Q: Why haven’t I heard of Yerba Santa before? Was it just recently discovered?
A: Yerba Santa was discovered hundreds of years ago by Native Americans, who used its natural moisturizing power. More recently, Yerba Santa was found to mimic the glycoproteins and polysaccharides found in the mucous membranes and in healthy skin. Whereas Aloe Vera is a very well-known moisturizer, Yerba Santa has just recently been rediscovered. Our goal is to increase awareness of this powerful plant because studies show it is a far better moisturizer than Aloe.
Q: What is Yerba Santa?
A: Yerba Santa (aka bearsweed, holy herb, or mountain balm) is a plant indigenous to the foothills of the Pacific Northwest and has been used as an herbal remedy by many Native American tribes for centuries. It contains mucopolysaccharides, which mimic the glycoproteins in normal mucosa and hold the aqueous component in contact with the tissue. Yerba Santa has been incorporated into all Parnell Pharmaceuticals over-the-counter products and helps them have enhanced moisturizing and lubricating properties. Potential cancer chemopreventative agents have been isolated from Yerba Santa. Flavonoids in Yerba Santa have been shown to inhibit the metabolism of the carcinogen benzopyrene by hamster embryo cells in tissue cultures. Yerba Santa contains 12 flavonoids in high levels, which act as antioxidants. There is a substantial body of basic research evidence that suggests that free radical damage (oxidation) to cellular components likely plays an important role in carcinogenesis, cardiovascular disease, and some eye diseases. Antioxidants, including Yerba Santa, can defend against this oxidative stress by scavenging free radicals and interrupting free radical-induced chain reactions. Observational epidemiologic studies have provided further support by demonstrating that individuals with higher intake or blood levels of these agents experience lower rates of cancer, cardiovascular disease, as well as cataract and macular degeneration.
Q: Who is Parnell Pharmaceuticals?
A: Parnell Pharmaceuticals is a California-based Lifestyle Health Care Company dedicated to successful aging. Founded by practicing medical specialists, we are committed to reducing the unwanted side effects of aging and chronic disease. www.parnellpharm.com is our online extension created to provide our services and products to you in the privacy of your "self-treatment cyberspace."
Q: Who are the doctors who developed the Parnell products?
A: Dr. Francis Parnell practiced ENT- Head & Neck Surgery for over 30 years. He received his M.D. from Georgetown University; he did his internship and residency at University Hospitals in Madison, Wisconsin. His varied career includes service as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army, an assistant clinical professor at the School of Medicine, University of California - San Francisco, U.S. delegate to the World Health Organization, has published and presented many scientific papers and has lectured on contemporary topics in otolaryngology and health care issues. Dr. Parnell is a Life Fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and the American College of Surgeons.
Dr. Diana Parnell has been a practicing dermatologist for over 50 years, specializing in general dermatology and cosmetic & laser surgery. She received her M.D. from Georgetown University and completed her internship and residency at University Hospitals in Madison, Wisconsin. Dr. Parnell has served as a Clinical Assistant Professor in medicine at the School of Medicine, University of California - San Francisco, and the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine. She has served as an industry medical consultant and has published and presented scientific papers in dermatology.
Q: What is your refund policy?
A: Parnell Pharmaceuticals guarantees your satisfaction with all products purchased. If you are not completely satisfied with our products for any reason, we will refund your money in full, no questions asked.
Q: How does Yerba Santa compare to Aloe Vera?
A: Comparison of moisturizing properties is difficult unless definitive comparisons are formulated. From a very conceptual approach, both materials should have moisturizing properties of about the same magnitude. Aloe and Yerba Santa's moisturizing properties stem from the polysaccharide components. Aloe vera has been studied for millennia and is ubiquitous on all continents. The unique aloe properties appear outside simple moisturization and may stimulate dermal fibroblast activity. This activity may account for its healthful activity. Yerba Santa, on the other hand, is a sleeper. It is only found in California. It has never been "hyped" like aloe vera. Yerba Santa's composition includes polysaccharides that, in addition to moisturizing, have mucilaginous properties that lend themselves to having a pleasant lubricating feel. We have noted its long history as a vehicle for oral, particularly cough and cold preparation. This property may have deeper ramifications than superficially noted. In addition to mucilaginous polysaccharides, Yerba Santa is composed of numerous flavones. As a class of compounds, Flavones are noted as natural control agents for histamine release. The very interesting ramifications of the activity of Yerba Santa reveal its anti-oxidant properties. But back to a direct comparison of Yerba Santa and Aloe Vera, both moisturize by the hydrogen bonding of water by the polysaccharide components. It should be noted that aloe vera gel formulations include generous percentage concentrations (20% to 80%) to establish a notable difference. Yerba Santa fluid extract is effective at lesser concentrations (0.25% to 5%). In addition, Yerba Santa has been shown to enhance the penetrations of active ingredients more uniformly. These are definite advantages of Yerba Santa over Aloe Vera for skin care products and other body tissues.
Q: Are these products "cosmetics"?
A: They are regulated and registered as Class 1 Medical Devices in the USA and EU. No prescription is required.
Q: Why should you not use regular mouthwashes?
A: Most mouthwashes contain a high percentage of alcohol (some have as much as 28%). Alcohol has an undesirable drying effect in the mouth and generally makes the underlying problem worse. You should avoid alcohol-based mouthwashes because the excess oral use of alcohol is known to be a cause of cancer.
Q: What products and services does Parnell Pharmaceuticals provide?
A: Unlike any other company, Parnell Pharmaceuticals provides a specialty combination of Yerba Santa natural-based products, which include skincare medication, oral and nasal care products, feminine care products, drugs, and medical devices, all of which often eliminate the need for additional treatment. Dr. Francis Parnell is a Life Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and Dr. Diana Parnell is a Life Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. The products were developed for our patients in our medical practices. As many people realize, patients often suffer as government bureaucrats try to practice medicine. Regulating the practice of medicine is outside the congressional authority given to the FDA- the statute prohibits it. The FDA can regulate drugs and medical devices to ensure they are safe and effective for their intended use. However, physicians decide on treatments and prevention of disease because they are best able to assess the circumstances of their patients and the evolving state of scientific knowledge. Off-label use is common and lawful and is the standard of care in most specialties today.
Q: How do I use Parnell products?
A: Parnell Pharmaceuticals presents OTC products that provide rapidly effective, visible results with minimal or no side effects. Our products are easy to use in convenient packaging. Our products have been developed to reduce the unwanted side effects of aging and clinical disease. Some examples include conditions such as aging skin, diabetes, allergy, sinusitis, cancer, personal dryness, and drug-induced dryness of the body's skin and tissues.
Q: Why should I join the Parnell Pharmaceuticals community?
A: Parnell Pharmaceuticals features a program for successful healthy aging and improved quality of life. This unique combination of a specialized boutique of natural-based medical products is now available on our Internet website - www.ParnellPharm.com. We guarantee your privacy and do not sell or distribute our customer lists or customer information other than for our internal use to aid us in better serving your needs. Our experienced customer service specialists can respond to your e-mails and 800-line telephone calls. You always have a "live" voice at the other end besides our online services.
Q: What does Parnell Pharmaceuticals do to ensure the quality of its products?
A: All Parnell Pharmaceuticals products are manufactured, packaged, stored, and handled in strict accordance with the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; the regulations of the California Pure Drugs Act; Health and Safety Codes; and the provisions of the California Pharmacy and Administration Rules. We scrupulously adhere to good manufacturing practice (GMP) standards. Certificates of assay are available for each product lot upon request.
Q: Does Parnell Pharmaceuticals conduct any animal testing?
A: No! Parnell Pharmaceuticals' products have been designed, tested, and produced without animal testing.
Q: Where does bad breath originate?
A: Bad breath arises from the mouth (oral cavity) over 90% of the time, with less than 5% of cases arising in the sinuses. Other sources, such as the lungs and stomach, are rare. The most common site of origin is in the filaments on the tongue's surface. Other sites in the mouth and throat are periodontal disease, dental cavities (caries), and the tonsils.
Q: What are the underlying causes of bad breath?
A: The most common underlying cause of bad breath is dry mouth, which can be due to decreased saliva output, chronic mouth breathing, dentures, medications, and normal aging. Dry mouth can also arise from increased talking, stress, dehydration, and hot, dry climates. Offensive foods also play a major role.
Q: How does MouthKote improve bad breath (halitosis)?
A: MouthKote works in several ways to relieve bad breath. MouthKote contains our patented Yerba Santa, an ancient care system used by Native Americans to treat bad breath and other conditions of the digestive and respiratory systems. MouthKote with Yerba Santa helps restore mucosal function and stimulates saliva production to reduce dry mouth. In addition, MouthKote restores the normal acidic environment in the mouth