Healthy A to Z
This month, the lazy Health Writer will relax and luxuriate by not doing research, not using complete sentences, not justifying or explaining his recommendations, not citing sources, and not going into depth. Enjoy!
Acne: zinc, 30 mg twice a day; plus Oregon Grape Root 1,000 mg also twice a day.
Bruises: to resolve existing bruises, arnica cream topically. If you bruise easily, take a daily herbal formula to strengthen the microvasculature, containing plenty of rutin and/or OPCs.
Canker Sores: DGL (which stands for deglycerrhizinated licorice), chewable tablets. Nibble off a bit of the tablet, and push it against the sore with your tongue. Repeat 5-6 times a day.
Diarrhea: Worth figuring out why you have it. Antibiotic-induced? Take a good strong probiotic (and keep on taking it for a few weeks at least). Inflammation-induced? Avoid trigger foods, and see under: “ulcerative colitis.” “Stomach flu”? Follow the instructions on bentonite under “Norovirus.” Regardless of cause, apple pectin capsules can safely firm up a stool.
Eczema: I’ve never found a great treatment for eczema internally (although fish oils, probiotics, and avoiding potentially allergenic foods can all help). Topically, multi-herb healing creams are the way to go. I’m especially partial to the Aromatic Healing Balm from Skye Botanicals.
Flatulence: if it’s because of dairy, please enjoy the many delicious dairy-free alternatives we sell. Or use lactase pills. If it’s caused by beans or vegetables, try Bean Assist from the Enzymedica company. Sort of like Beano™, but with additional digestive enzymes to help with the rest of the meal. Cook your beans with a 1-inch square of kombu seaweed, or buy the Eden brand of canned beans, which is prepared the same way. Finally, chlorophyll supplements may not reduce the amount of gas, but they do tend to make said gas odor free.
Gums, Receding: CoQ10 softgels 100 mg 2X a day. Bite the pill open, spread it over the gums, swallow what’s left. Be careful not to buy the CoQ10 with black pepper extract in it. Black Pepper extract slightly boosts absorption – but also stings the gums…
Herpes (including shingles & cold sores): lemon balm creams and ointments, gigartina red marine algae internally. If they’re diffuse or recurring, 500 mg lysine 3X a day on an empty stomach. Avoid foods disproportionately high in arginine (chocolate, nuts, seeds).
Inflammation: this is a HUGE topic! For chronic inflammation, 3,000 mg of omega-3s per day, in a roughly 3:2 EPA:DHA ratio – in other words, fish oil. For more acute inflammation, we could talk about this herb or that herb… but just look for a good multi-herb formula.
Achy, Sore Joints: See under: inflammation. If this is a chronic condition, consider adding 1,500 mg a day glucosamine and/or 2,000 mg a day MSM
Kidney Disease: If it’s a side effect of medications that impair energy generation in the kidneys, CoQ10 300 mg 2X per day. Generally speaking, the Kidney Support Compound from Herbalist & Alchemist. Serious kidney disease should be treated with the help of a professional.
Lyme Disease: pharmaceutical antibiotics are your best bet to kick it, once and for all. Having said that, the Spiro-X formula from White Tiger is the best overall formula I’ve seen from the herbal end. If you want to go into more depth, Stephen Buhner’s books are invaluable.
Molluscum Contagiosum: Topical 5% dilution of essential oil of Australian Lemon Myrtle.
Norovirus: hydrated bentonite clay, 2 tbsp every hour should help resolve intestinal symptoms. The Immune Dragon Super Brew Formula, a whole ounce in two hours, once provided dramatic results for the author when he was stranded in the airport with escalating symptoms.
Osteoporosis: More calcium is not the answer! Look instead at calcium management nutrients, especially vitamin K2 and strontium; plus magnesium, vitamin D, and silica.
Psoriasis: The Dermal Health Compound from Herb Pharm is a wonderful formula. Borage oil internally (3,000 mg a day), plus topically. Moderate sun exposure may also help.
Quitting Smoking: There’s no pill that’s going to make it happen. But look for a formula that combines the herb lobelia with relaxants. Lobelia contains lobeline, which sort of mimics nicotine in the body. Easy Wanderer formula (Xiao Yao in Chinese) may help with irritability.
Ringworm: Look for a cream or ointment that contains one or more of the following: black walnut, tea tree oil, grindelia, chapparal, and neem.
S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder; “wintertime depression”): Treat the same as any other depression… but make sure your vitamin D is adequate, consider a light box (or other very bright light); and the Black Cloud Compound from Herbalist & Alchemist. [Debra says six Brazil nuts a day is good.]
Toothache: While you’re waiting to see the dentist, essential oil of clove, just a dab topically.
Ulcerative Colitis: Boswellia extracts can intercept the inflammation during a flare-up. Glutamine, NAC, and probiotics can help the gut stay healthy in between.
Vitamin D Defiency: Take vitamin D!
Warts: saturate the pad of a bandaid with tincture of lomatium root. Apply over the wart nightly for a number of days. Expect to see shrinkage begin within a week.
X-Rays are sometimes crucial to diagnosis, but the radiation can be troubling. Broccoli sprouts, or broccoli sprout extract can upregulate endogenous glutathione to protect from damage.
Yeast Infection (vaginal): Yeast Arrest suppositories from the Vitanica Company. Longer-term prevention: a daily probiotic; avoid large amounts of sugars (including honey, maple, binging on fruits)
Z: And on the 26th letter, he rested…
… Adam Stark