GINGER/TURMERIC
Ginger and turmeric have demonstrated the ability to cause chromosome breakage and disintegration. The process could change a normal cell into a cancer cell, or cause the developing embryo to become deformed. (Cytologica 41:591-595, 1976) Copyright Phylis Austin

NEONATAL JAUNDICE/CHARCOAL
Neonatal jaundice caused by excess bilirubin in the blood is relatively frequent in infants, particularly those that are premature or those that are breastfed. The immature liver is at fault, and breast feeding enhances the process, as an enzyme interferes with the activation of bilirubin by the liver. Charcoal adsorbs bilirubin well from duodenal fluid. In premature infants, one gram per day causes only part of the bilirubin to be bound, but 4.5 grams per day of charcoal adsorbs all but a small amount of bilirubin from the duodenum. If charcoal feeding is started at 12 hours of age, it is less effective than when the charcoal is begun at 4 hours of age, as enterohepatic circulation of bilirubin may play an important role in determining the bilirubin pool during the first few hours of life. (Cooney, David O. Activated Charcoal: Antidotal and Other Medical uses. 1980. Marcel Dekker, Inc. New York) Copyright Phylis Austin

MASSAGE/HAMSTRING MUSCLE RANGE OF MOTION
Thirty-four women between 18 and 35 years-of-age who were given a 9 to 12 minute massage demonstrated an immediate increase in range of motion of the hamstring muscle group.
The authors note a number of beneficial effects of massage including the stimulation of pressure, touch, and proprioceptive (balance) receptors of the skin and underlying tissue, mechanical effects on venous and lymphatic channels, reflex dilation of skin blood vessels and improvement of blood flow to the area, and several other therapeutic effects. (Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy 6(3)168-172, 1984) Copyright Phylis Austin

TIC DOULOUREUX/ALOE VERA
A California dentist reports the successful treatment of tic douloureux, an intensely painful affliction of the trigeminal nerve, which produces pain in the face. This 43-year-old woman had been diagnosed in 1973 and reported that brushing or combing her hair on the right side induced pain. She had undergone years of unsuccessful treatments including Valium, antihistamines, and pain medications. Steven M. Hayes, D.D.S., suggested that the patient drink one to two ounces of stabilized aloe vera juice daily. Dr. Hayes reports that aloe vera juice contains all of the essential amino acids, many monosaccarides, polysaccarides; vitamins B-1, B-2, B-6 and C, choline, niacinamide, and a number of inorganic substances. The patient reported a significant decrease in pain within two weeks after beginning the treatment. She discontinued the use of the aloe vera while on a two week trip and the pain returned. A few days after resuming use of the aloe vera the pain again decreased. She was later hospitalized for a back injury and because of the other medications she was taking she again discontinued use of the aloe vera. Again the pain recurred, and again it disappeared after she resumed the use of the aloe vera. After six months of daily use she reports that she has no pain when brushing or combing her hair. Readers are cautioned that this is only one report, but certainly it would be worth trying with anyone who has tic douloureux. (General Dentistry September-October, 1984, p. 441-442) Copyright Phylis Austin

BURDOCK ROOT TEA/ANTICHOLINERGIC POISONING
Some commercial preparations of burdock root tea have been contaminated with a substance presumed to be atropine. A 59-year-old female reported to an Arizona Emergency Room with complaints of dry mouth, weakness, blurred vision, dizziness and inability to pass her urine. Her symptoms had begun shortly after she drank some burdock root tea and resolved within 48 hours. (Clinical Toxicology 22(6)581-584, 1984-1985) Copyright Phylis Austin

CHARCOAL/SIMETHICONE/GAS
Simethicone, the most frequently prescribed intestinal gas medication, has been shown less effective at controlling gas than charcoal. (American Journal of Gastrotenterology 80(10)862, October, 1985) Copyright Phylis Austin

COLD PACKS/HEADACHES
Cold compresses have been used for headache remedy for many years. A study conducted at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine revealed that about 50 percent of patients who used a cold pack received immediate pain relief. Interestingly, migraine patients had the greatest pain relief. (Internal Medicine News 18(7)3, September 1-14, 1985) Copyright Phylis Austin

ALOE VERA/ARTHRITIS
An aloe vera extract has been shown to have anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory action. It is felt that a group of anthraquinones is responsible for this effect. (Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association 76(2)61-66, February, 1986) Copyright Phylis Austin

CHICKENPOX/ITCHING/SPRAY STARCH
Pennsylvania pediatricians report that an application of spray starch to chickenpox lesions greatly reduces itching. (Medical Times 114(7)93, July 1986) Copyright Phylis Austin

ALCOHOL/SMOKING/TEA/PRETERM DELIVERY
Pregnant women who consume more than two alcoholic beverages per day have about a 3-fold risk of early delivery. Women who smoke ten or more cigarettes daily are also more likely to deliver a preterm infant. Women in this Yale University study who delivered early were also likely to have consumed four or more cups of tea per day. (Early Human Development 7:239-250, 1982) Early delivery places an infant at a disadvantage, and sometimes initiates lifelong health problems. Copyright Phylis Austin

CHARCOAL/CHOLESTEROL
A group of seven patients who had not responded to medications normally given to lower cholesterol levels were given 8 g. of charcoal in water three times a day for four weeks. Total cholesterol decreased by an average of 25 percent; LDH cholesterol decreased by 41 percent, and HDL cholesterol increased 8 percent. It is felt that a high HDL cholesterol level is protective for heart disease, while low LDL cholesterol levels are beneficial. (The Lancet, August 16, 1986, p. 366-367) Copyright Phylis Austin

CHARCOAL/LEAD/MERCURY/SILVER
Dissolved salts of silver, mercury, and lead can be absorbed by charcoal according to two German researchers. (Munchener Medizinische Wochenschrift Munich 71:1168, August 22, 1924) Copyright Phylis Austin

PERINEAL MASSAGE/EPISIOTOMY/LACERATIONS
Women who massaged their perineum at least four times per week were shown to have a lower incidence of lacerations and fewer episiotomies during delivery. It is felt that massage helps to maintain the flexibility of the perineum Journal of Nurse Midwifery 31(3)128-34, May-June, 1986) Copyright Phylis Austin

TEA/CANCER
Julia Morton, of the University of Miami, has shown a relationship between tannin found in tea, and cancer of the esophagus. Dr. Morton has researched this subject for over 20 years. Tannins are also found in red wine, some cider, coffee and tobacco. (Insight 2(32)55, August 11, 1986) Copyright Phylis Austin

CHARCOAL CLOTH/VENOUS ULCERS
Charcoal cloth was used in the treatment of venous ulcers in an attempt to control odors and edema. Researchers observed that the cloth also increased healing rates. (The British Journal of Clinical Practice 40(4)145-148, April, 1986) Copyright Phylis Austin

JAUNDICE/PREGNANCY/CHARCOAL
Jaundice (yellowish color of the skin due to bile pigments), is known to have an adverse effect on reproduction. Whatever the cause of the jaundice, it leads to decreased fertility rates, increased miscarriage wastage, and increased rate of premature deliveries. A study of Gunn rats demonstrated that giving a diet consisting of 10 percent activated charcoal was effective in reducing plasma bilirubin levels as much as 40 percent, increasing the rates of fertilization and successful pregnancy. Forty-eight percent of the jaundiced rats given charcoal produced live offspring, while only seven percent of the control animals successfully concluded their pregnancy. (Pediatric Pharmacology 3(2)78-85, 1986) Copyright Phylis Austin

BLACK TEA/RECTAL CANCER
Black tea, tea made from leaves that have been withered prior to rolling and drying, increases the risk of developing rectal cancer. (British Journal of Cancer 54:677-683, 1986) Copyright Phylis Austin

RAW GARLIC/IMMUNE SYSTEM
Dr. Osama Kandil of the Akbar Clinic and Research Institute at Panama City, Florida reported at the annual meeting of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, that eating raw garlic increased the body's natural killer cell activity, enabling the body to more effectively fight off disease. Kyolic capsules, which provide an odor-free way of taking garlic, increased natural killer cell activity by 156 percent, while the raw garlic enhanced killer cell activity 140 percent.
The volunteers in the group were given 0.5 g/kg of body weight of raw garlic on a daily basis for three weeks and the volunteers who took Kyolic took a daily of 1,800 mg. (Internal Medicine News 20(12)49, June 15-30, 1987) Copyright Phylis Austin

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS/COCOA
Two physicians who have been treating multiple sclerosis (MS) for many years suggest that it may be an allergic reaction to cocoa. A study comparing cocoa consumption and multiple sclerosis incidence reveals that where cocoa use is high, so is the incidence of multiple sclerosis. China, because of its climate, would be expected to have a high multiple sclerosis incidence, but they use very little cocoa and have a low rate of multiple sclerosis cases. Russia, a neighbor country, which uses a lot of cocoa, has a high incidence of multiple sclerosis. Norway, England, and Switzerland with the highest per capita cocoa consumption rates have many multiple sclerosis patients. In the Faroe Islands multiple sclerosis was almost unknown until the Allied Troops were stationed there and generously shared their chocolate supply with the population. Some have felt that the troops introduced an infectious agent, but perhaps they merely introduced an allergen.
The authors report that reactions to cocoa are delayed from one to seven days, making them very difficult to trace. Anne G. Mawas, M.D., has been instructing her MS patients for the past 20 years to avoid chocolate, and reports that those who did so have done well. Eliminating cocoa will not repair the neurologic damage that has been done, but appears to prevent progression of the disease. Dr. Mass observes that the allergen may be present in foods other than cocoa, and recommends the elimination of cola, coffee and tea. The highest incidence of MS onset is between the ages of 15 and 25, probably the peak years for chocolate consumption. Teenagers have spending money and take much of their nourishment away from home. Chocolate is a favorite snack food. MS patients who eliminate cocoa first notice headache and fatigue relief. Oftentimes they want to increase their activity too quickly because of the improvement, and have to be cautioned to do so only gradually. (Annals of Allergy 59:76-79, July, 1987) Copyright Phylis Austin

ALOE VERA/WOUND HEALING
Aloe vera contains amino acids, enzymes, water and other ingredients which aid wound healing. Aloe increases blood flow through the wound and contains acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) which may relieve pain. (Journal of American Podiatric Medical Association 77(4)165-169, April 1987) Copyright Phylis Austin

HOT BATH EPILEPSY
There is a form of epilepsy in which hot baths trigger reflex epilepsy. This type of epilepsy is apparently quite common in India, but not many cases have been reported elsewhere in the world. The onset of this type of epilepsy is most frequently during childhood, and the child typically outgrows it within six years.
Researchers do not yet understand what triggers an epileptic seizure in all instances; but if it can be determined, avoiding the trigger would a more suitable treatment than antiepileptic medications. (Postgraduate Medical Journal 63:975-976, 1987) Sometimes a food is the trigger, sometimes some emotional or physical tension. The parents must carefully study their child. A diary can be helpful. Copyright Phylis Austin

CHARCOAL EFFECTIVENESS
Five different charcoal products were evaluated for effectiveness in the treatment of childhood poisoning. Adults were given a dose of aspirin and one of five different forms of charcoal. Super-Char was the most effective, with Actidose-Aqua, Insta-Char, Liqui-Char, and Acta-Char following in that order. Super-char and Actidose-Aqua have higher surface areas than the other three forms of charcoal, making them more effective. (Annals of Internal Medicine 16(12)1340-1343, December, 1987) Every medicine cabinet should have a jar of dry powdered charcoal which is cheaper, more effective than the commercial liquid forms and never goes out of date. There is no significant trouble to stirring the powder into water at the time of use. Copyright Phylis Austin

HERBAL TEAS
Many persons using herbal teas today are unaware of their toxic effects. Many reports of adverse effects appear in the medical literature. A summary article lists the following possible side-effects for commonly used herbal teas: Buckthorn: Severe watery diarrhea; Burdock root: Blurred vision, dry mouth, dilated pupils, delirium, disorientation; Chamomile: Allergic reactions, contact dermatitis; Comfrey: Liver failure, liver cancer, veno-occlusive disease; Foxglove: Cardiac arrest, heart rhythm irregularities; Gordolobo: Liver failure; Hops: Red blood cell changes; Jimson: Central nervous system intoxication, hallucinations, incoordination blurred vision; Kavakava: Central nervous system intoxication, incoordination, deafness, skin yellowing and lesions; Lobelia: Nervous system reactions, possible liver toxin; Mandrake: Nervous system reactions; Mate: Veno-occlusive disease, liver failure; Melilot: Blood abnormalities; Mormon tea: Sympathetic nervous system intoxication, hallucinations, visual disturbances, liver damage; Oleander: Heart arrest; Poke root: Gastroenteritis, bloody diarrhea, low blood pressure; Sassafras: liver cancer; Senna: Diarrhea; Snakeroot: Central nervous system intoxication; Tansy ragwort: Veno-occlusive disease, liver failure; Woodruff: Blood changes; Yohimbe bark: nervous system reactions. (Archives of Environmental Health 42(2)133-136, May-June 1987) Copyright Phylis Austin

HYPERTHERMIA/FETUS
Hyperthermia (high body temperature ) has been shown to be capable of producing birth defects. The defects in the fetus vary with the amount of fever elevation and the stage of the fetus during exposure. Adverse effects include abortion, stillbirth, congenital malformations and embryonic resorption. Mental retardation, spina bifida, changes in muscle tome, and neurogenic arthrogryposis (limb defects) have occurred in association with hyperthermia in humans, while animal studies have demonstrated microcephaly (small eyeballs), and clubfoot. Pregnant women should not be given fever treatment and should avoid hot tubs and sauna baths. (Obstetrical and Gynecological Survey, August, 1987,p. 512-513) Copyright Phylis Austin

HYPERTHERMIA/BENIGN PROSTATE DISEASE
Researchers at the University of Southern California at Los Angeles are studying the use of heat in the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy. Similar research has been carried on in Israel for about six years with favorable results. A specially designed instrument is inserted for one hour at a time, twice a week for five weeks. The treatment is not painful; men remain awake during the procedure, but some some develop irritation of the urethra. Results thus far have been encouraging. Methodist Hospital of Indianapolis, Indiana, plans to begin a similar treatment program. (Medical World News 28(23)20,21, December 14, 1987) Copyright Phylis Austin

ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL/COLD BATHS
Baths of 18 degrees C. (64.5 degrees F.) were effective in treating delirium tremens according to a report from France. The sufferer was placed in water up to his shoulders and cold water poured over his head. The baths may be given two or three times a day. The cases in the report slept quietly for two hours after each bath. (Journal of American Medical Association 26:616, March 28, 1986) Copyright Phylis Austin

ITCHING/SALT RUBS
Itching skin may be soothed by wetting the area with water, dipping the fingers in water, then in salt, and rubbing the affected area with the salt sticking to the fingers, according to an 1986 report. The writing physician states that initially there is a sensation of burning which is followed by a feeling of coolness, with disappearance of the itching. (Journal of the American Medical Association 26:144, January 18, 1986) Copyright Phylis Austin

ALOE VERA/BURNS
A recent study revealed that aloe vera gel decreases bacterial counts and speeds healing of burns. Aloe treated burns healed in an average of 30 days while burns in the control animals required 50 days for healing. (Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 81(3)386-389, March 1988) Copyright Phylis Austin

TEA/URINARY STONES
Drinking tea may increase the risk of formation of stones in the urinary tract. A study carried out in Saudi Arabia demonstrated that oxalate excretion is increased with the intake of tea. It is known that stone production increases as the intake of sugar, calcium, and animal protein increases. (Annals of Saudi Medicine 8(2)108-112, 1988) Copyright Phylis Austin

ALOE
Aloe vera has been shown effective in reducing inflammation and edema. Artificially induced arthritis improved when treated with aloe. It has been suggested that commercially available aloe preparations should have a 70 percent aloe concentration to be effective. (Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association 77(11)610-612, November 1987) Copyright Phylis Austin

TEA/CHOLESTEROL
Tea, over a two week period, may produce a 4.1 percent increase in cholesterol levels. (Your Health 27(19)4, September 13, 1988) Copyright Phylis Austin

TEA/CANCER
Tea drinking increases the risk of stomach, kidney and lung cancer. (British Journal of Cancer 58:397-401, 1988) Copyright Phylis Austin

GINSENG/VAGINAL BLEEDING
Use of a face cream containing ginseng induced postmenopausal vaginal bleeding in a 44-year-old woman. Because many cosmetics contain ginseng it is wise to be aware of this possibility. (American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 159(5)1121-1122, November, 1988) Copyright Phylis Austin

TEA/PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME
A study from the People's Republic of China revealed that tea consumption causes premenstrual syndrome, and that symptoms are more severe as tea intake increases. (American Journal of Public health 79(1)67-69, January 1989) Other suspected causes of premenstrual syndrome include hormonal imbalance, progesterone deficiency, dietary deficiencies, refined sugar use, high fat foods, tobacco or alcohol use, insufficient exercise, use of oral contraceptives and caffeine use. Copyright Phylis Austin

CHAMOMILE/BURNS/DIAPER RASH
Cooled chamomile tea or chamomile flowers added to bath water may be soothing for the inflammation of diaper rash or burns. Chamomile has been found to contain alpha-bisabolols, which contain anti-inflammatory qualities. (Medical Self Care (52)15, September- October, 1989) Copyright Phylis Austin

HYPERTHERMIA/COMMON COLD
Cold sufferers who inhaled hot, humidified air for twenty to thirty minutes reported improvement in their symptoms. (British Medical Journal 298:1280-1283, May 13, 1989) This treatment has no known adverse effects if care is taken not to burn oneself, and may be repeated as often as desired. It is simple to do -- merely place a pan of water on the kitchen stove and inhale the escaping steam. Drape a towel over the head and pan to capture the steam if desired. Hot saline nasal irrigations will do the same thing. Use one teaspoon of salt to one pint of water and irrigate with a small ear syringe from the pharmacy. Copyright Phylis Austin

COLD PACKS/JELLYFISH STINGS
Cold packs or ice are very effective in relief of the pain associated with jellyfish stings according to report from the Surf Life-Saving Association of Australia. The treatment routine used in this study was to apply the cold pack for five to ten minutes. If pain was still present after ten minutes the ice was applied for another ten minutes. (Medical Journal of Australia 151:625-625, December 4-18, 1989) Copyright Phylis Austin

CHAPARRAL LEAF/HEPATITIS
A 33-year-old woman began taking Chaparral leaf (Larrea tridentata) tablets for a benign breast lump. She developed retrosternal pain, nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, and swelling of her feet. The woman became so ill she was admitted to a hospital where she was diagnosed to have a subacute liver necrosis (cell death). She improved when she discontinued the use of the herbal preparation. Chaparral leaf is also recommended for the treatment of colds, flu, urinary tract infections, and diarrhea, and may be applied to the scalp in the treatment of dandruff. (Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology 12(2)203-206, 1990) Copyright Phylis Austin

LOCAL HYPERTHERMIA/COMMON COLD
Still another study shows that raising the temperature in the nose aids the body in recovering from a cold. Early data suggests that the treatment should be continued for about 30 minutes. Treatments may be repeated at about two hour intervals. (British Medical Journal 298:128, May 13, 1989) Copyright Phylis Austin

ICE PACK/MIGRAINE
An ice pack may be helpful in pain relief for those who suffer migraine headaches. Dr. Lawrence D. Robbins, director of the Robbins Headache Clinic, says that patients who use ice packs while waiting for their pain medication to take effect reported faster relief of symptoms. The patients were told to wrap the ice pack around the head snugly enough to provide moderate pressure. Pain relief may begin in 12-15 minutes. (Emergency Medicine, August 15, 1990, p. 139-142) Copyright Phylis Austin

CALCIUM/KALE
Are you looking for a good source of calcium? The calcium from kale has been shown to be readily absorbed. Collards, mustard greens, and turnip greens are also good calcium sources. (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 51:656, April 1990) Copyright Phylis Austin

ICE PACK/LARYNGITIS WITH COUGH
Vocal cords which become swollen during laryngitis with cough may be relieved by the use of an ice collar made by placing crushed ice in plastic wrap, and attaching it securely to the child's throat. (Cordtlandt Forum, October, 1989) Copyright Phylis Austin

GINSENG/ANDROGENIZATION
The male infant of a woman who took ginseng throughout her pregnancy was born with unusually large testicles and thick, black pubic hair. An investigation suggested that the ginseng was responsible for the changes. The mother had noticed thicker hair growth while taking the ginseng to control her mood swings and irritability. (Journal of the American Medical Association 264(22)2866, December 12, 1990) Copyright Phylis Austin

HYPERTHERMIA/ABACTERIAL PROSTATITIS
Local hyperthermia to the prostate may be helpful in the relief of abacterial prostatitis according to a study from the Institute of Urology at Tel Aviv University, Israel. The patients in this study had failed to respond to other treatments over a course of several years. Twenty-five percent had complete loss of their symptoms, fifty percent had partial response, with improvement in symptoms, while the remaining twenty-five percent did not benefit. (British Journal of Urology 67:308-311, 1991) Copyright Phylis Austin

HYPERTHERMIA/BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA
Enlargement of the prostate gland is a common problem as men age. A study from Spain revealed that local hyperthermia to the prostate improved symptoms in 76 of 100 patients. Six or more one-hour-long treatments were found to be the most effective. (European Urology 20:9-11, 1991) Copyright Phylis Austin

CINNAMON
A physician reported that he suffered depression, inability to concentrate and a sensation of being "disconnected." Sometimes he felt he had things crawling under his skin. He suffered bloating, gas, and diarrhea. His physicians were unable to find the cause of his problem. He began reviewing his daily intake and realized that he had been taking in large amounts of cinnamon in his breakfast cereal. His symptoms improved when he discontinued the cereal. Cinnamon oil is known to produce depression of the central nervous system, gastrointestinal symptoms including cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and rectal burning. (Cortlandt Forum, February 1992, page 149) Copyright Phylis Austin

HYPERTHERMIA/ARTHRITIS
Deep heat may be used effectively in the treatment of arthritis and synovitis. (American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 69(5)239-244, October 1990) Copyright Phylis Austin

HOMEMADE ICE PACK
A solution of 10% saline solution placed in a leak-proof plastic bag provides a very convenient ice pack. The bag should be filled about one-quarter full, and placed flat in the freezer to be ready for immediate use. The saline freezes to a soft slush, ideal for cold packs that need to be molded to a body part. After the pack is thawed it may be refrozen and reused. (The Physical Therapy Review 40:818, 1960) Copyright Phylis Austin

ALOE VERA/GUM DISEASE
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma have been impressed with the use of aloe vera in the treatment of gum disease. Aloe vera has both antibacterial and healing properties. (Your Health, July 28, 1992) Copyright Phylis Austin

BACK PAIN/ICE MASSAGE
A South Carolina physician advises his back pain patients to fill a small paper cup with water, put a wooden ice cream stick in the cup and freeze the cup. He instructed them to peel the cup off the ice block, and holding the stick, to massage the painful area for five to ten minutes in a circular motion. Initially pain relief lasts about 15 minutes, but as the treatment routine continues pain relief persists for longer periods of time. (Edell Health Letter 8(7)6, July 1989; Pain Management, March/April 1988) Copyright Phylis Austin

CHARCOAL/CHILDHOOD POISONING
A study from Finland revealed that failure to have charcoal in the home resulted in a significant delay in treatment of childhood poisoning. A study carried out by a Poison Control Center revealed that children whose parents had already purchased charcoal were treated within about 25 minutes of poisoning, but those whose parents had to buy charcoal were subjected to an average delay in treatment of over 40 minutes. (Human and Experimental Toxicology 12:92-93, 1993) We feel that every home should have charcoal readily available. Copyright Phylis Austin

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTATION/BIRTHWEIGHT
Health officials in many countries are campaigning to provide nutritional supplementation to pregnant women, in an attempt to increase the birthweight of their infants. Researchers have recently questioned the value of this policy, and raise the question of whether or not these attempts may actually be detrimental to the mother and/or infant. They point out that birthweight is not an indication of health or lack of it. Illness in small infants is not attributable to low birth weight, but to the disease process which caused the low birth weight. Furthermore, there is no evidence that increasing birth weight reduces sickness or death in newborns.
Efforts to increase infant birthweight also increase the risk of complications during labor. A larger infant is at greater risk of being delivered surgically because of cephalopelvic disproportion.
No one would question the importance of adequate and good nutrition throughout pregnancy, but attempts to supplement a balanced diet should be carefully considered. (The Lancet 340:1021-1023, October 24, 1992) Copyright Phylis Austin

CHARCOAL/FOOD ALLERGENS
Taking charcoal may reduce food allergy reactions by binding the proteins, preventing absorption by the body. (Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 91(1 Pt 2)344, January, 1993) Copyright Phylis Austin

BORAGE SEED OIL/EVENING PRIMROSE OIL/RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
Gammalinolenic acid, found in borage seed oil (Boragio officinalis) and evening primrose oil (Oenothera biennis), may prove to be very helpful to rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. Thirty-seven rheumatoid arthritis patients were given 1.4 g. of gammalinolenic acid (four capsules three times a day following meals).
Beneficial effects often do not occur for at least 6 to 12 weeks of treatment, so the patient must be persistent. By week 24 of this study the patients given gammalinolenic acid had reduced tender joint counts, a reduction in joint swelling, and less morning stiffness.
Side-effects of the treatment included soft stools, constipation, flatulence (gas), and belching.
Earlier studies, using smaller doses of gammalinolenic acid, did not show significant benefit.
Gammalinolenic acid, an essential fatty acid, is known to reduce inflammation. (Medical Abstracts Newsletter, December 1993; Annals of Internal Medicine 119:867-873, November 1993) Copyright Phylis Austin

MASSAGE/DEPRESSION
Massage therapy may be very helpful for children and teenagers who are suffering from depression. Fifty-two hospitalized adolescents were given thirty minute back rubs, one a day for five days. The massaged adolescents had lower anxiety scores than the non-massaged control group. (Massage (46)93, November-December 1993) Copyright Phylis Austin

EVENING PRIMROSE OIL/PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME (PMS)
Various studies of the effectiveness of evening primrose oil in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome have shown conflicting results. Some demonstrated improvement; others demonstrated no benefit. Of the study groups which did report improvement in symptoms the improvement did not persist over a long period of time. Evening primrose oil capsules are expensive, and women who are receiving no benefit may wish to consider stopping their use. Further studies need to be done to evaluate the effectiveness of evening primrose oil in the treatment of PMS. (Medical Journal of Australia 153:189-192, August 20, 1990) Copyright Phylis Austin

COFFEE/TEA/CHILDHOOD DIABETES
Children who consume coffee or tea are at increased risk of developing Type I diabetes during childhood. (European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 48:279-285, 1994) Copyright Phylis Austin

ALOE/ASTHMA
The Japanese have been using aloe vera extracts in the treatment of asthma. Asthma patients were given 5 milliliters of 20 percent extract from fresh aloe vera leaves twice a day. After 24 weeks 40 percent of the patients in the study reported significant improvement. Patients who had previously been dependent on corticosteroid medications were less likely to benefit from the aloe vera. (Alternatives 5(18)138, December 1994; Planta Medica 85:273-5, 1985) Copyright Phylis Austin

HORTICULTURAL THERAPY
Benjamin Rush observed in the 18th century that gardening was helpful for mentally ill persons. A study done at the New York Sloan Kettering Institute revealed that women recovering from breast cancer surgery improved faster with gardening therapy. They also suffered less depression. A 1986 study found that blood pressure levels dropped within four to six minutes after the study subjects were exposed to a nature scene. Gardening reduces stress, provides good exercise, and may even provide some good eating! (Natural Health, March-April 1995) Copyright Phylis Austin

CHARCOAL/POISONING
Charcoal formulations for poisoning are produced by several U.S. companies. Ingredients vary, depending on the manufacturer. A study of the most effective formulation indicated that the products which do not contain sorbitol are the most effective. Sorbitol added to the charcoal increases adverse effects, particularly in children, and may reduce the effectiveness of the charcoal. (Annals of Pharmacotherapy 27:358-361, March 1993) Copyright Phylis Austin

COLLOIDAL SILVER
The FDA has issued a warning regarding colloidal silver. Now we learn that these products are being promoted to farmers to improve the health of their animals. There are no studies showing that colloidal silver is safe or effective for animals. Colloidal silver may remain in the meat of food animals, or be excreted in milk. (Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 210(7)878, April 1, 1997; J American Veterinary Medical Association 210(8)1090, April 15, 1997) Copyright Phylis Austin

COLLOIDAL MINERALS
Various companies have proclaimed the benefits to be gained by the use of their colloidal mineral products. Many Americans have received complementary audio tapes of lectures describing the many diseases which could be prevented or treated with their colloidal products.
The chemical analysis of five different products presents cause for concern. Some of the products were excessively high in sodium, one product's primary ingredient was aluminum, a third actually contained very few of the minerals and trace elements required by the body, and another contained very high levels of strontium. Not much is known about the body's strontium requirements so we are unaware of any rational reason to take large quantities of it. (Health Counselor 9(1)61-63; 9(2)60-62, 1997). Copyright Phylis Austin

PERINATAL MASSAGE
Antenatal perineal massage seems to reduce episiotomies, second and third degree tears and instrumental deliveries, particularly in women over 30 years of age. (British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 104:787-791, July 1997) Copyright Phylis Austin