Herbal answers for restless legs, reflux and more

By Jonathan Evans Herbal Information Specialist /Business Representative for the Herbarium Special to PRIME Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all. We here at Herbarium wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season. Here is a simple way to keep your house smelling great and keeping the germs at bay. Try using essential oil of Peppermint around the house. It puts a crisp clean scent in the air, and helps to fight airborne viruses and bacteria, and clears up a stuffy head. We have a list of diffusion methods available free of charge at Herbarium. You could also add other oils such as pine, fir, cedar, or blends thereof and add it to the water in your Christmas tree stand, or even sprinkle it on the tree. As the lights warm the tree, the oils will be released creating a truly memorable setting for all Dear Jonathan, I have RLS (restless leg syndrome) and cannot get any sleep because of the jumpiness and tingling in my legs. Are there any herbal answers for this? — Diane Dear Diane, There are many possibilities to help you. Magnesium, potassium vitamin E or iron deficiencies can contribute to the condition. Most people find magnesium and/or potassium to give fast relief. There are homeopathic remedies that are specifically designed for RLS. Herb-wise, you might try skullcap (Scutellaria laterfolia),valerian (valeriana officinalis), vervain(Verbena officinalis), passionflower(Passiflora incarnata) or blends with those ingredients. We have a mixture called Ultimate soak at Herbarium. It contains Epsom salts, wild oat, valerian and skullcap. In addition to several essential oils. Dissolve a handful into your bath and feel your legs and the rest of your body unwind and relax! Dear Jonathan, I have been on acid blockers for many months, but my reflux seems to be getting worse. I am constantly queasy, and it seems I can't tolerate a lot of foods I used to enjoy. Is there something natural that can get rid of this acid I have? — Gerry Dear Gerry, It might interest you to know that the symptoms of too much and too little stomach acid are the same. If you have been using an acid blocking agent, and it still gets worse, perhaps the problem is too little acid. You did not give me your age, but if you are fifty or over, my bet is too little, not too much. We have several articles on acid reflux and digestion. My favorite is one entitled "The Myth of " Acid Indigestion" and Antacid Products" written by Jonathan Wright, MD. You may have seen articles authored by him in Prevention magazine. Stomach acid is necessary for food digestion and vitamin absorption . Other consequences of shutting off stomach acid is abnormal bacterial flora, such as candida, and sometimes atrophy of the stomach lining. Many of our customers have tried adding digestive enzymes to help with restoring normal digestion and DGL to help restore the stomach lining. We have lots of free literature that explains all of this available at Herbarium. I am not suggesting one should stop taking their acid reducer without discussing it with their health provider, but it is very important to take something like a good digestive enzyme to aid with your digestion and absorption. In many cases people have been able to reduce and even finish using antacids. Whether you suffer from reflux or GERD or occasional heartburn, it might be a good idea to have some digestive enzymes handy. Hostesses might want to have some papya slices for guests or a chewable enzyme for holiday over eating. Dear Jonathan, We have mice and no cat! Are there any herbs that can chase them away? — Diane Dear Diane, Not an herb but an oil, specifically, essential oil of Peppermint (Mentha piperita). Put a few drops of pure peppermint oil on cotton balls and place them along the sill of the house or any area you may have seen them. Lots our customers have used the oil in campers and storage areas with great success and it smells a lot better than mothballs. Mice have sense of smell hundreds of times more sensitive than humans, and what we think is a pleasant tingle is like fire to them. They will go away as fast as they can. — Jonathan Please send your questions on botanical remedies to Natures Rx : Jonathan Evans via e-mail at info@theherbarium.com, or by regular mail at The Herbarium, 264 Exchange Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. If you are requesting additional information from Jonathan, please include a self-addrresed stamped envelope.