, it made me drowsy and I was finding I had to take double and triple doses. I also had to pay for it out of pocket since it wasn’t convered by my insurance. I found Dr Steve and Banjo by filling out an online survey on migraines. I received a sample of Banjo, and after following his directions on taking it every day, I made it through the month without a migraine! Since it was the holidays I was drinking red wine and champagne (which I’d found may trigger the onset of a migraine) but I didn’t get one at all which was beyond a wonderful holiday gift. I am looking forward to 2010 as a migraine-free year! Send more Banjo please!
Aging Alzheimer's Arthritis Asthma Atherosclerosis Back Pain Banjo Cancer Chronic Pain Cluster Headache Crohn's Diabetes Fatigue Fibromyalgia Gout Headache Heart Disease IBD Inflammation Joint Pain Lupus Migraine Multiple Sclerosis Muscular Dystrophy Neck Pain Neuropathic Pain NF-kB Osteoarthritis Pain Parkinson's Psoriasis Rheumatoid Arthritis Sjogren's Stroke TMJ Ulcerative Colitis
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