This month we examine some of the health claims that have been circulating through email and on the Internet, and answer some reader’s questions.
About HGH …
You may be one of those who have received emails or ads touting the benefits of using HGH, or human growth hormones. Admittedly, it does sound great; this supplement is purported to help you gain back your youth and vitality, erase years of aging from you face and body, blah, blah blah.
Here’s the fact check: human growth hormone decreases with age naturally, because we do not need it after a certain age. Our body’s intelligence is programmed to reduce human growth hormone after adolescence. The synthetic form of HGH is something doctors prescribe for particular conditions and situations, such as short stature in children or the muscle wasting associated with HIV/AIDS.
Over the years I have been approached by a number of companies wanting The Herbarium to carry HGH products. I ask each of them one simple question: “Does using HGH contribute to the growth of tumors?” Every company has said no and promised to send me research and studies to back up their claim. Surprise, surprise, not a single one has ever provided the information. Thus, until someone can prove this substance does not promote tumor growth, The Herbarium will not sell HGH in any form.
The truth about the ‘Cancer’ video
There is a lot of buzz about “The Truth About Cancer“ video. There is some good information in the video but I must warn viewers about one particular part of that video that is very misleading. It states that ingesting frankincense can fight cancer. This is wrong. No reputable or knowledgeable aromatherapist would recommend ingesting frankincense oil or resin. The only people encouraging that are multi level marketers and retailers of the essential oils. Frankincense Oil contains toluene, a known carcinogen. What makes frankincense effective is boswellic acid. It is not in the essential oil, but it in a boswellia alcohol tincture. For more information and the link to the study that backs up the real story about frankincense, check out The Herbarium’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/The-Herbarium/176522282392704
Readers ask …
Dear Jonathan,
I was doing some brush clearing and ran into poison ivy. Are there any natural products that can get rid of it?
— Alan
Dear Alan,
Yes there are several things we use. Making a thin paste of French green clay is very soothing and helps dry up the blisters without getting itchy, such as what happens with Calamine lotion. A really good remedy is to add homeopathic formulas or just plain Rhus toxicodendron, more commonly known as “ Poison Ivy’! Strange as it may sound the homeopathic form of poison ivy really does work well to relieve the itching, burning and crusting due to exposure to poison ivy. There are topical sprays available that may contain menthol or grindelia, a flower that has been traditionally used to treat poison ivy.
— Jonathan
Dear Jonathan,
I am having really terrible hot flashes and night sweats. Sometimes I change nightgowns three times a night. I have tried black cohosh but it did nothing. Is there any magic pill for this? My husband is sleeping on the couch because of me. Help!
— Annette
Dear Annette,
There is a very good supplement that we have recommended for many years that has helped the majority of customers at The Herbarium. It is a combination of black cohosh and fermented soy (non-GMO). If you tried the usual drug store brand of black cohosh, I understand why it did not work. The product I speak of is very different and the results will be much better, I am sure. In some cases extra black cohosh may be needed but we won’t know until you start the first product.
— Jonathan
Please send your questions on botanical remedies to Natures Rx: Jonathan Evans via email at herbarium258@gmail.com, or by regular mail to: The Herbarium, 264 Exchange St., Chicopee, Mass. 01013. If requesting additional information from Evans, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
