Natural alternatives to mass meds - Goodnews: essential natural health news

Better Nutrition, March, 2004

Each month, Amber D. Ackerson, ND, informs you about complementary and alternative choices to mass-produced over-the-counter (OTC) drugs.

CONDITION                OTC DRUG                   ALTERNATIVE

Acne            Clearasil (Benzoyl peroxide) Tea tree oil (Melaleuca
                                             alternifolia): 5-15
                                             percent preparation
                                             applied topically one
                                             to two times daily after
                                             washing face.

Athlete's Foot  Desenex (undecylinic acid),  Fresh garlic poultice: In
                Monistat (miconazole),       the evening, apply one
                Lotrimin (clotrimazole)      clove of fresh, crushed
                                             garlic to affected area,
                                             cover area with a
                                             breatheable bandage or use
                                             sterile gauze, then cover
                                             foot with clean sock.
                                             Leave on overnight. Repeat
                                             for 3-7 nights, as needed.
                                             Kolorex cream (Nature's
                                             Sources), used as directed
                                             is also effective, as is
                                             tea tree oil (see Acne
                                             above) applied several
                                             times a day.

Eczema          Topical hydrocortisone       Topical licorice and or
                cream (numerous brands)      comfrey cream or salve.
                                             If eczema is chronic, or
                                             more severe, try adding 1
                                             tablespoon of flaxseed oil
                                             to your diet in salads,
                                             soups or sauces.

Heartburn       Antacids: Rolaids, Losopan.  Gamma oryzanol (rice bran
                Histamine (H2) blockers:     oil extract): Two 150-mg
                Tagamet, Pepcid,             capsules as needed. DGL
                Nizatidine, Zantac. Antacid  licorice
                and proton pump inhibitor:   (deglycyrrhizinated
                Prilosec.                    licorice): 200 ing as
                                             needed. (Caution: Do not
                                             use regular licorice [non-
                                             DGL] if you have high Mood
                                             pressure.) Acid-Ease
                                             (Prevail Corp.) taken as
                                             directed provides DGL,
                                             gamma oryzanol and other
                                             soothing herbs and plant
                                             enzymes.

Joint           Oral cortisone               Capsaicin cream topically.
Inflammation                                 Try adding oral
                                             glucosamine sulfate (500
                                             mg) caps 2-3 times daily
                                             and flaxseed oil or fish
                                             oil (EPA) for persistent,
                                             or more severe, joint
                                             pain.