[MR] Herbal Remedies

[David Chessler]

------ Original Message ------
Received: Fri, 23 Oct 2009 03:39:04 PM EDT
From: "Geffrei Maudelyene" <geffrei at triad.rr.com>
To: "Merry Rose" <Atlantia at atlantia.sca.org>
Subject: Re: [MR] Herbal Remedies

> While it has been used in my immediate family for years, clove oil for
> earaches does work for me. It is the ingredient in some toothache medicines
> as the binder for temporary fillings (different name listed on box that I
> can't spell at this moment.).
> 
> However, it falls in the aspirin family and my doctor asked me if I was
> allergic to aspirin when we last discussed herbal stuff I might be taking.
> Yes, I discuss all herbal stuff with my very open minded doctor. I am on
way
> too many medications not to.
 
Eugenol is the active ingredient in clove oil. It is still used in that form
(refined, factory made) for toothache. (I have packed lost fillings with
cotton soaked in eugenol, and it works. There are OTC toothache kits that
consist of a gum mixed with eugenol.) There are many herbal ingredients that
are safe if used "correctly". Oil of Primrose was recently banned for INTERNAL
use by the FDA, but is still sold and used for external use.

A serious problem with herbal medicines is 'dose control." The active
ingredient may be safe and effective, but the concentration can depend on
growing conditions, variety, and the part of the plant. People of my
generation will have heard that Marijuana grown in hot, dry climates is
stronger. Similarly, you get better wine from grapes grown on poor, gravelly
(well-drained) soils, and if there is not a lot of rain late in the growing
season. 

--

YIS

Davitt il Bigollo da Pisa
Erudit de l'Academie de Espee de Atlantia
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