NATURAL MEDICINE HEPATITIS

NATURAL MEDICINE HEPATITIS

        Hepatitis is a very serious liver disease. It is estimated that in Indonesia there are currently 20 million people who suffer from hepatitis B and C. The majority of hepatitis have no symptoms until the disease course of 20-30 years. During that time, the infection is slowly eroding a person's heart so that it can cause liver cancer. Until now there is no natural remedy that is scientifically proven to cure hepatitis. However, some of the following herbs according to the research is promising as a cure hepatitis:
 
1. Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum)Studies show that milk thistle does not cure hepatitis, but it can prevent liver damage and improve function in patients with cirrhosis. In Germany, where herbal medicines are regulated as medical drugs, health authorities have approved milk thistle as a complementary treatment for cirrhosis, hepatitis and other liver disorders.Milk thistle come from Europe, but now also grown in many other regions of similar climate. The fruit of this plant is believed to experts contains a substance called silymarin. Studies in animals indicate that silymarin efficacious:• promote the growth of several types of liver cells.• as an antioxidant that helps fight the oxidation process. In oxidation, harmful substances called free radicals can damage cells act. Several studies have shown silymarin to prevent damage to liver cells by free radicals.• blocking various types of toxins from entering and damaging the liver cells.• prevent liver inflammation (anti-inflammatory).In 1989, the first study conducted on 170 patients with cirrhosis of various causes, including alcoholism. About half (87) of patients receiving silymarin three times a day for 2 years. The others (83 patients) received only placebo. Because the 24 patients dropped out of the study, a total of 146 patients (73 in each group) completed the 2 year study. The researchers noted that the number of patients who died within 4 years after the study was 31 percent lower in the group that received silymarin than in the group of patients who received placebo. The beneficial effects of silymarin, especially seen in patients with cirrhosis due to alcohol abuse. The doctors did not report any patients who experience side effects from treatment of silymarin.
 
2. Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)Licorice root can be used to manage the effects of hepatitis on the liver. Active component is called glycyrrhizin acid exhibits anti-inflammatory and antiviral. This acid causes sweetness in licorice (50 times sweeter than sugar) and works similar to the body's natural hormone, aldosterone, which regulates salt and water in the body.Glycyrrhizin has been used in Japan for over 20 years as a drug for chronic hepatitis. In a study in 1998, researchers reported that treatment with glycyrrhizin promote liver tissue repair that have been damaged by hepatitis. Some of the research subjects also showed improved liver function in doing its job. A 1997 experiment also showed that glycyrrhizin helps prevent the development of liver cancer in patients with chronic hepatitis C.Unfortunately, licorice root has the potential side effects. If taken regularly (more than 3 grams of licorice root per day for more than 6 weeks or more than 100 milligrams of glycyrrhizin daily), this herb has the potential to cause high blood pressure, sodium and water retention, low sodium levels in the bloodstream, calcium depletion, and electrolyte balance disorders in the body. Signs and symptoms of excessive consumption of licorice root include headache, lethargy, swollen ankles, and even heart failure or heart attack (heart suddenly stops beating). People who have glaucoma, heart disease, high blood pressure and haemochromatosis should avoid licorice.
3. Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius / Panax ginseng)There are two types of ginseng are American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng), which comes from China, Japan, and Korea.Tes in animals and humans suggest ginseng may help the immune system. Tests on animals also show ginseng may help improve the workings of the heart and reduce heart tissue damage caused by hepatitis. However, research on the benefits of ginseng for hepatitis is still limited.

4. Ginger (Zingiber officinale)Over the past 2,500 years, the Chinese have used ginger to treat nausea. Several studies have confirmed the benefits of ginger to reduce nausea. This plant can relieve nausea and vomiting caused by drug therapy in patients with hepatitis. In addition to inexpensive and widely available, ginger known to be safe and not cause serious side effects. 
5. Green tea (Camellia sinensis)Green tea contains catechins high dose. Black tea, which has undergone a process of fermentation, containing a lower concentration of catechins. Catechin is a flavonoid with anti-oxidant properties are capable of stabilizing cell membranes. Properties of catechins protect against heart similar to milk thistle.Experiments on mice have demonstrated liver cell damage the liver protective effect provided by the catechins. However, most studies in humans failed to show similar results. Doses used in humans is 20-40 mg per kg body weight / day compared with 200 mg per kg / day used in mice. This indicates that the higher dose should be used in humans in order to reap the benefits of green tea for heart protection. However, side effects that accompany high doses of making such an approach impractical. Side effects of high doses of green tea are fever, hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells), and urticaria (allergic rash).

6. Turmeric (Curcuma domestica)Turmeric is a spice kitchen is quite a lot of use. For thousands of years, turmeric has been used by practitioners of Ayurveda medicine as a cure for liver disease. The active component of turmeric is curcumin, a potent antioxidant. In experimental animal studies, turmeric seen inhibit liver damage from aflatoxin and other liver toxins. Since turmeric is the main spice in Indian curries, maybe that's why the population of India has the lowest incidence of heart disease in the world. But this needs further verification.
 
7. Black pepper (Piper nigrum)Black pepper contains the active substance called piperine. In studies on rats, piperine looks can reduce the damaging effects of toxins in the liver. This is mainly due to the antioxidant properties of piperine. There are no studies that compare the differences of liver disease in people who ate pepper with those who do not.

Wild Ginger Plants usability

 Herbs Wild GingerGinger herbs and their usefulness. You must have heard the name of this plant native to Indonesia right? Because ginger is not foreign anymore our ears. These plants spread only limited menjawa, Maluku and Kalimantan.Wild Ginger (Curcuma xanthorhiza) widely cultivated and becoming one of the agricultural commodities. Many local name for ginger. For example, Koneng big (West Java) and Gathering labak (Java and Madura). Wild Ginger Zingibereaceal including family and breeding ground moor around the settlements, especially in loose soil, making the fruit easy to develop into a large rhizome.Wild Ginger trunk-shaped pseudo-stem, leaf width and leaf blade at each associated with midrib and petiole rather long. Uniquely-shaped flowers are clustered and dark yellow, ginger has long dikenalsebagai rimapng potions ingredients. Aroma and color typical of ginger rhizome is acrid and flesh colored yellowish.Wild Ginger in Middle Java is known as an exotic beverage with a distinctive taste. By mixing together sugar and turmeric plants, and brewed with hot water will produce its own flavor. This herb is usually given to children who are fussy eaters.Here are some of the properties of herbs ginger:Various diseases can be treated with this plant tubers, such as pain spleen, kidney, back pain, asthma, headaches, colds, heartburn, abdominal pain, milk production, increase appetite, constipation, chicken pox, canker sores, rheumatism, acne, and even for early-stage cancer and also as a trusted herb that slows the aging process, eliminate black spots face and maintain the flexibility of the body.The use of ginger in principle the same as turmeric and kencur the stomach. Keuali for kidney pain. The rhizome of ginger, added a handful of leaves meniran with 4 cups water, boiled until the water by half, drink 3 times a day.Plants typical of Indonesia which has the potential of this remarkable, not less than Korean ginseng, and even, according to the study of ginger superior to ginseng. Wild Ginger is a very potent herbal medicine


Tempuyung HERBAL MEDICINE KIDNEY STONESLeaves tempuyung already famous penggempur efficacious as kidney stones. Do you know, how the figure of the plant? And what makes it efficacious?These plants originated from mainland Eurasia (Eastern Europe Frontier and Southwest Asia). Being in Indonesia probably since the spread of Hinduism in Java first. Name tempuyung (Sonchus Arvenses) taken from the name of the Java "wiyung go."Tempuyung What's usefulnessTempuyung the trunked round can only grow as high as 0.5 to 1.5 m. Hollow trunk, if injured will issue a milky white sap. Tempuyung growing wild near the walls of the house.Slick green leaves with wavy edges have a little purple and irregularly toothed. This leaves an efficacious as penggempur kidney stones. Efficacy tempuyung to demolish the stone leaves the kidney is already known. In cooperative Manufacturers of Traditional Medicines Work Bhineka Manunggal Bogor, tempuyung sold in the form of tea bags and leaves that have been dried.How prescription of manufacture?To make herbal potions tempuyung is as follows: required 3 tempuyung leaves simmered in a small pan with 2 cups water until the water by half. Cool, strain and drink daily 3 x.

Efficacy CHOCHOLATE TO KNOW ( Health Benefits of Chocolate )

Health Benefits of Chocolate

Mmm...chocolate. The product of the cacao tree has been winning fans since Aztec leader Montezuma introduced the beverage (chocolate candy as we know it didn't appear until the 1800's) to the Spanish conqueror Cortez, who subsequently took it home to Spain. (While the original drink was rather bitter, the Spanish made a few creative innovations - using sugar instead of chilies, and adding cinnamon and vanilla).

What is it that makes chocolate so irresistible? A large part of chocolate's allure, of course, lies in the taste - a deliciously rich concoction that satisfies the most intense craving. But several chemical reactions are also at work. For one thing, chocolate stimulates the secretion of endorphins, producing a pleasureable sensation similar to the "runner's high" a jogger feels after running several miles.

Chocolate also contains a neurotransmitter, serotonin, that acts as an anti-depressant. Other substances, such as theobromine and phenylethylamine, have a stimulating effect. However, the truth is that scientists are still not positive how the over three-hundred chemicals contained in chocolate make us feel so good.  

Harmful Effects?

With so much going for it, it's unfortunate that chocolate has developed a bad reputation on the health front. Confirmed chocoholics often worry that indulging their craving will lead to everything from rotting teeth to acne, not to mention the need to lose a few pounds.

Fortunately, scientists are beginning to disprove some common myths about the dangers of eating too much chocolate. For example, it is not true that eating chocolate can cause acne or make it worse. Nor is chocolate the threat to healthy teeth that it was once thought to be. While both cocoa and chocolate contain sugar, they also have properties that work against sugar's tendency to produce the oral bacteria that eventually leads to dental decay. In fact, researchers at the Eastman Dental Center in Rochester, New York, have concluded that milk chocolate is one of the snack foods that is least likely to contribute to tooth decay, since it contains phosphate and other minerals.

Furthermore, while chocolate may not be the most healthy snack around, it does contain a number of nutrients. High in potassium and magnesium, chocolate also provides us with several vitamins - including B1, B2, D, and E. As for calories, no one is going to claim chocolate is the quintessential diet food. Still, the average chocolate bar contains approximately 250 calories - low enough for a dieter to enjoy one as an occasional treat. Besides, indulging your chocolate craving from time to time can help prevent the bingeing that is a dieter's worst enemy.

The Asian Connection

Traditionally, Asia has not been known for its high level of chocolate consumption. This isn’t surprising, since the cacao tree is native to the tropical regions of Central and South America (although Filipinos have been able to enjoy their own homemade version of powdered chocolate since the Spanish introduced the cacao tree to the Philippines in the 16th century). However, things are changing. Chocolate consumption in China has increased by forty percent since 1992. And in 1997 Bernard Callebaut, the famous chocolate manufacturer, felt confident enough of Asians' fondness for chocolate to open a factory in Singapore. As a concession to Asian tastes the chocolate is less sweet; it also has a higher melting point.

In 2005, the Beijing Hyatt hosted a chocolate fashion show, where the models were draped in “clothing” made from different types of chocolate (Source: the Asian Times). While chocolate consumption is still much lower in China than in Europe or North America, the market is growing steadily, as the Chinese develop a taste for the sweet treat.

Efficacy CHOCHOLATE TO KNOWChocolate is known as a tasty snack and is a food that could damage your teeth quickly indirectly. Small children for example would rather choose to eat chocolate instead of eating rice or drinking milk. Not only children, youth and elderly subjects was also pleased. Essentially chocolate is a favorite food with varying prices and readily available.Definition of brownThe word chocolate comes from xocoatl (Aztec language) that means a bitter drink. The Aztecs and the Maya in Mexico believe that the god of Agriculture has sent chocolate that comes from heaven to them. Cortes then took him to Spain between the years 1502-1528, and by the Spaniards bitter drink was mixed sugar so it tastes better. Brown then spread to France, Holland and England. In the year 1765 chocolate factory was established in Massachusetts, USA.In its development, chocolate is not only a beverage but also become the preferred snack of children, adolescents, and adults. Besides it feels good, it turns out nutritious chocolate make life a person becomes longer. An epidemiological study has been conducted at Harvard University students who enrolled between the years 1916-1950. By using a food frequency questionnaire collected information about the habits of eating candy or chocolate at Harvard University students.Savor chocolateBy controlling the physical activity undertaken, smoking, and eating habits found that those who love to eat sweets / chocolates age one year longer than non-eaters. Allegedly phenol antioxidants contained in chocolate is the reason why they could outlive. Phenol is also found in red wine that is well known as a good drink for heart health. Brown has the ability to inhibit oxidation of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and increase immune function, which can prevent the risk of coronary heart disease and cancer.Dr. Hui Rutai study of "the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences" and "Peking Union Medical College" in Beijing, China, and colleagues concluded that chocolate only help people who have risk factors and heart disease when consumed in excessive amounts does not. As mentioned in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.A study released in March showed that of 19,300 people, those who ate the most chocolate has blood pressure of more lace. In addition they also have a smaller chance of suffering a stroke or heart attack during the next 10 years.However, the researchers issued a warning, the differences in the consumption of chocolate among the group who consumed the most chocolate and is at least approximately six grams. Hui and colleagues seek medical records to find a study that examines how chocolate affects blood fats, or lipids, and found eight trials involving 215 people.When all studies were analyzed together, the researchers found that eating chocolate reduces levels of LDL, or "bad" cholesterol up to five milligrams / dL and reduced total cholesterol in the same amount.Other analysis shows, only people who eat a little chocolate with 260 milligrams of polyphenols, or less able to experience the impact of lowering cholesterol. But it does not affect people who eat more chocolate.Polyphenols are anti-oxidants found in fruits, vegetables, brown and white wine. One rod weighing 1.25 ounces milk chocolate contains about 300 milligrams of polyphenols.The researchers also found that healthy people do not get the cholesterol lowering effects of cocoa. As for people with heart disease risk factors, such as diabetes, chocolate can lower their LDL cholesterol levels and the cholesterol fell by 8 milligrams / respectively.As long as there is the notion that chocolate causes caries of the teeth and may also be responsible for the emergence of the problem of obesity. Undeniable that obesity is one risk factor for degenerative diseases. But studies at Harvard University shows that if you balance the consumption of chocolate candy with enough physical activity and eating a balanced diet, then the negative effects of chocolate candy is not much to worry about.The Maya and chocolateAccording to the Mayan belief, chocolate is the food of the gods. The original flavor of the cocoa bean is actually due to a bitter alkaloid content, but after going through the engineering process can be produced chocolate as a food liked by anyone. Cocoa beans contain 31% fat, carbohydrate 14% and 9% protein. Chocolate is rich in protein amino acid tryptophan, phenylalanine, and tyrosine. Although chocolate contains high fat, but relatively easy to rancidity because chocolate also contains polyphenols (6%) which functions as an antioxidant deterrent.In the United States of chocolate consumption contributes only 1% of total fat intake as stated by the National Food Consumption Survey (1987-1998). This amount is relatively small, especially when compared with the contribution of meat (30%), cereals (22%), and milk (20%). Fat in chocolate, cocoa butter is often called, is mostly composed of saturated fat (60%), especially stearate. But brown fat is vegetable fat which does not contain cholesterol. To keep pressing the saturated fat that is not too high, it is better to limit eating chocolate just one cigarette per day and consume mebatasi supplement or other food containing catechins such as apple and tea.In research involving human subjects, found that consumption of brown fat generate total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol lower than the consumption of butter or beef fat. So even though both contain saturated fat but the effect of cholesterol produced different. High content of stearic acid in chocolate which was allegedly the cause of why brown fat is not as bad as animal fat. Has long been known that stearic acid is neutral fat that will not trigger blood cholesterol. Why? Stearate was slowly digested by our bodies and also absorbed less.A third of the fat contained in chocolate is oleic acid is an unsaturated fatty acid. Oleic acid is also predominantly found in olive oil. Epidemiological studies in Mediterranean populations who consume lots of oleic acid from olive oil oleic concluded positive effect on heart health.Eating chocolate is allowedOften the question arises how much we should mengkonsusmi chocolate? There is no definitive recommendation for this nutrient, however, 2-3 times a week eating chocolate or drinking chocolate milk per day would still be acceptable. Principles of nutrition is actually easy to eat all foods in moderation. Nutritional problems generally arise when we eat too much or too little.Eating chocolate will not cause addiction, but for some delicious chocolate may cause the desire to consume them again. This is called a chocolate craving. The impact of chocolate on behavior and mood (mood) is closely associated with chocolate craving. Love chocolate could be due to its aroma, texture, sweet-bitter and so on. It is also often associated with the content of phenylethylamine which is a substance similar to amphetanine which can increase uptake of tryptophan into the brain which then in turn produce dopamine. Impact of dopamine is emerging feelings of pleasure and improved mood. Phenylethylamine is also considered to have aphrodisiac properties that gave rise to a feeling like someone in love (heart flowers). It is said that King Montezuma in antiquity always drunk chocolate before rotating harem harem-different every night.Catechins are powerful antioxidants contained in chocolate. One function of antioxidants is to prevent premature aging that can occur due to pollution or radiation. Catechins are also found in tea although the amount is not as high on chocolate. Parents often ancient practice of tea wash my face with water because it can make facial skin radiant and youthful. If they know that chocolate contains a higher than tea catechins, maybe they would recommend a bath scrub with brown.Chocolate also contains theobromine and caffeine. Both substances have been known to give effect to those who consume awake. Therefore when we are dozing off at the airport or waiting for long queues, eating chocolate potent enough to make us excited again.Chocolate products is quite diverse. For example, there is a mixture of milk chocolate sweet chocolate, cocoa butter, sugar and milk. There are also bitter chocolate which is a natural brown and contains 43% cocoa solids. This type of chocolate can be found in some products chocolate bars. Nutritional content of chocolate can be seen in the table.Nutritional substances Bitter Chocolate Milk Chocolate• Energy (Cal) 381 504• Protein (g) 9 5.5• Fat (g) 35.9 52.9• Calcium (mg) 200 98• Phosphorus (mg) 200 446• Vitamin A (SI) 30 60Until now, there has been no evidence that chocolate cause acne. Chocolate also can not be said to be the main cause of dental plaque due to the emergence of dental plaque can also occur in people who consume regular meals daily. It's just chocolate should really pay attention, especially for people who are prone to suffer from kidney stones. Consumption of 100 g of chocolate will increase the excretion of oxalate and calcium tripled. Therefore, healthy tips that can be recommended is to drink plenty of water after eating chocolate.

EDUKASI INGREDIENTS TO TRADITIONAL

 EDUKASI INGREDIENTS TO TRADITIONAL HAIR is not fallingCauses of hair loss:1. Out loud disease (typhoid, gonorrhea, etc.).2. Out childbirth or maternity.3. Less clean scalp.4. The influence of drugs or chemicals.5. Psychological influences.6. And others.Here are some recipes to cope with hair loss:• Water 1 cup of strong tea, condensed out of the house at night until the morning. After that use it to rub the scalp 1 x daily as needed in the evening after a bath. Then wrap in a towel.• a green young coconut fruit, cut the bottom and top of it and given the necessary holes. Sprinkle salt and acid for seed at 22 o'clock at night, embunkan outside the home. After that, use water to moisten as she massaged the scalp-massage. Do it after a shower in the afternoon as much as necessary.• Rind lerak 12 pieces, soaked in a bowl of hot water 1 / 2 - his. After a cold and a lot of foam is used moisten the scalp and massage as needed. Do it in the evening after a bath as needed.• The leaves of young bean 1 handful, washed and finely milled and then kneaded with castor oil 2 tbsp. After mixed well, rubbed evenly on the skin while the hair sorted. Do it once a day in the evening after a bath and wrapped in a towel.TIPS cope with hair loss
      Hair loss is most tedious, especially for adolescents. Because hair loss will reduce the appearance and also will reduce confidence in you. Hair loss? do not be afraid .... Hair loss can be treated with all sorts of human endeavor, but humans do not guarantee to grow thick hair, because it all belongs to god and only god, too, who determines it all. Hair loss caused by the use of chemicals, eg, use of hair dye, change rambuat be curly or vice versa is meribonding. Hair loss can also be due to heredity, low labor, use of hats, and because skin diseases in the head.For those of you who are experiencing now, avoid the use of chemical drugs that cause hair ronrok.For those of you who experienced it, here are some tips to overcome hair loss you can try:1. Avoid coloring, straightening, and mengkriting your hair or hair that continuous and sustained. Because there are material chemical substances that make your hair brittle.2. Let hair dry naturally, without the dryer. Too often use a hair dryer can cause your hair brittle. Try not to comb my hair while still wet.3. If hair thinning hair should be cut. Short hair can make it appear thicker. Some men shave all the hair line to retreat out of sight.4. Try to day-to-day do not use caps unless continuous need to wear safety helmets at work.5. Strict diet can contribute to your hair loss, so make sure it stays in your diet consume lots of protein and iron.6. Protein is important for the formation and repair of body tissues, including hair. Make sure that one sixth of total caloric intake and foods such as meat, fish, cheese, and nuts. Iron is also nourish the hair, lots of eating cereals, legumes, fish, poultry, meat, and green vegetables is good for hair health.7. If you are in the early stages of hair loss due to heredity, you can try a solution containing minoxidil hair that can restore your fertility. Minoxidil solution can slow or prevent permanent hair loss for men and women. This treatment is given twice a day and need continuous because the effect is reduced after discontinued. We recommend that you consult with physicians in their use.8. Immediately contact your doctor in case of hair loss is very much or at one part in the final weeks and loss of hair due to medication or disease.
Sources: Book recipes of traditional medicine

Understanding Herbs Medicine

Understanding Herbs
Herbal term usually associated with plants that are not woody or herbaceous plants that are. In the world of medicine, the term herb has a wider meaning, ie all types of plants and all parts of which contain one or more active ingredients that can be used as drugs (therapeutic). For example forest noni (Morinda citrifolia) containing Morindin, anti-cancer active ingredient; Centella asiatica (asiatica Centela) containing asiaticoside useful for skin problems and increase IQ.

Herbalogi
Herbalogi derived from the word 'herb' which means the plants and 'logy' or 'logos' which means knowledge. Thus Herbalogi is the study of everything related to plants. In the world of medicine herbalogi understood as a concept or method of treatment using ingredients derived from herbs (medicinal plants).

The concept of Herbal Medicine
1. Which used to be holistic. The human body is seen to have a system of harmony that is always balanced; non-functioning of a body part causes an imbalance of the other parts of the body. If the body is unable to perform such rebalancing its original state, it will tibul a disease. One goal of herbal medicine is to help the body to restore harmony or balance of the body.
2.Selain of external factors, herbal remedies understand that from within man there is a healing power that comes from factors Spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical. The healing power in the modern medical world known as the Immune System.
Immune 3.Sistem be the major determinant of health or sickness. Herbalogi pay great attention to issues such imunity. So the goal of treatment is directed to "Improve and maintain the body immune system against external pathogens and pressure".
4.Menggunakan the purest ingredients of herbs as drugs, without the addition of synthetic chemicals.

Herbal Medicine Treatment differences with Synthetic Chemicals
The concept of Herbal Medicine is very different from the concept of modern medicine (which is usually used as a drug Synthetic Chemistry). For example in the treatment of synthetic chemicals that cause disease are viruses, bacteria, and pathogens (disease-carrying micro-organisms), while in herbal medicine, disease-causing immune system is weak.

Here is the table the difference between the two treatment concepts are:
Herbal Medicine Treatment of Synthetic Chemistry
* Derived from the West * Derived from the East
* Using synthetic chemicals * Using natural ingredients / organic
* The absorption of 50% - 70% * 90% power absorption
* Characteristically antibiotics (bacterial toxins) * Characteristically probiotic
* Lowering the immune system * Improve the immune system
* Symptoms / Symptomatic * Holistic / treat the source of disease
* Potential side effects * No side effects
* Efficacy faster but destructive * Benefits slow but constructive
* Most contain forbidden substances * Halal because purely from plants

Preferably Traditional Medicine Developed Countries
He said the tendency of the public use of traditional medicines in many countries it is better known as the new green wave (new green wave).

The condition is triggered by the side effects of synthetic drugs and antibiotics, in addition to the development of public opinion, both in western and eastern countries, the use of natural materials that are safer than materials containing chemical substances.

DENPASAR, KOMPAS.com - Community developed countries in recent years preferred the traditional treatments that use ingredients from plants, whereas before they were known to use drugs synthetic materials.