Natural remedies to soothe sinus troubles, sciatica pain, poison ivy

By Jonathan Evans Herbal Information Specialist /Business Representative for the Herbarium Special to PRIME A host of questions have come in to me recently, but because of space limitations, I cannot go into great detail on the whys and wherefores of each answer. Please take the information for what it is worth and try the suggestions! Dear Jonathan, I have heard you say on your radio program that you have allergies. I have been through the mill with treatments from prescriptions to allergy shots over the years and I still have a stuffed head and sneezing. What do you use? Ed, Southwick Dear Ed, I have used Dr. Clayton Sinus-Ade for many years and it has done the trick. It is an old remedy but results do not lie, My experience has shown you can use the capsules as needed, and the longer you take them, the less you need. Another product that works well is Aller-calm, an extract formula under the Herbarium label. Finally, one item that has caught on is called Aller-ease, from Buried Treasure. It is a liquid formula that is fast-acting and helps stop the mucous production and other symptoms. For those who may be concerned about herb/drug interactions, there are several homeopathic formulas that can give needed relief without side effects. Dear Jonathan, My doctor says my sciatica is due to a bulging disk. I have tried Ibuprofen, but it doesn't seem to do very much. Do you have any suggestions? Bob, Holyoke Dear Bob, Sciatica is a very common problem and there are several things you can try for pain relief. We have heard from several customers that using Glucosamine Sulfate helped with the bulging disk to stop further deterioration. For pain, we commonly use Jamaican Dogwood or California Poppy extracts, homeopathic Hypericum in a 30c strength, Nerve and Osteo-Support (a mineral combination) and Dr. Clayton Nerve-eaze. There is also a bath soak we make called Ultimate Soak, which contains Epsom salts, several nerve tonic herbs and some essential oils. This stuff is great. One last trick Kathy has taught people for years. Take an ice pack and put it on top of your foot, right where your shoe laces would be. This is where the sciatic nerve ends. Cool the end and it numbs pain all the way up your leg. Dear Jonathan, I have poison ivy all over my arms and neck. I thought I covered everything but now I itch like crazy. Calamine lotion makes it itch even more. Is there anything herbal that works? Tony, East Springfield Dear Tony, One of the best things to try is a wash of French green clay. Depending how widespread your poison ivy is, you may want to make a solution of clay and water and soak a bandage in it, then wrap your arms. It is very soothing and it dries up the blisters without drying out your skin. Wash with Grampa's Pine Tar soap and try a homeopathic remedy internally that contains Rhus Tox. There are also sprays that work well, containing Grindellia, and Jewel weed, traditional herbs with anti-itch and anti-inflammatory action. Well, that's all the space for this month folks. Keep your questions coming! 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