Natural alternatives to mass meds

Better Nutrition, Sept, 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

Menstrual       Advil, Motrin, Nuprin   Throughout the month, take
cramps          (ibuprofen); Aleve      niacin (vitamin [B.sub.3]):
(primary dys-   (naproxen); Tylenol     200mg/day; calcium: 1,000
menorrhea)      (acetaminophen)         mg/day; magnesium: 500 mg/day;
                                        vitamin C with bioflavonoids:
                                        1-3 grams/day. When
                                        experiencing menstrual cramps,
                                        take niacin: 100 mg every 2-3
                                        hours; corydalis (rhizome):
                                        10-20 ml of a 1:2 tincture
                                        (alcohol extract) or the
                                        equivalent, daily; cramp bark
                                        (Viburnum opulus): 4-8 ml
                                        tincture three times daily.

Migraine        Bayer, Ecotrin,         Magnesium: 500mg/day. Ribo-
headaches       Bufferin (aspirin);     flavin (vitamin [B.sub.2]):
                Advil, Motrin, Nuprin   400mg/day. Feverfew leaf
                (ibuprofen); Aleve      (Tanacetum parthenium): in
                (naproxen); Tylenol     capsules or tablets providing
                (acetaminophen);        at least 250 mcg of
                Excedrin, Excedrin      parthenolide/day. Four to six
                Migraine                weeks of continued usage of
                (acetaminophen with     the above alternatives is
                aspirin and caffeine)   necessary to reduce the
                                        frequency and severity of
                                        migraines. The following
                                        nutrients may also reduce the
                                        frequency and severity of
                                        migraines: CoQ10 (coenzyme
                                        Q10): 150-300 mg/day; 5HTP
                                        (5-hydroxytryptophan): 200-400
                                        mg/day; and vitamin
                                        [B.sub.12]: 1 mg/day. Pregnant
                                        women, children, people on
                                        antidepressants or those who
                                        have reduced liver function,
                                        liver disease or autoimmune
                                        disease should not take 5HTP.

Premenstrual    Bayer, Ecotrin,         Vitamin [B.sub.6]: 25-50
breast ten-     Bufferin (aspirin);     mg/day. Evening primrose oil
derness         Advil, Motrin, Nuprin   (EPO): 6 grams/day (providing
(cyclic         (ibuprofen); Tylenol    about 540 mg GLA) for at least
mastalgia)      (acetaminophen)         6 months. Chaste tree berries
                                        (Vitex agnus-castus) in cap-
                                        sules or tablets: 30-40 mg of
                                        dried extract/day in the
                                        morning for at least 3 months.
                                        Reduce saturated fats and
                                        caffeine in your diet, and get
                                        regular aerobic exercise.

Premenstrual    Aqua-Ban                Standardized bilberry extract:
water reten-                            80-160 mg three times daily.
tion (premen-                           Quercetin: 50 mg/day. Vitamin
strual edema)                           [B.sub.6]:100 mg/day.
                                        Dandelion leaf (not root) tea
                                        or extract: Take as directed
                                        on label.